used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He was unable to form an idea of the tremendous effect of such rifles as those in the hands of the Boers, a race of marksmen.
a record or narrative description of past events
From this reading Escape was impossible, and the troops could be trusted to give a good account of any force advancing to aid Cronje.
advancingadjectiveUS /ədˈvænsɪŋ/
moving forward
From this reading Escape was impossible, and the troops could be trusted to give a good account of any force advancing to aid Cronje.
a person or thing that is a resource that helps make something easier or possible to do
From this reading Escape was impossible, and the troops could be trusted to give a good account of any force advancing to aid Cronje.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading But hitherto he had been engaged only with barbarous tribes, who, although magnificently brave, were either altogether without firearms, or were armed only with muskets of obsolete pattern.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading But hitherto he had been engaged only with barbarous tribes, who, although magnificently brave, were either altogether without firearms, or were armed only with muskets of obsolete pattern.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He was unable to form an idea of the tremendous effect of such rifles as those in the hands of the Boers, a race of marksmen.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading PAARDEBERG Had Lord Kitchener witnessed the battles of the Modder and Magersfontein, it is morally certain that he would not have attacked Cronje in his lair.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Escape was impossible, and the troops could be trusted to give a good account of any force advancing to aid Cronje.
(used of persons or the military) characterized by having or bearing arms
From this reading But hitherto he had been engaged only with barbarous tribes, who, although magnificently brave, were either altogether without firearms, or were armed only with muskets of obsolete pattern.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He was unable to form an idea of the tremendous effect of such rifles as those in the hands of the Boers, a race of marksmen.
(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
From this reading Nothing could have been gained by such an attack, even if successful, as the Boers must sooner or later have surrendered.
attackedverbUS /əˈtækt/
past form of “attack” — launch an attack or assault on; begin hostilities or start warfare with
From this reading PAARDEBERG Had Lord Kitchener witnessed the battles of the Modder and Magersfontein, it is morally certain that he would not have attacked Cronje in his lair.
barbarousadjectiveUS /ˈbɑːrbərəs/
(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering
From this reading But hitherto he had been engaged only with barbarous tribes, who, although magnificently brave, were either altogether without firearms, or were armed only with muskets of obsolete pattern.
battlesnounUS /ˈbætəlz/
plural of “battle” — a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading PAARDEBERG Had Lord Kitchener witnessed the battles of the Modder and Magersfontein, it is morally certain that he would not have attacked Cronje in his lair.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Escape was impossible, and the troops could be trusted to give a good account of any force advancing to aid Cronje.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading But hitherto he had been engaged only with barbarous tribes, who, although magnificently brave, were either altogether without firearms, or were armed only with muskets of obsolete pattern.
BoersnounUS /bɔːrz/
plural of “boer” — a white native of Cape Province who is a descendant of Dutch settlers and who speaks Afrikaans
From this reading He was unable to form an idea of the tremendous effect of such rifles as those in the hands of the Boers, a race of marksmen.
possessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching
From this reading But hitherto he had been engaged only with barbarous tribes, who, although magnificently brave, were either altogether without firearms, or were armed only with muskets of obsolete pattern.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But hitherto he had been engaged only with barbarous tribes, who, although magnificently brave, were either altogether without firearms, or were armed only with muskets of obsolete pattern.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Nothing could have been gained by such an attack, even if successful, as the Boers must sooner or later have surrendered.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading PAARDEBERG Had Lord Kitchener witnessed the battles of the Modder and Magersfontein, it is morally certain that he would not have attacked Cronje in his lair.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Nothing could have been gained by such an attack, even if successful, as the Boers must sooner or later have surrendered.
Cronje
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PAARDEBERG Had Lord Kitchener witnessed the battles of the Modder and Magersfontein, it is morally certain that he would not have attacked Cronje in his lair.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading He was unable to form an idea of the tremendous effect of such rifles as those in the hands of the Boers, a race of marksmen.
one or the other of two
From this reading But hitherto he had been engaged only with barbarous tribes, who, although magnificently brave, were either altogether without firearms, or were armed only with muskets of obsolete pattern.
having ones attention or mind or energy engaged
From this reading But hitherto he had been engaged only with barbarous tribes, who, although magnificently brave, were either altogether without firearms, or were armed only with muskets of obsolete pattern.
the act of escaping physically
From this reading Escape was impossible, and the troops could be trusted to give a good account of any force advancing to aid Cronje.
divisible by two
From this reading Nothing could have been gained by such an attack, even if successful, as the Boers must sooner or later have surrendered.
firearmsnounUS /ˈfaɪərɑːrmz/
plural of “firearm” — a portable gun
From this reading But hitherto he had been engaged only with barbarous tribes, who, although magnificently brave, were either altogether without firearms, or were armed only with muskets of obsolete pattern.
a powerful effect or influence
From this reading Escape was impossible, and the troops could be trusted to give a good account of any force advancing to aid Cronje.
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading He was unable to form an idea of the tremendous effect of such rifles as those in the hands of the Boers, a race of marksmen.
past form of “gain” — obtain
From this reading Nothing could have been gained by such an attack, even if successful, as the Boers must sooner or later have surrendered.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading Escape was impossible, and the troops could be trusted to give a good account of any force advancing to aid Cronje.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading Escape was impossible, and the troops could be trusted to give a good account of any force advancing to aid Cronje.
Hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading PAARDEBERG Had Lord Kitchener witnessed the battles of the Modder and Magersfontein, it is morally certain that he would not have attacked Cronje in his lair.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading He was unable to form an idea of the tremendous effect of such rifles as those in the hands of the Boers, a race of marksmen.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading PAARDEBERG Had Lord Kitchener witnessed the battles of the Modder and Magersfontein, it is morally certain that he would not have attacked Cronje in his lair.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading PAARDEBERG Had Lord Kitchener witnessed the battles of the Modder and Magersfontein, it is morally certain that he would not have attacked Cronje in his lair.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading PAARDEBERG Had Lord Kitchener witnessed the battles of the Modder and Magersfontein, it is morally certain that he would not have attacked Cronje in his lair.
used in negative statement to describe a situation that has existed up to this point or up to the present time
From this reading But hitherto he had been engaged only with barbarous tribes, who, although magnificently brave, were either altogether without firearms, or were armed only with muskets of obsolete pattern.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading He was unable to form an idea of the tremendous effect of such rifles as those in the hands of the Boers, a race of marksmen.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Nothing could have been gained by such an attack, even if successful, as the Boers must sooner or later have surrendered.
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading Escape was impossible, and the troops could be trusted to give a good account of any force advancing to aid Cronje.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading PAARDEBERG Had Lord Kitchener witnessed the battles of the Modder and Magersfontein, it is morally certain that he would not have attacked Cronje in his lair.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading PAARDEBERG Had Lord Kitchener witnessed the battles of the Modder and Magersfontein, it is morally certain that he would not have attacked Cronje in his lair.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading PAARDEBERG Had Lord Kitchener witnessed the battles of the Modder and Magersfontein, it is morally certain that he would not have attacked Cronje in his lair.
KitchenernounUS /ˈkɪtʃənər/
British field marshal (1850-1916)
From this reading PAARDEBERG Had Lord Kitchener witnessed the battles of the Modder and Magersfontein, it is morally certain that he would not have attacked Cronje in his lair.
lairnounUS /ler/
the habitation of wild animals
From this reading PAARDEBERG Had Lord Kitchener witnessed the battles of the Modder and Magersfontein, it is morally certain that he would not have attacked Cronje in his lair.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading Nothing could have been gained by such an attack, even if successful, as the Boers must sooner or later have surrendered.
terms referring to the Judeo-Christian God
From this reading PAARDEBERG Had Lord Kitchener witnessed the battles of the Modder and Magersfontein, it is morally certain that he would not have attacked Cronje in his lair.
Magersfontein
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PAARDEBERG Had Lord Kitchener witnessed the battles of the Modder and Magersfontein, it is morally certain that he would not have attacked Cronje in his lair.
magnificentlyadverbUS /mæɡˈnɪfəsəntli/
extremely well
From this reading But hitherto he had been engaged only with barbarous tribes, who, although magnificently brave, were either altogether without firearms, or were armed only with muskets of obsolete pattern.
marksmennounUS /ˈmɑːrksmen/
plural of “marksman” — someone skilled in shooting
From this reading He was unable to form an idea of the tremendous effect of such rifles as those in the hands of the Boers, a race of marksmen.
Modder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PAARDEBERG Had Lord Kitchener witnessed the battles of the Modder and Magersfontein, it is morally certain that he would not have attacked Cronje in his lair.
morallyadverbUS /ˈmɔːrəli/
with respect to moral principles
From this reading PAARDEBERG Had Lord Kitchener witnessed the battles of the Modder and Magersfontein, it is morally certain that he would not have attacked Cronje in his lair.
muskets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But hitherto he had been engaged only with barbarous tribes, who, although magnificently brave, were either altogether without firearms, or were armed only with muskets of obsolete pattern.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Nothing could have been gained by such an attack, even if successful, as the Boers must sooner or later have surrendered.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading PAARDEBERG Had Lord Kitchener witnessed the battles of the Modder and Magersfontein, it is morally certain that he would not have attacked Cronje in his lair.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Nothing could have been gained by such an attack, even if successful, as the Boers must sooner or later have surrendered.
obsoleteadjectiveUS /ˈɑːbsəliːt/
no longer in use
From this reading But hitherto he had been engaged only with barbarous tribes, who, although magnificently brave, were either altogether without firearms, or were armed only with muskets of obsolete pattern.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading PAARDEBERG Had Lord Kitchener witnessed the battles of the Modder and Magersfontein, it is morally certain that he would not have attacked Cronje in his lair.
and nothing more
From this reading But hitherto he had been engaged only with barbarous tribes, who, although magnificently brave, were either altogether without firearms, or were armed only with muskets of obsolete pattern.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading But hitherto he had been engaged only with barbarous tribes, who, although magnificently brave, were either altogether without firearms, or were armed only with muskets of obsolete pattern.
PAARDEBERG
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading PAARDEBERG Had Lord Kitchener witnessed the battles of the Modder and Magersfontein, it is morally certain that he would not have attacked Cronje in his lair.
patternnounUS /ˈpætərn/
a perceptual structure
From this reading But hitherto he had been engaged only with barbarous tribes, who, although magnificently brave, were either altogether without firearms, or were armed only with muskets of obsolete pattern.
any competition
From this reading He was unable to form an idea of the tremendous effect of such rifles as those in the hands of the Boers, a race of marksmen.
riflesnounUS /ˈraɪfəlz/
plural of “rifle” — a shoulder firearm with a long barrel and a rifled bore
From this reading He was unable to form an idea of the tremendous effect of such rifles as those in the hands of the Boers, a race of marksmen.
comparatives of “soon” or “early”
From this reading Nothing could have been gained by such an attack, even if successful, as the Boers must sooner or later have surrendered.
having succeeded or being marked by a favorable outcome
From this reading Nothing could have been gained by such an attack, even if successful, as the Boers must sooner or later have surrendered.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading He was unable to form an idea of the tremendous effect of such rifles as those in the hands of the Boers, a race of marksmen.
surrenderedverbUS /sərˈendərd/
past form of “surrender” — give up or agree to forgo to the power or possession of another
From this reading Nothing could have been gained by such an attack, even if successful, as the Boers must sooner or later have surrendered.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading PAARDEBERG Had Lord Kitchener witnessed the battles of the Modder and Magersfontein, it is morally certain that he would not have attacked Cronje in his lair.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading PAARDEBERG Had Lord Kitchener witnessed the battles of the Modder and Magersfontein, it is morally certain that he would not have attacked Cronje in his lair.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading He was unable to form an idea of the tremendous effect of such rifles as those in the hands of the Boers, a race of marksmen.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He was unable to form an idea of the tremendous effect of such rifles as those in the hands of the Boers, a race of marksmen.
extraordinarily large in size or extent or amount or power or degree
From this reading He was unable to form an idea of the tremendous effect of such rifles as those in the hands of the Boers, a race of marksmen.
tribesnounUS /traɪbz/
plural of “tribe” — a social division of (usually preliterate) people
From this reading But hitherto he had been engaged only with barbarous tribes, who, although magnificently brave, were either altogether without firearms, or were armed only with muskets of obsolete pattern.
soldiers collectively
From this reading Escape was impossible, and the troops could be trusted to give a good account of any force advancing to aid Cronje.
trustedadjectiveUS /ˈtrʌstɪd/
(of persons) worthy of trust or confidence
From this reading Escape was impossible, and the troops could be trusted to give a good account of any force advancing to aid Cronje.
(usually followed by “to”) not having the necessary means or skill or know-how
From this reading He was unable to form an idea of the tremendous effect of such rifles as those in the hands of the Boers, a race of marksmen.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was unable to form an idea of the tremendous effect of such rifles as those in the hands of the Boers, a race of marksmen.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But hitherto he had been engaged only with barbarous tribes, who, although magnificently brave, were either altogether without firearms, or were armed only with muskets of obsolete pattern.
which person or people
From this reading But hitherto he had been engaged only with barbarous tribes, who, although magnificently brave, were either altogether without firearms, or were armed only with muskets of obsolete pattern.
in the company of; together with
From this reading But hitherto he had been engaged only with barbarous tribes, who, although magnificently brave, were either altogether without firearms, or were armed only with muskets of obsolete pattern.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading But hitherto he had been engaged only with barbarous tribes, who, although magnificently brave, were either altogether without firearms, or were armed only with muskets of obsolete pattern.
witnessedverbUS /ˈwɪtnəst/
past form of “witness” — be a witness to
From this reading PAARDEBERG Had Lord Kitchener witnessed the battles of the Modder and Magersfontein, it is morally certain that he would not have attacked Cronje in his lair.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading PAARDEBERG Had Lord Kitchener witnessed the battles of the Modder and Magersfontein, it is morally certain that he would not have attacked Cronje in his lair.
