used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A BOMBING RAID DAWN was just breaking over Devil's Wood and Ginchy.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The owls and bats which had flitted over the night-bivouacs had returned to their hiding places about the battered towers of the old church near by.
aerodromenounUS /ˈerədroʊm/
an airfield equipped with control tower and hangars as well as accommodations for passengers and cargo
From this reading Scarcely had the stars faded away, however, and disappeared in the morning light, when the little field telephone in the orderly officer's tent at the aerodrome near Contalmaison went "Ting-a-ling-ling!"
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A BOMBING RAID DAWN was just breaking over Devil's Wood and Ginchy.
Areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Are you there?" came the query over the wire.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Scarcely had the stars faded away, however, and disappeared in the morning light, when the little field telephone in the orderly officer's tent at the aerodrome near Contalmaison went "Ting-a-ling-ling!"
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Scarcely had the stars faded away, however, and disappeared in the morning light, when the little field telephone in the orderly officer's tent at the aerodrome near Contalmaison went "Ting-a-ling-ling!"
Bapaume
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A saffron tint flushed the low summit of the eastern ridge, beyond Combles and Ginchy, while thin blue-grey columns of smoke showed where the Germans held fast their steel line from the Somme to Bapaume.
batsadjectiveUS /bæts/
informal or slang terms for mentally irregular
From this reading The owls and bats which had flitted over the night-bivouacs had returned to their hiding places about the battered towers of the old church near by.
batteredadjectiveUS /ˈbætərd/
damaged by blows or hard usage
From this reading The owls and bats which had flitted over the night-bivouacs had returned to their hiding places about the battered towers of the old church near by.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading A saffron tint flushed the low summit of the eastern ridge, beyond Combles and Ginchy, while thin blue-grey columns of smoke showed where the Germans held fast their steel line from the Somme to Bapaume.
blue-greyadjective
of grey tinged with blue
From this reading A saffron tint flushed the low summit of the eastern ridge, beyond Combles and Ginchy, while thin blue-grey columns of smoke showed where the Germans held fast their steel line from the Somme to Bapaume.
BOMBINGnounUS /ˈbɑːmɪŋ/
an attack by dropping bombs
From this reading A BOMBING RAID DAWN was just breaking over Devil's Wood and Ginchy.
the act of breaking something
From this reading A BOMBING RAID DAWN was just breaking over Devil's Wood and Ginchy.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The owls and bats which had flitted over the night-bivouacs had returned to their hiding places about the battered towers of the old church near by.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading "Are you there?" came the query over the wire.
one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship
From this reading The owls and bats which had flitted over the night-bivouacs had returned to their hiding places about the battered towers of the old church near by.
columnsnounUS /ˈkɑːləmz/
plural of “column” — a line of units following one after another
From this reading A saffron tint flushed the low summit of the eastern ridge, beyond Combles and Ginchy, while thin blue-grey columns of smoke showed where the Germans held fast their steel line from the Somme to Bapaume.
Combles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A saffron tint flushed the low summit of the eastern ridge, beyond Combles and Ginchy, while thin blue-grey columns of smoke showed where the Germans held fast their steel line from the Somme to Bapaume.
Contalmaison
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Scarcely had the stars faded away, however, and disappeared in the morning light, when the little field telephone in the orderly officer's tent at the aerodrome near Contalmaison went "Ting-a-ling-ling!"
the first light of day
From this reading A BOMBING RAID DAWN was just breaking over Devil's Wood and Ginchy.
Devil'snounUS /ˈdevəlz/
possessive form of “devil” — (Judeo-Christian and Islamic religions) chief spirit of evil and adversary of God; tempter of mankind; master of Hell
From this reading A BOMBING RAID DAWN was just breaking over Devil's Wood and Ginchy.
past form of “disappear” — get lost, as without warning or explanation
From this reading Scarcely had the stars faded away, however, and disappeared in the morning light, when the little field telephone in the orderly officer's tent at the aerodrome near Contalmaison went "Ting-a-ling-ling!"
lying toward or situated in the east
From this reading A saffron tint flushed the low summit of the eastern ridge, beyond Combles and Ginchy, while thin blue-grey columns of smoke showed where the Germans held fast their steel line from the Somme to Bapaume.
fadedadjectiveUS /ˈfeɪdəd/
having lost freshness or brilliance of color
From this reading Scarcely had the stars faded away, however, and disappeared in the morning light, when the little field telephone in the orderly officer's tent at the aerodrome near Contalmaison went "Ting-a-ling-ling!"
quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)
From this reading A saffron tint flushed the low summit of the eastern ridge, beyond Combles and Ginchy, while thin blue-grey columns of smoke showed where the Germans held fast their steel line from the Somme to Bapaume.
a piece of land cleared of trees and usually enclosed
From this reading Scarcely had the stars faded away, however, and disappeared in the morning light, when the little field telephone in the orderly officer's tent at the aerodrome near Contalmaison went "Ting-a-ling-ling!"
flitted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The owls and bats which had flitted over the night-bivouacs had returned to their hiding places about the battered towers of the old church near by.
having the pinkish flush of health
From this reading A saffron tint flushed the low summit of the eastern ridge, beyond Combles and Ginchy, while thin blue-grey columns of smoke showed where the Germans held fast their steel line from the Somme to Bapaume.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A saffron tint flushed the low summit of the eastern ridge, beyond Combles and Ginchy, while thin blue-grey columns of smoke showed where the Germans held fast their steel line from the Somme to Bapaume.
GermansnounUS /ˈdʒɜːrmənz/
plural of “german” — a person of German nationality
From this reading A saffron tint flushed the low summit of the eastern ridge, beyond Combles and Ginchy, while thin blue-grey columns of smoke showed where the Germans held fast their steel line from the Somme to Bapaume.
Ginchy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A BOMBING RAID DAWN was just breaking over Devil's Wood and Ginchy.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The owls and bats which had flitted over the night-bivouacs had returned to their hiding places about the battered towers of the old church near by.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading A saffron tint flushed the low summit of the eastern ridge, beyond Combles and Ginchy, while thin blue-grey columns of smoke showed where the Germans held fast their steel line from the Somme to Bapaume.
hidingnounUS /ˈhaɪdɪŋ/
the activity of keeping something secret
From this reading The owls and bats which had flitted over the night-bivouacs had returned to their hiding places about the battered towers of the old church near by.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading Scarcely had the stars faded away, however, and disappeared in the morning light, when the little field telephone in the orderly officer's tent at the aerodrome near Contalmaison went "Ting-a-ling-ling!"
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Scarcely had the stars faded away, however, and disappeared in the morning light, when the little field telephone in the orderly officer's tent at the aerodrome near Contalmaison went "Ting-a-ling-ling!"
and nothing more
From this reading A BOMBING RAID DAWN was just breaking over Devil's Wood and Ginchy.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Scarcely had the stars faded away, however, and disappeared in the morning light, when the little field telephone in the orderly officer's tent at the aerodrome near Contalmaison went "Ting-a-ling-ling!"
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading A saffron tint flushed the low summit of the eastern ridge, beyond Combles and Ginchy, while thin blue-grey columns of smoke showed where the Germans held fast their steel line from the Somme to Bapaume.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Scarcely had the stars faded away, however, and disappeared in the morning light, when the little field telephone in the orderly officer's tent at the aerodrome near Contalmaison went "Ting-a-ling-ling!"
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading A saffron tint flushed the low summit of the eastern ridge, beyond Combles and Ginchy, while thin blue-grey columns of smoke showed where the Germans held fast their steel line from the Somme to Bapaume.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading Scarcely had the stars faded away, however, and disappeared in the morning light, when the little field telephone in the orderly officer's tent at the aerodrome near Contalmaison went "Ting-a-ling-ling!"
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading The owls and bats which had flitted over the night-bivouacs had returned to their hiding places about the battered towers of the old church near by.
night-bivouacs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The owls and bats which had flitted over the night-bivouacs had returned to their hiding places about the battered towers of the old church near by.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The owls and bats which had flitted over the night-bivouacs had returned to their hiding places about the battered towers of the old church near by.
officer'snounUS /ˈɔːfɪsərz/
possessive form of “officer” — any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading Scarcely had the stars faded away, however, and disappeared in the morning light, when the little field telephone in the orderly officer's tent at the aerodrome near Contalmaison went "Ting-a-ling-ling!"
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The owls and bats which had flitted over the night-bivouacs had returned to their hiding places about the battered towers of the old church near by.
orderlynounUS /ˈɔːrdərli/
a soldier who serves as an attendant to a superior officer
From this reading Scarcely had the stars faded away, however, and disappeared in the morning light, when the little field telephone in the orderly officer's tent at the aerodrome near Contalmaison went "Ting-a-ling-ling!"
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading A BOMBING RAID DAWN was just breaking over Devil's Wood and Ginchy.
owlsnounUS /aʊlz/
plural of “owl” — nocturnal bird of prey with hawk-like beak and claws and large head with front-facing eyes
From this reading The owls and bats which had flitted over the night-bivouacs had returned to their hiding places about the battered towers of the old church near by.
plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading The owls and bats which had flitted over the night-bivouacs had returned to their hiding places about the battered towers of the old church near by.
querynounUS /ˈkwiːri/
an instance of questioning
From this reading "Are you there?" came the query over the wire.
RAIDverbUS /reɪd/
search without warning, make a sudden surprise attack on
From this reading A BOMBING RAID DAWN was just breaking over Devil's Wood and Ginchy.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading The owls and bats which had flitted over the night-bivouacs had returned to their hiding places about the battered towers of the old church near by.
ridgenounUS /rɪdʒ/
a long narrow natural elevation or striation
From this reading A saffron tint flushed the low summit of the eastern ridge, beyond Combles and Ginchy, while thin blue-grey columns of smoke showed where the Germans held fast their steel line from the Somme to Bapaume.
saffronnounUS /ˈsæfrən/
Old World crocus having purple or white flowers with aromatic pungent orange stigmas used in flavoring food
From this reading A saffron tint flushed the low summit of the eastern ridge, beyond Combles and Ginchy, while thin blue-grey columns of smoke showed where the Germans held fast their steel line from the Somme to Bapaume.
only a very short time before
From this reading Scarcely had the stars faded away, however, and disappeared in the morning light, when the little field telephone in the orderly officer's tent at the aerodrome near Contalmaison went "Ting-a-ling-ling!"
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading A saffron tint flushed the low summit of the eastern ridge, beyond Combles and Ginchy, while thin blue-grey columns of smoke showed where the Germans held fast their steel line from the Somme to Bapaume.
a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas
From this reading A saffron tint flushed the low summit of the eastern ridge, beyond Combles and Ginchy, while thin blue-grey columns of smoke showed where the Germans held fast their steel line from the Somme to Bapaume.
SommenounUS /sɔːm/
battle of World War II
From this reading A saffron tint flushed the low summit of the eastern ridge, beyond Combles and Ginchy, while thin blue-grey columns of smoke showed where the Germans held fast their steel line from the Somme to Bapaume.
plural of “star” — (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior
From this reading Scarcely had the stars faded away, however, and disappeared in the morning light, when the little field telephone in the orderly officer's tent at the aerodrome near Contalmaison went "Ting-a-ling-ling!"
an alloy of iron with small amounts of carbon; widely used in construction; mechanical properties can be varied over a wide range
From this reading A saffron tint flushed the low summit of the eastern ridge, beyond Combles and Ginchy, while thin blue-grey columns of smoke showed where the Germans held fast their steel line from the Somme to Bapaume.
summitnounUS /ˈsʌmət/
the highest level or degree attainable; the highest stage of development
From this reading A saffron tint flushed the low summit of the eastern ridge, beyond Combles and Ginchy, while thin blue-grey columns of smoke showed where the Germans held fast their steel line from the Somme to Bapaume.
telephonenounUS /ˈteləfoʊn/
electronic equipment that converts sound into electrical signals that can be transmitted over distances and then converts received signals back into sounds
From this reading Scarcely had the stars faded away, however, and disappeared in the morning light, when the little field telephone in the orderly officer's tent at the aerodrome near Contalmaison went "Ting-a-ling-ling!"
a portable shelter (usually of canvas stretched over supporting poles and fastened to the ground with ropes and pegs)
From this reading Scarcely had the stars faded away, however, and disappeared in the morning light, when the little field telephone in the orderly officer's tent at the aerodrome near Contalmaison went "Ting-a-ling-ling!"
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The owls and bats which had flitted over the night-bivouacs had returned to their hiding places about the battered towers of the old church near by.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The owls and bats which had flitted over the night-bivouacs had returned to their hiding places about the battered towers of the old church near by.
in or at that place or location
From this reading "Are you there?" came the query over the wire.
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading A saffron tint flushed the low summit of the eastern ridge, beyond Combles and Ginchy, while thin blue-grey columns of smoke showed where the Germans held fast their steel line from the Somme to Bapaume.
Ting-a-ling-ling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Scarcely had the stars faded away, however, and disappeared in the morning light, when the little field telephone in the orderly officer's tent at the aerodrome near Contalmaison went "Ting-a-ling-ling!"
tintnounUS /tɪnt/
a quality of a given color that differs slightly from another color
From this reading A saffron tint flushed the low summit of the eastern ridge, beyond Combles and Ginchy, while thin blue-grey columns of smoke showed where the Germans held fast their steel line from the Somme to Bapaume.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The owls and bats which had flitted over the night-bivouacs had returned to their hiding places about the battered towers of the old church near by.
towersnounUS /ˈtaʊərz/
plural of “tower” — a structure taller than its diameter; can stand alone or be attached to a larger building
From this reading The owls and bats which had flitted over the night-bivouacs had returned to their hiding places about the battered towers of the old church near by.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A BOMBING RAID DAWN was just breaking over Devil's Wood and Ginchy.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Scarcely had the stars faded away, however, and disappeared in the morning light, when the little field telephone in the orderly officer's tent at the aerodrome near Contalmaison went "Ting-a-ling-ling!"
at the time that
From this reading Scarcely had the stars faded away, however, and disappeared in the morning light, when the little field telephone in the orderly officer's tent at the aerodrome near Contalmaison went "Ting-a-ling-ling!"
in or at the place that
From this reading A saffron tint flushed the low summit of the eastern ridge, beyond Combles and Ginchy, while thin blue-grey columns of smoke showed where the Germans held fast their steel line from the Somme to Bapaume.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The owls and bats which had flitted over the night-bivouacs had returned to their hiding places about the battered towers of the old church near by.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading A saffron tint flushed the low summit of the eastern ridge, beyond Combles and Ginchy, while thin blue-grey columns of smoke showed where the Germans held fast their steel line from the Somme to Bapaume.
ligament made of metal and used to fasten things or make cages or fences etc
From this reading "Are you there?" came the query over the wire.
the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees
From this reading A BOMBING RAID DAWN was just breaking over Devil's Wood and Ginchy.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Are you there?" came the query over the wire.
