used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading [#] Thin-walled shell with a large bursting charge.
(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 Sometimes you would see a man screw himself down more firmly into the ground; but most of them took no notice at all, and joked amongst themselves or jeered at the unfortunate signalman, or one of the Maxims’ crews, who happened to be in the open and had to throw himself on the ground to escape the flying splinters.
surrounded by; in the company of
From this reading Sometimes you would see a man screw himself down more firmly into the ground; but most of them took no notice at all, and joked amongst themselves or jeered at the unfortunate signalman, or one of the Maxims’ crews, who happened to be in the open and had to throw himself on the ground to escape the flying splinters.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Shrapnel shell have a small bursting charge and scatter round bullets when they burst.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The men had become so used to these shells, that if one burst they hardly turned to look at it.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Sometimes you would see a man screw himself down more firmly into the ground; but most of them took no notice at all, and joked amongst themselves or jeered at the unfortunate signalman, or one of the Maxims’ crews, who happened to be in the open and had to throw himself on the ground to escape the flying splinters.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading The men had become so used to these shells, that if one burst they hardly turned to look at it.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The Commander did once try to reach those guns with a Maxim, but the range must have been well over two thousand yards.
bulletsnounUS /ˈbʊləts/
plural of “bullet” — a projectile that is fired from a gun
From this reading Shrapnel shell have a small bursting charge and scatter round bullets when they burst.
come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure
From this reading Shrapnel shell have a small bursting charge and scatter round bullets when they burst.
burstingverbUS /ˈbɜːrstɪŋ/
-ing form of “burst” — come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure
From this reading [#] Thin-walled shell with a large bursting charge.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Sometimes you would see a man screw himself down more firmly into the ground; but most of them took no notice at all, and joked amongst themselves or jeered at the unfortunate signalman, or one of the Maxims’ crews, who happened to be in the open and had to throw himself on the ground to escape the flying splinters.
to make a rush at or sudden attack upon, as in battle
From this reading [#] Thin-walled shell with a large bursting charge.
an officer in command of a military unit
From this reading The Commander did once try to reach those guns with a Maxim, but the range must have been well over two thousand yards.
crewsnounUS /kruːz/
plural of “crew” — the men and women who man a vehicle (ship, aircraft, etc.)
From this reading Sometimes you would see a man screw himself down more firmly into the ground; but most of them took no notice at all, and joked amongst themselves or jeered at the unfortunate signalman, or one of the Maxims’ crews, who happened to be in the open and had to throw himself on the ground to escape the flying splinters.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The Commander did once try to reach those guns with a Maxim, but the range must have been well over two thousand yards.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Sometimes you would see a man screw himself down more firmly into the ground; but most of them took no notice at all, and joked amongst themselves or jeered at the unfortunate signalman, or one of the Maxims’ crews, who happened to be in the open and had to throw himself on the ground to escape the flying splinters.
the act of escaping physically
From this reading Sometimes you would see a man screw himself down more firmly into the ground; but most of them took no notice at all, and joked amongst themselves or jeered at the unfortunate signalman, or one of the Maxims’ crews, who happened to be in the open and had to throw himself on the ground to escape the flying splinters.
with resolute determination
From this reading Sometimes you would see a man screw himself down more firmly into the ground; but most of them took no notice at all, and joked amongst themselves or jeered at the unfortunate signalman, or one of the Maxims’ crews, who happened to be in the open and had to throw himself on the ground to escape the flying splinters.
moving swiftly
From this reading Sometimes you would see a man screw himself down more firmly into the ground; but most of them took no notice at all, and joked amongst themselves or jeered at the unfortunate signalman, or one of the Maxims’ crews, who happened to be in the open and had to throw himself on the ground to escape the flying splinters.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading Sometimes you would see a man screw himself down more firmly into the ground; but most of them took no notice at all, and joked amongst themselves or jeered at the unfortunate signalman, or one of the Maxims’ crews, who happened to be in the open and had to throw himself on the ground to escape the flying splinters.
plural of “gun” — a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)
From this reading The Commander did once try to reach those guns with a Maxim, but the range must have been well over two thousand yards.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The men had become so used to these shells, that if one burst they hardly turned to look at it.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading Sometimes you would see a man screw himself down more firmly into the ground; but most of them took no notice at all, and joked amongst themselves or jeered at the unfortunate signalman, or one of the Maxims’ crews, who happened to be in the open and had to throw himself on the ground to escape the flying splinters.
only a very short time before
From this reading The men had become so used to these shells, that if one burst they hardly turned to look at it.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Shrapnel shell have a small bursting charge and scatter round bullets when they burst.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Sometimes you would see a man screw himself down more firmly into the ground; but most of them took no notice at all, and joked amongst themselves or jeered at the unfortunate signalman, or one of the Maxims’ crews, who happened to be in the open and had to throw himself on the ground to escape the flying splinters.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The men had become so used to these shells, that if one burst they hardly turned to look at it.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Sometimes you would see a man screw himself down more firmly into the ground; but most of them took no notice at all, and joked amongst themselves or jeered at the unfortunate signalman, or one of the Maxims’ crews, who happened to be in the open and had to throw himself on the ground to escape the flying splinters.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Sometimes you would see a man screw himself down more firmly into the ground; but most of them took no notice at all, and joked amongst themselves or jeered at the unfortunate signalman, or one of the Maxims’ crews, who happened to be in the open and had to throw himself on the ground to escape the flying splinters.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The men had become so used to these shells, that if one burst they hardly turned to look at it.
jeeredverbUS /dʒɪrd/
past form of “jeer” — laugh at with contempt and derision
From this reading Sometimes you would see a man screw himself down more firmly into the ground; but most of them took no notice at all, and joked amongst themselves or jeered at the unfortunate signalman, or one of the Maxims’ crews, who happened to be in the open and had to throw himself on the ground to escape the flying splinters.
jokedverbUS /dʒoʊkt/
past form of “joke” — tell a joke; speak humorously
From this reading Sometimes you would see a man screw himself down more firmly into the ground; but most of them took no notice at all, and joked amongst themselves or jeered at the unfortunate signalman, or one of the Maxims’ crews, who happened to be in the open and had to throw himself on the ground to escape the flying splinters.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading [#] Thin-walled shell with a large bursting charge.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading The men had become so used to these shells, that if one burst they hardly turned to look at it.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Sometimes you would see a man screw himself down more firmly into the ground; but most of them took no notice at all, and joked amongst themselves or jeered at the unfortunate signalman, or one of the Maxims’ crews, who happened to be in the open and had to throw himself on the ground to escape the flying splinters.
MaximnounUS /ˈmæksəm/
a saying that is widely accepted on its own merits
From this reading The Commander did once try to reach those guns with a Maxim, but the range must have been well over two thousand yards.
MaximsnounUS /ˈmæksəmz/
plural of “maxim” — a saying that is widely accepted on its own merits
From this reading Sometimes you would see a man screw himself down more firmly into the ground; but most of them took no notice at all, and joked amongst themselves or jeered at the unfortunate signalman, or one of the Maxims’ crews, who happened to be in the open and had to throw himself on the ground to escape the flying splinters.
the force of workers available
From this reading The men had become so used to these shells, that if one burst they hardly turned to look at it.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Sometimes you would see a man screw himself down more firmly into the ground; but most of them took no notice at all, and joked amongst themselves or jeered at the unfortunate signalman, or one of the Maxims’ crews, who happened to be in the open and had to throw himself on the ground to escape the flying splinters.
used to form the superlative
From this reading Sometimes you would see a man screw himself down more firmly into the ground; but most of them took no notice at all, and joked amongst themselves or jeered at the unfortunate signalman, or one of the Maxims’ crews, who happened to be in the open and had to throw himself on the ground to escape the flying splinters.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading The Commander did once try to reach those guns with a Maxim, but the range must have been well over two thousand yards.
not any; not one
From this reading Sometimes you would see a man screw himself down more firmly into the ground; but most of them took no notice at all, and joked amongst themselves or jeered at the unfortunate signalman, or one of the Maxims’ crews, who happened to be in the open and had to throw himself on the ground to escape the flying splinters.
an announcement containing information about an event
From this reading Sometimes you would see a man screw himself down more firmly into the ground; but most of them took no notice at all, and joked amongst themselves or jeered at the unfortunate signalman, or one of the Maxims’ crews, who happened to be in the open and had to throw himself on the ground to escape the flying splinters.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Sometimes you would see a man screw himself down more firmly into the ground; but most of them took no notice at all, and joked amongst themselves or jeered at the unfortunate signalman, or one of the Maxims’ crews, who happened to be in the open and had to throw himself on the ground to escape the flying splinters.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Sometimes you would see a man screw himself down more firmly into the ground; but most of them took no notice at all, and joked amongst themselves or jeered at the unfortunate signalman, or one of the Maxims’ crews, who happened to be in the open and had to throw himself on the ground to escape the flying splinters.
on one occasion
From this reading The Commander did once try to reach those guns with a Maxim, but the range must have been well over two thousand yards.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The men had become so used to these shells, that if one burst they hardly turned to look at it.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Sometimes you would see a man screw himself down more firmly into the ground; but most of them took no notice at all, and joked amongst themselves or jeered at the unfortunate signalman, or one of the Maxims’ crews, who happened to be in the open and had to throw himself on the ground to escape the flying splinters.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Sometimes you would see a man screw himself down more firmly into the ground; but most of them took no notice at all, and joked amongst themselves or jeered at the unfortunate signalman, or one of the Maxims’ crews, who happened to be in the open and had to throw himself on the ground to escape the flying splinters.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The Commander did once try to reach those guns with a Maxim, but the range must have been well over two thousand yards.
an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control: "the range of a supersonic jet"
From this reading The Commander did once try to reach those guns with a Maxim, but the range must have been well over two thousand yards.
reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading The Commander did once try to reach those guns with a Maxim, but the range must have been well over two thousand yards.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading Shrapnel shell have a small bursting charge and scatter round bullets when they burst.
scatterverbUS /ˈskætər/
to cause to separate and go in different directions
From this reading Shrapnel shell have a small bursting charge and scatter round bullets when they burst.
screwnounUS /skruː/
someone who guards prisoners
From this reading Sometimes you would see a man screw himself down more firmly into the ground; but most of them took no notice at all, and joked amongst themselves or jeered at the unfortunate signalman, or one of the Maxims’ crews, who happened to be in the open and had to throw himself on the ground to escape the flying splinters.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Sometimes you would see a man screw himself down more firmly into the ground; but most of them took no notice at all, and joked amongst themselves or jeered at the unfortunate signalman, or one of the Maxims’ crews, who happened to be in the open and had to throw himself on the ground to escape the flying splinters.
shellnounUS /ʃel/
ammunition consisting of a cylindrical metal casing containing an explosive charge and a projectile; fired from a large gun
From this reading [#] Thin-walled shell with a large bursting charge.
shellsnounUS /ʃelz/
plural of “shell” — ammunition consisting of a cylindrical metal casing containing an explosive charge and a projectile; fired from a large gun
From this reading The men had become so used to these shells, that if one burst they hardly turned to look at it.
ShrapnelnounUS /ˈʃræpnəl/
shell containing lead pellets that explodes in flight
From this reading Shrapnel shell have a small bursting charge and scatter round bullets when they burst.
signalmannoun
a railroad employee in charge of signals and point in a railroad yard
From this reading Sometimes you would see a man screw himself down more firmly into the ground; but most of them took no notice at all, and joked amongst themselves or jeered at the unfortunate signalman, or one of the Maxims’ crews, who happened to be in the open and had to throw himself on the ground to escape the flying splinters.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Shrapnel shell have a small bursting charge and scatter round bullets when they burst.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The men had become so used to these shells, that if one burst they hardly turned to look at it.
on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always
From this reading Sometimes you would see a man screw himself down more firmly into the ground; but most of them took no notice at all, and joked amongst themselves or jeered at the unfortunate signalman, or one of the Maxims’ crews, who happened to be in the open and had to throw himself on the ground to escape the flying splinters.
splintersnounUS /ˈsplɪntərz/
wood in small pieces or splinters
From this reading Sometimes you would see a man screw himself down more firmly into the ground; but most of them took no notice at all, and joked amongst themselves or jeered at the unfortunate signalman, or one of the Maxims’ crews, who happened to be in the open and had to throw himself on the ground to escape the flying splinters.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The men had become so used to these shells, that if one burst they hardly turned to look at it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The men had become so used to these shells, that if one burst they hardly turned to look at it.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Sometimes you would see a man screw himself down more firmly into the ground; but most of them took no notice at all, and joked amongst themselves or jeered at the unfortunate signalman, or one of the Maxims’ crews, who happened to be in the open and had to throw himself on the ground to escape the flying splinters.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading Sometimes you would see a man screw himself down more firmly into the ground; but most of them took no notice at all, and joked amongst themselves or jeered at the unfortunate signalman, or one of the Maxims’ crews, who happened to be in the open and had to throw himself on the ground to escape the flying splinters.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading The men had become so used to these shells, that if one burst they hardly turned to look at it.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Shrapnel shell have a small bursting charge and scatter round bullets when they burst.
Thin-walled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading [#] Thin-walled shell with a large bursting charge.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading The Commander did once try to reach those guns with a Maxim, but the range must have been well over two thousand yards.
the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100
From this reading The Commander did once try to reach those guns with a Maxim, but the range must have been well over two thousand yards.
propel through the air
From this reading Sometimes you would see a man screw himself down more firmly into the ground; but most of them took no notice at all, and joked amongst themselves or jeered at the unfortunate signalman, or one of the Maxims’ crews, who happened to be in the open and had to throw himself on the ground to escape the flying splinters.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The men had become so used to these shells, that if one burst they hardly turned to look at it.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading Sometimes you would see a man screw himself down more firmly into the ground; but most of them took no notice at all, and joked amongst themselves or jeered at the unfortunate signalman, or one of the Maxims’ crews, who happened to be in the open and had to throw himself on the ground to escape the flying splinters.
make an effort or attempt
From this reading The Commander did once try to reach those guns with a Maxim, but the range must have been well over two thousand yards.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading The men had become so used to these shells, that if one burst they hardly turned to look at it.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The Commander did once try to reach those guns with a Maxim, but the range must have been well over two thousand yards.
not favored by fortune; marked or accompanied by or resulting in ill fortune
From this reading Sometimes you would see a man screw himself down more firmly into the ground; but most of them took no notice at all, and joked amongst themselves or jeered at the unfortunate signalman, or one of the Maxims’ crews, who happened to be in the open and had to throw himself on the ground to escape the flying splinters.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading The men had become so used to these shells, that if one burst they hardly turned to look at it.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading The Commander did once try to reach those guns with a Maxim, but the range must have been well over two thousand yards.
at the time that
From this reading Shrapnel shell have a small bursting charge and scatter round bullets when they burst.
which person or people
From this reading Sometimes you would see a man screw himself down more firmly into the ground; but most of them took no notice at all, and joked amongst themselves or jeered at the unfortunate signalman, or one of the Maxims’ crews, who happened to be in the open and had to throw himself on the ground to escape the flying splinters.
in the company of; together with
From this reading [#] Thin-walled shell with a large bursting charge.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Sometimes you would see a man screw himself down more firmly into the ground; but most of them took no notice at all, and joked amongst themselves or jeered at the unfortunate signalman, or one of the Maxims’ crews, who happened to be in the open and had to throw himself on the ground to escape the flying splinters.
plural of “yard” — a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading The Commander did once try to reach those guns with a Maxim, but the range must have been well over two thousand yards.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Sometimes you would see a man screw himself down more firmly into the ground; but most of them took no notice at all, and joked amongst themselves or jeered at the unfortunate signalman, or one of the Maxims’ crews, who happened to be in the open and had to throw himself on the ground to escape the flying splinters.
