used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading AN ENCOUNTER WITH THE ENEMY'S SCOUTS The baggage-train of the Guards had seen from a distance that the battle had begun, and they had halted in the road.
something done (usually as opposed to something said)
From this reading They still blocked the way for Deck and Artie; but they could no longer remain as spectators to the exciting scene which had just transpired, and had ridden down to the field of action; but the fighting had ceased.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading "Well, boys, this affair seems to be finished; and we made very short work of it," said Captain Truman, as they rode up to the spot where he was observing the labors of the men.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN ENCOUNTER WITH THE ENEMY'S SCOUTS The baggage-train of the Guards had seen from a distance that the battle had begun, and they had halted in the road.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading AN ENCOUNTER WITH THE ENEMY'S SCOUTS The baggage-train of the Guards had seen from a distance that the battle had begun, and they had halted in the road.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "We have seen the whole of it, and now we are ready to return to our company," replied Deck.
Artie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They still blocked the way for Deck and Artie; but they could no longer remain as spectators to the exciting scene which had just transpired, and had ridden down to the field of action; but the fighting had ceased.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading They still blocked the way for Deck and Artie; but they could no longer remain as spectators to the exciting scene which had just transpired, and had ridden down to the field of action; but the fighting had ceased.
attendingnounUS /əˈtendɪŋ/
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading The cavalrymen were picking up their wounded; and Dr. Farnwright, the surgeon of the battalion, was attending to their needs.
baggage-train
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN ENCOUNTER WITH THE ENEMY'S SCOUTS The baggage-train of the Guards had seen from a distance that the battle had begun, and they had halted in the road.
battalionnounUS /bəˈtæljən/
an army unit usually consisting of a headquarters and three or more companies
From this reading The cavalrymen were picking up their wounded; and Dr. Farnwright, the surgeon of the battalion, was attending to their needs.
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading AN ENCOUNTER WITH THE ENEMY'S SCOUTS The baggage-train of the Guards had seen from a distance that the battle had begun, and they had halted in the road.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading "Well, boys, this affair seems to be finished; and we made very short work of it," said Captain Truman, as they rode up to the spot where he was observing the labors of the men.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading AN ENCOUNTER WITH THE ENEMY'S SCOUTS The baggage-train of the Guards had seen from a distance that the battle had begun, and they had halted in the road.
blockedadjectiveUS /blɑːkt/
closed to traffic
From this reading They still blocked the way for Deck and Artie; but they could no longer remain as spectators to the exciting scene which had just transpired, and had ridden down to the field of action; but the fighting had ceased.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading "Well, boys, this affair seems to be finished; and we made very short work of it," said Captain Truman, as they rode up to the spot where he was observing the labors of the men.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading They still blocked the way for Deck and Artie; but they could no longer remain as spectators to the exciting scene which had just transpired, and had ridden down to the field of action; but the fighting had ceased.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading "Well, boys, this affair seems to be finished; and we made very short work of it," said Captain Truman, as they rode up to the spot where he was observing the labors of the men.
cavalrymen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The cavalrymen were picking up their wounded; and Dr. Farnwright, the surgeon of the battalion, was attending to their needs.
past form of “cease” — put an end to a state or an activity
From this reading They still blocked the way for Deck and Artie; but they could no longer remain as spectators to the exciting scene which had just transpired, and had ridden down to the field of action; but the fighting had ceased.
an institution created to conduct business
From this reading "We have seen the whole of it, and now we are ready to return to our company," replied Deck.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading They still blocked the way for Deck and Artie; but they could no longer remain as spectators to the exciting scene which had just transpired, and had ridden down to the field of action; but the fighting had ceased.
any of various platforms built into a vessel
From this reading They still blocked the way for Deck and Artie; but they could no longer remain as spectators to the exciting scene which had just transpired, and had ridden down to the field of action; but the fighting had ceased.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading AN ENCOUNTER WITH THE ENEMY'S SCOUTS The baggage-train of the Guards had seen from a distance that the battle had begun, and they had halted in the road.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading They still blocked the way for Deck and Artie; but they could no longer remain as spectators to the exciting scene which had just transpired, and had ridden down to the field of action; but the fighting had ceased.
Dr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The cavalrymen were picking up their wounded; and Dr. Farnwright, the surgeon of the battalion, was attending to their needs.
ENCOUNTERverbUS /ɪnˈkaʊntər/
come together
From this reading AN ENCOUNTER WITH THE ENEMY'S SCOUTS The baggage-train of the Guards had seen from a distance that the battle had begun, and they had halted in the road.
ENEMY'SnounUS /ˈenəmiz/
possessive form of “enemy” — an opposing military force
From this reading AN ENCOUNTER WITH THE ENEMY'S SCOUTS The baggage-train of the Guards had seen from a distance that the battle had begun, and they had halted in the road.
excitingadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsaɪtɪŋ/
creating or arousing excitement
From this reading They still blocked the way for Deck and Artie; but they could no longer remain as spectators to the exciting scene which had just transpired, and had ridden down to the field of action; but the fighting had ceased.
Farnwright
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The cavalrymen were picking up their wounded; and Dr. Farnwright, the surgeon of the battalion, was attending to their needs.
a piece of land cleared of trees and usually enclosed
From this reading They still blocked the way for Deck and Artie; but they could no longer remain as spectators to the exciting scene which had just transpired, and had ridden down to the field of action; but the fighting had ceased.
the act of fighting; any contest or struggle
From this reading They still blocked the way for Deck and Artie; but they could no longer remain as spectators to the exciting scene which had just transpired, and had ridden down to the field of action; but the fighting had ceased.
(of materials or goods) brought to the desired final state
From this reading "Well, boys, this affair seems to be finished; and we made very short work of it," said Captain Truman, as they rode up to the spot where he was observing the labors of the men.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading They still blocked the way for Deck and Artie; but they could no longer remain as spectators to the exciting scene which had just transpired, and had ridden down to the field of action; but the fighting had ceased.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading AN ENCOUNTER WITH THE ENEMY'S SCOUTS The baggage-train of the Guards had seen from a distance that the battle had begun, and they had halted in the road.
GuardsnounUS /ɡɑːrdz/
plural of “guard” — a person who keeps watch over something or someone
From this reading AN ENCOUNTER WITH THE ENEMY'S SCOUTS The baggage-train of the Guards had seen from a distance that the battle had begun, and they had halted in the road.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading AN ENCOUNTER WITH THE ENEMY'S SCOUTS The baggage-train of the Guards had seen from a distance that the battle had begun, and they had halted in the road.
past form of “halt” — cause to stop
From this reading AN ENCOUNTER WITH THE ENEMY'S SCOUTS The baggage-train of the Guards had seen from a distance that the battle had begun, and they had halted in the road.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading "We have seen the whole of it, and now we are ready to return to our company," replied Deck.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Well, boys, this affair seems to be finished; and we made very short work of it," said Captain Truman, as they rode up to the spot where he was observing the labors of the men.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading AN ENCOUNTER WITH THE ENEMY'S SCOUTS The baggage-train of the Guards had seen from a distance that the battle had begun, and they had halted in the road.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "Well, boys, this affair seems to be finished; and we made very short work of it," said Captain Truman, as they rode up to the spot where he was observing the labors of the men.
and nothing more
From this reading They still blocked the way for Deck and Artie; but they could no longer remain as spectators to the exciting scene which had just transpired, and had ridden down to the field of action; but the fighting had ceased.
laborsnounUS /ˈleɪbərz/
plural of “labor” — a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages
From this reading "Well, boys, this affair seems to be finished; and we made very short work of it," said Captain Truman, as they rode up to the spot where he was observing the labors of the men.
for more time
From this reading They still blocked the way for Deck and Artie; but they could no longer remain as spectators to the exciting scene which had just transpired, and had ridden down to the field of action; but the fighting had ceased.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading "Well, boys, this affair seems to be finished; and we made very short work of it," said Captain Truman, as they rode up to the spot where he was observing the labors of the men.
the force of workers available
From this reading "Well, boys, this affair seems to be finished; and we made very short work of it," said Captain Truman, as they rode up to the spot where he was observing the labors of the men.
in such a manner as could not be otherwise
From this reading The cavalrymen were picking up their wounded; and Dr. Farnwright, the surgeon of the battalion, was attending to their needs.
not any; not one
From this reading They still blocked the way for Deck and Artie; but they could no longer remain as spectators to the exciting scene which had just transpired, and had ridden down to the field of action; but the fighting had ceased.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading "We have seen the whole of it, and now we are ready to return to our company," replied Deck.
observingadjectiveUS /əbˈzɜːrvɪŋ/
quick to notice; showing quick and keen perception
From this reading "Well, boys, this affair seems to be finished; and we made very short work of it," said Captain Truman, as they rode up to the spot where he was observing the labors of the men.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading AN ENCOUNTER WITH THE ENEMY'S SCOUTS The baggage-train of the Guards had seen from a distance that the battle had begun, and they had halted in the road.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading "We have seen the whole of it, and now we are ready to return to our company," replied Deck.
pickingnounUS /ˈpɪkɪŋ/
the quantity of a crop that is harvested
From this reading The cavalrymen were picking up their wounded; and Dr. Farnwright, the surgeon of the battalion, was attending to their needs.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading "We have seen the whole of it, and now we are ready to return to our company," replied Deck.
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading They still blocked the way for Deck and Artie; but they could no longer remain as spectators to the exciting scene which had just transpired, and had ridden down to the field of action; but the fighting had ceased.
inflected form of “reply” — react verbally
From this reading "We have seen the whole of it, and now we are ready to return to our company," replied Deck.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading "We have seen the whole of it, and now we are ready to return to our company," replied Deck.
riddenverbUS /ˈrɪdən/
inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading They still blocked the way for Deck and Artie; but they could no longer remain as spectators to the exciting scene which had just transpired, and had ridden down to the field of action; but the fighting had ceased.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading AN ENCOUNTER WITH THE ENEMY'S SCOUTS The baggage-train of the Guards had seen from a distance that the battle had begun, and they had halted in the road.
inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading "Well, boys, this affair seems to be finished; and we made very short work of it," said Captain Truman, as they rode up to the spot where he was observing the labors of the men.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Well, boys, this affair seems to be finished; and we made very short work of it," said Captain Truman, as they rode up to the spot where he was observing the labors of the men.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading They still blocked the way for Deck and Artie; but they could no longer remain as spectators to the exciting scene which had just transpired, and had ridden down to the field of action; but the fighting had ceased.
SCOUTSnounUS /skaʊts/
plural of “scout” — a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
From this reading AN ENCOUNTER WITH THE ENEMY'S SCOUTS The baggage-train of the Guards had seen from a distance that the battle had begun, and they had halted in the road.
third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading "Well, boys, this affair seems to be finished; and we made very short work of it," said Captain Truman, as they rode up to the spot where he was observing the labors of the men.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading AN ENCOUNTER WITH THE ENEMY'S SCOUTS The baggage-train of the Guards had seen from a distance that the battle had begun, and they had halted in the road.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading "Well, boys, this affair seems to be finished; and we made very short work of it," said Captain Truman, as they rode up to the spot where he was observing the labors of the men.
spectatorsnounUS /ˈspekteɪtərz/
plural of “spectator” — a close observer; someone who looks at something (such as an exhibition of some kind)
From this reading They still blocked the way for Deck and Artie; but they could no longer remain as spectators to the exciting scene which had just transpired, and had ridden down to the field of action; but the fighting had ceased.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading "Well, boys, this affair seems to be finished; and we made very short work of it," said Captain Truman, as they rode up to the spot where he was observing the labors of the men.
not in physical motion
From this reading They still blocked the way for Deck and Artie; but they could no longer remain as spectators to the exciting scene which had just transpired, and had ridden down to the field of action; but the fighting had ceased.
surgeonnounUS /ˈsɜːrdʒən/
a physician who specializes in surgery
From this reading The cavalrymen were picking up their wounded; and Dr. Farnwright, the surgeon of the battalion, was attending to their needs.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading AN ENCOUNTER WITH THE ENEMY'S SCOUTS The baggage-train of the Guards had seen from a distance that the battle had begun, and they had halted in the road.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AN ENCOUNTER WITH THE ENEMY'S SCOUTS The baggage-train of the Guards had seen from a distance that the battle had begun, and they had halted in the road.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The cavalrymen were picking up their wounded; and Dr. Farnwright, the surgeon of the battalion, was attending to their needs.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading AN ENCOUNTER WITH THE ENEMY'S SCOUTS The baggage-train of the Guards had seen from a distance that the battle had begun, and they had halted in the road.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading "Well, boys, this affair seems to be finished; and we made very short work of it," said Captain Truman, as they rode up to the spot where he was observing the labors of the men.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They still blocked the way for Deck and Artie; but they could no longer remain as spectators to the exciting scene which had just transpired, and had ridden down to the field of action; but the fighting had ceased.
transpiredverbUS /trænˈspaɪərd/
past form of “transpire” — pass through the tissue or substance or its pores or interstices, as of gas
From this reading They still blocked the way for Deck and Artie; but they could no longer remain as spectators to the exciting scene which had just transpired, and had ridden down to the field of action; but the fighting had ceased.
TrumannounUS /ˈtruːmən/
elected vice president in Roosevelt's 4th term; became 33rd President of the United States on Roosevelt's death in 1945 and was elected President in 1948; authorized the use of atomic bombs against Japan (1884-1972)
From this reading "Well, boys, this affair seems to be finished; and we made very short work of it," said Captain Truman, as they rode up to the spot where he was observing the labors of the men.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The cavalrymen were picking up their wounded; and Dr. Farnwright, the surgeon of the battalion, was attending to their needs.
precisely as stated
From this reading "Well, boys, this affair seems to be finished; and we made very short work of it," said Captain Truman, as they rode up to the spot where he was observing the labors of the men.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The cavalrymen were picking up their wounded; and Dr. Farnwright, the surgeon of the battalion, was attending to their needs.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading They still blocked the way for Deck and Artie; but they could no longer remain as spectators to the exciting scene which had just transpired, and had ridden down to the field of action; but the fighting had ceased.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "Well, boys, this affair seems to be finished; and we made very short work of it," said Captain Truman, as they rode up to the spot where he was observing the labors of the men.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading "Well, boys, this affair seems to be finished; and we made very short work of it," said Captain Truman, as they rode up to the spot where he was observing the labors of the men.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The cavalrymen were picking up their wounded; and Dr. Farnwright, the surgeon of the battalion, was attending to their needs.
in or at the place that
From this reading "Well, boys, this affair seems to be finished; and we made very short work of it," said Captain Truman, as they rode up to the spot where he was observing the labors of the men.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading They still blocked the way for Deck and Artie; but they could no longer remain as spectators to the exciting scene which had just transpired, and had ridden down to the field of action; but the fighting had ceased.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading "We have seen the whole of it, and now we are ready to return to our company," replied Deck.
in the company of; together with
From this reading AN ENCOUNTER WITH THE ENEMY'S SCOUTS The baggage-train of the Guards had seen from a distance that the battle had begun, and they had halted in the road.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading "Well, boys, this affair seems to be finished; and we made very short work of it," said Captain Truman, as they rode up to the spot where he was observing the labors of the men.
people who are wounded
From this reading The cavalrymen were picking up their wounded; and Dr. Farnwright, the surgeon of the battalion, was attending to their needs.
