Chapter VI · Chapter 6

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

From this reading Within and along the sea-wall San Sebastian was a heap of burnt-out ruins.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading Early next morning Sergeant Wilkes picked his way across the ruins of the great breach and into the town, keeping well to windward of the fatigue parties already kindling fires and collecting the dead bodies that remained unburied.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading Within and along the sea-wall San Sebastian was a heap of burnt-out ruins.

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading Early next morning Sergeant Wilkes picked his way across the ruins of the great breach and into the town, keeping well to windward of the fatigue parties already kindling fires and collecting the dead bodies that remained unburied.

in the middle of; surrounded by

From this reading Amid the stones and rubble encumbering the streets, lay broken muskets, wrenched doors, shattered sticks of furniture-- mirrors, hangings, women's apparel, children's clothes--loot dropped by the pillagers as valueless, wreckage of the flood.

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

From this reading Early next morning Sergeant Wilkes picked his way across the ruins of the great breach and into the town, keeping well to windward of the fatigue parties already kindling fires and collecting the dead bodies that remained unburied.

clothing in general

From this reading Amid the stones and rubble encumbering the streets, lay broken muskets, wrenched doors, shattered sticks of furniture-- mirrors, hangings, women's apparel, children's clothes--loot dropped by the pillagers as valueless, wreckage of the flood.

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading He passed a very few inhabitants, and these said nothing to him; indeed, did not appear to see him, but sat by the ruins of their houses with faces set in a stupid horror.

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

From this reading Amid the stones and rubble encumbering the streets, lay broken muskets, wrenched doors, shattered sticks of furniture-- mirrors, hangings, women's apparel, children's clothes--loot dropped by the pillagers as valueless, wreckage of the flood.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Even the crash of a falling house near by would scarcely persuade them to stir, and hundreds during the last three days had been overwhelmed thus and buried.

plural of “body” — the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)

From this reading Early next morning Sergeant Wilkes picked his way across the ruins of the great breach and into the town, keeping well to windward of the fatigue parties already kindling fires and collecting the dead bodies that remained unburied.

act in disregard of laws, rules, contracts, or promises

From this reading Early next morning Sergeant Wilkes picked his way across the ruins of the great breach and into the town, keeping well to windward of the fatigue parties already kindling fires and collecting the dead bodies that remained unburied.

physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split

From this reading Amid the stones and rubble encumbering the streets, lay broken muskets, wrenched doors, shattered sticks of furniture-- mirrors, hangings, women's apparel, children's clothes--loot dropped by the pillagers as valueless, wreckage of the flood.

placed in a grave

From this reading Even the crash of a falling house near by would scarcely persuade them to stir, and hundreds during the last three days had been overwhelmed thus and buried.

exhausted as a result of longtime stress

From this reading Within and along the sea-wall San Sebastian was a heap of burnt-out ruins.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He passed a very few inhabitants, and these said nothing to him; indeed, did not appear to see him, but sat by the ruins of their houses with faces set in a stupid horror.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Amid the stones and rubble encumbering the streets, lay broken muskets, wrenched doors, shattered sticks of furniture-- mirrors, hangings, women's apparel, children's clothes--loot dropped by the pillagers as valueless, wreckage of the flood.

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

From this reading Amid the stones and rubble encumbering the streets, lay broken muskets, wrenched doors, shattered sticks of furniture-- mirrors, hangings, women's apparel, children's clothes--loot dropped by the pillagers as valueless, wreckage of the flood.

clothing in general

From this reading Amid the stones and rubble encumbering the streets, lay broken muskets, wrenched doors, shattered sticks of furniture-- mirrors, hangings, women's apparel, children's clothes--loot dropped by the pillagers as valueless, wreckage of the flood.

the act of gathering something together

From this reading Early next morning Sergeant Wilkes picked his way across the ruins of the great breach and into the town, keeping well to windward of the fatigue parties already kindling fires and collecting the dead bodies that remained unburied.

fall or come down violently

From this reading Even the crash of a falling house near by would scarcely persuade them to stir, and hundreds during the last three days had been overwhelmed thus and buried.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading Even the crash of a falling house near by would scarcely persuade them to stir, and hundreds during the last three days had been overwhelmed thus and buried.

no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life

From this reading Early next morning Sergeant Wilkes picked his way across the ruins of the great breach and into the town, keeping well to windward of the fatigue parties already kindling fires and collecting the dead bodies that remained unburied.

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

From this reading He passed a very few inhabitants, and these said nothing to him; indeed, did not appear to see him, but sat by the ruins of their houses with faces set in a stupid horror.

plural of “door” — a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading Amid the stones and rubble encumbering the streets, lay broken muskets, wrenched doors, shattered sticks of furniture-- mirrors, hangings, women's apparel, children's clothes--loot dropped by the pillagers as valueless, wreckage of the flood.

inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground

From this reading Amid the stones and rubble encumbering the streets, lay broken muskets, wrenched doors, shattered sticks of furniture-- mirrors, hangings, women's apparel, children's clothes--loot dropped by the pillagers as valueless, wreckage of the flood.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading Even the crash of a falling house near by would scarcely persuade them to stir, and hundreds during the last three days had been overwhelmed thus and buried.

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading Early next morning Sergeant Wilkes picked his way across the ruins of the great breach and into the town, keeping well to windward of the fatigue parties already kindling fires and collecting the dead bodies that remained unburied.

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

From this reading Amid the stones and rubble encumbering the streets, lay broken muskets, wrenched doors, shattered sticks of furniture-- mirrors, hangings, women's apparel, children's clothes--loot dropped by the pillagers as valueless, wreckage of the flood.

divisible by two

From this reading Even the crash of a falling house near by would scarcely persuade them to stir, and hundreds during the last three days had been overwhelmed thus and buried.

plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading He passed a very few inhabitants, and these said nothing to him; indeed, did not appear to see him, but sat by the ruins of their houses with faces set in a stupid horror.

decreasing in amount or degree

From this reading Even the crash of a falling house near by would scarcely persuade them to stir, and hundreds during the last three days had been overwhelmed thus and buried.

temporary loss of strength and energy resulting from hard physical or mental work

From this reading Early next morning Sergeant Wilkes picked his way across the ruins of the great breach and into the town, keeping well to windward of the fatigue parties already kindling fires and collecting the dead bodies that remained unburied.

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

From this reading He passed a very few inhabitants, and these said nothing to him; indeed, did not appear to see him, but sat by the ruins of their houses with faces set in a stupid horror.

plural of “fire” — the event of something burning (often destructive)

From this reading Early next morning Sergeant Wilkes picked his way across the ruins of the great breach and into the town, keeping well to windward of the fatigue parties already kindling fires and collecting the dead bodies that remained unburied.

the rising of a body of water and its overflowing onto normally dry land

From this reading Amid the stones and rubble encumbering the streets, lay broken muskets, wrenched doors, shattered sticks of furniture-- mirrors, hangings, women's apparel, children's clothes--loot dropped by the pillagers as valueless, wreckage of the flood.

furnishings that make a room or other area ready for occupancy

From this reading Amid the stones and rubble encumbering the streets, lay broken muskets, wrenched doors, shattered sticks of furniture-- mirrors, hangings, women's apparel, children's clothes--loot dropped by the pillagers as valueless, wreckage of the flood.

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

From this reading Early next morning Sergeant Wilkes picked his way across the ruins of the great breach and into the town, keeping well to windward of the fatigue parties already kindling fires and collecting the dead bodies that remained unburied.

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

From this reading Even the crash of a falling house near by would scarcely persuade them to stir, and hundreds during the last three days had been overwhelmed thus and buried.

plural of “hanging” — decoration that is hung (as a tapestry) on a wall or over a window

From this reading Amid the stones and rubble encumbering the streets, lay broken muskets, wrenched doors, shattered sticks of furniture-- mirrors, hangings, women's apparel, children's clothes--loot dropped by the pillagers as valueless, wreckage of the flood.

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

From this reading He passed a very few inhabitants, and these said nothing to him; indeed, did not appear to see him, but sat by the ruins of their houses with faces set in a stupid horror.

a collection of objects laid on top of each other

From this reading Within and along the sea-wall San Sebastian was a heap of burnt-out ruins.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading He passed a very few inhabitants, and these said nothing to him; indeed, did not appear to see him, but sat by the ruins of their houses with faces set in a stupid horror.

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

From this reading Early next morning Sergeant Wilkes picked his way across the ruins of the great breach and into the town, keeping well to windward of the fatigue parties already kindling fires and collecting the dead bodies that remained unburied.

intense and profound fear

From this reading He passed a very few inhabitants, and these said nothing to him; indeed, did not appear to see him, but sat by the ruins of their houses with faces set in a stupid horror.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading Even the crash of a falling house near by would scarcely persuade them to stir, and hundreds during the last three days had been overwhelmed thus and buried.

plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading He passed a very few inhabitants, and these said nothing to him; indeed, did not appear to see him, but sat by the ruins of their houses with faces set in a stupid horror.

plural of “hundred” — ten 10s

From this reading Even the crash of a falling house near by would scarcely persuade them to stir, and hundreds during the last three days had been overwhelmed thus and buried.

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

From this reading He passed a very few inhabitants, and these said nothing to him; indeed, did not appear to see him, but sat by the ruins of their houses with faces set in a stupid horror.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading He passed a very few inhabitants, and these said nothing to him; indeed, did not appear to see him, but sat by the ruins of their houses with faces set in a stupid horror.

plural of “inhabitant” — a person who inhabits a particular place

From this reading He passed a very few inhabitants, and these said nothing to him; indeed, did not appear to see him, but sat by the ruins of their houses with faces set in a stupid horror.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Early next morning Sergeant Wilkes picked his way across the ruins of the great breach and into the town, keeping well to windward of the fatigue parties already kindling fires and collecting the dead bodies that remained unburied.

conformity or harmony

From this reading Early next morning Sergeant Wilkes picked his way across the ruins of the great breach and into the town, keeping well to windward of the fatigue parties already kindling fires and collecting the dead bodies that remained unburied.

material for starting a fire

From this reading Early next morning Sergeant Wilkes picked his way across the ruins of the great breach and into the town, keeping well to windward of the fatigue parties already kindling fires and collecting the dead bodies that remained unburied.

immediately past

From this reading Even the crash of a falling house near by would scarcely persuade them to stir, and hundreds during the last three days had been overwhelmed thus and buried.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Amid the stones and rubble encumbering the streets, lay broken muskets, wrenched doors, shattered sticks of furniture-- mirrors, hangings, women's apparel, children's clothes--loot dropped by the pillagers as valueless, wreckage of the flood.

goods or money obtained illegally

From this reading Amid the stones and rubble encumbering the streets, lay broken muskets, wrenched doors, shattered sticks of furniture-- mirrors, hangings, women's apparel, children's clothes--loot dropped by the pillagers as valueless, wreckage of the flood.

plural of “mirror” — polished surface that forms images by reflecting light

From this reading Amid the stones and rubble encumbering the streets, lay broken muskets, wrenched doors, shattered sticks of furniture-- mirrors, hangings, women's apparel, children's clothes--loot dropped by the pillagers as valueless, wreckage of the flood.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading Early next morning Sergeant Wilkes picked his way across the ruins of the great breach and into the town, keeping well to windward of the fatigue parties already kindling fires and collecting the dead bodies that remained unburied.

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

From this reading Amid the stones and rubble encumbering the streets, lay broken muskets, wrenched doors, shattered sticks of furniture-- mirrors, hangings, women's apparel, children's clothes--loot dropped by the pillagers as valueless, wreckage of the flood.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading Even the crash of a falling house near by would scarcely persuade them to stir, and hundreds during the last three days had been overwhelmed thus and buried.

immediately following in time or order

From this reading Early next morning Sergeant Wilkes picked his way across the ruins of the great breach and into the town, keeping well to windward of the fatigue parties already kindling fires and collecting the dead bodies that remained unburied.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He passed a very few inhabitants, and these said nothing to him; indeed, did not appear to see him, but sat by the ruins of their houses with faces set in a stupid horror.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading He passed a very few inhabitants, and these said nothing to him; indeed, did not appear to see him, but sat by the ruins of their houses with faces set in a stupid horror.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Early next morning Sergeant Wilkes picked his way across the ruins of the great breach and into the town, keeping well to windward of the fatigue parties already kindling fires and collecting the dead bodies that remained unburied.

past form of “overwhelm” — overcome, as with emotions or perceptual stimuli

From this reading Even the crash of a falling house near by would scarcely persuade them to stir, and hundreds during the last three days had been overwhelmed thus and buried.

plural of “party” — an organization to gain political power

From this reading Early next morning Sergeant Wilkes picked his way across the ruins of the great breach and into the town, keeping well to windward of the fatigue parties already kindling fires and collecting the dead bodies that remained unburied.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading He passed a very few inhabitants, and these said nothing to him; indeed, did not appear to see him, but sat by the ruins of their houses with faces set in a stupid horror.

win approval or support for

From this reading Even the crash of a falling house near by would scarcely persuade them to stir, and hundreds during the last three days had been overwhelmed thus and buried.

past form of “pick” — select carefully from a group

From this reading Early next morning Sergeant Wilkes picked his way across the ruins of the great breach and into the town, keeping well to windward of the fatigue parties already kindling fires and collecting the dead bodies that remained unburied.

plural of “pillager” — someone who takes spoils or plunder (as in war)

From this reading Amid the stones and rubble encumbering the streets, lay broken muskets, wrenched doors, shattered sticks of furniture-- mirrors, hangings, women's apparel, children's clothes--loot dropped by the pillagers as valueless, wreckage of the flood.

past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading Early next morning Sergeant Wilkes picked his way across the ruins of the great breach and into the town, keeping well to windward of the fatigue parties already kindling fires and collecting the dead bodies that remained unburied.

the remains of something that has been destroyed or broken up

From this reading Amid the stones and rubble encumbering the streets, lay broken muskets, wrenched doors, shattered sticks of furniture-- mirrors, hangings, women's apparel, children's clothes--loot dropped by the pillagers as valueless, wreckage of the flood.

plural of “ruin” — an irrecoverable state of devastation and destruction

From this reading Early next morning Sergeant Wilkes picked his way across the ruins of the great breach and into the town, keeping well to windward of the fatigue parties already kindling fires and collecting the dead bodies that remained unburied.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading He passed a very few inhabitants, and these said nothing to him; indeed, did not appear to see him, but sat by the ruins of their houses with faces set in a stupid horror.

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

From this reading Within and along the sea-wall San Sebastian was a heap of burnt-out ruins.

the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians

From this reading He passed a very few inhabitants, and these said nothing to him; indeed, did not appear to see him, but sat by the ruins of their houses with faces set in a stupid horror.

only a very short time before

From this reading Even the crash of a falling house near by would scarcely persuade them to stir, and hundreds during the last three days had been overwhelmed thus and buried.

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

From this reading Within and along the sea-wall San Sebastian was a heap of burnt-out ruins.

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

From this reading Within and along the sea-wall San Sebastian was a heap of burnt-out ruins.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading He passed a very few inhabitants, and these said nothing to him; indeed, did not appear to see him, but sat by the ruins of their houses with faces set in a stupid horror.

any of several noncommissioned officer ranks in the Army or Air Force or Marines ranking above a corporal

From this reading Early next morning Sergeant Wilkes picked his way across the ruins of the great breach and into the town, keeping well to windward of the fatigue parties already kindling fires and collecting the dead bodies that remained unburied.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading He passed a very few inhabitants, and these said nothing to him; indeed, did not appear to see him, but sat by the ruins of their houses with faces set in a stupid horror.

ruined or disrupted

From this reading Amid the stones and rubble encumbering the streets, lay broken muskets, wrenched doors, shattered sticks of furniture-- mirrors, hangings, women's apparel, children's clothes--loot dropped by the pillagers as valueless, wreckage of the flood.

plural of “stick” — an implement consisting of a length of wood

From this reading Amid the stones and rubble encumbering the streets, lay broken muskets, wrenched doors, shattered sticks of furniture-- mirrors, hangings, women's apparel, children's clothes--loot dropped by the pillagers as valueless, wreckage of the flood.

move an implement through

From this reading Even the crash of a falling house near by would scarcely persuade them to stir, and hundreds during the last three days had been overwhelmed thus and buried.

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

From this reading Amid the stones and rubble encumbering the streets, lay broken muskets, wrenched doors, shattered sticks of furniture-- mirrors, hangings, women's apparel, children's clothes--loot dropped by the pillagers as valueless, wreckage of the flood.

plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading Amid the stones and rubble encumbering the streets, lay broken muskets, wrenched doors, shattered sticks of furniture-- mirrors, hangings, women's apparel, children's clothes--loot dropped by the pillagers as valueless, wreckage of the flood.

lacking or marked by lack of intellectual acuity

From this reading He passed a very few inhabitants, and these said nothing to him; indeed, did not appear to see him, but sat by the ruins of their houses with faces set in a stupid horror.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Early next morning Sergeant Wilkes picked his way across the ruins of the great breach and into the town, keeping well to windward of the fatigue parties already kindling fires and collecting the dead bodies that remained unburied.

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

From this reading Early next morning Sergeant Wilkes picked his way across the ruins of the great breach and into the town, keeping well to windward of the fatigue parties already kindling fires and collecting the dead bodies that remained unburied.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading He passed a very few inhabitants, and these said nothing to him; indeed, did not appear to see him, but sat by the ruins of their houses with faces set in a stupid horror.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Even the crash of a falling house near by would scarcely persuade them to stir, and hundreds during the last three days had been overwhelmed thus and buried.

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

From this reading He passed a very few inhabitants, and these said nothing to him; indeed, did not appear to see him, but sat by the ruins of their houses with faces set in a stupid horror.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading Even the crash of a falling house near by would scarcely persuade them to stir, and hundreds during the last three days had been overwhelmed thus and buried.

(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result

From this reading Even the crash of a falling house near by would scarcely persuade them to stir, and hundreds during the last three days had been overwhelmed thus and buried.

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

From this reading Early next morning Sergeant Wilkes picked his way across the ruins of the great breach and into the town, keeping well to windward of the fatigue parties already kindling fires and collecting the dead bodies that remained unburied.

an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city

From this reading Early next morning Sergeant Wilkes picked his way across the ruins of the great breach and into the town, keeping well to windward of the fatigue parties already kindling fires and collecting the dead bodies that remained unburied.

not buried

From this reading Early next morning Sergeant Wilkes picked his way across the ruins of the great breach and into the town, keeping well to windward of the fatigue parties already kindling fires and collecting the dead bodies that remained unburied.

of no value

From this reading Amid the stones and rubble encumbering the streets, lay broken muskets, wrenched doors, shattered sticks of furniture-- mirrors, hangings, women's apparel, children's clothes--loot dropped by the pillagers as valueless, wreckage of the flood.

precisely as stated

From this reading He passed a very few inhabitants, and these said nothing to him; indeed, did not appear to see him, but sat by the ruins of their houses with faces set in a stupid horror.

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

From this reading Within and along the sea-wall San Sebastian was a heap of burnt-out ruins.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading Early next morning Sergeant Wilkes picked his way across the ruins of the great breach and into the town, keeping well to windward of the fatigue parties already kindling fires and collecting the dead bodies that remained unburied.

(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 Early next morning Sergeant Wilkes picked his way across the ruins of the great breach and into the town, keeping well to windward of the fatigue parties already kindling fires and collecting the dead bodies that remained unburied.

English reformer who published attacks on George III and supported the rights of the American colonists (1727-1797)

From this reading Early next morning Sergeant Wilkes picked his way across the ruins of the great breach and into the town, keeping well to windward of the fatigue parties already kindling fires and collecting the dead bodies that remained unburied.

the direction from which the wind is coming

From this reading Early next morning Sergeant Wilkes picked his way across the ruins of the great breach and into the town, keeping well to windward of the fatigue parties already kindling fires and collecting the dead bodies that remained unburied.

in the company of; together with

From this reading He passed a very few inhabitants, and these said nothing to him; indeed, did not appear to see him, but sat by the ruins of their houses with faces set in a stupid horror.

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading Within and along the sea-wall San Sebastian was a heap of burnt-out ruins.

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

From this reading Amid the stones and rubble encumbering the streets, lay broken muskets, wrenched doors, shattered sticks of furniture-- mirrors, hangings, women's apparel, children's clothes--loot dropped by the pillagers as valueless, wreckage of the flood.

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

From this reading Even the crash of a falling house near by would scarcely persuade them to stir, and hundreds during the last three days had been overwhelmed thus and buried.

the remaining parts of something that has been wrecked

From this reading Amid the stones and rubble encumbering the streets, lay broken muskets, wrenched doors, shattered sticks of furniture-- mirrors, hangings, women's apparel, children's clothes--loot dropped by the pillagers as valueless, wreckage of the flood.

past form of “wrench” — twist or pull violently or suddenly, especially so as to remove (something) from that to which it is attached or from where it originates

From this reading Amid the stones and rubble encumbering the streets, lay broken muskets, wrenched doors, shattered sticks of furniture-- mirrors, hangings, women's apparel, children's clothes--loot dropped by the pillagers as valueless, wreckage of the flood.