Chapter XIV · In the Tide of Battle

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

From this reading The high officers, who did know, feared that the enemy, by the advantage of quicker concentration because of holding interior lines, might by successive drives be able to force their army so near Paris as to endanger the city, or, on the farther western front, be able to reach the channel ports and thus divide the Allied armies.

the quality of having a superior or more favorable position

From this reading The high officers, who did know, feared that the enemy, by the advantage of quicker concentration because of holding interior lines, might by successive drives be able to force their army so near Paris as to endanger the city, or, on the farther western front, be able to reach the channel ports and thus divide the Allied armies.

related by common characteristics or ancestry

From this reading The end of the German drive on the western front, as my readers know, had failed to break the Allied lines.

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

From this reading The enemy, however, had succeeded in driving them back for miles, inflicting and receiving great losses of men and material.

plural of “army” — a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state

From this reading The high officers, who did know, feared that the enemy, by the advantage of quicker concentration because of holding interior lines, might by successive drives be able to force their army so near Paris as to endanger the city, or, on the farther western front, be able to reach the channel ports and thus divide the Allied armies.

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

From this reading The high officers, who did know, feared that the enemy, by the advantage of quicker concentration because of holding interior lines, might by successive drives be able to force their army so near Paris as to endanger the city, or, on the farther western front, be able to reach the channel ports and thus divide the Allied armies.

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

From this reading The end of the German drive on the western front, as my readers know, had failed to break the Allied lines.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading The enemy, however, had succeeded in driving them back for miles, inflicting and receiving great losses of men and material.

bring into balance or equilibrium

From this reading It was while victory was trembling in the balance on the far-flung battle lines, that our regiment was called to battle.

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

From this reading It was while victory was trembling in the balance on the far-flung battle lines, that our regiment was called to battle.

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

From this reading The high officers, who did know, feared that the enemy, by the advantage of quicker concentration because of holding interior lines, might by successive drives be able to force their army so near Paris as to endanger the city, or, on the farther western front, be able to reach the channel ports and thus divide the Allied armies.

for the reason that

From this reading The high officers, who did know, feared that the enemy, by the advantage of quicker concentration because of holding interior lines, might by successive drives be able to force their army so near Paris as to endanger the city, or, on the farther western front, be able to reach the channel ports and thus divide the Allied armies.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading To those who understood the situation, it must have been disheartening, though we in the ranks, of course, could know but little beyond that which was taking place before our eyes.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading To those who understood the situation, it must have been disheartening, though we in the ranks, of course, could know but little beyond that which was taking place before our eyes.

on the far side of; further than

From this reading To those who understood the situation, it must have been disheartening, though we in the ranks, of course, could know but little beyond that which was taking place before our eyes.

terminate

From this reading The end of the German drive on the western front, as my readers know, had failed to break the Allied lines.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading To those who understood the situation, it must have been disheartening, though we in the ranks, of course, could know but little beyond that which was taking place before our eyes.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The high officers, who did know, feared that the enemy, by the advantage of quicker concentration because of holding interior lines, might by successive drives be able to force their army so near Paris as to endanger the city, or, on the farther western front, be able to reach the channel ports and thus divide the Allied armies.

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading It was while victory was trembling in the balance on the far-flung battle lines, that our regiment was called to battle.

a path over which electrical signals can pass

From this reading The high officers, who did know, feared that the enemy, by the advantage of quicker concentration because of holding interior lines, might by successive drives be able to force their army so near Paris as to endanger the city, or, on the farther western front, be able to reach the channel ports and thus divide the Allied armies.

a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts

From this reading The high officers, who did know, feared that the enemy, by the advantage of quicker concentration because of holding interior lines, might by successive drives be able to force their army so near Paris as to endanger the city, or, on the farther western front, be able to reach the channel ports and thus divide the Allied armies.

the strength of a solution; number of molecules of a substance in a given volume

From this reading The high officers, who did know, feared that the enemy, by the advantage of quicker concentration because of holding interior lines, might by successive drives be able to force their army so near Paris as to endanger the city, or, on the farther western front, be able to reach the channel ports and thus divide the Allied armies.

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

From this reading To those who understood the situation, it must have been disheartening, though we in the ranks, of course, could know but little beyond that which was taking place before our eyes.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading To those who understood the situation, it must have been disheartening, though we in the ranks, of course, could know but little beyond that which was taking place before our eyes.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading The high officers, who did know, feared that the enemy, by the advantage of quicker concentration because of holding interior lines, might by successive drives be able to force their army so near Paris as to endanger the city, or, on the farther western front, be able to reach the channel ports and thus divide the Allied armies.

destructive of morale and self-reliance

From this reading To those who understood the situation, it must have been disheartening, though we in the ranks, of course, could know but little beyond that which was taking place before our eyes.

separate into parts or portions

From this reading The high officers, who did know, feared that the enemy, by the advantage of quicker concentration because of holding interior lines, might by successive drives be able to force their army so near Paris as to endanger the city, or, on the farther western front, be able to reach the channel ports and thus divide the Allied armies.

operate or control a vehicle

From this reading The end of the German drive on the western front, as my readers know, had failed to break the Allied lines.

plural of “drive” — the act of applying force to propel something

From this reading The high officers, who did know, feared that the enemy, by the advantage of quicker concentration because of holding interior lines, might by successive drives be able to force their army so near Paris as to endanger the city, or, on the farther western front, be able to reach the channel ports and thus divide the Allied armies.

having the power of driving or impelling

From this reading The enemy, however, had succeeded in driving them back for miles, inflicting and receiving great losses of men and material.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading The end of the German drive on the western front, as my readers know, had failed to break the Allied lines.

pose a threat to; present a danger to

From this reading The high officers, who did know, feared that the enemy, by the advantage of quicker concentration because of holding interior lines, might by successive drives be able to force their army so near Paris as to endanger the city, or, on the farther western front, be able to reach the channel ports and thus divide the Allied armies.

an opposing military force

From this reading The enemy, however, had succeeded in driving them back for miles, inflicting and receiving great losses of men and material.

opinion or judgment

From this reading To those who understood the situation, it must have been disheartening, though we in the ranks, of course, could know but little beyond that which was taking place before our eyes.

past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone

From this reading The end of the German drive on the western front, as my readers know, had failed to break the Allied lines.

distributed over a considerable extent

From this reading It was while victory was trembling in the balance on the far-flung battle lines, that our regiment was called to battle.

more distant in especially space or time

From this reading The high officers, who did know, feared that the enemy, by the advantage of quicker concentration because of holding interior lines, might by successive drives be able to force their army so near Paris as to endanger the city, or, on the farther western front, be able to reach the channel ports and thus divide the Allied armies.

past form of “fear” — be afraid or feel anxious or apprehensive about a possible or probable situation or event

From this reading The high officers, who did know, feared that the enemy, by the advantage of quicker concentration because of holding interior lines, might by successive drives be able to force their army so near Paris as to endanger the city, or, on the farther western front, be able to reach the channel ports and thus divide the Allied armies.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The enemy, however, had succeeded in driving them back for miles, inflicting and receiving great losses of men and material.

a powerful effect or influence

From this reading The high officers, who did know, feared that the enemy, by the advantage of quicker concentration because of holding interior lines, might by successive drives be able to force their army so near Paris as to endanger the city, or, on the farther western front, be able to reach the channel ports and thus divide the Allied armies.

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading The end of the German drive on the western front, as my readers know, had failed to break the Allied lines.

a person of German nationality

From this reading The end of the German drive on the western front, as my readers know, had failed to break the Allied lines.

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

From this reading The enemy, however, had succeeded in driving them back for miles, inflicting and receiving great losses of men and material.

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

From this reading The end of the German drive on the western front, as my readers know, had failed to break the Allied lines.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading To those who understood the situation, it must have been disheartening, though we in the ranks, of course, could know but little beyond that which was taking place before our eyes.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading The high officers, who did know, feared that the enemy, by the advantage of quicker concentration because of holding interior lines, might by successive drives be able to force their army so near Paris as to endanger the city, or, on the farther western front, be able to reach the channel ports and thus divide the Allied armies.

the act of retaining something

From this reading The high officers, who did know, feared that the enemy, by the advantage of quicker concentration because of holding interior lines, might by successive drives be able to force their army so near Paris as to endanger the city, or, on the farther western front, be able to reach the channel ports and thus divide the Allied armies.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading The enemy, however, had succeeded in driving them back for miles, inflicting and receiving great losses of men and material.

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

From this reading The enemy, however, had succeeded in driving them back for miles, inflicting and receiving great losses of men and material.

-ing form of “inflict” — impose something unpleasant

From this reading The enemy, however, had succeeded in driving them back for miles, inflicting and receiving great losses of men and material.

situated within or suitable for inside a building

From this reading The high officers, who did know, feared that the enemy, by the advantage of quicker concentration because of holding interior lines, might by successive drives be able to force their army so near Paris as to endanger the city, or, on the farther western front, be able to reach the channel ports and thus divide the Allied armies.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading To those who understood the situation, it must have been disheartening, though we in the ranks, of course, could know but little beyond that which was taking place before our eyes.

be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading The end of the German drive on the western front, as my readers know, had failed to break the Allied lines.

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

From this reading The end of the German drive on the western front, as my readers know, had failed to break the Allied lines.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading To those who understood the situation, it must have been disheartening, though we in the ranks, of course, could know but little beyond that which was taking place before our eyes.

something lost (especially money lost at gambling)

From this reading The enemy, however, had succeeded in driving them back for miles, inflicting and receiving great losses of men and material.

concerned with worldly rather than spiritual interests

From this reading The enemy, however, had succeeded in driving them back for miles, inflicting and receiving great losses of men and material.

the force of workers available

From this reading The enemy, however, had succeeded in driving them back for miles, inflicting and receiving great losses of men and material.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading The high officers, who did know, feared that the enemy, by the advantage of quicker concentration because of holding interior lines, might by successive drives be able to force their army so near Paris as to endanger the city, or, on the farther western front, be able to reach the channel ports and thus divide the Allied armies.

plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters

From this reading The enemy, however, had succeeded in driving them back for miles, inflicting and receiving great losses of men and material.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading To those who understood the situation, it must have been disheartening, though we in the ranks, of course, could know but little beyond that which was taking place before our eyes.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading The end of the German drive on the western front, as my readers know, had failed to break the Allied lines.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading The high officers, who did know, feared that the enemy, by the advantage of quicker concentration because of holding interior lines, might by successive drives be able to force their army so near Paris as to endanger the city, or, on the farther western front, be able to reach the channel ports and thus divide the Allied armies.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The end of the German drive on the western front, as my readers know, had failed to break the Allied lines.

plural of “officer” — any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command

From this reading The high officers, who did know, feared that the enemy, by the advantage of quicker concentration because of holding interior lines, might by successive drives be able to force their army so near Paris as to endanger the city, or, on the farther western front, be able to reach the channel ports and thus divide the Allied armies.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The end of the German drive on the western front, as my readers know, had failed to break the Allied lines.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading The high officers, who did know, feared that the enemy, by the advantage of quicker concentration because of holding interior lines, might by successive drives be able to force their army so near Paris as to endanger the city, or, on the farther western front, be able to reach the channel ports and thus divide the Allied armies.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading To those who understood the situation, it must have been disheartening, though we in the ranks, of course, could know but little beyond that which was taking place before our eyes.

the capital and largest city of France; and international center of culture and commerce

From this reading The high officers, who did know, feared that the enemy, by the advantage of quicker concentration because of holding interior lines, might by successive drives be able to force their army so near Paris as to endanger the city, or, on the farther western front, be able to reach the channel ports and thus divide the Allied armies.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading To those who understood the situation, it must have been disheartening, though we in the ranks, of course, could know but little beyond that which was taking place before our eyes.

plural of “port” — a place (seaport or airport) where people and merchandise can enter or leave a country

From this reading The high officers, who did know, feared that the enemy, by the advantage of quicker concentration because of holding interior lines, might by successive drives be able to force their army so near Paris as to endanger the city, or, on the farther western front, be able to reach the channel ports and thus divide the Allied armies.

more quickly

From this reading The high officers, who did know, feared that the enemy, by the advantage of quicker concentration because of holding interior lines, might by successive drives be able to force their army so near Paris as to endanger the city, or, on the farther western front, be able to reach the channel ports and thus divide the Allied armies.

plural of “rank” — a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another

From this reading To those who understood the situation, it must have been disheartening, though we in the ranks, of course, could know but little beyond that which was taking place before our eyes.

reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading The high officers, who did know, feared that the enemy, by the advantage of quicker concentration because of holding interior lines, might by successive drives be able to force their army so near Paris as to endanger the city, or, on the farther western front, be able to reach the channel ports and thus divide the Allied armies.

plural of “reader” — a person who enjoys reading

From this reading The end of the German drive on the western front, as my readers know, had failed to break the Allied lines.

-ing form of “receive” — get something; come into possession of

From this reading The enemy, however, had succeeded in driving them back for miles, inflicting and receiving great losses of men and material.

subject to rigid discipline, order, and systematization

From this reading It was while victory was trembling in the balance on the far-flung battle lines, that our regiment was called to battle.

the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time

From this reading To those who understood the situation, it must have been disheartening, though we in the ranks, of course, could know but little beyond that which was taking place before our eyes.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The high officers, who did know, feared that the enemy, by the advantage of quicker concentration because of holding interior lines, might by successive drives be able to force their army so near Paris as to endanger the city, or, on the farther western front, be able to reach the channel ports and thus divide the Allied armies.

past form of “succeed” — attain success or reach a desired goal

From this reading The enemy, however, had succeeded in driving them back for miles, inflicting and receiving great losses of men and material.

in regular succession without gaps

From this reading The high officers, who did know, feared that the enemy, by the advantage of quicker concentration because of holding interior lines, might by successive drives be able to force their army so near Paris as to endanger the city, or, on the farther western front, be able to reach the channel ports and thus divide the Allied armies.

the act of someone who picks up or takes something

From this reading To those who understood the situation, it must have been disheartening, though we in the ranks, of course, could know but little beyond that which was taking place before our eyes.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading To those who understood the situation, it must have been disheartening, though we in the ranks, of course, could know but little beyond that which was taking place before our eyes.

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

From this reading The end of the German drive on the western front, as my readers know, had failed to break the Allied lines.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The high officers, who did know, feared that the enemy, by the advantage of quicker concentration because of holding interior lines, might by successive drives be able to force their army so near Paris as to endanger the city, or, on the farther western front, be able to reach the channel ports and thus divide the Allied armies.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The enemy, however, had succeeded in driving them back for miles, inflicting and receiving great losses of men and material.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading To those who understood the situation, it must have been disheartening, though we in the ranks, of course, could know but little beyond that which was taking place before our eyes.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading To those who understood the situation, it must have been disheartening, though we in the ranks, of course, could know but little beyond that which was taking place before our eyes.

(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result

From this reading The high officers, who did know, feared that the enemy, by the advantage of quicker concentration because of holding interior lines, might by successive drives be able to force their army so near Paris as to endanger the city, or, on the farther western front, be able to reach the channel ports and thus divide the Allied armies.

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

From this reading The end of the German drive on the western front, as my readers know, had failed to break the Allied lines.

a shaky motion

From this reading It was while victory was trembling in the balance on the far-flung battle lines, that our regiment was called to battle.

fully apprehended as to purport or meaning or explanation

From this reading To those who understood the situation, it must have been disheartening, though we in the ranks, of course, could know but little beyond that which was taking place before our eyes.

a successful ending of a struggle or contest

From this reading It was while victory was trembling in the balance on the far-flung battle lines, that our regiment was called to battle.

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

From this reading To those who understood the situation, it must have been disheartening, though we in the ranks, of course, could know but little beyond that which was taking place before our eyes.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading To those who understood the situation, it must have been disheartening, though we in the ranks, of course, could know but little beyond that which was taking place before our eyes.

relating to or characteristic of the western parts of the world or the West as opposed to the eastern or oriental parts

From this reading The end of the German drive on the western front, as my readers know, had failed to break the Allied lines.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading To those who understood the situation, it must have been disheartening, though we in the ranks, of course, could know but little beyond that which was taking place before our eyes.

during the time that

From this reading It was while victory was trembling in the balance on the far-flung battle lines, that our regiment was called to battle.

which person or people

From this reading To those who understood the situation, it must have been disheartening, though we in the ranks, of course, could know but little beyond that which was taking place before our eyes.