used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading FIFTY-FIFTY Vail began: Tyranny was purely a matter of business with this little moral shrimp about whom I’m going to tell you.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading FIFTY-FIFTY Vail began: Tyranny was purely a matter of business with this little moral shrimp about whom I’m going to tell you.
(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 All around me soldiers of the third line swarmed and clambered over the débris, digging, hammering, shifting planks and sandbags from south to north, lugging new timbers, reels of barbed wire, ladders, cases of ammunition, machine guns, trench mortars.
ammunitionnounUS /ˌæmjəˈnɪʃən/
projectiles to be fired from a gun
From this reading All around me soldiers of the third line swarmed and clambered over the débris, digging, hammering, shifting planks and sandbags from south to north, lugging new timbers, reels of barbed wire, ladders, cases of ammunition, machine guns, trench mortars.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I was standing between a communication trench and a crater left by a mine which was being "consolidated," as they have it in these days....
weapons considered collectively
From this reading Stretchers and bearers from my section had not yet returned from the emergency dressing station; the crater was now cleared up except of enemy dead, whose partly buried arms and legs still stuck out here and there.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading All around me soldiers of the third line swarmed and clambered over the débris, digging, hammering, shifting planks and sandbags from south to north, lugging new timbers, reels of barbed wire, ladders, cases of ammunition, machine guns, trench mortars.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading I was standing between a communication trench and a crater left by a mine which was being "consolidated," as they have it in these days....
barbedadjectiveUS /bɑːrbd/
capable of wounding
From this reading All around me soldiers of the third line swarmed and clambered over the débris, digging, hammering, shifting planks and sandbags from south to north, lugging new timbers, reels of barbed wire, ladders, cases of ammunition, machine guns, trench mortars.
bearersnounUS /ˈberərz/
plural of “bearer” — someone whose employment involves carrying something
From this reading Stretchers and bearers from my section had not yet returned from the emergency dressing station; the crater was now cleared up except of enemy dead, whose partly buried arms and legs still stuck out here and there.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading FIFTY-FIFTY Vail began: Tyranny was purely a matter of business with this little moral shrimp about whom I’m going to tell you.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading I was standing between a communication trench and a crater left by a mine which was being "consolidated," as they have it in these days....
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading I was standing between a communication trench and a crater left by a mine which was being "consolidated," as they have it in these days....
placed in a grave
From this reading Stretchers and bearers from my section had not yet returned from the emergency dressing station; the crater was now cleared up except of enemy dead, whose partly buried arms and legs still stuck out here and there.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading FIFTY-FIFTY Vail began: Tyranny was purely a matter of business with this little moral shrimp about whom I’m going to tell you.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading I was standing between a communication trench and a crater left by a mine which was being "consolidated," as they have it in these days....
plural of “case” — an occurrence of something
From this reading All around me soldiers of the third line swarmed and clambered over the débris, digging, hammering, shifting planks and sandbags from south to north, lugging new timbers, reels of barbed wire, ladders, cases of ammunition, machine guns, trench mortars.
clamberedverbUS /ˈklæmbərd/
past form of “clamber” — climb awkwardly, as if by scrambling
From this reading All around me soldiers of the third line swarmed and clambered over the débris, digging, hammering, shifting planks and sandbags from south to north, lugging new timbers, reels of barbed wire, ladders, cases of ammunition, machine guns, trench mortars.
clatteringverbUS /ˈklætərɪŋ/
-ing form of “clatter” — make a rattling sound
From this reading The din of the guns was terrific; overhead our own shells passed with a deafening, clattering roar; the Huns continued to shell the town in front of us where our first and second lines were still fighting in the streets and houses while the third line were reconstructing a few yards of trenches and a few craters won.
rid of objects or obstructions such as e.g. trees and brush
From this reading Stretchers and bearers from my section had not yet returned from the emergency dressing station; the crater was now cleared up except of enemy dead, whose partly buried arms and legs still stuck out here and there.
communicationnounUS /kəˌmjuːnəˈkeɪʃən/
the activity of communicating; the activity of conveying information
From this reading I was standing between a communication trench and a crater left by a mine which was being "consolidated," as they have it in these days....
consolidatedadjectiveUS /kənˈsɑːlədeɪtəd/
joined together into a whole
From this reading I was standing between a communication trench and a crater left by a mine which was being "consolidated," as they have it in these days....
without stop or interruption
From this reading The din of the guns was terrific; overhead our own shells passed with a deafening, clattering roar; the Huns continued to shell the town in front of us where our first and second lines were still fighting in the streets and houses while the third line were reconstructing a few yards of trenches and a few craters won.
craternounUS /ˈkreɪtər/
a bowl-shaped geological formation at the top of a volcano
From this reading I was standing between a communication trench and a crater left by a mine which was being "consolidated," as they have it in these days....
cratersnounUS /ˈkreɪtərz/
plural of “crater” — a bowl-shaped geological formation at the top of a volcano
From this reading The din of the guns was terrific; overhead our own shells passed with a deafening, clattering roar; the Huns continued to shell the town in front of us where our first and second lines were still fighting in the streets and houses while the third line were reconstructing a few yards of trenches and a few craters won.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading I was standing between a communication trench and a crater left by a mine which was being "consolidated," as they have it in these days....
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading Stretchers and bearers from my section had not yet returned from the emergency dressing station; the crater was now cleared up except of enemy dead, whose partly buried arms and legs still stuck out here and there.
deafeningadjectiveUS /ˈdefənɪŋ/
loud enough to cause (temporary) hearing loss
From this reading The din of the guns was terrific; overhead our own shells passed with a deafening, clattering roar; the Huns continued to shell the town in front of us where our first and second lines were still fighting in the streets and houses while the third line were reconstructing a few yards of trenches and a few craters won.
diggingnounUS /ˈdɪɡɪŋ/
the act of digging
From this reading All around me soldiers of the third line swarmed and clambered over the débris, digging, hammering, shifting planks and sandbags from south to north, lugging new timbers, reels of barbed wire, ladders, cases of ammunition, machine guns, trench mortars.
dinnounUS /dɪn/
a loud harsh or strident noise
From this reading The din of the guns was terrific; overhead our own shells passed with a deafening, clattering roar; the Huns continued to shell the town in front of us where our first and second lines were still fighting in the streets and houses while the third line were reconstructing a few yards of trenches and a few craters won.
dressingnounUS /ˈdresɪŋ/
savory dressings for salads; basically of two kinds: either the thin French or vinaigrette type or the creamy mayonnaise type
From this reading Stretchers and bearers from my section had not yet returned from the emergency dressing station; the crater was now cleared up except of enemy dead, whose partly buried arms and legs still stuck out here and there.
débris
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All around me soldiers of the third line swarmed and clambered over the débris, digging, hammering, shifting planks and sandbags from south to north, lugging new timbers, reels of barbed wire, ladders, cases of ammunition, machine guns, trench mortars.
emergencynounUS /ɪˈmɜːrdʒənsi/
a sudden unforeseen crisis (usually involving danger) that requires immediate action
From this reading Stretchers and bearers from my section had not yet returned from the emergency dressing station; the crater was now cleared up except of enemy dead, whose partly buried arms and legs still stuck out here and there.
an opposing military force
From this reading Stretchers and bearers from my section had not yet returned from the emergency dressing station; the crater was now cleared up except of enemy dead, whose partly buried arms and legs still stuck out here and there.
apart from; not including
From this reading Stretchers and bearers from my section had not yet returned from the emergency dressing station; the crater was now cleared up except of enemy dead, whose partly buried arms and legs still stuck out here and there.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading The din of the guns was terrific; overhead our own shells passed with a deafening, clattering roar; the Huns continued to shell the town in front of us where our first and second lines were still fighting in the streets and houses while the third line were reconstructing a few yards of trenches and a few craters won.
FIFTY-FIFTYadjective
equal in degree or extent or amount; or equally matched or balanced
From this reading FIFTY-FIFTY Vail began: Tyranny was purely a matter of business with this little moral shrimp about whom I’m going to tell you.
the act of fighting; any contest or struggle
From this reading The din of the guns was terrific; overhead our own shells passed with a deafening, clattering roar; the Huns continued to shell the town in front of us where our first and second lines were still fighting in the streets and houses while the third line were reconstructing a few yards of trenches and a few craters won.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The din of the guns was terrific; overhead our own shells passed with a deafening, clattering roar; the Huns continued to shell the town in front of us where our first and second lines were still fighting in the streets and houses while the third line were reconstructing a few yards of trenches and a few craters won.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading All around me soldiers of the third line swarmed and clambered over the débris, digging, hammering, shifting planks and sandbags from south to north, lugging new timbers, reels of barbed wire, ladders, cases of ammunition, machine guns, trench mortars.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading The din of the guns was terrific; overhead our own shells passed with a deafening, clattering roar; the Huns continued to shell the town in front of us where our first and second lines were still fighting in the streets and houses while the third line were reconstructing a few yards of trenches and a few craters won.
the act of departing
From this reading FIFTY-FIFTY Vail began: Tyranny was purely a matter of business with this little moral shrimp about whom I’m going to tell you.
plural of “gun” — a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)
From this reading All around me soldiers of the third line swarmed and clambered over the débris, digging, hammering, shifting planks and sandbags from south to north, lugging new timbers, reels of barbed wire, ladders, cases of ammunition, machine guns, trench mortars.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Stretchers and bearers from my section had not yet returned from the emergency dressing station; the crater was now cleared up except of enemy dead, whose partly buried arms and legs still stuck out here and there.
hammeringnounUS /ˈhæmərɪŋ/
the act of pounding (delivering repeated heavy blows)
From this reading All around me soldiers of the third line swarmed and clambered over the débris, digging, hammering, shifting planks and sandbags from south to north, lugging new timbers, reels of barbed wire, ladders, cases of ammunition, machine guns, trench mortars.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading I was standing between a communication trench and a crater left by a mine which was being "consolidated," as they have it in these days....
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Stretchers and bearers from my section had not yet returned from the emergency dressing station; the crater was now cleared up except of enemy dead, whose partly buried arms and legs still stuck out here and there.
plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The din of the guns was terrific; overhead our own shells passed with a deafening, clattering roar; the Huns continued to shell the town in front of us where our first and second lines were still fighting in the streets and houses while the third line were reconstructing a few yards of trenches and a few craters won.
Huns
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The din of the guns was terrific; overhead our own shells passed with a deafening, clattering roar; the Huns continued to shell the town in front of us where our first and second lines were still fighting in the streets and houses while the third line were reconstructing a few yards of trenches and a few craters won.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I was standing between a communication trench and a crater left by a mine which was being "consolidated," as they have it in these days....
I'm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FIFTY-FIFTY Vail began: Tyranny was purely a matter of business with this little moral shrimp about whom I’m going to tell you.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I was standing between a communication trench and a crater left by a mine which was being "consolidated," as they have it in these days....
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I was standing between a communication trench and a crater left by a mine which was being "consolidated," as they have it in these days....
laddersnounUS /ˈlædərz/
plural of “ladder” — steps consisting of two parallel members connected by rungs; for climbing up or down
From this reading All around me soldiers of the third line swarmed and clambered over the débris, digging, hammering, shifting planks and sandbags from south to north, lugging new timbers, reels of barbed wire, ladders, cases of ammunition, machine guns, trench mortars.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading I was standing between a communication trench and a crater left by a mine which was being "consolidated," as they have it in these days....
staying power
From this reading Stretchers and bearers from my section had not yet returned from the emergency dressing station; the crater was now cleared up except of enemy dead, whose partly buried arms and legs still stuck out here and there.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading All around me soldiers of the third line swarmed and clambered over the débris, digging, hammering, shifting planks and sandbags from south to north, lugging new timbers, reels of barbed wire, ladders, cases of ammunition, machine guns, trench mortars.
plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading The din of the guns was terrific; overhead our own shells passed with a deafening, clattering roar; the Huns continued to shell the town in front of us where our first and second lines were still fighting in the streets and houses while the third line were reconstructing a few yards of trenches and a few craters won.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading FIFTY-FIFTY Vail began: Tyranny was purely a matter of business with this little moral shrimp about whom I’m going to tell you.
luggingverbUS /ˈlʌɡɪŋ/
inflected form of “lug” — carry with difficulty
From this reading All around me soldiers of the third line swarmed and clambered over the débris, digging, hammering, shifting planks and sandbags from south to north, lugging new timbers, reels of barbed wire, ladders, cases of ammunition, machine guns, trench mortars.
any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks
From this reading All around me soldiers of the third line swarmed and clambered over the débris, digging, hammering, shifting planks and sandbags from south to north, lugging new timbers, reels of barbed wire, ladders, cases of ammunition, machine guns, trench mortars.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading FIFTY-FIFTY Vail began: Tyranny was purely a matter of business with this little moral shrimp about whom I’m going to tell you.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading All around me soldiers of the third line swarmed and clambered over the débris, digging, hammering, shifting planks and sandbags from south to north, lugging new timbers, reels of barbed wire, ladders, cases of ammunition, machine guns, trench mortars.
the one or ones belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I was standing between a communication trench and a crater left by a mine which was being "consolidated," as they have it in these days....
moraladjectiveUS /ˈmɔːrəl/
concerned with principles of right and wrong or conforming to standards of behavior and character based on those principles
From this reading FIFTY-FIFTY Vail began: Tyranny was purely a matter of business with this little moral shrimp about whom I’m going to tell you.
mortarsnounUS /ˈmɔːrtərz/
plural of “mortar” — a muzzle-loading high-angle gun with a short barrel that fires shells at high elevations for a short range
From this reading All around me soldiers of the third line swarmed and clambered over the débris, digging, hammering, shifting planks and sandbags from south to north, lugging new timbers, reels of barbed wire, ladders, cases of ammunition, machine guns, trench mortars.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Stretchers and bearers from my section had not yet returned from the emergency dressing station; the crater was now cleared up except of enemy dead, whose partly buried arms and legs still stuck out here and there.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading All around me soldiers of the third line swarmed and clambered over the débris, digging, hammering, shifting planks and sandbags from south to north, lugging new timbers, reels of barbed wire, ladders, cases of ammunition, machine guns, trench mortars.
the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading All around me soldiers of the third line swarmed and clambered over the débris, digging, hammering, shifting planks and sandbags from south to north, lugging new timbers, reels of barbed wire, ladders, cases of ammunition, machine guns, trench mortars.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Stretchers and bearers from my section had not yet returned from the emergency dressing station; the crater was now cleared up except of enemy dead, whose partly buried arms and legs still stuck out here and there.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Stretchers and bearers from my section had not yet returned from the emergency dressing station; the crater was now cleared up except of enemy dead, whose partly buried arms and legs still stuck out here and there.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading FIFTY-FIFTY Vail began: Tyranny was purely a matter of business with this little moral shrimp about whom I’m going to tell you.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading The din of the guns was terrific; overhead our own shells passed with a deafening, clattering roar; the Huns continued to shell the town in front of us where our first and second lines were still fighting in the streets and houses while the third line were reconstructing a few yards of trenches and a few craters won.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Stretchers and bearers from my section had not yet returned from the emergency dressing station; the crater was now cleared up except of enemy dead, whose partly buried arms and legs still stuck out here and there.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading All around me soldiers of the third line swarmed and clambered over the débris, digging, hammering, shifting planks and sandbags from south to north, lugging new timbers, reels of barbed wire, ladders, cases of ammunition, machine guns, trench mortars.
overheadadverbUS /ˈoʊvərˈhed/
above your head; in the sky
From this reading The din of the guns was terrific; overhead our own shells passed with a deafening, clattering roar; the Huns continued to shell the town in front of us where our first and second lines were still fighting in the streets and houses while the third line were reconstructing a few yards of trenches and a few craters won.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading The din of the guns was terrific; overhead our own shells passed with a deafening, clattering roar; the Huns continued to shell the town in front of us where our first and second lines were still fighting in the streets and houses while the third line were reconstructing a few yards of trenches and a few craters won.
to some extent; in some degree; not wholly
From this reading Stretchers and bearers from my section had not yet returned from the emergency dressing station; the crater was now cleared up except of enemy dead, whose partly buried arms and legs still stuck out here and there.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading The din of the guns was terrific; overhead our own shells passed with a deafening, clattering roar; the Huns continued to shell the town in front of us where our first and second lines were still fighting in the streets and houses while the third line were reconstructing a few yards of trenches and a few craters won.
planksnounUS /plæŋks/
plural of “plank” — a stout length of sawn timber; made in a wide variety of sizes and used for many purposes
From this reading All around me soldiers of the third line swarmed and clambered over the débris, digging, hammering, shifting planks and sandbags from south to north, lugging new timbers, reels of barbed wire, ladders, cases of ammunition, machine guns, trench mortars.
purelyadverbUS /ˈpjʊrli/
restricted to something
From this reading FIFTY-FIFTY Vail began: Tyranny was purely a matter of business with this little moral shrimp about whom I’m going to tell you.
reconstructingverbUS /ˌriːkənˈstrʌktɪŋ/
-ing form of “reconstruct” — reassemble mentally
From this reading The din of the guns was terrific; overhead our own shells passed with a deafening, clattering roar; the Huns continued to shell the town in front of us where our first and second lines were still fighting in the streets and houses while the third line were reconstructing a few yards of trenches and a few craters won.
reelsnounUS /riːlz/
plural of “reel” — a roll of photographic film holding a series of frames to be projected by a movie projector
From this reading All around me soldiers of the third line swarmed and clambered over the débris, digging, hammering, shifting planks and sandbags from south to north, lugging new timbers, reels of barbed wire, ladders, cases of ammunition, machine guns, trench mortars.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading Stretchers and bearers from my section had not yet returned from the emergency dressing station; the crater was now cleared up except of enemy dead, whose partly buried arms and legs still stuck out here and there.
make a loud noise, as of wind, water, or vehicles
From this reading The din of the guns was terrific; overhead our own shells passed with a deafening, clattering roar; the Huns continued to shell the town in front of us where our first and second lines were still fighting in the streets and houses while the third line were reconstructing a few yards of trenches and a few craters won.
sandbagsnounUS /ˈsændbæɡz/
plural of “sandbag” — a bag filled with sand; used as a weapon or to build walls or as ballast
From this reading All around me soldiers of the third line swarmed and clambered over the débris, digging, hammering, shifting planks and sandbags from south to north, lugging new timbers, reels of barbed wire, ladders, cases of ammunition, machine guns, trench mortars.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading The din of the guns was terrific; overhead our own shells passed with a deafening, clattering roar; the Huns continued to shell the town in front of us where our first and second lines were still fighting in the streets and houses while the third line were reconstructing a few yards of trenches and a few craters won.
sectionnounUS /ˈsekʃən/
a self-contained part of a larger composition (written or musical)
From this reading Stretchers and bearers from my section had not yet returned from the emergency dressing station; the crater was now cleared up except of enemy dead, whose partly buried arms and legs still stuck out here and there.
shellnounUS /ʃel/
ammunition consisting of a cylindrical metal casing containing an explosive charge and a projectile; fired from a large gun
From this reading The din of the guns was terrific; overhead our own shells passed with a deafening, clattering roar; the Huns continued to shell the town in front of us where our first and second lines were still fighting in the streets and houses while the third line were reconstructing a few yards of trenches and a few craters won.
shellsnounUS /ʃelz/
plural of “shell” — ammunition consisting of a cylindrical metal casing containing an explosive charge and a projectile; fired from a large gun
From this reading The din of the guns was terrific; overhead our own shells passed with a deafening, clattering roar; the Huns continued to shell the town in front of us where our first and second lines were still fighting in the streets and houses while the third line were reconstructing a few yards of trenches and a few craters won.
shiftingadjectiveUS /ˈʃɪftɪŋ/
continuously varying
From this reading All around me soldiers of the third line swarmed and clambered over the débris, digging, hammering, shifting planks and sandbags from south to north, lugging new timbers, reels of barbed wire, ladders, cases of ammunition, machine guns, trench mortars.
shrimpnounUS /ʃrɪmp/
disparaging terms for small people
From this reading FIFTY-FIFTY Vail began: Tyranny was purely a matter of business with this little moral shrimp about whom I’m going to tell you.
plural of “soldier” — an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army
From this reading All around me soldiers of the third line swarmed and clambered over the débris, digging, hammering, shifting planks and sandbags from south to north, lugging new timbers, reels of barbed wire, ladders, cases of ammunition, machine guns, trench mortars.
the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading All around me soldiers of the third line swarmed and clambered over the débris, digging, hammering, shifting planks and sandbags from south to north, lugging new timbers, reels of barbed wire, ladders, cases of ammunition, machine guns, trench mortars.
having a supporting base
From this reading I was standing between a communication trench and a crater left by a mine which was being "consolidated," as they have it in these days....
a facility equipped with special equipment and personnel for a particular purpose
From this reading Stretchers and bearers from my section had not yet returned from the emergency dressing station; the crater was now cleared up except of enemy dead, whose partly buried arms and legs still stuck out here and there.
not in physical motion
From this reading The din of the guns was terrific; overhead our own shells passed with a deafening, clattering roar; the Huns continued to shell the town in front of us where our first and second lines were still fighting in the streets and houses while the third line were reconstructing a few yards of trenches and a few craters won.
plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading The din of the guns was terrific; overhead our own shells passed with a deafening, clattering roar; the Huns continued to shell the town in front of us where our first and second lines were still fighting in the streets and houses while the third line were reconstructing a few yards of trenches and a few craters won.
StretchersnounUS /ˈstretʃərz/
plural of “stretcher” — a wooden framework on which canvas is stretched and fixed for oil painting
From this reading Stretchers and bearers from my section had not yet returned from the emergency dressing station; the crater was now cleared up except of enemy dead, whose partly buried arms and legs still stuck out here and there.
caught or fixed
From this reading Stretchers and bearers from my section had not yet returned from the emergency dressing station; the crater was now cleared up except of enemy dead, whose partly buried arms and legs still stuck out here and there.
swarmedverbUS /swɔːrmd/
past form of “swarm” — be teeming, be abuzz
From this reading All around me soldiers of the third line swarmed and clambered over the débris, digging, hammering, shifting planks and sandbags from south to north, lugging new timbers, reels of barbed wire, ladders, cases of ammunition, machine guns, trench mortars.
express in words
From this reading FIFTY-FIFTY Vail began: Tyranny was purely a matter of business with this little moral shrimp about whom I’m going to tell you.
terrificadjectiveUS /tərˈɪfɪk/
very great or intense
From this reading The din of the guns was terrific; overhead our own shells passed with a deafening, clattering roar; the Huns continued to shell the town in front of us where our first and second lines were still fighting in the streets and houses while the third line were reconstructing a few yards of trenches and a few craters won.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading All around me soldiers of the third line swarmed and clambered over the débris, digging, hammering, shifting planks and sandbags from south to north, lugging new timbers, reels of barbed wire, ladders, cases of ammunition, machine guns, trench mortars.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Stretchers and bearers from my section had not yet returned from the emergency dressing station; the crater was now cleared up except of enemy dead, whose partly buried arms and legs still stuck out here and there.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading I was standing between a communication trench and a crater left by a mine which was being "consolidated," as they have it in these days....
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I was standing between a communication trench and a crater left by a mine which was being "consolidated," as they have it in these days....
one of three equal parts of a divisible whole
From this reading All around me soldiers of the third line swarmed and clambered over the débris, digging, hammering, shifting planks and sandbags from south to north, lugging new timbers, reels of barbed wire, ladders, cases of ammunition, machine guns, trench mortars.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading FIFTY-FIFTY Vail began: Tyranny was purely a matter of business with this little moral shrimp about whom I’m going to tell you.
timbersnounUS /ˈtɪmbərz/
plural of “timber” — the wood of trees cut and prepared for use as building material
From this reading All around me soldiers of the third line swarmed and clambered over the débris, digging, hammering, shifting planks and sandbags from south to north, lugging new timbers, reels of barbed wire, ladders, cases of ammunition, machine guns, trench mortars.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading FIFTY-FIFTY Vail began: Tyranny was purely a matter of business with this little moral shrimp about whom I’m going to tell you.
an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading The din of the guns was terrific; overhead our own shells passed with a deafening, clattering roar; the Huns continued to shell the town in front of us where our first and second lines were still fighting in the streets and houses while the third line were reconstructing a few yards of trenches and a few craters won.
trenchnounUS /trentʃ/
a ditch dug as a fortification having a parapet of the excavated earth
From this reading I was standing between a communication trench and a crater left by a mine which was being "consolidated," as they have it in these days....
trenchesnounUS /ˈtrentʃɪz/
plural of “trench” — a ditch dug as a fortification having a parapet of the excavated earth
From this reading The din of the guns was terrific; overhead our own shells passed with a deafening, clattering roar; the Huns continued to shell the town in front of us where our first and second lines were still fighting in the streets and houses while the third line were reconstructing a few yards of trenches and a few craters won.
TyrannynounUS /ˈtɪrəni/
a form of government in which the ruler is an absolute dictator (not restricted by a constitution or laws or opposition etc.)
From this reading FIFTY-FIFTY Vail began: Tyranny was purely a matter of business with this little moral shrimp about whom I’m going to tell you.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Stretchers and bearers from my section had not yet returned from the emergency dressing station; the crater was now cleared up except of enemy dead, whose partly buried arms and legs still stuck out here and there.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The din of the guns was terrific; overhead our own shells passed with a deafening, clattering roar; the Huns continued to shell the town in front of us where our first and second lines were still fighting in the streets and houses while the third line were reconstructing a few yards of trenches and a few craters won.
Vail
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FIFTY-FIFTY Vail began: Tyranny was purely a matter of business with this little moral shrimp about whom I’m going to tell you.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading FIFTY-FIFTY Vail began: Tyranny was purely a matter of business with this little moral shrimp about whom I’m going to tell you.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The din of the guns was terrific; overhead our own shells passed with a deafening, clattering roar; the Huns continued to shell the town in front of us where our first and second lines were still fighting in the streets and houses while the third line were reconstructing a few yards of trenches and a few craters won.
in or at the place that
From this reading The din of the guns was terrific; overhead our own shells passed with a deafening, clattering roar; the Huns continued to shell the town in front of us where our first and second lines were still fighting in the streets and houses while the third line were reconstructing a few yards of trenches and a few craters won.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading I was standing between a communication trench and a crater left by a mine which was being "consolidated," as they have it in these days....
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading The din of the guns was terrific; overhead our own shells passed with a deafening, clattering roar; the Huns continued to shell the town in front of us where our first and second lines were still fighting in the streets and houses while the third line were reconstructing a few yards of trenches and a few craters won.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading FIFTY-FIFTY Vail began: Tyranny was purely a matter of business with this little moral shrimp about whom I’m going to tell you.
belonging to which person
From this reading Stretchers and bearers from my section had not yet returned from the emergency dressing station; the crater was now cleared up except of enemy dead, whose partly buried arms and legs still stuck out here and there.
wirenounUS /ˈwaɪər/
ligament made of metal and used to fasten things or make cages or fences etc
From this reading All around me soldiers of the third line swarmed and clambered over the débris, digging, hammering, shifting planks and sandbags from south to north, lugging new timbers, reels of barbed wire, ladders, cases of ammunition, machine guns, trench mortars.
in the company of; together with
From this reading FIFTY-FIFTY Vail began: Tyranny was purely a matter of business with this little moral shrimp about whom I’m going to tell you.
the basic unit of money in South Korea
From this reading The din of the guns was terrific; overhead our own shells passed with a deafening, clattering roar; the Huns continued to shell the town in front of us where our first and second lines were still fighting in the streets and houses while the third line were reconstructing a few yards of trenches and a few craters won.
plural of “yard” — a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading The din of the guns was terrific; overhead our own shells passed with a deafening, clattering roar; the Huns continued to shell the town in front of us where our first and second lines were still fighting in the streets and houses while the third line were reconstructing a few yards of trenches and a few craters won.
but in spite of that
From this reading Stretchers and bearers from my section had not yet returned from the emergency dressing station; the crater was now cleared up except of enemy dead, whose partly buried arms and legs still stuck out here and there.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading FIFTY-FIFTY Vail began: Tyranny was purely a matter of business with this little moral shrimp about whom I’m going to tell you.
