used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The first fortnight of February passed and a black cold prolonged the hard winter without pity for the poor.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading Nothing was heard along the streets but the slow movement of patrols.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Once more the authorities had scoured the roads; the prefect of Lille, an attorney, a general, and the police were not sufficient, the military had come to occupy Montsou; a whole regiment of men were camped between Beaugnies and Marchiennes.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The first fortnight of February passed and a black cold prolonged the hard winter without pity for the poor.
(used of persons or the military) characterized by having or bearing arms
From this reading Armed pickets guarded the pits, and there were soldiers before every engine.
attorneynounUS /əˈtɜːrni/
a professional person authorized to practice law; conducts lawsuits or gives legal advice
From this reading Once more the authorities had scoured the roads; the prefect of Lille, an attorney, a general, and the police were not sufficient, the military had come to occupy Montsou; a whole regiment of men were camped between Beaugnies and Marchiennes.
authoritiesnounUS /əˈθɔːrətiz/
the organization that is the governing authority of a political unit
From this reading Once more the authorities had scoured the roads; the prefect of Lille, an attorney, a general, and the police were not sufficient, the military had come to occupy Montsou; a whole regiment of men were camped between Beaugnies and Marchiennes.
bayonetsnounUS /ˈbeɪənets/
plural of “bayonet” — a knife that can be fixed to the end of a rifle and used as a weapon
From this reading The manager's villa, the Company's Yards, even the houses of certain residents, were bristling with bayonets.
Beaugnies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once more the authorities had scoured the roads; the prefect of Lille, an attorney, a general, and the police were not sufficient, the military had come to occupy Montsou; a whole regiment of men were camped between Beaugnies and Marchiennes.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Armed pickets guarded the pits, and there were soldiers before every engine.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Once more the authorities had scoured the roads; the prefect of Lille, an attorney, a general, and the police were not sufficient, the military had come to occupy Montsou; a whole regiment of men were camped between Beaugnies and Marchiennes.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading The first fortnight of February passed and a black cold prolonged the hard winter without pity for the poor.
bristlingverbUS /ˈbrɪsəlɪŋ/
-ing form of “bristle” — be in a state of movement or action
From this reading The manager's villa, the Company's Yards, even the houses of certain residents, were bristling with bayonets.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Nothing was heard along the streets but the slow movement of patrols.
campedverbUS /kæmpt/
past form of “camp” — live in or as if in a tent
From this reading Once more the authorities had scoured the roads; the prefect of Lille, an attorney, a general, and the police were not sufficient, the military had come to occupy Montsou; a whole regiment of men were camped between Beaugnies and Marchiennes.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading The manager's villa, the Company's Yards, even the houses of certain residents, were bristling with bayonets.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading The first fortnight of February passed and a black cold prolonged the hard winter without pity for the poor.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Once more the authorities had scoured the roads; the prefect of Lille, an attorney, a general, and the police were not sufficient, the military had come to occupy Montsou; a whole regiment of men were camped between Beaugnies and Marchiennes.
Company'snounUS /ˈkʌmpəniz/
possessive form of “company” — an institution created to conduct business
From this reading The manager's villa, the Company's Yards, even the houses of certain residents, were bristling with bayonets.
motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work
From this reading Armed pickets guarded the pits, and there were soldiers before every engine.
divisible by two
From this reading The manager's villa, the Company's Yards, even the houses of certain residents, were bristling with bayonets.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Armed pickets guarded the pits, and there were soldiers before every engine.
FebruarynounUS /ˈfebjəweri/
the month following January and preceding March
From this reading The first fortnight of February passed and a black cold prolonged the hard winter without pity for the poor.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The first fortnight of February passed and a black cold prolonged the hard winter without pity for the poor.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The first fortnight of February passed and a black cold prolonged the hard winter without pity for the poor.
fortnightnounUS /ˈfɔːrtnaɪt/
a period of fourteen consecutive days
From this reading The first fortnight of February passed and a black cold prolonged the hard winter without pity for the poor.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading Once more the authorities had scoured the roads; the prefect of Lille, an attorney, a general, and the police were not sufficient, the military had come to occupy Montsou; a whole regiment of men were camped between Beaugnies and Marchiennes.
guardedadjectiveUS /ˈɡɑːrdəd/
prudent
From this reading Armed pickets guarded the pits, and there were soldiers before every engine.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Once more the authorities had scoured the roads; the prefect of Lille, an attorney, a general, and the police were not sufficient, the military had come to occupy Montsou; a whole regiment of men were camped between Beaugnies and Marchiennes.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading The first fortnight of February passed and a black cold prolonged the hard winter without pity for the poor.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading Nothing was heard along the streets but the slow movement of patrols.
plural of “house” — a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The manager's villa, the Company's Yards, even the houses of certain residents, were bristling with bayonets.
LillenounUS /lɪl/
an industrial city in northern France near the Belgian border; was the medieval capital of Flanders
From this reading Once more the authorities had scoured the roads; the prefect of Lille, an attorney, a general, and the police were not sufficient, the military had come to occupy Montsou; a whole regiment of men were camped between Beaugnies and Marchiennes.
manager'snounUS /ˈmænɪdʒərz/
possessive form of “manager” — someone who controls resources and expenditures
From this reading The manager's villa, the Company's Yards, even the houses of certain residents, were bristling with bayonets.
Marchiennes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once more the authorities had scoured the roads; the prefect of Lille, an attorney, a general, and the police were not sufficient, the military had come to occupy Montsou; a whole regiment of men were camped between Beaugnies and Marchiennes.
the force of workers available
From this reading Once more the authorities had scoured the roads; the prefect of Lille, an attorney, a general, and the police were not sufficient, the military had come to occupy Montsou; a whole regiment of men were camped between Beaugnies and Marchiennes.
of or relating to the study of the principles of warfare
From this reading Once more the authorities had scoured the roads; the prefect of Lille, an attorney, a general, and the police were not sufficient, the military had come to occupy Montsou; a whole regiment of men were camped between Beaugnies and Marchiennes.
Montsou
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Once more the authorities had scoured the roads; the prefect of Lille, an attorney, a general, and the police were not sufficient, the military had come to occupy Montsou; a whole regiment of men were camped between Beaugnies and Marchiennes.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Once more the authorities had scoured the roads; the prefect of Lille, an attorney, a general, and the police were not sufficient, the military had come to occupy Montsou; a whole regiment of men were camped between Beaugnies and Marchiennes.
a change of position that does not entail a change of location
From this reading Nothing was heard along the streets but the slow movement of patrols.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Once more the authorities had scoured the roads; the prefect of Lille, an attorney, a general, and the police were not sufficient, the military had come to occupy Montsou; a whole regiment of men were camped between Beaugnies and Marchiennes.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Nothing was heard along the streets but the slow movement of patrols.
occupyverbUS /ˈɑːkjəpaɪ/
keep busy with
From this reading Once more the authorities had scoured the roads; the prefect of Lille, an attorney, a general, and the police were not sufficient, the military had come to occupy Montsou; a whole regiment of men were camped between Beaugnies and Marchiennes.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The first fortnight of February passed and a black cold prolonged the hard winter without pity for the poor.
on one occasion
From this reading Once more the authorities had scoured the roads; the prefect of Lille, an attorney, a general, and the police were not sufficient, the military had come to occupy Montsou; a whole regiment of men were camped between Beaugnies and Marchiennes.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading The first fortnight of February passed and a black cold prolonged the hard winter without pity for the poor.
patrolsnounUS /pəˈtroʊlz/
plural of “patrol” — a detachment used for security or reconnaissance
From this reading Nothing was heard along the streets but the slow movement of patrols.
picketsnounUS /ˈpɪkəts/
plural of “picket” — a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
From this reading Armed pickets guarded the pits, and there were soldiers before every engine.
pitsnounUS /pɪts/
plural of “pit” — a sizeable hole (usually in the ground)
From this reading Armed pickets guarded the pits, and there were soldiers before every engine.
a feeling of sympathy and sorrow for the misfortunes of others
From this reading The first fortnight of February passed and a black cold prolonged the hard winter without pity for the poor.
the force of policemen and officers
From this reading Once more the authorities had scoured the roads; the prefect of Lille, an attorney, a general, and the police were not sufficient, the military had come to occupy Montsou; a whole regiment of men were camped between Beaugnies and Marchiennes.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading The first fortnight of February passed and a black cold prolonged the hard winter without pity for the poor.
prefectnounUS /ˈpriːfekt/
a chief officer or chief magistrate
From this reading Once more the authorities had scoured the roads; the prefect of Lille, an attorney, a general, and the police were not sufficient, the military had come to occupy Montsou; a whole regiment of men were camped between Beaugnies and Marchiennes.
prolongedadjectiveUS /prəˈlɔːŋd/
relatively long in duration; tediously protracted
From this reading The first fortnight of February passed and a black cold prolonged the hard winter without pity for the poor.
subject to rigid discipline, order, and systematization
From this reading Once more the authorities had scoured the roads; the prefect of Lille, an attorney, a general, and the police were not sufficient, the military had come to occupy Montsou; a whole regiment of men were camped between Beaugnies and Marchiennes.
residentsnounUS /ˈrezɪdənts/
plural of “resident” — someone who lives at a particular place for a prolonged period or who was born there
From this reading The manager's villa, the Company's Yards, even the houses of certain residents, were bristling with bayonets.
roadsnounUS /roʊdz/
a partly sheltered anchorage
From this reading Once more the authorities had scoured the roads; the prefect of Lille, an attorney, a general, and the police were not sufficient, the military had come to occupy Montsou; a whole regiment of men were camped between Beaugnies and Marchiennes.
scouredadjectiveUS /ˈskaʊərd/
worn away as by water or ice or wind
From this reading Once more the authorities had scoured the roads; the prefect of Lille, an attorney, a general, and the police were not sufficient, the military had come to occupy Montsou; a whole regiment of men were camped between Beaugnies and Marchiennes.
not moving quickly; taking a comparatively long time
From this reading Nothing was heard along the streets but the slow movement of patrols.
plural of “soldier” — an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army
From this reading Armed pickets guarded the pits, and there were soldiers before every engine.
plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading Nothing was heard along the streets but the slow movement of patrols.
of a quantity that can fulfill a need or requirement but without being abundant
From this reading Once more the authorities had scoured the roads; the prefect of Lille, an attorney, a general, and the police were not sufficient, the military had come to occupy Montsou; a whole regiment of men were camped between Beaugnies and Marchiennes.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The first fortnight of February passed and a black cold prolonged the hard winter without pity for the poor.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Armed pickets guarded the pits, and there were soldiers before every engine.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Once more the authorities had scoured the roads; the prefect of Lille, an attorney, a general, and the police were not sufficient, the military had come to occupy Montsou; a whole regiment of men were camped between Beaugnies and Marchiennes.
villanounUS /ˈvɪlə/
Mexican revolutionary leader (1877-1923)
From this reading The manager's villa, the Company's Yards, even the houses of certain residents, were bristling with bayonets.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Nothing was heard along the streets but the slow movement of patrols.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Once more the authorities had scoured the roads; the prefect of Lille, an attorney, a general, and the police were not sufficient, the military had come to occupy Montsou; a whole regiment of men were camped between Beaugnies and Marchiennes.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading Once more the authorities had scoured the roads; the prefect of Lille, an attorney, a general, and the police were not sufficient, the military had come to occupy Montsou; a whole regiment of men were camped between Beaugnies and Marchiennes.
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading The first fortnight of February passed and a black cold prolonged the hard winter without pity for the poor.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The manager's villa, the Company's Yards, even the houses of certain residents, were bristling with bayonets.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading The first fortnight of February passed and a black cold prolonged the hard winter without pity for the poor.
plural of “yard” — a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading The manager's villa, the Company's Yards, even the houses of certain residents, were bristling with bayonets.
