used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading He might have known, as he said to the staff when discussing the incident, that if he "told that little bunch of springs and impetuosity to stop for nothing and put him on a hard-mouthed horse of similar temperament, the provost guard wouldn't have a picnic."
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading The general was an indignant man when, late that afternoon, he heard the details of Shorty's misadventures, but the general was just.
amusingadjectiveUS /əˈmjuːzɪŋ/
providing enjoyment; pleasantly entertaining
From this reading Only a day or two before several generals and their staffs had an amusing illustration of Shorty's immense conception of his official position.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The general was an indignant man when, late that afternoon, he heard the details of Shorty's misadventures, but the general was just.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He knew that battles had been lost and kingdoms ruined because of orders hastily or carelessly worded.
aptadjectiveUS /æpt/
(usually followed by “to”) naturally disposed toward
From this reading The general knew he could not ignore the authority of the provost-marshal, but he might have known that Shorty would be little apt to stop for sergeants, corporals, or privates when told to stop for nothing.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He might have known, as he said to the staff when discussing the incident, that if he "told that little bunch of springs and impetuosity to stop for nothing and put him on a hard-mouthed horse of similar temperament, the provost guard wouldn't have a picnic."
the power or right to give orders or make decisions
From this reading The general knew he could not ignore the authority of the provost-marshal, but he might have known that Shorty would be little apt to stop for sergeants, corporals, or privates when told to stop for nothing.
battlesnounUS /ˈbætəlz/
plural of “battle” — a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading He knew that battles had been lost and kingdoms ruined because of orders hastily or carelessly worded.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The general knew he could not ignore the authority of the provost-marshal, but he might have known that Shorty would be little apt to stop for sergeants, corporals, or privates when told to stop for nothing.
for the reason that
From this reading He knew that battles had been lost and kingdoms ruined because of orders hastily or carelessly worded.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He knew that battles had been lost and kingdoms ruined because of orders hastily or carelessly worded.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Only a day or two before several generals and their staffs had an amusing illustration of Shorty's immense conception of his official position.
bunchnounUS /bʌntʃ/
a grouping of a number of similar things
From this reading He might have known, as he said to the staff when discussing the incident, that if he "told that little bunch of springs and impetuosity to stop for nothing and put him on a hard-mouthed horse of similar temperament, the provost guard wouldn't have a picnic."
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The general was an indignant man when, late that afternoon, he heard the details of Shorty's misadventures, but the general was just.
carelesslyadverbUS /ˈkerləsli/
without care or concern
From this reading He knew that battles had been lost and kingdoms ruined because of orders hastily or carelessly worded.
conceptionnounUS /kənˈsepʃən/
an abstract or general idea inferred or derived from specific instances
From this reading Only a day or two before several generals and their staffs had an amusing illustration of Shorty's immense conception of his official position.
corporals
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The general knew he could not ignore the authority of the provost-marshal, but he might have known that Shorty would be little apt to stop for sergeants, corporals, or privates when told to stop for nothing.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The general knew he could not ignore the authority of the provost-marshal, but he might have known that Shorty would be little apt to stop for sergeants, corporals, or privates when told to stop for nothing.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Only a day or two before several generals and their staffs had an amusing illustration of Shorty's immense conception of his official position.
true confidential information
From this reading The general was an indignant man when, late that afternoon, he heard the details of Shorty's misadventures, but the general was just.
discussingverbUS /dɪˈskʌsɪŋ/
-ing form of “discuss” — to consider or examine in speech or writing
From this reading He might have known, as he said to the staff when discussing the incident, that if he "told that little bunch of springs and impetuosity to stop for nothing and put him on a hard-mouthed horse of similar temperament, the provost guard wouldn't have a picnic."
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He might have known, as he said to the staff when discussing the incident, that if he "told that little bunch of springs and impetuosity to stop for nothing and put him on a hard-mouthed horse of similar temperament, the provost guard wouldn't have a picnic."
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading The general was an indignant man when, late that afternoon, he heard the details of Shorty's misadventures, but the general was just.
generalsnounUS /ˈdʒenərəlz/
plural of “general” — a general officer of the highest rank
From this reading Only a day or two before several generals and their staffs had an amusing illustration of Shorty's immense conception of his official position.
a person who keeps watch over something or someone
From this reading He might have known, as he said to the staff when discussing the incident, that if he "told that little bunch of springs and impetuosity to stop for nothing and put him on a hard-mouthed horse of similar temperament, the provost guard wouldn't have a picnic."
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He knew that battles had been lost and kingdoms ruined because of orders hastily or carelessly worded.
hard-mouthed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He might have known, as he said to the staff when discussing the incident, that if he "told that little bunch of springs and impetuosity to stop for nothing and put him on a hard-mouthed horse of similar temperament, the provost guard wouldn't have a picnic."
in a hurried or hasty manner
From this reading He knew that battles had been lost and kingdoms ruined because of orders hastily or carelessly worded.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He might have known, as he said to the staff when discussing the incident, that if he "told that little bunch of springs and impetuosity to stop for nothing and put him on a hard-mouthed horse of similar temperament, the provost guard wouldn't have a picnic."
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The general was an indignant man when, late that afternoon, he heard the details of Shorty's misadventures, but the general was just.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading The general was an indignant man when, late that afternoon, he heard the details of Shorty's misadventures, but the general was just.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He might have known, as he said to the staff when discussing the incident, that if he "told that little bunch of springs and impetuosity to stop for nothing and put him on a hard-mouthed horse of similar temperament, the provost guard wouldn't have a picnic."
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Only a day or two before several generals and their staffs had an amusing illustration of Shorty's immense conception of his official position.
solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading He might have known, as he said to the staff when discussing the incident, that if he "told that little bunch of springs and impetuosity to stop for nothing and put him on a hard-mouthed horse of similar temperament, the provost guard wouldn't have a picnic."
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading He might have known, as he said to the staff when discussing the incident, that if he "told that little bunch of springs and impetuosity to stop for nothing and put him on a hard-mouthed horse of similar temperament, the provost guard wouldn't have a picnic."
ignoreverbUS /ˌɪɡˈnɔːr/
refuse to acknowledge
From this reading The general knew he could not ignore the authority of the provost-marshal, but he might have known that Shorty would be little apt to stop for sergeants, corporals, or privates when told to stop for nothing.
illustrationnounUS /ˌɪləˈstreɪʃən/
artwork that helps make something clear or attractive
From this reading Only a day or two before several generals and their staffs had an amusing illustration of Shorty's immense conception of his official position.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading Only a day or two before several generals and their staffs had an amusing illustration of Shorty's immense conception of his official position.
impetuositynoun
rash impulsiveness
From this reading He might have known, as he said to the staff when discussing the incident, that if he "told that little bunch of springs and impetuosity to stop for nothing and put him on a hard-mouthed horse of similar temperament, the provost guard wouldn't have a picnic."
a single distinct event
From this reading He might have known, as he said to the staff when discussing the incident, that if he "told that little bunch of springs and impetuosity to stop for nothing and put him on a hard-mouthed horse of similar temperament, the provost guard wouldn't have a picnic."
indignantadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈdɪɡnənt/
angered at something unjust or wrong
From this reading The general was an indignant man when, late that afternoon, he heard the details of Shorty's misadventures, but the general was just.
and nothing more
From this reading The general was an indignant man when, late that afternoon, he heard the details of Shorty's misadventures, but the general was just.
kingdomsnounUS /ˈkɪŋdəmz/
plural of “kingdom” — a domain in which something is dominant
From this reading He knew that battles had been lost and kingdoms ruined because of orders hastily or carelessly worded.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading He knew that battles had been lost and kingdoms ruined because of orders hastily or carelessly worded.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading He might have known, as he said to the staff when discussing the incident, that if he "told that little bunch of springs and impetuosity to stop for nothing and put him on a hard-mouthed horse of similar temperament, the provost guard wouldn't have a picnic."
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading The general was an indignant man when, late that afternoon, he heard the details of Shorty's misadventures, but the general was just.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading He might have known, as he said to the staff when discussing the incident, that if he "told that little bunch of springs and impetuosity to stop for nothing and put him on a hard-mouthed horse of similar temperament, the provost guard wouldn't have a picnic."
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading He knew that battles had been lost and kingdoms ruined because of orders hastily or carelessly worded.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The general was an indignant man when, late that afternoon, he heard the details of Shorty's misadventures, but the general was just.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading He might have known, as he said to the staff when discussing the incident, that if he "told that little bunch of springs and impetuosity to stop for nothing and put him on a hard-mouthed horse of similar temperament, the provost guard wouldn't have a picnic."
misadventuresnounUS /mɪsədˈventʃərz/
plural of “misadventure” — an instance of misfortune
From this reading The general was an indignant man when, late that afternoon, he heard the details of Shorty's misadventures, but the general was just.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The general knew he could not ignore the authority of the provost-marshal, but he might have known that Shorty would be little apt to stop for sergeants, corporals, or privates when told to stop for nothing.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading He might have known, as he said to the staff when discussing the incident, that if he "told that little bunch of springs and impetuosity to stop for nothing and put him on a hard-mouthed horse of similar temperament, the provost guard wouldn't have a picnic."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The general was an indignant man when, late that afternoon, he heard the details of Shorty's misadventures, but the general was just.
having official authority or sanction
From this reading Only a day or two before several generals and their staffs had an amusing illustration of Shorty's immense conception of his official position.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He might have known, as he said to the staff when discussing the incident, that if he "told that little bunch of springs and impetuosity to stop for nothing and put him on a hard-mouthed horse of similar temperament, the provost guard wouldn't have a picnic."
and nothing more
From this reading Only a day or two before several generals and their staffs had an amusing illustration of Shorty's immense conception of his official position.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He knew that battles had been lost and kingdoms ruined because of orders hastily or carelessly worded.
plural of “order” — (often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading He knew that battles had been lost and kingdoms ruined because of orders hastily or carelessly worded.
picnicnounUS /ˈpɪknɪk/
a day devoted to an outdoor social gathering
From this reading He might have known, as he said to the staff when discussing the incident, that if he "told that little bunch of springs and impetuosity to stop for nothing and put him on a hard-mouthed horse of similar temperament, the provost guard wouldn't have a picnic."
the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading Only a day or two before several generals and their staffs had an amusing illustration of Shorty's immense conception of his official position.
privatesnounUS /ˈpraɪvəts/
external sex organ
From this reading The general knew he could not ignore the authority of the provost-marshal, but he might have known that Shorty would be little apt to stop for sergeants, corporals, or privates when told to stop for nothing.
provostnounUS /ˈproʊvoʊst/
a high-ranking university administrator
From this reading He might have known, as he said to the staff when discussing the incident, that if he "told that little bunch of springs and impetuosity to stop for nothing and put him on a hard-mouthed horse of similar temperament, the provost guard wouldn't have a picnic."
provost-marshal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The general knew he could not ignore the authority of the provost-marshal, but he might have known that Shorty would be little apt to stop for sergeants, corporals, or privates when told to stop for nothing.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading He might have known, as he said to the staff when discussing the incident, that if he "told that little bunch of springs and impetuosity to stop for nothing and put him on a hard-mouthed horse of similar temperament, the provost guard wouldn't have a picnic."
destroyed physically or morally
From this reading He knew that battles had been lost and kingdoms ruined because of orders hastily or carelessly worded.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading He might have known, as he said to the staff when discussing the incident, that if he "told that little bunch of springs and impetuosity to stop for nothing and put him on a hard-mouthed horse of similar temperament, the provost guard wouldn't have a picnic."
sergeantsnounUS /ˈsɑːrdʒənts/
plural of “sergeant” — any of several noncommissioned officer ranks in the Army or Air Force or Marines ranking above a corporal
From this reading The general knew he could not ignore the authority of the provost-marshal, but he might have known that Shorty would be little apt to stop for sergeants, corporals, or privates when told to stop for nothing.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading Only a day or two before several generals and their staffs had an amusing illustration of Shorty's immense conception of his official position.
Shorty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The general knew he could not ignore the authority of the provost-marshal, but he might have known that Shorty would be little apt to stop for sergeants, corporals, or privates when told to stop for nothing.
Shorty's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The general was an indignant man when, late that afternoon, he heard the details of Shorty's misadventures, but the general was just.
marked by correspondence or resemblance
From this reading He might have known, as he said to the staff when discussing the incident, that if he "told that little bunch of springs and impetuosity to stop for nothing and put him on a hard-mouthed horse of similar temperament, the provost guard wouldn't have a picnic."
springsnounUS /sprɪŋz/
plural of “spring” — the season of growth
From this reading He might have known, as he said to the staff when discussing the incident, that if he "told that little bunch of springs and impetuosity to stop for nothing and put him on a hard-mouthed horse of similar temperament, the provost guard wouldn't have a picnic."
staffnounUS /stæf/
personnel who assist their superior in carrying out an assigned task
From this reading He might have known, as he said to the staff when discussing the incident, that if he "told that little bunch of springs and impetuosity to stop for nothing and put him on a hard-mouthed horse of similar temperament, the provost guard wouldn't have a picnic."
staffsnounUS /stæfs/
plural of “staff” — personnel who assist their superior in carrying out an assigned task
From this reading Only a day or two before several generals and their staffs had an amusing illustration of Shorty's immense conception of his official position.
come to a halt, stop moving
From this reading He might have known, as he said to the staff when discussing the incident, that if he "told that little bunch of springs and impetuosity to stop for nothing and put him on a hard-mouthed horse of similar temperament, the provost guard wouldn't have a picnic."
temperamentnounUS /ˈtemprəmənt/
your usual mood
From this reading He might have known, as he said to the staff when discussing the incident, that if he "told that little bunch of springs and impetuosity to stop for nothing and put him on a hard-mouthed horse of similar temperament, the provost guard wouldn't have a picnic."
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The general was an indignant man when, late that afternoon, he heard the details of Shorty's misadventures, but the general was just.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The general was an indignant man when, late that afternoon, he heard the details of Shorty's misadventures, but the general was just.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Only a day or two before several generals and their staffs had an amusing illustration of Shorty's immense conception of his official position.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He might have known, as he said to the staff when discussing the incident, that if he "told that little bunch of springs and impetuosity to stop for nothing and put him on a hard-mouthed horse of similar temperament, the provost guard wouldn't have a picnic."
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading He might have known, as he said to the staff when discussing the incident, that if he "told that little bunch of springs and impetuosity to stop for nothing and put him on a hard-mouthed horse of similar temperament, the provost guard wouldn't have a picnic."
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Only a day or two before several generals and their staffs had an amusing illustration of Shorty's immense conception of his official position.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The general was an indignant man when, late that afternoon, he heard the details of Shorty's misadventures, but the general was just.
at the time that
From this reading The general was an indignant man when, late that afternoon, he heard the details of Shorty's misadventures, but the general was just.
wordedverbUS /ˈwɜːrdɪd/
past form of “word” — put into words or an expression
From this reading He knew that battles had been lost and kingdoms ruined because of orders hastily or carelessly worded.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The general knew he could not ignore the authority of the provost-marshal, but he might have known that Shorty would be little apt to stop for sergeants, corporals, or privates when told to stop for nothing.
wouldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He might have known, as he said to the staff when discussing the incident, that if he "told that little bunch of springs and impetuosity to stop for nothing and put him on a hard-mouthed horse of similar temperament, the provost guard wouldn't have a picnic."
