Chapter XXI · Chapter 21

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

From this reading The day for fighting and the night for sleep and rest was the perfect division of a soldier's life.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading He went back a little to an open spot where a detail of about twenty men were posted.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading He went back a little to an open spot where a detail of about twenty men were posted.

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

From this reading THE LONE SENTINEL The desultory firing troubled the ears of Talbot as he trod to and fro on his self-imposed task, as he could not see the use of it.

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

From this reading The tail of the battle writhed on without regard for his feelings or theories, though its efforts became gradually feebler, and he hoped that by and by the decent part of both armies would settle into lethargy, leaving the night to the skirmishers, who never sleep and are without conscience.

plural of “army” — a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state

From this reading The tail of the battle writhed on without regard for his feelings or theories, though its efforts became gradually feebler, and he hoped that by and by the decent part of both armies would settle into lethargy, leaving the night to the skirmishers, who never sleep and are without conscience.

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

From this reading THE LONE SENTINEL The desultory firing troubled the ears of Talbot as he trod to and fro on his self-imposed task, as he could not see the use of it.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading He went back a little to an open spot where a detail of about twenty men were posted.

a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war

From this reading The tail of the battle writhed on without regard for his feelings or theories, though its efforts became gradually feebler, and he hoped that by and by the decent part of both armies would settle into lethargy, leaving the night to the skirmishers, who never sleep and are without conscience.

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

From this reading The tail of the battle writhed on without regard for his feelings or theories, though its efforts became gradually feebler, and he hoped that by and by the decent part of both armies would settle into lethargy, leaving the night to the skirmishers, who never sleep and are without conscience.

the two together, not just one

From this reading The tail of the battle writhed on without regard for his feelings or theories, though its efforts became gradually feebler, and he hoped that by and by the decent part of both armies would settle into lethargy, leaving the night to the skirmishers, who never sleep and are without conscience.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But he did not remain with them long.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The tail of the battle writhed on without regard for his feelings or theories, though its efforts became gradually feebler, and he hoped that by and by the decent part of both armies would settle into lethargy, leaving the night to the skirmishers, who never sleep and are without conscience.

motivation deriving logically from ethical or moral principles that govern a person's thoughts and actions

From this reading The tail of the battle writhed on without regard for his feelings or theories, though its efforts became gradually feebler, and he hoped that by and by the decent part of both armies would settle into lethargy, leaving the night to the skirmishers, who never sleep and are without conscience.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading THE LONE SENTINEL The desultory firing troubled the ears of Talbot as he trod to and fro on his self-imposed task, as he could not see the use of it.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading The day for fighting and the night for sleep and rest was the perfect division of a soldier's life.

socially or conventionally correct; refined or virtuous

From this reading The tail of the battle writhed on without regard for his feelings or theories, though its efforts became gradually feebler, and he hoped that by and by the decent part of both armies would settle into lethargy, leaving the night to the skirmishers, who never sleep and are without conscience.

marked by lack of definite plan or regularity or purpose; jumping from one thing to another

From this reading THE LONE SENTINEL The desultory firing troubled the ears of Talbot as he trod to and fro on his self-imposed task, as he could not see the use of it.

an isolated fact that is considered separately from the whole

From this reading He went back a little to an open spot where a detail of about twenty men were posted.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading But he did not remain with them long.

an army unit large enough to sustain combat

From this reading The day for fighting and the night for sleep and rest was the perfect division of a soldier's life.

plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium

From this reading THE LONE SENTINEL The desultory firing troubled the ears of Talbot as he trod to and fro on his self-imposed task, as he could not see the use of it.

plural of “effort” — earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading The tail of the battle writhed on without regard for his feelings or theories, though its efforts became gradually feebler, and he hoped that by and by the decent part of both armies would settle into lethargy, leaving the night to the skirmishers, who never sleep and are without conscience.

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

From this reading The tail of the battle writhed on without regard for his feelings or theories, though its efforts became gradually feebler, and he hoped that by and by the decent part of both armies would settle into lethargy, leaving the night to the skirmishers, who never sleep and are without conscience.

emotional or moral sensitivity (especially in relation to personal principles or dignity)

From this reading The tail of the battle writhed on without regard for his feelings or theories, though its efforts became gradually feebler, and he hoped that by and by the decent part of both armies would settle into lethargy, leaving the night to the skirmishers, who never sleep and are without conscience.

the act of fighting; any contest or struggle

From this reading The day for fighting and the night for sleep and rest was the perfect division of a soldier's life.

the act of firing weapons or artillery at an enemy

From this reading THE LONE SENTINEL The desultory firing troubled the ears of Talbot as he trod to and fro on his self-imposed task, as he could not see the use of it.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The day for fighting and the night for sleep and rest was the perfect division of a soldier's life.

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

From this reading THE LONE SENTINEL The desultory firing troubled the ears of Talbot as he trod to and fro on his self-imposed task, as he could not see the use of it.

in a gradual manner

From this reading The tail of the battle writhed on without regard for his feelings or theories, though its efforts became gradually feebler, and he hoped that by and by the decent part of both armies would settle into lethargy, leaving the night to the skirmishers, who never sleep and are without conscience.

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

From this reading THE LONE SENTINEL The desultory firing troubled the ears of Talbot as he trod to and fro on his self-imposed task, as he could not see the use of it.

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

From this reading THE LONE SENTINEL The desultory firing troubled the ears of Talbot as he trod to and fro on his self-imposed task, as he could not see the use of it.

past form of “hope” — expect and wish

From this reading The tail of the battle writhed on without regard for his feelings or theories, though its efforts became gradually feebler, and he hoped that by and by the decent part of both armies would settle into lethargy, leaving the night to the skirmishers, who never sleep and are without conscience.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading The tail of the battle writhed on without regard for his feelings or theories, though its efforts became gradually feebler, and he hoped that by and by the decent part of both armies would settle into lethargy, leaving the night to the skirmishers, who never sleep and are without conscience.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading THE LONE SENTINEL The desultory firing troubled the ears of Talbot as he trod to and fro on his self-imposed task, as he could not see the use of it.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The tail of the battle writhed on without regard for his feelings or theories, though its efforts became gradually feebler, and he hoped that by and by the decent part of both armies would settle into lethargy, leaving the night to the skirmishers, who never sleep and are without conscience.

the act of departing

From this reading The tail of the battle writhed on without regard for his feelings or theories, though its efforts became gradually feebler, and he hoped that by and by the decent part of both armies would settle into lethargy, leaving the night to the skirmishers, who never sleep and are without conscience.

a state of comatose torpor (as found in sleeping sickness)

From this reading The tail of the battle writhed on without regard for his feelings or theories, though its efforts became gradually feebler, and he hoped that by and by the decent part of both armies would settle into lethargy, leaving the night to the skirmishers, who never sleep and are without conscience.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading The day for fighting and the night for sleep and rest was the perfect division of a soldier's life.

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

From this reading He went back a little to an open spot where a detail of about twenty men were posted.

lacking companions or companionship

From this reading THE LONE SENTINEL The desultory firing troubled the ears of Talbot as he trod to and fro on his self-imposed task, as he could not see the use of it.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading But he did not remain with them long.

the force of workers available

From this reading He went back a little to an open spot where a detail of about twenty men were posted.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading The tail of the battle writhed on without regard for his feelings or theories, though its efforts became gradually feebler, and he hoped that by and by the decent part of both armies would settle into lethargy, leaving the night to the skirmishers, who never sleep and are without conscience.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading The day for fighting and the night for sleep and rest was the perfect division of a soldier's life.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading THE LONE SENTINEL The desultory firing troubled the ears of Talbot as he trod to and fro on his self-imposed task, as he could not see the use of it.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE LONE SENTINEL The desultory firing troubled the ears of Talbot as he trod to and fro on his self-imposed task, as he could not see the use of it.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading THE LONE SENTINEL The desultory firing troubled the ears of Talbot as he trod to and fro on his self-imposed task, as he could not see the use of it.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading He went back a little to an open spot where a detail of about twenty men were posted.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The tail of the battle writhed on without regard for his feelings or theories, though its efforts became gradually feebler, and he hoped that by and by the decent part of both armies would settle into lethargy, leaving the night to the skirmishers, who never sleep and are without conscience.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading The tail of the battle writhed on without regard for his feelings or theories, though its efforts became gradually feebler, and he hoped that by and by the decent part of both armies would settle into lethargy, leaving the night to the skirmishers, who never sleep and are without conscience.

being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish

From this reading The day for fighting and the night for sleep and rest was the perfect division of a soldier's life.

publicly displayed

From this reading He went back a little to an open spot where a detail of about twenty men were posted.

(usually preceded by “in”) a detail or point

From this reading The tail of the battle writhed on without regard for his feelings or theories, though its efforts became gradually feebler, and he hoped that by and by the decent part of both armies would settle into lethargy, leaving the night to the skirmishers, who never sleep and are without conscience.

stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading But he did not remain with them long.

not move; be in a resting position

From this reading The day for fighting and the night for sleep and rest was the perfect division of a soldier's life.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading THE LONE SENTINEL The desultory firing troubled the ears of Talbot as he trod to and fro on his self-imposed task, as he could not see the use of it.

voluntarily assumed or endured

From this reading THE LONE SENTINEL The desultory firing troubled the ears of Talbot as he trod to and fro on his self-imposed task, as he could not see the use of it.

a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event

From this reading THE LONE SENTINEL The desultory firing troubled the ears of Talbot as he trod to and fro on his self-imposed task, as he could not see the use of it.

settle into a position, usually on a surface or ground

From this reading The tail of the battle writhed on without regard for his feelings or theories, though its efforts became gradually feebler, and he hoped that by and by the decent part of both armies would settle into lethargy, leaving the night to the skirmishers, who never sleep and are without conscience.

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

From this reading The tail of the battle writhed on without regard for his feelings or theories, though its efforts became gradually feebler, and he hoped that by and by the decent part of both armies would settle into lethargy, leaving the night to the skirmishers, who never sleep and are without conscience.

a natural and periodic state of rest during which consciousness of the world is suspended

From this reading The day for fighting and the night for sleep and rest was the perfect division of a soldier's life.

possessive form of “soldier” — an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army

From this reading The day for fighting and the night for sleep and rest was the perfect division of a soldier's life.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading He went back a little to an open spot where a detail of about twenty men were posted.

the posterior part of the body of a vertebrate especially when elongated and extending beyond the trunk or main part of the body

From this reading The tail of the battle writhed on without regard for his feelings or theories, though its efforts became gradually feebler, and he hoped that by and by the decent part of both armies would settle into lethargy, leaving the night to the skirmishers, who never sleep and are without conscience.

English inventor and pioneer in photography who published the first book illustrated with photographs (1800-1877)

From this reading THE LONE SENTINEL The desultory firing troubled the ears of Talbot as he trod to and fro on his self-imposed task, as he could not see the use of it.

any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted

From this reading THE LONE SENTINEL The desultory firing troubled the ears of Talbot as he trod to and fro on his self-imposed task, as he could not see the use of it.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The tail of the battle writhed on without regard for his feelings or theories, though its efforts became gradually feebler, and he hoped that by and by the decent part of both armies would settle into lethargy, leaving the night to the skirmishers, who never sleep and are without conscience.

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

From this reading THE LONE SENTINEL The desultory firing troubled the ears of Talbot as he trod to and fro on his self-imposed task, as he could not see the use of it.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading But he did not remain with them long.

plural of “theory” — a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world; an organized system of accepted knowledge that applies in a variety of circumstances to explain a specific set of phenomena

From this reading The tail of the battle writhed on without regard for his feelings or theories, though its efforts became gradually feebler, and he hoped that by and by the decent part of both armies would settle into lethargy, leaving the night to the skirmishers, who never sleep and are without conscience.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading The tail of the battle writhed on without regard for his feelings or theories, though its efforts became gradually feebler, and he hoped that by and by the decent part of both armies would settle into lethargy, leaving the night to the skirmishers, who never sleep and are without conscience.

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

From this reading THE LONE SENTINEL The desultory firing troubled the ears of Talbot as he trod to and fro on his self-imposed task, as he could not see the use of it.

inflected form of “tread” — put down or press the foot, place the foot

From this reading THE LONE SENTINEL The desultory firing troubled the ears of Talbot as he trod to and fro on his self-imposed task, as he could not see the use of it.

characterized by or indicative of distress or affliction or danger or need

From this reading THE LONE SENTINEL The desultory firing troubled the ears of Talbot as he trod to and fro on his self-imposed task, as he could not see the use of it.

the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one

From this reading He went back a little to an open spot where a detail of about twenty men were posted.

the act of using

From this reading THE LONE SENTINEL The desultory firing troubled the ears of Talbot as he trod to and fro on his self-imposed task, as he could not see the use of it.

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

From this reading The day for fighting and the night for sleep and rest was the perfect division of a soldier's life.

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

From this reading He went back a little to an open spot where a detail of about twenty men were posted.

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

From this reading He went back a little to an open spot where a detail of about twenty men were posted.

in or at the place that

From this reading He went back a little to an open spot where a detail of about twenty men were posted.

which person or people

From this reading The tail of the battle writhed on without regard for his feelings or theories, though its efforts became gradually feebler, and he hoped that by and by the decent part of both armies would settle into lethargy, leaving the night to the skirmishers, who never sleep and are without conscience.

in the company of; together with

From this reading But he did not remain with them long.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading The tail of the battle writhed on without regard for his feelings or theories, though its efforts became gradually feebler, and he hoped that by and by the decent part of both armies would settle into lethargy, leaving the night to the skirmishers, who never sleep and are without conscience.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading The tail of the battle writhed on without regard for his feelings or theories, though its efforts became gradually feebler, and he hoped that by and by the decent part of both armies would settle into lethargy, leaving the night to the skirmishers, who never sleep and are without conscience.

twisted (especially as in pain or struggle)

From this reading The tail of the battle writhed on without regard for his feelings or theories, though its efforts became gradually feebler, and he hoped that by and by the decent part of both armies would settle into lethargy, leaving the night to the skirmishers, who never sleep and are without conscience.