used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Where we were going we did not know; indeed, I believe that even the commandant himself was unaware of our destination when he ordered the battalion to hold itself in readiness for a march.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading Shortly afterwards the staff-officer went away, and we were marched off in column of fours for some place or other, where, we--sub-officers and men--knew not, nor did we care.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading While thus waiting in the ranks, an officer of the staff came and gave a written paper to the commandant.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading One evening the sergeants and corporals were ordered to forewarn the men that the battalion would leave the neighbourhood of Lang-Son early the following morning.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading When the morning parade had been inspected--we, of course, paraded in full marching order--the commandant ordered us to stand at ease.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Shortly afterwards the staff-officer went away, and we were marched off in column of fours for some place or other, where, we--sub-officers and men--knew not, nor did we care.
battalionnounUS /bəˈtæljən/
an army unit usually consisting of a headquarters and three or more companies
From this reading One evening the sergeants and corporals were ordered to forewarn the men that the battalion would leave the neighbourhood of Lang-Son early the following morning.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading When the morning parade had been inspected--we, of course, paraded in full marching order--the commandant ordered us to stand at ease.
accept as true; take to be true
From this reading Where we were going we did not know; indeed, I believe that even the commandant himself was unaware of our destination when he ordered the battalion to hold itself in readiness for a march.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading While thus waiting in the ranks, an officer of the staff came and gave a written paper to the commandant.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading Shortly afterwards the staff-officer went away, and we were marched off in column of fours for some place or other, where, we--sub-officers and men--knew not, nor did we care.
columnnounUS /ˈkɑːləm/
a line of units following one after another
From this reading Shortly afterwards the staff-officer went away, and we were marched off in column of fours for some place or other, where, we--sub-officers and men--knew not, nor did we care.
commandantnounUS /ˌkɑːmənˈdɑːnt/
an officer in command of a military unit
From this reading Where we were going we did not know; indeed, I believe that even the commandant himself was unaware of our destination when he ordered the battalion to hold itself in readiness for a march.
corporals
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One evening the sergeants and corporals were ordered to forewarn the men that the battalion would leave the neighbourhood of Lang-Son early the following morning.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading When the morning parade had been inspected--we, of course, paraded in full marching order--the commandant ordered us to stand at ease.
destinationnounUS /ˌdestəˈneɪʃən/
the place designated as the end (as of a race or journey)
From this reading Where we were going we did not know; indeed, I believe that even the commandant himself was unaware of our destination when he ordered the battalion to hold itself in readiness for a march.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Where we were going we did not know; indeed, I believe that even the commandant himself was unaware of our destination when he ordered the battalion to hold itself in readiness for a march.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading One evening the sergeants and corporals were ordered to forewarn the men that the battalion would leave the neighbourhood of Lang-Son early the following morning.
move gently or carefully
From this reading When the morning parade had been inspected--we, of course, paraded in full marching order--the commandant ordered us to stand at ease.
divisible by two
From this reading Where we were going we did not know; indeed, I believe that even the commandant himself was unaware of our destination when he ordered the battalion to hold itself in readiness for a march.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading One evening the sergeants and corporals were ordered to forewarn the men that the battalion would leave the neighbourhood of Lang-Son early the following morning.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading One evening the sergeants and corporals were ordered to forewarn the men that the battalion would leave the neighbourhood of Lang-Son early the following morning.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Where we were going we did not know; indeed, I believe that even the commandant himself was unaware of our destination when he ordered the battalion to hold itself in readiness for a march.
forewarnverbUS /fɔːrˈwɔːrn/
warn in advance or beforehand; give an early warning
From this reading One evening the sergeants and corporals were ordered to forewarn the men that the battalion would leave the neighbourhood of Lang-Son early the following morning.
foursnounUS /fɔːrz/
plural of “four” — the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading Shortly afterwards the staff-officer went away, and we were marched off in column of fours for some place or other, where, we--sub-officers and men--knew not, nor did we care.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading When the morning parade had been inspected--we, of course, paraded in full marching order--the commandant ordered us to stand at ease.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading While thus waiting in the ranks, an officer of the staff came and gave a written paper to the commandant.
the act of departing
From this reading Where we were going we did not know; indeed, I believe that even the commandant himself was unaware of our destination when he ordered the battalion to hold itself in readiness for a march.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading When the morning parade had been inspected--we, of course, paraded in full marching order--the commandant ordered us to stand at ease.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Where we were going we did not know; indeed, I believe that even the commandant himself was unaware of our destination when he ordered the battalion to hold itself in readiness for a march.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Where we were going we did not know; indeed, I believe that even the commandant himself was unaware of our destination when he ordered the battalion to hold itself in readiness for a march.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading Where we were going we did not know; indeed, I believe that even the commandant himself was unaware of our destination when he ordered the battalion to hold itself in readiness for a march.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Where we were going we did not know; indeed, I believe that even the commandant himself was unaware of our destination when he ordered the battalion to hold itself in readiness for a march.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Where we were going we did not know; indeed, I believe that even the commandant himself was unaware of our destination when he ordered the battalion to hold itself in readiness for a march.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading Where we were going we did not know; indeed, I believe that even the commandant himself was unaware of our destination when he ordered the battalion to hold itself in readiness for a march.
inspectedverbUS /ˌɪnˈspektɪd/
past form of “inspect” — look over carefully
From this reading When the morning parade had been inspected--we, of course, paraded in full marching order--the commandant ordered us to stand at ease.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading Where we were going we did not know; indeed, I believe that even the commandant himself was unaware of our destination when he ordered the battalion to hold itself in readiness for a march.
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 Shortly afterwards the staff-officer went away, and we were marched off in column of fours for some place or other, where, we--sub-officers and men--knew not, nor did we care.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading Where we were going we did not know; indeed, I believe that even the commandant himself was unaware of our destination when he ordered the battalion to hold itself in readiness for a march.
Lang-Son
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One evening the sergeants and corporals were ordered to forewarn the men that the battalion would leave the neighbourhood of Lang-Son early the following morning.
go away from a place
From this reading One evening the sergeants and corporals were ordered to forewarn the men that the battalion would leave the neighbourhood of Lang-Son early the following morning.
march in a procession
From this reading Where we were going we did not know; indeed, I believe that even the commandant himself was unaware of our destination when he ordered the battalion to hold itself in readiness for a march.
past form of “march” — march in a procession
From this reading Shortly afterwards the staff-officer went away, and we were marched off in column of fours for some place or other, where, we--sub-officers and men--knew not, nor did we care.
marchingnounUS /ˈmɑːrtʃɪŋ/
the act of marching; walking with regular steps (especially in a procession of some kind)
From this reading When the morning parade had been inspected--we, of course, paraded in full marching order--the commandant ordered us to stand at ease.
the force of workers available
From this reading One evening the sergeants and corporals were ordered to forewarn the men that the battalion would leave the neighbourhood of Lang-Son early the following morning.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading One evening the sergeants and corporals were ordered to forewarn the men that the battalion would leave the neighbourhood of Lang-Son early the following morning.
a surrounding or nearby region
From this reading One evening the sergeants and corporals were ordered to forewarn the men that the battalion would leave the neighbourhood of Lang-Son early the following morning.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading Shortly afterwards the staff-officer went away, and we were marched off in column of fours for some place or other, where, we--sub-officers and men--knew not, nor did we care.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Where we were going we did not know; indeed, I believe that even the commandant himself was unaware of our destination when he ordered the battalion to hold itself in readiness for a march.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading One evening the sergeants and corporals were ordered to forewarn the men that the battalion would leave the neighbourhood of Lang-Son early the following morning.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Shortly afterwards the staff-officer went away, and we were marched off in column of fours for some place or other, where, we--sub-officers and men--knew not, nor did we care.
any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading While thus waiting in the ranks, an officer of the staff came and gave a written paper to the commandant.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One evening the sergeants and corporals were ordered to forewarn the men that the battalion would leave the neighbourhood of Lang-Son early the following morning.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Shortly afterwards the staff-officer went away, and we were marched off in column of fours for some place or other, where, we--sub-officers and men--knew not, nor did we care.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading When the morning parade had been inspected--we, of course, paraded in full marching order--the commandant ordered us to stand at ease.
having a systematic arrangement; especially having elements succeeding in order according to rule
From this reading One evening the sergeants and corporals were ordered to forewarn the men that the battalion would leave the neighbourhood of Lang-Son early the following morning.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Shortly afterwards the staff-officer went away, and we were marched off in column of fours for some place or other, where, we--sub-officers and men--knew not, nor did we care.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Where we were going we did not know; indeed, I believe that even the commandant himself was unaware of our destination when he ordered the battalion to hold itself in readiness for a march.
a material made of cellulose pulp derived mainly from wood or rags or certain grasses
From this reading While thus waiting in the ranks, an officer of the staff came and gave a written paper to the commandant.
paradenounUS /pərˈeɪd/
a ceremonial procession including people marching
From this reading When the morning parade had been inspected--we, of course, paraded in full marching order--the commandant ordered us to stand at ease.
paradedverbUS /pərˈeɪdɪd/
past form of “parade” — walk ostentatiously
From this reading When the morning parade had been inspected--we, of course, paraded in full marching order--the commandant ordered us to stand at ease.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Shortly afterwards the staff-officer went away, and we were marched off in column of fours for some place or other, where, we--sub-officers and men--knew not, nor did we care.
ranksnounUS /ræŋks/
plural of “rank” — a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another
From this reading While thus waiting in the ranks, an officer of the staff came and gave a written paper to the commandant.
readinessnounUS /ˈredinəs/
the state of having been made ready or prepared for use or action (especially military action)
From this reading Where we were going we did not know; indeed, I believe that even the commandant himself was unaware of our destination when he ordered the battalion to hold itself in readiness for a march.
sergeantsnounUS /ˈsɑːrdʒənts/
plural of “sergeant” — any of several noncommissioned officer ranks in the Army or Air Force or Marines ranking above a corporal
From this reading One evening the sergeants and corporals were ordered to forewarn the men that the battalion would leave the neighbourhood of Lang-Son early the following morning.
for a short time
From this reading Shortly afterwards the staff-officer went away, and we were marched off in column of fours for some place or other, where, we--sub-officers and men--knew not, nor did we care.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Shortly afterwards the staff-officer went away, and we were marched off in column of fours for some place or other, where, we--sub-officers and men--knew not, nor did we care.
staffnounUS /stæf/
personnel who assist their superior in carrying out an assigned task
From this reading While thus waiting in the ranks, an officer of the staff came and gave a written paper to the commandant.
staff-officer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Shortly afterwards the staff-officer went away, and we were marched off in column of fours for some place or other, where, we--sub-officers and men--knew not, nor did we care.
be standing; be upright
From this reading When the morning parade had been inspected--we, of course, paraded in full marching order--the commandant ordered us to stand at ease.
sub-officers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Shortly afterwards the staff-officer went away, and we were marched off in column of fours for some place or other, where, we--sub-officers and men--knew not, nor did we care.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading One evening the sergeants and corporals were ordered to forewarn the men that the battalion would leave the neighbourhood of Lang-Son early the following morning.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading One evening the sergeants and corporals were ordered to forewarn the men that the battalion would leave the neighbourhood of Lang-Son early the following morning.
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading While thus waiting in the ranks, an officer of the staff came and gave a written paper to the commandant.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading One evening the sergeants and corporals were ordered to forewarn the men that the battalion would leave the neighbourhood of Lang-Son early the following morning.
unawareadjectiveUS /ˌʌnəˈwer/
(often followed by “of”) not aware
From this reading Where we were going we did not know; indeed, I believe that even the commandant himself was unaware of our destination when he ordered the battalion to hold itself in readiness for a march.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading When the morning parade had been inspected--we, of course, paraded in full marching order--the commandant ordered us to stand at ease.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading While thus waiting in the ranks, an officer of the staff came and gave a written paper to the commandant.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Where we were going we did not know; indeed, I believe that even the commandant himself was unaware of our destination when he ordered the battalion to hold itself in readiness for a march.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Where we were going we did not know; indeed, I believe that even the commandant himself was unaware of our destination when he ordered the battalion to hold itself in readiness for a march.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Shortly afterwards the staff-officer went away, and we were marched off in column of fours for some place or other, where, we--sub-officers and men--knew not, nor did we care.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading One evening the sergeants and corporals were ordered to forewarn the men that the battalion would leave the neighbourhood of Lang-Son early the following morning.
at the time that
From this reading Where we were going we did not know; indeed, I believe that even the commandant himself was unaware of our destination when he ordered the battalion to hold itself in readiness for a march.
in or at the place that
From this reading Where we were going we did not know; indeed, I believe that even the commandant himself was unaware of our destination when he ordered the battalion to hold itself in readiness for a march.
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading While thus waiting in the ranks, an officer of the staff came and gave a written paper to the commandant.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading One evening the sergeants and corporals were ordered to forewarn the men that the battalion would leave the neighbourhood of Lang-Son early the following morning.
set down in writing in any of various ways
From this reading While thus waiting in the ranks, an officer of the staff came and gave a written paper to the commandant.
