used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Adjutant Wing knelt down beside the dead and took two fresh white pocket-handkerchiefs from his bosom—Adjutant Wing was rather dainty for a soldier, in some of his habits, and constantly exposed himself to the raillery of his companions by his weakness for clean linen.
AdjutantnounUS /ˈædʒətənt/
an officer who acts as military assistant to a more senior officer
From this reading Adjutant Wing knelt down beside the dead and took two fresh white pocket-handkerchiefs from his bosom—Adjutant Wing was rather dainty for a soldier, in some of his habits, and constantly exposed himself to the raillery of his companions by his weakness for clean linen.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading And her little hand defiled with blood, Her tender tears of womanhood Most woman-pure did make.—E. B. BROWNING.
aerobic rod-shaped spore-producing bacterium; often occurring in chainlike formations; found primarily in soil
From this reading And her little hand defiled with blood, Her tender tears of womanhood Most woman-pure did make.—E. B. BROWNING.
beloved's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Oh, womanly she paled in fight For one beloved’s sake!
next to; at the side of
From this reading Oh, womanly she prayed in tent, When none beside did wake!
The red fluid that circulates in the heart and blood vessels.
From this reading And her little hand defiled with blood, Her tender tears of womanhood Most woman-pure did make.—E. B. BROWNING.
plural of “body” — the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading He now covered with the handkerchiefs the poor dead faces, and, still kneeling, gazed upon the two bodies, while great tears rolled slowly down his cheeks.
the chest considered as the place where secret thoughts are kept
From this reading Adjutant Wing knelt down beside the dead and took two fresh white pocket-handkerchiefs from his bosom—Adjutant Wing was rather dainty for a soldier, in some of his habits, and constantly exposed himself to the raillery of his companions by his weakness for clean linen.
BROWNINGnounUS /ˈbraʊnɪŋ/
United States inventor of firearms (especially automatic pistols and repeating rifles and a machine gun called the Peacemaker) (1855-1926)
From this reading And her little hand defiled with blood, Her tender tears of womanhood Most woman-pure did make.—E. B. BROWNING.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Adjutant Wing knelt down beside the dead and took two fresh white pocket-handkerchiefs from his bosom—Adjutant Wing was rather dainty for a soldier, in some of his habits, and constantly exposed himself to the raillery of his companions by his weakness for clean linen.
plural of “cheek” — either side of the face below the eyes
From this reading He now covered with the handkerchiefs the poor dead faces, and, still kneeling, gazed upon the two bodies, while great tears rolled slowly down his cheeks.
free from dirt or impurities; or having clean habits
From this reading Adjutant Wing knelt down beside the dead and took two fresh white pocket-handkerchiefs from his bosom—Adjutant Wing was rather dainty for a soldier, in some of his habits, and constantly exposed himself to the raillery of his companions by his weakness for clean linen.
plural of “companion” — a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading Adjutant Wing knelt down beside the dead and took two fresh white pocket-handkerchiefs from his bosom—Adjutant Wing was rather dainty for a soldier, in some of his habits, and constantly exposed himself to the raillery of his companions by his weakness for clean linen.
without variation or change, in every case
From this reading Adjutant Wing knelt down beside the dead and took two fresh white pocket-handkerchiefs from his bosom—Adjutant Wing was rather dainty for a soldier, in some of his habits, and constantly exposed himself to the raillery of his companions by his weakness for clean linen.
overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form
From this reading He now covered with the handkerchiefs the poor dead faces, and, still kneeling, gazed upon the two bodies, while great tears rolled slowly down his cheeks.
daintyadjectiveUS /ˈdeɪnti/
delicately beautiful
From this reading Adjutant Wing knelt down beside the dead and took two fresh white pocket-handkerchiefs from his bosom—Adjutant Wing was rather dainty for a soldier, in some of his habits, and constantly exposed himself to the raillery of his companions by his weakness for clean linen.
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading Adjutant Wing knelt down beside the dead and took two fresh white pocket-handkerchiefs from his bosom—Adjutant Wing was rather dainty for a soldier, in some of his habits, and constantly exposed himself to the raillery of his companions by his weakness for clean linen.
defiledadjective
morally blemished; stained or impure
From this reading And her little hand defiled with blood, Her tender tears of womanhood Most woman-pure did make.—E. B. BROWNING.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Oh, womanly she prayed in tent, When none beside did wake!
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Adjutant Wing knelt down beside the dead and took two fresh white pocket-handkerchiefs from his bosom—Adjutant Wing was rather dainty for a soldier, in some of his habits, and constantly exposed himself to the raillery of his companions by his weakness for clean linen.
a fat-soluble vitamin that is essential for normal reproduction; an important antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals in the body
From this reading And her little hand defiled with blood, Her tender tears of womanhood Most woman-pure did make.—E. B. BROWNING.
exposedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspoʊzd/
with no protection or shield
From this reading Adjutant Wing knelt down beside the dead and took two fresh white pocket-handkerchiefs from his bosom—Adjutant Wing was rather dainty for a soldier, in some of his habits, and constantly exposed himself to the raillery of his companions by his weakness for clean linen.
plural of “face” — the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading He now covered with the handkerchiefs the poor dead faces, and, still kneeling, gazed upon the two bodies, while great tears rolled slowly down his cheeks.
be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight
From this reading Oh, womanly she paled in fight For one beloved’s sake!
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Oh, womanly she paled in fight For one beloved’s sake!
recently made, produced, or harvested
From this reading Adjutant Wing knelt down beside the dead and took two fresh white pocket-handkerchiefs from his bosom—Adjutant Wing was rather dainty for a soldier, in some of his habits, and constantly exposed himself to the raillery of his companions by his weakness for clean linen.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Adjutant Wing knelt down beside the dead and took two fresh white pocket-handkerchiefs from his bosom—Adjutant Wing was rather dainty for a soldier, in some of his habits, and constantly exposed himself to the raillery of his companions by his weakness for clean linen.
past form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading He now covered with the handkerchiefs the poor dead faces, and, still kneeling, gazed upon the two bodies, while great tears rolled slowly down his cheeks.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading He now covered with the handkerchiefs the poor dead faces, and, still kneeling, gazed upon the two bodies, while great tears rolled slowly down his cheeks.
plural of “habit” — an established custom
From this reading Adjutant Wing knelt down beside the dead and took two fresh white pocket-handkerchiefs from his bosom—Adjutant Wing was rather dainty for a soldier, in some of his habits, and constantly exposed himself to the raillery of his companions by his weakness for clean linen.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading And her little hand defiled with blood, Her tender tears of womanhood Most woman-pure did make.—E. B. BROWNING.
handkerchiefsnounUS /ˈhæŋkərtʃəfs/
plural of “handkerchief” — a square piece of cloth used for wiping the eyes or nose or as a costume accessory
From this reading He now covered with the handkerchiefs the poor dead faces, and, still kneeling, gazed upon the two bodies, while great tears rolled slowly down his cheeks.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He now covered with the handkerchiefs the poor dead faces, and, still kneeling, gazed upon the two bodies, while great tears rolled slowly down his cheeks.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading And her little hand defiled with blood, Her tender tears of womanhood Most woman-pure did make.—E. B. BROWNING.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Adjutant Wing knelt down beside the dead and took two fresh white pocket-handkerchiefs from his bosom—Adjutant Wing was rather dainty for a soldier, in some of his habits, and constantly exposed himself to the raillery of his companions by his weakness for clean linen.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Adjutant Wing knelt down beside the dead and took two fresh white pocket-handkerchiefs from his bosom—Adjutant Wing was rather dainty for a soldier, in some of his habits, and constantly exposed himself to the raillery of his companions by his weakness for clean linen.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Oh, womanly she prayed in tent, When none beside did wake!
kneelingnounUS /ˈniːlɪŋ/
supporting yourself on your knees
From this reading He now covered with the handkerchiefs the poor dead faces, and, still kneeling, gazed upon the two bodies, while great tears rolled slowly down his cheeks.
kneltverbUS /nelt/
inflected form of “kneel” — rest one's weight on one's knees
From this reading Adjutant Wing knelt down beside the dead and took two fresh white pocket-handkerchiefs from his bosom—Adjutant Wing was rather dainty for a soldier, in some of his habits, and constantly exposed himself to the raillery of his companions by his weakness for clean linen.
linennounUS /ˈlɪnən/
a fabric woven with fibers from the flax plant
From this reading Adjutant Wing knelt down beside the dead and took two fresh white pocket-handkerchiefs from his bosom—Adjutant Wing was rather dainty for a soldier, in some of his habits, and constantly exposed himself to the raillery of his companions by his weakness for clean linen.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading And her little hand defiled with blood, Her tender tears of womanhood Most woman-pure did make.—E. B. BROWNING.
engage in
From this reading And her little hand defiled with blood, Her tender tears of womanhood Most woman-pure did make.—E. B. BROWNING.
used to form the superlative
From this reading And her little hand defiled with blood, Her tender tears of womanhood Most woman-pure did make.—E. B. BROWNING.
not one, and not any
From this reading Oh, womanly she prayed in tent, When none beside did wake!
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading He now covered with the handkerchiefs the poor dead faces, and, still kneeling, gazed upon the two bodies, while great tears rolled slowly down his cheeks.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading And her little hand defiled with blood, Her tender tears of womanhood Most woman-pure did make.—E. B. BROWNING.
a midwestern state in north central United States in the Great Lakes region
From this reading Oh, womanly she prayed in tent, When none beside did wake!
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Oh, womanly she paled in fight For one beloved’s sake!
paledverbUS /peɪld/
past form of “pale” — turn pale, as if in fear
From this reading Oh, womanly she paled in fight For one beloved’s sake!
pocket-handkerchiefs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Adjutant Wing knelt down beside the dead and took two fresh white pocket-handkerchiefs from his bosom—Adjutant Wing was rather dainty for a soldier, in some of his habits, and constantly exposed himself to the raillery of his companions by his weakness for clean linen.
deserving or inciting pity
From this reading He now covered with the handkerchiefs the poor dead faces, and, still kneeling, gazed upon the two bodies, while great tears rolled slowly down his cheeks.
prayedverbUS /preɪd/
past form of “pray” — address a deity, a prophet, a saint or an object of worship; say a prayer
From this reading Oh, womanly she prayed in tent, When none beside did wake!
raillerynoun
light teasing repartee
From this reading Adjutant Wing knelt down beside the dead and took two fresh white pocket-handkerchiefs from his bosom—Adjutant Wing was rather dainty for a soldier, in some of his habits, and constantly exposed himself to the raillery of his companions by his weakness for clean linen.
on the contrary
From this reading Adjutant Wing knelt down beside the dead and took two fresh white pocket-handkerchiefs from his bosom—Adjutant Wing was rather dainty for a soldier, in some of his habits, and constantly exposed himself to the raillery of his companions by his weakness for clean linen.
especially of petals or leaves in bud; having margins rolled inward
From this reading He now covered with the handkerchiefs the poor dead faces, and, still kneeling, gazed upon the two bodies, while great tears rolled slowly down his cheeks.
a reason for wanting something done
From this reading Oh, womanly she paled in fight For one beloved’s sake!
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Oh, womanly she prayed in tent, When none beside did wake!
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading He now covered with the handkerchiefs the poor dead faces, and, still kneeling, gazed upon the two bodies, while great tears rolled slowly down his cheeks.
an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army
From this reading Adjutant Wing knelt down beside the dead and took two fresh white pocket-handkerchiefs from his bosom—Adjutant Wing was rather dainty for a soldier, in some of his habits, and constantly exposed himself to the raillery of his companions by his weakness for clean linen.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Adjutant Wing knelt down beside the dead and took two fresh white pocket-handkerchiefs from his bosom—Adjutant Wing was rather dainty for a soldier, in some of his habits, and constantly exposed himself to the raillery of his companions by his weakness for clean linen.
not in physical motion
From this reading He now covered with the handkerchiefs the poor dead faces, and, still kneeling, gazed upon the two bodies, while great tears rolled slowly down his cheeks.
the process of shedding tears (usually accompanied by sobs or other inarticulate sounds)
From this reading And her little hand defiled with blood, Her tender tears of womanhood Most woman-pure did make.—E. B. BROWNING.
given to sympathy or gentleness or sentimentality
From this reading And her little hand defiled with blood, Her tender tears of womanhood Most woman-pure did make.—E. B. BROWNING.
a portable shelter (usually of canvas stretched over supporting poles and fastened to the ground with ropes and pegs)
From this reading Oh, womanly she prayed in tent, When none beside did wake!
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Adjutant Wing knelt down beside the dead and took two fresh white pocket-handkerchiefs from his bosom—Adjutant Wing was rather dainty for a soldier, in some of his habits, and constantly exposed himself to the raillery of his companions by his weakness for clean linen.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Adjutant Wing knelt down beside the dead and took two fresh white pocket-handkerchiefs from his bosom—Adjutant Wing was rather dainty for a soldier, in some of his habits, and constantly exposed himself to the raillery of his companions by his weakness for clean linen.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading Adjutant Wing knelt down beside the dead and took two fresh white pocket-handkerchiefs from his bosom—Adjutant Wing was rather dainty for a soldier, in some of his habits, and constantly exposed himself to the raillery of his companions by his weakness for clean linen.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Adjutant Wing knelt down beside the dead and took two fresh white pocket-handkerchiefs from his bosom—Adjutant Wing was rather dainty for a soldier, in some of his habits, and constantly exposed himself to the raillery of his companions by his weakness for clean linen.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading He now covered with the handkerchiefs the poor dead faces, and, still kneeling, gazed upon the two bodies, while great tears rolled slowly down his cheeks.
be awake, be alert, be there
From this reading Oh, womanly she prayed in tent, When none beside did wake!
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Adjutant Wing knelt down beside the dead and took two fresh white pocket-handkerchiefs from his bosom—Adjutant Wing was rather dainty for a soldier, in some of his habits, and constantly exposed himself to the raillery of his companions by his weakness for clean linen.
a flaw or weak point
From this reading Adjutant Wing knelt down beside the dead and took two fresh white pocket-handkerchiefs from his bosom—Adjutant Wing was rather dainty for a soldier, in some of his habits, and constantly exposed himself to the raillery of his companions by his weakness for clean linen.
at the time that
From this reading Oh, womanly she prayed in tent, When none beside did wake!
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading He now covered with the handkerchiefs the poor dead faces, and, still kneeling, gazed upon the two bodies, while great tears rolled slowly down his cheeks.
a Caucasian
From this reading Adjutant Wing knelt down beside the dead and took two fresh white pocket-handkerchiefs from his bosom—Adjutant Wing was rather dainty for a soldier, in some of his habits, and constantly exposed himself to the raillery of his companions by his weakness for clean linen.
a movable organ for flying (one of a pair)
From this reading Adjutant Wing knelt down beside the dead and took two fresh white pocket-handkerchiefs from his bosom—Adjutant Wing was rather dainty for a soldier, in some of his habits, and constantly exposed himself to the raillery of his companions by his weakness for clean linen.
in the company of; together with
From this reading And her little hand defiled with blood, Her tender tears of womanhood Most woman-pure did make.—E. B. BROWNING.
woman-pure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And her little hand defiled with blood, Her tender tears of womanhood Most woman-pure did make.—E. B. BROWNING.
womanhoodnounUS /ˈwʊmənhʊd/
the state of being an adult woman
From this reading And her little hand defiled with blood, Her tender tears of womanhood Most woman-pure did make.—E. B. BROWNING.
womanlyadjective
befitting or characteristic of a woman especially a mature woman
From this reading Oh, womanly she prayed in tent, When none beside did wake!
