used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The enemies that were threatening them were of a worse type.
something done (usually as opposed to something said)
From this reading They were men of action; of the same blood as the gallant party who, under Major Wilson, fought against thousands of Matabele until the last cartridge had been fired and the last man fell with his face to the foe under the keen stabbing-spears of Lobengula's warriors.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading They were men of action; of the same blood as the gallant party who, under Major Wilson, fought against thousands of Matabele until the last cartridge had been fired and the last man fell with his face to the foe under the keen stabbing-spears of Lobengula's warriors.
(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 The Askaris, naturally ferocious, were under German command, and the German, whenever he is confident that he is on the winning side, exhibited all the brutality and cruelty of his Hunnish ancestors.
ancestorsnounUS /ˈænsestərz/
plural of “ancestor” — someone from whom you are descended (but usually more remote than a grandparent)
From this reading The Askaris, naturally ferocious, were under German command, and the German, whenever he is confident that he is on the winning side, exhibited all the brutality and cruelty of his Hunnish ancestors.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They were men of action; of the same blood as the gallant party who, under Major Wilson, fought against thousands of Matabele until the last cartridge had been fired and the last man fell with his face to the foe under the keen stabbing-spears of Lobengula's warriors.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Attila was a scourge; his modern descendants are simply imitators who, having the thin veneer of civilisation, combine science with bestial brutality in their methods of waging war.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading They were men of action; of the same blood as the gallant party who, under Major Wilson, fought against thousands of Matabele until the last cartridge had been fired and the last man fell with his face to the foe under the keen stabbing-spears of Lobengula's warriors.
Askaris
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Askaris, naturally ferocious, were under German command, and the German, whenever he is confident that he is on the winning side, exhibited all the brutality and cruelty of his Hunnish ancestors.
AttilanounUS /əˈtɪlə/
king of the Huns; the most successful barbarian invader of the Roman Empire (406-453)
From this reading Attila was a scourge; his modern descendants are simply imitators who, having the thin veneer of civilisation, combine science with bestial brutality in their methods of waging war.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading They were men of action; of the same blood as the gallant party who, under Major Wilson, fought against thousands of Matabele until the last cartridge had been fired and the last man fell with his face to the foe under the keen stabbing-spears of Lobengula's warriors.
bestialadjectiveUS /ˈbestʃəl/
resembling a beast; showing lack of human sensibility
From this reading Attila was a scourge; his modern descendants are simply imitators who, having the thin veneer of civilisation, combine science with bestial brutality in their methods of waging war.
The red fluid that circulates in the heart and blood vessels.
From this reading They were men of action; of the same blood as the gallant party who, under Major Wilson, fought against thousands of Matabele until the last cartridge had been fired and the last man fell with his face to the foe under the keen stabbing-spears of Lobengula's warriors.
brutalitynounUS /bruːˈtæləti/
the trait of extreme cruelty
From this reading The Askaris, naturally ferocious, were under German command, and the German, whenever he is confident that he is on the winning side, exhibited all the brutality and cruelty of his Hunnish ancestors.
cartridgenounUS /ˈkɑːrtrədʒ/
ammunition consisting of a cylindrical casing containing an explosive charge and a bullet; fired from a rifle or handgun
From this reading They were men of action; of the same blood as the gallant party who, under Major Wilson, fought against thousands of Matabele until the last cartridge had been fired and the last man fell with his face to the foe under the keen stabbing-spears of Lobengula's warriors.
civilisationnoun
the social process whereby societies achieve an advanced stage of development and organization
From this reading Attila was a scourge; his modern descendants are simply imitators who, having the thin veneer of civilisation, combine science with bestial brutality in their methods of waging war.
combineverbUS /ˈkɑːmbaɪn/
have or possess in combination
From this reading Attila was a scourge; his modern descendants are simply imitators who, having the thin veneer of civilisation, combine science with bestial brutality in their methods of waging war.
an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
From this reading The Askaris, naturally ferocious, were under German command, and the German, whenever he is confident that he is on the winning side, exhibited all the brutality and cruelty of his Hunnish ancestors.
confidentadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːnfədənt/
having or marked by confidence or assurance
From this reading The Askaris, naturally ferocious, were under German command, and the German, whenever he is confident that he is on the winning side, exhibited all the brutality and cruelty of his Hunnish ancestors.
crueltynounUS /ˈkruːlti/
a cruel act; a deliberate infliction of pain and suffering
From this reading The Askaris, naturally ferocious, were under German command, and the German, whenever he is confident that he is on the winning side, exhibited all the brutality and cruelty of his Hunnish ancestors.
descendantsnounUS /dɪˈsendənts/
all of the offspring of a given progenitor
From this reading Attila was a scourge; his modern descendants are simply imitators who, having the thin veneer of civilisation, combine science with bestial brutality in their methods of waging war.
plural of “enemy” — an opposing military force
From this reading The enemies that were threatening them were of a worse type.
exhibitedverbUS /ɪɡˈzɪbətəd/
past form of “exhibit” — show an attribute, property, knowledge, or skill
From this reading The Askaris, naturally ferocious, were under German command, and the German, whenever he is confident that he is on the winning side, exhibited all the brutality and cruelty of his Hunnish ancestors.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading They were men of action; of the same blood as the gallant party who, under Major Wilson, fought against thousands of Matabele until the last cartridge had been fired and the last man fell with his face to the foe under the keen stabbing-spears of Lobengula's warriors.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading They were men of action; of the same blood as the gallant party who, under Major Wilson, fought against thousands of Matabele until the last cartridge had been fired and the last man fell with his face to the foe under the keen stabbing-spears of Lobengula's warriors.
ferociousadjectiveUS /fərˈoʊʃəs/
marked by extreme and violent energy
From this reading The Askaris, naturally ferocious, were under German command, and the German, whenever he is confident that he is on the winning side, exhibited all the brutality and cruelty of his Hunnish ancestors.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading 'GAINST HEAVY ODDS The Rhodesians were men of few words.
firedadjectiveUS /ˈfaɪərd/
having lost your job
From this reading They were men of action; of the same blood as the gallant party who, under Major Wilson, fought against thousands of Matabele until the last cartridge had been fired and the last man fell with his face to the foe under the keen stabbing-spears of Lobengula's warriors.
foenounUS /foʊ/
an armed adversary (especially a member of an opposing military force)
From this reading They were men of action; of the same blood as the gallant party who, under Major Wilson, fought against thousands of Matabele until the last cartridge had been fired and the last man fell with his face to the foe under the keen stabbing-spears of Lobengula's warriors.
inflected form of “fight” — be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight
From this reading They were men of action; of the same blood as the gallant party who, under Major Wilson, fought against thousands of Matabele until the last cartridge had been fired and the last man fell with his face to the foe under the keen stabbing-spears of Lobengula's warriors.
GAINST
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'GAINST HEAVY ODDS The Rhodesians were men of few words.
unflinching in battle or action
From this reading They were men of action; of the same blood as the gallant party who, under Major Wilson, fought against thousands of Matabele until the last cartridge had been fired and the last man fell with his face to the foe under the keen stabbing-spears of Lobengula's warriors.
a person of German nationality
From this reading The Askaris, naturally ferocious, were under German command, and the German, whenever he is confident that he is on the winning side, exhibited all the brutality and cruelty of his Hunnish ancestors.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading They were men of action; of the same blood as the gallant party who, under Major Wilson, fought against thousands of Matabele until the last cartridge had been fired and the last man fell with his face to the foe under the keen stabbing-spears of Lobengula's warriors.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Attila was a scourge; his modern descendants are simply imitators who, having the thin veneer of civilisation, combine science with bestial brutality in their methods of waging war.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The Askaris, naturally ferocious, were under German command, and the German, whenever he is confident that he is on the winning side, exhibited all the brutality and cruelty of his Hunnish ancestors.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading 'GAINST HEAVY ODDS The Rhodesians were men of few words.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading They were men of action; of the same blood as the gallant party who, under Major Wilson, fought against thousands of Matabele until the last cartridge had been fired and the last man fell with his face to the foe under the keen stabbing-spears of Lobengula's warriors.
Hunnish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Askaris, naturally ferocious, were under German command, and the German, whenever he is confident that he is on the winning side, exhibited all the brutality and cruelty of his Hunnish ancestors.
imitatorsnounUS /ˈɪmɪteɪtərz/
plural of “imitator” — someone who (fraudulently) assumes the appearance of another
From this reading Attila was a scourge; his modern descendants are simply imitators who, having the thin veneer of civilisation, combine science with bestial brutality in their methods of waging war.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Attila was a scourge; his modern descendants are simply imitators who, having the thin veneer of civilisation, combine science with bestial brutality in their methods of waging war.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The Askaris, naturally ferocious, were under German command, and the German, whenever he is confident that he is on the winning side, exhibited all the brutality and cruelty of his Hunnish ancestors.
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading They were men of action; of the same blood as the gallant party who, under Major Wilson, fought against thousands of Matabele until the last cartridge had been fired and the last man fell with his face to the foe under the keen stabbing-spears of Lobengula's warriors.
immediately past
From this reading They were men of action; of the same blood as the gallant party who, under Major Wilson, fought against thousands of Matabele until the last cartridge had been fired and the last man fell with his face to the foe under the keen stabbing-spears of Lobengula's warriors.
Lobengula's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were men of action; of the same blood as the gallant party who, under Major Wilson, fought against thousands of Matabele until the last cartridge had been fired and the last man fell with his face to the foe under the keen stabbing-spears of Lobengula's warriors.
MajoradjectiveUS /ˈmeɪdʒər/
of greater importance or stature or rank
From this reading They were men of action; of the same blood as the gallant party who, under Major Wilson, fought against thousands of Matabele until the last cartridge had been fired and the last man fell with his face to the foe under the keen stabbing-spears of Lobengula's warriors.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading They were men of action; of the same blood as the gallant party who, under Major Wilson, fought against thousands of Matabele until the last cartridge had been fired and the last man fell with his face to the foe under the keen stabbing-spears of Lobengula's warriors.
Matabelenoun
a Bantu language sometimes considered a dialect of Zulu
From this reading They were men of action; of the same blood as the gallant party who, under Major Wilson, fought against thousands of Matabele until the last cartridge had been fired and the last man fell with his face to the foe under the keen stabbing-spears of Lobengula's warriors.
the force of workers available
From this reading 'GAINST HEAVY ODDS The Rhodesians were men of few words.
methodsnounUS /ˈmeθədz/
plural of “method” — a way of doing something, especially a systematic way; implies an orderly logical arrangement (usually in steps)
From this reading Attila was a scourge; his modern descendants are simply imitators who, having the thin veneer of civilisation, combine science with bestial brutality in their methods of waging war.
belonging to the modern era; since the Middle Ages
From this reading Attila was a scourge; his modern descendants are simply imitators who, having the thin veneer of civilisation, combine science with bestial brutality in their methods of waging war.
as might be expected
From this reading The Askaris, naturally ferocious, were under German command, and the German, whenever he is confident that he is on the winning side, exhibited all the brutality and cruelty of his Hunnish ancestors.
ODDSnounUS /ɑːdz/
the likelihood of a thing occurring rather than not occurring
From this reading 'GAINST HEAVY ODDS The Rhodesians were men of few words.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading 'GAINST HEAVY ODDS The Rhodesians were men of few words.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The Askaris, naturally ferocious, were under German command, and the German, whenever he is confident that he is on the winning side, exhibited all the brutality and cruelty of his Hunnish ancestors.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading They were men of action; of the same blood as the gallant party who, under Major Wilson, fought against thousands of Matabele until the last cartridge had been fired and the last man fell with his face to the foe under the keen stabbing-spears of Lobengula's warriors.
Rhodesians
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'GAINST HEAVY ODDS The Rhodesians were men of few words.
Identical; not different.
From this reading They were men of action; of the same blood as the gallant party who, under Major Wilson, fought against thousands of Matabele until the last cartridge had been fired and the last man fell with his face to the foe under the keen stabbing-spears of Lobengula's warriors.
a particular branch of scientific knowledge
From this reading Attila was a scourge; his modern descendants are simply imitators who, having the thin veneer of civilisation, combine science with bestial brutality in their methods of waging war.
scourgenounUS /skɜːrdʒ/
a whip used to inflict punishment (often used for pedantic humor)
From this reading Attila was a scourge; his modern descendants are simply imitators who, having the thin veneer of civilisation, combine science with bestial brutality in their methods of waging war.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading The Askaris, naturally ferocious, were under German command, and the German, whenever he is confident that he is on the winning side, exhibited all the brutality and cruelty of his Hunnish ancestors.
and nothing more
From this reading Attila was a scourge; his modern descendants are simply imitators who, having the thin veneer of civilisation, combine science with bestial brutality in their methods of waging war.
stabbing-spears
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were men of action; of the same blood as the gallant party who, under Major Wilson, fought against thousands of Matabele until the last cartridge had been fired and the last man fell with his face to the foe under the keen stabbing-spears of Lobengula's warriors.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The enemies that were threatening them were of a worse type.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading 'GAINST HEAVY ODDS The Rhodesians were men of few words.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Attila was a scourge; his modern descendants are simply imitators who, having the thin veneer of civilisation, combine science with bestial brutality in their methods of waging war.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The enemies that were threatening them were of a worse type.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were men of action; of the same blood as the gallant party who, under Major Wilson, fought against thousands of Matabele until the last cartridge had been fired and the last man fell with his face to the foe under the keen stabbing-spears of Lobengula's warriors.
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading Attila was a scourge; his modern descendants are simply imitators who, having the thin veneer of civilisation, combine science with bestial brutality in their methods of waging war.
plural of “thousand” — the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100
From this reading They were men of action; of the same blood as the gallant party who, under Major Wilson, fought against thousands of Matabele until the last cartridge had been fired and the last man fell with his face to the foe under the keen stabbing-spears of Lobengula's warriors.
threateningadjectiveUS /ˈθretənɪŋ/
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
From this reading The enemies that were threatening them were of a worse type.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They were men of action; of the same blood as the gallant party who, under Major Wilson, fought against thousands of Matabele until the last cartridge had been fired and the last man fell with his face to the foe under the keen stabbing-spears of Lobengula's warriors.
a subdivision of a particular kind of thing
From this reading The enemies that were threatening them were of a worse type.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading They were men of action; of the same blood as the gallant party who, under Major Wilson, fought against thousands of Matabele until the last cartridge had been fired and the last man fell with his face to the foe under the keen stabbing-spears of Lobengula's warriors.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading They were men of action; of the same blood as the gallant party who, under Major Wilson, fought against thousands of Matabele until the last cartridge had been fired and the last man fell with his face to the foe under the keen stabbing-spears of Lobengula's warriors.
veneernounUS /vəˈnɪr/
coating consisting of a thin layer of superior wood glued to a base of inferior wood
From this reading Attila was a scourge; his modern descendants are simply imitators who, having the thin veneer of civilisation, combine science with bestial brutality in their methods of waging war.
wagingverbUS /ˈweɪdʒɪŋ/
-ing form of “wage” — carry on (wars, battles, or campaigns)
From this reading Attila was a scourge; his modern descendants are simply imitators who, having the thin veneer of civilisation, combine science with bestial brutality in their methods of waging war.
the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
From this reading Attila was a scourge; his modern descendants are simply imitators who, having the thin veneer of civilisation, combine science with bestial brutality in their methods of waging war.
warriorsnounUS /ˈwɔːriərz/
plural of “warrior” — someone engaged in or experienced in warfare
From this reading They were men of action; of the same blood as the gallant party who, under Major Wilson, fought against thousands of Matabele until the last cartridge had been fired and the last man fell with his face to the foe under the keen stabbing-spears of Lobengula's warriors.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Attila was a scourge; his modern descendants are simply imitators who, having the thin veneer of civilisation, combine science with bestial brutality in their methods of waging war.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading 'GAINST HEAVY ODDS The Rhodesians were men of few words.
at any time that; every time that
From this reading The Askaris, naturally ferocious, were under German command, and the German, whenever he is confident that he is on the winning side, exhibited all the brutality and cruelty of his Hunnish ancestors.
which person or people
From this reading They were men of action; of the same blood as the gallant party who, under Major Wilson, fought against thousands of Matabele until the last cartridge had been fired and the last man fell with his face to the foe under the keen stabbing-spears of Lobengula's warriors.
WilsonnounUS /ˈwɪlsən/
author of the first novel by an African American that was published in the United States (1808-1870)
From this reading They were men of action; of the same blood as the gallant party who, under Major Wilson, fought against thousands of Matabele until the last cartridge had been fired and the last man fell with his face to the foe under the keen stabbing-spears of Lobengula's warriors.
winningadjectiveUS /ˈwɪnɪŋ/
having won
From this reading The Askaris, naturally ferocious, were under German command, and the German, whenever he is confident that he is on the winning side, exhibited all the brutality and cruelty of his Hunnish ancestors.
in the company of; together with
From this reading They were men of action; of the same blood as the gallant party who, under Major Wilson, fought against thousands of Matabele until the last cartridge had been fired and the last man fell with his face to the foe under the keen stabbing-spears of Lobengula's warriors.
the words that are spoken
From this reading 'GAINST HEAVY ODDS The Rhodesians were men of few words.
(comparative of “bad”) inferior to another in quality or condition or desirability
From this reading The enemies that were threatening them were of a worse type.
