Chapter VIII · Chapter 8

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

From this reading INKERMAN It was soon after five in the morning when the pickets of the second division, keeping such watch as they were able in the misty light, while the rain fell steadily and thickly, dimly perceived a gray mass moving up the hill from the road at the end of the harbor.

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

From this reading INKERMAN It was soon after five in the morning when the pickets of the second division, keeping such watch as they were able in the misty light, while the rain fell steadily and thickly, dimly perceived a gray mass moving up the hill from the road at the end of the harbor.

move forward, also in the metaphorical sense

From this reading But not a sod had been turned, and the steep hillside lay bare and open to the advance of an enemy.

later than; following

From this reading INKERMAN It was soon after five in the morning when the pickets of the second division, keeping such watch as they were able in the misty light, while the rain fell steadily and thickly, dimly perceived a gray mass moving up the hill from the road at the end of the harbor.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Although this point was greatly exposed to attack, nothing had been done to strengthen the position.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading But not a sod had been turned, and the steep hillside lay bare and open to the advance of an enemy.

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

From this reading INKERMAN It was soon after five in the morning when the pickets of the second division, keeping such watch as they were able in the misty light, while the rain fell steadily and thickly, dimly perceived a gray mass moving up the hill from the road at the end of the harbor.

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

From this reading INKERMAN It was soon after five in the morning when the pickets of the second division, keeping such watch as they were able in the misty light, while the rain fell steadily and thickly, dimly perceived a gray mass moving up the hill from the road at the end of the harbor.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading INKERMAN It was soon after five in the morning when the pickets of the second division, keeping such watch as they were able in the misty light, while the rain fell steadily and thickly, dimly perceived a gray mass moving up the hill from the road at the end of the harbor.

(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)

From this reading Although this point was greatly exposed to attack, nothing had been done to strengthen the position.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading Although taken by surprise, and wholly ignorant of the strength of the force opposed to them, the pickets stood their ground, but before the heavy masses of men clambering up the hill, they could do nothing, and were forced to fall back, contesting every foot.

completely unclothed

From this reading But not a sod had been turned, and the steep hillside lay bare and open to the advance of an enemy.

plural of “battery” — group of guns or missile launchers operated together at one place

From this reading A few lines of earthworks, a dozen guns in batteries, would have made the place secure from a sudden attack.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Although this point was greatly exposed to attack, nothing had been done to strengthen the position.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Although taken by surprise, and wholly ignorant of the strength of the force opposed to them, the pickets stood their ground, but before the heavy masses of men clambering up the hill, they could do nothing, and were forced to fall back, contesting every foot.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But not a sod had been turned, and the steep hillside lay bare and open to the advance of an enemy.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Although taken by surprise, and wholly ignorant of the strength of the force opposed to them, the pickets stood their ground, but before the heavy masses of men clambering up the hill, they could do nothing, and were forced to fall back, contesting every foot.

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

From this reading Although taken by surprise, and wholly ignorant of the strength of the force opposed to them, the pickets stood their ground, but before the heavy masses of men clambering up the hill, they could do nothing, and were forced to fall back, contesting every foot.

-ing form of “contest” — to make the subject of dispute, contention, or litigation

From this reading Although taken by surprise, and wholly ignorant of the strength of the force opposed to them, the pickets stood their ground, but before the heavy masses of men clambering up the hill, they could do nothing, and were forced to fall back, contesting every foot.

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

From this reading Although taken by surprise, and wholly ignorant of the strength of the force opposed to them, the pickets stood their ground, but before the heavy masses of men clambering up the hill, they could do nothing, and were forced to fall back, contesting every foot.

in a dim indistinct manner

From this reading INKERMAN It was soon after five in the morning when the pickets of the second division, keeping such watch as they were able in the misty light, while the rain fell steadily and thickly, dimly perceived a gray mass moving up the hill from the road at the end of the harbor.

an army unit large enough to sustain combat

From this reading INKERMAN It was soon after five in the morning when the pickets of the second division, keeping such watch as they were able in the misty light, while the rain fell steadily and thickly, dimly perceived a gray mass moving up the hill from the road at the end of the harbor.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Although taken by surprise, and wholly ignorant of the strength of the force opposed to them, the pickets stood their ground, but before the heavy masses of men clambering up the hill, they could do nothing, and were forced to fall back, contesting every foot.

having finished or arrived at completion

From this reading Although this point was greatly exposed to attack, nothing had been done to strengthen the position.

the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one

From this reading A few lines of earthworks, a dozen guns in batteries, would have made the place secure from a sudden attack.

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

From this reading A few lines of earthworks, a dozen guns in batteries, would have made the place secure from a sudden attack.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading INKERMAN It was soon after five in the morning when the pickets of the second division, keeping such watch as they were able in the misty light, while the rain fell steadily and thickly, dimly perceived a gray mass moving up the hill from the road at the end of the harbor.

an opposing military force

From this reading But not a sod had been turned, and the steep hillside lay bare and open to the advance of an enemy.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading Although taken by surprise, and wholly ignorant of the strength of the force opposed to them, the pickets stood their ground, but before the heavy masses of men clambering up the hill, they could do nothing, and were forced to fall back, contesting every foot.

with no protection or shield

From this reading Although this point was greatly exposed to attack, nothing had been done to strengthen the position.

descend in free fall under the influence of gravity

From this reading Although taken by surprise, and wholly ignorant of the strength of the force opposed to them, the pickets stood their ground, but before the heavy masses of men clambering up the hill, they could do nothing, and were forced to fall back, contesting every foot.

cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow

From this reading INKERMAN It was soon after five in the morning when the pickets of the second division, keeping such watch as they were able in the misty light, while the rain fell steadily and thickly, dimly perceived a gray mass moving up the hill from the road at the end of the harbor.

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

From this reading A few lines of earthworks, a dozen guns in batteries, would have made the place secure from a sudden attack.

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading INKERMAN It was soon after five in the morning when the pickets of the second division, keeping such watch as they were able in the misty light, while the rain fell steadily and thickly, dimly perceived a gray mass moving up the hill from the road at the end of the harbor.

the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint

From this reading Although taken by surprise, and wholly ignorant of the strength of the force opposed to them, the pickets stood their ground, but before the heavy masses of men clambering up the hill, they could do nothing, and were forced to fall back, contesting every foot.

a powerful effect or influence

From this reading Although taken by surprise, and wholly ignorant of the strength of the force opposed to them, the pickets stood their ground, but before the heavy masses of men clambering up the hill, they could do nothing, and were forced to fall back, contesting every foot.

produced by or subjected to forcing

From this reading Although taken by surprise, and wholly ignorant of the strength of the force opposed to them, the pickets stood their ground, but before the heavy masses of men clambering up the hill, they could do nothing, and were forced to fall back, contesting every foot.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading INKERMAN It was soon after five in the morning when the pickets of the second division, keeping such watch as they were able in the misty light, while the rain fell steadily and thickly, dimly perceived a gray mass moving up the hill from the road at the end of the harbor.

a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black

From this reading INKERMAN It was soon after five in the morning when the pickets of the second division, keeping such watch as they were able in the misty light, while the rain fell steadily and thickly, dimly perceived a gray mass moving up the hill from the road at the end of the harbor.

to an extraordinary extent or degree

From this reading Although this point was greatly exposed to attack, nothing had been done to strengthen the position.

the solid part of the earth's surface

From this reading Although taken by surprise, and wholly ignorant of the strength of the force opposed to them, the pickets stood their ground, but before the heavy masses of men clambering up the hill, they could do nothing, and were forced to fall back, contesting every foot.

plural of “gun” — a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)

From this reading A few lines of earthworks, a dozen guns in batteries, would have made the place secure from a sudden attack.

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

From this reading Although this point was greatly exposed to attack, nothing had been done to strengthen the position.

maintain (a theory, thoughts, or feelings)

From this reading INKERMAN It was soon after five in the morning when the pickets of the second division, keeping such watch as they were able in the misty light, while the rain fell steadily and thickly, dimly perceived a gray mass moving up the hill from the road at the end of the harbor.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading A few lines of earthworks, a dozen guns in batteries, would have made the place secure from a sudden attack.

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading Although taken by surprise, and wholly ignorant of the strength of the force opposed to them, the pickets stood their ground, but before the heavy masses of men clambering up the hill, they could do nothing, and were forced to fall back, contesting every foot.

a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading INKERMAN It was soon after five in the morning when the pickets of the second division, keeping such watch as they were able in the misty light, while the rain fell steadily and thickly, dimly perceived a gray mass moving up the hill from the road at the end of the harbor.

the side or slope of a hill

From this reading But not a sod had been turned, and the steep hillside lay bare and open to the advance of an enemy.

uneducated in general; lacking knowledge or sophistication

From this reading Although taken by surprise, and wholly ignorant of the strength of the force opposed to them, the pickets stood their ground, but before the heavy masses of men clambering up the hill, they could do nothing, and were forced to fall back, contesting every foot.

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

From this reading INKERMAN It was soon after five in the morning when the pickets of the second division, keeping such watch as they were able in the misty light, while the rain fell steadily and thickly, dimly perceived a gray mass moving up the hill from the road at the end of the harbor.

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

From this reading INKERMAN It was soon after five in the morning when the pickets of the second division, keeping such watch as they were able in the misty light, while the rain fell steadily and thickly, dimly perceived a gray mass moving up the hill from the road at the end of the harbor.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading INKERMAN It was soon after five in the morning when the pickets of the second division, keeping such watch as they were able in the misty light, while the rain fell steadily and thickly, dimly perceived a gray mass moving up the hill from the road at the end of the harbor.

conformity or harmony

From this reading INKERMAN It was soon after five in the morning when the pickets of the second division, keeping such watch as they were able in the misty light, while the rain fell steadily and thickly, dimly perceived a gray mass moving up the hill from the road at the end of the harbor.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading But not a sod had been turned, and the steep hillside lay bare and open to the advance of an enemy.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading INKERMAN It was soon after five in the morning when the pickets of the second division, keeping such watch as they were able in the misty light, while the rain fell steadily and thickly, dimly perceived a gray mass moving up the hill from the road at the end of the harbor.

plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading A few lines of earthworks, a dozen guns in batteries, would have made the place secure from a sudden attack.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading A few lines of earthworks, a dozen guns in batteries, would have made the place secure from a sudden attack.

the property of a body that causes it to have weight in a gravitational field

From this reading INKERMAN It was soon after five in the morning when the pickets of the second division, keeping such watch as they were able in the misty light, while the rain fell steadily and thickly, dimly perceived a gray mass moving up the hill from the road at the end of the harbor.

the common people generally

From this reading Although taken by surprise, and wholly ignorant of the strength of the force opposed to them, the pickets stood their ground, but before the heavy masses of men clambering up the hill, they could do nothing, and were forced to fall back, contesting every foot.

the force of workers available

From this reading Although taken by surprise, and wholly ignorant of the strength of the force opposed to them, the pickets stood their ground, but before the heavy masses of men clambering up the hill, they could do nothing, and were forced to fall back, contesting every foot.

filled or abounding with fog or mist

From this reading INKERMAN It was soon after five in the morning when the pickets of the second division, keeping such watch as they were able in the misty light, while the rain fell steadily and thickly, dimly perceived a gray mass moving up the hill from the road at the end of the harbor.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading INKERMAN It was soon after five in the morning when the pickets of the second division, keeping such watch as they were able in the misty light, while the rain fell steadily and thickly, dimly perceived a gray mass moving up the hill from the road at the end of the harbor.

in motion

From this reading INKERMAN It was soon after five in the morning when the pickets of the second division, keeping such watch as they were able in the misty light, while the rain fell steadily and thickly, dimly perceived a gray mass moving up the hill from the road at the end of the harbor.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading But not a sod had been turned, and the steep hillside lay bare and open to the advance of an enemy.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading Although this point was greatly exposed to attack, nothing had been done to strengthen the position.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading INKERMAN It was soon after five in the morning when the pickets of the second division, keeping such watch as they were able in the misty light, while the rain fell steadily and thickly, dimly perceived a gray mass moving up the hill from the road at the end of the harbor.

To move from a closed position.

From this reading But not a sod had been turned, and the steep hillside lay bare and open to the advance of an enemy.

being in opposition or having an opponent

From this reading Although taken by surprise, and wholly ignorant of the strength of the force opposed to them, the pickets stood their ground, but before the heavy masses of men clambering up the hill, they could do nothing, and were forced to fall back, contesting every foot.

detected by instinct or inference rather than by recognized perceptual cues

From this reading INKERMAN It was soon after five in the morning when the pickets of the second division, keeping such watch as they were able in the misty light, while the rain fell steadily and thickly, dimly perceived a gray mass moving up the hill from the road at the end of the harbor.

plural of “picket” — a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event

From this reading INKERMAN It was soon after five in the morning when the pickets of the second division, keeping such watch as they were able in the misty light, while the rain fell steadily and thickly, dimly perceived a gray mass moving up the hill from the road at the end of the harbor.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading A few lines of earthworks, a dozen guns in batteries, would have made the place secure from a sudden attack.

a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading Although this point was greatly exposed to attack, nothing had been done to strengthen the position.

the particular portion of space occupied by something

From this reading Although this point was greatly exposed to attack, nothing had been done to strengthen the position.

water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere

From this reading INKERMAN It was soon after five in the morning when the pickets of the second division, keeping such watch as they were able in the misty light, while the rain fell steadily and thickly, dimly perceived a gray mass moving up the hill from the road at the end of the harbor.

an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation

From this reading INKERMAN It was soon after five in the morning when the pickets of the second division, keeping such watch as they were able in the misty light, while the rain fell steadily and thickly, dimly perceived a gray mass moving up the hill from the road at the end of the harbor.

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading INKERMAN It was soon after five in the morning when the pickets of the second division, keeping such watch as they were able in the misty light, while the rain fell steadily and thickly, dimly perceived a gray mass moving up the hill from the road at the end of the harbor.

get by special effort

From this reading A few lines of earthworks, a dozen guns in batteries, would have made the place secure from a sudden attack.

surface layer of ground containing a mat of grass and grass roots

From this reading But not a sod had been turned, and the steep hillside lay bare and open to the advance of an enemy.

in the near future

From this reading INKERMAN It was soon after five in the morning when the pickets of the second division, keeping such watch as they were able in the misty light, while the rain fell steadily and thickly, dimly perceived a gray mass moving up the hill from the road at the end of the harbor.

at a steady rate or pace

From this reading INKERMAN It was soon after five in the morning when the pickets of the second division, keeping such watch as they were able in the misty light, while the rain fell steadily and thickly, dimly perceived a gray mass moving up the hill from the road at the end of the harbor.

having a sharp inclination

From this reading But not a sod had been turned, and the steep hillside lay bare and open to the advance of an enemy.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading Although taken by surprise, and wholly ignorant of the strength of the force opposed to them, the pickets stood their ground, but before the heavy masses of men clambering up the hill, they could do nothing, and were forced to fall back, contesting every foot.

the property of being physically or mentally strong

From this reading Although taken by surprise, and wholly ignorant of the strength of the force opposed to them, the pickets stood their ground, but before the heavy masses of men clambering up the hill, they could do nothing, and were forced to fall back, contesting every foot.

make strong or stronger

From this reading Although this point was greatly exposed to attack, nothing had been done to strengthen the position.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading INKERMAN It was soon after five in the morning when the pickets of the second division, keeping such watch as they were able in the misty light, while the rain fell steadily and thickly, dimly perceived a gray mass moving up the hill from the road at the end of the harbor.

happening without warning or in a short space of time

From this reading A few lines of earthworks, a dozen guns in batteries, would have made the place secure from a sudden attack.

the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you

From this reading Although taken by surprise, and wholly ignorant of the strength of the force opposed to them, the pickets stood their ground, but before the heavy masses of men clambering up the hill, they could do nothing, and were forced to fall back, contesting every foot.

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading Although taken by surprise, and wholly ignorant of the strength of the force opposed to them, the pickets stood their ground, but before the heavy masses of men clambering up the hill, they could do nothing, and were forced to fall back, contesting every foot.

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

From this reading INKERMAN It was soon after five in the morning when the pickets of the second division, keeping such watch as they were able in the misty light, while the rain fell steadily and thickly, dimly perceived a gray mass moving up the hill from the road at the end of the harbor.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Although taken by surprise, and wholly ignorant of the strength of the force opposed to them, the pickets stood their ground, but before the heavy masses of men clambering up the hill, they could do nothing, and were forced to fall back, contesting every foot.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Although taken by surprise, and wholly ignorant of the strength of the force opposed to them, the pickets stood their ground, but before the heavy masses of men clambering up the hill, they could do nothing, and were forced to fall back, contesting every foot.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading INKERMAN It was soon after five in the morning when the pickets of the second division, keeping such watch as they were able in the misty light, while the rain fell steadily and thickly, dimly perceived a gray mass moving up the hill from the road at the end of the harbor.

spoken with poor articulation as if with a thick tongue

From this reading INKERMAN It was soon after five in the morning when the pickets of the second division, keeping such watch as they were able in the misty light, while the rain fell steadily and thickly, dimly perceived a gray mass moving up the hill from the road at the end of the harbor.

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

From this reading Although this point was greatly exposed to attack, nothing had been done to strengthen the position.

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

From this reading Although this point was greatly exposed to attack, nothing had been done to strengthen the position.

moved around an axis or center

From this reading But not a sod had been turned, and the steep hillside lay bare and open to the advance of an enemy.

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

From this reading INKERMAN It was soon after five in the morning when the pickets of the second division, keeping such watch as they were able in the misty light, while the rain fell steadily and thickly, dimly perceived a gray mass moving up the hill from the road at the end of the harbor.

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

From this reading INKERMAN It was soon after five in the morning when the pickets of the second division, keeping such watch as they were able in the misty light, while the rain fell steadily and thickly, dimly perceived a gray mass moving up the hill from the road at the end of the harbor.

look attentively

From this reading INKERMAN It was soon after five in the morning when the pickets of the second division, keeping such watch as they were able in the misty light, while the rain fell steadily and thickly, dimly perceived a gray mass moving up the hill from the road at the end of the harbor.

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

From this reading INKERMAN It was soon after five in the morning when the pickets of the second division, keeping such watch as they were able in the misty light, while the rain fell steadily and thickly, dimly perceived a gray mass moving up the hill from the road at the end of the harbor.

at the time that

From this reading INKERMAN It was soon after five in the morning when the pickets of the second division, keeping such watch as they were able in the misty light, while the rain fell steadily and thickly, dimly perceived a gray mass moving up the hill from the road at the end of the harbor.

during the time that

From this reading INKERMAN It was soon after five in the morning when the pickets of the second division, keeping such watch as they were able in the misty light, while the rain fell steadily and thickly, dimly perceived a gray mass moving up the hill from the road at the end of the harbor.

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading Although taken by surprise, and wholly ignorant of the strength of the force opposed to them, the pickets stood their ground, but before the heavy masses of men clambering up the hill, they could do nothing, and were forced to fall back, contesting every foot.

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

From this reading A few lines of earthworks, a dozen guns in batteries, would have made the place secure from a sudden attack.