Chapter XII · Chapter 12

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

From this reading Wellington was, as he knew from his agents in the Portuguese government, receiving reinforcements; and would shortly be in a position to assume the offensive.

plural of “agent” — an active and efficient cause; capable of producing a certain effect

From this reading Wellington was, as he knew from his agents in the Portuguese government, receiving reinforcements; and would shortly be in a position to assume the offensive.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading In the early spring Soult, who was besieging Cadiz, received orders from Napoleon to cooperate with Massena and, although ignorant of the latter's plans, and even of his position, prepared to do so at once.

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

From this reading In the early spring Soult, who was besieging Cadiz, received orders from Napoleon to cooperate with Massena and, although ignorant of the latter's plans, and even of his position, prepared to do so at once.

a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state

From this reading His army was wasted by sickness; and famine threatened it, for the supplies obtainable from the country round had now been exhausted.

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

From this reading Wellington was, as he knew from his agents in the Portuguese government, receiving reinforcements; and would shortly be in a position to assume the offensive.

take to be the case or to be true; accept without verification or proof

From this reading Wellington was, as he knew from his agents in the Portuguese government, receiving reinforcements; and would shortly be in a position to assume the offensive.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading In the early spring Soult, who was besieging Cadiz, received orders from Napoleon to cooperate with Massena and, although ignorant of the latter's plans, and even of his position, prepared to do so at once.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading He crushed the Spanish force on the Gebora; captured Badajoz, owing to the treachery and cowardice of its commander; and was moving north, when the news reached him that Massena was falling back.

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

From this reading He crushed the Spanish force on the Gebora; captured Badajoz, owing to the treachery and cowardice of its commander; and was moving north, when the news reached him that Massena was falling back.

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

From this reading Wellington was, as he knew from his agents in the Portuguese government, receiving reinforcements; and would shortly be in a position to assume the offensive.

enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading The latter's position had, indeed, become untenable.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading His army was wasted by sickness; and famine threatened it, for the supplies obtainable from the country round had now been exhausted.

the action of an armed force that surrounds a fortified place and isolates it while continuing to attack

From this reading In the early spring Soult, who was besieging Cadiz, received orders from Napoleon to cooperate with Massena and, although ignorant of the latter's plans, and even of his position, prepared to do so at once.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading His army was wasted by sickness; and famine threatened it, for the supplies obtainable from the country round had now been exhausted.

an ancient port city in southwestern Spain

From this reading In the early spring Soult, who was besieging Cadiz, received orders from Napoleon to cooperate with Massena and, although ignorant of the latter's plans, and even of his position, prepared to do so at once.

past form of “capture” — succeed in representing or expressing something intangible

From this reading He crushed the Spanish force on the Gebora; captured Badajoz, owing to the treachery and cowardice of its commander; and was moving north, when the news reached him that Massena was falling back.

an officer in command of a military unit

From this reading He crushed the Spanish force on the Gebora; captured Badajoz, owing to the treachery and cowardice of its commander; and was moving north, when the news reached him that Massena was falling back.

work together on a common enterprise of project

From this reading In the early spring Soult, who was besieging Cadiz, received orders from Napoleon to cooperate with Massena and, although ignorant of the latter's plans, and even of his position, prepared to do so at once.

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading His army was wasted by sickness; and famine threatened it, for the supplies obtainable from the country round had now been exhausted.

the trait of lacking courage

From this reading He crushed the Spanish force on the Gebora; captured Badajoz, owing to the treachery and cowardice of its commander; and was moving north, when the news reached him that Massena was falling back.

treated so as to have a permanently wrinkled appearance

From this reading He crushed the Spanish force on the Gebora; captured Badajoz, owing to the treachery and cowardice of its commander; and was moving north, when the news reached him that Massena was falling back.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading In the early spring Soult, who was besieging Cadiz, received orders from Napoleon to cooperate with Massena and, although ignorant of the latter's plans, and even of his position, prepared to do so at once.

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading In the early spring Soult, who was besieging Cadiz, received orders from Napoleon to cooperate with Massena and, although ignorant of the latter's plans, and even of his position, prepared to do so at once.

divisible by two

From this reading In the early spring Soult, who was besieging Cadiz, received orders from Napoleon to cooperate with Massena and, although ignorant of the latter's plans, and even of his position, prepared to do so at once.

drained of energy or effectiveness; extremely tired; completely exhausted

From this reading His army was wasted by sickness; and famine threatened it, for the supplies obtainable from the country round had now been exhausted.

decreasing in amount or degree

From this reading He crushed the Spanish force on the Gebora; captured Badajoz, owing to the treachery and cowardice of its commander; and was moving north, when the news reached him that Massena was falling back.

an acute insufficiency

From this reading His army was wasted by sickness; and famine threatened it, for the supplies obtainable from the country round had now been exhausted.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading His army was wasted by sickness; and famine threatened it, for the supplies obtainable from the country round had now been exhausted.

a powerful effect or influence

From this reading He crushed the Spanish force on the Gebora; captured Badajoz, owing to the treachery and cowardice of its commander; and was moving north, when the news reached him that Massena was falling back.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading In the early spring Soult, who was besieging Cadiz, received orders from Napoleon to cooperate with Massena and, although ignorant of the latter's plans, and even of his position, prepared to do so at once.

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

From this reading He crushed the Spanish force on the Gebora; captured Badajoz, owing to the treachery and cowardice of its commander; and was moving north, when the news reached him that Massena was falling back.

the organization that is the governing authority of a political unit

From this reading Wellington was, as he knew from his agents in the Portuguese government, receiving reinforcements; and would shortly be in a position to assume the offensive.

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

From this reading The latter's position had, indeed, become untenable.

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

From this reading He crushed the Spanish force on the Gebora; captured Badajoz, owing to the treachery and cowardice of its commander; and was moving north, when the news reached him that Massena was falling back.

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

From this reading He crushed the Spanish force on the Gebora; captured Badajoz, owing to the treachery and cowardice of its commander; and was moving north, when the news reached him that Massena was falling back.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading In the early spring Soult, who was besieging Cadiz, received orders from Napoleon to cooperate with Massena and, although ignorant of the latter's plans, and even of his position, prepared to do so at once.

uneducated in general; lacking knowledge or sophistication

From this reading In the early spring Soult, who was besieging Cadiz, received orders from Napoleon to cooperate with Massena and, although ignorant of the latter's plans, and even of his position, prepared to do so at once.

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

From this reading In the early spring Soult, who was besieging Cadiz, received orders from Napoleon to cooperate with Massena and, although ignorant of the latter's plans, and even of his position, prepared to do so at once.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading The latter's position had, indeed, become untenable.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading His army was wasted by sickness; and famine threatened it, for the supplies obtainable from the country round had now been exhausted.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading He crushed the Spanish force on the Gebora; captured Badajoz, owing to the treachery and cowardice of its commander; and was moving north, when the news reached him that Massena was falling back.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading Wellington was, as he knew from his agents in the Portuguese government, receiving reinforcements; and would shortly be in a position to assume the offensive.

possessive form of “latter” — the second of two or the second mentioned of two

From this reading In the early spring Soult, who was besieging Cadiz, received orders from Napoleon to cooperate with Massena and, although ignorant of the latter's plans, and even of his position, prepared to do so at once.

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

From this reading In the early spring Soult, who was besieging Cadiz, received orders from Napoleon to cooperate with Massena and, although ignorant of the latter's plans, and even of his position, prepared to do so at once.

in motion

From this reading He crushed the Spanish force on the Gebora; captured Badajoz, owing to the treachery and cowardice of its commander; and was moving north, when the news reached him that Massena was falling back.

French general who became emperor of the French (1769-1821)

From this reading In the early spring Soult, who was besieging Cadiz, received orders from Napoleon to cooperate with Massena and, although ignorant of the latter's plans, and even of his position, prepared to do so at once.

information about recent and important events

From this reading He crushed the Spanish force on the Gebora; captured Badajoz, owing to the treachery and cowardice of its commander; and was moving north, when the news reached him that Massena was falling back.

the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading He crushed the Spanish force on the Gebora; captured Badajoz, owing to the treachery and cowardice of its commander; and was moving north, when the news reached him that Massena was falling back.

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

From this reading His army was wasted by sickness; and famine threatened it, for the supplies obtainable from the country round had now been exhausted.

capable of being obtained

From this reading His army was wasted by sickness; and famine threatened it, for the supplies obtainable from the country round had now been exhausted.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading In the early spring Soult, who was besieging Cadiz, received orders from Napoleon to cooperate with Massena and, although ignorant of the latter's plans, and even of his position, prepared to do so at once.

violating or tending to violate or offend against

From this reading Wellington was, as he knew from his agents in the Portuguese government, receiving reinforcements; and would shortly be in a position to assume the offensive.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading He crushed the Spanish force on the Gebora; captured Badajoz, owing to the treachery and cowardice of its commander; and was moving north, when the news reached him that Massena was falling back.

on one occasion

From this reading In the early spring Soult, who was besieging Cadiz, received orders from Napoleon to cooperate with Massena and, although ignorant of the latter's plans, and even of his position, prepared to do so at once.

plural of “order” — (often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading In the early spring Soult, who was besieging Cadiz, received orders from Napoleon to cooperate with Massena and, although ignorant of the latter's plans, and even of his position, prepared to do so at once.

owed as a debt

From this reading He crushed the Spanish force on the Gebora; captured Badajoz, owing to the treachery and cowardice of its commander; and was moving north, when the news reached him that Massena was falling back.

plural of “plan” — a series of steps to be carried out or goals to be accomplished

From this reading In the early spring Soult, who was besieging Cadiz, received orders from Napoleon to cooperate with Massena and, although ignorant of the latter's plans, and even of his position, prepared to do so at once.

the Romance language spoken in Portugal and Brazil

From this reading Wellington was, as he knew from his agents in the Portuguese government, receiving reinforcements; and would shortly be in a position to assume the offensive.

the particular portion of space occupied by something

From this reading In the early spring Soult, who was besieging Cadiz, received orders from Napoleon to cooperate with Massena and, although ignorant of the latter's plans, and even of his position, prepared to do so at once.

made ready or fit or suitable beforehand

From this reading In the early spring Soult, who was besieging Cadiz, received orders from Napoleon to cooperate with Massena and, although ignorant of the latter's plans, and even of his position, prepared to do so at once.

past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading He crushed the Spanish force on the Gebora; captured Badajoz, owing to the treachery and cowardice of its commander; and was moving north, when the news reached him that Massena was falling back.

conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers

From this reading In the early spring Soult, who was besieging Cadiz, received orders from Napoleon to cooperate with Massena and, although ignorant of the latter's plans, and even of his position, prepared to do so at once.

-ing form of “receive” — get something; come into possession of

From this reading Wellington was, as he knew from his agents in the Portuguese government, receiving reinforcements; and would shortly be in a position to assume the offensive.

plural of “reinforcement” — a military operation (often involving new supplies of men and materiel) to strengthen a military force or aid in the performance of its mission

From this reading Wellington was, as he knew from his agents in the Portuguese government, receiving reinforcements; and would shortly be in a position to assume the offensive.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading His army was wasted by sickness; and famine threatened it, for the supplies obtainable from the country round had now been exhausted.

for a short time

From this reading Wellington was, as he knew from his agents in the Portuguese government, receiving reinforcements; and would shortly be in a position to assume the offensive.

impairment of normal physiological function affecting part or all of an organism

From this reading His army was wasted by sickness; and famine threatened it, for the supplies obtainable from the country round had now been exhausted.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading In the early spring Soult, who was besieging Cadiz, received orders from Napoleon to cooperate with Massena and, although ignorant of the latter's plans, and even of his position, prepared to do so at once.

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

From this reading In the early spring Soult, who was besieging Cadiz, received orders from Napoleon to cooperate with Massena and, although ignorant of the latter's plans, and even of his position, prepared to do so at once.

the Romance language spoken in most of Spain and the countries colonized by Spain

From this reading He crushed the Spanish force on the Gebora; captured Badajoz, owing to the treachery and cowardice of its commander; and was moving north, when the news reached him that Massena was falling back.

the season of growth

From this reading In the early spring Soult, who was besieging Cadiz, received orders from Napoleon to cooperate with Massena and, although ignorant of the latter's plans, and even of his position, prepared to do so at once.

plural of “supply” — an amount of something available for use

From this reading His army was wasted by sickness; and famine threatened it, for the supplies obtainable from the country round had now been exhausted.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He crushed the Spanish force on the Gebora; captured Badajoz, owing to the treachery and cowardice of its commander; and was moving north, when the news reached him that Massena was falling back.

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

From this reading In the early spring Soult, who was besieging Cadiz, received orders from Napoleon to cooperate with Massena and, although ignorant of the latter's plans, and even of his position, prepared to do so at once.

(of flora or fauna) likely in the near future to become endangered

From this reading His army was wasted by sickness; and famine threatened it, for the supplies obtainable from the country round had now been exhausted.

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

From this reading In the early spring Soult, who was besieging Cadiz, received orders from Napoleon to cooperate with Massena and, although ignorant of the latter's plans, and even of his position, prepared to do so at once.

Betrayal of trust; deceptive action or disloyalty against a host or ally.

From this reading He crushed the Spanish force on the Gebora; captured Badajoz, owing to the treachery and cowardice of its commander; and was moving north, when the news reached him that Massena was falling back.

(of theories etc) incapable of being defended or justified

From this reading The latter's position had, indeed, become untenable.

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

From this reading In the early spring Soult, who was besieging Cadiz, received orders from Napoleon to cooperate with Massena and, although ignorant of the latter's plans, and even of his position, prepared to do so at once.

serving no useful purpose; having no excuse for being

From this reading His army was wasted by sickness; and famine threatened it, for the supplies obtainable from the country round had now been exhausted.

British general and statesman; he defeated Napoleon at Waterloo; subsequently served as Prime Minister (1769-1852)

From this reading Wellington was, as he knew from his agents in the Portuguese government, receiving reinforcements; and would shortly be in a position to assume the offensive.

at the time that

From this reading He crushed the Spanish force on the Gebora; captured Badajoz, owing to the treachery and cowardice of its commander; and was moving north, when the news reached him that Massena was falling back.

which person or people

From this reading In the early spring Soult, who was besieging Cadiz, received orders from Napoleon to cooperate with Massena and, although ignorant of the latter's plans, and even of his position, prepared to do so at once.

in the company of; together with

From this reading In the early spring Soult, who was besieging Cadiz, received orders from Napoleon to cooperate with Massena and, although ignorant of the latter's plans, and even of his position, prepared to do so at once.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading Wellington was, as he knew from his agents in the Portuguese government, receiving reinforcements; and would shortly be in a position to assume the offensive.