used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading During that two weeks they have not been altogether idle, for, in addition to the discomfiture of the troop of dragoons, they had attacked and dispersed some fifteen or twenty tories who had assembled at a spot about nine miles from the swamp.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading During that two weeks they have not been altogether idle, for, in addition to the discomfiture of the troop of dragoons, they had attacked and dispersed some fifteen or twenty tories who had assembled at a spot about nine miles from the swamp.
additionnounUS /əˈdɪʃən/
a component that is added to something to improve it
From this reading During that two weeks they have not been altogether idle, for, in addition to the discomfiture of the troop of dragoons, they had attacked and dispersed some fifteen or twenty tories who had assembled at a spot about nine miles from the swamp.
at or in the front
From this reading HOT WORK AHEAD.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading During that two weeks they have not been altogether idle, for, in addition to the discomfiture of the troop of dragoons, they had attacked and dispersed some fifteen or twenty tories who had assembled at a spot about nine miles from the swamp.
AmericansnounUS /əˈmerəkənz/
plural of “american” — a native or inhabitant of the United States
From this reading It may, at first, seem strange that the Americans did not make an attack upon the detachment of soldiers which had, for over a fortnight, been holding, as a barrack, the houses of Tappan and Phillips.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It may, at first, seem strange that the Americans did not make an attack upon the detachment of soldiers which had, for over a fortnight, been holding, as a barrack, the houses of Tappan and Phillips.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading During that two weeks they have not been altogether idle, for, in addition to the discomfiture of the troop of dragoons, they had attacked and dispersed some fifteen or twenty tories who had assembled at a spot about nine miles from the swamp.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It may, at first, seem strange that the Americans did not make an attack upon the detachment of soldiers which had, for over a fortnight, been holding, as a barrack, the houses of Tappan and Phillips.
assembledverbUS /əˈsembəld/
past form of “assemble” — create by putting components or members together
From this reading During that two weeks they have not been altogether idle, for, in addition to the discomfiture of the troop of dragoons, they had attacked and dispersed some fifteen or twenty tories who had assembled at a spot about nine miles from the swamp.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading During that two weeks they have not been altogether idle, for, in addition to the discomfiture of the troop of dragoons, they had attacked and dispersed some fifteen or twenty tories who had assembled at a spot about nine miles from the swamp.
(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
From this reading It may, at first, seem strange that the Americans did not make an attack upon the detachment of soldiers which had, for over a fortnight, been holding, as a barrack, the houses of Tappan and Phillips.
attackedverbUS /əˈtækt/
past form of “attack” — launch an attack or assault on; begin hostilities or start warfare with
From this reading During that two weeks they have not been altogether idle, for, in addition to the discomfiture of the troop of dragoons, they had attacked and dispersed some fifteen or twenty tories who had assembled at a spot about nine miles from the swamp.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading No doubt they would have been willing enough to attempt an expulsion, had there been a probability of success.
bannernounUS /ˈbænər/
long strip of cloth or paper used for decoration or advertising
From this reading Two weeks have elapsed since the time when Nat Ernshaw first formally enrolled the names of the volunteers, who wished to fight under the continental banner.
barracknounUS /ˈbærək/
a building or group of buildings used to house military personnel
From this reading It may, at first, seem strange that the Americans did not make an attack upon the detachment of soldiers which had, for over a fortnight, been holding, as a barrack, the houses of Tappan and Phillips.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading During that two weeks they have not been altogether idle, for, in addition to the discomfiture of the troop of dragoons, they had attacked and dispersed some fifteen or twenty tories who had assembled at a spot about nine miles from the swamp.
continentaladjectiveUS /ˌkɑːntəˈnentəl/
of or pertaining to or typical of Europe
From this reading Two weeks have elapsed since the time when Nat Ernshaw first formally enrolled the names of the volunteers, who wished to fight under the continental banner.
detachmentnounUS /dɪˈtætʃmənt/
avoiding emotional involvement
From this reading It may, at first, seem strange that the Americans did not make an attack upon the detachment of soldiers which had, for over a fortnight, been holding, as a barrack, the houses of Tappan and Phillips.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading It may, at first, seem strange that the Americans did not make an attack upon the detachment of soldiers which had, for over a fortnight, been holding, as a barrack, the houses of Tappan and Phillips.
discomfiturenoun
anxious embarrassment
From this reading During that two weeks they have not been altogether idle, for, in addition to the discomfiture of the troop of dragoons, they had attacked and dispersed some fifteen or twenty tories who had assembled at a spot about nine miles from the swamp.
dispersedadjectiveUS /dɪˈspɜːrst/
distributed or spread over a considerable extent
From this reading During that two weeks they have not been altogether idle, for, in addition to the discomfiture of the troop of dragoons, they had attacked and dispersed some fifteen or twenty tories who had assembled at a spot about nine miles from the swamp.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading No doubt they would have been willing enough to attempt an expulsion, had there been a probability of success.
dragoons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During that two weeks they have not been altogether idle, for, in addition to the discomfiture of the troop of dragoons, they had attacked and dispersed some fifteen or twenty tories who had assembled at a spot about nine miles from the swamp.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading During that two weeks they have not been altogether idle, for, in addition to the discomfiture of the troop of dragoons, they had attacked and dispersed some fifteen or twenty tories who had assembled at a spot about nine miles from the swamp.
elapsedadjectiveUS /ɪˈlæpst/
(of time) having passed or slipped by
From this reading Two weeks have elapsed since the time when Nat Ernshaw first formally enrolled the names of the volunteers, who wished to fight under the continental banner.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading No doubt they would have been willing enough to attempt an expulsion, had there been a probability of success.
enrolledverbUS /enˈroʊld/
inflected form of “enrol” — register formally as a participant or member
From this reading Two weeks have elapsed since the time when Nat Ernshaw first formally enrolled the names of the volunteers, who wished to fight under the continental banner.
Ernshaw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two weeks have elapsed since the time when Nat Ernshaw first formally enrolled the names of the volunteers, who wished to fight under the continental banner.
expulsionnounUS /ɪkˈspʌlʃən/
the act of forcing out someone or something
From this reading No doubt they would have been willing enough to attempt an expulsion, had there been a probability of success.
the cardinal number that is the sum of fourteen and one
From this reading During that two weeks they have not been altogether idle, for, in addition to the discomfiture of the troop of dragoons, they had attacked and dispersed some fifteen or twenty tories who had assembled at a spot about nine miles from the swamp.
be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight
From this reading Two weeks have elapsed since the time when Nat Ernshaw first formally enrolled the names of the volunteers, who wished to fight under the continental banner.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Two weeks have elapsed since the time when Nat Ernshaw first formally enrolled the names of the volunteers, who wished to fight under the continental banner.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading During that two weeks they have not been altogether idle, for, in addition to the discomfiture of the troop of dragoons, they had attacked and dispersed some fifteen or twenty tories who had assembled at a spot about nine miles from the swamp.
formallyadverbUS /ˈfɔːrməli/
with official authorization
From this reading Two weeks have elapsed since the time when Nat Ernshaw first formally enrolled the names of the volunteers, who wished to fight under the continental banner.
fortnightnounUS /ˈfɔːrtnaɪt/
a period of fourteen consecutive days
From this reading It may, at first, seem strange that the Americans did not make an attack upon the detachment of soldiers which had, for over a fortnight, been holding, as a barrack, the houses of Tappan and Phillips.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading During that two weeks they have not been altogether idle, for, in addition to the discomfiture of the troop of dragoons, they had attacked and dispersed some fifteen or twenty tories who had assembled at a spot about nine miles from the swamp.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading During that two weeks they have not been altogether idle, for, in addition to the discomfiture of the troop of dragoons, they had attacked and dispersed some fifteen or twenty tories who had assembled at a spot about nine miles from the swamp.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Two weeks have elapsed since the time when Nat Ernshaw first formally enrolled the names of the volunteers, who wished to fight under the continental banner.
the act of retaining something
From this reading It may, at first, seem strange that the Americans did not make an attack upon the detachment of soldiers which had, for over a fortnight, been holding, as a barrack, the houses of Tappan and Phillips.
used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning
From this reading HOT WORK AHEAD.
plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading It may, at first, seem strange that the Americans did not make an attack upon the detachment of soldiers which had, for over a fortnight, been holding, as a barrack, the houses of Tappan and Phillips.
not in action or at work
From this reading During that two weeks they have not been altogether idle, for, in addition to the discomfiture of the troop of dragoons, they had attacked and dispersed some fifteen or twenty tories who had assembled at a spot about nine miles from the swamp.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading During that two weeks they have not been altogether idle, for, in addition to the discomfiture of the troop of dragoons, they had attacked and dispersed some fifteen or twenty tories who had assembled at a spot about nine miles from the swamp.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It may, at first, seem strange that the Americans did not make an attack upon the detachment of soldiers which had, for over a fortnight, been holding, as a barrack, the houses of Tappan and Phillips.
engage in
From this reading It may, at first, seem strange that the Americans did not make an attack upon the detachment of soldiers which had, for over a fortnight, been holding, as a barrack, the houses of Tappan and Phillips.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading It may, at first, seem strange that the Americans did not make an attack upon the detachment of soldiers which had, for over a fortnight, been holding, as a barrack, the houses of Tappan and Phillips.
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading During that two weeks they have not been altogether idle, for, in addition to the discomfiture of the troop of dragoons, they had attacked and dispersed some fifteen or twenty tories who had assembled at a spot about nine miles from the swamp.
verbal abuse; a crude substitute for argument
From this reading Two weeks have elapsed since the time when Nat Ernshaw first formally enrolled the names of the volunteers, who wished to fight under the continental banner.
Nat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two weeks have elapsed since the time when Nat Ernshaw first formally enrolled the names of the volunteers, who wished to fight under the continental banner.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one
From this reading During that two weeks they have not been altogether idle, for, in addition to the discomfiture of the troop of dragoons, they had attacked and dispersed some fifteen or twenty tories who had assembled at a spot about nine miles from the swamp.
not any; not one
From this reading No doubt they would have been willing enough to attempt an expulsion, had there been a probability of success.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading During that two weeks they have not been altogether idle, for, in addition to the discomfiture of the troop of dragoons, they had attacked and dispersed some fifteen or twenty tories who had assembled at a spot about nine miles from the swamp.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Two weeks have elapsed since the time when Nat Ernshaw first formally enrolled the names of the volunteers, who wished to fight under the continental banner.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading During that two weeks they have not been altogether idle, for, in addition to the discomfiture of the troop of dragoons, they had attacked and dispersed some fifteen or twenty tories who had assembled at a spot about nine miles from the swamp.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading It may, at first, seem strange that the Americans did not make an attack upon the detachment of soldiers which had, for over a fortnight, been holding, as a barrack, the houses of Tappan and Phillips.
Phillips
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may, at first, seem strange that the Americans did not make an attack upon the detachment of soldiers which had, for over a fortnight, been holding, as a barrack, the houses of Tappan and Phillips.
probabilitynounUS /ˌprɑːbəˈbɪlətiː/
a measure of how likely it is that some event will occur; a number expressing the ratio of favorable cases to the whole number of cases possible
From this reading No doubt they would have been willing enough to attempt an expulsion, had there been a probability of success.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It may, at first, seem strange that the Americans did not make an attack upon the detachment of soldiers which had, for over a fortnight, been holding, as a barrack, the houses of Tappan and Phillips.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Two weeks have elapsed since the time when Nat Ernshaw first formally enrolled the names of the volunteers, who wished to fight under the continental banner.
plural of “soldier” — an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army
From this reading It may, at first, seem strange that the Americans did not make an attack upon the detachment of soldiers which had, for over a fortnight, been holding, as a barrack, the houses of Tappan and Phillips.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading During that two weeks they have not been altogether idle, for, in addition to the discomfiture of the troop of dragoons, they had attacked and dispersed some fifteen or twenty tories who had assembled at a spot about nine miles from the swamp.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading During that two weeks they have not been altogether idle, for, in addition to the discomfiture of the troop of dragoons, they had attacked and dispersed some fifteen or twenty tories who had assembled at a spot about nine miles from the swamp.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading It may, at first, seem strange that the Americans did not make an attack upon the detachment of soldiers which had, for over a fortnight, been holding, as a barrack, the houses of Tappan and Phillips.
an event that accomplishes its intended purpose
From this reading No doubt they would have been willing enough to attempt an expulsion, had there been a probability of success.
swampverbUS /swɑːmp/
drench or submerge or be drenched or submerged
From this reading During that two weeks they have not been altogether idle, for, in addition to the discomfiture of the troop of dragoons, they had attacked and dispersed some fifteen or twenty tories who had assembled at a spot about nine miles from the swamp.
TappannounUS /ˈtæpən/
United States abolitionist (1786-1865)
From this reading It may, at first, seem strange that the Americans did not make an attack upon the detachment of soldiers which had, for over a fortnight, been holding, as a barrack, the houses of Tappan and Phillips.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading During that two weeks they have not been altogether idle, for, in addition to the discomfiture of the troop of dragoons, they had attacked and dispersed some fifteen or twenty tories who had assembled at a spot about nine miles from the swamp.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Two weeks have elapsed since the time when Nat Ernshaw first formally enrolled the names of the volunteers, who wished to fight under the continental banner.
in or at that place or location
From this reading No doubt they would have been willing enough to attempt an expulsion, had there been a probability of success.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading During that two weeks they have not been altogether idle, for, in addition to the discomfiture of the troop of dragoons, they had attacked and dispersed some fifteen or twenty tories who had assembled at a spot about nine miles from the swamp.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Two weeks have elapsed since the time when Nat Ernshaw first formally enrolled the names of the volunteers, who wished to fight under the continental banner.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Two weeks have elapsed since the time when Nat Ernshaw first formally enrolled the names of the volunteers, who wished to fight under the continental banner.
toriesnounUS /ˈtɔːriːz/
plural of “tory” — an American who favored the British side during the American Revolution
From this reading During that two weeks they have not been altogether idle, for, in addition to the discomfiture of the troop of dragoons, they had attacked and dispersed some fifteen or twenty tories who had assembled at a spot about nine miles from the swamp.
troopnounUS /truːp/
a group of soldiers
From this reading During that two weeks they have not been altogether idle, for, in addition to the discomfiture of the troop of dragoons, they had attacked and dispersed some fifteen or twenty tories who had assembled at a spot about nine miles from the swamp.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one
From this reading During that two weeks they have not been altogether idle, for, in addition to the discomfiture of the troop of dragoons, they had attacked and dispersed some fifteen or twenty tories who had assembled at a spot about nine miles from the swamp.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Two weeks have elapsed since the time when Nat Ernshaw first formally enrolled the names of the volunteers, who wished to fight under the continental banner.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Two weeks have elapsed since the time when Nat Ernshaw first formally enrolled the names of the volunteers, who wished to fight under the continental banner.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading It may, at first, seem strange that the Americans did not make an attack upon the detachment of soldiers which had, for over a fortnight, been holding, as a barrack, the houses of Tappan and Phillips.
volunteersnounUS /ˌvɑːlənˈtɪrz/
plural of “volunteer” — (military) a person who freely enlists for service
From this reading Two weeks have elapsed since the time when Nat Ernshaw first formally enrolled the names of the volunteers, who wished to fight under the continental banner.
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading Two weeks have elapsed since the time when Nat Ernshaw first formally enrolled the names of the volunteers, who wished to fight under the continental banner.
at the time that
From this reading Two weeks have elapsed since the time when Nat Ernshaw first formally enrolled the names of the volunteers, who wished to fight under the continental banner.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It may, at first, seem strange that the Americans did not make an attack upon the detachment of soldiers which had, for over a fortnight, been holding, as a barrack, the houses of Tappan and Phillips.
which person or people
From this reading Two weeks have elapsed since the time when Nat Ernshaw first formally enrolled the names of the volunteers, who wished to fight under the continental banner.
disposed or inclined toward
From this reading No doubt they would have been willing enough to attempt an expulsion, had there been a probability of success.
past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish
From this reading Two weeks have elapsed since the time when Nat Ernshaw first formally enrolled the names of the volunteers, who wished to fight under the continental banner.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading HOT WORK AHEAD.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading No doubt they would have been willing enough to attempt an expulsion, had there been a probability of success.
