Chapter II · Chapter 2

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

From this reading Just what an officer's actual rank might be in the days that followed close on the heels of the war was a matter no man could tell from either his dress or address.

presently existing in fact and not merely potential or possible

From this reading Just what an officer's actual rank might be in the days that followed close on the heels of the war was a matter no man could tell from either his dress or address.

speak to

From this reading Just what an officer's actual rank might be in the days that followed close on the heels of the war was a matter no man could tell from either his dress or address.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading There were well-authenticated cases of well-preserved persons who had never so much as seen a battle, and were yet, on one pretext or another, brevetted away up among the stars for "faithful and meritorious services" recruiting, mustering or disbursing.

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

From this reading Just what an officer's actual rank might be in the days that followed close on the heels of the war was a matter no man could tell from either his dress or address.

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

From this reading Few indeed were they who escaped the deluge of brevets that poured over the army and soaked some men six deep.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading There were well-authenticated cases of well-preserved persons who had never so much as seen a battle, and were yet, on one pretext or another, brevetted away up among the stars for "faithful and meritorious services" recruiting, mustering or disbursing.

a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state

From this reading Few indeed were they who escaped the deluge of brevets that poured over the army and soaked some men six deep.

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

From this reading There were well-authenticated cases of well-preserved persons who had never so much as seen a battle, and were yet, on one pretext or another, brevetted away up among the stars for "faithful and meritorious services" recruiting, mustering or disbursing.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading There were well-authenticated cases of well-preserved persons who had never so much as seen a battle, and were yet, on one pretext or another, brevetted away up among the stars for "faithful and meritorious services" recruiting, mustering or disbursing.

a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war

From this reading There were well-authenticated cases of well-preserved persons who had never so much as seen a battle, and were yet, on one pretext or another, brevetted away up among the stars for "faithful and meritorious services" recruiting, mustering or disbursing.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Just what an officer's actual rank might be in the days that followed close on the heels of the war was a matter no man could tell from either his dress or address.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading We had generals by brevet who had never set squadron in the field and didn't know the difference between a pole yoke and a pedometer.

a document entitling a commissioned officer to hold a higher rank temporarily (but without higher pay)

From this reading We had generals by brevet who had never set squadron in the field and didn't know the difference between a pole yoke and a pedometer.

plural of “brevet” — a document entitling a commissioned officer to hold a higher rank temporarily (but without higher pay)

From this reading Few indeed were they who escaped the deluge of brevets that poured over the army and soaked some men six deep.

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

From this reading There were well-authenticated cases of well-preserved persons who had never so much as seen a battle, and were yet, on one pretext or another, brevetted away up among the stars for "faithful and meritorious services" recruiting, mustering or disbursing.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading We had colonels by title whose functions were purely those of the file-closer.

plural of “case” — an occurrence of something

From this reading There were well-authenticated cases of well-preserved persons who had never so much as seen a battle, and were yet, on one pretext or another, brevetted away up among the stars for "faithful and meritorious services" recruiting, mustering or disbursing.

at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other

From this reading Just what an officer's actual rank might be in the days that followed close on the heels of the war was a matter no man could tell from either his dress or address.

plural of “colonel” — a commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines who ranks above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general

From this reading We had colonels by title whose functions were purely those of the file-closer.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Just what an officer's actual rank might be in the days that followed close on the heels of the war was a matter no man could tell from either his dress or address.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading Just what an officer's actual rank might be in the days that followed close on the heels of the war was a matter no man could tell from either his dress or address.

relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply

From this reading Few indeed were they who escaped the deluge of brevets that poured over the army and soaked some men six deep.

an overwhelming number or amount

From this reading Few indeed were they who escaped the deluge of brevets that poured over the army and soaked some men six deep.

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

From this reading We had generals by brevet who had never set squadron in the field and didn't know the difference between a pole yoke and a pedometer.

the quality of being unlike or dissimilar

From this reading We had generals by brevet who had never set squadron in the field and didn't know the difference between a pole yoke and a pedometer.

-ing form of “disburse” — expend, as from a fund

From this reading There were well-authenticated cases of well-preserved persons who had never so much as seen a battle, and were yet, on one pretext or another, brevetted away up among the stars for "faithful and meritorious services" recruiting, mustering or disbursing.

put on clothes

From this reading Just what an officer's actual rank might be in the days that followed close on the heels of the war was a matter no man could tell from either his dress or address.

one or the other of two

From this reading Just what an officer's actual rank might be in the days that followed close on the heels of the war was a matter no man could tell from either his dress or address.

having escaped, especially from confinement

From this reading Few indeed were they who escaped the deluge of brevets that poured over the army and soaked some men six deep.

steadfast in affection or allegiance

From this reading There were well-authenticated cases of well-preserved persons who had never so much as seen a battle, and were yet, on one pretext or another, brevetted away up among the stars for "faithful and meritorious services" recruiting, mustering or disbursing.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading Few indeed were they who escaped the deluge of brevets that poured over the army and soaked some men six deep.

a piece of land cleared of trees and usually enclosed

From this reading We had generals by brevet who had never set squadron in the field and didn't know the difference between a pole yoke and a pedometer.

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

From this reading We had colonels by title whose functions were purely those of the file-closer.

past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading Just what an officer's actual rank might be in the days that followed close on the heels of the war was a matter no man could tell from either his dress or address.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading There were well-authenticated cases of well-preserved persons who had never so much as seen a battle, and were yet, on one pretext or another, brevetted away up among the stars for "faithful and meritorious services" recruiting, mustering or disbursing.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Just what an officer's actual rank might be in the days that followed close on the heels of the war was a matter no man could tell from either his dress or address.

plural of “function” — (mathematics) a mathematical relation such that each element of a given set (the domain of the function) is associated with an element of another set (the range of the function)

From this reading We had colonels by title whose functions were purely those of the file-closer.

plural of “general” — a general officer of the highest rank

From this reading We had generals by brevet who had never set squadron in the field and didn't know the difference between a pole yoke and a pedometer.

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

From this reading There were well-authenticated cases of well-preserved persons who had never so much as seen a battle, and were yet, on one pretext or another, brevetted away up among the stars for "faithful and meritorious services" recruiting, mustering or disbursing.

plural of “heel” — the bottom of a shoe or boot; the back part of a shoe or boot that touches the ground and provides elevation

From this reading Just what an officer's actual rank might be in the days that followed close on the heels of the war was a matter no man could tell from either his dress or address.

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

From this reading Just what an officer's actual rank might be in the days that followed close on the heels of the war was a matter no man could tell from either his dress or address.

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

From this reading Just what an officer's actual rank might be in the days that followed close on the heels of the war was a matter no man could tell from either his dress or address.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading Few indeed were they who escaped the deluge of brevets that poured over the army and soaked some men six deep.

and nothing more

From this reading Just what an officer's actual rank might be in the days that followed close on the heels of the war was a matter no man could tell from either his dress or address.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading We had generals by brevet who had never set squadron in the field and didn't know the difference between a pole yoke and a pedometer.

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

From this reading Just what an officer's actual rank might be in the days that followed close on the heels of the war was a matter no man could tell from either his dress or address.

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading Just what an officer's actual rank might be in the days that followed close on the heels of the war was a matter no man could tell from either his dress or address.

the force of workers available

From this reading Few indeed were they who escaped the deluge of brevets that poured over the army and soaked some men six deep.

deserving reward or praise

From this reading There were well-authenticated cases of well-preserved persons who had never so much as seen a battle, and were yet, on one pretext or another, brevetted away up among the stars for "faithful and meritorious services" recruiting, mustering or disbursing.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Just what an officer's actual rank might be in the days that followed close on the heels of the war was a matter no man could tell from either his dress or address.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading There were well-authenticated cases of well-preserved persons who had never so much as seen a battle, and were yet, on one pretext or another, brevetted away up among the stars for "faithful and meritorious services" recruiting, mustering or disbursing.

-ing form of “muster” — gather or bring together

From this reading There were well-authenticated cases of well-preserved persons who had never so much as seen a battle, and were yet, on one pretext or another, brevetted away up among the stars for "faithful and meritorious services" recruiting, mustering or disbursing.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading There were well-authenticated cases of well-preserved persons who had never so much as seen a battle, and were yet, on one pretext or another, brevetted away up among the stars for "faithful and meritorious services" recruiting, mustering or disbursing.

not any; not one

From this reading Just what an officer's actual rank might be in the days that followed close on the heels of the war was a matter no man could tell from either his dress or address.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Just what an officer's actual rank might be in the days that followed close on the heels of the war was a matter no man could tell from either his dress or address.

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

From this reading Just what an officer's actual rank might be in the days that followed close on the heels of the war was a matter no man could tell from either his dress or address.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Just what an officer's actual rank might be in the days that followed close on the heels of the war was a matter no man could tell from either his dress or address.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading There were well-authenticated cases of well-preserved persons who had never so much as seen a battle, and were yet, on one pretext or another, brevetted away up among the stars for "faithful and meritorious services" recruiting, mustering or disbursing.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Just what an officer's actual rank might be in the days that followed close on the heels of the war was a matter no man could tell from either his dress or address.

above and across; more than

From this reading Few indeed were they who escaped the deluge of brevets that poured over the army and soaked some men six deep.

measuring instrument for recording the number of steps taken in walking

From this reading We had generals by brevet who had never set squadron in the field and didn't know the difference between a pole yoke and a pedometer.

plural of “person” — a human being

From this reading There were well-authenticated cases of well-preserved persons who had never so much as seen a battle, and were yet, on one pretext or another, brevetted away up among the stars for "faithful and meritorious services" recruiting, mustering or disbursing.

a long (usually round) rod of wood or metal or plastic

From this reading We had generals by brevet who had never set squadron in the field and didn't know the difference between a pole yoke and a pedometer.

past form of “pour” — cause to run

From this reading Few indeed were they who escaped the deluge of brevets that poured over the army and soaked some men six deep.

something serving to conceal plans; a fictitious reason that is concocted in order to conceal the real reason

From this reading There were well-authenticated cases of well-preserved persons who had never so much as seen a battle, and were yet, on one pretext or another, brevetted away up among the stars for "faithful and meritorious services" recruiting, mustering or disbursing.

restricted to something

From this reading We had colonels by title whose functions were purely those of the file-closer.

a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another

From this reading Just what an officer's actual rank might be in the days that followed close on the heels of the war was a matter no man could tell from either his dress or address.

-ing form of “recruit” — register formally as a participant or member

From this reading There were well-authenticated cases of well-preserved persons who had never so much as seen a battle, and were yet, on one pretext or another, brevetted away up among the stars for "faithful and meritorious services" recruiting, mustering or disbursing.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading There were well-authenticated cases of well-preserved persons who had never so much as seen a battle, and were yet, on one pretext or another, brevetted away up among the stars for "faithful and meritorious services" recruiting, mustering or disbursing.

performance of duties or provision of space and equipment helpful to others

From this reading There were well-authenticated cases of well-preserved persons who had never so much as seen a battle, and were yet, on one pretext or another, brevetted away up among the stars for "faithful and meritorious services" recruiting, mustering or disbursing.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading We had generals by brevet who had never set squadron in the field and didn't know the difference between a pole yoke and a pedometer.

the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one

From this reading Few indeed were they who escaped the deluge of brevets that poured over the army and soaked some men six deep.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading There were well-authenticated cases of well-preserved persons who had never so much as seen a battle, and were yet, on one pretext or another, brevetted away up among the stars for "faithful and meritorious services" recruiting, mustering or disbursing.

very drunk

From this reading Few indeed were they who escaped the deluge of brevets that poured over the army and soaked some men six deep.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Few indeed were they who escaped the deluge of brevets that poured over the army and soaked some men six deep.

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

From this reading We had generals by brevet who had never set squadron in the field and didn't know the difference between a pole yoke and a pedometer.

plural of “star” — (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior

From this reading There were well-authenticated cases of well-preserved persons who had never so much as seen a battle, and were yet, on one pretext or another, brevetted away up among the stars for "faithful and meritorious services" recruiting, mustering or disbursing.

express in words

From this reading Just what an officer's actual rank might be in the days that followed close on the heels of the war was a matter no man could tell from either his dress or address.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Just what an officer's actual rank might be in the days that followed close on the heels of the war was a matter no man could tell from either his dress or address.

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

From this reading Just what an officer's actual rank might be in the days that followed close on the heels of the war was a matter no man could tell from either his dress or address.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There were well-authenticated cases of well-preserved persons who had never so much as seen a battle, and were yet, on one pretext or another, brevetted away up among the stars for "faithful and meritorious services" recruiting, mustering or disbursing.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Few indeed were they who escaped the deluge of brevets that poured over the army and soaked some men six deep.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading We had colonels by title whose functions were purely those of the file-closer.

a heading that names a statute or legislative bill; may give a brief summary of the matters it deals with

From this reading We had colonels by title whose functions were purely those of the file-closer.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading There were well-authenticated cases of well-preserved persons who had never so much as seen a battle, and were yet, on one pretext or another, brevetted away up among the stars for "faithful and meritorious services" recruiting, mustering or disbursing.

the waging of armed conflict against an enemy

From this reading Just what an officer's actual rank might be in the days that followed close on the heels of the war was a matter no man could tell from either his dress or address.

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

From this reading Just what an officer's actual rank might be in the days that followed close on the heels of the war was a matter no man could tell from either his dress or address.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading We had colonels by title whose functions were purely those of the file-closer.

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

From this reading There were well-authenticated cases of well-preserved persons who had never so much as seen a battle, and were yet, on one pretext or another, brevetted away up among the stars for "faithful and meritorious services" recruiting, mustering or disbursing.

used of older persons who are healthy

From this reading There were well-authenticated cases of well-preserved persons who had never so much as seen a battle, and were yet, on one pretext or another, brevetted away up among the stars for "faithful and meritorious services" recruiting, mustering or disbursing.

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

From this reading Few indeed were they who escaped the deluge of brevets that poured over the army and soaked some men six deep.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Just what an officer's actual rank might be in the days that followed close on the heels of the war was a matter no man could tell from either his dress or address.

which person or people

From this reading Few indeed were they who escaped the deluge of brevets that poured over the army and soaked some men six deep.

belonging to which person

From this reading We had colonels by title whose functions were purely those of the file-closer.

but in spite of that

From this reading There were well-authenticated cases of well-preserved persons who had never so much as seen a battle, and were yet, on one pretext or another, brevetted away up among the stars for "faithful and meritorious services" recruiting, mustering or disbursing.

fabric comprising a fitted part at the top of a garment

From this reading We had generals by brevet who had never set squadron in the field and didn't know the difference between a pole yoke and a pedometer.