Chapter VIII

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

From this reading They had come only about a fourth of the distance they expected to cover, and it was the easiest portion, for after all there was much less chance of meeting enemies in the quiet communication trenches than behind the lines, where movement was unconstrained, and a German might lurk behind every tree.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading They had come only about a fourth of the distance they expected to cover, and it was the easiest portion, for after all there was much less chance of meeting enemies in the quiet communication trenches than behind the lines, where movement was unconstrained, and a German might lurk behind every tree.

later than; following

From this reading They had come only about a fourth of the distance they expected to cover, and it was the easiest portion, for after all there was much less chance of meeting enemies in the quiet communication trenches than behind the lines, where movement was unconstrained, and a German might lurk behind every tree.

(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 They had come only about a fourth of the distance they expected to cover, and it was the easiest portion, for after all there was much less chance of meeting enemies in the quiet communication trenches than behind the lines, where movement was unconstrained, and a German might lurk behind every tree.

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

From this reading SKY HIGH Harry’s feeling of emptiness simply meant that he was only now beginning to realise the difficulty of the task undertaken so lightheartedly by himself and his friend.

the event consisting of the start of something

From this reading SKY HIGH Harry’s feeling of emptiness simply meant that he was only now beginning to realise the difficulty of the task undertaken so lightheartedly by himself and his friend.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading They had come only about a fourth of the distance they expected to cover, and it was the easiest portion, for after all there was much less chance of meeting enemies in the quiet communication trenches than behind the lines, where movement was unconstrained, and a German might lurk behind every tree.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Similar sounds, but fainter, came from the right.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading SKY HIGH Harry’s feeling of emptiness simply meant that he was only now beginning to realise the difficulty of the task undertaken so lightheartedly by himself and his friend.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Similar sounds, but fainter, came from the right.

plural of “car” — a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine

From this reading Somewhere to the left they heard the rumble of carts, the clatter of motor cars, the voices of men.

plural of “cart” — a heavy open wagon usually having two wheels and drawn by an animal

From this reading Somewhere to the left they heard the rumble of carts, the clatter of motor cars, the voices of men.

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading They had come only about a fourth of the distance they expected to cover, and it was the easiest portion, for after all there was much less chance of meeting enemies in the quiet communication trenches than behind the lines, where movement was unconstrained, and a German might lurk behind every tree.

a rattling noise (often produced by rapid movement)

From this reading Somewhere to the left they heard the rumble of carts, the clatter of motor cars, the voices of men.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading They had come only about a fourth of the distance they expected to cover, and it was the easiest portion, for after all there was much less chance of meeting enemies in the quiet communication trenches than behind the lines, where movement was unconstrained, and a German might lurk behind every tree.

the activity of communicating; the activity of conveying information

From this reading They had come only about a fourth of the distance they expected to cover, and it was the easiest portion, for after all there was much less chance of meeting enemies in the quiet communication trenches than behind the lines, where movement was unconstrained, and a German might lurk behind every tree.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading They lay for a few minutes, peering into the darkness, listening, thinking out their course.

provide with a covering or cause to be covered

From this reading They had come only about a fourth of the distance they expected to cover, and it was the easiest portion, for after all there was much less chance of meeting enemies in the quiet communication trenches than behind the lines, where movement was unconstrained, and a German might lurk behind every tree.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading They lay for a few minutes, peering into the darkness, listening, thinking out their course.

an effort that is inconvenient

From this reading SKY HIGH Harry’s feeling of emptiness simply meant that he was only now beginning to realise the difficulty of the task undertaken so lightheartedly by himself and his friend.

the property created by the space between two objects or points

From this reading They had come only about a fourth of the distance they expected to cover, and it was the easiest portion, for after all there was much less chance of meeting enemies in the quiet communication trenches than behind the lines, where movement was unconstrained, and a German might lurk behind every tree.

superlative of “easy” — posing no difficulty; requiring little effort

From this reading They had come only about a fourth of the distance they expected to cover, and it was the easiest portion, for after all there was much less chance of meeting enemies in the quiet communication trenches than behind the lines, where movement was unconstrained, and a German might lurk behind every tree.

the state of containing nothing

From this reading SKY HIGH Harry’s feeling of emptiness simply meant that he was only now beginning to realise the difficulty of the task undertaken so lightheartedly by himself and his friend.

plural of “enemy” — an opposing military force

From this reading They had come only about a fourth of the distance they expected to cover, and it was the easiest portion, for after all there was much less chance of meeting enemies in the quiet communication trenches than behind the lines, where movement was unconstrained, and a German might lurk behind every tree.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading They had come only about a fourth of the distance they expected to cover, and it was the easiest portion, for after all there was much less chance of meeting enemies in the quiet communication trenches than behind the lines, where movement was unconstrained, and a German might lurk behind every tree.

considered likely or probable to happen or arrive

From this reading They had come only about a fourth of the distance they expected to cover, and it was the easiest portion, for after all there was much less chance of meeting enemies in the quiet communication trenches than behind the lines, where movement was unconstrained, and a German might lurk behind every tree.

comparative of “faint” — deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc

From this reading Similar sounds, but fainter, came from the right.

the experiencing of affective and emotional states

From this reading SKY HIGH Harry’s feeling of emptiness simply meant that he was only now beginning to realise the difficulty of the task undertaken so lightheartedly by himself and his friend.

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

From this reading They lay for a few minutes, peering into the darkness, listening, thinking out their course.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading They had come only about a fourth of the distance they expected to cover, and it was the easiest portion, for after all there was much less chance of meeting enemies in the quiet communication trenches than behind the lines, where movement was unconstrained, and a German might lurk behind every tree.

following the third position; number four in a countable series

From this reading They had come only about a fourth of the distance they expected to cover, and it was the easiest portion, for after all there was much less chance of meeting enemies in the quiet communication trenches than behind the lines, where movement was unconstrained, and a German might lurk behind every tree.

a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading SKY HIGH Harry’s feeling of emptiness simply meant that he was only now beginning to realise the difficulty of the task undertaken so lightheartedly by himself and his friend.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Similar sounds, but fainter, came from the right.

a person of German nationality

From this reading They had come only about a fourth of the distance they expected to cover, and it was the easiest portion, for after all there was much less chance of meeting enemies in the quiet communication trenches than behind the lines, where movement was unconstrained, and a German might lurk behind every tree.

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

From this reading They had come only about a fourth of the distance they expected to cover, and it was the easiest portion, for after all there was much less chance of meeting enemies in the quiet communication trenches than behind the lines, where movement was unconstrained, and a German might lurk behind every tree.

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

From this reading SKY HIGH Harry’s feeling of emptiness simply meant that he was only now beginning to realise the difficulty of the task undertaken so lightheartedly by himself and his friend.

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

From this reading SKY HIGH Harry’s feeling of emptiness simply meant that he was only now beginning to realise the difficulty of the task undertaken so lightheartedly by himself and his friend.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading Somewhere to the left they heard the rumble of carts, the clatter of motor cars, the voices of men.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading SKY HIGH Harry’s feeling of emptiness simply meant that he was only now beginning to realise the difficulty of the task undertaken so lightheartedly by himself and his friend.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading SKY HIGH Harry’s feeling of emptiness simply meant that he was only now beginning to realise the difficulty of the task undertaken so lightheartedly by himself and his friend.

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

From this reading SKY HIGH Harry’s feeling of emptiness simply meant that he was only now beginning to realise the difficulty of the task undertaken so lightheartedly by himself and his friend.

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

From this reading They had come only about a fourth of the distance they expected to cover, and it was the easiest portion, for after all there was much less chance of meeting enemies in the quiet communication trenches than behind the lines, where movement was unconstrained, and a German might lurk behind every tree.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading They lay for a few minutes, peering into the darkness, listening, thinking out their course.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading They had come only about a fourth of the distance they expected to cover, and it was the easiest portion, for after all there was much less chance of meeting enemies in the quiet communication trenches than behind the lines, where movement was unconstrained, and a German might lurk behind every tree.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading They lay for a few minutes, peering into the darkness, listening, thinking out their course.

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading Somewhere to the left they heard the rumble of carts, the clatter of motor cars, the voices of men.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading They had come only about a fourth of the distance they expected to cover, and it was the easiest portion, for after all there was much less chance of meeting enemies in the quiet communication trenches than behind the lines, where movement was unconstrained, and a German might lurk behind every tree.

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

From this reading SKY HIGH Harry’s feeling of emptiness simply meant that he was only now beginning to realise the difficulty of the task undertaken so lightheartedly by himself and his friend.

plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading They had come only about a fourth of the distance they expected to cover, and it was the easiest portion, for after all there was much less chance of meeting enemies in the quiet communication trenches than behind the lines, where movement was unconstrained, and a German might lurk behind every tree.

the act of hearing attentively

From this reading They lay for a few minutes, peering into the darkness, listening, thinking out their course.

lie in wait, lie in ambush, behave in a sneaky and secretive manner

From this reading They had come only about a fourth of the distance they expected to cover, and it was the easiest portion, for after all there was much less chance of meeting enemies in the quiet communication trenches than behind the lines, where movement was unconstrained, and a German might lurk behind every tree.

inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey

From this reading SKY HIGH Harry’s feeling of emptiness simply meant that he was only now beginning to realise the difficulty of the task undertaken so lightheartedly by himself and his friend.

a formally arranged gathering

From this reading They had come only about a fourth of the distance they expected to cover, and it was the easiest portion, for after all there was much less chance of meeting enemies in the quiet communication trenches than behind the lines, where movement was unconstrained, and a German might lurk behind every tree.

the force of workers available

From this reading Somewhere to the left they heard the rumble of carts, the clatter of motor cars, the voices of men.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading They had come only about a fourth of the distance they expected to cover, and it was the easiest portion, for after all there was much less chance of meeting enemies in the quiet communication trenches than behind the lines, where movement was unconstrained, and a German might lurk behind every tree.

a written account of what transpired at a meeting

From this reading They lay for a few minutes, peering into the darkness, listening, thinking out their course.

machine that converts other forms of energy into mechanical energy and so imparts motion

From this reading Somewhere to the left they heard the rumble of carts, the clatter of motor cars, the voices of men.

a change of position that does not entail a change of location

From this reading They had come only about a fourth of the distance they expected to cover, and it was the easiest portion, for after all there was much less chance of meeting enemies in the quiet communication trenches than behind the lines, where movement was unconstrained, and a German might lurk behind every tree.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading They had come only about a fourth of the distance they expected to cover, and it was the easiest portion, for after all there was much less chance of meeting enemies in the quiet communication trenches than behind the lines, where movement was unconstrained, and a German might lurk behind every tree.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading SKY HIGH Harry’s feeling of emptiness simply meant that he was only now beginning to realise the difficulty of the task undertaken so lightheartedly by himself and his friend.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading SKY HIGH Harry’s feeling of emptiness simply meant that he was only now beginning to realise the difficulty of the task undertaken so lightheartedly by himself and his friend.

and nothing more

From this reading SKY HIGH Harry’s feeling of emptiness simply meant that he was only now beginning to realise the difficulty of the task undertaken so lightheartedly by himself and his friend.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading They lay for a few minutes, peering into the darkness, listening, thinking out their course.

-ing form of “peer” — look searchingly

From this reading They lay for a few minutes, peering into the darkness, listening, thinking out their course.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading They had come only about a fourth of the distance they expected to cover, and it was the easiest portion, for after all there was much less chance of meeting enemies in the quiet communication trenches than behind the lines, where movement was unconstrained, and a German might lurk behind every tree.

characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity

From this reading They had come only about a fourth of the distance they expected to cover, and it was the easiest portion, for after all there was much less chance of meeting enemies in the quiet communication trenches than behind the lines, where movement was unconstrained, and a German might lurk behind every tree.

earn on some commercial or business transaction; earn as salary or wages

From this reading SKY HIGH Harry’s feeling of emptiness simply meant that he was only now beginning to realise the difficulty of the task undertaken so lightheartedly by himself and his friend.

precisely, exactly

From this reading Similar sounds, but fainter, came from the right.

make a low noise

From this reading Somewhere to the left they heard the rumble of carts, the clatter of motor cars, the voices of men.

marked by correspondence or resemblance

From this reading Similar sounds, but fainter, came from the right.

and nothing more

From this reading SKY HIGH Harry’s feeling of emptiness simply meant that he was only now beginning to realise the difficulty of the task undertaken so lightheartedly by himself and his friend.

the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading SKY HIGH Harry’s feeling of emptiness simply meant that he was only now beginning to realise the difficulty of the task undertaken so lightheartedly by himself and his friend.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading SKY HIGH Harry’s feeling of emptiness simply meant that he was only now beginning to realise the difficulty of the task undertaken so lightheartedly by himself and his friend.

in or at or to some place

From this reading Somewhere to the left they heard the rumble of carts, the clatter of motor cars, the voices of men.

plural of “sound” — the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading Similar sounds, but fainter, came from the right.

any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted

From this reading SKY HIGH Harry’s feeling of emptiness simply meant that he was only now beginning to realise the difficulty of the task undertaken so lightheartedly by himself and his friend.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading They had come only about a fourth of the distance they expected to cover, and it was the easiest portion, for after all there was much less chance of meeting enemies in the quiet communication trenches than behind the lines, where movement was unconstrained, and a German might lurk behind every tree.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading SKY HIGH Harry’s feeling of emptiness simply meant that he was only now beginning to realise the difficulty of the task undertaken so lightheartedly by himself and his friend.

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

From this reading SKY HIGH Harry’s feeling of emptiness simply meant that he was only now beginning to realise the difficulty of the task undertaken so lightheartedly by himself and his friend.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading They lay for a few minutes, peering into the darkness, listening, thinking out their course.

in or at that place or location

From this reading They had come only about a fourth of the distance they expected to cover, and it was the easiest portion, for after all there was much less chance of meeting enemies in the quiet communication trenches than behind the lines, where movement was unconstrained, and a German might lurk behind every tree.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading They had come only about a fourth of the distance they expected to cover, and it was the easiest portion, for after all there was much less chance of meeting enemies in the quiet communication trenches than behind the lines, where movement was unconstrained, and a German might lurk behind every tree.

the process of using your mind to consider something carefully

From this reading They lay for a few minutes, peering into the darkness, listening, thinking out their course.

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

From this reading SKY HIGH Harry’s feeling of emptiness simply meant that he was only now beginning to realise the difficulty of the task undertaken so lightheartedly by himself and his friend.

a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading They had come only about a fourth of the distance they expected to cover, and it was the easiest portion, for after all there was much less chance of meeting enemies in the quiet communication trenches than behind the lines, where movement was unconstrained, and a German might lurk behind every tree.

plural of “trench” — a ditch dug as a fortification having a parapet of the excavated earth

From this reading They had come only about a fourth of the distance they expected to cover, and it was the easiest portion, for after all there was much less chance of meeting enemies in the quiet communication trenches than behind the lines, where movement was unconstrained, and a German might lurk behind every tree.

free from constraint

From this reading They had come only about a fourth of the distance they expected to cover, and it was the easiest portion, for after all there was much less chance of meeting enemies in the quiet communication trenches than behind the lines, where movement was unconstrained, and a German might lurk behind every tree.

inflected form of “undertake” — enter upon an activity or enterprise

From this reading SKY HIGH Harry’s feeling of emptiness simply meant that he was only now beginning to realise the difficulty of the task undertaken so lightheartedly by himself and his friend.

plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech

From this reading Somewhere to the left they heard the rumble of carts, the clatter of motor cars, the voices of men.

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

From this reading SKY HIGH Harry’s feeling of emptiness simply meant that he was only now beginning to realise the difficulty of the task undertaken so lightheartedly by himself and his friend.

in or at the place that

From this reading They had come only about a fourth of the distance they expected to cover, and it was the easiest portion, for after all there was much less chance of meeting enemies in the quiet communication trenches than behind the lines, where movement was unconstrained, and a German might lurk behind every tree.