used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The last half was a snail’s crawl which grew slower and slower as we neared our objective.
afootadverbUS /əˈfʊt/
on foot; walking
From this reading Countless troops, afoot and in motors, hundreds of ammunition and supply trucks, and an incredible number of businesslike and apparently new guns, these took up a healthy three-quarters of the road and, despite our importance, didn’t hunch to let us pass.
ammunitionnounUS /ˌæmjəˈnɪʃən/
projectiles to be fired from a gun
From this reading Countless troops, afoot and in motors, hundreds of ammunition and supply trucks, and an incredible number of businesslike and apparently new guns, these took up a healthy three-quarters of the road and, despite our importance, didn’t hunch to let us pass.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Countless troops, afoot and in motors, hundreds of ammunition and supply trucks, and an incredible number of businesslike and apparently new guns, these took up a healthy three-quarters of the road and, despite our importance, didn’t hunch to let us pass.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The last half was a snail’s crawl which grew slower and slower as we neared our objective.
from appearances alone
From this reading Countless troops, afoot and in motors, hundreds of ammunition and supply trucks, and an incredible number of businesslike and apparently new guns, these took up a healthy three-quarters of the road and, despite our importance, didn’t hunch to let us pass.
move towards
From this reading When we sounded our horns to warn of our approach, the subalterns, or whatever you call them, would look round, stand at attention and salute, first the Captain with the Monocle, and then, when our car came up, me.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The last half was a snail’s crawl which grew slower and slower as we neared our objective.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The first half of our journey was covered at the usual terrifying rate of speed.
the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
From this reading When we sounded our horns to warn of our approach, the subalterns, or whatever you call them, would look round, stand at attention and salute, first the Captain with the Monocle, and then, when our car came up, me.
for the reason that
From this reading Me because I was the only one in the second machine who wore a British officer’s cap.
the people of Great Britain
From this reading Me because I was the only one in the second machine who wore a British officer’s cap.
businesslikeadjectiveUS /ˈbɪznɪslaɪk/
exhibiting methodical and systematic characteristics that would be useful in business
From this reading Countless troops, afoot and in motors, hundreds of ammunition and supply trucks, and an incredible number of businesslike and apparently new guns, these took up a healthy three-quarters of the road and, despite our importance, didn’t hunch to let us pass.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading When we sounded our horns to warn of our approach, the subalterns, or whatever you call them, would look round, stand at attention and salute, first the Captain with the Monocle, and then, when our car came up, me.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading When we sounded our horns to warn of our approach, the subalterns, or whatever you call them, would look round, stand at attention and salute, first the Captain with the Monocle, and then, when our car came up, me.
a tight-fitting headdress
From this reading Me because I was the only one in the second machine who wore a British officer’s cap.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading When we sounded our horns to warn of our approach, the subalterns, or whatever you call them, would look round, stand at attention and salute, first the Captain with the Monocle, and then, when our car came up, me.
a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine
From this reading When we sounded our horns to warn of our approach, the subalterns, or whatever you call them, would look round, stand at attention and salute, first the Captain with the Monocle, and then, when our car came up, me.
CountlessadjectiveUS /ˈkaʊntləs/
too numerous to be counted
From this reading Countless troops, afoot and in motors, hundreds of ammunition and supply trucks, and an incredible number of businesslike and apparently new guns, these took up a healthy three-quarters of the road and, despite our importance, didn’t hunch to let us pass.
overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form
From this reading The first half of our journey was covered at the usual terrifying rate of speed.
crawlverbUS /krɔːl/
move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground
From this reading The last half was a snail’s crawl which grew slower and slower as we neared our objective.
although something is true; in spite of
From this reading Countless troops, afoot and in motors, hundreds of ammunition and supply trucks, and an incredible number of businesslike and apparently new guns, these took up a healthy three-quarters of the road and, despite our importance, didn’t hunch to let us pass.
didn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Countless troops, afoot and in motors, hundreds of ammunition and supply trucks, and an incredible number of businesslike and apparently new guns, these took up a healthy three-quarters of the road and, despite our importance, didn’t hunch to let us pass.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The first half of our journey was covered at the usual terrifying rate of speed.
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading The last half was a snail’s crawl which grew slower and slower as we neared our objective.
plural of “gun” — a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)
From this reading Countless troops, afoot and in motors, hundreds of ammunition and supply trucks, and an incredible number of businesslike and apparently new guns, these took up a healthy three-quarters of the road and, despite our importance, didn’t hunch to let us pass.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading The first half of our journey was covered at the usual terrifying rate of speed.
healthyadjectiveUS /ˈhelθi/
having or indicating good health in body or mind; free from infirmity or disease
From this reading Countless troops, afoot and in motors, hundreds of ammunition and supply trucks, and an incredible number of businesslike and apparently new guns, these took up a healthy three-quarters of the road and, despite our importance, didn’t hunch to let us pass.
hornsnounUS /hɔːrnz/
plural of “horn” — a noisemaker (as at parties or games) that makes a loud noise when you blow through it
From this reading When we sounded our horns to warn of our approach, the subalterns, or whatever you call them, would look round, stand at attention and salute, first the Captain with the Monocle, and then, when our car came up, me.
hunchnounUS /hʌntʃ/
an impression that something might be the case
From this reading Countless troops, afoot and in motors, hundreds of ammunition and supply trucks, and an incredible number of businesslike and apparently new guns, these took up a healthy three-quarters of the road and, despite our importance, didn’t hunch to let us pass.
plural of “hundred” — ten 10s
From this reading Countless troops, afoot and in motors, hundreds of ammunition and supply trucks, and an incredible number of businesslike and apparently new guns, these took up a healthy three-quarters of the road and, despite our importance, didn’t hunch to let us pass.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Me because I was the only one in the second machine who wore a British officer’s cap.
the quality of being important and worthy of note
From this reading Countless troops, afoot and in motors, hundreds of ammunition and supply trucks, and an incredible number of businesslike and apparently new guns, these took up a healthy three-quarters of the road and, despite our importance, didn’t hunch to let us pass.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Countless troops, afoot and in motors, hundreds of ammunition and supply trucks, and an incredible number of businesslike and apparently new guns, these took up a healthy three-quarters of the road and, despite our importance, didn’t hunch to let us pass.
incredibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈkredəbəl/
beyond belief or understanding
From this reading Countless troops, afoot and in motors, hundreds of ammunition and supply trucks, and an incredible number of businesslike and apparently new guns, these took up a healthy three-quarters of the road and, despite our importance, didn’t hunch to let us pass.
undertake a journey or trip
From this reading The first half of our journey was covered at the usual terrifying rate of speed.
immediately past
From this reading The last half was a snail’s crawl which grew slower and slower as we neared our objective.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading Countless troops, afoot and in motors, hundreds of ammunition and supply trucks, and an incredible number of businesslike and apparently new guns, these took up a healthy three-quarters of the road and, despite our importance, didn’t hunch to let us pass.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading When we sounded our horns to warn of our approach, the subalterns, or whatever you call them, would look round, stand at attention and salute, first the Captain with the Monocle, and then, when our car came up, me.
any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks
From this reading Me because I was the only one in the second machine who wore a British officer’s cap.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading When we sounded our horns to warn of our approach, the subalterns, or whatever you call them, would look round, stand at attention and salute, first the Captain with the Monocle, and then, when our car came up, me.
MonoclenounUS /ˈmɑː.nə.kəl/
A single round eyeglass kept in position by the muscles around the eye, worn by gentleman aristocrats.
From this reading When we sounded our horns to warn of our approach, the subalterns, or whatever you call them, would look round, stand at attention and salute, first the Captain with the Monocle, and then, when our car came up, me.
motorsnounUS /ˈmoʊtərz/
plural of “motor” — machine that converts other forms of energy into mechanical energy and so imparts motion
From this reading Countless troops, afoot and in motors, hundreds of ammunition and supply trucks, and an incredible number of businesslike and apparently new guns, these took up a healthy three-quarters of the road and, despite our importance, didn’t hunch to let us pass.
nearedverbUS /nɪrd/
past form of “near” — move towards
From this reading The last half was a snail’s crawl which grew slower and slower as we neared our objective.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading Countless troops, afoot and in motors, hundreds of ammunition and supply trucks, and an incredible number of businesslike and apparently new guns, these took up a healthy three-quarters of the road and, despite our importance, didn’t hunch to let us pass.
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading Countless troops, afoot and in motors, hundreds of ammunition and supply trucks, and an incredible number of businesslike and apparently new guns, these took up a healthy three-quarters of the road and, despite our importance, didn’t hunch to let us pass.
objectiveadjectiveUS /əbˈdʒektɪv/
undistorted by emotion or personal bias; based on observable phenomena
From this reading The last half was a snail’s crawl which grew slower and slower as we neared our objective.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The first half of our journey was covered at the usual terrifying rate of speed.
officer'snounUS /ˈɔːfɪsərz/
possessive form of “officer” — any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading Me because I was the only one in the second machine who wore a British officer’s cap.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Me because I was the only one in the second machine who wore a British officer’s cap.
and nothing more
From this reading Me because I was the only one in the second machine who wore a British officer’s cap.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading When we sounded our horns to warn of our approach, the subalterns, or whatever you call them, would look round, stand at attention and salute, first the Captain with the Monocle, and then, when our car came up, me.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading The first half of our journey was covered at the usual terrifying rate of speed.
go across or through
From this reading Countless troops, afoot and in motors, hundreds of ammunition and supply trucks, and an incredible number of businesslike and apparently new guns, these took up a healthy three-quarters of the road and, despite our importance, didn’t hunch to let us pass.
a magnitude or frequency relative to a time unit
From this reading The first half of our journey was covered at the usual terrifying rate of speed.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading Countless troops, afoot and in motors, hundreds of ammunition and supply trucks, and an incredible number of businesslike and apparently new guns, these took up a healthy three-quarters of the road and, despite our importance, didn’t hunch to let us pass.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading When we sounded our horns to warn of our approach, the subalterns, or whatever you call them, would look round, stand at attention and salute, first the Captain with the Monocle, and then, when our car came up, me.
saluteverbUS /səˈluːt/
propose a toast to
From this reading When we sounded our horns to warn of our approach, the subalterns, or whatever you call them, would look round, stand at attention and salute, first the Captain with the Monocle, and then, when our car came up, me.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading Me because I was the only one in the second machine who wore a British officer’s cap.
sloweradverbUS /ˈsloʊər/
more slowly
From this reading The last half was a snail’s crawl which grew slower and slower as we neared our objective.
snail'snounUS /sneɪlz/
possessive form of “snail” — freshwater or marine or terrestrial gastropod mollusk usually having an external enclosing spiral shell
From this reading The last half was a snail’s crawl which grew slower and slower as we neared our objective.
past form of “sound” — appear in a certain way
From this reading When we sounded our horns to warn of our approach, the subalterns, or whatever you call them, would look round, stand at attention and salute, first the Captain with the Monocle, and then, when our car came up, me.
move hurridly
From this reading The first half of our journey was covered at the usual terrifying rate of speed.
be standing; be upright
From this reading When we sounded our horns to warn of our approach, the subalterns, or whatever you call them, would look round, stand at attention and salute, first the Captain with the Monocle, and then, when our car came up, me.
subalterns
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When we sounded our horns to warn of our approach, the subalterns, or whatever you call them, would look round, stand at attention and salute, first the Captain with the Monocle, and then, when our car came up, me.
give something useful or necessary to
From this reading Countless troops, afoot and in motors, hundreds of ammunition and supply trucks, and an incredible number of businesslike and apparently new guns, these took up a healthy three-quarters of the road and, despite our importance, didn’t hunch to let us pass.
terrifyingadjectiveUS /ˈterəfaɪɪŋ/
causing extreme terror
From this reading The first half of our journey was covered at the usual terrifying rate of speed.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The first half of our journey was covered at the usual terrifying rate of speed.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading When we sounded our horns to warn of our approach, the subalterns, or whatever you call them, would look round, stand at attention and salute, first the Captain with the Monocle, and then, when our car came up, me.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading When we sounded our horns to warn of our approach, the subalterns, or whatever you call them, would look round, stand at attention and salute, first the Captain with the Monocle, and then, when our car came up, me.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Countless troops, afoot and in motors, hundreds of ammunition and supply trucks, and an incredible number of businesslike and apparently new guns, these took up a healthy three-quarters of the road and, despite our importance, didn’t hunch to let us pass.
three-quartersnounUS /ˌθriːˈkwɔːrtərz/
three of four equal parts
From this reading Countless troops, afoot and in motors, hundreds of ammunition and supply trucks, and an incredible number of businesslike and apparently new guns, these took up a healthy three-quarters of the road and, despite our importance, didn’t hunch to let us pass.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Countless troops, afoot and in motors, hundreds of ammunition and supply trucks, and an incredible number of businesslike and apparently new guns, these took up a healthy three-quarters of the road and, despite our importance, didn’t hunch to let us pass.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading Countless troops, afoot and in motors, hundreds of ammunition and supply trucks, and an incredible number of businesslike and apparently new guns, these took up a healthy three-quarters of the road and, despite our importance, didn’t hunch to let us pass.
soldiers collectively
From this reading Countless troops, afoot and in motors, hundreds of ammunition and supply trucks, and an incredible number of businesslike and apparently new guns, these took up a healthy three-quarters of the road and, despite our importance, didn’t hunch to let us pass.
trucksnounUS /trʌks/
plural of “truck” — an automotive vehicle suitable for hauling
From this reading Countless troops, afoot and in motors, hundreds of ammunition and supply trucks, and an incredible number of businesslike and apparently new guns, these took up a healthy three-quarters of the road and, despite our importance, didn’t hunch to let us pass.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Countless troops, afoot and in motors, hundreds of ammunition and supply trucks, and an incredible number of businesslike and apparently new guns, these took up a healthy three-quarters of the road and, despite our importance, didn’t hunch to let us pass.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Countless troops, afoot and in motors, hundreds of ammunition and supply trucks, and an incredible number of businesslike and apparently new guns, these took up a healthy three-quarters of the road and, despite our importance, didn’t hunch to let us pass.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading The first half of our journey was covered at the usual terrifying rate of speed.
warnverbUS /wɔːrn/
notify of danger, potential harm, or risk
From this reading When we sounded our horns to warn of our approach, the subalterns, or whatever you call them, would look round, stand at attention and salute, first the Captain with the Monocle, and then, when our car came up, me.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The first half of our journey was covered at the usual terrifying rate of speed.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading The last half was a snail’s crawl which grew slower and slower as we neared our objective.
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading When we sounded our horns to warn of our approach, the subalterns, or whatever you call them, would look round, stand at attention and salute, first the Captain with the Monocle, and then, when our car came up, me.
at the time that
From this reading When we sounded our horns to warn of our approach, the subalterns, or whatever you call them, would look round, stand at attention and salute, first the Captain with the Monocle, and then, when our car came up, me.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The last half was a snail’s crawl which grew slower and slower as we neared our objective.
which person or people
From this reading Me because I was the only one in the second machine who wore a British officer’s cap.
in the company of; together with
From this reading When we sounded our horns to warn of our approach, the subalterns, or whatever you call them, would look round, stand at attention and salute, first the Captain with the Monocle, and then, when our car came up, me.
inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in
From this reading Me because I was the only one in the second machine who wore a British officer’s cap.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading When we sounded our horns to warn of our approach, the subalterns, or whatever you call them, would look round, stand at attention and salute, first the Captain with the Monocle, and then, when our car came up, me.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading When we sounded our horns to warn of our approach, the subalterns, or whatever you call them, would look round, stand at attention and salute, first the Captain with the Monocle, and then, when our car came up, me.
