used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A Prisoner of War It would be difficult to say who were the most taken aback: the Boches at the sight of a khaki-clad man who might or might not be the foremost of a party of trench raiders, or Malcolm on finding himself confronted by a score of fully-armed Germans.
abackadverbUS /əˈbæk/
having the wind against the forward side of the sails
From this reading A Prisoner of War It would be difficult to say who were the most taken aback: the Boches at the sight of a khaki-clad man who might or might not be the foremost of a party of trench raiders, or Malcolm on finding himself confronted by a score of fully-armed Germans.
something done (usually as opposed to something said)
From this reading The weapon was useless; the piece of shell that had smashed the butt had jammed the bolt action.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading By use of his magazine he might drive the Huns into the next bay, and, profiting by the diversion, effect a smart retirement.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A Prisoner of War It would be difficult to say who were the most taken aback: the Boches at the sight of a khaki-clad man who might or might not be the foremost of a party of trench raiders, or Malcolm on finding himself confronted by a score of fully-armed Germans.
an indentation of a shoreline larger than a cove but smaller than a gulf
From this reading By use of his magazine he might drive the Huns into the next bay, and, profiting by the diversion, effect a smart retirement.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading A Prisoner of War It would be difficult to say who were the most taken aback: the Boches at the sight of a khaki-clad man who might or might not be the foremost of a party of trench raiders, or Malcolm on finding himself confronted by a score of fully-armed Germans.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading The rifle was little better than a broken reed.
BochesnounUS /ˈbɑːtʃɪz/
plural of “boche” — offensive term for a person of German descent
From this reading A Prisoner of War It would be difficult to say who were the most taken aback: the Boches at the sight of a khaki-clad man who might or might not be the foremost of a party of trench raiders, or Malcolm on finding himself confronted by a score of fully-armed Germans.
boltnounUS /boʊlt/
a discharge of lightning accompanied by thunder
From this reading The weapon was useless; the piece of shell that had smashed the butt had jammed the bolt action.
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading The rifle was little better than a broken reed.
buttverbUS /bʌt/
lie adjacent to another or share a boundary
From this reading The weapon was useless; the piece of shell that had smashed the butt had jammed the bolt action.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A Prisoner of War It would be difficult to say who were the most taken aback: the Boches at the sight of a khaki-clad man who might or might not be the foremost of a party of trench raiders, or Malcolm on finding himself confronted by a score of fully-armed Germans.
confrontedverbUS /kənˈfrʌntəd/
past form of “confront” — oppose, as in hostility or a competition
From this reading A Prisoner of War It would be difficult to say who were the most taken aback: the Boches at the sight of a khaki-clad man who might or might not be the foremost of a party of trench raiders, or Malcolm on finding himself confronted by a score of fully-armed Germans.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading A Prisoner of War It would be difficult to say who were the most taken aback: the Boches at the sight of a khaki-clad man who might or might not be the foremost of a party of trench raiders, or Malcolm on finding himself confronted by a score of fully-armed Germans.
diversionnounUS /daɪˈvɜːrʒən/
an activity that diverts or amuses or stimulates
From this reading By use of his magazine he might drive the Huns into the next bay, and, profiting by the diversion, effect a smart retirement.
operate or control a vehicle
From this reading By use of his magazine he might drive the Huns into the next bay, and, profiting by the diversion, effect a smart retirement.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading By use of his magazine he might drive the Huns into the next bay, and, profiting by the diversion, effect a smart retirement.
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading A Prisoner of War It would be difficult to say who were the most taken aback: the Boches at the sight of a khaki-clad man who might or might not be the foremost of a party of trench raiders, or Malcolm on finding himself confronted by a score of fully-armed Germans.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The New Zealander's first impulse was to unsling his rifle.
foremostadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrmoʊst/
ranking above all others
From this reading A Prisoner of War It would be difficult to say who were the most taken aback: the Boches at the sight of a khaki-clad man who might or might not be the foremost of a party of trench raiders, or Malcolm on finding himself confronted by a score of fully-armed Germans.
fully-armed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A Prisoner of War It would be difficult to say who were the most taken aback: the Boches at the sight of a khaki-clad man who might or might not be the foremost of a party of trench raiders, or Malcolm on finding himself confronted by a score of fully-armed Germans.
GermansnounUS /ˈdʒɜːrmənz/
plural of “german” — a person of German nationality
From this reading A Prisoner of War It would be difficult to say who were the most taken aback: the Boches at the sight of a khaki-clad man who might or might not be the foremost of a party of trench raiders, or Malcolm on finding himself confronted by a score of fully-armed Germans.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The weapon was useless; the piece of shell that had smashed the butt had jammed the bolt action.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading By use of his magazine he might drive the Huns into the next bay, and, profiting by the diversion, effect a smart retirement.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading A Prisoner of War It would be difficult to say who were the most taken aback: the Boches at the sight of a khaki-clad man who might or might not be the foremost of a party of trench raiders, or Malcolm on finding himself confronted by a score of fully-armed Germans.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The New Zealander's first impulse was to unsling his rifle.
Huns
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By use of his magazine he might drive the Huns into the next bay, and, profiting by the diversion, effect a smart retirement.
an instinctive motive
From this reading The New Zealander's first impulse was to unsling his rifle.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading By use of his magazine he might drive the Huns into the next bay, and, profiting by the diversion, effect a smart retirement.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A Prisoner of War It would be difficult to say who were the most taken aback: the Boches at the sight of a khaki-clad man who might or might not be the foremost of a party of trench raiders, or Malcolm on finding himself confronted by a score of fully-armed Germans.
jammedadjectiveUS /dʒæmd/
extremely crowed or filled to capacity
From this reading The weapon was useless; the piece of shell that had smashed the butt had jammed the bolt action.
khaki-clad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A Prisoner of War It would be difficult to say who were the most taken aback: the Boches at the sight of a khaki-clad man who might or might not be the foremost of a party of trench raiders, or Malcolm on finding himself confronted by a score of fully-armed Germans.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The rifle was little better than a broken reed.
magazinenounUS /ˈmæɡəziːn/
a periodic publication containing pictures and stories and articles of interest to those who purchase it or subscribe to it
From this reading By use of his magazine he might drive the Huns into the next bay, and, profiting by the diversion, effect a smart retirement.
Malcolm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A Prisoner of War It would be difficult to say who were the most taken aback: the Boches at the sight of a khaki-clad man who might or might not be the foremost of a party of trench raiders, or Malcolm on finding himself confronted by a score of fully-armed Germans.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading A Prisoner of War It would be difficult to say who were the most taken aback: the Boches at the sight of a khaki-clad man who might or might not be the foremost of a party of trench raiders, or Malcolm on finding himself confronted by a score of fully-armed Germans.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading A Prisoner of War It would be difficult to say who were the most taken aback: the Boches at the sight of a khaki-clad man who might or might not be the foremost of a party of trench raiders, or Malcolm on finding himself confronted by a score of fully-armed Germans.
used to form the superlative
From this reading A Prisoner of War It would be difficult to say who were the most taken aback: the Boches at the sight of a khaki-clad man who might or might not be the foremost of a party of trench raiders, or Malcolm on finding himself confronted by a score of fully-armed Germans.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading The New Zealander's first impulse was to unsling his rifle.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading By use of his magazine he might drive the Huns into the next bay, and, profiting by the diversion, effect a smart retirement.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading A Prisoner of War It would be difficult to say who were the most taken aback: the Boches at the sight of a khaki-clad man who might or might not be the foremost of a party of trench raiders, or Malcolm on finding himself confronted by a score of fully-armed Germans.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A Prisoner of War It would be difficult to say who were the most taken aback: the Boches at the sight of a khaki-clad man who might or might not be the foremost of a party of trench raiders, or Malcolm on finding himself confronted by a score of fully-armed Germans.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A Prisoner of War It would be difficult to say who were the most taken aback: the Boches at the sight of a khaki-clad man who might or might not be the foremost of a party of trench raiders, or Malcolm on finding himself confronted by a score of fully-armed Germans.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading A Prisoner of War It would be difficult to say who were the most taken aback: the Boches at the sight of a khaki-clad man who might or might not be the foremost of a party of trench raiders, or Malcolm on finding himself confronted by a score of fully-armed Germans.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading A Prisoner of War It would be difficult to say who were the most taken aback: the Boches at the sight of a khaki-clad man who might or might not be the foremost of a party of trench raiders, or Malcolm on finding himself confronted by a score of fully-armed Germans.
a separate part of a whole
From this reading The weapon was useless; the piece of shell that had smashed the butt had jammed the bolt action.
a person who is confined; especially a prisoner of war
From this reading A Prisoner of War It would be difficult to say who were the most taken aback: the Boches at the sight of a khaki-clad man who might or might not be the foremost of a party of trench raiders, or Malcolm on finding himself confronted by a score of fully-armed Germans.
profitingverbUS /ˈprɑːfətɪŋ/
-ing form of “profit” — derive a benefit from
From this reading By use of his magazine he might drive the Huns into the next bay, and, profiting by the diversion, effect a smart retirement.
raidersnounUS /ˈreɪdərz/
plural of “raider” — someone who takes spoils or plunder (as in war)
From this reading A Prisoner of War It would be difficult to say who were the most taken aback: the Boches at the sight of a khaki-clad man who might or might not be the foremost of a party of trench raiders, or Malcolm on finding himself confronted by a score of fully-armed Germans.
reednounUS /riːd/
tall woody perennial grasses with hollow slender stems especially of the genera Arundo and Phragmites
From this reading The rifle was little better than a broken reed.
retirementnounUS /riˈtaɪərmənt/
the state of being retired from one's business or occupation
From this reading By use of his magazine he might drive the Huns into the next bay, and, profiting by the diversion, effect a smart retirement.
steal goods; take as spoils
From this reading The New Zealander's first impulse was to unsling his rifle.
express in words
From this reading A Prisoner of War It would be difficult to say who were the most taken aback: the Boches at the sight of a khaki-clad man who might or might not be the foremost of a party of trench raiders, or Malcolm on finding himself confronted by a score of fully-armed Germans.
a number or letter indicating quality (especially of a student's performance)
From this reading A Prisoner of War It would be difficult to say who were the most taken aback: the Boches at the sight of a khaki-clad man who might or might not be the foremost of a party of trench raiders, or Malcolm on finding himself confronted by a score of fully-armed Germans.
shellnounUS /ʃel/
ammunition consisting of a cylindrical metal casing containing an explosive charge and a projectile; fired from a large gun
From this reading The weapon was useless; the piece of shell that had smashed the butt had jammed the bolt action.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading A Prisoner of War It would be difficult to say who were the most taken aback: the Boches at the sight of a khaki-clad man who might or might not be the foremost of a party of trench raiders, or Malcolm on finding himself confronted by a score of fully-armed Germans.
smartadjectiveUS /smɑːrt/
showing mental alertness and calculation and resourcefulness
From this reading By use of his magazine he might drive the Huns into the next bay, and, profiting by the diversion, effect a smart retirement.
smashedadjectiveUS /smæʃt/
very drunk
From this reading The weapon was useless; the piece of shell that had smashed the butt had jammed the bolt action.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading A Prisoner of War It would be difficult to say who were the most taken aback: the Boches at the sight of a khaki-clad man who might or might not be the foremost of a party of trench raiders, or Malcolm on finding himself confronted by a score of fully-armed Germans.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The rifle was little better than a broken reed.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The weapon was useless; the piece of shell that had smashed the butt had jammed the bolt action.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A Prisoner of War It would be difficult to say who were the most taken aback: the Boches at the sight of a khaki-clad man who might or might not be the foremost of a party of trench raiders, or Malcolm on finding himself confronted by a score of fully-armed Germans.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A Prisoner of War It would be difficult to say who were the most taken aback: the Boches at the sight of a khaki-clad man who might or might not be the foremost of a party of trench raiders, or Malcolm on finding himself confronted by a score of fully-armed Germans.
trenchnounUS /trentʃ/
a ditch dug as a fortification having a parapet of the excavated earth
From this reading A Prisoner of War It would be difficult to say who were the most taken aback: the Boches at the sight of a khaki-clad man who might or might not be the foremost of a party of trench raiders, or Malcolm on finding himself confronted by a score of fully-armed Germans.
unsling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The New Zealander's first impulse was to unsling his rifle.
the act of using
From this reading By use of his magazine he might drive the Huns into the next bay, and, profiting by the diversion, effect a smart retirement.
having no beneficial use or incapable of functioning usefully
From this reading The weapon was useless; the piece of shell that had smashed the butt had jammed the bolt action.
the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
From this reading A Prisoner of War It would be difficult to say who were the most taken aback: the Boches at the sight of a khaki-clad man who might or might not be the foremost of a party of trench raiders, or Malcolm on finding himself confronted by a score of fully-armed Germans.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The New Zealander's first impulse was to unsling his rifle.
any instrument or instrumentality used in fighting or hunting
From this reading The weapon was useless; the piece of shell that had smashed the butt had jammed the bolt action.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A Prisoner of War It would be difficult to say who were the most taken aback: the Boches at the sight of a khaki-clad man who might or might not be the foremost of a party of trench raiders, or Malcolm on finding himself confronted by a score of fully-armed Germans.
which person or people
From this reading A Prisoner of War It would be difficult to say who were the most taken aback: the Boches at the sight of a khaki-clad man who might or might not be the foremost of a party of trench raiders, or Malcolm on finding himself confronted by a score of fully-armed Germans.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading A Prisoner of War It would be difficult to say who were the most taken aback: the Boches at the sight of a khaki-clad man who might or might not be the foremost of a party of trench raiders, or Malcolm on finding himself confronted by a score of fully-armed Germans.
Zealander's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The New Zealander's first impulse was to unsling his rifle.
