used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading As has been seen in foregoing chapters, we were now fighting beside the French in northern France, and holding a sector in the world’s great conflict.
something done (usually as opposed to something said)
From this reading While we recognized how serious would be our failure to ward off the impending blow, we were keen and alert for action, and proud that we had been chosen to defend this half-ruined but quaintly beautiful city.
alertadjectiveUS /əˈlɜːrt/
engaged in or accustomed to close observation
From this reading While we recognized how serious would be our failure to ward off the impending blow, we were keen and alert for action, and proud that we had been chosen to defend this half-ruined but quaintly beautiful city.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading As has been seen in foregoing chapters, we were now fighting beside the French in northern France, and holding a sector in the world’s great conflict.
artillerynounUS /ɑːrˈtɪləri/
large but transportable armament
From this reading Infantry, artillery, machine-guns, and other branches of the service were awaiting the resumption of the great German drive, by which the enemy were hoping to obtain a victorious decision and give to their brutal government supremacy in the world.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As has been seen in foregoing chapters, we were now fighting beside the French in northern France, and holding a sector in the world’s great conflict.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading I asked a staff officer of our division.
awaitingverbUS /əˈweɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “await” — look forward to the probable occurrence of
From this reading Infantry, artillery, machine-guns, and other branches of the service were awaiting the resumption of the great German drive, by which the enemy were hoping to obtain a victorious decision and give to their brutal government supremacy in the world.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading While we recognized how serious would be our failure to ward off the impending blow, we were keen and alert for action, and proud that we had been chosen to defend this half-ruined but quaintly beautiful city.
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading While we recognized how serious would be our failure to ward off the impending blow, we were keen and alert for action, and proud that we had been chosen to defend this half-ruined but quaintly beautiful city.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading As has been seen in foregoing chapters, we were now fighting beside the French in northern France, and holding a sector in the world’s great conflict.
next to; at the side of
From this reading As has been seen in foregoing chapters, we were now fighting beside the French in northern France, and holding a sector in the world’s great conflict.
exhale hard
From this reading While we recognized how serious would be our failure to ward off the impending blow, we were keen and alert for action, and proud that we had been chosen to defend this half-ruined but quaintly beautiful city.
plural of “branch” — a division of some larger or more complex organization
From this reading Infantry, artillery, machine-guns, and other branches of the service were awaiting the resumption of the great German drive, by which the enemy were hoping to obtain a victorious decision and give to their brutal government supremacy in the world.
brutaladjectiveUS /ˈbruːtəl/
(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering
From this reading Infantry, artillery, machine-guns, and other branches of the service were awaiting the resumption of the great German drive, by which the enemy were hoping to obtain a victorious decision and give to their brutal government supremacy in the world.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading While we recognized how serious would be our failure to ward off the impending blow, we were keen and alert for action, and proud that we had been chosen to defend this half-ruined but quaintly beautiful city.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Infantry, artillery, machine-guns, and other branches of the service were awaiting the resumption of the great German drive, by which the enemy were hoping to obtain a victorious decision and give to their brutal government supremacy in the world.
chaptersnounUS /ˈtʃæptərz/
plural of “chapter” — a subdivision of a written work; usually numbered and titled
From this reading As has been seen in foregoing chapters, we were now fighting beside the French in northern France, and holding a sector in the world’s great conflict.
one who is the object of choice; who is given preference
From this reading While we recognized how serious would be our failure to ward off the impending blow, we were keen and alert for action, and proud that we had been chosen to defend this half-ruined but quaintly beautiful city.
a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
From this reading While we recognized how serious would be our failure to ward off the impending blow, we were keen and alert for action, and proud that we had been chosen to defend this half-ruined but quaintly beautiful city.
conflictnounUS /ˈkɑːnflɪkt/
an open clash between two opposing groups (or individuals)
From this reading As has been seen in foregoing chapters, we were now fighting beside the French in northern France, and holding a sector in the world’s great conflict.
the act of making up your mind about something
From this reading Infantry, artillery, machine-guns, and other branches of the service were awaiting the resumption of the great German drive, by which the enemy were hoping to obtain a victorious decision and give to their brutal government supremacy in the world.
defendverbUS /dɪˈfend/
argue or speak in defense of
From this reading While we recognized how serious would be our failure to ward off the impending blow, we were keen and alert for action, and proud that we had been chosen to defend this half-ruined but quaintly beautiful city.
divisionnounUS /dɪˈvɪʒən/
an army unit large enough to sustain combat
From this reading I asked a staff officer of our division.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading “Where do you expect the Huns will strike us next?”
operate or control a vehicle
From this reading Infantry, artillery, machine-guns, and other branches of the service were awaiting the resumption of the great German drive, by which the enemy were hoping to obtain a victorious decision and give to their brutal government supremacy in the world.
an opposing military force
From this reading Infantry, artillery, machine-guns, and other branches of the service were awaiting the resumption of the great German drive, by which the enemy were hoping to obtain a victorious decision and give to their brutal government supremacy in the world.
regard something as probable or likely
From this reading “Where do you expect the Huns will strike us next?”
an act that fails
From this reading While we recognized how serious would be our failure to ward off the impending blow, we were keen and alert for action, and proud that we had been chosen to defend this half-ruined but quaintly beautiful city.
the act of fighting; any contest or struggle
From this reading As has been seen in foregoing chapters, we were now fighting beside the French in northern France, and holding a sector in the world’s great conflict.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading While we recognized how serious would be our failure to ward off the impending blow, we were keen and alert for action, and proud that we had been chosen to defend this half-ruined but quaintly beautiful city.
foregoingadjectiveUS /fɔːrˈɡoʊɪŋ/
especially of writing or speech; going before
From this reading As has been seen in foregoing chapters, we were now fighting beside the French in northern France, and holding a sector in the world’s great conflict.
a republic in western Europe; the largest country wholly in Europe
From this reading As has been seen in foregoing chapters, we were now fighting beside the French in northern France, and holding a sector in the world’s great conflict.
the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France
From this reading As has been seen in foregoing chapters, we were now fighting beside the French in northern France, and holding a sector in the world’s great conflict.
a person of German nationality
From this reading Infantry, artillery, machine-guns, and other branches of the service were awaiting the resumption of the great German drive, by which the enemy were hoping to obtain a victorious decision and give to their brutal government supremacy in the world.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading Infantry, artillery, machine-guns, and other branches of the service were awaiting the resumption of the great German drive, by which the enemy were hoping to obtain a victorious decision and give to their brutal government supremacy in the world.
the organization that is the governing authority of a political unit
From this reading Infantry, artillery, machine-guns, and other branches of the service were awaiting the resumption of the great German drive, by which the enemy were hoping to obtain a victorious decision and give to their brutal government supremacy in the world.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading As has been seen in foregoing chapters, we were now fighting beside the French in northern France, and holding a sector in the world’s great conflict.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading While we recognized how serious would be our failure to ward off the impending blow, we were keen and alert for action, and proud that we had been chosen to defend this half-ruined but quaintly beautiful city.
half-ruined
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While we recognized how serious would be our failure to ward off the impending blow, we were keen and alert for action, and proud that we had been chosen to defend this half-ruined but quaintly beautiful city.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As has been seen in foregoing chapters, we were now fighting beside the French in northern France, and holding a sector in the world’s great conflict.
the act of retaining something
From this reading As has been seen in foregoing chapters, we were now fighting beside the French in northern France, and holding a sector in the world’s great conflict.
-ing form of “hope” — expect and wish
From this reading Infantry, artillery, machine-guns, and other branches of the service were awaiting the resumption of the great German drive, by which the enemy were hoping to obtain a victorious decision and give to their brutal government supremacy in the world.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While we recognized how serious would be our failure to ward off the impending blow, we were keen and alert for action, and proud that we had been chosen to defend this half-ruined but quaintly beautiful city.
Huns
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Where do you expect the Huns will strike us next?”
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I asked a staff officer of our division.
impendingadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpendɪŋ/
close in time; about to occur
From this reading While we recognized how serious would be our failure to ward off the impending blow, we were keen and alert for action, and proud that we had been chosen to defend this half-ruined but quaintly beautiful city.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading As has been seen in foregoing chapters, we were now fighting beside the French in northern France, and holding a sector in the world’s great conflict.
InfantrynounUS /ˈɪnfəntri/
an army unit consisting of soldiers who fight on foot
From this reading Infantry, artillery, machine-guns, and other branches of the service were awaiting the resumption of the great German drive, by which the enemy were hoping to obtain a victorious decision and give to their brutal government supremacy in the world.
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading While we recognized how serious would be our failure to ward off the impending blow, we were keen and alert for action, and proud that we had been chosen to defend this half-ruined but quaintly beautiful city.
machine-guns
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Infantry, artillery, machine-guns, and other branches of the service were awaiting the resumption of the great German drive, by which the enemy were hoping to obtain a victorious decision and give to their brutal government supremacy in the world.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading “Where do you expect the Huns will strike us next?”
in or characteristic of a region of the United States north of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading As has been seen in foregoing chapters, we were now fighting beside the French in northern France, and holding a sector in the world’s great conflict.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading As has been seen in foregoing chapters, we were now fighting beside the French in northern France, and holding a sector in the world’s great conflict.
come into possession of
From this reading Infantry, artillery, machine-guns, and other branches of the service were awaiting the resumption of the great German drive, by which the enemy were hoping to obtain a victorious decision and give to their brutal government supremacy in the world.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Infantry, artillery, machine-guns, and other branches of the service were awaiting the resumption of the great German drive, by which the enemy were hoping to obtain a victorious decision and give to their brutal government supremacy in the world.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading While we recognized how serious would be our failure to ward off the impending blow, we were keen and alert for action, and proud that we had been chosen to defend this half-ruined but quaintly beautiful city.
any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading I asked a staff officer of our division.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Infantry, artillery, machine-guns, and other branches of the service were awaiting the resumption of the great German drive, by which the enemy were hoping to obtain a victorious decision and give to their brutal government supremacy in the world.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading While we recognized how serious would be our failure to ward off the impending blow, we were keen and alert for action, and proud that we had been chosen to defend this half-ruined but quaintly beautiful city.
feeling self-respect or pleasure in something by which you measure your self-worth; or being a reason for pride
From this reading While we recognized how serious would be our failure to ward off the impending blow, we were keen and alert for action, and proud that we had been chosen to defend this half-ruined but quaintly beautiful city.
quaintlyadverbUS /ˈkweɪntli/
in a strange but not unpleasant manner
From this reading While we recognized how serious would be our failure to ward off the impending blow, we were keen and alert for action, and proud that we had been chosen to defend this half-ruined but quaintly beautiful city.
generally approved or compelling recognition
From this reading While we recognized how serious would be our failure to ward off the impending blow, we were keen and alert for action, and proud that we had been chosen to defend this half-ruined but quaintly beautiful city.
resumptionnounUS /rɪˈzʌmpʃən/
beginning again
From this reading Infantry, artillery, machine-guns, and other branches of the service were awaiting the resumption of the great German drive, by which the enemy were hoping to obtain a victorious decision and give to their brutal government supremacy in the world.
sectornounUS /ˈsektər/
a plane figure bounded by two radii and the included arc of a circle
From this reading As has been seen in foregoing chapters, we were now fighting beside the French in northern France, and holding a sector in the world’s great conflict.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading As has been seen in foregoing chapters, we were now fighting beside the French in northern France, and holding a sector in the world’s great conflict.
concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities
From this reading While we recognized how serious would be our failure to ward off the impending blow, we were keen and alert for action, and proud that we had been chosen to defend this half-ruined but quaintly beautiful city.
work done by one person or group that benefits another
From this reading Infantry, artillery, machine-guns, and other branches of the service were awaiting the resumption of the great German drive, by which the enemy were hoping to obtain a victorious decision and give to their brutal government supremacy in the world.
staffnounUS /stæf/
personnel who assist their superior in carrying out an assigned task
From this reading I asked a staff officer of our division.
deliver a sharp blow, as with the hand, fist, or weapon
From this reading “Where do you expect the Huns will strike us next?”
supremacynounUS /səˈpreməsi/
power to dominate or defeat
From this reading Infantry, artillery, machine-guns, and other branches of the service were awaiting the resumption of the great German drive, by which the enemy were hoping to obtain a victorious decision and give to their brutal government supremacy in the world.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading While we recognized how serious would be our failure to ward off the impending blow, we were keen and alert for action, and proud that we had been chosen to defend this half-ruined but quaintly beautiful city.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading As has been seen in foregoing chapters, we were now fighting beside the French in northern France, and holding a sector in the world’s great conflict.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Infantry, artillery, machine-guns, and other branches of the service were awaiting the resumption of the great German drive, by which the enemy were hoping to obtain a victorious decision and give to their brutal government supremacy in the world.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading While we recognized how serious would be our failure to ward off the impending blow, we were keen and alert for action, and proud that we had been chosen to defend this half-ruined but quaintly beautiful city.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Infantry, artillery, machine-guns, and other branches of the service were awaiting the resumption of the great German drive, by which the enemy were hoping to obtain a victorious decision and give to their brutal government supremacy in the world.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “Where do you expect the Huns will strike us next?”
victoriousadjectiveUS /vɪkˈtɔːriəs/
having won
From this reading Infantry, artillery, machine-guns, and other branches of the service were awaiting the resumption of the great German drive, by which the enemy were hoping to obtain a victorious decision and give to their brutal government supremacy in the world.
wardnounUS /wɔːrd/
a person who is under the protection or in the custody of another
From this reading While we recognized how serious would be our failure to ward off the impending blow, we were keen and alert for action, and proud that we had been chosen to defend this half-ruined but quaintly beautiful city.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading As has been seen in foregoing chapters, we were now fighting beside the French in northern France, and holding a sector in the world’s great conflict.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading As has been seen in foregoing chapters, we were now fighting beside the French in northern France, and holding a sector in the world’s great conflict.
in or at the place that
From this reading “Where do you expect the Huns will strike us next?”
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Infantry, artillery, machine-guns, and other branches of the service were awaiting the resumption of the great German drive, by which the enemy were hoping to obtain a victorious decision and give to their brutal government supremacy in the world.
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading While we recognized how serious would be our failure to ward off the impending blow, we were keen and alert for action, and proud that we had been chosen to defend this half-ruined but quaintly beautiful city.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading “Where do you expect the Huns will strike us next?”
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading Infantry, artillery, machine-guns, and other branches of the service were awaiting the resumption of the great German drive, by which the enemy were hoping to obtain a victorious decision and give to their brutal government supremacy in the world.
world'snounUS /wɜːrldz/
possessive form of “world” — everything that exists anywhere
From this reading As has been seen in foregoing chapters, we were now fighting beside the French in northern France, and holding a sector in the world’s great conflict.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading While we recognized how serious would be our failure to ward off the impending blow, we were keen and alert for action, and proud that we had been chosen to defend this half-ruined but quaintly beautiful city.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading “Where do you expect the Huns will strike us next?”
