used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The officers madly spurred their diminutive mounts in a wild effort to secure speed.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Off they rode at break-neck rate over rice-paddies and small ditches in the direction of the bamboo thickets beyond the open.
weapons considered collectively
From this reading I ventured to raise my head a trifle higher when I noticed the Sergeant putting his face through a series of grimaces that would tend to make it as muscular as his brawny arms.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading I ventured to raise my head a trifle higher when I noticed the Sergeant putting his face through a series of grimaces that would tend to make it as muscular as his brawny arms.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Off they rode at break-neck rate over rice-paddies and small ditches in the direction of the bamboo thickets beyond the open.
bamboonounUS /bæmˈbuː/
the hard woody stems of bamboo plants; used in construction and crafts and fishing poles
From this reading Off they rode at break-neck rate over rice-paddies and small ditches in the direction of the bamboo thickets beyond the open.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading Off they rode at break-neck rate over rice-paddies and small ditches in the direction of the bamboo thickets beyond the open.
brawnyadjectiveUS /ˈbrɔːni/
(of a person) possessing physical strength and weight; rugged and powerful
From this reading I ventured to raise my head a trifle higher when I noticed the Sergeant putting his face through a series of grimaces that would tend to make it as muscular as his brawny arms.
break-neck
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Off they rode at break-neck rate over rice-paddies and small ditches in the direction of the bamboo thickets beyond the open.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But the infantrymen remained steadfast!
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading They kept their close formation, facing us.
diminutiveadjectiveUS /dɪˈmɪnjətɪv/
very small
From this reading The officers madly spurred their diminutive mounts in a wild effort to secure speed.
a line leading to a place or point
From this reading Off they rode at break-neck rate over rice-paddies and small ditches in the direction of the bamboo thickets beyond the open.
ditchesnounUS /ˈdɪtʃəz/
plural of “ditch” — a long narrow excavation in the earth
From this reading Off they rode at break-neck rate over rice-paddies and small ditches in the direction of the bamboo thickets beyond the open.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading The officers madly spurred their diminutive mounts in a wild effort to secure speed.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading I ventured to raise my head a trifle higher when I noticed the Sergeant putting his face through a series of grimaces that would tend to make it as muscular as his brawny arms.
facingnounUS /ˈfeɪsɪŋ/
a lining applied to the edge of a garment for ornamentation or strengthening
From this reading They kept their close formation, facing us.
formationnounUS /fɔːrˈmeɪʃən/
an arrangement of people or things acting as a unit
From this reading They kept their close formation, facing us.
grimacesnounUS /ˈɡrɪməsɪz/
plural of “grimace” — a contorted facial expression
From this reading I ventured to raise my head a trifle higher when I noticed the Sergeant putting his face through a series of grimaces that would tend to make it as muscular as his brawny arms.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading I ventured to raise my head a trifle higher when I noticed the Sergeant putting his face through a series of grimaces that would tend to make it as muscular as his brawny arms.
advanced in complexity or elaboration
From this reading I ventured to raise my head a trifle higher when I noticed the Sergeant putting his face through a series of grimaces that would tend to make it as muscular as his brawny arms.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading I ventured to raise my head a trifle higher when I noticed the Sergeant putting his face through a series of grimaces that would tend to make it as muscular as his brawny arms.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I ventured to raise my head a trifle higher when I noticed the Sergeant putting his face through a series of grimaces that would tend to make it as muscular as his brawny arms.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The officers madly spurred their diminutive mounts in a wild effort to secure speed.
infantrymennounUS /ˈɪnfæntrimən/
plural of “infantryman” — fights on foot with small arms
From this reading But the infantrymen remained steadfast!
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I ventured to raise my head a trifle higher when I noticed the Sergeant putting his face through a series of grimaces that would tend to make it as muscular as his brawny arms.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading They kept their close formation, facing us.
madlyadverbUS /ˈmædli/
in an uncontrolled manner
From this reading The officers madly spurred their diminutive mounts in a wild effort to secure speed.
engage in
From this reading I ventured to raise my head a trifle higher when I noticed the Sergeant putting his face through a series of grimaces that would tend to make it as muscular as his brawny arms.
mountsnounUS /maʊnts/
plural of “mount” — a lightweight horse kept for riding only
From this reading The officers madly spurred their diminutive mounts in a wild effort to secure speed.
muscularadjectiveUS /ˈmʌskjələr/
of or relating to or consisting of muscle
From this reading I ventured to raise my head a trifle higher when I noticed the Sergeant putting his face through a series of grimaces that would tend to make it as muscular as his brawny arms.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I ventured to raise my head a trifle higher when I noticed the Sergeant putting his face through a series of grimaces that would tend to make it as muscular as his brawny arms.
being perceived or observed
From this reading I ventured to raise my head a trifle higher when I noticed the Sergeant putting his face through a series of grimaces that would tend to make it as muscular as his brawny arms.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Off they rode at break-neck rate over rice-paddies and small ditches in the direction of the bamboo thickets beyond the open.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Off they rode at break-neck rate over rice-paddies and small ditches in the direction of the bamboo thickets beyond the open.
plural of “officer” — any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading The officers madly spurred their diminutive mounts in a wild effort to secure speed.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Off they rode at break-neck rate over rice-paddies and small ditches in the direction of the bamboo thickets beyond the open.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Off they rode at break-neck rate over rice-paddies and small ditches in the direction of the bamboo thickets beyond the open.
hitting a golf ball that is on the green using a putter
From this reading I ventured to raise my head a trifle higher when I noticed the Sergeant putting his face through a series of grimaces that would tend to make it as muscular as his brawny arms.
raise the level or amount of something
From this reading I ventured to raise my head a trifle higher when I noticed the Sergeant putting his face through a series of grimaces that would tend to make it as muscular as his brawny arms.
a magnitude or frequency relative to a time unit
From this reading Off they rode at break-neck rate over rice-paddies and small ditches in the direction of the bamboo thickets beyond the open.
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading But the infantrymen remained steadfast!
rice-paddies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Off they rode at break-neck rate over rice-paddies and small ditches in the direction of the bamboo thickets beyond the open.
inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading Off they rode at break-neck rate over rice-paddies and small ditches in the direction of the bamboo thickets beyond the open.
get by special effort
From this reading The officers madly spurred their diminutive mounts in a wild effort to secure speed.
SergeantnounUS /ˈsɑːrdʒənt/
any of several noncommissioned officer ranks in the Army or Air Force or Marines ranking above a corporal
From this reading I ventured to raise my head a trifle higher when I noticed the Sergeant putting his face through a series of grimaces that would tend to make it as muscular as his brawny arms.
seriesnounUS /ˈsɪriz/
similar things placed in order or happening one after another
From this reading I ventured to raise my head a trifle higher when I noticed the Sergeant putting his face through a series of grimaces that would tend to make it as muscular as his brawny arms.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Off they rode at break-neck rate over rice-paddies and small ditches in the direction of the bamboo thickets beyond the open.
move hurridly
From this reading The officers madly spurred their diminutive mounts in a wild effort to secure speed.
spurredverbUS /spɜːrd/
inflected form of “spur” — incite or stimulate
From this reading The officers madly spurred their diminutive mounts in a wild effort to secure speed.
steadfastadjectiveUS /ˈstedfæst/
marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
From this reading But the infantrymen remained steadfast!
tendverbUS /tend/
have a tendency or disposition to do or be something; be inclined
From this reading I ventured to raise my head a trifle higher when I noticed the Sergeant putting his face through a series of grimaces that would tend to make it as muscular as his brawny arms.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I ventured to raise my head a trifle higher when I noticed the Sergeant putting his face through a series of grimaces that would tend to make it as muscular as his brawny arms.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The officers madly spurred their diminutive mounts in a wild effort to secure speed.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The officers madly spurred their diminutive mounts in a wild effort to secure speed.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Off they rode at break-neck rate over rice-paddies and small ditches in the direction of the bamboo thickets beyond the open.
thicketsnounUS /ˈθɪkəts/
plural of “thicket” — a dense growth of bushes
From this reading Off they rode at break-neck rate over rice-paddies and small ditches in the direction of the bamboo thickets beyond the open.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading I ventured to raise my head a trifle higher when I noticed the Sergeant putting his face through a series of grimaces that would tend to make it as muscular as his brawny arms.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The officers madly spurred their diminutive mounts in a wild effort to secure speed.
a cold pudding made of layers of sponge cake spread with fruit or jelly; may be decorated with nuts, cream, or chocolate
From this reading I ventured to raise my head a trifle higher when I noticed the Sergeant putting his face through a series of grimaces that would tend to make it as muscular as his brawny arms.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading They kept their close formation, facing us.
past form of “venture” — proceed somewhere despite the risk of possible dangers
From this reading I ventured to raise my head a trifle higher when I noticed the Sergeant putting his face through a series of grimaces that would tend to make it as muscular as his brawny arms.
at the time that
From this reading I ventured to raise my head a trifle higher when I noticed the Sergeant putting his face through a series of grimaces that would tend to make it as muscular as his brawny arms.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading The officers madly spurred their diminutive mounts in a wild effort to secure speed.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading I ventured to raise my head a trifle higher when I noticed the Sergeant putting his face through a series of grimaces that would tend to make it as muscular as his brawny arms.
