used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading When the flush of day broke upon Strong’s fort, not a foe was to be seen.
(sentence connectors) because of the reason given
From this reading In the opinion of several settlers, the perilous situation of affairs called for a council of war, and accordingly Captain Strong, much against his will, was induced to convene such an assembly.
matters of personal concern
From this reading In the opinion of several settlers, the perilous situation of affairs called for a council of war, and accordingly Captain Strong, much against his will, was induced to convene such an assembly.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading In the opinion of several settlers, the perilous situation of affairs called for a council of war, and accordingly Captain Strong, much against his will, was induced to convene such an assembly.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading But, as the light became stronger, the defenders caught glimpses of tufts of feathers along the river; but no shots were fired.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading In the opinion of several settlers, the perilous situation of affairs called for a council of war, and accordingly Captain Strong, much against his will, was induced to convene such an assembly.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In the opinion of several settlers, the perilous situation of affairs called for a council of war, and accordingly Captain Strong, much against his will, was induced to convene such an assembly.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But, as the light became stronger, the defenders caught glimpses of tufts of feathers along the river; but no shots were fired.
assemblynounUS /əˈsembli/
a group of machine parts that fit together to form a self-contained unit
From this reading In the opinion of several settlers, the perilous situation of affairs called for a council of war, and accordingly Captain Strong, much against his will, was induced to convene such an assembly.
sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)
From this reading The greater portion of the dusky besiegers had withdrawn to the river bank, while large numbers lay behind the hill, in the rear of the fort.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading When the flush of day broke upon Strong’s fort, not a foe was to be seen.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading But, as the light became stronger, the defenders caught glimpses of tufts of feathers along the river; but no shots were fired.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading The greater portion of the dusky besiegers had withdrawn to the river bank, while large numbers lay behind the hill, in the rear of the fort.
besiegers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The greater portion of the dusky besiegers had withdrawn to the river bank, while large numbers lay behind the hill, in the rear of the fort.
lacking funds
From this reading When the flush of day broke upon Strong’s fort, not a foe was to be seen.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The numerous stumps in the clearing sheltered no feathered head; but the whites knew that their enemies had not raised the siege.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading In the opinion of several settlers, the perilous situation of affairs called for a council of war, and accordingly Captain Strong, much against his will, was induced to convene such an assembly.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading In the opinion of several settlers, the perilous situation of affairs called for a council of war, and accordingly Captain Strong, much against his will, was induced to convene such an assembly.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading But, as the light became stronger, the defenders caught glimpses of tufts of feathers along the river; but no shots were fired.
clearingnounUS /ˈklɪrɪŋ/
a tract of land with few or no trees in the middle of a wooded area
From this reading The numerous stumps in the clearing sheltered no feathered head; but the whites knew that their enemies had not raised the siege.
conveneverbUS /kənˈviːn/
meet formally
From this reading In the opinion of several settlers, the perilous situation of affairs called for a council of war, and accordingly Captain Strong, much against his will, was induced to convene such an assembly.
a body serving in an administrative capacity
From this reading In the opinion of several settlers, the perilous situation of affairs called for a council of war, and accordingly Captain Strong, much against his will, was induced to convene such an assembly.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading When the flush of day broke upon Strong’s fort, not a foe was to be seen.
defendersnounUS /dɪˈfendərz/
plural of “defender” — a person who cares for persons or property
From this reading But, as the light became stronger, the defenders caught glimpses of tufts of feathers along the river; but no shots were fired.
duskyadjective
lighted by or as if by twilight
From this reading The greater portion of the dusky besiegers had withdrawn to the river bank, while large numbers lay behind the hill, in the rear of the fort.
plural of “enemy” — an opposing military force
From this reading The numerous stumps in the clearing sheltered no feathered head; but the whites knew that their enemies had not raised the siege.
featheredadjectiveUS /ˈfeðərd/
adorned with feathers or plumes
From this reading The numerous stumps in the clearing sheltered no feathered head; but the whites knew that their enemies had not raised the siege.
feathersnounUS /ˈfeðərz/
plural of “feather” — the light horny waterproof structure forming the external covering of birds
From this reading But, as the light became stronger, the defenders caught glimpses of tufts of feathers along the river; but no shots were fired.
firedadjectiveUS /ˈfaɪərd/
having lost your job
From this reading But, as the light became stronger, the defenders caught glimpses of tufts of feathers along the river; but no shots were fired.
flushnounUS /flʌʃ/
the period of greatest prosperity or productivity
From this reading When the flush of day broke upon Strong’s fort, not a foe was to be seen.
foenounUS /foʊ/
an armed adversary (especially a member of an opposing military force)
From this reading When the flush of day broke upon Strong’s fort, not a foe was to be seen.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading In the opinion of several settlers, the perilous situation of affairs called for a council of war, and accordingly Captain Strong, much against his will, was induced to convene such an assembly.
a fortified military post where troops are stationed
From this reading When the flush of day broke upon Strong’s fort, not a foe was to be seen.
glimpsesnounUS /ˈɡlɪmpsɪz/
plural of “glimpse” — a quick look
From this reading But, as the light became stronger, the defenders caught glimpses of tufts of feathers along the river; but no shots were fired.
greater in size or importance or degree
From this reading The greater portion of the dusky besiegers had withdrawn to the river bank, while large numbers lay behind the hill, in the rear of the fort.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The numerous stumps in the clearing sheltered no feathered head; but the whites knew that their enemies had not raised the siege.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading The numerous stumps in the clearing sheltered no feathered head; but the whites knew that their enemies had not raised the siege.
a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading The greater portion of the dusky besiegers had withdrawn to the river bank, while large numbers lay behind the hill, in the rear of the fort.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading In the opinion of several settlers, the perilous situation of affairs called for a council of war, and accordingly Captain Strong, much against his will, was induced to convene such an assembly.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The numerous stumps in the clearing sheltered no feathered head; but the whites knew that their enemies had not raised the siege.
inducedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈduːst/
brought about or caused; not spontaneous
From this reading In the opinion of several settlers, the perilous situation of affairs called for a council of war, and accordingly Captain Strong, much against his will, was induced to convene such an assembly.
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 The numerous stumps in the clearing sheltered no feathered head; but the whites knew that their enemies had not raised the siege.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The greater portion of the dusky besiegers had withdrawn to the river bank, while large numbers lay behind the hill, in the rear of the fort.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The greater portion of the dusky besiegers had withdrawn to the river bank, while large numbers lay behind the hill, in the rear of the fort.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading But, as the light became stronger, the defenders caught glimpses of tufts of feathers along the river; but no shots were fired.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading In the opinion of several settlers, the perilous situation of affairs called for a council of war, and accordingly Captain Strong, much against his will, was induced to convene such an assembly.
not any; not one
From this reading The numerous stumps in the clearing sheltered no feathered head; but the whites knew that their enemies had not raised the siege.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading When the flush of day broke upon Strong’s fort, not a foe was to be seen.
the fourth book of the Old Testament; contains a record of the number of Israelites who followed Moses out of Egypt
From this reading The greater portion of the dusky besiegers had withdrawn to the river bank, while large numbers lay behind the hill, in the rear of the fort.
amounting to a large indefinite number
From this reading The numerous stumps in the clearing sheltered no feathered head; but the whites knew that their enemies had not raised the siege.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When the flush of day broke upon Strong’s fort, not a foe was to be seen.
a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty
From this reading In the opinion of several settlers, the perilous situation of affairs called for a council of war, and accordingly Captain Strong, much against his will, was induced to convene such an assembly.
perilousadjectiveUS /ˈperələs/
fraught with danger
From this reading In the opinion of several settlers, the perilous situation of affairs called for a council of war, and accordingly Captain Strong, much against his will, was induced to convene such an assembly.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading The greater portion of the dusky besiegers had withdrawn to the river bank, while large numbers lay behind the hill, in the rear of the fort.
located or moved above the surround or above the normal position
From this reading The numerous stumps in the clearing sheltered no feathered head; but the whites knew that their enemies had not raised the siege.
the back of a military formation or procession
From this reading The greater portion of the dusky besiegers had withdrawn to the river bank, while large numbers lay behind the hill, in the rear of the fort.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading The greater portion of the dusky besiegers had withdrawn to the river bank, while large numbers lay behind the hill, in the rear of the fort.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading When the flush of day broke upon Strong’s fort, not a foe was to be seen.
settlersnounUS /ˈsetlərz/
plural of “settler” — a person who settles in a new colony or moves into new country
From this reading In the opinion of several settlers, the perilous situation of affairs called for a council of war, and accordingly Captain Strong, much against his will, was induced to convene such an assembly.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading In the opinion of several settlers, the perilous situation of affairs called for a council of war, and accordingly Captain Strong, much against his will, was induced to convene such an assembly.
shelteredadjectiveUS /ˈʃeltərd/
protected from danger or bad weather
From this reading The numerous stumps in the clearing sheltered no feathered head; but the whites knew that their enemies had not raised the siege.
shotsnounUS /ʃɑːts/
plural of “shot” — the act of firing a projectile
From this reading But, as the light became stronger, the defenders caught glimpses of tufts of feathers along the river; but no shots were fired.
siegenounUS /siːdʒ/
the action of an armed force that surrounds a fortified place and isolates it while continuing to attack
From this reading The numerous stumps in the clearing sheltered no feathered head; but the whites knew that their enemies had not raised the siege.
the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading In the opinion of several settlers, the perilous situation of affairs called for a council of war, and accordingly Captain Strong, much against his will, was induced to convene such an assembly.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading In the opinion of several settlers, the perilous situation of affairs called for a council of war, and accordingly Captain Strong, much against his will, was induced to convene such an assembly.
Strong's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the flush of day broke upon Strong’s fort, not a foe was to be seen.
comparative of “strong” — having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading But, as the light became stronger, the defenders caught glimpses of tufts of feathers along the river; but no shots were fired.
stumpsnounUS /stʌmps/
plural of “stump” — the base part of a tree that remains standing after the tree has been felled
From this reading The numerous stumps in the clearing sheltered no feathered head; but the whites knew that their enemies had not raised the siege.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading In the opinion of several settlers, the perilous situation of affairs called for a council of war, and accordingly Captain Strong, much against his will, was induced to convene such an assembly.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The numerous stumps in the clearing sheltered no feathered head; but the whites knew that their enemies had not raised the siege.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading When the flush of day broke upon Strong’s fort, not a foe was to be seen.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The numerous stumps in the clearing sheltered no feathered head; but the whites knew that their enemies had not raised the siege.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When the flush of day broke upon Strong’s fort, not a foe was to be seen.
tuftsnounUS /tʌfts/
plural of “tuft” — a bunch of hair or feathers or growing grass
From this reading But, as the light became stronger, the defenders caught glimpses of tufts of feathers along the river; but no shots were fired.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading When the flush of day broke upon Strong’s fort, not a foe was to be seen.
the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
From this reading In the opinion of several settlers, the perilous situation of affairs called for a council of war, and accordingly Captain Strong, much against his will, was induced to convene such an assembly.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When the flush of day broke upon Strong’s fort, not a foe was to be seen.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But, as the light became stronger, the defenders caught glimpses of tufts of feathers along the river; but no shots were fired.
at the time that
From this reading When the flush of day broke upon Strong’s fort, not a foe was to be seen.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading The greater portion of the dusky besiegers had withdrawn to the river bank, while large numbers lay behind the hill, in the rear of the fort.
whitesnounUS /waɪts/
plural of “white” — a Caucasian
From this reading The numerous stumps in the clearing sheltered no feathered head; but the whites knew that their enemies had not raised the siege.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading In the opinion of several settlers, the perilous situation of affairs called for a council of war, and accordingly Captain Strong, much against his will, was induced to convene such an assembly.
withdrawnadjectiveUS /wɪθˈdrɔːn/
withdrawn from society; seeking solitude
From this reading The greater portion of the dusky besiegers had withdrawn to the river bank, while large numbers lay behind the hill, in the rear of the fort.
