Chapter XVI · Chapter 16

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

From this reading He had, some time before, put down his name as a volunteer for service, if required; and he and several others, who had similarly enrolled themselves, had been appointed to assist in looking after the removal of the soldiers' wives and children to the tents erected for them, and to seeing to their comfort there.

the state of being absent

From this reading Had not this step been taken, the chickens would speedily have been stolen by marauders as, in the absence of Captain O'Halloran and Bob, there was no one to protect them.

making or becoming suitable; adjusting to circumstances

From this reading Captain O'Halloran was constantly away on duty and, soon after the bombardment began, it was found necessary to drive the whole of the poultry into the lower part of the house; the Spaniards retaining only one room for their own accommodation.

later than; following

From this reading He had, some time before, put down his name as a volunteer for service, if required; and he and several others, who had similarly enrolled themselves, had been appointed to assist in looking after the removal of the soldiers' wives and children to the tents erected for them, and to seeing to their comfort there.

in addition

From this reading He had also been in charge of bodies of labourers, employed by the governor in the work of levelling the ground and transporting stores.

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

From this reading He had, some time before, put down his name as a volunteer for service, if required; and he and several others, who had similarly enrolled themselves, had been appointed to assist in looking after the removal of the soldiers' wives and children to the tents erected for them, and to seeing to their comfort there.

subject to appointment

From this reading He had, some time before, put down his name as a volunteer for service, if required; and he and several others, who had similarly enrolled themselves, had been appointed to assist in looking after the removal of the soldiers' wives and children to the tents erected for them, and to seeing to their comfort there.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading He had, some time before, put down his name as a volunteer for service, if required; and he and several others, who had similarly enrolled themselves, had been appointed to assist in looking after the removal of the soldiers' wives and children to the tents erected for them, and to seeing to their comfort there.

give help or assistance; be of service

From this reading He had, some time before, put down his name as a volunteer for service, if required; and he and several others, who had similarly enrolled themselves, had been appointed to assist in looking after the removal of the soldiers' wives and children to the tents erected for them, and to seeing to their comfort there.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading Captain O'Halloran was constantly away on duty and, soon after the bombardment began, it was found necessary to drive the whole of the poultry into the lower part of the house; the Spaniards retaining only one room for their own accommodation.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading While the bombardment continued, Bob had been constantly occupied.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading He had, some time before, put down his name as a volunteer for service, if required; and he and several others, who had similarly enrolled themselves, had been appointed to assist in looking after the removal of the soldiers' wives and children to the tents erected for them, and to seeing to their comfort there.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading Captain O'Halloran was constantly away on duty and, soon after the bombardment began, it was found necessary to drive the whole of the poultry into the lower part of the house; the Spaniards retaining only one room for their own accommodation.

move up and down repeatedly

From this reading While the bombardment continued, Bob had been constantly occupied.

plural of “body” — the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)

From this reading He had also been in charge of bodies of labourers, employed by the governor in the work of levelling the ground and transporting stores.

the rapid and continuous delivery of linguistic communication (spoken or written)

From this reading While the bombardment continued, Bob had been constantly occupied.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading He had also been in charge of bodies of labourers, employed by the governor in the work of levelling the ground and transporting stores.

an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant

From this reading Captain O'Halloran was constantly away on duty and, soon after the bombardment began, it was found necessary to drive the whole of the poultry into the lower part of the house; the Spaniards retaining only one room for their own accommodation.

to make a rush at or sudden attack upon, as in battle

From this reading He had also been in charge of bodies of labourers, employed by the governor in the work of levelling the ground and transporting stores.

plural of “chicken” — the flesh of a chicken used for food

From this reading Had not this step been taken, the chickens would speedily have been stolen by marauders as, in the absence of Captain O'Halloran and Bob, there was no one to protect them.

plural of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading He had, some time before, put down his name as a volunteer for service, if required; and he and several others, who had similarly enrolled themselves, had been appointed to assist in looking after the removal of the soldiers' wives and children to the tents erected for them, and to seeing to their comfort there.

a state of being relaxed and feeling no pain

From this reading He had, some time before, put down his name as a volunteer for service, if required; and he and several others, who had similarly enrolled themselves, had been appointed to assist in looking after the removal of the soldiers' wives and children to the tents erected for them, and to seeing to their comfort there.

without variation or change, in every case

From this reading While the bombardment continued, Bob had been constantly occupied.

without stop or interruption

From this reading While the bombardment continued, Bob had been constantly occupied.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading He had, some time before, put down his name as a volunteer for service, if required; and he and several others, who had similarly enrolled themselves, had been appointed to assist in looking after the removal of the soldiers' wives and children to the tents erected for them, and to seeing to their comfort there.

operate or control a vehicle

From this reading Captain O'Halloran was constantly away on duty and, soon after the bombardment began, it was found necessary to drive the whole of the poultry into the lower part of the house; the Spaniards retaining only one room for their own accommodation.

the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force

From this reading Captain O'Halloran was constantly away on duty and, soon after the bombardment began, it was found necessary to drive the whole of the poultry into the lower part of the house; the Spaniards retaining only one room for their own accommodation.

having your services engaged for; or having a job especially one that pays wages or a salary

From this reading He had also been in charge of bodies of labourers, employed by the governor in the work of levelling the ground and transporting stores.

inflected form of “enrol” — register formally as a participant or member

From this reading He had, some time before, put down his name as a volunteer for service, if required; and he and several others, who had similarly enrolled themselves, had been appointed to assist in looking after the removal of the soldiers' wives and children to the tents erected for them, and to seeing to their comfort there.

past form of “erect” — construct, build, or erect

From this reading He had, some time before, put down his name as a volunteer for service, if required; and he and several others, who had similarly enrolled themselves, had been appointed to assist in looking after the removal of the soldiers' wives and children to the tents erected for them, and to seeing to their comfort there.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading He had, some time before, put down his name as a volunteer for service, if required; and he and several others, who had similarly enrolled themselves, had been appointed to assist in looking after the removal of the soldiers' wives and children to the tents erected for them, and to seeing to their comfort there.

set up or found

From this reading Captain O'Halloran was constantly away on duty and, soon after the bombardment began, it was found necessary to drive the whole of the poultry into the lower part of the house; the Spaniards retaining only one room for their own accommodation.

the head of a state government

From this reading He had also been in charge of bodies of labourers, employed by the governor in the work of levelling the ground and transporting stores.

the solid part of the earth's surface

From this reading He had also been in charge of bodies of labourers, employed by the governor in the work of levelling the ground and transporting stores.

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

From this reading While the bombardment continued, Bob had been constantly occupied.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Had not this step been taken, the chickens would speedily have been stolen by marauders as, in the absence of Captain O'Halloran and Bob, there was no one to protect them.

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

From this reading He had, some time before, put down his name as a volunteer for service, if required; and he and several others, who had similarly enrolled themselves, had been appointed to assist in looking after the removal of the soldiers' wives and children to the tents erected for them, and to seeing to their comfort there.

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

From this reading He had, some time before, put down his name as a volunteer for service, if required; and he and several others, who had similarly enrolled themselves, had been appointed to assist in looking after the removal of the soldiers' wives and children to the tents erected for them, and to seeing to their comfort there.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading Captain O'Halloran was constantly away on duty and, soon after the bombardment began, it was found necessary to drive the whole of the poultry into the lower part of the house; the Spaniards retaining only one room for their own accommodation.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading He had, some time before, put down his name as a volunteer for service, if required; and he and several others, who had similarly enrolled themselves, had been appointed to assist in looking after the removal of the soldiers' wives and children to the tents erected for them, and to seeing to their comfort there.

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

From this reading He had, some time before, put down his name as a volunteer for service, if required; and he and several others, who had similarly enrolled themselves, had been appointed to assist in looking after the removal of the soldiers' wives and children to the tents erected for them, and to seeing to their comfort there.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Captain O'Halloran was constantly away on duty and, soon after the bombardment began, it was found necessary to drive the whole of the poultry into the lower part of the house; the Spaniards retaining only one room for their own accommodation.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Captain O'Halloran was constantly away on duty and, soon after the bombardment began, it was found necessary to drive the whole of the poultry into the lower part of the house; the Spaniards retaining only one room for their own accommodation.

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

From this reading He had also been in charge of bodies of labourers, employed by the governor in the work of levelling the ground and transporting stores.

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

From this reading He had also been in charge of bodies of labourers, employed by the governor in the work of levelling the ground and transporting stores.

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading He had, some time before, put down his name as a volunteer for service, if required; and he and several others, who had similarly enrolled themselves, had been appointed to assist in looking after the removal of the soldiers' wives and children to the tents erected for them, and to seeing to their comfort there.

move something or somebody to a lower position

From this reading Captain O'Halloran was constantly away on duty and, soon after the bombardment began, it was found necessary to drive the whole of the poultry into the lower part of the house; the Spaniards retaining only one room for their own accommodation.

plural of “marauder” — someone who attacks in search of booty

From this reading Had not this step been taken, the chickens would speedily have been stolen by marauders as, in the absence of Captain O'Halloran and Bob, there was no one to protect them.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading He had, some time before, put down his name as a volunteer for service, if required; and he and several others, who had similarly enrolled themselves, had been appointed to assist in looking after the removal of the soldiers' wives and children to the tents erected for them, and to seeing to their comfort there.

absolutely essential

From this reading Captain O'Halloran was constantly away on duty and, soon after the bombardment began, it was found necessary to drive the whole of the poultry into the lower part of the house; the Spaniards retaining only one room for their own accommodation.

not any; not one

From this reading Had not this step been taken, the chickens would speedily have been stolen by marauders as, in the absence of Captain O'Halloran and Bob, there was no one to protect them.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Had not this step been taken, the chickens would speedily have been stolen by marauders as, in the absence of Captain O'Halloran and Bob, there was no one to protect them.

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

From this reading Captain O'Halloran was constantly away on duty and, soon after the bombardment began, it was found necessary to drive the whole of the poultry into the lower part of the house; the Spaniards retaining only one room for their own accommodation.

held or filled or in use

From this reading While the bombardment continued, Bob had been constantly occupied.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He had, some time before, put down his name as a volunteer for service, if required; and he and several others, who had similarly enrolled themselves, had been appointed to assist in looking after the removal of the soldiers' wives and children to the tents erected for them, and to seeing to their comfort there.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Captain O'Halloran was constantly away on duty and, soon after the bombardment began, it was found necessary to drive the whole of the poultry into the lower part of the house; the Spaniards retaining only one room for their own accommodation.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Captain O'Halloran was constantly away on duty and, soon after the bombardment began, it was found necessary to drive the whole of the poultry into the lower part of the house; the Spaniards retaining only one room for their own accommodation.

and nothing more

From this reading Captain O'Halloran was constantly away on duty and, soon after the bombardment began, it was found necessary to drive the whole of the poultry into the lower part of the house; the Spaniards retaining only one room for their own accommodation.

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

From this reading He had, some time before, put down his name as a volunteer for service, if required; and he and several others, who had similarly enrolled themselves, had been appointed to assist in looking after the removal of the soldiers' wives and children to the tents erected for them, and to seeing to their comfort there.

have ownership or possession of

From this reading Captain O'Halloran was constantly away on duty and, soon after the bombardment began, it was found necessary to drive the whole of the poultry into the lower part of the house; the Spaniards retaining only one room for their own accommodation.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading Captain O'Halloran was constantly away on duty and, soon after the bombardment began, it was found necessary to drive the whole of the poultry into the lower part of the house; the Spaniards retaining only one room for their own accommodation.

a domesticated gallinaceous bird thought to be descended from the red jungle fowl

From this reading Captain O'Halloran was constantly away on duty and, soon after the bombardment began, it was found necessary to drive the whole of the poultry into the lower part of the house; the Spaniards retaining only one room for their own accommodation.

shield from danger, injury, destruction, or damage

From this reading Had not this step been taken, the chickens would speedily have been stolen by marauders as, in the absence of Captain O'Halloran and Bob, there was no one to protect them.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading He had, some time before, put down his name as a volunteer for service, if required; and he and several others, who had similarly enrolled themselves, had been appointed to assist in looking after the removal of the soldiers' wives and children to the tents erected for them, and to seeing to their comfort there.

the act of removing

From this reading He had, some time before, put down his name as a volunteer for service, if required; and he and several others, who had similarly enrolled themselves, had been appointed to assist in looking after the removal of the soldiers' wives and children to the tents erected for them, and to seeing to their comfort there.

necessary for relief or supply

From this reading He had, some time before, put down his name as a volunteer for service, if required; and he and several others, who had similarly enrolled themselves, had been appointed to assist in looking after the removal of the soldiers' wives and children to the tents erected for them, and to seeing to their comfort there.

-ing form of “retain” — hold back within

From this reading Captain O'Halloran was constantly away on duty and, soon after the bombardment began, it was found necessary to drive the whole of the poultry into the lower part of the house; the Spaniards retaining only one room for their own accommodation.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading Captain O'Halloran was constantly away on duty and, soon after the bombardment began, it was found necessary to drive the whole of the poultry into the lower part of the house; the Spaniards retaining only one room for their own accommodation.

perception by means of the eyes

From this reading He had, some time before, put down his name as a volunteer for service, if required; and he and several others, who had similarly enrolled themselves, had been appointed to assist in looking after the removal of the soldiers' wives and children to the tents erected for them, and to seeing to their comfort there.

work done by one person or group that benefits another

From this reading He had, some time before, put down his name as a volunteer for service, if required; and he and several others, who had similarly enrolled themselves, had been appointed to assist in looking after the removal of the soldiers' wives and children to the tents erected for them, and to seeing to their comfort there.

(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many

From this reading He had, some time before, put down his name as a volunteer for service, if required; and he and several others, who had similarly enrolled themselves, had been appointed to assist in looking after the removal of the soldiers' wives and children to the tents erected for them, and to seeing to their comfort there.

in like or similar manner

From this reading He had, some time before, put down his name as a volunteer for service, if required; and he and several others, who had similarly enrolled themselves, had been appointed to assist in looking after the removal of the soldiers' wives and children to the tents erected for them, and to seeing to their comfort there.

plural of “soldier” — an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army

From this reading He had, some time before, put down his name as a volunteer for service, if required; and he and several others, who had similarly enrolled themselves, had been appointed to assist in looking after the removal of the soldiers' wives and children to the tents erected for them, and to seeing to their comfort there.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading He had, some time before, put down his name as a volunteer for service, if required; and he and several others, who had similarly enrolled themselves, had been appointed to assist in looking after the removal of the soldiers' wives and children to the tents erected for them, and to seeing to their comfort there.

in the near future

From this reading Captain O'Halloran was constantly away on duty and, soon after the bombardment began, it was found necessary to drive the whole of the poultry into the lower part of the house; the Spaniards retaining only one room for their own accommodation.

plural of “spaniard” — a native or inhabitant of Spain

From this reading Captain O'Halloran was constantly away on duty and, soon after the bombardment began, it was found necessary to drive the whole of the poultry into the lower part of the house; the Spaniards retaining only one room for their own accommodation.

with speed

From this reading Had not this step been taken, the chickens would speedily have been stolen by marauders as, in the absence of Captain O'Halloran and Bob, there was no one to protect them.

any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal

From this reading Had not this step been taken, the chickens would speedily have been stolen by marauders as, in the absence of Captain O'Halloran and Bob, there was no one to protect them.

inflected form of “steal” — take without the owner's consent

From this reading Had not this step been taken, the chickens would speedily have been stolen by marauders as, in the absence of Captain O'Halloran and Bob, there was no one to protect them.

plural of “store” — a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services

From this reading He had also been in charge of bodies of labourers, employed by the governor in the work of levelling the ground and transporting stores.

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading Had not this step been taken, the chickens would speedily have been stolen by marauders as, in the absence of Captain O'Halloran and Bob, there was no one to protect them.

plural of “tent” — a portable shelter (usually of canvas stretched over supporting poles and fastened to the ground with ropes and pegs)

From this reading He had, some time before, put down his name as a volunteer for service, if required; and he and several others, who had similarly enrolled themselves, had been appointed to assist in looking after the removal of the soldiers' wives and children to the tents erected for them, and to seeing to their comfort there.

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

From this reading While the bombardment continued, Bob had been constantly occupied.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading He had, some time before, put down his name as a volunteer for service, if required; and he and several others, who had similarly enrolled themselves, had been appointed to assist in looking after the removal of the soldiers' wives and children to the tents erected for them, and to seeing to their comfort there.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading He had, some time before, put down his name as a volunteer for service, if required; and he and several others, who had similarly enrolled themselves, had been appointed to assist in looking after the removal of the soldiers' wives and children to the tents erected for them, and to seeing to their comfort there.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading He had, some time before, put down his name as a volunteer for service, if required; and he and several others, who had similarly enrolled themselves, had been appointed to assist in looking after the removal of the soldiers' wives and children to the tents erected for them, and to seeing to their comfort there.

in or at that place or location

From this reading He had, some time before, put down his name as a volunteer for service, if required; and he and several others, who had similarly enrolled themselves, had been appointed to assist in looking after the removal of the soldiers' wives and children to the tents erected for them, and to seeing to their comfort there.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading Had not this step been taken, the chickens would speedily have been stolen by marauders as, in the absence of Captain O'Halloran and Bob, there was no one to protect them.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading He had, some time before, put down his name as a volunteer for service, if required; and he and several others, who had similarly enrolled themselves, had been appointed to assist in looking after the removal of the soldiers' wives and children to the tents erected for them, and to seeing to their comfort there.

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

From this reading He had, some time before, put down his name as a volunteer for service, if required; and he and several others, who had similarly enrolled themselves, had been appointed to assist in looking after the removal of the soldiers' wives and children to the tents erected for them, and to seeing to their comfort there.

-ing form of “transport” — move something or somebody around; usually over long distances

From this reading He had also been in charge of bodies of labourers, employed by the governor in the work of levelling the ground and transporting stores.

tell voluntarily

From this reading He had, some time before, put down his name as a volunteer for service, if required; and he and several others, who had similarly enrolled themselves, had been appointed to assist in looking after the removal of the soldiers' wives and children to the tents erected for them, and to seeing to their comfort there.

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

From this reading Captain O'Halloran was constantly away on duty and, soon after the bombardment began, it was found necessary to drive the whole of the poultry into the lower part of the house; the Spaniards retaining only one room for their own accommodation.

during the time that

From this reading While the bombardment continued, Bob had been constantly occupied.

which person or people

From this reading He had, some time before, put down his name as a volunteer for service, if required; and he and several others, who had similarly enrolled themselves, had been appointed to assist in looking after the removal of the soldiers' wives and children to the tents erected for them, and to seeing to their comfort there.

including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete

From this reading Captain O'Halloran was constantly away on duty and, soon after the bombardment began, it was found necessary to drive the whole of the poultry into the lower part of the house; the Spaniards retaining only one room for their own accommodation.

plural of “wife” — a married woman; a man's partner in marriage

From this reading He had, some time before, put down his name as a volunteer for service, if required; and he and several others, who had similarly enrolled themselves, had been appointed to assist in looking after the removal of the soldiers' wives and children to the tents erected for them, and to seeing to their comfort there.

exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

From this reading He had also been in charge of bodies of labourers, employed by the governor in the work of levelling the ground and transporting stores.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading Had not this step been taken, the chickens would speedily have been stolen by marauders as, in the absence of Captain O'Halloran and Bob, there was no one to protect them.