used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It must be confessed that the militia were much downcast, for provisions had continued scarce and it is hard for anyone to keep up courage on a half-filled stomach.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading BATTLE AT GREAT MEADOWS “The scouts say there are about seven hundred French and half as many Indians coming,” said Dave to Henry, after having examined his rifle to see that it was ready for use.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading BATTLE AT GREAT MEADOWS “The scouts say there are about seven hundred French and half as many Indians coming,” said Dave to Henry, after having examined his rifle to see that it was ready for use.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading BATTLE AT GREAT MEADOWS “The scouts say there are about seven hundred French and half as many Indians coming,” said Dave to Henry, after having examined his rifle to see that it was ready for use.
any person at all
From this reading It must be confessed that the militia were much downcast, for provisions had continued scarce and it is hard for anyone to keep up courage on a half-filled stomach.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading BATTLE AT GREAT MEADOWS “The scouts say there are about seven hundred French and half as many Indians coming,” said Dave to Henry, after having examined his rifle to see that it was ready for use.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading BATTLE AT GREAT MEADOWS “The scouts say there are about seven hundred French and half as many Indians coming,” said Dave to Henry, after having examined his rifle to see that it was ready for use.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading BATTLE AT GREAT MEADOWS “The scouts say there are about seven hundred French and half as many Indians coming,” said Dave to Henry, after having examined his rifle to see that it was ready for use.
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading BATTLE AT GREAT MEADOWS “The scouts say there are about seven hundred French and half as many Indians coming,” said Dave to Henry, after having examined his rifle to see that it was ready for use.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It must be confessed that the militia were much downcast, for provisions had continued scarce and it is hard for anyone to keep up courage on a half-filled stomach.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading As the firing drew closer Washington ordered his men inside the fort and did his best to cheer them up.
give encouragement to
From this reading As the firing drew closer Washington ordered his men inside the fort and did his best to cheer them up.
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
From this reading As the firing drew closer Washington ordered his men inside the fort and did his best to cheer them up.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading BATTLE AT GREAT MEADOWS “The scouts say there are about seven hundred French and half as many Indians coming,” said Dave to Henry, after having examined his rifle to see that it was ready for use.
confessedverbUS /kənˈfest/
past form of “confess” — confess to a punishable or reprehensible deed, usually under pressure
From this reading It must be confessed that the militia were much downcast, for provisions had continued scarce and it is hard for anyone to keep up courage on a half-filled stomach.
without stop or interruption
From this reading It must be confessed that the militia were much downcast, for provisions had continued scarce and it is hard for anyone to keep up courage on a half-filled stomach.
a quality of spirit that enables you to face danger or pain without showing fear
From this reading It must be confessed that the militia were much downcast, for provisions had continued scarce and it is hard for anyone to keep up courage on a half-filled stomach.
separate with or as if with an instrument
From this reading “If that is true, we have some hot work cut out for us.”
Dave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BATTLE AT GREAT MEADOWS “The scouts say there are about seven hundred French and half as many Indians coming,” said Dave to Henry, after having examined his rifle to see that it was ready for use.
defendersnounUS /dɪˈfendərz/
plural of “defender” — a person who cares for persons or property
From this reading It was raining in torrents and this rendered some of the firearms of the defenders useless.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading As the firing drew closer Washington ordered his men inside the fort and did his best to cheer them up.
downcastadjectiveUS /ˈdaʊnkæst/
directed downward
From this reading It must be confessed that the militia were much downcast, for provisions had continued scarce and it is hard for anyone to keep up courage on a half-filled stomach.
United States actor (born in Ireland); father of Georgiana Emma Barrymore (1827-1862)
From this reading As the firing drew closer Washington ordered his men inside the fort and did his best to cheer them up.
past form of “examine” — consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning
From this reading BATTLE AT GREAT MEADOWS “The scouts say there are about seven hundred French and half as many Indians coming,” said Dave to Henry, after having examined his rifle to see that it was ready for use.
firearmsnounUS /ˈfaɪərɑːrmz/
plural of “firearm” — a portable gun
From this reading It was raining in torrents and this rendered some of the firearms of the defenders useless.
firingnounUS /ˈfaɪrɪŋ/
the act of firing weapons or artillery at an enemy
From this reading As the firing drew closer Washington ordered his men inside the fort and did his best to cheer them up.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading BATTLE AT GREAT MEADOWS “The scouts say there are about seven hundred French and half as many Indians coming,” said Dave to Henry, after having examined his rifle to see that it was ready for use.
a fortified military post where troops are stationed
From this reading As the firing drew closer Washington ordered his men inside the fort and did his best to cheer them up.
the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France
From this reading BATTLE AT GREAT MEADOWS “The scouts say there are about seven hundred French and half as many Indians coming,” said Dave to Henry, after having examined his rifle to see that it was ready for use.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading BATTLE AT GREAT MEADOWS “The scouts say there are about seven hundred French and half as many Indians coming,” said Dave to Henry, after having examined his rifle to see that it was ready for use.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It must be confessed that the militia were much downcast, for provisions had continued scarce and it is hard for anyone to keep up courage on a half-filled stomach.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading BATTLE AT GREAT MEADOWS “The scouts say there are about seven hundred French and half as many Indians coming,” said Dave to Henry, after having examined his rifle to see that it was ready for use.
half-filled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It must be confessed that the militia were much downcast, for provisions had continued scarce and it is hard for anyone to keep up courage on a half-filled stomach.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading It must be confessed that the militia were much downcast, for provisions had continued scarce and it is hard for anyone to keep up courage on a half-filled stomach.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “If that is true, we have some hot work cut out for us.”
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading BATTLE AT GREAT MEADOWS “The scouts say there are about seven hundred French and half as many Indians coming,” said Dave to Henry, after having examined his rifle to see that it was ready for use.
a unit of inductance in which an induced electromotive force of one volt is produced when the current is varied at the rate of one ampere per second
From this reading BATTLE AT GREAT MEADOWS “The scouts say there are about seven hundred French and half as many Indians coming,” said Dave to Henry, after having examined his rifle to see that it was ready for use.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading BATTLE AT GREAT MEADOWS “The scouts say there are about seven hundred French and half as many Indians coming,” said Dave to Henry, after having examined his rifle to see that it was ready for use.
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 “If that is true, we have some hot work cut out for us.”
ten 10s
From this reading BATTLE AT GREAT MEADOWS “The scouts say there are about seven hundred French and half as many Indians coming,” said Dave to Henry, after having examined his rifle to see that it was ready for use.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading “If that is true, we have some hot work cut out for us.”
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was raining in torrents and this rendered some of the firearms of the defenders useless.
plural of “indian” — a native or inhabitant of India
From this reading BATTLE AT GREAT MEADOWS “The scouts say there are about seven hundred French and half as many Indians coming,” said Dave to Henry, after having examined his rifle to see that it was ready for use.
relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space
From this reading As the firing drew closer Washington ordered his men inside the fort and did his best to cheer them up.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “If that is true, we have some hot work cut out for us.”
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading BATTLE AT GREAT MEADOWS “The scouts say there are about seven hundred French and half as many Indians coming,” said Dave to Henry, after having examined his rifle to see that it was ready for use.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading It must be confessed that the militia were much downcast, for provisions had continued scarce and it is hard for anyone to keep up courage on a half-filled stomach.
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 BATTLE AT GREAT MEADOWS “The scouts say there are about seven hundred French and half as many Indians coming,” said Dave to Henry, after having examined his rifle to see that it was ready for use.
MEADOWSnounUS /ˈmedoʊz/
plural of “meadow” — a field where grass or alfalfa are grown to be made into hay
From this reading BATTLE AT GREAT MEADOWS “The scouts say there are about seven hundred French and half as many Indians coming,” said Dave to Henry, after having examined his rifle to see that it was ready for use.
the force of workers available
From this reading As the firing drew closer Washington ordered his men inside the fort and did his best to cheer them up.
militianounUS /məˈlɪʃə/
civilians trained as soldiers but not part of the regular army
From this reading It must be confessed that the militia were much downcast, for provisions had continued scarce and it is hard for anyone to keep up courage on a half-filled stomach.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading It must be confessed that the militia were much downcast, for provisions had continued scarce and it is hard for anyone to keep up courage on a half-filled stomach.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading It must be confessed that the militia were much downcast, for provisions had continued scarce and it is hard for anyone to keep up courage on a half-filled stomach.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was raining in torrents and this rendered some of the firearms of the defenders useless.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It must be confessed that the militia were much downcast, for provisions had continued scarce and it is hard for anyone to keep up courage on a half-filled stomach.
having a systematic arrangement; especially having elements succeeding in order according to rule
From this reading As the firing drew closer Washington ordered his men inside the fort and did his best to cheer them up.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading “If that is true, we have some hot work cut out for us.”
provisionsnounUS /prəˈvɪʒənz/
a stock or supply of foods
From this reading It must be confessed that the militia were much downcast, for provisions had continued scarce and it is hard for anyone to keep up courage on a half-filled stomach.
rainingadjectiveUS /ˈreɪnɪŋ/
falling in drops or as if falling like rain
From this reading It was raining in torrents and this rendered some of the firearms of the defenders useless.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading BATTLE AT GREAT MEADOWS “The scouts say there are about seven hundred French and half as many Indians coming,” said Dave to Henry, after having examined his rifle to see that it was ready for use.
past form of “render” — cause to become
From this reading It was raining in torrents and this rendered some of the firearms of the defenders useless.
steal goods; take as spoils
From this reading BATTLE AT GREAT MEADOWS “The scouts say there are about seven hundred French and half as many Indians coming,” said Dave to Henry, after having examined his rifle to see that it was ready for use.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading BATTLE AT GREAT MEADOWS “The scouts say there are about seven hundred French and half as many Indians coming,” said Dave to Henry, after having examined his rifle to see that it was ready for use.
express in words
From this reading BATTLE AT GREAT MEADOWS “The scouts say there are about seven hundred French and half as many Indians coming,” said Dave to Henry, after having examined his rifle to see that it was ready for use.
only a very short time before
From this reading It must be confessed that the militia were much downcast, for provisions had continued scarce and it is hard for anyone to keep up courage on a half-filled stomach.
scoutsnounUS /skaʊts/
plural of “scout” — a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
From this reading BATTLE AT GREAT MEADOWS “The scouts say there are about seven hundred French and half as many Indians coming,” said Dave to Henry, after having examined his rifle to see that it was ready for use.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading BATTLE AT GREAT MEADOWS “The scouts say there are about seven hundred French and half as many Indians coming,” said Dave to Henry, after having examined his rifle to see that it was ready for use.
the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one
From this reading BATTLE AT GREAT MEADOWS “The scouts say there are about seven hundred French and half as many Indians coming,” said Dave to Henry, after having examined his rifle to see that it was ready for use.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading “If that is true, we have some hot work cut out for us.”
stomachnounUS /ˈstʌmək/
an enlarged and muscular saclike organ of the alimentary canal; the principal organ of digestion
From this reading It must be confessed that the militia were much downcast, for provisions had continued scarce and it is hard for anyone to keep up courage on a half-filled stomach.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading BATTLE AT GREAT MEADOWS “The scouts say there are about seven hundred French and half as many Indians coming,” said Dave to Henry, after having examined his rifle to see that it was ready for use.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading BATTLE AT GREAT MEADOWS “The scouts say there are about seven hundred French and half as many Indians coming,” said Dave to Henry, after having examined his rifle to see that it was ready for use.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading As the firing drew closer Washington ordered his men inside the fort and did his best to cheer them up.
in or at that place or location
From this reading BATTLE AT GREAT MEADOWS “The scouts say there are about seven hundred French and half as many Indians coming,” said Dave to Henry, after having examined his rifle to see that it was ready for use.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It was raining in torrents and this rendered some of the firearms of the defenders useless.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading BATTLE AT GREAT MEADOWS “The scouts say there are about seven hundred French and half as many Indians coming,” said Dave to Henry, after having examined his rifle to see that it was ready for use.
torrentsnounUS /ˈtɔːrənts/
plural of “torrent” — a heavy rain
From this reading It was raining in torrents and this rendered some of the firearms of the defenders useless.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading “If that is true, we have some hot work cut out for us.”
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading It must be confessed that the militia were much downcast, for provisions had continued scarce and it is hard for anyone to keep up courage on a half-filled stomach.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “If that is true, we have some hot work cut out for us.”
the act of using
From this reading BATTLE AT GREAT MEADOWS “The scouts say there are about seven hundred French and half as many Indians coming,” said Dave to Henry, after having examined his rifle to see that it was ready for use.
having no beneficial use or incapable of functioning usefully
From this reading It was raining in torrents and this rendered some of the firearms of the defenders useless.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading BATTLE AT GREAT MEADOWS “The scouts say there are about seven hundred French and half as many Indians coming,” said Dave to Henry, after having examined his rifle to see that it was ready for use.
the capital of the United States in the District of Columbia and a tourist mecca; George Washington commissioned Charles L'Enfant to lay out the city in 1791
From this reading As the firing drew closer Washington ordered his men inside the fort and did his best to cheer them up.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading “If that is true, we have some hot work cut out for us.”
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It must be confessed that the militia were much downcast, for provisions had continued scarce and it is hard for anyone to keep up courage on a half-filled stomach.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading “If that is true, we have some hot work cut out for us.”
