Chapter XVII · Chapter 17

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

From this reading There is likely to be a great battle fought, in a few weeks; but if the rumours we hear are correct, we may not be here very much longer.

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading The command had been effected so suddenly that Desmond had not been able to make up his mind to request the Duke of Orleans, to whom he had been attached personally, rather than to the French army in Spain, to allow him to return with him to France, in order that he might again join the Duke of Berwick.

a proposal for an appropriate course of action

From this reading Desmond spoke to the head of the staff, with whom he had been constantly thrown in contact before he left Madrid, and whilst explaining to him, on his return, the details of his report, asked him for his advice.

anew

From this reading The command had been effected so suddenly that Desmond had not been able to make up his mind to request the Duke of Orleans, to whom he had been attached personally, rather than to the French army in Spain, to allow him to return with him to France, in order that he might again join the Duke of Berwick.

make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen

From this reading The command had been effected so suddenly that Desmond had not been able to make up his mind to request the Duke of Orleans, to whom he had been attached personally, rather than to the French army in Spain, to allow him to return with him to France, in order that he might again join the Duke of Berwick.

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

From this reading Desmond spoke to the head of the staff, with whom he had been constantly thrown in contact before he left Madrid, and whilst explaining to him, on his return, the details of his report, asked him for his advice.

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading There is likely to be a great battle fought, in a few weeks; but if the rumours we hear are correct, we may not be here very much longer.

a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state

From this reading The command had been effected so suddenly that Desmond had not been able to make up his mind to request the Duke of Orleans, to whom he had been attached personally, rather than to the French army in Spain, to allow him to return with him to France, in order that he might again join the Duke of Berwick.

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading Desmond spoke to the head of the staff, with whom he had been constantly thrown in contact before he left Madrid, and whilst explaining to him, on his return, the details of his report, asked him for his advice.

being joined in close association

From this reading The command had been effected so suddenly that Desmond had not been able to make up his mind to request the Duke of Orleans, to whom he had been attached personally, rather than to the French army in Spain, to allow him to return with him to France, in order that he might again join the Duke of Berwick.

a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war

From this reading There is likely to be a great battle fought, in a few weeks; but if the rumours we hear are correct, we may not be here very much longer.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading There is likely to be a great battle fought, in a few weeks; but if the rumours we hear are correct, we may not be here very much longer.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The command had been effected so suddenly that Desmond had not been able to make up his mind to request the Duke of Orleans, to whom he had been attached personally, rather than to the French army in Spain, to allow him to return with him to France, in order that he might again join the Duke of Berwick.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Before, however, he could decide whether to do so or not, the duke had taken his departure.

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

From this reading The command had been effected so suddenly that Desmond had not been able to make up his mind to request the Duke of Orleans, to whom he had been attached personally, rather than to the French army in Spain, to allow him to return with him to France, in order that he might again join the Duke of Berwick.

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading "I should think you had better remain here, Captain Kennedy.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading There is likely to be a great battle fought, in a few weeks; but if the rumours we hear are correct, we may not be here very much longer.

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

From this reading "I should think you had better remain here, Captain Kennedy.

an authoritative direction or instruction to do something

From this reading The command had been effected so suddenly that Desmond had not been able to make up his mind to request the Duke of Orleans, to whom he had been attached personally, rather than to the French army in Spain, to allow him to return with him to France, in order that he might again join the Duke of Berwick.

without variation or change, in every case

From this reading Desmond spoke to the head of the staff, with whom he had been constantly thrown in contact before he left Madrid, and whilst explaining to him, on his return, the details of his report, asked him for his advice.

close interaction

From this reading Desmond spoke to the head of the staff, with whom he had been constantly thrown in contact before he left Madrid, and whilst explaining to him, on his return, the details of his report, asked him for his advice.

make right or correct

From this reading There is likely to be a great battle fought, in a few weeks; but if the rumours we hear are correct, we may not be here very much longer.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading Before, however, he could decide whether to do so or not, the duke had taken his departure.

reach, make, or come to a decision about something

From this reading Before, however, he could decide whether to do so or not, the duke had taken his departure.

the act of departing

From this reading Before, however, he could decide whether to do so or not, the duke had taken his departure.

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

From this reading The command had been effected so suddenly that Desmond had not been able to make up his mind to request the Duke of Orleans, to whom he had been attached personally, rather than to the French army in Spain, to allow him to return with him to France, in order that he might again join the Duke of Berwick.

true confidential information

From this reading Desmond spoke to the head of the staff, with whom he had been constantly thrown in contact before he left Madrid, and whilst explaining to him, on his return, the details of his report, asked him for his advice.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Before, however, he could decide whether to do so or not, the duke had taken his departure.

a British peer of the highest rank

From this reading The command had been effected so suddenly that Desmond had not been able to make up his mind to request the Duke of Orleans, to whom he had been attached personally, rather than to the French army in Spain, to allow him to return with him to France, in order that he might again join the Duke of Berwick.

settled securely and unconditionally

From this reading The command had been effected so suddenly that Desmond had not been able to make up his mind to request the Duke of Orleans, to whom he had been attached personally, rather than to the French army in Spain, to allow him to return with him to France, in order that he might again join the Duke of Berwick.

-ing form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible

From this reading Desmond spoke to the head of the staff, with whom he had been constantly thrown in contact before he left Madrid, and whilst explaining to him, on his return, the details of his report, asked him for his advice.

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

From this reading There is likely to be a great battle fought, in a few weeks; but if the rumours we hear are correct, we may not be here very much longer.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Desmond spoke to the head of the staff, with whom he had been constantly thrown in contact before he left Madrid, and whilst explaining to him, on his return, the details of his report, asked him for his advice.

inflected form of “fight” — be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight

From this reading There is likely to be a great battle fought, in a few weeks; but if the rumours we hear are correct, we may not be here very much longer.

a republic in western Europe; the largest country wholly in Europe

From this reading The command had been effected so suddenly that Desmond had not been able to make up his mind to request the Duke of Orleans, to whom he had been attached personally, rather than to the French army in Spain, to allow him to return with him to France, in order that he might again join the Duke of Berwick.

the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France

From this reading The command had been effected so suddenly that Desmond had not been able to make up his mind to request the Duke of Orleans, to whom he had been attached personally, rather than to the French army in Spain, to allow him to return with him to France, in order that he might again join the Duke of Berwick.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading There is likely to be a great battle fought, in a few weeks; but if the rumours we hear are correct, we may not be here very much longer.

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

From this reading The command had been effected so suddenly that Desmond had not been able to make up his mind to request the Duke of Orleans, to whom he had been attached personally, rather than to the French army in Spain, to allow him to return with him to France, in order that he might again join the Duke of Berwick.

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

From this reading The command had been effected so suddenly that Desmond had not been able to make up his mind to request the Duke of Orleans, to whom he had been attached personally, rather than to the French army in Spain, to allow him to return with him to France, in order that he might again join the Duke of Berwick.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading Desmond spoke to the head of the staff, with whom he had been constantly thrown in contact before he left Madrid, and whilst explaining to him, on his return, the details of his report, asked him for his advice.

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense

From this reading There is likely to be a great battle fought, in a few weeks; but if the rumours we hear are correct, we may not be here very much longer.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading "I should think you had better remain here, Captain Kennedy.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading The command had been effected so suddenly that Desmond had not been able to make up his mind to request the Duke of Orleans, to whom he had been attached personally, rather than to the French army in Spain, to allow him to return with him to France, in order that he might again join the Duke of Berwick.

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

From this reading The command had been effected so suddenly that Desmond had not been able to make up his mind to request the Duke of Orleans, to whom he had been attached personally, rather than to the French army in Spain, to allow him to return with him to France, in order that he might again join the Duke of Berwick.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading Before, however, he could decide whether to do so or not, the duke had taken his departure.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading "I should think you had better remain here, Captain Kennedy.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading There is likely to be a great battle fought, in a few weeks; but if the rumours we hear are correct, we may not be here very much longer.

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

From this reading The command had been effected so suddenly that Desmond had not been able to make up his mind to request the Duke of Orleans, to whom he had been attached personally, rather than to the French army in Spain, to allow him to return with him to France, in order that he might again join the Duke of Berwick.

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

From this reading There is likely to be a great battle fought, in a few weeks; but if the rumours we hear are correct, we may not be here very much longer.

become part of; become a member of a group or organization

From this reading The command had been effected so suddenly that Desmond had not been able to make up his mind to request the Duke of Orleans, to whom he had been attached personally, rather than to the French army in Spain, to allow him to return with him to France, in order that he might again join the Duke of Berwick.

35th President of the United States; established the Peace Corps; assassinated in Dallas (1917-1963)

From this reading "I should think you had better remain here, Captain Kennedy.

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 Desmond spoke to the head of the staff, with whom he had been constantly thrown in contact before he left Madrid, and whilst explaining to him, on his return, the details of his report, asked him for his advice.

has a good chance of being the case or of coming about

From this reading There is likely to be a great battle fought, in a few weeks; but if the rumours we hear are correct, we may not be here very much longer.

for more time

From this reading There is likely to be a great battle fought, in a few weeks; but if the rumours we hear are correct, we may not be here very much longer.

the capital and largest city situated centrally in Spain; home of an outstanding art museum

From this reading Desmond spoke to the head of the staff, with whom he had been constantly thrown in contact before he left Madrid, and whilst explaining to him, on his return, the details of his report, asked him for his advice.

engage in

From this reading The command had been effected so suddenly that Desmond had not been able to make up his mind to request the Duke of Orleans, to whom he had been attached personally, rather than to the French army in Spain, to allow him to return with him to France, in order that he might again join the Duke of Berwick.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading There is likely to be a great battle fought, in a few weeks; but if the rumours we hear are correct, we may not be here very much longer.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading The command had been effected so suddenly that Desmond had not been able to make up his mind to request the Duke of Orleans, to whom he had been attached personally, rather than to the French army in Spain, to allow him to return with him to France, in order that he might again join the Duke of Berwick.

The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.

From this reading The command had been effected so suddenly that Desmond had not been able to make up his mind to request the Duke of Orleans, to whom he had been attached personally, rather than to the French army in Spain, to allow him to return with him to France, in order that he might again join the Duke of Berwick.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading There is likely to be a great battle fought, in a few weeks; but if the rumours we hear are correct, we may not be here very much longer.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The command had been effected so suddenly that Desmond had not been able to make up his mind to request the Duke of Orleans, to whom he had been attached personally, rather than to the French army in Spain, to allow him to return with him to France, in order that he might again join the Duke of Berwick.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The command had been effected so suddenly that Desmond had not been able to make up his mind to request the Duke of Orleans, to whom he had been attached personally, rather than to the French army in Spain, to allow him to return with him to France, in order that he might again join the Duke of Berwick.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Desmond spoke to the head of the staff, with whom he had been constantly thrown in contact before he left Madrid, and whilst explaining to him, on his return, the details of his report, asked him for his advice.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Before, however, he could decide whether to do so or not, the duke had taken his departure.

(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading The command had been effected so suddenly that Desmond had not been able to make up his mind to request the Duke of Orleans, to whom he had been attached personally, rather than to the French army in Spain, to allow him to return with him to France, in order that he might again join the Duke of Berwick.

a city on the Loire river in north central France; site of the siege of Orleans by the English (1428-1429)

From this reading The command had been effected so suddenly that Desmond had not been able to make up his mind to request the Duke of Orleans, to whom he had been attached personally, rather than to the French army in Spain, to allow him to return with him to France, in order that he might again join the Duke of Berwick.

as yourself

From this reading The command had been effected so suddenly that Desmond had not been able to make up his mind to request the Duke of Orleans, to whom he had been attached personally, rather than to the French army in Spain, to allow him to return with him to France, in order that he might again join the Duke of Berwick.

on the contrary

From this reading The command had been effected so suddenly that Desmond had not been able to make up his mind to request the Duke of Orleans, to whom he had been attached personally, rather than to the French army in Spain, to allow him to return with him to France, in order that he might again join the Duke of Berwick.

stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading "I should think you had better remain here, Captain Kennedy.

to give an account or representation of in words

From this reading Desmond spoke to the head of the staff, with whom he had been constantly thrown in contact before he left Madrid, and whilst explaining to him, on his return, the details of his report, asked him for his advice.

express the need or desire for

From this reading The command had been effected so suddenly that Desmond had not been able to make up his mind to request the Duke of Orleans, to whom he had been attached personally, rather than to the French army in Spain, to allow him to return with him to France, in order that he might again join the Duke of Berwick.

go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading The command had been effected so suddenly that Desmond had not been able to make up his mind to request the Duke of Orleans, to whom he had been attached personally, rather than to the French army in Spain, to allow him to return with him to France, in order that he might again join the Duke of Berwick.

plural of “rumour” — gossip (usually a mixture of truth and untruth) passed around by word of mouth

From this reading There is likely to be a great battle fought, in a few weeks; but if the rumours we hear are correct, we may not be here very much longer.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading "I should think you had better remain here, Captain Kennedy.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The command had been effected so suddenly that Desmond had not been able to make up his mind to request the Duke of Orleans, to whom he had been attached personally, rather than to the French army in Spain, to allow him to return with him to France, in order that he might again join the Duke of Berwick.

a parliamentary monarchy in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula; a former colonial power

From this reading The command had been effected so suddenly that Desmond had not been able to make up his mind to request the Duke of Orleans, to whom he had been attached personally, rather than to the French army in Spain, to allow him to return with him to France, in order that he might again join the Duke of Berwick.

support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim

From this reading Desmond spoke to the head of the staff, with whom he had been constantly thrown in contact before he left Madrid, and whilst explaining to him, on his return, the details of his report, asked him for his advice.

personnel who assist their superior in carrying out an assigned task

From this reading Desmond spoke to the head of the staff, with whom he had been constantly thrown in contact before he left Madrid, and whilst explaining to him, on his return, the details of his report, asked him for his advice.

happening unexpectedly

From this reading The command had been effected so suddenly that Desmond had not been able to make up his mind to request the Duke of Orleans, to whom he had been attached personally, rather than to the French army in Spain, to allow him to return with him to France, in order that he might again join the Duke of Berwick.

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading Before, however, he could decide whether to do so or not, the duke had taken his departure.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading The command had been effected so suddenly that Desmond had not been able to make up his mind to request the Duke of Orleans, to whom he had been attached personally, rather than to the French army in Spain, to allow him to return with him to France, in order that he might again join the Duke of Berwick.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The command had been effected so suddenly that Desmond had not been able to make up his mind to request the Duke of Orleans, to whom he had been attached personally, rather than to the French army in Spain, to allow him to return with him to France, in order that he might again join the Duke of Berwick.

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

From this reading The command had been effected so suddenly that Desmond had not been able to make up his mind to request the Duke of Orleans, to whom he had been attached personally, rather than to the French army in Spain, to allow him to return with him to France, in order that he might again join the Duke of Berwick.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There is likely to be a great battle fought, in a few weeks; but if the rumours we hear are correct, we may not be here very much longer.

judge or regard; look upon; judge

From this reading "I should think you had better remain here, Captain Kennedy.

caused to fall to the ground

From this reading Desmond spoke to the head of the staff, with whom he had been constantly thrown in contact before he left Madrid, and whilst explaining to him, on his return, the details of his report, asked him for his advice.

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

From this reading The command had been effected so suddenly that Desmond had not been able to make up his mind to request the Duke of Orleans, to whom he had been attached personally, rather than to the French army in Spain, to allow him to return with him to France, in order that he might again join the Duke of Berwick.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading The command had been effected so suddenly that Desmond had not been able to make up his mind to request the Duke of Orleans, to whom he had been attached personally, rather than to the French army in Spain, to allow him to return with him to France, in order that he might again join the Duke of Berwick.

precisely as stated

From this reading There is likely to be a great battle fought, in a few weeks; but if the rumours we hear are correct, we may not be here very much longer.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading There is likely to be a great battle fought, in a few weeks; but if the rumours we hear are correct, we may not be here very much longer.

plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days

From this reading There is likely to be a great battle fought, in a few weeks; but if the rumours we hear are correct, we may not be here very much longer.

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading Before, however, he could decide whether to do so or not, the duke had taken his departure.

an old and formal word for “while”

From this reading Desmond spoke to the head of the staff, with whom he had been constantly thrown in contact before he left Madrid, and whilst explaining to him, on his return, the details of his report, asked him for his advice.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading The command had been effected so suddenly that Desmond had not been able to make up his mind to request the Duke of Orleans, to whom he had been attached personally, rather than to the French army in Spain, to allow him to return with him to France, in order that he might again join the Duke of Berwick.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The command had been effected so suddenly that Desmond had not been able to make up his mind to request the Duke of Orleans, to whom he had been attached personally, rather than to the French army in Spain, to allow him to return with him to France, in order that he might again join the Duke of Berwick.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "I should think you had better remain here, Captain Kennedy.