Chapter II · Chapter 2

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

From this reading BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH The remainder of that day, as well as much of the gloomy night following, composed a silent, lingering horror.

plural of “accent” — distinctive manner of oral expression

From this reading One of the wounded died, a mere lad, sobbing pitifully for his mother; an infantryman, peering forth from his covert, had been shot in the face, and his scream echoed among the rocks in multiplied accents of agony; while Wyman lay tossing and moaning, mercifully unconscious.

Extreme physical or mental suffering; intense anguish.

From this reading One of the wounded died, a mere lad, sobbing pitifully for his mother; an infantryman, peering forth from his covert, had been shot in the face, and his scream echoed among the rocks in multiplied accents of agony; while Wyman lay tossing and moaning, mercifully unconscious.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading One of the wounded died, a mere lad, sobbing pitifully for his mother; an infantryman, peering forth from his covert, had been shot in the face, and his scream echoed among the rocks in multiplied accents of agony; while Wyman lay tossing and moaning, mercifully unconscious.

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

From this reading One of the wounded died, a mere lad, sobbing pitifully for his mother; an infantryman, peering forth from his covert, had been shot in the face, and his scream echoed among the rocks in multiplied accents of agony; while Wyman lay tossing and moaning, mercifully unconscious.

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

From this reading BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH The remainder of that day, as well as much of the gloomy night following, composed a silent, lingering horror.

an absence of emotion or enthusiasm

From this reading The fierce pangs of hunger no longer gnawed, but a dull apathy now held the helpless defenders.

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

From this reading BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH The remainder of that day, as well as much of the gloomy night following, composed a silent, lingering horror.

appointed to a post or duty

From this reading The others rested in their places, scarcely venturing to stir a limb, their roving, wolfish eyes the only visible evidence of remaining life, every hope vanished, yet each man clinging to his assigned post of duty in desperation.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading One of the wounded died, a mere lad, sobbing pitifully for his mother; an infantryman, peering forth from his covert, had been shot in the face, and his scream echoed among the rocks in multiplied accents of agony; while Wyman lay tossing and moaning, mercifully unconscious.

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH The remainder of that day, as well as much of the gloomy night following, composed a silent, lingering horror.

-ing form of “bide” — dwell

From this reading There was but little firing--the defenders nursing their slender stock, the savages biding their time.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The fierce pangs of hunger no longer gnawed, but a dull apathy now held the helpless defenders.

-ing form of “cling” — come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation

From this reading The others rested in their places, scarcely venturing to stir a limb, their roving, wolfish eyes the only visible evidence of remaining life, every hope vanished, yet each man clinging to his assigned post of duty in desperation.

serenely self-possessed and free from agitation especially in times of stress

From this reading BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH The remainder of that day, as well as much of the gloomy night following, composed a silent, lingering horror.

a flock of coots

From this reading One of the wounded died, a mere lad, sobbing pitifully for his mother; an infantryman, peering forth from his covert, had been shot in the face, and his scream echoed among the rocks in multiplied accents of agony; while Wyman lay tossing and moaning, mercifully unconscious.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH The remainder of that day, as well as much of the gloomy night following, composed a silent, lingering horror.

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH The remainder of that day, as well as much of the gloomy night following, composed a silent, lingering horror.

plural of “defender” — a person who cares for persons or property

From this reading The fierce pangs of hunger no longer gnawed, but a dull apathy now held the helpless defenders.

a state in which all hope is lost or absent

From this reading The others rested in their places, scarcely venturing to stir a limb, their roving, wolfish eyes the only visible evidence of remaining life, every hope vanished, yet each man clinging to his assigned post of duty in desperation.

past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life

From this reading One of the wounded died, a mere lad, sobbing pitifully for his mother; an infantryman, peering forth from his covert, had been shot in the face, and his scream echoed among the rocks in multiplied accents of agony; while Wyman lay tossing and moaning, mercifully unconscious.

lacking in liveliness or animation

From this reading The fierce pangs of hunger no longer gnawed, but a dull apathy now held the helpless defenders.

the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force

From this reading The others rested in their places, scarcely venturing to stir a limb, their roving, wolfish eyes the only visible evidence of remaining life, every hope vanished, yet each man clinging to his assigned post of duty in desperation.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading The others rested in their places, scarcely venturing to stir a limb, their roving, wolfish eyes the only visible evidence of remaining life, every hope vanished, yet each man clinging to his assigned post of duty in desperation.

past form of “echo” — to say again or imitate

From this reading One of the wounded died, a mere lad, sobbing pitifully for his mother; an infantryman, peering forth from his covert, had been shot in the face, and his scream echoed among the rocks in multiplied accents of agony; while Wyman lay tossing and moaning, mercifully unconscious.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading The others rested in their places, scarcely venturing to stir a limb, their roving, wolfish eyes the only visible evidence of remaining life, every hope vanished, yet each man clinging to his assigned post of duty in desperation.

your basis for belief or disbelief; knowledge on which to base belief

From this reading The others rested in their places, scarcely venturing to stir a limb, their roving, wolfish eyes the only visible evidence of remaining life, every hope vanished, yet each man clinging to his assigned post of duty in desperation.

opinion or judgment

From this reading The others rested in their places, scarcely venturing to stir a limb, their roving, wolfish eyes the only visible evidence of remaining life, every hope vanished, yet each man clinging to his assigned post of duty in desperation.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading One of the wounded died, a mere lad, sobbing pitifully for his mother; an infantryman, peering forth from his covert, had been shot in the face, and his scream echoed among the rocks in multiplied accents of agony; while Wyman lay tossing and moaning, mercifully unconscious.

marked by extreme and violent energy

From this reading The fierce pangs of hunger no longer gnawed, but a dull apathy now held the helpless defenders.

the act of firing weapons or artillery at an enemy

From this reading There was but little firing--the defenders nursing their slender stock, the savages biding their time.

about to be mentioned or specified

From this reading BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH The remainder of that day, as well as much of the gloomy night following, composed a silent, lingering horror.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading One of the wounded died, a mere lad, sobbing pitifully for his mother; an infantryman, peering forth from his covert, had been shot in the face, and his scream echoed among the rocks in multiplied accents of agony; while Wyman lay tossing and moaning, mercifully unconscious.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading One of the wounded died, a mere lad, sobbing pitifully for his mother; an infantryman, peering forth from his covert, had been shot in the face, and his scream echoed among the rocks in multiplied accents of agony; while Wyman lay tossing and moaning, mercifully unconscious.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading One of the wounded died, a mere lad, sobbing pitifully for his mother; an infantryman, peering forth from his covert, had been shot in the face, and his scream echoed among the rocks in multiplied accents of agony; while Wyman lay tossing and moaning, mercifully unconscious.

depressingly dark

From this reading BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH The remainder of that day, as well as much of the gloomy night following, composed a silent, lingering horror.

past form of “gnaw” — bite or chew on with the teeth

From this reading The fierce pangs of hunger no longer gnawed, but a dull apathy now held the helpless defenders.

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

From this reading One of the wounded died, a mere lad, sobbing pitifully for his mother; an infantryman, peering forth from his covert, had been shot in the face, and his scream echoed among the rocks in multiplied accents of agony; while Wyman lay tossing and moaning, mercifully unconscious.

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading The fierce pangs of hunger no longer gnawed, but a dull apathy now held the helpless defenders.

lacking in or deprived of strength or power

From this reading The fierce pangs of hunger no longer gnawed, but a dull apathy now held the helpless defenders.

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

From this reading One of the wounded died, a mere lad, sobbing pitifully for his mother; an infantryman, peering forth from his covert, had been shot in the face, and his scream echoed among the rocks in multiplied accents of agony; while Wyman lay tossing and moaning, mercifully unconscious.

a specific instance of feeling hopeful

From this reading The others rested in their places, scarcely venturing to stir a limb, their roving, wolfish eyes the only visible evidence of remaining life, every hope vanished, yet each man clinging to his assigned post of duty in desperation.

intense and profound fear

From this reading BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH The remainder of that day, as well as much of the gloomy night following, composed a silent, lingering horror.

a physiological need for food; the consequence of food deprivation

From this reading The fierce pangs of hunger no longer gnawed, but a dull apathy now held the helpless defenders.

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

From this reading One of the wounded died, a mere lad, sobbing pitifully for his mother; an infantryman, peering forth from his covert, had been shot in the face, and his scream echoed among the rocks in multiplied accents of agony; while Wyman lay tossing and moaning, mercifully unconscious.

fights on foot with small arms

From this reading One of the wounded died, a mere lad, sobbing pitifully for his mother; an infantryman, peering forth from his covert, had been shot in the face, and his scream echoed among the rocks in multiplied accents of agony; while Wyman lay tossing and moaning, mercifully unconscious.

a boy or man

From this reading One of the wounded died, a mere lad, sobbing pitifully for his mother; an infantryman, peering forth from his covert, had been shot in the face, and his scream echoed among the rocks in multiplied accents of agony; while Wyman lay tossing and moaning, mercifully unconscious.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading One of the wounded died, a mere lad, sobbing pitifully for his mother; an infantryman, peering forth from his covert, had been shot in the face, and his scream echoed among the rocks in multiplied accents of agony; while Wyman lay tossing and moaning, mercifully unconscious.

a characteristic state or mode of living

From this reading BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH The remainder of that day, as well as much of the gloomy night following, composed a silent, lingering horror.

one of the jointed appendages of an animal used for locomotion or grasping: arm; leg; wing; flipper

From this reading The others rested in their places, scarcely venturing to stir a limb, their roving, wolfish eyes the only visible evidence of remaining life, every hope vanished, yet each man clinging to his assigned post of duty in desperation.

the act of tarrying

From this reading BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH The remainder of that day, as well as much of the gloomy night following, composed a silent, lingering horror.

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

From this reading There was but little firing--the defenders nursing their slender stock, the savages biding their time.

for more time

From this reading The fierce pangs of hunger no longer gnawed, but a dull apathy now held the helpless defenders.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading The others rested in their places, scarcely venturing to stir a limb, their roving, wolfish eyes the only visible evidence of remaining life, every hope vanished, yet each man clinging to his assigned post of duty in desperation.

in a compassionate manner

From this reading One of the wounded died, a mere lad, sobbing pitifully for his mother; an infantryman, peering forth from his covert, had been shot in the face, and his scream echoed among the rocks in multiplied accents of agony; while Wyman lay tossing and moaning, mercifully unconscious.

being nothing more than specified

From this reading One of the wounded died, a mere lad, sobbing pitifully for his mother; an infantryman, peering forth from his covert, had been shot in the face, and his scream echoed among the rocks in multiplied accents of agony; while Wyman lay tossing and moaning, mercifully unconscious.

-ing form of “moan” — indicate pain, discomfort, or displeasure

From this reading One of the wounded died, a mere lad, sobbing pitifully for his mother; an infantryman, peering forth from his covert, had been shot in the face, and his scream echoed among the rocks in multiplied accents of agony; while Wyman lay tossing and moaning, mercifully unconscious.

a woman who has given birth to a child (also used as a term of address to your mother)

From this reading One of the wounded died, a mere lad, sobbing pitifully for his mother; an infantryman, peering forth from his covert, had been shot in the face, and his scream echoed among the rocks in multiplied accents of agony; while Wyman lay tossing and moaning, mercifully unconscious.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH The remainder of that day, as well as much of the gloomy night following, composed a silent, lingering horror.

greatly increased as by multiplication

From this reading One of the wounded died, a mere lad, sobbing pitifully for his mother; an infantryman, peering forth from his covert, had been shot in the face, and his scream echoed among the rocks in multiplied accents of agony; while Wyman lay tossing and moaning, mercifully unconscious.

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

From this reading BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH The remainder of that day, as well as much of the gloomy night following, composed a silent, lingering horror.

not any; not one

From this reading The fierce pangs of hunger no longer gnawed, but a dull apathy now held the helpless defenders.

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

From this reading The fierce pangs of hunger no longer gnawed, but a dull apathy now held the helpless defenders.

the work of caring for the sick or injured or infirm

From this reading There was but little firing--the defenders nursing their slender stock, the savages biding their time.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH The remainder of that day, as well as much of the gloomy night following, composed a silent, lingering horror.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading One of the wounded died, a mere lad, sobbing pitifully for his mother; an infantryman, peering forth from his covert, had been shot in the face, and his scream echoed among the rocks in multiplied accents of agony; while Wyman lay tossing and moaning, mercifully unconscious.

and nothing more

From this reading The others rested in their places, scarcely venturing to stir a limb, their roving, wolfish eyes the only visible evidence of remaining life, every hope vanished, yet each man clinging to his assigned post of duty in desperation.

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

From this reading The others rested in their places, scarcely venturing to stir a limb, their roving, wolfish eyes the only visible evidence of remaining life, every hope vanished, yet each man clinging to his assigned post of duty in desperation.

plural of “pang” — a sudden sharp feeling

From this reading The fierce pangs of hunger no longer gnawed, but a dull apathy now held the helpless defenders.

-ing form of “peer” — look searchingly

From this reading One of the wounded died, a mere lad, sobbing pitifully for his mother; an infantryman, peering forth from his covert, had been shot in the face, and his scream echoed among the rocks in multiplied accents of agony; while Wyman lay tossing and moaning, mercifully unconscious.

to a pitiful degree

From this reading One of the wounded died, a mere lad, sobbing pitifully for his mother; an infantryman, peering forth from his covert, had been shot in the face, and his scream echoed among the rocks in multiplied accents of agony; while Wyman lay tossing and moaning, mercifully unconscious.

plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading The others rested in their places, scarcely venturing to stir a limb, their roving, wolfish eyes the only visible evidence of remaining life, every hope vanished, yet each man clinging to his assigned post of duty in desperation.

affix in a public place or for public notice

From this reading The others rested in their places, scarcely venturing to stir a limb, their roving, wolfish eyes the only visible evidence of remaining life, every hope vanished, yet each man clinging to his assigned post of duty in desperation.

something left after other parts have been taken away

From this reading BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH The remainder of that day, as well as much of the gloomy night following, composed a silent, lingering horror.

not used up

From this reading The others rested in their places, scarcely venturing to stir a limb, their roving, wolfish eyes the only visible evidence of remaining life, every hope vanished, yet each man clinging to his assigned post of duty in desperation.

not tired; refreshed as by sleeping or relaxing

From this reading The others rested in their places, scarcely venturing to stir a limb, their roving, wolfish eyes the only visible evidence of remaining life, every hope vanished, yet each man clinging to his assigned post of duty in desperation.

plural of “rock” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading One of the wounded died, a mere lad, sobbing pitifully for his mother; an infantryman, peering forth from his covert, had been shot in the face, and his scream echoed among the rocks in multiplied accents of agony; while Wyman lay tossing and moaning, mercifully unconscious.

travelling about without any clear destination

From this reading The others rested in their places, scarcely venturing to stir a limb, their roving, wolfish eyes the only visible evidence of remaining life, every hope vanished, yet each man clinging to his assigned post of duty in desperation.

plural of “savage” — a member of an uncivilized people

From this reading There was but little firing--the defenders nursing their slender stock, the savages biding their time.

only a very short time before

From this reading The others rested in their places, scarcely venturing to stir a limb, their roving, wolfish eyes the only visible evidence of remaining life, every hope vanished, yet each man clinging to his assigned post of duty in desperation.

utter a sudden loud cry

From this reading One of the wounded died, a mere lad, sobbing pitifully for his mother; an infantryman, peering forth from his covert, had been shot in the face, and his scream echoed among the rocks in multiplied accents of agony; while Wyman lay tossing and moaning, mercifully unconscious.

the act of firing a projectile

From this reading One of the wounded died, a mere lad, sobbing pitifully for his mother; an infantryman, peering forth from his covert, had been shot in the face, and his scream echoed among the rocks in multiplied accents of agony; while Wyman lay tossing and moaning, mercifully unconscious.

marked by absence of sound

From this reading BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH The remainder of that day, as well as much of the gloomy night following, composed a silent, lingering horror.

being of delicate or slender build

From this reading There was but little firing--the defenders nursing their slender stock, the savages biding their time.

convulsive gasp made while weeping

From this reading One of the wounded died, a mere lad, sobbing pitifully for his mother; an infantryman, peering forth from his covert, had been shot in the face, and his scream echoed among the rocks in multiplied accents of agony; while Wyman lay tossing and moaning, mercifully unconscious.

move an implement through

From this reading The others rested in their places, scarcely venturing to stir a limb, their roving, wolfish eyes the only visible evidence of remaining life, every hope vanished, yet each man clinging to his assigned post of duty in desperation.

the capital raised by a corporation through the issue of shares entitling holders to an ownership interest

From this reading There was but little firing--the defenders nursing their slender stock, the savages biding their time.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH The remainder of that day, as well as much of the gloomy night following, composed a silent, lingering horror.

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

From this reading BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH The remainder of that day, as well as much of the gloomy night following, composed a silent, lingering horror.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The others rested in their places, scarcely venturing to stir a limb, their roving, wolfish eyes the only visible evidence of remaining life, every hope vanished, yet each man clinging to his assigned post of duty in desperation.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There was but little firing--the defenders nursing their slender stock, the savages biding their time.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading There was but little firing--the defenders nursing their slender stock, the savages biding their time.

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

From this reading The others rested in their places, scarcely venturing to stir a limb, their roving, wolfish eyes the only visible evidence of remaining life, every hope vanished, yet each man clinging to his assigned post of duty in desperation.

-ing form of “toss” — throw or toss with a light motion

From this reading One of the wounded died, a mere lad, sobbing pitifully for his mother; an infantryman, peering forth from his covert, had been shot in the face, and his scream echoed among the rocks in multiplied accents of agony; while Wyman lay tossing and moaning, mercifully unconscious.

not conscious; lacking awareness and the capacity for sensory perception as if asleep or dead

From this reading One of the wounded died, a mere lad, sobbing pitifully for his mother; an infantryman, peering forth from his covert, had been shot in the face, and his scream echoed among the rocks in multiplied accents of agony; while Wyman lay tossing and moaning, mercifully unconscious.

having passed out of existence

From this reading The others rested in their places, scarcely venturing to stir a limb, their roving, wolfish eyes the only visible evidence of remaining life, every hope vanished, yet each man clinging to his assigned post of duty in desperation.

-ing form of “venture” — proceed somewhere despite the risk of possible dangers

From this reading The others rested in their places, scarcely venturing to stir a limb, their roving, wolfish eyes the only visible evidence of remaining life, every hope vanished, yet each man clinging to his assigned post of duty in desperation.

capable of being seen; or open to easy view

From this reading The others rested in their places, scarcely venturing to stir a limb, their roving, wolfish eyes the only visible evidence of remaining life, every hope vanished, yet each man clinging to his assigned post of duty in desperation.

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

From this reading There was but little firing--the defenders nursing their slender stock, the savages biding their time.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH The remainder of that day, as well as much of the gloomy night following, composed a silent, lingering horror.

during the time that

From this reading One of the wounded died, a mere lad, sobbing pitifully for his mother; an infantryman, peering forth from his covert, had been shot in the face, and his scream echoed among the rocks in multiplied accents of agony; while Wyman lay tossing and moaning, mercifully unconscious.

resembling or characteristic (or considered characteristic) of a wolf

From this reading The others rested in their places, scarcely venturing to stir a limb, their roving, wolfish eyes the only visible evidence of remaining life, every hope vanished, yet each man clinging to his assigned post of duty in desperation.

people who are wounded

From this reading One of the wounded died, a mere lad, sobbing pitifully for his mother; an infantryman, peering forth from his covert, had been shot in the face, and his scream echoed among the rocks in multiplied accents of agony; while Wyman lay tossing and moaning, mercifully unconscious.

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

From this reading One of the wounded died, a mere lad, sobbing pitifully for his mother; an infantryman, peering forth from his covert, had been shot in the face, and his scream echoed among the rocks in multiplied accents of agony; while Wyman lay tossing and moaning, mercifully unconscious.

but in spite of that

From this reading The others rested in their places, scarcely venturing to stir a limb, their roving, wolfish eyes the only visible evidence of remaining life, every hope vanished, yet each man clinging to his assigned post of duty in desperation.