used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading When the ominous tearing sound was heard as a shell flew through the air, the men winced and cowered, and at the explosion they looked fearfully around, sometimes through a shower of earth, wondering to find themselves still alive.
AdamsnounUS /ˈædəmz/
American Revolutionary leader and patriot; an organizer of the Boston Tea Party and signer of the Declaration of Independence (1722-1803)
From this reading "You’ll get used to it by and by," said Captain Adams to the men of his company.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading When the ominous tearing sound was heard as a shell flew through the air, the men winced and cowered, and at the explosion they looked fearfully around, sometimes through a shower of earth, wondering to find themselves still alive.
aliveadjectiveUS /əˈlaɪv/
possessing life
From this reading When the ominous tearing sound was heard as a shell flew through the air, the men winced and cowered, and at the explosion they looked fearfully around, sometimes through a shower of earth, wondering to find themselves still alive.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They were not systematically bombarded: there was no indication of infantry attack; but at irregular intervals shells from field guns burst over or behind the trenches, doing very little damage, but making the men nervous and irritable.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading When the ominous tearing sound was heard as a shell flew through the air, the men winced and cowered, and at the explosion they looked fearfully around, sometimes through a shower of earth, wondering to find themselves still alive.
artillerynounUS /ɑːrˈtɪləri/
large but transportable armament
From this reading IN THE ENEMY’S LINES It was during their next spell in the trenches that the Rutlands had their first taste of artillery fire.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading When the ominous tearing sound was heard as a shell flew through the air, the men winced and cowered, and at the explosion they looked fearfully around, sometimes through a shower of earth, wondering to find themselves still alive.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading They were not systematically bombarded: there was no indication of infantry attack; but at irregular intervals shells from field guns burst over or behind the trenches, doing very little damage, but making the men nervous and irritable.
(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
From this reading They were not systematically bombarded: there was no indication of infantry attack; but at irregular intervals shells from field guns burst over or behind the trenches, doing very little damage, but making the men nervous and irritable.
barknounUS /bɑːrk/
tough protective covering of the woody stems and roots of trees and other woody plants
From this reading "The bark is worse than the bite at present.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading They were not systematically bombarded: there was no indication of infantry attack; but at irregular intervals shells from field guns burst over or behind the trenches, doing very little damage, but making the men nervous and irritable.
biteverbUS /baɪt/
to grip, cut off, or tear with or as if with the teeth or jaws
From this reading "The bark is worse than the bite at present.
bombardedverbUS /bɑːmˈbɑːrdɪd/
past form of “bombard” — cast, hurl, or throw repeatedly with some missile
From this reading They were not systematically bombarded: there was no indication of infantry attack; but at irregular intervals shells from field guns burst over or behind the trenches, doing very little damage, but making the men nervous and irritable.
come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure
From this reading They were not systematically bombarded: there was no indication of infantry attack; but at irregular intervals shells from field guns burst over or behind the trenches, doing very little damage, but making the men nervous and irritable.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading They were not systematically bombarded: there was no indication of infantry attack; but at irregular intervals shells from field guns burst over or behind the trenches, doing very little damage, but making the men nervous and irritable.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading "You’ll get used to it by and by," said Captain Adams to the men of his company.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading "You’ll get used to it by and by," said Captain Adams to the men of his company.
an institution created to conduct business
From this reading "You’ll get used to it by and by," said Captain Adams to the men of his company.
cowered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the ominous tearing sound was heard as a shell flew through the air, the men winced and cowered, and at the explosion they looked fearfully around, sometimes through a shower of earth, wondering to find themselves still alive.
damagenounUS /ˈdæmədʒ/
the occurrence of a change for the worse
From this reading They were not systematically bombarded: there was no indication of infantry attack; but at irregular intervals shells from field guns burst over or behind the trenches, doing very little damage, but making the men nervous and irritable.
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading They were not systematically bombarded: there was no indication of infantry attack; but at irregular intervals shells from field guns burst over or behind the trenches, doing very little damage, but making the men nervous and irritable.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading IN THE ENEMY’S LINES It was during their next spell in the trenches that the Rutlands had their first taste of artillery fire.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading When the ominous tearing sound was heard as a shell flew through the air, the men winced and cowered, and at the explosion they looked fearfully around, sometimes through a shower of earth, wondering to find themselves still alive.
ENEMY'SnounUS /ˈenəmiz/
possessive form of “enemy” — an opposing military force
From this reading IN THE ENEMY’S LINES It was during their next spell in the trenches that the Rutlands had their first taste of artillery fire.
explosionnounUS /ɪkˈsploʊʒən/
a violent release of energy caused by a chemical or nuclear reaction
From this reading When the ominous tearing sound was heard as a shell flew through the air, the men winced and cowered, and at the explosion they looked fearfully around, sometimes through a shower of earth, wondering to find themselves still alive.
fearfullyadverb
in fear
From this reading When the ominous tearing sound was heard as a shell flew through the air, the men winced and cowered, and at the explosion they looked fearfully around, sometimes through a shower of earth, wondering to find themselves still alive.
a piece of land cleared of trees and usually enclosed
From this reading They were not systematically bombarded: there was no indication of infantry attack; but at irregular intervals shells from field guns burst over or behind the trenches, doing very little damage, but making the men nervous and irritable.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading When the ominous tearing sound was heard as a shell flew through the air, the men winced and cowered, and at the explosion they looked fearfully around, sometimes through a shower of earth, wondering to find themselves still alive.
start firing a weapon
From this reading IN THE ENEMY’S LINES It was during their next spell in the trenches that the Rutlands had their first taste of artillery fire.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading IN THE ENEMY’S LINES It was during their next spell in the trenches that the Rutlands had their first taste of artillery fire.
inflected form of “fly” — travel through the air; be airborne
From this reading When the ominous tearing sound was heard as a shell flew through the air, the men winced and cowered, and at the explosion they looked fearfully around, sometimes through a shower of earth, wondering to find themselves still alive.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading They were not systematically bombarded: there was no indication of infantry attack; but at irregular intervals shells from field guns burst over or behind the trenches, doing very little damage, but making the men nervous and irritable.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading "You’ll get used to it by and by," said Captain Adams to the men of his company.
plural of “gun” — a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)
From this reading They were not systematically bombarded: there was no indication of infantry attack; but at irregular intervals shells from field guns burst over or behind the trenches, doing very little damage, but making the men nervous and irritable.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading IN THE ENEMY’S LINES It was during their next spell in the trenches that the Rutlands had their first taste of artillery fire.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading When the ominous tearing sound was heard as a shell flew through the air, the men winced and cowered, and at the explosion they looked fearfully around, sometimes through a shower of earth, wondering to find themselves still alive.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading "You’ll get used to it by and by," said Captain Adams to the men of his company.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN THE ENEMY’S LINES It was during their next spell in the trenches that the Rutlands had their first taste of artillery fire.
indicationnounUS /ˌɪndəˈkeɪʃən/
something that serves to indicate or suggest
From this reading They were not systematically bombarded: there was no indication of infantry attack; but at irregular intervals shells from field guns burst over or behind the trenches, doing very little damage, but making the men nervous and irritable.
infantrynounUS /ˈɪnfəntri/
an army unit consisting of soldiers who fight on foot
From this reading They were not systematically bombarded: there was no indication of infantry attack; but at irregular intervals shells from field guns burst over or behind the trenches, doing very little damage, but making the men nervous and irritable.
intervalsnounUS /ˈɪntərvəlz/
plural of “interval” — a definite length of time marked off by two instants
From this reading They were not systematically bombarded: there was no indication of infantry attack; but at irregular intervals shells from field guns burst over or behind the trenches, doing very little damage, but making the men nervous and irritable.
irregularadjectiveUS /ˌɪˈreɡjələr/
contrary to rule or accepted order or general practice
From this reading They were not systematically bombarded: there was no indication of infantry attack; but at irregular intervals shells from field guns burst over or behind the trenches, doing very little damage, but making the men nervous and irritable.
irritableadjectiveUS /ˈɪrətəbəl/
easily irritated or annoyed
From this reading They were not systematically bombarded: there was no indication of infantry attack; but at irregular intervals shells from field guns burst over or behind the trenches, doing very little damage, but making the men nervous and irritable.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "The bark is worse than the bite at present.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading IN THE ENEMY’S LINES It was during their next spell in the trenches that the Rutlands had their first taste of artillery fire.
plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading IN THE ENEMY’S LINES It was during their next spell in the trenches that the Rutlands had their first taste of artillery fire.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading They were not systematically bombarded: there was no indication of infantry attack; but at irregular intervals shells from field guns burst over or behind the trenches, doing very little damage, but making the men nervous and irritable.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading When the ominous tearing sound was heard as a shell flew through the air, the men winced and cowered, and at the explosion they looked fearfully around, sometimes through a shower of earth, wondering to find themselves still alive.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading They were not systematically bombarded: there was no indication of infantry attack; but at irregular intervals shells from field guns burst over or behind the trenches, doing very little damage, but making the men nervous and irritable.
the force of workers available
From this reading They were not systematically bombarded: there was no indication of infantry attack; but at irregular intervals shells from field guns burst over or behind the trenches, doing very little damage, but making the men nervous and irritable.
easily agitated
From this reading They were not systematically bombarded: there was no indication of infantry attack; but at irregular intervals shells from field guns burst over or behind the trenches, doing very little damage, but making the men nervous and irritable.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading IN THE ENEMY’S LINES It was during their next spell in the trenches that the Rutlands had their first taste of artillery fire.
not any; not one
From this reading They were not systematically bombarded: there was no indication of infantry attack; but at irregular intervals shells from field guns burst over or behind the trenches, doing very little damage, but making the men nervous and irritable.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading They were not systematically bombarded: there was no indication of infantry attack; but at irregular intervals shells from field guns burst over or behind the trenches, doing very little damage, but making the men nervous and irritable.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading IN THE ENEMY’S LINES It was during their next spell in the trenches that the Rutlands had their first taste of artillery fire.
ominousadjectiveUS /ˈɑːmənəs/
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
From this reading When the ominous tearing sound was heard as a shell flew through the air, the men winced and cowered, and at the explosion they looked fearfully around, sometimes through a shower of earth, wondering to find themselves still alive.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading They were not systematically bombarded: there was no indication of infantry attack; but at irregular intervals shells from field guns burst over or behind the trenches, doing very little damage, but making the men nervous and irritable.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading They were not systematically bombarded: there was no indication of infantry attack; but at irregular intervals shells from field guns burst over or behind the trenches, doing very little damage, but making the men nervous and irritable.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading "The bark is worse than the bite at present.
Rutlands
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN THE ENEMY’S LINES It was during their next spell in the trenches that the Rutlands had their first taste of artillery fire.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "You’ll get used to it by and by," said Captain Adams to the men of his company.
shellnounUS /ʃel/
ammunition consisting of a cylindrical metal casing containing an explosive charge and a projectile; fired from a large gun
From this reading When the ominous tearing sound was heard as a shell flew through the air, the men winced and cowered, and at the explosion they looked fearfully around, sometimes through a shower of earth, wondering to find themselves still alive.
shellsnounUS /ʃelz/
plural of “shell” — ammunition consisting of a cylindrical metal casing containing an explosive charge and a projectile; fired from a large gun
From this reading They were not systematically bombarded: there was no indication of infantry attack; but at irregular intervals shells from field guns burst over or behind the trenches, doing very little damage, but making the men nervous and irritable.
showernounUS /ˈʃaʊər/
a plumbing fixture that sprays water over you
From this reading When the ominous tearing sound was heard as a shell flew through the air, the men winced and cowered, and at the explosion they looked fearfully around, sometimes through a shower of earth, wondering to find themselves still alive.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading When the ominous tearing sound was heard as a shell flew through the air, the men winced and cowered, and at the explosion they looked fearfully around, sometimes through a shower of earth, wondering to find themselves still alive.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading When the ominous tearing sound was heard as a shell flew through the air, the men winced and cowered, and at the explosion they looked fearfully around, sometimes through a shower of earth, wondering to find themselves still alive.
orally recite the letters of or give the spelling of
From this reading IN THE ENEMY’S LINES It was during their next spell in the trenches that the Rutlands had their first taste of artillery fire.
not in physical motion
From this reading When the ominous tearing sound was heard as a shell flew through the air, the men winced and cowered, and at the explosion they looked fearfully around, sometimes through a shower of earth, wondering to find themselves still alive.
systematicallyadverbUS /ˌsɪstəˈmætɪkli/
in a systematic or consistent manner
From this reading They were not systematically bombarded: there was no indication of infantry attack; but at irregular intervals shells from field guns burst over or behind the trenches, doing very little damage, but making the men nervous and irritable.
To perceive flavor through the mouth.
From this reading IN THE ENEMY’S LINES It was during their next spell in the trenches that the Rutlands had their first taste of artillery fire.
tearingnounUS /ˈterɪŋ/
shedding tears
From this reading When the ominous tearing sound was heard as a shell flew through the air, the men winced and cowered, and at the explosion they looked fearfully around, sometimes through a shower of earth, wondering to find themselves still alive.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading "The bark is worse than the bite at present.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading IN THE ENEMY’S LINES It was during their next spell in the trenches that the Rutlands had their first taste of artillery fire.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IN THE ENEMY’S LINES It was during their next spell in the trenches that the Rutlands had their first taste of artillery fire.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading IN THE ENEMY’S LINES It was during their next spell in the trenches that the Rutlands had their first taste of artillery fire.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading When the ominous tearing sound was heard as a shell flew through the air, the men winced and cowered, and at the explosion they looked fearfully around, sometimes through a shower of earth, wondering to find themselves still alive.
in or at that place or location
From this reading They were not systematically bombarded: there was no indication of infantry attack; but at irregular intervals shells from field guns burst over or behind the trenches, doing very little damage, but making the men nervous and irritable.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were not systematically bombarded: there was no indication of infantry attack; but at irregular intervals shells from field guns burst over or behind the trenches, doing very little damage, but making the men nervous and irritable.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading When the ominous tearing sound was heard as a shell flew through the air, the men winced and cowered, and at the explosion they looked fearfully around, sometimes through a shower of earth, wondering to find themselves still alive.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When the ominous tearing sound was heard as a shell flew through the air, the men winced and cowered, and at the explosion they looked fearfully around, sometimes through a shower of earth, wondering to find themselves still alive.
trenchesnounUS /ˈtrentʃɪz/
plural of “trench” — a ditch dug as a fortification having a parapet of the excavated earth
From this reading IN THE ENEMY’S LINES It was during their next spell in the trenches that the Rutlands had their first taste of artillery fire.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading "You’ll get used to it by and by," said Captain Adams to the men of his company.
precisely as stated
From this reading They were not systematically bombarded: there was no indication of infantry attack; but at irregular intervals shells from field guns burst over or behind the trenches, doing very little damage, but making the men nervous and irritable.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading IN THE ENEMY’S LINES It was during their next spell in the trenches that the Rutlands had their first taste of artillery fire.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They were not systematically bombarded: there was no indication of infantry attack; but at irregular intervals shells from field guns burst over or behind the trenches, doing very little damage, but making the men nervous and irritable.
at the time that
From this reading When the ominous tearing sound was heard as a shell flew through the air, the men winced and cowered, and at the explosion they looked fearfully around, sometimes through a shower of earth, wondering to find themselves still alive.
wincedverbUS /wɪnst/
past form of “wince” — draw back, as with fear or pain
From this reading When the ominous tearing sound was heard as a shell flew through the air, the men winced and cowered, and at the explosion they looked fearfully around, sometimes through a shower of earth, wondering to find themselves still alive.
showing curiosity
From this reading When the ominous tearing sound was heard as a shell flew through the air, the men winced and cowered, and at the explosion they looked fearfully around, sometimes through a shower of earth, wondering to find themselves still alive.
(comparative of “bad”) inferior to another in quality or condition or desirability
From this reading "The bark is worse than the bite at present.
You'll
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "You’ll get used to it by and by," said Captain Adams to the men of his company.
