Chapter X

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

From this reading A French officer who had seen some of the bloodiest fighting on the Somme was their instructor, and he was voluble in his praise of the "_esprit de coeur_" the young men showed.

highly skilled

From this reading "But when you are in the trench, fighting hand to hand with your enemy, more accomplished than you, it will not be so great a joke.

(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 "It is maybe all right now to laugh and take the little interest," the Frenchman was fond of saying to these few who lagged behind.

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

From this reading A French officer who had seen some of the bloodiest fighting on the Somme was their instructor, and he was voluble in his praise of the "_esprit de coeur_" the young men showed.

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

From this reading "But when you are in the trench, fighting hand to hand with your enemy, more accomplished than you, it will not be so great a joke.

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

From this reading INSTRUMENTS OF DEATH As time went on the boys became quite expert in bayonet practice.

a knife that can be fixed to the end of a rifle and used as a weapon

From this reading INSTRUMENTS OF DEATH As time went on the boys became quite expert in bayonet practice.

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

From this reading "But when you are in the trench, fighting hand to hand with your enemy, more accomplished than you, it will not be so great a joke.

inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading INSTRUMENTS OF DEATH As time went on the boys became quite expert in bayonet practice.

the event consisting of the start of something

From this reading Of course in the beginning there were some laggards, but these were promptly whipped into line by officers and comrades.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading "It is maybe all right now to laugh and take the little interest," the Frenchman was fond of saying to these few who lagged behind.

superlative of “bloody” — having or covered with or accompanied by blood

From this reading A French officer who had seen some of the bloodiest fighting on the Somme was their instructor, and he was voluble in his praise of the "_esprit de coeur_" the young men showed.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading INSTRUMENTS OF DEATH As time went on the boys became quite expert in bayonet practice.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Of course in the beginning there were some laggards, but these were promptly whipped into line by officers and comrades.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Of course in the beginning there were some laggards, but these were promptly whipped into line by officers and comrades.

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

From this reading A French officer who had seen some of the bloodiest fighting on the Somme was their instructor, and he was voluble in his praise of the "_esprit de coeur_" the young men showed.

plural of “comrade” — a friend who is frequently in the company of another

From this reading Of course in the beginning there were some laggards, but these were promptly whipped into line by officers and comrades.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading Of course in the beginning there were some laggards, but these were promptly whipped into line by officers and comrades.

a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies

From this reading A French officer who had seen some of the bloodiest fighting on the Somme was their instructor, and he was voluble in his praise of the "_esprit de coeur_" the young men showed.

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading INSTRUMENTS OF DEATH As time went on the boys became quite expert in bayonet practice.

an opposing military force

From this reading "But when you are in the trench, fighting hand to hand with your enemy, more accomplished than you, it will not be so great a joke.

liveliness of mind or spirit

From this reading A French officer who had seen some of the bloodiest fighting on the Somme was their instructor, and he was voluble in his praise of the "_esprit de coeur_" the young men showed.

having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude

From this reading INSTRUMENTS OF DEATH As time went on the boys became quite expert in bayonet practice.

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

From this reading "It is maybe all right now to laugh and take the little interest," the Frenchman was fond of saying to these few who lagged behind.

the act of fighting; any contest or struggle

From this reading A French officer who had seen some of the bloodiest fighting on the Somme was their instructor, and he was voluble in his praise of the "_esprit de coeur_" the young men showed.

having or displaying warmth or affection

From this reading "It is maybe all right now to laugh and take the little interest," the Frenchman was fond of saying to these few who lagged behind.

the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France

From this reading A French officer who had seen some of the bloodiest fighting on the Somme was their instructor, and he was voluble in his praise of the "_esprit de coeur_" the young men showed.

a person of French nationality

From this reading "It is maybe all right now to laugh and take the little interest," the Frenchman was fond of saying to these few who lagged behind.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading "But when you are in the trench, fighting hand to hand with your enemy, more accomplished than you, it will not be so great a joke.

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

From this reading A French officer who had seen some of the bloodiest fighting on the Somme was their instructor, and he was voluble in his praise of the "_esprit de coeur_" the young men showed.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading "But when you are in the trench, fighting hand to hand with your enemy, more accomplished than you, it will not be so great a joke.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading A French officer who had seen some of the bloodiest fighting on the Somme was their instructor, and he was voluble in his praise of the "_esprit de coeur_" the young men showed.

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

From this reading A French officer who had seen some of the bloodiest fighting on the Somme was their instructor, and he was voluble in his praise of the "_esprit de coeur_" the young men showed.

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

From this reading INSTRUMENTS OF DEATH As time went on the boys became quite expert in bayonet practice.

a person whose occupation is teaching

From this reading A French officer who had seen some of the bloodiest fighting on the Somme was their instructor, and he was voluble in his praise of the "_esprit de coeur_" the young men showed.

plural of “instrument” — a device that requires skill for proper use

From this reading INSTRUMENTS OF DEATH As time went on the boys became quite expert in bayonet practice.

a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something

From this reading "It is maybe all right now to laugh and take the little interest," the Frenchman was fond of saying to these few who lagged behind.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Of course in the beginning there were some laggards, but these were promptly whipped into line by officers and comrades.

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

From this reading "It is maybe all right now to laugh and take the little interest," the Frenchman was fond of saying to these few who lagged behind.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "It is maybe all right now to laugh and take the little interest," the Frenchman was fond of saying to these few who lagged behind.

a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter

From this reading "But when you are in the trench, fighting hand to hand with your enemy, more accomplished than you, it will not be so great a joke.

plural of “laggard” — someone who takes more time than necessary; someone who lags behind

From this reading Of course in the beginning there were some laggards, but these were promptly whipped into line by officers and comrades.

inflected form of “lag” — hang (back) or fall (behind) in movement, progress, development, etc.

From this reading "It is maybe all right now to laugh and take the little interest," the Frenchman was fond of saying to these few who lagged behind.

the sound of laughing

From this reading "It is maybe all right now to laugh and take the little interest," the Frenchman was fond of saying to these few who lagged behind.

a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading Of course in the beginning there were some laggards, but these were promptly whipped into line by officers and comrades.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading "It is maybe all right now to laugh and take the little interest," the Frenchman was fond of saying to these few who lagged behind.

by chance

From this reading "It is maybe all right now to laugh and take the little interest," the Frenchman was fond of saying to these few who lagged behind.

the force of workers available

From this reading A French officer who had seen some of the bloodiest fighting on the Somme was their instructor, and he was voluble in his praise of the "_esprit de coeur_" the young men showed.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading "But when you are in the trench, fighting hand to hand with your enemy, more accomplished than you, it will not be so great a joke.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading "But when you are in the trench, fighting hand to hand with your enemy, more accomplished than you, it will not be so great a joke.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading "It is maybe all right now to laugh and take the little interest," the Frenchman was fond of saying to these few who lagged behind.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading INSTRUMENTS OF DEATH As time went on the boys became quite expert in bayonet practice.

any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command

From this reading A French officer who had seen some of the bloodiest fighting on the Somme was their instructor, and he was voluble in his praise of the "_esprit de coeur_" the young men showed.

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

From this reading Of course in the beginning there were some laggards, but these were promptly whipped into line by officers and comrades.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading INSTRUMENTS OF DEATH As time went on the boys became quite expert in bayonet practice.

a customary way of operation or behavior

From this reading INSTRUMENTS OF DEATH As time went on the boys became quite expert in bayonet practice.

an expression of approval and commendation

From this reading A French officer who had seen some of the bloodiest fighting on the Somme was their instructor, and he was voluble in his praise of the "_esprit de coeur_" the young men showed.

with little or no delay

From this reading Of course in the beginning there were some laggards, but these were promptly whipped into line by officers and comrades.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading INSTRUMENTS OF DEATH As time went on the boys became quite expert in bayonet practice.

precisely, exactly

From this reading "It is maybe all right now to laugh and take the little interest," the Frenchman was fond of saying to these few who lagged behind.

a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations

From this reading "It is maybe all right now to laugh and take the little interest," the Frenchman was fond of saying to these few who lagged behind.

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

From this reading A French officer who had seen some of the bloodiest fighting on the Somme was their instructor, and he was voluble in his praise of the "_esprit de coeur_" the young men showed.

past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading A French officer who had seen some of the bloodiest fighting on the Somme was their instructor, and he was voluble in his praise of the "_esprit de coeur_" the young men showed.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading "But when you are in the trench, fighting hand to hand with your enemy, more accomplished than you, it will not be so great a joke.

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

From this reading A French officer who had seen some of the bloodiest fighting on the Somme was their instructor, and he was voluble in his praise of the "_esprit de coeur_" the young men showed.

battle of World War II

From this reading A French officer who had seen some of the bloodiest fighting on the Somme was their instructor, and he was voluble in his praise of the "_esprit de coeur_" the young men showed.

carry out

From this reading "It is maybe all right now to laugh and take the little interest," the Frenchman was fond of saying to these few who lagged behind.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading "But when you are in the trench, fighting hand to hand with your enemy, more accomplished than you, it will not be so great a joke.

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

From this reading INSTRUMENTS OF DEATH As time went on the boys became quite expert in bayonet practice.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading A French officer who had seen some of the bloodiest fighting on the Somme was their instructor, and he was voluble in his praise of the "_esprit de coeur_" the young men showed.

in or at that place or location

From this reading Of course in the beginning there were some laggards, but these were promptly whipped into line by officers and comrades.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading Of course in the beginning there were some laggards, but these were promptly whipped into line by officers and comrades.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading INSTRUMENTS OF DEATH As time went on the boys became quite expert in bayonet practice.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading "It is maybe all right now to laugh and take the little interest," the Frenchman was fond of saying to these few who lagged behind.

a ditch dug as a fortification having a parapet of the excavated earth

From this reading "But when you are in the trench, fighting hand to hand with your enemy, more accomplished than you, it will not be so great a joke.

marked by a ready flow of speech

From this reading A French officer who had seen some of the bloodiest fighting on the Somme was their instructor, and he was voluble in his praise of the "_esprit de coeur_" the young men showed.

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

From this reading A French officer who had seen some of the bloodiest fighting on the Somme was their instructor, and he was voluble in his praise of the "_esprit de coeur_" the young men showed.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading INSTRUMENTS OF DEATH As time went on the boys became quite expert in bayonet practice.

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

From this reading Of course in the beginning there were some laggards, but these were promptly whipped into line by officers and comrades.

at the time that

From this reading "But when you are in the trench, fighting hand to hand with your enemy, more accomplished than you, it will not be so great a joke.

inflected form of “whip” — beat severely with a whip or rod

From this reading Of course in the beginning there were some laggards, but these were promptly whipped into line by officers and comrades.

which person or people

From this reading A French officer who had seen some of the bloodiest fighting on the Somme was their instructor, and he was voluble in his praise of the "_esprit de coeur_" the young men showed.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading "But when you are in the trench, fighting hand to hand with your enemy, more accomplished than you, it will not be so great a joke.

in the company of; together with

From this reading "But when you are in the trench, fighting hand to hand with your enemy, more accomplished than you, it will not be so great a joke.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "But when you are in the trench, fighting hand to hand with your enemy, more accomplished than you, it will not be so great a joke.

(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth

From this reading A French officer who had seen some of the bloodiest fighting on the Somme was their instructor, and he was voluble in his praise of the "_esprit de coeur_" the young men showed.

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "But when you are in the trench, fighting hand to hand with your enemy, more accomplished than you, it will not be so great a joke.