used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He knew that out there somewhere another heavy German gun had come into action; he knew that it was a good deal slower in its rate of fire, but that once it had secured its line and range it could practically obliterate the light field guns of the battery.
something done (usually as opposed to something said)
From this reading He knew that out there somewhere another heavy German gun had come into action; he knew that it was a good deal slower in its rate of fire, but that once it had secured its line and range it could practically obliterate the light field guns of the battery.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading The battery was fighting against time and the German gunners to complete their task before they could be silenced.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He knew that out there somewhere another heavy German gun had come into action; he knew that it was a good deal slower in its rate of fire, but that once it had secured its line and range it could practically obliterate the light field guns of the battery.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading He knew that out there somewhere another heavy German gun had come into action; he knew that it was a good deal slower in its rate of fire, but that once it had secured its line and range it could practically obliterate the light field guns of the battery.
with anxiety or apprehension
From this reading The infantry colonel watched anxiously.
batterynounUS /ˈbætəri/
group of guns or missile launchers operated together at one place
From this reading He knew that out there somewhere another heavy German gun had come into action; he knew that it was a good deal slower in its rate of fire, but that once it had secured its line and range it could practically obliterate the light field guns of the battery.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The battery was fighting against time and the German gunners to complete their task before they could be silenced.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The battery was fighting against time and the German gunners to complete their task before they could be silenced.
come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure
From this reading Then another shell from the German gun roared over, to burst this time well in the rear of the battery.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He knew that out there somewhere another heavy German gun had come into action; he knew that it was a good deal slower in its rate of fire, but that once it had secured its line and range it could practically obliterate the light field guns of the battery.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The first team was crippled and destroyed, and another team, rushed out from the cover of the trees, was fallen upon by the shrapnel tornado, and likewise swept out of existence.
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 The infantry colonel watched anxiously.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading He knew that out there somewhere another heavy German gun had come into action; he knew that it was a good deal slower in its rate of fire, but that once it had secured its line and range it could practically obliterate the light field guns of the battery.
come or bring to a finish or an end
From this reading The battery was fighting against time and the German gunners to complete their task before they could be silenced.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He knew that out there somewhere another heavy German gun had come into action; he knew that it was a good deal slower in its rate of fire, but that once it had secured its line and range it could practically obliterate the light field guns of the battery.
provide with a covering or cause to be covered
From this reading The first team was crippled and destroyed, and another team, rushed out from the cover of the trees, was fallen upon by the shrapnel tornado, and likewise swept out of existence.
crippledadjectiveUS /ˈkrɪpəld/
disabled in the feet or legs
From this reading The first team was crippled and destroyed, and another team, rushed out from the cover of the trees, was fallen upon by the shrapnel tornado, and likewise swept out of existence.
act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading He knew that out there somewhere another heavy German gun had come into action; he knew that it was a good deal slower in its rate of fire, but that once it had secured its line and range it could practically obliterate the light field guns of the battery.
spoiled or ruined or demolished
From this reading The first team was crippled and destroyed, and another team, rushed out from the cover of the trees, was fallen upon by the shrapnel tornado, and likewise swept out of existence.
the state or fact of existing
From this reading The first team was crippled and destroyed, and another team, rushed out from the cover of the trees, was fallen upon by the shrapnel tornado, and likewise swept out of existence.
having dropped by the force of gravity
From this reading The first team was crippled and destroyed, and another team, rushed out from the cover of the trees, was fallen upon by the shrapnel tornado, and likewise swept out of existence.
a piece of land cleared of trees and usually enclosed
From this reading He knew that out there somewhere another heavy German gun had come into action; he knew that it was a good deal slower in its rate of fire, but that once it had secured its line and range it could practically obliterate the light field guns of the battery.
the act of fighting; any contest or struggle
From this reading The battery was fighting against time and the German gunners to complete their task before they could be silenced.
start firing a weapon
From this reading He knew that out there somewhere another heavy German gun had come into action; he knew that it was a good deal slower in its rate of fire, but that once it had secured its line and range it could practically obliterate the light field guns of the battery.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The first team was crippled and destroyed, and another team, rushed out from the cover of the trees, was fallen upon by the shrapnel tornado, and likewise swept out of existence.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The first team was crippled and destroyed, and another team, rushed out from the cover of the trees, was fallen upon by the shrapnel tornado, and likewise swept out of existence.
a person of German nationality
From this reading He knew that out there somewhere another heavy German gun had come into action; he knew that it was a good deal slower in its rate of fire, but that once it had secured its line and range it could practically obliterate the light field guns of the battery.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading He knew that out there somewhere another heavy German gun had come into action; he knew that it was a good deal slower in its rate of fire, but that once it had secured its line and range it could practically obliterate the light field guns of the battery.
a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)
From this reading He knew that out there somewhere another heavy German gun had come into action; he knew that it was a good deal slower in its rate of fire, but that once it had secured its line and range it could practically obliterate the light field guns of the battery.
gunnersnounUS /ˈɡʌnərz/
plural of “gunner” — a serviceman in the artillery
From this reading The battery was fighting against time and the German gunners to complete their task before they could be silenced.
plural of “gun” — a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)
From this reading He knew that out there somewhere another heavy German gun had come into action; he knew that it was a good deal slower in its rate of fire, but that once it had secured its line and range it could practically obliterate the light field guns of the battery.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He knew that out there somewhere another heavy German gun had come into action; he knew that it was a good deal slower in its rate of fire, but that once it had secured its line and range it could practically obliterate the light field guns of the battery.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He knew that out there somewhere another heavy German gun had come into action; he knew that it was a good deal slower in its rate of fire, but that once it had secured its line and range it could practically obliterate the light field guns of the battery.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading He knew that out there somewhere another heavy German gun had come into action; he knew that it was a good deal slower in its rate of fire, but that once it had secured its line and range it could practically obliterate the light field guns of the battery.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He knew that out there somewhere another heavy German gun had come into action; he knew that it was a good deal slower in its rate of fire, but that once it had secured its line and range it could practically obliterate the light field guns of the battery.
infantrynounUS /ˈɪnfəntri/
an army unit consisting of soldiers who fight on foot
From this reading The infantry colonel watched anxiously.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He knew that out there somewhere another heavy German gun had come into action; he knew that it was a good deal slower in its rate of fire, but that once it had secured its line and range it could practically obliterate the light field guns of the battery.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He knew that out there somewhere another heavy German gun had come into action; he knew that it was a good deal slower in its rate of fire, but that once it had secured its line and range it could practically obliterate the light field guns of the battery.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading He knew that out there somewhere another heavy German gun had come into action; he knew that it was a good deal slower in its rate of fire, but that once it had secured its line and range it could practically obliterate the light field guns of the battery.
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 He knew that out there somewhere another heavy German gun had come into action; he knew that it was a good deal slower in its rate of fire, but that once it had secured its line and range it could practically obliterate the light field guns of the battery.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading He knew that out there somewhere another heavy German gun had come into action; he knew that it was a good deal slower in its rate of fire, but that once it had secured its line and range it could practically obliterate the light field guns of the battery.
in like or similar manner
From this reading The first team was crippled and destroyed, and another team, rushed out from the cover of the trees, was fallen upon by the shrapnel tornado, and likewise swept out of existence.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading He knew that out there somewhere another heavy German gun had come into action; he knew that it was a good deal slower in its rate of fire, but that once it had secured its line and range it could practically obliterate the light field guns of the battery.
obliterateverbUS /əˈblɪtəreɪt/
mark for deletion, rub off, or erase
From this reading He knew that out there somewhere another heavy German gun had come into action; he knew that it was a good deal slower in its rate of fire, but that once it had secured its line and range it could practically obliterate the light field guns of the battery.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He knew that out there somewhere another heavy German gun had come into action; he knew that it was a good deal slower in its rate of fire, but that once it had secured its line and range it could practically obliterate the light field guns of the battery.
on one occasion
From this reading He knew that out there somewhere another heavy German gun had come into action; he knew that it was a good deal slower in its rate of fire, but that once it had secured its line and range it could practically obliterate the light field guns of the battery.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading He knew that out there somewhere another heavy German gun had come into action; he knew that it was a good deal slower in its rate of fire, but that once it had secured its line and range it could practically obliterate the light field guns of the battery.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Then another shell from the German gun roared over, to burst this time well in the rear of the battery.
practicallyadverbUS /ˈpræktɪkli/
almost; nearly
From this reading He knew that out there somewhere another heavy German gun had come into action; he knew that it was a good deal slower in its rate of fire, but that once it had secured its line and range it could practically obliterate the light field guns of the battery.
an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control: "the range of a supersonic jet"
From this reading He knew that out there somewhere another heavy German gun had come into action; he knew that it was a good deal slower in its rate of fire, but that once it had secured its line and range it could practically obliterate the light field guns of the battery.
a magnitude or frequency relative to a time unit
From this reading He knew that out there somewhere another heavy German gun had come into action; he knew that it was a good deal slower in its rate of fire, but that once it had secured its line and range it could practically obliterate the light field guns of the battery.
the back of a military formation or procession
From this reading Then another shell from the German gun roared over, to burst this time well in the rear of the battery.
roaredverbUS /rɔːrd/
past form of “roar” — make a loud noise, as of wind, water, or vehicles
From this reading Then another shell from the German gun roared over, to burst this time well in the rear of the battery.
done under pressure
From this reading The first team was crippled and destroyed, and another team, rushed out from the cover of the trees, was fallen upon by the shrapnel tornado, and likewise swept out of existence.
securedverbUS /sɪˈkjʊrd/
past form of “secure” — get by special effort
From this reading He knew that out there somewhere another heavy German gun had come into action; he knew that it was a good deal slower in its rate of fire, but that once it had secured its line and range it could practically obliterate the light field guns of the battery.
shellnounUS /ʃel/
ammunition consisting of a cylindrical metal casing containing an explosive charge and a projectile; fired from a large gun
From this reading Then another shell from the German gun roared over, to burst this time well in the rear of the battery.
shrapnelnounUS /ˈʃræpnəl/
shell containing lead pellets that explodes in flight
From this reading The first team was crippled and destroyed, and another team, rushed out from the cover of the trees, was fallen upon by the shrapnel tornado, and likewise swept out of existence.
silencedadjectiveUS /ˈsaɪlənst/
reduced to silence
From this reading The battery was fighting against time and the German gunners to complete their task before they could be silenced.
sloweradverbUS /ˈsloʊər/
more slowly
From this reading He knew that out there somewhere another heavy German gun had come into action; he knew that it was a good deal slower in its rate of fire, but that once it had secured its line and range it could practically obliterate the light field guns of the battery.
in or at or to some place
From this reading He knew that out there somewhere another heavy German gun had come into action; he knew that it was a good deal slower in its rate of fire, but that once it had secured its line and range it could practically obliterate the light field guns of the battery.
possessing sweep
From this reading The first team was crippled and destroyed, and another team, rushed out from the cover of the trees, was fallen upon by the shrapnel tornado, and likewise swept out of existence.
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading The battery was fighting against time and the German gunners to complete their task before they could be silenced.
teamnounUS /tiːm/
a cooperative unit (especially in sports)
From this reading The first team was crippled and destroyed, and another team, rushed out from the cover of the trees, was fallen upon by the shrapnel tornado, and likewise swept out of existence.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He knew that out there somewhere another heavy German gun had come into action; he knew that it was a good deal slower in its rate of fire, but that once it had secured its line and range it could practically obliterate the light field guns of the battery.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The infantry colonel watched anxiously.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The battery was fighting against time and the German gunners to complete their task before they could be silenced.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then another shell from the German gun roared over, to burst this time well in the rear of the battery.
in or at that place or location
From this reading He knew that out there somewhere another heavy German gun had come into action; he knew that it was a good deal slower in its rate of fire, but that once it had secured its line and range it could practically obliterate the light field guns of the battery.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The battery was fighting against time and the German gunners to complete their task before they could be silenced.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Then another shell from the German gun roared over, to burst this time well in the rear of the battery.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading The battery was fighting against time and the German gunners to complete their task before they could be silenced.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The battery was fighting against time and the German gunners to complete their task before they could be silenced.
tornadonounUS /tɔːrˈneɪdoʊ/
a localized and violently destructive windstorm occurring over land characterized by a funnel-shaped cloud extending toward the ground
From this reading The first team was crippled and destroyed, and another team, rushed out from the cover of the trees, was fallen upon by the shrapnel tornado, and likewise swept out of existence.
plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms
From this reading The first team was crippled and destroyed, and another team, rushed out from the cover of the trees, was fallen upon by the shrapnel tornado, and likewise swept out of existence.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The first team was crippled and destroyed, and another team, rushed out from the cover of the trees, was fallen upon by the shrapnel tornado, and likewise swept out of existence.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He knew that out there somewhere another heavy German gun had come into action; he knew that it was a good deal slower in its rate of fire, but that once it had secured its line and range it could practically obliterate the light field guns of the battery.
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading The infantry colonel watched anxiously.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading Then another shell from the German gun roared over, to burst this time well in the rear of the battery.
