used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading There was a sudden agitation at the northern shoulder of the redoubt.
in actual fact
From this reading Just then Denis saw a handful of his comrades, not actually in the path of the Russian avalanche, forming for a flank attack upon the intruders; in an instant he was one of them, and in another they had leaped upon the enemy with ball, butt, and bayonet.
agitationnounUS /ˌædʒəˈteɪʃən/
a mental state of extreme emotional disturbance
From this reading There was a sudden agitation at the northern shoulder of the redoubt.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Shouts and shots rose in an instant to the continuous din of desperate combat, as the strokes on a gong ring into one.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Shouts and shots rose in an instant to the continuous din of desperate combat, as the strokes on a gong ring into one.
anglenounUS /ˈæŋɡəl/
the space between two lines or planes that intersect; the inclination of one line to another; measured in degrees or radians
From this reading A sulphurous cloud brooded over the struggling throng, worked its way down the inner wall of the battery, and clung to the angle of the first embrasure; inch by inch the bearskins were overborne, and between them pressed the cross-belts and the infuriate sallow faces in the peaked caps.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Just then Denis saw a handful of his comrades, not actually in the path of the Russian avalanche, forming for a flank attack upon the intruders; in an instant he was one of them, and in another they had leaped upon the enemy with ball, butt, and bayonet.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Shouts and shots rose in an instant to the continuous din of desperate combat, as the strokes on a gong ring into one.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading There was a sudden agitation at the northern shoulder of the redoubt.
(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
From this reading Just then Denis saw a handful of his comrades, not actually in the path of the Russian avalanche, forming for a flank attack upon the intruders; in an instant he was one of them, and in another they had leaped upon the enemy with ball, butt, and bayonet.
avalanchenounUS /ˈævəlæntʃ/
a slide of large masses of snow and ice and mud down a mountain
From this reading Just then Denis saw a handful of his comrades, not actually in the path of the Russian avalanche, forming for a flank attack upon the intruders; in an instant he was one of them, and in another they had leaped upon the enemy with ball, butt, and bayonet.
round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games
From this reading Just then Denis saw a handful of his comrades, not actually in the path of the Russian avalanche, forming for a flank attack upon the intruders; in an instant he was one of them, and in another they had leaped upon the enemy with ball, butt, and bayonet.
BATTERYnounUS /ˈbætəri/
group of guns or missile launchers operated together at one place
From this reading THE SANDBAG BATTERY Denis had not long to wait.
bayonetnounUS /ˈbeɪənet/
a knife that can be fixed to the end of a rifle and used as a weapon
From this reading Just then Denis saw a handful of his comrades, not actually in the path of the Russian avalanche, forming for a flank attack upon the intruders; in an instant he was one of them, and in another they had leaped upon the enemy with ball, butt, and bayonet.
bearskins
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A sulphurous cloud brooded over the struggling throng, worked its way down the inner wall of the battery, and clung to the angle of the first embrasure; inch by inch the bearskins were overborne, and between them pressed the cross-belts and the infuriate sallow faces in the peaked caps.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading A sulphurous cloud brooded over the struggling throng, worked its way down the inner wall of the battery, and clung to the angle of the first embrasure; inch by inch the bearskins were overborne, and between them pressed the cross-belts and the infuriate sallow faces in the peaked caps.
broodedverbUS /ˈbruːdɪd/
past form of “brood” — think moodily or anxiously about something
From this reading A sulphurous cloud brooded over the struggling throng, worked its way down the inner wall of the battery, and clung to the angle of the first embrasure; inch by inch the bearskins were overborne, and between them pressed the cross-belts and the infuriate sallow faces in the peaked caps.
buttverbUS /bʌt/
lie adjacent to another or share a boundary
From this reading Just then Denis saw a handful of his comrades, not actually in the path of the Russian avalanche, forming for a flank attack upon the intruders; in an instant he was one of them, and in another they had leaped upon the enemy with ball, butt, and bayonet.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A sulphurous cloud brooded over the struggling throng, worked its way down the inner wall of the battery, and clung to the angle of the first embrasure; inch by inch the bearskins were overborne, and between them pressed the cross-belts and the infuriate sallow faces in the peaked caps.
capsnounUS /kæps/
plural of “cap” — a tight-fitting headdress
From this reading A sulphurous cloud brooded over the struggling throng, worked its way down the inner wall of the battery, and clung to the angle of the first embrasure; inch by inch the bearskins were overborne, and between them pressed the cross-belts and the infuriate sallow faces in the peaked caps.
make overcast or cloudy
From this reading A sulphurous cloud brooded over the struggling throng, worked its way down the inner wall of the battery, and clung to the angle of the first embrasure; inch by inch the bearskins were overborne, and between them pressed the cross-belts and the infuriate sallow faces in the peaked caps.
clungverbUS /klʌŋ/
inflected form of “cling” — come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation
From this reading A sulphurous cloud brooded over the struggling throng, worked its way down the inner wall of the battery, and clung to the angle of the first embrasure; inch by inch the bearskins were overborne, and between them pressed the cross-belts and the infuriate sallow faces in the peaked caps.
combatnounUS /ˈkɑːmbæt/
an engagement fought between two military forces
From this reading Shouts and shots rose in an instant to the continuous din of desperate combat, as the strokes on a gong ring into one.
plural of “comrade” — a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading Just then Denis saw a handful of his comrades, not actually in the path of the Russian avalanche, forming for a flank attack upon the intruders; in an instant he was one of them, and in another they had leaped upon the enemy with ball, butt, and bayonet.
continuousadjectiveUS /kənˈtɪnjuːəs/
continuing in time or space without interruption
From this reading Shouts and shots rose in an instant to the continuous din of desperate combat, as the strokes on a gong ring into one.
cross-belts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A sulphurous cloud brooded over the struggling throng, worked its way down the inner wall of the battery, and clung to the angle of the first embrasure; inch by inch the bearskins were overborne, and between them pressed the cross-belts and the infuriate sallow faces in the peaked caps.
Denis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE SANDBAG BATTERY Denis had not long to wait.
arising from or marked by despair or loss of hope
From this reading Shouts and shots rose in an instant to the continuous din of desperate combat, as the strokes on a gong ring into one.
dinnounUS /dɪn/
a loud harsh or strident noise
From this reading Shouts and shots rose in an instant to the continuous din of desperate combat, as the strokes on a gong ring into one.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading A sulphurous cloud brooded over the struggling throng, worked its way down the inner wall of the battery, and clung to the angle of the first embrasure; inch by inch the bearskins were overborne, and between them pressed the cross-belts and the infuriate sallow faces in the peaked caps.
embrasurenoun
an opening (in a wall or ship or armored vehicle) for firing through
From this reading A sulphurous cloud brooded over the struggling throng, worked its way down the inner wall of the battery, and clung to the angle of the first embrasure; inch by inch the bearskins were overborne, and between them pressed the cross-belts and the infuriate sallow faces in the peaked caps.
an opposing military force
From this reading Just then Denis saw a handful of his comrades, not actually in the path of the Russian avalanche, forming for a flank attack upon the intruders; in an instant he was one of them, and in another they had leaped upon the enemy with ball, butt, and bayonet.
plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading A sulphurous cloud brooded over the struggling throng, worked its way down the inner wall of the battery, and clung to the angle of the first embrasure; inch by inch the bearskins were overborne, and between them pressed the cross-belts and the infuriate sallow faces in the peaked caps.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading A sulphurous cloud brooded over the struggling throng, worked its way down the inner wall of the battery, and clung to the angle of the first embrasure; inch by inch the bearskins were overborne, and between them pressed the cross-belts and the infuriate sallow faces in the peaked caps.
flanknounUS /flæŋk/
the side of military or naval formation
From this reading Just then Denis saw a handful of his comrades, not actually in the path of the Russian avalanche, forming for a flank attack upon the intruders; in an instant he was one of them, and in another they had leaped upon the enemy with ball, butt, and bayonet.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Just then Denis saw a handful of his comrades, not actually in the path of the Russian avalanche, forming for a flank attack upon the intruders; in an instant he was one of them, and in another they had leaped upon the enemy with ball, butt, and bayonet.
formingverbUS /ˈfɔːrmɪŋ/
-ing form of “form” — create (as an entity)
From this reading Just then Denis saw a handful of his comrades, not actually in the path of the Russian avalanche, forming for a flank attack upon the intruders; in an instant he was one of them, and in another they had leaped upon the enemy with ball, butt, and bayonet.
gongnounUS /ɡɔːŋ/
a percussion instrument consisting of a metal plate that is struck with a softheaded drumstick
From this reading Shouts and shots rose in an instant to the continuous din of desperate combat, as the strokes on a gong ring into one.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE SANDBAG BATTERY Denis had not long to wait.
handfulnounUS /ˈhændfʊl/
a small number or amount
From this reading Just then Denis saw a handful of his comrades, not actually in the path of the Russian avalanche, forming for a flank attack upon the intruders; in an instant he was one of them, and in another they had leaped upon the enemy with ball, butt, and bayonet.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Just then Denis saw a handful of his comrades, not actually in the path of the Russian avalanche, forming for a flank attack upon the intruders; in an instant he was one of them, and in another they had leaped upon the enemy with ball, butt, and bayonet.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Just then Denis saw a handful of his comrades, not actually in the path of the Russian avalanche, forming for a flank attack upon the intruders; in an instant he was one of them, and in another they had leaped upon the enemy with ball, butt, and bayonet.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Shouts and shots rose in an instant to the continuous din of desperate combat, as the strokes on a gong ring into one.
a unit of length equal to one twelfth of a foot
From this reading A sulphurous cloud brooded over the struggling throng, worked its way down the inner wall of the battery, and clung to the angle of the first embrasure; inch by inch the bearskins were overborne, and between them pressed the cross-belts and the infuriate sallow faces in the peaked caps.
infuriateverbUS /ˌɪnˈfjʊrieɪt/
make furious
From this reading A sulphurous cloud brooded over the struggling throng, worked its way down the inner wall of the battery, and clung to the angle of the first embrasure; inch by inch the bearskins were overborne, and between them pressed the cross-belts and the infuriate sallow faces in the peaked caps.
located inward
From this reading A sulphurous cloud brooded over the struggling throng, worked its way down the inner wall of the battery, and clung to the angle of the first embrasure; inch by inch the bearskins were overborne, and between them pressed the cross-belts and the infuriate sallow faces in the peaked caps.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading Shouts and shots rose in an instant to the continuous din of desperate combat, as the strokes on a gong ring into one.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Shouts and shots rose in an instant to the continuous din of desperate combat, as the strokes on a gong ring into one.
intrudersnounUS /ˌɪnˈtruːdərz/
plural of “intruder” — someone who intrudes on the privacy or property of another without permission
From this reading Just then Denis saw a handful of his comrades, not actually in the path of the Russian avalanche, forming for a flank attack upon the intruders; in an instant he was one of them, and in another they had leaped upon the enemy with ball, butt, and bayonet.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading A sulphurous cloud brooded over the struggling throng, worked its way down the inner wall of the battery, and clung to the angle of the first embrasure; inch by inch the bearskins were overborne, and between them pressed the cross-belts and the infuriate sallow faces in the peaked caps.
and nothing more
From this reading Just then Denis saw a handful of his comrades, not actually in the path of the Russian avalanche, forming for a flank attack upon the intruders; in an instant he was one of them, and in another they had leaped upon the enemy with ball, butt, and bayonet.
past form of “leap” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading Just then Denis saw a handful of his comrades, not actually in the path of the Russian avalanche, forming for a flank attack upon the intruders; in an instant he was one of them, and in another they had leaped upon the enemy with ball, butt, and bayonet.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading THE SANDBAG BATTERY Denis had not long to wait.
in or characteristic of a region of the United States north of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading There was a sudden agitation at the northern shoulder of the redoubt.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading THE SANDBAG BATTERY Denis had not long to wait.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There was a sudden agitation at the northern shoulder of the redoubt.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Shouts and shots rose in an instant to the continuous din of desperate combat, as the strokes on a gong ring into one.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Shouts and shots rose in an instant to the continuous din of desperate combat, as the strokes on a gong ring into one.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading A sulphurous cloud brooded over the struggling throng, worked its way down the inner wall of the battery, and clung to the angle of the first embrasure; inch by inch the bearskins were overborne, and between them pressed the cross-belts and the infuriate sallow faces in the peaked caps.
overborne
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A sulphurous cloud brooded over the struggling throng, worked its way down the inner wall of the battery, and clung to the angle of the first embrasure; inch by inch the bearskins were overborne, and between them pressed the cross-belts and the infuriate sallow faces in the peaked caps.
a course of conduct
From this reading Just then Denis saw a handful of his comrades, not actually in the path of the Russian avalanche, forming for a flank attack upon the intruders; in an instant he was one of them, and in another they had leaped upon the enemy with ball, butt, and bayonet.
peakedadjectiveUS /piːkt/
somewhat ill or prone to illness
From this reading A sulphurous cloud brooded over the struggling throng, worked its way down the inner wall of the battery, and clung to the angle of the first embrasure; inch by inch the bearskins were overborne, and between them pressed the cross-belts and the infuriate sallow faces in the peaked caps.
compacted by ironing
From this reading A sulphurous cloud brooded over the struggling throng, worked its way down the inner wall of the battery, and clung to the angle of the first embrasure; inch by inch the bearskins were overborne, and between them pressed the cross-belts and the infuriate sallow faces in the peaked caps.
redoubtnounUS /riˈdaʊt/
(military) a temporary or supplementary fortification; typically square or polygonal without flanking defenses
From this reading There was a sudden agitation at the northern shoulder of the redoubt.
sound loudly and sonorously
From this reading Shouts and shots rose in an instant to the continuous din of desperate combat, as the strokes on a gong ring into one.
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading Shouts and shots rose in an instant to the continuous din of desperate combat, as the strokes on a gong ring into one.
RussiannounUS /ˈrʌʃən/
a native or inhabitant of Russia
From this reading Just then Denis saw a handful of his comrades, not actually in the path of the Russian avalanche, forming for a flank attack upon the intruders; in an instant he was one of them, and in another they had leaped upon the enemy with ball, butt, and bayonet.
sallowadjective
unhealthy looking
From this reading A sulphurous cloud brooded over the struggling throng, worked its way down the inner wall of the battery, and clung to the angle of the first embrasure; inch by inch the bearskins were overborne, and between them pressed the cross-belts and the infuriate sallow faces in the peaked caps.
SANDBAGverbUS /ˈsændbæɡ/
treat harshly or unfairly
From this reading THE SANDBAG BATTERY Denis had not long to wait.
cut with a saw
From this reading Just then Denis saw a handful of his comrades, not actually in the path of the Russian avalanche, forming for a flank attack upon the intruders; in an instant he was one of them, and in another they had leaped upon the enemy with ball, butt, and bayonet.
shotsnounUS /ʃɑːts/
plural of “shot” — the act of firing a projectile
From this reading Shouts and shots rose in an instant to the continuous din of desperate combat, as the strokes on a gong ring into one.
lift onto one's shoulders
From this reading There was a sudden agitation at the northern shoulder of the redoubt.
ShoutsnounUS /ʃaʊts/
plural of “shout” — a loud utterance; often in protest or opposition
From this reading Shouts and shots rose in an instant to the continuous din of desperate combat, as the strokes on a gong ring into one.
strokesnounUS /stroʊks/
plural of “stroke” — (sports) the act of swinging or striking at a ball with a club or racket or bat or cue or hand
From this reading Shouts and shots rose in an instant to the continuous din of desperate combat, as the strokes on a gong ring into one.
engaged in a struggle to overcome especially poverty or obscurity
From this reading A sulphurous cloud brooded over the struggling throng, worked its way down the inner wall of the battery, and clung to the angle of the first embrasure; inch by inch the bearskins were overborne, and between them pressed the cross-belts and the infuriate sallow faces in the peaked caps.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading There was a sudden agitation at the northern shoulder of the redoubt.
sulphurousadjective
of or related to or containing sulfur or derived from sulfur
From this reading A sulphurous cloud brooded over the struggling throng, worked its way down the inner wall of the battery, and clung to the angle of the first embrasure; inch by inch the bearskins were overborne, and between them pressed the cross-belts and the infuriate sallow faces in the peaked caps.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE SANDBAG BATTERY Denis had not long to wait.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading A sulphurous cloud brooded over the struggling throng, worked its way down the inner wall of the battery, and clung to the angle of the first embrasure; inch by inch the bearskins were overborne, and between them pressed the cross-belts and the infuriate sallow faces in the peaked caps.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Just then Denis saw a handful of his comrades, not actually in the path of the Russian avalanche, forming for a flank attack upon the intruders; in an instant he was one of them, and in another they had leaped upon the enemy with ball, butt, and bayonet.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was a sudden agitation at the northern shoulder of the redoubt.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Just then Denis saw a handful of his comrades, not actually in the path of the Russian avalanche, forming for a flank attack upon the intruders; in an instant he was one of them, and in another they had leaped upon the enemy with ball, butt, and bayonet.
throngnounUS /θrɔːŋ/
a large gathering of people
From this reading A sulphurous cloud brooded over the struggling throng, worked its way down the inner wall of the battery, and clung to the angle of the first embrasure; inch by inch the bearskins were overborne, and between them pressed the cross-belts and the infuriate sallow faces in the peaked caps.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE SANDBAG BATTERY Denis had not long to wait.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Just then Denis saw a handful of his comrades, not actually in the path of the Russian avalanche, forming for a flank attack upon the intruders; in an instant he was one of them, and in another they had leaped upon the enemy with ball, butt, and bayonet.
stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading THE SANDBAG BATTERY Denis had not long to wait.
an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading A sulphurous cloud brooded over the struggling throng, worked its way down the inner wall of the battery, and clung to the angle of the first embrasure; inch by inch the bearskins were overborne, and between them pressed the cross-belts and the infuriate sallow faces in the peaked caps.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was a sudden agitation at the northern shoulder of the redoubt.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading A sulphurous cloud brooded over the struggling throng, worked its way down the inner wall of the battery, and clung to the angle of the first embrasure; inch by inch the bearskins were overborne, and between them pressed the cross-belts and the infuriate sallow faces in the peaked caps.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A sulphurous cloud brooded over the struggling throng, worked its way down the inner wall of the battery, and clung to the angle of the first embrasure; inch by inch the bearskins were overborne, and between them pressed the cross-belts and the infuriate sallow faces in the peaked caps.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Just then Denis saw a handful of his comrades, not actually in the path of the Russian avalanche, forming for a flank attack upon the intruders; in an instant he was one of them, and in another they had leaped upon the enemy with ball, butt, and bayonet.
past form of “work” — exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading A sulphurous cloud brooded over the struggling throng, worked its way down the inner wall of the battery, and clung to the angle of the first embrasure; inch by inch the bearskins were overborne, and between them pressed the cross-belts and the infuriate sallow faces in the peaked caps.
