used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading My case is not merely that conscription will not contribute to that, but that it would be a monstrous diversion of our energy and emotion and material resources from the things that need urgently to be done.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading And I want the reader to be perfectly clear about the position I assume with regard to war preparations generally.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading I am not pleading for peace when there is no peace; this country has been constantly threatened during the past decade, and is threatened now by gigantic hostile preparations; it is our common interest to be and to keep at the maximum of military efficiency possible to us.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading And I want the reader to be perfectly clear about the position I assume with regard to war preparations generally.
armfulnoun
the quantity that can be contained in the arms
From this reading It would be like a boxer filling his arms with empty boxing-gloves and then rushing--his face protruding over the armful--into the fray.
weapons considered collectively
From this reading It would be like a boxer filling his arms with empty boxing-gloves and then rushing--his face protruding over the armful--into the fray.
assumeverbUS /əˈsuːm/
take to be the case or to be true; accept without verification or proof
From this reading And I want the reader to be perfectly clear about the position I assume with regard to war preparations generally.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading I am not pleading for peace when there is no peace; this country has been constantly threatened during the past decade, and is threatened now by gigantic hostile preparations; it is our common interest to be and to keep at the maximum of military efficiency possible to us.
(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
From this reading Let me make my attack on this prevalent and increasing superstition of the British need for conscription in two lines, one following the other.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading And I want the reader to be perfectly clear about the position I assume with regard to war preparations generally.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading I am not pleading for peace when there is no peace; this country has been constantly threatened during the past decade, and is threatened now by gigantic hostile preparations; it is our common interest to be and to keep at the maximum of military efficiency possible to us.
boxernounUS /ˈbɑːksər/
someone who fights with his fists for sport
From this reading It would be like a boxer filling his arms with empty boxing-gloves and then rushing--his face protruding over the armful--into the fray.
boxing-gloves
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It would be like a boxer filling his arms with empty boxing-gloves and then rushing--his face protruding over the armful--into the fray.
the people of Great Britain
From this reading Let me make my attack on this prevalent and increasing superstition of the British need for conscription in two lines, one following the other.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading My case is not merely that conscription will not contribute to that, but that it would be a monstrous diversion of our energy and emotion and material resources from the things that need urgently to be done.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading I am not pleading for peace when there is no peace; this country has been constantly threatened during the past decade, and is threatened now by gigantic hostile preparations; it is our common interest to be and to keep at the maximum of military efficiency possible to us.
an occurrence of something
From this reading My case is not merely that conscription will not contribute to that, but that it would be a monstrous diversion of our energy and emotion and material resources from the things that need urgently to be done.
rid of obstructions
From this reading And I want the reader to be perfectly clear about the position I assume with regard to war preparations generally.
belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public
From this reading I am not pleading for peace when there is no peace; this country has been constantly threatened during the past decade, and is threatened now by gigantic hostile preparations; it is our common interest to be and to keep at the maximum of military efficiency possible to us.
conscriptionnounUS /kənˈskrɪpʃən/
compulsory military service
From this reading My case is not merely that conscription will not contribute to that, but that it would be a monstrous diversion of our energy and emotion and material resources from the things that need urgently to be done.
without variation or change, in every case
From this reading I am not pleading for peace when there is no peace; this country has been constantly threatened during the past decade, and is threatened now by gigantic hostile preparations; it is our common interest to be and to keep at the maximum of military efficiency possible to us.
contributeverbUS /kənˈtrɪbjuːt/
bestow a quality on
From this reading My case is not merely that conscription will not contribute to that, but that it would be a monstrous diversion of our energy and emotion and material resources from the things that need urgently to be done.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading I am not pleading for peace when there is no peace; this country has been constantly threatened during the past decade, and is threatened now by gigantic hostile preparations; it is our common interest to be and to keep at the maximum of military efficiency possible to us.
decadenounUS /deˈkeɪd/
a period of 10 years
From this reading I am not pleading for peace when there is no peace; this country has been constantly threatened during the past decade, and is threatened now by gigantic hostile preparations; it is our common interest to be and to keep at the maximum of military efficiency possible to us.
diversionnounUS /daɪˈvɜːrʒən/
an activity that diverts or amuses or stimulates
From this reading My case is not merely that conscription will not contribute to that, but that it would be a monstrous diversion of our energy and emotion and material resources from the things that need urgently to be done.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading My case is not merely that conscription will not contribute to that, but that it would be a monstrous diversion of our energy and emotion and material resources from the things that need urgently to be done.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading I am not pleading for peace when there is no peace; this country has been constantly threatened during the past decade, and is threatened now by gigantic hostile preparations; it is our common interest to be and to keep at the maximum of military efficiency possible to us.
efficiencynounUS /ɪˈfɪʃənsi/
the ratio of the output to the input of any system
From this reading I am not pleading for peace when there is no peace; this country has been constantly threatened during the past decade, and is threatened now by gigantic hostile preparations; it is our common interest to be and to keep at the maximum of military efficiency possible to us.
any strong feeling
From this reading My case is not merely that conscription will not contribute to that, but that it would be a monstrous diversion of our energy and emotion and material resources from the things that need urgently to be done.
make void or empty of contents
From this reading It would be like a boxer filling his arms with empty boxing-gloves and then rushing--his face protruding over the armful--into the fray.
(physics) a thermodynamic quantity equivalent to the capacity of a physical system to do work; the units of energy are joules or ergs
From this reading My case is not merely that conscription will not contribute to that, but that it would be a monstrous diversion of our energy and emotion and material resources from the things that need urgently to be done.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading It would be like a boxer filling his arms with empty boxing-gloves and then rushing--his face protruding over the armful--into the fray.
fillingnounUS /ˈfɪlɪŋ/
any material that fills a space or container
From this reading It would be like a boxer filling his arms with empty boxing-gloves and then rushing--his face protruding over the armful--into the fray.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading Let me make my attack on this prevalent and increasing superstition of the British need for conscription in two lines, one following the other.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading I am not pleading for peace when there is no peace; this country has been constantly threatened during the past decade, and is threatened now by gigantic hostile preparations; it is our common interest to be and to keep at the maximum of military efficiency possible to us.
frayverbUS /freɪ/
wear away by rubbing
From this reading It would be like a boxer filling his arms with empty boxing-gloves and then rushing--his face protruding over the armful--into the fray.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading My case is not merely that conscription will not contribute to that, but that it would be a monstrous diversion of our energy and emotion and material resources from the things that need urgently to be done.
usually; as a rule
From this reading And I want the reader to be perfectly clear about the position I assume with regard to war preparations generally.
giganticadjectiveUS /dʒaɪˈɡæntɪk/
so exceedingly large or extensive as to suggest a giant or mammoth
From this reading I am not pleading for peace when there is no peace; this country has been constantly threatened during the past decade, and is threatened now by gigantic hostile preparations; it is our common interest to be and to keep at the maximum of military efficiency possible to us.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I am not pleading for peace when there is no peace; this country has been constantly threatened during the past decade, and is threatened now by gigantic hostile preparations; it is our common interest to be and to keep at the maximum of military efficiency possible to us.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It would be like a boxer filling his arms with empty boxing-gloves and then rushing--his face protruding over the armful--into the fray.
hostileadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːstəl/
characterized by enmity or ill will
From this reading I am not pleading for peace when there is no peace; this country has been constantly threatened during the past decade, and is threatened now by gigantic hostile preparations; it is our common interest to be and to keep at the maximum of military efficiency possible to us.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading And I want the reader to be perfectly clear about the position I assume with regard to war preparations generally.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Let me make my attack on this prevalent and increasing superstition of the British need for conscription in two lines, one following the other.
increasingadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈkriːsɪŋ/
becoming greater or larger
From this reading Let me make my attack on this prevalent and increasing superstition of the British need for conscription in two lines, one following the other.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading I am not pleading for peace when there is no peace; this country has been constantly threatened during the past decade, and is threatened now by gigantic hostile preparations; it is our common interest to be and to keep at the maximum of military efficiency possible to us.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading It would be like a boxer filling his arms with empty boxing-gloves and then rushing--his face protruding over the armful--into the fray.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I am not pleading for peace when there is no peace; this country has been constantly threatened during the past decade, and is threatened now by gigantic hostile preparations; it is our common interest to be and to keep at the maximum of military efficiency possible to us.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I am not pleading for peace when there is no peace; this country has been constantly threatened during the past decade, and is threatened now by gigantic hostile preparations; it is our common interest to be and to keep at the maximum of military efficiency possible to us.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading I am not pleading for peace when there is no peace; this country has been constantly threatened during the past decade, and is threatened now by gigantic hostile preparations; it is our common interest to be and to keep at the maximum of military efficiency possible to us.
Letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading Let me make my attack on this prevalent and increasing superstition of the British need for conscription in two lines, one following the other.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading It would be like a boxer filling his arms with empty boxing-gloves and then rushing--his face protruding over the armful--into the fray.
plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading Let me make my attack on this prevalent and increasing superstition of the British need for conscription in two lines, one following the other.
engage in
From this reading Let me make my attack on this prevalent and increasing superstition of the British need for conscription in two lines, one following the other.
concerned with worldly rather than spiritual interests
From this reading My case is not merely that conscription will not contribute to that, but that it would be a monstrous diversion of our energy and emotion and material resources from the things that need urgently to be done.
maximumnounUS /ˈmæksəməm/
the largest possible quantity
From this reading I am not pleading for peace when there is no peace; this country has been constantly threatened during the past decade, and is threatened now by gigantic hostile preparations; it is our common interest to be and to keep at the maximum of military efficiency possible to us.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Let me make my attack on this prevalent and increasing superstition of the British need for conscription in two lines, one following the other.
and nothing more
From this reading My case is not merely that conscription will not contribute to that, but that it would be a monstrous diversion of our energy and emotion and material resources from the things that need urgently to be done.
of or relating to the study of the principles of warfare
From this reading I am not pleading for peace when there is no peace; this country has been constantly threatened during the past decade, and is threatened now by gigantic hostile preparations; it is our common interest to be and to keep at the maximum of military efficiency possible to us.
monstrousadjectiveUS /ˈmɑːnstrəs/
abnormally large
From this reading My case is not merely that conscription will not contribute to that, but that it would be a monstrous diversion of our energy and emotion and material resources from the things that need urgently to be done.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading My case is not merely that conscription will not contribute to that, but that it would be a monstrous diversion of our energy and emotion and material resources from the things that need urgently to be done.
a condition requiring relief
From this reading My case is not merely that conscription will not contribute to that, but that it would be a monstrous diversion of our energy and emotion and material resources from the things that need urgently to be done.
not any; not one
From this reading I am not pleading for peace when there is no peace; this country has been constantly threatened during the past decade, and is threatened now by gigantic hostile preparations; it is our common interest to be and to keep at the maximum of military efficiency possible to us.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I am not pleading for peace when there is no peace; this country has been constantly threatened during the past decade, and is threatened now by gigantic hostile preparations; it is our common interest to be and to keep at the maximum of military efficiency possible to us.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading I am not pleading for peace when there is no peace; this country has been constantly threatened during the past decade, and is threatened now by gigantic hostile preparations; it is our common interest to be and to keep at the maximum of military efficiency possible to us.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I am not pleading for peace when there is no peace; this country has been constantly threatened during the past decade, and is threatened now by gigantic hostile preparations; it is our common interest to be and to keep at the maximum of military efficiency possible to us.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Let me make my attack on this prevalent and increasing superstition of the British need for conscription in two lines, one following the other.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Let me make my attack on this prevalent and increasing superstition of the British need for conscription in two lines, one following the other.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Let me make my attack on this prevalent and increasing superstition of the British need for conscription in two lines, one following the other.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading I am not pleading for peace when there is no peace; this country has been constantly threatened during the past decade, and is threatened now by gigantic hostile preparations; it is our common interest to be and to keep at the maximum of military efficiency possible to us.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading It would be like a boxer filling his arms with empty boxing-gloves and then rushing--his face protruding over the armful--into the fray.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading I am not pleading for peace when there is no peace; this country has been constantly threatened during the past decade, and is threatened now by gigantic hostile preparations; it is our common interest to be and to keep at the maximum of military efficiency possible to us.
the state prevailing during the absence of war
From this reading I am not pleading for peace when there is no peace; this country has been constantly threatened during the past decade, and is threatened now by gigantic hostile preparations; it is our common interest to be and to keep at the maximum of military efficiency possible to us.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading And I want the reader to be perfectly clear about the position I assume with regard to war preparations generally.
pleadingnounUS /ˈpliːdɪŋ/
(law) a statement in legal and logical form stating something on behalf of a party to a legal proceeding
From this reading I am not pleading for peace when there is no peace; this country has been constantly threatened during the past decade, and is threatened now by gigantic hostile preparations; it is our common interest to be and to keep at the maximum of military efficiency possible to us.
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading And I want the reader to be perfectly clear about the position I assume with regard to war preparations generally.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading I am not pleading for peace when there is no peace; this country has been constantly threatened during the past decade, and is threatened now by gigantic hostile preparations; it is our common interest to be and to keep at the maximum of military efficiency possible to us.
preparationsnounUS /ˌprepərˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “preparation” — the activity of putting or setting in order in advance of some act or purpose
From this reading And I want the reader to be perfectly clear about the position I assume with regard to war preparations generally.
prevalentadjectiveUS /ˈprevələnt/
most frequent or common
From this reading Let me make my attack on this prevalent and increasing superstition of the British need for conscription in two lines, one following the other.
protrudingadjectiveUS /proʊˈtruːdɪŋ/
extending out above or beyond a surface or boundary
From this reading It would be like a boxer filling his arms with empty boxing-gloves and then rushing--his face protruding over the armful--into the fray.
a person who enjoys reading
From this reading And I want the reader to be perfectly clear about the position I assume with regard to war preparations generally.
(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point
From this reading And I want the reader to be perfectly clear about the position I assume with regard to war preparations generally.
resourcesnounUS /ˈriːsɔːrsɪz/
plural of “resource” — available source of wealth; a new or reserve supply that can be drawn upon when needed
From this reading My case is not merely that conscription will not contribute to that, but that it would be a monstrous diversion of our energy and emotion and material resources from the things that need urgently to be done.
rushingnounUS /ˈrʌʃɪŋ/
(American football) an attempt to advance the ball by running into the line
From this reading It would be like a boxer filling his arms with empty boxing-gloves and then rushing--his face protruding over the armful--into the fray.
superstitionnounUS /ˌsuːpərˈstɪʃən/
an irrational belief arising from ignorance or fear
From this reading Let me make my attack on this prevalent and increasing superstition of the British need for conscription in two lines, one following the other.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading My case is not merely that conscription will not contribute to that, but that it would be a monstrous diversion of our energy and emotion and material resources from the things that need urgently to be done.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading And I want the reader to be perfectly clear about the position I assume with regard to war preparations generally.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading It would be like a boxer filling his arms with empty boxing-gloves and then rushing--his face protruding over the armful--into the fray.
in or at that place or location
From this reading I am not pleading for peace when there is no peace; this country has been constantly threatened during the past decade, and is threatened now by gigantic hostile preparations; it is our common interest to be and to keep at the maximum of military efficiency possible to us.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading My case is not merely that conscription will not contribute to that, but that it would be a monstrous diversion of our energy and emotion and material resources from the things that need urgently to be done.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading I am not pleading for peace when there is no peace; this country has been constantly threatened during the past decade, and is threatened now by gigantic hostile preparations; it is our common interest to be and to keep at the maximum of military efficiency possible to us.
(of flora or fauna) likely in the near future to become endangered
From this reading I am not pleading for peace when there is no peace; this country has been constantly threatened during the past decade, and is threatened now by gigantic hostile preparations; it is our common interest to be and to keep at the maximum of military efficiency possible to us.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading And I want the reader to be perfectly clear about the position I assume with regard to war preparations generally.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Let me make my attack on this prevalent and increasing superstition of the British need for conscription in two lines, one following the other.
urgentlyadverbUS /ˈɜːrdʒəntli/
with great urgency
From this reading My case is not merely that conscription will not contribute to that, but that it would be a monstrous diversion of our energy and emotion and material resources from the things that need urgently to be done.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I am not pleading for peace when there is no peace; this country has been constantly threatened during the past decade, and is threatened now by gigantic hostile preparations; it is our common interest to be and to keep at the maximum of military efficiency possible to us.
feel or have a desire for; want strongly
From this reading And I want the reader to be perfectly clear about the position I assume with regard to war preparations generally.
the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
From this reading And I want the reader to be perfectly clear about the position I assume with regard to war preparations generally.
at the time that
From this reading I am not pleading for peace when there is no peace; this country has been constantly threatened during the past decade, and is threatened now by gigantic hostile preparations; it is our common interest to be and to keep at the maximum of military efficiency possible to us.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading My case is not merely that conscription will not contribute to that, but that it would be a monstrous diversion of our energy and emotion and material resources from the things that need urgently to be done.
in the company of; together with
From this reading And I want the reader to be perfectly clear about the position I assume with regard to war preparations generally.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading My case is not merely that conscription will not contribute to that, but that it would be a monstrous diversion of our energy and emotion and material resources from the things that need urgently to be done.
