used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading GUY FAWKES DAY A company officer was making his round of an outlying picket of Grenadiers; the black hour before a drizzling dawn effectually shrouded moist features and sodden whiskers, as bearskin and greatcoat served to modify an erect yet incorrigibly casual carriage.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading The sentries stood their twenty paces apart, all but invisible to each other, sundered links waiting for the dawn to complete the chain.
All's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "All's well."
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading GUY FAWKES DAY A company officer was making his round of an outlying picket of Grenadiers; the black hour before a drizzling dawn effectually shrouded moist features and sodden whiskers, as bearskin and greatcoat served to modify an erect yet incorrigibly casual carriage.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading GUY FAWKES DAY A company officer was making his round of an outlying picket of Grenadiers; the black hour before a drizzling dawn effectually shrouded moist features and sodden whiskers, as bearskin and greatcoat served to modify an erect yet incorrigibly casual carriage.
separated or at a distance in place or position or time
From this reading The sentries stood their twenty paces apart, all but invisible to each other, sundered links waiting for the dawn to complete the chain.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading GUY FAWKES DAY A company officer was making his round of an outlying picket of Grenadiers; the black hour before a drizzling dawn effectually shrouded moist features and sodden whiskers, as bearskin and greatcoat served to modify an erect yet incorrigibly casual carriage.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading And at each link the officer halted and beat his foot.
bearskinnoun
the pelt of a bear (sometimes used as a rug)
From this reading GUY FAWKES DAY A company officer was making his round of an outlying picket of Grenadiers; the black hour before a drizzling dawn effectually shrouded moist features and sodden whiskers, as bearskin and greatcoat served to modify an erect yet incorrigibly casual carriage.
come out better in a competition, race, or conflict
From this reading And at each link the officer halted and beat his foot.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading GUY FAWKES DAY A company officer was making his round of an outlying picket of Grenadiers; the black hour before a drizzling dawn effectually shrouded moist features and sodden whiskers, as bearskin and greatcoat served to modify an erect yet incorrigibly casual carriage.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading GUY FAWKES DAY A company officer was making his round of an outlying picket of Grenadiers; the black hour before a drizzling dawn effectually shrouded moist features and sodden whiskers, as bearskin and greatcoat served to modify an erect yet incorrigibly casual carriage.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The sentries stood their twenty paces apart, all but invisible to each other, sundered links waiting for the dawn to complete the chain.
a railcar where passengers ride
From this reading GUY FAWKES DAY A company officer was making his round of an outlying picket of Grenadiers; the black hour before a drizzling dawn effectually shrouded moist features and sodden whiskers, as bearskin and greatcoat served to modify an erect yet incorrigibly casual carriage.
casualadjectiveUS /ˈkæʒəwəl/
marked by blithe unconcern
From this reading GUY FAWKES DAY A company officer was making his round of an outlying picket of Grenadiers; the black hour before a drizzling dawn effectually shrouded moist features and sodden whiskers, as bearskin and greatcoat served to modify an erect yet incorrigibly casual carriage.
a series of things depending on each other as if linked together
From this reading The sentries stood their twenty paces apart, all but invisible to each other, sundered links waiting for the dawn to complete the chain.
an institution created to conduct business
From this reading GUY FAWKES DAY A company officer was making his round of an outlying picket of Grenadiers; the black hour before a drizzling dawn effectually shrouded moist features and sodden whiskers, as bearskin and greatcoat served to modify an erect yet incorrigibly casual carriage.
come or bring to a finish or an end
From this reading The sentries stood their twenty paces apart, all but invisible to each other, sundered links waiting for the dawn to complete the chain.
the first light of day
From this reading GUY FAWKES DAY A company officer was making his round of an outlying picket of Grenadiers; the black hour before a drizzling dawn effectually shrouded moist features and sodden whiskers, as bearskin and greatcoat served to modify an erect yet incorrigibly casual carriage.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading GUY FAWKES DAY A company officer was making his round of an outlying picket of Grenadiers; the black hour before a drizzling dawn effectually shrouded moist features and sodden whiskers, as bearskin and greatcoat served to modify an erect yet incorrigibly casual carriage.
Devenish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Ralph Devenish, however, and he was performing his duties with some punctilio.
drizzlingadjectiveUS /ˈdrɪzəlɪŋ/
(of rain) falling lightly in very small drops
From this reading GUY FAWKES DAY A company officer was making his round of an outlying picket of Grenadiers; the black hour before a drizzling dawn effectually shrouded moist features and sodden whiskers, as bearskin and greatcoat served to modify an erect yet incorrigibly casual carriage.
plural of “duty” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading It was Ralph Devenish, however, and he was performing his duties with some punctilio.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading The sentries stood their twenty paces apart, all but invisible to each other, sundered links waiting for the dawn to complete the chain.
effectuallyadverb
in an effectual manner
From this reading GUY FAWKES DAY A company officer was making his round of an outlying picket of Grenadiers; the black hour before a drizzling dawn effectually shrouded moist features and sodden whiskers, as bearskin and greatcoat served to modify an erect yet incorrigibly casual carriage.
erectverbUS /ɪˈrekt/
construct, build, or erect
From this reading GUY FAWKES DAY A company officer was making his round of an outlying picket of Grenadiers; the black hour before a drizzling dawn effectually shrouded moist features and sodden whiskers, as bearskin and greatcoat served to modify an erect yet incorrigibly casual carriage.
FAWKESnounUS /fɔːks/
English conspirator who was executed for his role in a plot to blow up James I and the Houses of Parliament (1570-1606)
From this reading GUY FAWKES DAY A company officer was making his round of an outlying picket of Grenadiers; the black hour before a drizzling dawn effectually shrouded moist features and sodden whiskers, as bearskin and greatcoat served to modify an erect yet incorrigibly casual carriage.
plural of “feature” — a prominent attribute or aspect of something
From this reading GUY FAWKES DAY A company officer was making his round of an outlying picket of Grenadiers; the black hour before a drizzling dawn effectually shrouded moist features and sodden whiskers, as bearskin and greatcoat served to modify an erect yet incorrigibly casual carriage.
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading And at each link the officer halted and beat his foot.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The sentries stood their twenty paces apart, all but invisible to each other, sundered links waiting for the dawn to complete the chain.
greatcoatnoun
a heavy coat worn over clothes in winter
From this reading GUY FAWKES DAY A company officer was making his round of an outlying picket of Grenadiers; the black hour before a drizzling dawn effectually shrouded moist features and sodden whiskers, as bearskin and greatcoat served to modify an erect yet incorrigibly casual carriage.
Grenadiers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GUY FAWKES DAY A company officer was making his round of an outlying picket of Grenadiers; the black hour before a drizzling dawn effectually shrouded moist features and sodden whiskers, as bearskin and greatcoat served to modify an erect yet incorrigibly casual carriage.
an informal term for a youth or man
From this reading GUY FAWKES DAY A company officer was making his round of an outlying picket of Grenadiers; the black hour before a drizzling dawn effectually shrouded moist features and sodden whiskers, as bearskin and greatcoat served to modify an erect yet incorrigibly casual carriage.
past form of “halt” — cause to stop
From this reading And at each link the officer halted and beat his foot.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was Ralph Devenish, however, and he was performing his duties with some punctilio.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading GUY FAWKES DAY A company officer was making his round of an outlying picket of Grenadiers; the black hour before a drizzling dawn effectually shrouded moist features and sodden whiskers, as bearskin and greatcoat served to modify an erect yet incorrigibly casual carriage.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading GUY FAWKES DAY A company officer was making his round of an outlying picket of Grenadiers; the black hour before a drizzling dawn effectually shrouded moist features and sodden whiskers, as bearskin and greatcoat served to modify an erect yet incorrigibly casual carriage.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading It was Ralph Devenish, however, and he was performing his duties with some punctilio.
incorrigiblyadverb
in an incorrigible manner
From this reading GUY FAWKES DAY A company officer was making his round of an outlying picket of Grenadiers; the black hour before a drizzling dawn effectually shrouded moist features and sodden whiskers, as bearskin and greatcoat served to modify an erect yet incorrigibly casual carriage.
invisibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈvɪzəbəl/
impossible or nearly impossible to see; imperceptible by the eye
From this reading The sentries stood their twenty paces apart, all but invisible to each other, sundered links waiting for the dawn to complete the chain.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was Ralph Devenish, however, and he was performing his duties with some punctilio.
linkverbUS /lɪŋk/
make a logical or causal connection
From this reading And at each link the officer halted and beat his foot.
linksnounUS /lɪŋks/
a golf course that is built on sandy ground near a shore
From this reading The sentries stood their twenty paces apart, all but invisible to each other, sundered links waiting for the dawn to complete the chain.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading GUY FAWKES DAY A company officer was making his round of an outlying picket of Grenadiers; the black hour before a drizzling dawn effectually shrouded moist features and sodden whiskers, as bearskin and greatcoat served to modify an erect yet incorrigibly casual carriage.
modifyverbUS /ˈmɑːdəfaɪ/
make less severe or harsh or extreme
From this reading GUY FAWKES DAY A company officer was making his round of an outlying picket of Grenadiers; the black hour before a drizzling dawn effectually shrouded moist features and sodden whiskers, as bearskin and greatcoat served to modify an erect yet incorrigibly casual carriage.
moistadjectiveUS /mɔɪst/
slightly wet
From this reading GUY FAWKES DAY A company officer was making his round of an outlying picket of Grenadiers; the black hour before a drizzling dawn effectually shrouded moist features and sodden whiskers, as bearskin and greatcoat served to modify an erect yet incorrigibly casual carriage.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading GUY FAWKES DAY A company officer was making his round of an outlying picket of Grenadiers; the black hour before a drizzling dawn effectually shrouded moist features and sodden whiskers, as bearskin and greatcoat served to modify an erect yet incorrigibly casual carriage.
any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading GUY FAWKES DAY A company officer was making his round of an outlying picket of Grenadiers; the black hour before a drizzling dawn effectually shrouded moist features and sodden whiskers, as bearskin and greatcoat served to modify an erect yet incorrigibly casual carriage.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading The sentries stood their twenty paces apart, all but invisible to each other, sundered links waiting for the dawn to complete the chain.
outlyingadjectiveUS /ˈaʊtlaɪɪŋ/
relatively far from a center or middle
From this reading GUY FAWKES DAY A company officer was making his round of an outlying picket of Grenadiers; the black hour before a drizzling dawn effectually shrouded moist features and sodden whiskers, as bearskin and greatcoat served to modify an erect yet incorrigibly casual carriage.
pacesnounUS /ˈpeɪsɪz/
plural of “pace” — the rate of moving (especially walking or running)
From this reading The sentries stood their twenty paces apart, all but invisible to each other, sundered links waiting for the dawn to complete the chain.
performingnounUS /pərˈfɔːrmɪŋ/
the performance of a part or role in a drama
From this reading It was Ralph Devenish, however, and he was performing his duties with some punctilio.
picketnounUS /ˈpɪkɪt/
a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
From this reading GUY FAWKES DAY A company officer was making his round of an outlying picket of Grenadiers; the black hour before a drizzling dawn effectually shrouded moist features and sodden whiskers, as bearskin and greatcoat served to modify an erect yet incorrigibly casual carriage.
punctilionoun
a fine point of etiquette or petty formality
From this reading It was Ralph Devenish, however, and he was performing his duties with some punctilio.
Ralph
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was Ralph Devenish, however, and he was performing his duties with some punctilio.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading GUY FAWKES DAY A company officer was making his round of an outlying picket of Grenadiers; the black hour before a drizzling dawn effectually shrouded moist features and sodden whiskers, as bearskin and greatcoat served to modify an erect yet incorrigibly casual carriage.
sentriesnounUS /ˈsentriz/
plural of “sentry” — a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
From this reading The sentries stood their twenty paces apart, all but invisible to each other, sundered links waiting for the dawn to complete the chain.
past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading GUY FAWKES DAY A company officer was making his round of an outlying picket of Grenadiers; the black hour before a drizzling dawn effectually shrouded moist features and sodden whiskers, as bearskin and greatcoat served to modify an erect yet incorrigibly casual carriage.
shroudedverbUS /ˈʃraʊdɪd/
past form of “shroud” — cover as if with a shroud
From this reading GUY FAWKES DAY A company officer was making his round of an outlying picket of Grenadiers; the black hour before a drizzling dawn effectually shrouded moist features and sodden whiskers, as bearskin and greatcoat served to modify an erect yet incorrigibly casual carriage.
soddenadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːdən/
wet through and through; thoroughly wet
From this reading GUY FAWKES DAY A company officer was making his round of an outlying picket of Grenadiers; the black hour before a drizzling dawn effectually shrouded moist features and sodden whiskers, as bearskin and greatcoat served to modify an erect yet incorrigibly casual carriage.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading It was Ralph Devenish, however, and he was performing his duties with some punctilio.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading The sentries stood their twenty paces apart, all but invisible to each other, sundered links waiting for the dawn to complete the chain.
sundered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sentries stood their twenty paces apart, all but invisible to each other, sundered links waiting for the dawn to complete the chain.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading GUY FAWKES DAY A company officer was making his round of an outlying picket of Grenadiers; the black hour before a drizzling dawn effectually shrouded moist features and sodden whiskers, as bearskin and greatcoat served to modify an erect yet incorrigibly casual carriage.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The sentries stood their twenty paces apart, all but invisible to each other, sundered links waiting for the dawn to complete the chain.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading GUY FAWKES DAY A company officer was making his round of an outlying picket of Grenadiers; the black hour before a drizzling dawn effectually shrouded moist features and sodden whiskers, as bearskin and greatcoat served to modify an erect yet incorrigibly casual carriage.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one
From this reading The sentries stood their twenty paces apart, all but invisible to each other, sundered links waiting for the dawn to complete the chain.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading The sentries stood their twenty paces apart, all but invisible to each other, sundered links waiting for the dawn to complete the chain.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading GUY FAWKES DAY A company officer was making his round of an outlying picket of Grenadiers; the black hour before a drizzling dawn effectually shrouded moist features and sodden whiskers, as bearskin and greatcoat served to modify an erect yet incorrigibly casual carriage.
(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 "All's well."
whiskersnounUS /ˈwɪskərz/
the hair growing on the lower part of a man's face
From this reading GUY FAWKES DAY A company officer was making his round of an outlying picket of Grenadiers; the black hour before a drizzling dawn effectually shrouded moist features and sodden whiskers, as bearskin and greatcoat served to modify an erect yet incorrigibly casual carriage.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was Ralph Devenish, however, and he was performing his duties with some punctilio.
but in spite of that
From this reading GUY FAWKES DAY A company officer was making his round of an outlying picket of Grenadiers; the black hour before a drizzling dawn effectually shrouded moist features and sodden whiskers, as bearskin and greatcoat served to modify an erect yet incorrigibly casual carriage.
