used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE CONFUSION OF THE DAY EXPLAINED A single volley from each company of the Riverlawn Cavalry proved to be enough to settle the affairs of the enemy in front.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Major Lyon looked about him in the road, and he was surprised to find but eight forms lying on the ground.
matters of personal concern
From this reading THE CONFUSION OF THE DAY EXPLAINED A single volley from each company of the Riverlawn Cavalry proved to be enough to settle the affairs of the enemy in front.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Captain Gordon began a vigorous pursuit of the retreating enemy; but they had the start of him by at least a mile, for he had met with some obstructions in reaching the road after his men had delivered their fire.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Major Lyon looked about him in the road, and he was surprised to find but eight forms lying on the ground.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Captain Gordon began a vigorous pursuit of the retreating enemy; but they had the start of him by at least a mile, for he had met with some obstructions in reaching the road after his men had delivered their fire.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading THE CONFUSION OF THE DAY EXPLAINED A single volley from each company of the Riverlawn Cavalry proved to be enough to settle the affairs of the enemy in front.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading How so many bullets could have been fired into fifty men with no greater loss of life seemed strange to him; but he was just beginning to obtain his experience.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Captain Gordon began a vigorous pursuit of the retreating enemy; but they had the start of him by at least a mile, for he had met with some obstructions in reaching the road after his men had delivered their fire.
the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading How so many bullets could have been fired into fifty men with no greater loss of life seemed strange to him; but he was just beginning to obtain his experience.
bulletsnounUS /ˈbʊləts/
plural of “bullet” — a projectile that is fired from a gun
From this reading How so many bullets could have been fired into fifty men with no greater loss of life seemed strange to him; but he was just beginning to obtain his experience.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Major Lyon looked about him in the road, and he was surprised to find but eight forms lying on the ground.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Captain Gordon began a vigorous pursuit of the retreating enemy; but they had the start of him by at least a mile, for he had met with some obstructions in reaching the road after his men had delivered their fire.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading Captain Gordon began a vigorous pursuit of the retreating enemy; but they had the start of him by at least a mile, for he had met with some obstructions in reaching the road after his men had delivered their fire.
CavalrynounUS /ˈkævəlri/
troops trained to fight on horseback
From this reading THE CONFUSION OF THE DAY EXPLAINED A single volley from each company of the Riverlawn Cavalry proved to be enough to settle the affairs of the enemy in front.
an institution created to conduct business
From this reading THE CONFUSION OF THE DAY EXPLAINED A single volley from each company of the Riverlawn Cavalry proved to be enough to settle the affairs of the enemy in front.
disorder resulting from a failure to behave predictably
From this reading THE CONFUSION OF THE DAY EXPLAINED A single volley from each company of the Riverlawn Cavalry proved to be enough to settle the affairs of the enemy in front.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading How so many bullets could have been fired into fifty men with no greater loss of life seemed strange to him; but he was just beginning to obtain his experience.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading THE CONFUSION OF THE DAY EXPLAINED A single volley from each company of the Riverlawn Cavalry proved to be enough to settle the affairs of the enemy in front.
past form of “deliver” — deliver (a speech, oration, or idea)
From this reading Captain Gordon began a vigorous pursuit of the retreating enemy; but they had the start of him by at least a mile, for he had met with some obstructions in reaching the road after his men had delivered their fire.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The result did not prove that only that number had been hit; for the number lying in the road did not fully indicate the enemy's loss.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading THE CONFUSION OF THE DAY EXPLAINED A single volley from each company of the Riverlawn Cavalry proved to be enough to settle the affairs of the enemy in front.
being one more than seven
From this reading Major Lyon looked about him in the road, and he was surprised to find but eight forms lying on the ground.
an opposing military force
From this reading THE CONFUSION OF THE DAY EXPLAINED A single volley from each company of the Riverlawn Cavalry proved to be enough to settle the affairs of the enemy in front.
enemy'snounUS /ˈenəmiz/
possessive form of “enemy” — an opposing military force
From this reading The result did not prove that only that number had been hit; for the number lying in the road did not fully indicate the enemy's loss.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading THE CONFUSION OF THE DAY EXPLAINED A single volley from each company of the Riverlawn Cavalry proved to be enough to settle the affairs of the enemy in front.
undergo or live through a difficult experience
From this reading How so many bullets could have been fired into fifty men with no greater loss of life seemed strange to him; but he was just beginning to obtain his experience.
past form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible
From this reading THE CONFUSION OF THE DAY EXPLAINED A single volley from each company of the Riverlawn Cavalry proved to be enough to settle the affairs of the enemy in front.
the cardinal number that is the product of ten and five
From this reading How so many bullets could have been fired into fifty men with no greater loss of life seemed strange to him; but he was just beginning to obtain his experience.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading Major Lyon looked about him in the road, and he was surprised to find but eight forms lying on the ground.
start firing a weapon
From this reading Captain Gordon began a vigorous pursuit of the retreating enemy; but they had the start of him by at least a mile, for he had met with some obstructions in reaching the road after his men had delivered their fire.
firedadjectiveUS /ˈfaɪərd/
having lost your job
From this reading How so many bullets could have been fired into fifty men with no greater loss of life seemed strange to him; but he was just beginning to obtain his experience.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The result did not prove that only that number had been hit; for the number lying in the road did not fully indicate the enemy's loss.
plural of “form” — the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading Major Lyon looked about him in the road, and he was surprised to find but eight forms lying on the ground.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading THE CONFUSION OF THE DAY EXPLAINED A single volley from each company of the Riverlawn Cavalry proved to be enough to settle the affairs of the enemy in front.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading THE CONFUSION OF THE DAY EXPLAINED A single volley from each company of the Riverlawn Cavalry proved to be enough to settle the affairs of the enemy in front.
to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (“full” in this sense is used as a combining form)
From this reading The result did not prove that only that number had been hit; for the number lying in the road did not fully indicate the enemy's loss.
Gordon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Gordon began a vigorous pursuit of the retreating enemy; but they had the start of him by at least a mile, for he had met with some obstructions in reaching the road after his men had delivered their fire.
greater in size or importance or degree
From this reading How so many bullets could have been fired into fifty men with no greater loss of life seemed strange to him; but he was just beginning to obtain his experience.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading Major Lyon looked about him in the road, and he was surprised to find but eight forms lying on the ground.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The result did not prove that only that number had been hit; for the number lying in the road did not fully indicate the enemy's loss.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading How so many bullets could have been fired into fifty men with no greater loss of life seemed strange to him; but he was just beginning to obtain his experience.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Major Lyon looked about him in the road, and he was surprised to find but eight forms lying on the ground.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Major Lyon looked about him in the road, and he was surprised to find but eight forms lying on the ground.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading How so many bullets could have been fired into fifty men with no greater loss of life seemed strange to him; but he was just beginning to obtain his experience.
cause to move by striking
From this reading The result did not prove that only that number had been hit; for the number lying in the road did not fully indicate the enemy's loss.
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How so many bullets could have been fired into fifty men with no greater loss of life seemed strange to him; but he was just beginning to obtain his experience.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE CONFUSION OF THE DAY EXPLAINED A single volley from each company of the Riverlawn Cavalry proved to be enough to settle the affairs of the enemy in front.
indicateverbUS /ˈɪndəkeɪt/
be a signal for or a symptom of
From this reading The result did not prove that only that number had been hit; for the number lying in the road did not fully indicate the enemy's loss.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading How so many bullets could have been fired into fifty men with no greater loss of life seemed strange to him; but he was just beginning to obtain his experience.
and nothing more
From this reading How so many bullets could have been fired into fifty men with no greater loss of life seemed strange to him; but he was just beginning to obtain his experience.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading Captain Gordon began a vigorous pursuit of the retreating enemy; but they had the start of him by at least a mile, for he had met with some obstructions in reaching the road after his men had delivered their fire.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading How so many bullets could have been fired into fifty men with no greater loss of life seemed strange to him; but he was just beginning to obtain his experience.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading Major Lyon looked about him in the road, and he was surprised to find but eight forms lying on the ground.
something that is lost
From this reading How so many bullets could have been fired into fifty men with no greater loss of life seemed strange to him; but he was just beginning to obtain his experience.
the deliberate act of deviating from the truth
From this reading Major Lyon looked about him in the road, and he was surprised to find but eight forms lying on the ground.
LyonnounUS /ˈlaɪən/
a city in east-central France on the Rhone River; a principal producer of silk and rayon
From this reading Major Lyon looked about him in the road, and he was surprised to find but eight forms lying on the ground.
MajoradjectiveUS /ˈmeɪdʒər/
of greater importance or stature or rank
From this reading Major Lyon looked about him in the road, and he was surprised to find but eight forms lying on the ground.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading How so many bullets could have been fired into fifty men with no greater loss of life seemed strange to him; but he was just beginning to obtain his experience.
the force of workers available
From this reading How so many bullets could have been fired into fifty men with no greater loss of life seemed strange to him; but he was just beginning to obtain his experience.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading Captain Gordon began a vigorous pursuit of the retreating enemy; but they had the start of him by at least a mile, for he had met with some obstructions in reaching the road after his men had delivered their fire.
a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading Captain Gordon began a vigorous pursuit of the retreating enemy; but they had the start of him by at least a mile, for he had met with some obstructions in reaching the road after his men had delivered their fire.
not any; not one
From this reading How so many bullets could have been fired into fifty men with no greater loss of life seemed strange to him; but he was just beginning to obtain his experience.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The result did not prove that only that number had been hit; for the number lying in the road did not fully indicate the enemy's loss.
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading The result did not prove that only that number had been hit; for the number lying in the road did not fully indicate the enemy's loss.
obstructionsnounUS /əbˈstrʌkʃənz/
plural of “obstruction” — any structure that makes progress difficult
From this reading Captain Gordon began a vigorous pursuit of the retreating enemy; but they had the start of him by at least a mile, for he had met with some obstructions in reaching the road after his men had delivered their fire.
come into possession of
From this reading How so many bullets could have been fired into fifty men with no greater loss of life seemed strange to him; but he was just beginning to obtain his experience.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE CONFUSION OF THE DAY EXPLAINED A single volley from each company of the Riverlawn Cavalry proved to be enough to settle the affairs of the enemy in front.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Major Lyon looked about him in the road, and he was surprised to find but eight forms lying on the ground.
and nothing more
From this reading The result did not prove that only that number had been hit; for the number lying in the road did not fully indicate the enemy's loss.
be shown or be found to be
From this reading The result did not prove that only that number had been hit; for the number lying in the road did not fully indicate the enemy's loss.
established beyond doubt
From this reading THE CONFUSION OF THE DAY EXPLAINED A single volley from each company of the Riverlawn Cavalry proved to be enough to settle the affairs of the enemy in front.
the act of pursuing in an effort to overtake or capture
From this reading Captain Gordon began a vigorous pursuit of the retreating enemy; but they had the start of him by at least a mile, for he had met with some obstructions in reaching the road after his men had delivered their fire.
the act of physically reaching or thrusting out
From this reading Captain Gordon began a vigorous pursuit of the retreating enemy; but they had the start of him by at least a mile, for he had met with some obstructions in reaching the road after his men had delivered their fire.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading The result did not prove that only that number had been hit; for the number lying in the road did not fully indicate the enemy's loss.
retreatingverbUS /riˈtriːtɪŋ/
-ing form of “retreat” — pull back or move away or backward
From this reading Captain Gordon began a vigorous pursuit of the retreating enemy; but they had the start of him by at least a mile, for he had met with some obstructions in reaching the road after his men had delivered their fire.
Riverlawn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE CONFUSION OF THE DAY EXPLAINED A single volley from each company of the Riverlawn Cavalry proved to be enough to settle the affairs of the enemy in front.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading Major Lyon looked about him in the road, and he was surprised to find but eight forms lying on the ground.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading How so many bullets could have been fired into fifty men with no greater loss of life seemed strange to him; but he was just beginning to obtain his experience.
settle into a position, usually on a surface or ground
From this reading THE CONFUSION OF THE DAY EXPLAINED A single volley from each company of the Riverlawn Cavalry proved to be enough to settle the affairs of the enemy in front.
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading THE CONFUSION OF THE DAY EXPLAINED A single volley from each company of the Riverlawn Cavalry proved to be enough to settle the affairs of the enemy in front.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading How so many bullets could have been fired into fifty men with no greater loss of life seemed strange to him; but he was just beginning to obtain his experience.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Captain Gordon began a vigorous pursuit of the retreating enemy; but they had the start of him by at least a mile, for he had met with some obstructions in reaching the road after his men had delivered their fire.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Captain Gordon began a vigorous pursuit of the retreating enemy; but they had the start of him by at least a mile, for he had met with some obstructions in reaching the road after his men had delivered their fire.
being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird
From this reading How so many bullets could have been fired into fifty men with no greater loss of life seemed strange to him; but he was just beginning to obtain his experience.
taken unawares or suddenly and feeling wonder or astonishment
From this reading Major Lyon looked about him in the road, and he was surprised to find but eight forms lying on the ground.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The result did not prove that only that number had been hit; for the number lying in the road did not fully indicate the enemy's loss.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE CONFUSION OF THE DAY EXPLAINED A single volley from each company of the Riverlawn Cavalry proved to be enough to settle the affairs of the enemy in front.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Captain Gordon began a vigorous pursuit of the retreating enemy; but they had the start of him by at least a mile, for he had met with some obstructions in reaching the road after his men had delivered their fire.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Captain Gordon began a vigorous pursuit of the retreating enemy; but they had the start of him by at least a mile, for he had met with some obstructions in reaching the road after his men had delivered their fire.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE CONFUSION OF THE DAY EXPLAINED A single volley from each company of the Riverlawn Cavalry proved to be enough to settle the affairs of the enemy in front.
vigorousadjectiveUS /ˈvɪɡərəs/
characterized by forceful and energetic action or activity
From this reading Captain Gordon began a vigorous pursuit of the retreating enemy; but they had the start of him by at least a mile, for he had met with some obstructions in reaching the road after his men had delivered their fire.
volleynounUS /ˈvɑːli/
rapid simultaneous discharge of firearms
From this reading THE CONFUSION OF THE DAY EXPLAINED A single volley from each company of the Riverlawn Cavalry proved to be enough to settle the affairs of the enemy in front.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Major Lyon looked about him in the road, and he was surprised to find but eight forms lying on the ground.
in the company of; together with
From this reading How so many bullets could have been fired into fifty men with no greater loss of life seemed strange to him; but he was just beginning to obtain his experience.
