used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading My scabbard was polished like silver, the steel front of my shako shone like a mirror, and the tinsel lace of my jacket had undergone a process of scrubbing and cleaning that threatened its very existence.
accoutrementsnounUS /əˈkuːtərmənts/
plural of “accoutrement” — clothing that is worn or carried, but not part of your main clothing
From this reading I had done my best to smarten up my uniform, and make all my accoutrements bright and glistening.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading I had done my best to smarten up my uniform, and make all my accoutrements bright and glistening.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading My duties in the riding-school were always over before mid-day, and as noon was the hour appointed by the young lieutenant to present me to his colonel, I was ready by that time, and anxiously awaiting his arrival.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading My duties in the riding-school were always over before mid-day, and as noon was the hour appointed by the young lieutenant to present me to his colonel, I was ready by that time, and anxiously awaiting his arrival.
with anxiety or apprehension
From this reading My duties in the riding-school were always over before mid-day, and as noon was the hour appointed by the young lieutenant to present me to his colonel, I was ready by that time, and anxiously awaiting his arrival.
subject to appointment
From this reading My duties in the riding-school were always over before mid-day, and as noon was the hour appointed by the young lieutenant to present me to his colonel, I was ready by that time, and anxiously awaiting his arrival.
accomplishment of an objective
From this reading My duties in the riding-school were always over before mid-day, and as noon was the hour appointed by the young lieutenant to present me to his colonel, I was ready by that time, and anxiously awaiting his arrival.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading My duties in the riding-school were always over before mid-day, and as noon was the hour appointed by the young lieutenant to present me to his colonel, I was ready by that time, and anxiously awaiting his arrival.
awaitingverbUS /əˈweɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “await” — look forward to the probable occurrence of
From this reading My duties in the riding-school were always over before mid-day, and as noon was the hour appointed by the young lieutenant to present me to his colonel, I was ready by that time, and anxiously awaiting his arrival.
baldadjectiveUS /bɔːld/
with no effort to conceal
From this reading I can dare to say, that no mediaeval gentleman’s bald spot ever cost him one-half the misery as did my lack of moustache occasion me.
beardlessadjective
having no beard
From this reading My smooth chin and beardless upper-lip, however, gave me a degree of distress that all other deficiencies failed to inflict.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading My duties in the riding-school were always over before mid-day, and as noon was the hour appointed by the young lieutenant to present me to his colonel, I was ready by that time, and anxiously awaiting his arrival.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading I had done my best to smarten up my uniform, and make all my accoutrements bright and glistening.
emitting or reflecting light readily or in large amounts
From this reading I had done my best to smarten up my uniform, and make all my accoutrements bright and glistening.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading My duties in the riding-school were always over before mid-day, and as noon was the hour appointed by the young lieutenant to present me to his colonel, I was ready by that time, and anxiously awaiting his arrival.
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading I can dare to say, that no mediaeval gentleman’s bald spot ever cost him one-half the misery as did my lack of moustache occasion me.
the protruding part of the lower jaw
From this reading My smooth chin and beardless upper-lip, however, gave me a degree of distress that all other deficiencies failed to inflict.
cleaningnounUS /ˈkliːnɪŋ/
the act of making something clean
From this reading My scabbard was polished like silver, the steel front of my shako shone like a mirror, and the tinsel lace of my jacket had undergone a process of scrubbing and cleaning that threatened its very existence.
a commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines who ranks above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general
From this reading My duties in the riding-school were always over before mid-day, and as noon was the hour appointed by the young lieutenant to present me to his colonel, I was ready by that time, and anxiously awaiting his arrival.
the total spent for goods or services including money and time and labor
From this reading I can dare to say, that no mediaeval gentleman’s bald spot ever cost him one-half the misery as did my lack of moustache occasion me.
take upon oneself; act presumptuously, without permission
From this reading I can dare to say, that no mediaeval gentleman’s bald spot ever cost him one-half the misery as did my lack of moustache occasion me.
deficienciesnounUS /dɪˈfɪʃənsiz/
plural of “deficiency” — the state of needing something that is absent or unavailable
From this reading My smooth chin and beardless upper-lip, however, gave me a degree of distress that all other deficiencies failed to inflict.
a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading My smooth chin and beardless upper-lip, however, gave me a degree of distress that all other deficiencies failed to inflict.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading I can dare to say, that no mediaeval gentleman’s bald spot ever cost him one-half the misery as did my lack of moustache occasion me.
psychological suffering
From this reading My smooth chin and beardless upper-lip, however, gave me a degree of distress that all other deficiencies failed to inflict.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading I had done my best to smarten up my uniform, and make all my accoutrements bright and glistening.
plural of “duty” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading My duties in the riding-school were always over before mid-day, and as noon was the hour appointed by the young lieutenant to present me to his colonel, I was ready by that time, and anxiously awaiting his arrival.
at any time
From this reading I can dare to say, that no mediaeval gentleman’s bald spot ever cost him one-half the misery as did my lack of moustache occasion me.
the state or fact of existing
From this reading My scabbard was polished like silver, the steel front of my shako shone like a mirror, and the tinsel lace of my jacket had undergone a process of scrubbing and cleaning that threatened its very existence.
past form of “fail” — fail to do something; leave something undone
From this reading My smooth chin and beardless upper-lip, however, gave me a degree of distress that all other deficiencies failed to inflict.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading My scabbard was polished like silver, the steel front of my shako shone like a mirror, and the tinsel lace of my jacket had undergone a process of scrubbing and cleaning that threatened its very existence.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading My smooth chin and beardless upper-lip, however, gave me a degree of distress that all other deficiencies failed to inflict.
gentleman'snounUS /ˈdʒentəlmʌnz/
possessive form of “gentleman” — a man of refinement
From this reading I can dare to say, that no mediaeval gentleman’s bald spot ever cost him one-half the misery as did my lack of moustache occasion me.
glisteningadjectiveUS /ˈɡlɪsənɪŋ/
reflecting light
From this reading I had done my best to smarten up my uniform, and make all my accoutrements bright and glistening.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I had done my best to smarten up my uniform, and make all my accoutrements bright and glistening.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I can dare to say, that no mediaeval gentleman’s bald spot ever cost him one-half the misery as did my lack of moustache occasion me.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading My duties in the riding-school were always over before mid-day, and as noon was the hour appointed by the young lieutenant to present me to his colonel, I was ready by that time, and anxiously awaiting his arrival.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading My duties in the riding-school were always over before mid-day, and as noon was the hour appointed by the young lieutenant to present me to his colonel, I was ready by that time, and anxiously awaiting his arrival.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading My smooth chin and beardless upper-lip, however, gave me a degree of distress that all other deficiencies failed to inflict.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading My duties in the riding-school were always over before mid-day, and as noon was the hour appointed by the young lieutenant to present me to his colonel, I was ready by that time, and anxiously awaiting his arrival.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading My duties in the riding-school were always over before mid-day, and as noon was the hour appointed by the young lieutenant to present me to his colonel, I was ready by that time, and anxiously awaiting his arrival.
inflictverbUS /ˌɪnˈflɪkt/
impose something unpleasant
From this reading My smooth chin and beardless upper-lip, however, gave me a degree of distress that all other deficiencies failed to inflict.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading My scabbard was polished like silver, the steel front of my shako shone like a mirror, and the tinsel lace of my jacket had undergone a process of scrubbing and cleaning that threatened its very existence.
jacketnounUS /ˈdʒækət/
a short coat
From this reading My scabbard was polished like silver, the steel front of my shako shone like a mirror, and the tinsel lace of my jacket had undergone a process of scrubbing and cleaning that threatened its very existence.
laceverbUS /leɪs/
spin, wind, or twist together
From this reading My scabbard was polished like silver, the steel front of my shako shone like a mirror, and the tinsel lace of my jacket had undergone a process of scrubbing and cleaning that threatened its very existence.
the state of needing something that is absent or unavailable
From this reading I can dare to say, that no mediaeval gentleman’s bald spot ever cost him one-half the misery as did my lack of moustache occasion me.
a commissioned military officer
From this reading My duties in the riding-school were always over before mid-day, and as noon was the hour appointed by the young lieutenant to present me to his colonel, I was ready by that time, and anxiously awaiting his arrival.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading My scabbard was polished like silver, the steel front of my shako shone like a mirror, and the tinsel lace of my jacket had undergone a process of scrubbing and cleaning that threatened its very existence.
engage in
From this reading I had done my best to smarten up my uniform, and make all my accoutrements bright and glistening.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading My duties in the riding-school were always over before mid-day, and as noon was the hour appointed by the young lieutenant to present me to his colonel, I was ready by that time, and anxiously awaiting his arrival.
mediaevaladjective
relating to or belonging to the Middle Ages
From this reading I can dare to say, that no mediaeval gentleman’s bald spot ever cost him one-half the misery as did my lack of moustache occasion me.
mid-day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My duties in the riding-school were always over before mid-day, and as noon was the hour appointed by the young lieutenant to present me to his colonel, I was ready by that time, and anxiously awaiting his arrival.
mirrornounUS /ˈmɪrər/
polished surface that forms images by reflecting light
From this reading My scabbard was polished like silver, the steel front of my shako shone like a mirror, and the tinsel lace of my jacket had undergone a process of scrubbing and cleaning that threatened its very existence.
a state of ill-being due to affliction or misfortune
From this reading I can dare to say, that no mediaeval gentleman’s bald spot ever cost him one-half the misery as did my lack of moustache occasion me.
moustachenounUS /ˈmʌstæʃ/
an unshaved growth of hair on the upper lip
From this reading I can dare to say, that no mediaeval gentleman’s bald spot ever cost him one-half the misery as did my lack of moustache occasion me.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading My duties in the riding-school were always over before mid-day, and as noon was the hour appointed by the young lieutenant to present me to his colonel, I was ready by that time, and anxiously awaiting his arrival.
not any; not one
From this reading I can dare to say, that no mediaeval gentleman’s bald spot ever cost him one-half the misery as did my lack of moustache occasion me.
the middle of the day
From this reading My duties in the riding-school were always over before mid-day, and as noon was the hour appointed by the young lieutenant to present me to his colonel, I was ready by that time, and anxiously awaiting his arrival.
an event that occurs at a critical time
From this reading I can dare to say, that no mediaeval gentleman’s bald spot ever cost him one-half the misery as did my lack of moustache occasion me.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading My scabbard was polished like silver, the steel front of my shako shone like a mirror, and the tinsel lace of my jacket had undergone a process of scrubbing and cleaning that threatened its very existence.
one-halfnoun
one of two equal parts of a divisible whole
From this reading I can dare to say, that no mediaeval gentleman’s bald spot ever cost him one-half the misery as did my lack of moustache occasion me.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading My smooth chin and beardless upper-lip, however, gave me a degree of distress that all other deficiencies failed to inflict.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading My duties in the riding-school were always over before mid-day, and as noon was the hour appointed by the young lieutenant to present me to his colonel, I was ready by that time, and anxiously awaiting his arrival.
polishedadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːlɪʃt/
perfected or made shiny and smooth
From this reading My scabbard was polished like silver, the steel front of my shako shone like a mirror, and the tinsel lace of my jacket had undergone a process of scrubbing and cleaning that threatened its very existence.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading My duties in the riding-school were always over before mid-day, and as noon was the hour appointed by the young lieutenant to present me to his colonel, I was ready by that time, and anxiously awaiting his arrival.
subject to a process or treatment, with the aim of readying for some purpose, improving, or remedying a condition
From this reading My scabbard was polished like silver, the steel front of my shako shone like a mirror, and the tinsel lace of my jacket had undergone a process of scrubbing and cleaning that threatened its very existence.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading My duties in the riding-school were always over before mid-day, and as noon was the hour appointed by the young lieutenant to present me to his colonel, I was ready by that time, and anxiously awaiting his arrival.
riding-school
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My duties in the riding-school were always over before mid-day, and as noon was the hour appointed by the young lieutenant to present me to his colonel, I was ready by that time, and anxiously awaiting his arrival.
express in words
From this reading I can dare to say, that no mediaeval gentleman’s bald spot ever cost him one-half the misery as did my lack of moustache occasion me.
scabbardnounUS /ˈskæbərd/
a sheath for a sword or dagger or bayonet
From this reading My scabbard was polished like silver, the steel front of my shako shone like a mirror, and the tinsel lace of my jacket had undergone a process of scrubbing and cleaning that threatened its very existence.
scrubbingnounUS /ˈskrʌbɪŋ/
the act of cleaning a surface by rubbing it with a brush and soap and water
From this reading My scabbard was polished like silver, the steel front of my shako shone like a mirror, and the tinsel lace of my jacket had undergone a process of scrubbing and cleaning that threatened its very existence.
shakonoun
tall hat; worn by some British soldiers on ceremonial occasions
From this reading My scabbard was polished like silver, the steel front of my shako shone like a mirror, and the tinsel lace of my jacket had undergone a process of scrubbing and cleaning that threatened its very existence.
inflected form of “shine” — be bright by reflecting or casting light
From this reading My scabbard was polished like silver, the steel front of my shako shone like a mirror, and the tinsel lace of my jacket had undergone a process of scrubbing and cleaning that threatened its very existence.
a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography
From this reading My scabbard was polished like silver, the steel front of my shako shone like a mirror, and the tinsel lace of my jacket had undergone a process of scrubbing and cleaning that threatened its very existence.
smarten
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I had done my best to smarten up my uniform, and make all my accoutrements bright and glistening.
having a surface free from roughness or bumps or ridges or irregularities
From this reading My smooth chin and beardless upper-lip, however, gave me a degree of distress that all other deficiencies failed to inflict.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading I can dare to say, that no mediaeval gentleman’s bald spot ever cost him one-half the misery as did my lack of moustache occasion me.
an alloy of iron with small amounts of carbon; widely used in construction; mechanical properties can be varied over a wide range
From this reading My scabbard was polished like silver, the steel front of my shako shone like a mirror, and the tinsel lace of my jacket had undergone a process of scrubbing and cleaning that threatened its very existence.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading My duties in the riding-school were always over before mid-day, and as noon was the hour appointed by the young lieutenant to present me to his colonel, I was ready by that time, and anxiously awaiting his arrival.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading My duties in the riding-school were always over before mid-day, and as noon was the hour appointed by the young lieutenant to present me to his colonel, I was ready by that time, and anxiously awaiting his arrival.
(of flora or fauna) likely in the near future to become endangered
From this reading My scabbard was polished like silver, the steel front of my shako shone like a mirror, and the tinsel lace of my jacket had undergone a process of scrubbing and cleaning that threatened its very existence.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading My duties in the riding-school were always over before mid-day, and as noon was the hour appointed by the young lieutenant to present me to his colonel, I was ready by that time, and anxiously awaiting his arrival.
tinselverbUS /ˈtɪnsəl/
impart a cheap brightness to
From this reading My scabbard was polished like silver, the steel front of my shako shone like a mirror, and the tinsel lace of my jacket had undergone a process of scrubbing and cleaning that threatened its very existence.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading My duties in the riding-school were always over before mid-day, and as noon was the hour appointed by the young lieutenant to present me to his colonel, I was ready by that time, and anxiously awaiting his arrival.
undergoneverbUS /ˌʌndərˈɡɔːn/
inflected form of “undergo” — pass through
From this reading My scabbard was polished like silver, the steel front of my shako shone like a mirror, and the tinsel lace of my jacket had undergone a process of scrubbing and cleaning that threatened its very existence.
uniformadjectiveUS /ˈjuːnəfɔːrm/
always the same; showing a single form or character in all occurrences
From this reading I had done my best to smarten up my uniform, and make all my accoutrements bright and glistening.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading I had done my best to smarten up my uniform, and make all my accoutrements bright and glistening.
upper-lip
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading My smooth chin and beardless upper-lip, however, gave me a degree of distress that all other deficiencies failed to inflict.
precisely as stated
From this reading My scabbard was polished like silver, the steel front of my shako shone like a mirror, and the tinsel lace of my jacket had undergone a process of scrubbing and cleaning that threatened its very existence.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading My duties in the riding-school were always over before mid-day, and as noon was the hour appointed by the young lieutenant to present me to his colonel, I was ready by that time, and anxiously awaiting his arrival.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading My duties in the riding-school were always over before mid-day, and as noon was the hour appointed by the young lieutenant to present me to his colonel, I was ready by that time, and anxiously awaiting his arrival.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading My duties in the riding-school were always over before mid-day, and as noon was the hour appointed by the young lieutenant to present me to his colonel, I was ready by that time, and anxiously awaiting his arrival.
