used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THROUGH THE CAMP OF THE ENEMY A GLANCE at my watch told me that it was already within a few moments of midnight.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading I was stopped twice by well-meaning officers whom I had met earlier in the evening, but breaking away from them after the exchange of a sentence or two, I urged my course as directly as possible toward where the spectacled brigadier yet held his post as master of ceremonies.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading THROUGH THE CAMP OF THE ENEMY A GLANCE at my watch told me that it was already within a few moments of midnight.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There was, however, no diminution in the festivities, and I waited in silence until I heard the sentries calling the hour, and then pressed my way back into the noisy, crowded ballroom.
past form of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading We had been conversing pleasantly for several minutes when Mrs. Brennan appeared.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading I was stopped twice by well-meaning officers whom I had met earlier in the evening, but breaking away from them after the exchange of a sentence or two, I urged my course as directly as possible toward where the spectacled brigadier yet held his post as master of ceremonies.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THROUGH THE CAMP OF THE ENEMY A GLANCE at my watch told me that it was already within a few moments of midnight.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading I was stopped twice by well-meaning officers whom I had met earlier in the evening, but breaking away from them after the exchange of a sentence or two, I urged my course as directly as possible toward where the spectacled brigadier yet held his post as master of ceremonies.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading There was, however, no diminution in the festivities, and I waited in silence until I heard the sentries calling the hour, and then pressed my way back into the noisy, crowded ballroom.
ballroomnounUS /ˈbɔːlruːm/
large room used mainly for dancing
From this reading There was, however, no diminution in the festivities, and I waited in silence until I heard the sentries calling the hour, and then pressed my way back into the noisy, crowded ballroom.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading We had been conversing pleasantly for several minutes when Mrs. Brennan appeared.
the act of breaking something
From this reading I was stopped twice by well-meaning officers whom I had met earlier in the evening, but breaking away from them after the exchange of a sentence or two, I urged my course as directly as possible toward where the spectacled brigadier yet held his post as master of ceremonies.
Brennan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We had been conversing pleasantly for several minutes when Mrs. Brennan appeared.
brigadiernounUS /ˌbrɪɡəˈdɪr/
a general officer ranking below a major general
From this reading I was stopped twice by well-meaning officers whom I had met earlier in the evening, but breaking away from them after the exchange of a sentence or two, I urged my course as directly as possible toward where the spectacled brigadier yet held his post as master of ceremonies.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I was stopped twice by well-meaning officers whom I had met earlier in the evening, but breaking away from them after the exchange of a sentence or two, I urged my course as directly as possible toward where the spectacled brigadier yet held his post as master of ceremonies.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading I was stopped twice by well-meaning officers whom I had met earlier in the evening, but breaking away from them after the exchange of a sentence or two, I urged my course as directly as possible toward where the spectacled brigadier yet held his post as master of ceremonies.
the particular occupation for which you are trained
From this reading There was, however, no diminution in the festivities, and I waited in silence until I heard the sentries calling the hour, and then pressed my way back into the noisy, crowded ballroom.
temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers
From this reading THROUGH THE CAMP OF THE ENEMY A GLANCE at my watch told me that it was already within a few moments of midnight.
ceremoniesnounUS /ˈserəmoʊniz/
plural of “ceremony” — a formal event performed on a special occasion
From this reading I was stopped twice by well-meaning officers whom I had met earlier in the evening, but breaking away from them after the exchange of a sentence or two, I urged my course as directly as possible toward where the spectacled brigadier yet held his post as master of ceremonies.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading Standing so as to face the stairs, I saw her first coming down, and noted that she wore her hat, and had a light walking-cloak thrown over her shoulders.
conversingverbUS /kənˈvɜːrsɪŋ/
-ing form of “converse” — carry on a conversation
From this reading We had been conversing pleasantly for several minutes when Mrs. Brennan appeared.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading I was stopped twice by well-meaning officers whom I had met earlier in the evening, but breaking away from them after the exchange of a sentence or two, I urged my course as directly as possible toward where the spectacled brigadier yet held his post as master of ceremonies.
overfilled or compacted or concentrated
From this reading There was, however, no diminution in the festivities, and I waited in silence until I heard the sentries calling the hour, and then pressed my way back into the noisy, crowded ballroom.
diminutionnounUS /ˌdɪməˈnuːʃən/
change toward something smaller or lower
From this reading There was, however, no diminution in the festivities, and I waited in silence until I heard the sentries calling the hour, and then pressed my way back into the noisy, crowded ballroom.
without deviation
From this reading I was stopped twice by well-meaning officers whom I had met earlier in the evening, but breaking away from them after the exchange of a sentence or two, I urged my course as directly as possible toward where the spectacled brigadier yet held his post as master of ceremonies.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Standing so as to face the stairs, I saw her first coming down, and noted that she wore her hat, and had a light walking-cloak thrown over her shoulders.
earlier in time; previously
From this reading I was stopped twice by well-meaning officers whom I had met earlier in the evening, but breaking away from them after the exchange of a sentence or two, I urged my course as directly as possible toward where the spectacled brigadier yet held his post as master of ceremonies.
an opposing military force
From this reading THROUGH THE CAMP OF THE ENEMY A GLANCE at my watch told me that it was already within a few moments of midnight.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading I was stopped twice by well-meaning officers whom I had met earlier in the evening, but breaking away from them after the exchange of a sentence or two, I urged my course as directly as possible toward where the spectacled brigadier yet held his post as master of ceremonies.
chemical process in which one atom or ion or group changes places with another
From this reading I was stopped twice by well-meaning officers whom I had met earlier in the evening, but breaking away from them after the exchange of a sentence or two, I urged my course as directly as possible toward where the spectacled brigadier yet held his post as master of ceremonies.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Standing so as to face the stairs, I saw her first coming down, and noted that she wore her hat, and had a light walking-cloak thrown over her shoulders.
festivitiesnounUS /feˈstɪvətiz/
plural of “festivity” — any joyous diversion
From this reading There was, however, no diminution in the festivities, and I waited in silence until I heard the sentries calling the hour, and then pressed my way back into the noisy, crowded ballroom.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading THROUGH THE CAMP OF THE ENEMY A GLANCE at my watch told me that it was already within a few moments of midnight.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading Standing so as to face the stairs, I saw her first coming down, and noted that she wore her hat, and had a light walking-cloak thrown over her shoulders.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading We had been conversing pleasantly for several minutes when Mrs. Brennan appeared.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading I was stopped twice by well-meaning officers whom I had met earlier in the evening, but breaking away from them after the exchange of a sentence or two, I urged my course as directly as possible toward where the spectacled brigadier yet held his post as master of ceremonies.
throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading THROUGH THE CAMP OF THE ENEMY A GLANCE at my watch told me that it was already within a few moments of midnight.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I was stopped twice by well-meaning officers whom I had met earlier in the evening, but breaking away from them after the exchange of a sentence or two, I urged my course as directly as possible toward where the spectacled brigadier yet held his post as master of ceremonies.
headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim
From this reading Standing so as to face the stairs, I saw her first coming down, and noted that she wore her hat, and had a light walking-cloak thrown over her shoulders.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading There was, however, no diminution in the festivities, and I waited in silence until I heard the sentries calling the hour, and then pressed my way back into the noisy, crowded ballroom.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading I was stopped twice by well-meaning officers whom I had met earlier in the evening, but breaking away from them after the exchange of a sentence or two, I urged my course as directly as possible toward where the spectacled brigadier yet held his post as master of ceremonies.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Standing so as to face the stairs, I saw her first coming down, and noted that she wore her hat, and had a light walking-cloak thrown over her shoulders.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading I was stopped twice by well-meaning officers whom I had met earlier in the evening, but breaking away from them after the exchange of a sentence or two, I urged my course as directly as possible toward where the spectacled brigadier yet held his post as master of ceremonies.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading There was, however, no diminution in the festivities, and I waited in silence until I heard the sentries calling the hour, and then pressed my way back into the noisy, crowded ballroom.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading There was, however, no diminution in the festivities, and I waited in silence until I heard the sentries calling the hour, and then pressed my way back into the noisy, crowded ballroom.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading There was, however, no diminution in the festivities, and I waited in silence until I heard the sentries calling the hour, and then pressed my way back into the noisy, crowded ballroom.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There was, however, no diminution in the festivities, and I waited in silence until I heard the sentries calling the hour, and then pressed my way back into the noisy, crowded ballroom.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading There was, however, no diminution in the festivities, and I waited in silence until I heard the sentries calling the hour, and then pressed my way back into the noisy, crowded ballroom.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THROUGH THE CAMP OF THE ENEMY A GLANCE at my watch told me that it was already within a few moments of midnight.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Standing so as to face the stairs, I saw her first coming down, and noted that she wore her hat, and had a light walking-cloak thrown over her shoulders.
an artist of consummate skill
From this reading I was stopped twice by well-meaning officers whom I had met earlier in the evening, but breaking away from them after the exchange of a sentence or two, I urged my course as directly as possible toward where the spectacled brigadier yet held his post as master of ceremonies.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading THROUGH THE CAMP OF THE ENEMY A GLANCE at my watch told me that it was already within a few moments of midnight.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading I was stopped twice by well-meaning officers whom I had met earlier in the evening, but breaking away from them after the exchange of a sentence or two, I urged my course as directly as possible toward where the spectacled brigadier yet held his post as master of ceremonies.
12 o'clock at night; the middle of the night
From this reading THROUGH THE CAMP OF THE ENEMY A GLANCE at my watch told me that it was already within a few moments of midnight.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading We had been conversing pleasantly for several minutes when Mrs. Brennan appeared.
plural of “moment” — a particular point in time
From this reading THROUGH THE CAMP OF THE ENEMY A GLANCE at my watch told me that it was already within a few moments of midnight.
a form of address for a married woman
From this reading We had been conversing pleasantly for several minutes when Mrs. Brennan appeared.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading THROUGH THE CAMP OF THE ENEMY A GLANCE at my watch told me that it was already within a few moments of midnight.
not any; not one
From this reading There was, however, no diminution in the festivities, and I waited in silence until I heard the sentries calling the hour, and then pressed my way back into the noisy, crowded ballroom.
noisyadjectiveUS /ˈnɔɪzi/
full of or characterized by loud and nonmusical sounds
From this reading There was, however, no diminution in the festivities, and I waited in silence until I heard the sentries calling the hour, and then pressed my way back into the noisy, crowded ballroom.
notedadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊtəd/
widely known and esteemed
From this reading Standing so as to face the stairs, I saw her first coming down, and noted that she wore her hat, and had a light walking-cloak thrown over her shoulders.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THROUGH THE CAMP OF THE ENEMY A GLANCE at my watch told me that it was already within a few moments of midnight.
plural of “officer” — any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading I was stopped twice by well-meaning officers whom I had met earlier in the evening, but breaking away from them after the exchange of a sentence or two, I urged my course as directly as possible toward where the spectacled brigadier yet held his post as master of ceremonies.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading I was stopped twice by well-meaning officers whom I had met earlier in the evening, but breaking away from them after the exchange of a sentence or two, I urged my course as directly as possible toward where the spectacled brigadier yet held his post as master of ceremonies.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Standing so as to face the stairs, I saw her first coming down, and noted that she wore her hat, and had a light walking-cloak thrown over her shoulders.
pleasantlyadverbUS /ˈplezəntli/
in a cheerful manner
From this reading We had been conversing pleasantly for several minutes when Mrs. Brennan appeared.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading I was stopped twice by well-meaning officers whom I had met earlier in the evening, but breaking away from them after the exchange of a sentence or two, I urged my course as directly as possible toward where the spectacled brigadier yet held his post as master of ceremonies.
affix in a public place or for public notice
From this reading I was stopped twice by well-meaning officers whom I had met earlier in the evening, but breaking away from them after the exchange of a sentence or two, I urged my course as directly as possible toward where the spectacled brigadier yet held his post as master of ceremonies.
compacted by ironing
From this reading There was, however, no diminution in the festivities, and I waited in silence until I heard the sentries calling the hour, and then pressed my way back into the noisy, crowded ballroom.
cut with a saw
From this reading Standing so as to face the stairs, I saw her first coming down, and noted that she wore her hat, and had a light walking-cloak thrown over her shoulders.
a string of words satisfying the grammatical rules of a language
From this reading I was stopped twice by well-meaning officers whom I had met earlier in the evening, but breaking away from them after the exchange of a sentence or two, I urged my course as directly as possible toward where the spectacled brigadier yet held his post as master of ceremonies.
sentriesnounUS /ˈsentriz/
plural of “sentry” — a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
From this reading There was, however, no diminution in the festivities, and I waited in silence until I heard the sentries calling the hour, and then pressed my way back into the noisy, crowded ballroom.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading We had been conversing pleasantly for several minutes when Mrs. Brennan appeared.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Standing so as to face the stairs, I saw her first coming down, and noted that she wore her hat, and had a light walking-cloak thrown over her shoulders.
plural of “shoulder” — the part of the body between the neck and the upper arm
From this reading Standing so as to face the stairs, I saw her first coming down, and noted that she wore her hat, and had a light walking-cloak thrown over her shoulders.
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading There was, however, no diminution in the festivities, and I waited in silence until I heard the sentries calling the hour, and then pressed my way back into the noisy, crowded ballroom.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Standing so as to face the stairs, I saw her first coming down, and noted that she wore her hat, and had a light walking-cloak thrown over her shoulders.
spectacledadjective
wearing, or having the face adorned with, eyeglasses or an eyeglass
From this reading I was stopped twice by well-meaning officers whom I had met earlier in the evening, but breaking away from them after the exchange of a sentence or two, I urged my course as directly as possible toward where the spectacled brigadier yet held his post as master of ceremonies.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading Standing so as to face the stairs, I saw her first coming down, and noted that she wore her hat, and had a light walking-cloak thrown over her shoulders.
having a supporting base
From this reading Standing so as to face the stairs, I saw her first coming down, and noted that she wore her hat, and had a light walking-cloak thrown over her shoulders.
(of a nose) blocked
From this reading I was stopped twice by well-meaning officers whom I had met earlier in the evening, but breaking away from them after the exchange of a sentence or two, I urged my course as directly as possible toward where the spectacled brigadier yet held his post as master of ceremonies.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THROUGH THE CAMP OF THE ENEMY A GLANCE at my watch told me that it was already within a few moments of midnight.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THROUGH THE CAMP OF THE ENEMY A GLANCE at my watch told me that it was already within a few moments of midnight.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading I was stopped twice by well-meaning officers whom I had met earlier in the evening, but breaking away from them after the exchange of a sentence or two, I urged my course as directly as possible toward where the spectacled brigadier yet held his post as master of ceremonies.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading There was, however, no diminution in the festivities, and I waited in silence until I heard the sentries calling the hour, and then pressed my way back into the noisy, crowded ballroom.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was, however, no diminution in the festivities, and I waited in silence until I heard the sentries calling the hour, and then pressed my way back into the noisy, crowded ballroom.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading THROUGH THE CAMP OF THE ENEMY A GLANCE at my watch told me that it was already within a few moments of midnight.
caused to fall to the ground
From this reading Standing so as to face the stairs, I saw her first coming down, and noted that she wore her hat, and had a light walking-cloak thrown over her shoulders.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Standing so as to face the stairs, I saw her first coming down, and noted that she wore her hat, and had a light walking-cloak thrown over her shoulders.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading THROUGH THE CAMP OF THE ENEMY A GLANCE at my watch told me that it was already within a few moments of midnight.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading I was stopped twice by well-meaning officers whom I had met earlier in the evening, but breaking away from them after the exchange of a sentence or two, I urged my course as directly as possible toward where the spectacled brigadier yet held his post as master of ceremonies.
two times
From this reading I was stopped twice by well-meaning officers whom I had met earlier in the evening, but breaking away from them after the exchange of a sentence or two, I urged my course as directly as possible toward where the spectacled brigadier yet held his post as master of ceremonies.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading I was stopped twice by well-meaning officers whom I had met earlier in the evening, but breaking away from them after the exchange of a sentence or two, I urged my course as directly as possible toward where the spectacled brigadier yet held his post as master of ceremonies.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading There was, however, no diminution in the festivities, and I waited in silence until I heard the sentries calling the hour, and then pressed my way back into the noisy, crowded ballroom.
past form of “urge” — force or impel in an indicated direction
From this reading I was stopped twice by well-meaning officers whom I had met earlier in the evening, but breaking away from them after the exchange of a sentence or two, I urged my course as directly as possible toward where the spectacled brigadier yet held his post as master of ceremonies.
past form of “wait” — stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading There was, however, no diminution in the festivities, and I waited in silence until I heard the sentries calling the hour, and then pressed my way back into the noisy, crowded ballroom.
walking-cloak
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Standing so as to face the stairs, I saw her first coming down, and noted that she wore her hat, and had a light walking-cloak thrown over her shoulders.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THROUGH THE CAMP OF THE ENEMY A GLANCE at my watch told me that it was already within a few moments of midnight.
look attentively
From this reading THROUGH THE CAMP OF THE ENEMY A GLANCE at my watch told me that it was already within a few moments of midnight.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading There was, however, no diminution in the festivities, and I waited in silence until I heard the sentries calling the hour, and then pressed my way back into the noisy, crowded ballroom.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We had been conversing pleasantly for several minutes when Mrs. Brennan appeared.
well-meaningadjective
not unfriendly or threatening
From this reading I was stopped twice by well-meaning officers whom I had met earlier in the evening, but breaking away from them after the exchange of a sentence or two, I urged my course as directly as possible toward where the spectacled brigadier yet held his post as master of ceremonies.
at the time that
From this reading We had been conversing pleasantly for several minutes when Mrs. Brennan appeared.
in or at the place that
From this reading I was stopped twice by well-meaning officers whom I had met earlier in the evening, but breaking away from them after the exchange of a sentence or two, I urged my course as directly as possible toward where the spectacled brigadier yet held his post as master of ceremonies.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I was stopped twice by well-meaning officers whom I had met earlier in the evening, but breaking away from them after the exchange of a sentence or two, I urged my course as directly as possible toward where the spectacled brigadier yet held his post as master of ceremonies.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading THROUGH THE CAMP OF THE ENEMY A GLANCE at my watch told me that it was already within a few moments of midnight.
inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in
From this reading Standing so as to face the stairs, I saw her first coming down, and noted that she wore her hat, and had a light walking-cloak thrown over her shoulders.
but in spite of that
From this reading I was stopped twice by well-meaning officers whom I had met earlier in the evening, but breaking away from them after the exchange of a sentence or two, I urged my course as directly as possible toward where the spectacled brigadier yet held his post as master of ceremonies.
