used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading See how useless that would be in the event of a surprise attack in the dark, when the enemy could creep very close indeed to your parapet before the best of sentries could give any alarm!
abilitynounUS /əˈbɪlətiː/
the quality of being able to perform; a quality that permits or facilitates achievement or accomplishment
From this reading You will easily understand that of all things in trench warfare nothing is more important than the ability of your Company to man the fire-step, ready to repel an attack, or to make one, on the shortest possible notice.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading Troops in the firing line must be able to turn out, equipped in every detail for fighting--for days on end of fighting--not only quickly, but instantly; without any delay at all.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading When the order comes there must be no fiddling about looking for rifles, or appearing on the fire-step with incomplete equipment.
fear resulting from the awareness of danger
From this reading See how useless that would be in the event of a surprise attack in the dark, when the enemy could creep very close indeed to your parapet before the best of sentries could give any alarm!
(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 You will easily understand that of all things in trench warfare nothing is more important than the ability of your Company to man the fire-step, ready to repel an attack, or to make one, on the shortest possible notice.
past form of “allow” — make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
From this reading That is why, in the British Army, at all events--and I've no doubt the French are the same--nobody in the firing line is allowed to remove his equipment.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading You will easily understand that of all things in trench warfare nothing is more important than the ability of your Company to man the fire-step, ready to repel an attack, or to make one, on the shortest possible notice.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading That is why, in the British Army, at all events--and I've no doubt the French are the same--nobody in the firing line is allowed to remove his equipment.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading See how useless that would be in the event of a surprise attack in the dark, when the enemy could creep very close indeed to your parapet before the best of sentries could give any alarm!
appearingnounUS /əˈpɪrɪŋ/
formal attendance (in court or at a hearing) of a party in an action
From this reading When the order comes there must be no fiddling about looking for rifles, or appearing on the fire-step with incomplete equipment.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading That is why, in the British Army, at all events--and I've no doubt the French are the same--nobody in the firing line is allowed to remove his equipment.
a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state
From this reading That is why, in the British Army, at all events--and I've no doubt the French are the same--nobody in the firing line is allowed to remove his equipment.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Troops in the firing line must be able to turn out, equipped in every detail for fighting--for days on end of fighting--not only quickly, but instantly; without any delay at all.
(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
From this reading You will easily understand that of all things in trench warfare nothing is more important than the ability of your Company to man the fire-step, ready to repel an attack, or to make one, on the shortest possible notice.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading When the order comes there must be no fiddling about looking for rifles, or appearing on the fire-step with incomplete equipment.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading See how useless that would be in the event of a surprise attack in the dark, when the enemy could creep very close indeed to your parapet before the best of sentries could give any alarm!
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading See how useless that would be in the event of a surprise attack in the dark, when the enemy could creep very close indeed to your parapet before the best of sentries could give any alarm!
the people of Great Britain
From this reading That is why, in the British Army, at all events--and I've no doubt the French are the same--nobody in the firing line is allowed to remove his equipment.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Troops in the firing line must be able to turn out, equipped in every detail for fighting--for days on end of fighting--not only quickly, but instantly; without any delay at all.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading See how useless that would be in the event of a surprise attack in the dark, when the enemy could creep very close indeed to your parapet before the best of sentries could give any alarm!
plural of “come” — the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract
From this reading When the order comes there must be no fiddling about looking for rifles, or appearing on the fire-step with incomplete equipment.
an institution created to conduct business
From this reading You will easily understand that of all things in trench warfare nothing is more important than the ability of your Company to man the fire-step, ready to repel an attack, or to make one, on the shortest possible notice.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading See how useless that would be in the event of a surprise attack in the dark, when the enemy could creep very close indeed to your parapet before the best of sentries could give any alarm!
creepverbUS /kriːp/
move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground
From this reading See how useless that would be in the event of a surprise attack in the dark, when the enemy could creep very close indeed to your parapet before the best of sentries could give any alarm!
absence of light or illumination
From this reading See how useless that would be in the event of a surprise attack in the dark, when the enemy could creep very close indeed to your parapet before the best of sentries could give any alarm!
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading Troops in the firing line must be able to turn out, equipped in every detail for fighting--for days on end of fighting--not only quickly, but instantly; without any delay at all.
cause to be slowed down or delayed
From this reading Troops in the firing line must be able to turn out, equipped in every detail for fighting--for days on end of fighting--not only quickly, but instantly; without any delay at all.
detailnounUS /dɪˈteɪl/
an isolated fact that is considered separately from the whole
From this reading Troops in the firing line must be able to turn out, equipped in every detail for fighting--for days on end of fighting--not only quickly, but instantly; without any delay at all.
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading That is why, in the British Army, at all events--and I've no doubt the French are the same--nobody in the firing line is allowed to remove his equipment.
with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)
From this reading You will easily understand that of all things in trench warfare nothing is more important than the ability of your Company to man the fire-step, ready to repel an attack, or to make one, on the shortest possible notice.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading Troops in the firing line must be able to turn out, equipped in every detail for fighting--for days on end of fighting--not only quickly, but instantly; without any delay at all.
an opposing military force
From this reading See how useless that would be in the event of a surprise attack in the dark, when the enemy could creep very close indeed to your parapet before the best of sentries could give any alarm!
equipmentnounUS /ɪˈkwɪpmənt/
an instrumentality needed for an undertaking or to perform a service
From this reading When the order comes there must be no fiddling about looking for rifles, or appearing on the fire-step with incomplete equipment.
equippedadjectiveUS /ɪˈkwɪpt/
provided or fitted out with what is necessary or useful or appropriate
From this reading Troops in the firing line must be able to turn out, equipped in every detail for fighting--for days on end of fighting--not only quickly, but instantly; without any delay at all.
something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading See how useless that would be in the event of a surprise attack in the dark, when the enemy could creep very close indeed to your parapet before the best of sentries could give any alarm!
plural of “event” — something that happens at a given place and time
From this reading That is why, in the British Army, at all events--and I've no doubt the French are the same--nobody in the firing line is allowed to remove his equipment.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Troops in the firing line must be able to turn out, equipped in every detail for fighting--for days on end of fighting--not only quickly, but instantly; without any delay at all.
fiddlingadjectiveUS /ˈfɪdlɪŋ/
(informal) small and of little importance
From this reading When the order comes there must be no fiddling about looking for rifles, or appearing on the fire-step with incomplete equipment.
the act of fighting; any contest or struggle
From this reading Troops in the firing line must be able to turn out, equipped in every detail for fighting--for days on end of fighting--not only quickly, but instantly; without any delay at all.
fire-step
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You will easily understand that of all things in trench warfare nothing is more important than the ability of your Company to man the fire-step, ready to repel an attack, or to make one, on the shortest possible notice.
firingnounUS /ˈfaɪrɪŋ/
the act of firing weapons or artillery at an enemy
From this reading Troops in the firing line must be able to turn out, equipped in every detail for fighting--for days on end of fighting--not only quickly, but instantly; without any delay at all.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading When the order comes there must be no fiddling about looking for rifles, or appearing on the fire-step with incomplete equipment.
the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France
From this reading That is why, in the British Army, at all events--and I've no doubt the French are the same--nobody in the firing line is allowed to remove his equipment.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading See how useless that would be in the event of a surprise attack in the dark, when the enemy could creep very close indeed to your parapet before the best of sentries could give any alarm!
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading That is why, in the British Army, at all events--and I've no doubt the French are the same--nobody in the firing line is allowed to remove his equipment.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading See how useless that would be in the event of a surprise attack in the dark, when the enemy could creep very close indeed to your parapet before the best of sentries could give any alarm!
I've
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That is why, in the British Army, at all events--and I've no doubt the French are the same--nobody in the firing line is allowed to remove his equipment.
of great significance or value
From this reading You will easily understand that of all things in trench warfare nothing is more important than the ability of your Company to man the fire-step, ready to repel an attack, or to make one, on the shortest possible notice.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading You will easily understand that of all things in trench warfare nothing is more important than the ability of your Company to man the fire-step, ready to repel an attack, or to make one, on the shortest possible notice.
incompleteadjectiveUS /ˌɪnkəmˈpliːt/
not complete or total; not completed
From this reading When the order comes there must be no fiddling about looking for rifles, or appearing on the fire-step with incomplete equipment.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading See how useless that would be in the event of a surprise attack in the dark, when the enemy could creep very close indeed to your parapet before the best of sentries could give any alarm!
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading Troops in the firing line must be able to turn out, equipped in every detail for fighting--for days on end of fighting--not only quickly, but instantly; without any delay at all.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading You will easily understand that of all things in trench warfare nothing is more important than the ability of your Company to man the fire-step, ready to repel an attack, or to make one, on the shortest possible notice.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading Troops in the firing line must be able to turn out, equipped in every detail for fighting--for days on end of fighting--not only quickly, but instantly; without any delay at all.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading When the order comes there must be no fiddling about looking for rifles, or appearing on the fire-step with incomplete equipment.
engage in
From this reading You will easily understand that of all things in trench warfare nothing is more important than the ability of your Company to man the fire-step, ready to repel an attack, or to make one, on the shortest possible notice.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading You will easily understand that of all things in trench warfare nothing is more important than the ability of your Company to man the fire-step, ready to repel an attack, or to make one, on the shortest possible notice.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading You will easily understand that of all things in trench warfare nothing is more important than the ability of your Company to man the fire-step, ready to repel an attack, or to make one, on the shortest possible notice.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading When the order comes there must be no fiddling about looking for rifles, or appearing on the fire-step with incomplete equipment.
not any; not one
From this reading When the order comes there must be no fiddling about looking for rifles, or appearing on the fire-step with incomplete equipment.
no person; not anyone
From this reading That is why, in the British Army, at all events--and I've no doubt the French are the same--nobody in the firing line is allowed to remove his equipment.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Troops in the firing line must be able to turn out, equipped in every detail for fighting--for days on end of fighting--not only quickly, but instantly; without any delay at all.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading You will easily understand that of all things in trench warfare nothing is more important than the ability of your Company to man the fire-step, ready to repel an attack, or to make one, on the shortest possible notice.
an announcement containing information about an event
From this reading You will easily understand that of all things in trench warfare nothing is more important than the ability of your Company to man the fire-step, ready to repel an attack, or to make one, on the shortest possible notice.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading You will easily understand that of all things in trench warfare nothing is more important than the ability of your Company to man the fire-step, ready to repel an attack, or to make one, on the shortest possible notice.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading You will easily understand that of all things in trench warfare nothing is more important than the ability of your Company to man the fire-step, ready to repel an attack, or to make one, on the shortest possible notice.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading You will easily understand that of all things in trench warfare nothing is more important than the ability of your Company to man the fire-step, ready to repel an attack, or to make one, on the shortest possible notice.
and nothing more
From this reading Troops in the firing line must be able to turn out, equipped in every detail for fighting--for days on end of fighting--not only quickly, but instantly; without any delay at all.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading You will easily understand that of all things in trench warfare nothing is more important than the ability of your Company to man the fire-step, ready to repel an attack, or to make one, on the shortest possible notice.
(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 order comes there must be no fiddling about looking for rifles, or appearing on the fire-step with incomplete equipment.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Troops in the firing line must be able to turn out, equipped in every detail for fighting--for days on end of fighting--not only quickly, but instantly; without any delay at all.
parapetnounUS /ˈperəpet/
a low wall along the edge of a roof or balcony
From this reading See how useless that would be in the event of a surprise attack in the dark, when the enemy could creep very close indeed to your parapet before the best of sentries could give any alarm!
capable of happening or existing
From this reading You will easily understand that of all things in trench warfare nothing is more important than the ability of your Company to man the fire-step, ready to repel an attack, or to make one, on the shortest possible notice.
with speed
From this reading Troops in the firing line must be able to turn out, equipped in every detail for fighting--for days on end of fighting--not only quickly, but instantly; without any delay at all.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading You will easily understand that of all things in trench warfare nothing is more important than the ability of your Company to man the fire-step, ready to repel an attack, or to make one, on the shortest possible notice.
removeverbUS /riˈmuːv/
remove something concrete, as by lifting, pushing, or taking off, or remove something abstract
From this reading That is why, in the British Army, at all events--and I've no doubt the French are the same--nobody in the firing line is allowed to remove his equipment.
repelverbUS /rɪˈpel/
cause to move back by force or influence
From this reading You will easily understand that of all things in trench warfare nothing is more important than the ability of your Company to man the fire-step, ready to repel an attack, or to make one, on the shortest possible notice.
riflesnounUS /ˈraɪfəlz/
plural of “rifle” — a shoulder firearm with a long barrel and a rifled bore
From this reading When the order comes there must be no fiddling about looking for rifles, or appearing on the fire-step with incomplete equipment.
Identical; not different.
From this reading That is why, in the British Army, at all events--and I've no doubt the French are the same--nobody in the firing line is allowed to remove his equipment.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading See how useless that would be in the event of a surprise attack in the dark, when the enemy could creep very close indeed to your parapet before the best of sentries could give any alarm!
sentriesnounUS /ˈsentriz/
plural of “sentry” — a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
From this reading See how useless that would be in the event of a surprise attack in the dark, when the enemy could creep very close indeed to your parapet before the best of sentries could give any alarm!
shortestadjectiveUS /ˈʃɔːrtɪst/
superlative of “short” — primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading You will easily understand that of all things in trench warfare nothing is more important than the ability of your Company to man the fire-step, ready to repel an attack, or to make one, on the shortest possible notice.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading See how useless that would be in the event of a surprise attack in the dark, when the enemy could creep very close indeed to your parapet before the best of sentries could give any alarm!
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading You will easily understand that of all things in trench warfare nothing is more important than the ability of your Company to man the fire-step, ready to repel an attack, or to make one, on the shortest possible notice.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading You will easily understand that of all things in trench warfare nothing is more important than the ability of your Company to man the fire-step, ready to repel an attack, or to make one, on the shortest possible notice.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading You will easily understand that of all things in trench warfare nothing is more important than the ability of your Company to man the fire-step, ready to repel an attack, or to make one, on the shortest possible notice.
in or at that place or location
From this reading When the order comes there must be no fiddling about looking for rifles, or appearing on the fire-step with incomplete equipment.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading You will easily understand that of all things in trench warfare nothing is more important than the ability of your Company to man the fire-step, ready to repel an attack, or to make one, on the shortest possible notice.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading You will easily understand that of all things in trench warfare nothing is more important than the ability of your Company to man the fire-step, ready to repel an attack, or to make one, on the shortest possible notice.
trenchnounUS /trentʃ/
a ditch dug as a fortification having a parapet of the excavated earth
From this reading You will easily understand that of all things in trench warfare nothing is more important than the ability of your Company to man the fire-step, ready to repel an attack, or to make one, on the shortest possible notice.
soldiers collectively
From this reading Troops in the firing line must be able to turn out, equipped in every detail for fighting--for days on end of fighting--not only quickly, but instantly; without any delay at all.
change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense
From this reading Troops in the firing line must be able to turn out, equipped in every detail for fighting--for days on end of fighting--not only quickly, but instantly; without any delay at all.
know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
From this reading You will easily understand that of all things in trench warfare nothing is more important than the ability of your Company to man the fire-step, ready to repel an attack, or to make one, on the shortest possible notice.
having no beneficial use or incapable of functioning usefully
From this reading See how useless that would be in the event of a surprise attack in the dark, when the enemy could creep very close indeed to your parapet before the best of sentries could give any alarm!
precisely as stated
From this reading See how useless that would be in the event of a surprise attack in the dark, when the enemy could creep very close indeed to your parapet before the best of sentries could give any alarm!
warfarenounUS /ˈwɔːrfer/
the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
From this reading You will easily understand that of all things in trench warfare nothing is more important than the ability of your Company to man the fire-step, ready to repel an attack, or to make one, on the shortest possible notice.
at the time that
From this reading When the order comes there must be no fiddling about looking for rifles, or appearing on the fire-step with incomplete equipment.
the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”
From this reading That is why, in the British Army, at all events--and I've no doubt the French are the same--nobody in the firing line is allowed to remove his equipment.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading You will easily understand that of all things in trench warfare nothing is more important than the ability of your Company to man the fire-step, ready to repel an attack, or to make one, on the shortest possible notice.
in the company of; together with
From this reading When the order comes there must be no fiddling about looking for rifles, or appearing on the fire-step with incomplete equipment.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Troops in the firing line must be able to turn out, equipped in every detail for fighting--for days on end of fighting--not only quickly, but instantly; without any delay at all.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading See how useless that would be in the event of a surprise attack in the dark, when the enemy could creep very close indeed to your parapet before the best of sentries could give any alarm!
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading You will easily understand that of all things in trench warfare nothing is more important than the ability of your Company to man the fire-step, ready to repel an attack, or to make one, on the shortest possible notice.
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading You will easily understand that of all things in trench warfare nothing is more important than the ability of your Company to man the fire-step, ready to repel an attack, or to make one, on the shortest possible notice.
