the

• Article

  1. Used before a noun phrase, including a simple noun
  2. Used before a noun phrase, including a simple noun
  3. Used before a noun phrase, including a simple noun
  4. Used before a noun phrase, including a simple noun
  5. (colloquial) Used before a noun phrase, including a simple noun
  6. Used before a noun phrase, including a simple noun
  7. Used before a noun phrase, including a simple noun
  8. Used before a noun phrase, including a simple noun
  9. Used before a noun phrase, including a simple noun
  10. Used before a noun phrase, including a simple noun
  11. Used with an adjective
  12. Used with an adjective
  13. Used with an adjective

• Adv
• Prep
• Pron
• Noun

children

plural of child.

were

• Verb

  1. second-person singular simple past indicative of be
  2. first/second/third-person plural simple past indicative of be
  3. first/second/third-person singular/plural simple present/past subjunctive of be
  4. first/third-person singular simple past indicative of be.

• Noun
• Noun

almost

• Adv

  1. Very close to, but not quite.
  2. Up to, except for a negligible set (where negligible is not universally but contextually defined).
  3. Up to, except for a negligible set (where negligible is not universally but contextually defined).

• Noun

tyrannical

1. Of, or relating to tyranny or a tyrant.
2. Despotic, oppressive, or authoritarian.