Chapter XII · Chapter 12

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading A NEW COMPANY OF MOUNTED RIFLEMEN The troopers were dismissed for dinner, and all the officers of the squadron assembled in front of the farmer's house while their horses were fed; and it was an interesting occasion.

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading The skirmishes were gone over again more in detail than Life had been able to give them.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading Deck was required to report his affair at the house of Mr. Halliburn, and he went over it as minutely as his father desired.

anew

From this reading The skirmishes were gone over again more in detail than Life had been able to give them.

(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 A NEW COMPANY OF MOUNTED RIFLEMEN The troopers were dismissed for dinner, and all the officers of the squadron assembled in front of the farmer's house while their horses were fed; and it was an interesting occasion.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading A NEW COMPANY OF MOUNTED RIFLEMEN The troopers were dismissed for dinner, and all the officers of the squadron assembled in front of the farmer's house while their horses were fed; and it was an interesting occasion.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading A NEW COMPANY OF MOUNTED RIFLEMEN The troopers were dismissed for dinner, and all the officers of the squadron assembled in front of the farmer's house while their horses were fed; and it was an interesting occasion.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading Deck was required to report his affair at the house of Mr. Halliburn, and he went over it as minutely as his father desired.

past form of “assemble” — create by putting components or members together

From this reading A NEW COMPANY OF MOUNTED RIFLEMEN The troopers were dismissed for dinner, and all the officers of the squadron assembled in front of the farmer's house while their horses were fed; and it was an interesting occasion.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Deck was required to report his affair at the house of Mr. Halliburn, and he went over it as minutely as his father desired.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The skirmishes were gone over again more in detail than Life had been able to give them.

plural of “blunder” — an embarrassing mistake

From this reading "You captured the entire gang without firing a gun, though if Captain Coonly had conducted his raid with even ordinary prudence, it would have been otherwise; but it is the business of a commanding officer to profit by the blunders of the enemy."

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading "You captured the entire gang without firing a gun, though if Captain Coonly had conducted his raid with even ordinary prudence, it would have been otherwise; but it is the business of a commanding officer to profit by the blunders of the enemy."

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading "You captured the entire gang without firing a gun, though if Captain Coonly had conducted his raid with even ordinary prudence, it would have been otherwise; but it is the business of a commanding officer to profit by the blunders of the enemy."

showing who or what does the action

From this reading "You captured the entire gang without firing a gun, though if Captain Coonly had conducted his raid with even ordinary prudence, it would have been otherwise; but it is the business of a commanding officer to profit by the blunders of the enemy."

an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant

From this reading "You captured the entire gang without firing a gun, though if Captain Coonly had conducted his raid with even ordinary prudence, it would have been otherwise; but it is the business of a commanding officer to profit by the blunders of the enemy."

past form of “capture” — succeed in representing or expressing something intangible

From this reading "You captured the entire gang without firing a gun, though if Captain Coonly had conducted his raid with even ordinary prudence, it would have been otherwise; but it is the business of a commanding officer to profit by the blunders of the enemy."

used of a height or viewpoint

From this reading "You captured the entire gang without firing a gun, though if Captain Coonly had conducted his raid with even ordinary prudence, it would have been otherwise; but it is the business of a commanding officer to profit by the blunders of the enemy."

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading A NEW COMPANY OF MOUNTED RIFLEMEN The troopers were dismissed for dinner, and all the officers of the squadron assembled in front of the farmer's house while their horses were fed; and it was an interesting occasion.

past form of “conduct” — direct the course of; manage or control

From this reading "You captured the entire gang without firing a gun, though if Captain Coonly had conducted his raid with even ordinary prudence, it would have been otherwise; but it is the business of a commanding officer to profit by the blunders of the enemy."

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "You captured the entire gang without firing a gun, though if Captain Coonly had conducted his raid with even ordinary prudence, it would have been otherwise; but it is the business of a commanding officer to profit by the blunders of the enemy."

any of various platforms built into a vessel

From this reading Deck was required to report his affair at the house of Mr. Halliburn, and he went over it as minutely as his father desired.

wanted intensely

From this reading Deck was required to report his affair at the house of Mr. Halliburn, and he went over it as minutely as his father desired.

an isolated fact that is considered separately from the whole

From this reading The skirmishes were gone over again more in detail than Life had been able to give them.

the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday

From this reading A NEW COMPANY OF MOUNTED RIFLEMEN The troopers were dismissed for dinner, and all the officers of the squadron assembled in front of the farmer's house while their horses were fed; and it was an interesting occasion.

having lost your job

From this reading A NEW COMPANY OF MOUNTED RIFLEMEN The troopers were dismissed for dinner, and all the officers of the squadron assembled in front of the farmer's house while their horses were fed; and it was an interesting occasion.

an opposing military force

From this reading "You captured the entire gang without firing a gun, though if Captain Coonly had conducted his raid with even ordinary prudence, it would have been otherwise; but it is the business of a commanding officer to profit by the blunders of the enemy."

constituting the full quantity or extent; complete

From this reading "You captured the entire gang without firing a gun, though if Captain Coonly had conducted his raid with even ordinary prudence, it would have been otherwise; but it is the business of a commanding officer to profit by the blunders of the enemy."

to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common

From this reading "It was very well managed, my son," said the major, who was not especially liberal in praise of the young man as a rule.

divisible by two

From this reading "You captured the entire gang without firing a gun, though if Captain Coonly had conducted his raid with even ordinary prudence, it would have been otherwise; but it is the business of a commanding officer to profit by the blunders of the enemy."

possessive form of “farmer” — a person who operates a farm

From this reading A NEW COMPANY OF MOUNTED RIFLEMEN The troopers were dismissed for dinner, and all the officers of the squadron assembled in front of the farmer's house while their horses were fed; and it was an interesting occasion.

a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading Deck was required to report his affair at the house of Mr. Halliburn, and he went over it as minutely as his father desired.

any federal law-enforcement officer

From this reading A NEW COMPANY OF MOUNTED RIFLEMEN The troopers were dismissed for dinner, and all the officers of the squadron assembled in front of the farmer's house while their horses were fed; and it was an interesting occasion.

the act of firing weapons or artillery at an enemy

From this reading "You captured the entire gang without firing a gun, though if Captain Coonly had conducted his raid with even ordinary prudence, it would have been otherwise; but it is the business of a commanding officer to profit by the blunders of the enemy."

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading A NEW COMPANY OF MOUNTED RIFLEMEN The troopers were dismissed for dinner, and all the officers of the squadron assembled in front of the farmer's house while their horses were fed; and it was an interesting occasion.

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading A NEW COMPANY OF MOUNTED RIFLEMEN The troopers were dismissed for dinner, and all the officers of the squadron assembled in front of the farmer's house while their horses were fed; and it was an interesting occasion.

an association of criminals

From this reading "You captured the entire gang without firing a gun, though if Captain Coonly had conducted his raid with even ordinary prudence, it would have been otherwise; but it is the business of a commanding officer to profit by the blunders of the enemy."

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading The skirmishes were gone over again more in detail than Life had been able to give them.

destroyed or killed

From this reading The skirmishes were gone over again more in detail than Life had been able to give them.

a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)

From this reading "You captured the entire gang without firing a gun, though if Captain Coonly had conducted his raid with even ordinary prudence, it would have been otherwise; but it is the business of a commanding officer to profit by the blunders of the enemy."

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading The skirmishes were gone over again more in detail than Life had been able to give them.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Deck was required to report his affair at the house of Mr. Halliburn, and he went over it as minutely as his father desired.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading "You captured the entire gang without firing a gun, though if Captain Coonly had conducted his raid with even ordinary prudence, it would have been otherwise; but it is the business of a commanding officer to profit by the blunders of the enemy."

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Deck was required to report his affair at the house of Mr. Halliburn, and he went over it as minutely as his father desired.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Deck was required to report his affair at the house of Mr. Halliburn, and he went over it as minutely as his father desired.

plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading A NEW COMPANY OF MOUNTED RIFLEMEN The troopers were dismissed for dinner, and all the officers of the squadron assembled in front of the farmer's house while their horses were fed; and it was an interesting occasion.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading A NEW COMPANY OF MOUNTED RIFLEMEN The troopers were dismissed for dinner, and all the officers of the squadron assembled in front of the farmer's house while their horses were fed; and it was an interesting occasion.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading "You captured the entire gang without firing a gun, though if Captain Coonly had conducted his raid with even ordinary prudence, it would have been otherwise; but it is the business of a commanding officer to profit by the blunders of the enemy."

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading A NEW COMPANY OF MOUNTED RIFLEMEN The troopers were dismissed for dinner, and all the officers of the squadron assembled in front of the farmer's house while their horses were fed; and it was an interesting occasion.

arousing or holding the attention

From this reading A NEW COMPANY OF MOUNTED RIFLEMEN The troopers were dismissed for dinner, and all the officers of the squadron assembled in front of the farmer's house while their horses were fed; and it was an interesting occasion.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading "You captured the entire gang without firing a gun, though if Captain Coonly had conducted his raid with even ordinary prudence, it would have been otherwise; but it is the business of a commanding officer to profit by the blunders of the enemy."

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading A NEW COMPANY OF MOUNTED RIFLEMEN The troopers were dismissed for dinner, and all the officers of the squadron assembled in front of the farmer's house while their horses were fed; and it was an interesting occasion.

showing or characterized by broad-mindedness

From this reading "It was very well managed, my son," said the major, who was not especially liberal in praise of the young man as a rule.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading The skirmishes were gone over again more in detail than Life had been able to give them.

of greater importance or stature or rank

From this reading "It was very well managed, my son," said the major, who was not especially liberal in praise of the young man as a rule.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading "It was very well managed, my son," said the major, who was not especially liberal in praise of the young man as a rule.

past form of “manage” — be successful; achieve a goal

From this reading "It was very well managed, my son," said the major, who was not especially liberal in praise of the young man as a rule.

in minute detail

From this reading Deck was required to report his affair at the house of Mr. Halliburn, and he went over it as minutely as his father desired.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading The skirmishes were gone over again more in detail than Life had been able to give them.

assembled for use; especially by being attached to a support

From this reading A NEW COMPANY OF MOUNTED RIFLEMEN The troopers were dismissed for dinner, and all the officers of the squadron assembled in front of the farmer's house while their horses were fed; and it was an interesting occasion.

a form of address for a man

From this reading Deck was required to report his affair at the house of Mr. Halliburn, and he went over it as minutely as his father desired.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading "It was very well managed, my son," said the major, who was not especially liberal in praise of the young man as a rule.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading A NEW COMPANY OF MOUNTED RIFLEMEN The troopers were dismissed for dinner, and all the officers of the squadron assembled in front of the farmer's house while their horses were fed; and it was an interesting occasion.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading "It was very well managed, my son," said the major, who was not especially liberal in praise of the young man as a rule.

an event that occurs at a critical time

From this reading A NEW COMPANY OF MOUNTED RIFLEMEN The troopers were dismissed for dinner, and all the officers of the squadron assembled in front of the farmer's house while their horses were fed; and it was an interesting occasion.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A NEW COMPANY OF MOUNTED RIFLEMEN The troopers were dismissed for dinner, and all the officers of the squadron assembled in front of the farmer's house while their horses were fed; and it was an interesting occasion.

any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command

From this reading "You captured the entire gang without firing a gun, though if Captain Coonly had conducted his raid with even ordinary prudence, it would have been otherwise; but it is the business of a commanding officer to profit by the blunders of the enemy."

plural of “officer” — any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command

From this reading A NEW COMPANY OF MOUNTED RIFLEMEN The troopers were dismissed for dinner, and all the officers of the squadron assembled in front of the farmer's house while their horses were fed; and it was an interesting occasion.

a judge of a probate court

From this reading "You captured the entire gang without firing a gun, though if Captain Coonly had conducted his raid with even ordinary prudence, it would have been otherwise; but it is the business of a commanding officer to profit by the blunders of the enemy."

in other respects or ways

From this reading "You captured the entire gang without firing a gun, though if Captain Coonly had conducted his raid with even ordinary prudence, it would have been otherwise; but it is the business of a commanding officer to profit by the blunders of the enemy."

above and across; more than

From this reading The skirmishes were gone over again more in detail than Life had been able to give them.

an expression of approval and commendation

From this reading "It was very well managed, my son," said the major, who was not especially liberal in praise of the young man as a rule.

the excess of revenues over outlays in a given period of time (including depreciation and other non-cash expenses)

From this reading "You captured the entire gang without firing a gun, though if Captain Coonly had conducted his raid with even ordinary prudence, it would have been otherwise; but it is the business of a commanding officer to profit by the blunders of the enemy."

discretion in practical affairs

From this reading "You captured the entire gang without firing a gun, though if Captain Coonly had conducted his raid with even ordinary prudence, it would have been otherwise; but it is the business of a commanding officer to profit by the blunders of the enemy."

search without warning, make a sudden surprise attack on

From this reading "You captured the entire gang without firing a gun, though if Captain Coonly had conducted his raid with even ordinary prudence, it would have been otherwise; but it is the business of a commanding officer to profit by the blunders of the enemy."

to give an account or representation of in words

From this reading Deck was required to report his affair at the house of Mr. Halliburn, and he went over it as minutely as his father desired.

necessary for relief or supply

From this reading Deck was required to report his affair at the house of Mr. Halliburn, and he went over it as minutely as his father desired.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A NEW COMPANY OF MOUNTED RIFLEMEN The troopers were dismissed for dinner, and all the officers of the squadron assembled in front of the farmer's house while their horses were fed; and it was an interesting occasion.

a principle or condition that customarily governs behavior

From this reading "It was very well managed, my son," said the major, who was not especially liberal in praise of the young man as a rule.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading "It was very well managed, my son," said the major, who was not especially liberal in praise of the young man as a rule.

plural of “skirmish” — a minor short-term fight

From this reading The skirmishes were gone over again more in detail than Life had been able to give them.

a male human offspring

From this reading "It was very well managed, my son," said the major, who was not especially liberal in praise of the young man as a rule.

a cavalry unit consisting of two or more troops and headquarters and supporting arms

From this reading A NEW COMPANY OF MOUNTED RIFLEMEN The troopers were dismissed for dinner, and all the officers of the squadron assembled in front of the farmer's house while their horses were fed; and it was an interesting occasion.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading The skirmishes were gone over again more in detail than Life had been able to give them.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading A NEW COMPANY OF MOUNTED RIFLEMEN The troopers were dismissed for dinner, and all the officers of the squadron assembled in front of the farmer's house while their horses were fed; and it was an interesting occasion.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading A NEW COMPANY OF MOUNTED RIFLEMEN The troopers were dismissed for dinner, and all the officers of the squadron assembled in front of the farmer's house while their horses were fed; and it was an interesting occasion.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The skirmishes were gone over again more in detail than Life had been able to give them.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading "You captured the entire gang without firing a gun, though if Captain Coonly had conducted his raid with even ordinary prudence, it would have been otherwise; but it is the business of a commanding officer to profit by the blunders of the enemy."

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading The skirmishes were gone over again more in detail than Life had been able to give them.

plural of “trooper” — a soldier in a motorized army unit

From this reading A NEW COMPANY OF MOUNTED RIFLEMEN The troopers were dismissed for dinner, and all the officers of the squadron assembled in front of the farmer's house while their horses were fed; and it was an interesting occasion.

precisely as stated

From this reading "It was very well managed, my son," said the major, who was not especially liberal in praise of the young man as a rule.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading A NEW COMPANY OF MOUNTED RIFLEMEN The troopers were dismissed for dinner, and all the officers of the squadron assembled in front of the farmer's house while their horses were fed; and it was an interesting occasion.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading "It was very well managed, my son," said the major, who was not especially liberal in praise of the young man as a rule.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading Deck was required to report his affair at the house of Mr. Halliburn, and he went over it as minutely as his father desired.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading A NEW COMPANY OF MOUNTED RIFLEMEN The troopers were dismissed for dinner, and all the officers of the squadron assembled in front of the farmer's house while their horses were fed; and it was an interesting occasion.

during the time that

From this reading A NEW COMPANY OF MOUNTED RIFLEMEN The troopers were dismissed for dinner, and all the officers of the squadron assembled in front of the farmer's house while their horses were fed; and it was an interesting occasion.

which person or people

From this reading "It was very well managed, my son," said the major, who was not especially liberal in praise of the young man as a rule.

in the company of; together with

From this reading "You captured the entire gang without firing a gun, though if Captain Coonly had conducted his raid with even ordinary prudence, it would have been otherwise; but it is the business of a commanding officer to profit by the blunders of the enemy."

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading "You captured the entire gang without firing a gun, though if Captain Coonly had conducted his raid with even ordinary prudence, it would have been otherwise; but it is the business of a commanding officer to profit by the blunders of the enemy."

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading "You captured the entire gang without firing a gun, though if Captain Coonly had conducted his raid with even ordinary prudence, it would have been otherwise; but it is the business of a commanding officer to profit by the blunders of the enemy."

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "You captured the entire gang without firing a gun, though if Captain Coonly had conducted his raid with even ordinary prudence, it would have been otherwise; but it is the business of a commanding officer to profit by the blunders of the enemy."

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading "It was very well managed, my son," said the major, who was not especially liberal in praise of the young man as a rule.