1921
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading During the coal strike of 1921 my platoon was protecting the property of the Shell Motor Spirit Company in Newcastle.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was a dismal enough spot, beside the river.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading There was a long row of miners’ cottages between my billet and the guard-room, and after tea the women would sit upon their doorsteps and talk to one another, while the children played on a strip of grass that ran dingily to the waterside.
how long something has existed
From this reading There are indeed times when we are inclined to welcome the infirmities and immunities of age.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There are indeed times when we are inclined to welcome the infirmities and immunities of age.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading There was a long row of miners’ cottages between my billet and the guard-room, and after tea the women would sit upon their doorsteps and talk to one another, while the children played on a strip of grass that ran dingily to the waterside.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There are indeed times when we are inclined to welcome the infirmities and immunities of age.
next to; at the side of
From this reading It was a dismal enough spot, beside the river.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading There was a long row of miners’ cottages between my billet and the guard-room, and after tea the women would sit upon their doorsteps and talk to one another, while the children played on a strip of grass that ran dingily to the waterside.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading Beyond a more or less mechanical supervision I had very little work to do, and in the evenings I would stand in the roadway and watch the dusk rise slowly from the river, to soften the harsh outline of chimney stack and factory.
billetnounUS /ˈbɪlət/
a short personal letter
From this reading There was a long row of miners’ cottages between my billet and the guard-room, and after tea the women would sit upon their doorsteps and talk to one another, while the children played on a strip of grass that ran dingily to the waterside.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading There was a long row of miners’ cottages between my billet and the guard-room, and after tea the women would sit upon their doorsteps and talk to one another, while the children played on a strip of grass that ran dingily to the waterside.
chimneynounUS /ˈtʃɪmni/
a vertical flue that provides a path through which smoke from a fire is carried away through the wall or roof of a building
From this reading Beyond a more or less mechanical supervision I had very little work to do, and in the evenings I would stand in the roadway and watch the dusk rise slowly from the river, to soften the harsh outline of chimney stack and factory.
coalnounUS /koʊl/
fossil fuel consisting of carbonized vegetable matter deposited in the Carboniferous period
From this reading During the coal strike of 1921 my platoon was protecting the property of the Shell Motor Spirit Company in Newcastle.
an institution created to conduct business
From this reading During the coal strike of 1921 my platoon was protecting the property of the Shell Motor Spirit Company in Newcastle.
cottagesnounUS /ˈkɑːtɪdʒɪz/
plural of “cottage” — a small house with a single story
From this reading There was a long row of miners’ cottages between my billet and the guard-room, and after tea the women would sit upon their doorsteps and talk to one another, while the children played on a strip of grass that ran dingily to the waterside.
dingilyadverb
in a dingy manner
From this reading There was a long row of miners’ cottages between my billet and the guard-room, and after tea the women would sit upon their doorsteps and talk to one another, while the children played on a strip of grass that ran dingily to the waterside.
dismaladjectiveUS /ˈdɪzməl/
causing dejection
From this reading It was a dismal enough spot, beside the river.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Beyond a more or less mechanical supervision I had very little work to do, and in the evenings I would stand in the roadway and watch the dusk rise slowly from the river, to soften the harsh outline of chimney stack and factory.
doorstepsnounUS /ˈdɔːrsteps/
plural of “doorstep” — the sill of a door; a horizontal piece of wood or stone that forms the bottom of a doorway and offers support when passing through a doorway
From this reading There was a long row of miners’ cottages between my billet and the guard-room, and after tea the women would sit upon their doorsteps and talk to one another, while the children played on a strip of grass that ran dingily to the waterside.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading During the coal strike of 1921 my platoon was protecting the property of the Shell Motor Spirit Company in Newcastle.
dusknounUS /dʌsk/
the time of day immediately following sunset
From this reading Beyond a more or less mechanical supervision I had very little work to do, and in the evenings I would stand in the roadway and watch the dusk rise slowly from the river, to soften the harsh outline of chimney stack and factory.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading It was a dismal enough spot, beside the river.
eveningsnounUS /ˈiːvnɪŋz/
plural of “evening” — the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading Beyond a more or less mechanical supervision I had very little work to do, and in the evenings I would stand in the roadway and watch the dusk rise slowly from the river, to soften the harsh outline of chimney stack and factory.
factorynounUS /ˈfæktəri/
a plant consisting of one or more buildings with facilities for manufacturing
From this reading Beyond a more or less mechanical supervision I had very little work to do, and in the evenings I would stand in the roadway and watch the dusk rise slowly from the river, to soften the harsh outline of chimney stack and factory.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Beyond a more or less mechanical supervision I had very little work to do, and in the evenings I would stand in the roadway and watch the dusk rise slowly from the river, to soften the harsh outline of chimney stack and factory.
shoot down, of birds
From this reading There was a long row of miners’ cottages between my billet and the guard-room, and after tea the women would sit upon their doorsteps and talk to one another, while the children played on a strip of grass that ran dingily to the waterside.
guard-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a long row of miners’ cottages between my billet and the guard-room, and after tea the women would sit upon their doorsteps and talk to one another, while the children played on a strip of grass that ran dingily to the waterside.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Beyond a more or less mechanical supervision I had very little work to do, and in the evenings I would stand in the roadway and watch the dusk rise slowly from the river, to soften the harsh outline of chimney stack and factory.
harshadjectiveUS /hɑːrʃ/
unpleasantly stern
From this reading Beyond a more or less mechanical supervision I had very little work to do, and in the evenings I would stand in the roadway and watch the dusk rise slowly from the river, to soften the harsh outline of chimney stack and factory.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Beyond a more or less mechanical supervision I had very little work to do, and in the evenings I would stand in the roadway and watch the dusk rise slowly from the river, to soften the harsh outline of chimney stack and factory.
immunitiesnounUS /ˌɪˈmjuːnɪtiz/
plural of “immunity” — the state of not being susceptible
From this reading There are indeed times when we are inclined to welcome the infirmities and immunities of age.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading During the coal strike of 1921 my platoon was protecting the property of the Shell Motor Spirit Company in Newcastle.
(often followed by “to”) having a preference, disposition, or tendency
From this reading There are indeed times when we are inclined to welcome the infirmities and immunities of age.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading There are indeed times when we are inclined to welcome the infirmities and immunities of age.
infirmitiesnounUS /ɪnˈfɜːrmɪtiz/
plural of “infirmity” — the state of being weak in health or body (especially from old age)
From this reading There are indeed times when we are inclined to welcome the infirmities and immunities of age.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a dismal enough spot, beside the river.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading Beyond a more or less mechanical supervision I had very little work to do, and in the evenings I would stand in the roadway and watch the dusk rise slowly from the river, to soften the harsh outline of chimney stack and factory.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Beyond a more or less mechanical supervision I had very little work to do, and in the evenings I would stand in the roadway and watch the dusk rise slowly from the river, to soften the harsh outline of chimney stack and factory.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading There was a long row of miners’ cottages between my billet and the guard-room, and after tea the women would sit upon their doorsteps and talk to one another, while the children played on a strip of grass that ran dingily to the waterside.
mechanicaladjectiveUS /məˈkænɪkəl/
using (or as if using) mechanisms or tools or devices
From this reading Beyond a more or less mechanical supervision I had very little work to do, and in the evenings I would stand in the roadway and watch the dusk rise slowly from the river, to soften the harsh outline of chimney stack and factory.
minersnounUS /ˈmaɪnərz/
plural of “miner” — laborer who works in a mine
From this reading There was a long row of miners’ cottages between my billet and the guard-room, and after tea the women would sit upon their doorsteps and talk to one another, while the children played on a strip of grass that ran dingily to the waterside.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Beyond a more or less mechanical supervision I had very little work to do, and in the evenings I would stand in the roadway and watch the dusk rise slowly from the river, to soften the harsh outline of chimney stack and factory.
MotornounUS /ˈmoʊtər/
machine that converts other forms of energy into mechanical energy and so imparts motion
From this reading During the coal strike of 1921 my platoon was protecting the property of the Shell Motor Spirit Company in Newcastle.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading During the coal strike of 1921 my platoon was protecting the property of the Shell Motor Spirit Company in Newcastle.
NewcastlenounUS /ˈnuːkæsəl/
a port city in northeastern England on the River Tyne; a center for coal exports (giving rise to the expression “carry coals to Newcastle” meaning to do something unnecessary)
From this reading During the coal strike of 1921 my platoon was protecting the property of the Shell Motor Spirit Company in Newcastle.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There are indeed times when we are inclined to welcome the infirmities and immunities of age.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading There was a long row of miners’ cottages between my billet and the guard-room, and after tea the women would sit upon their doorsteps and talk to one another, while the children played on a strip of grass that ran dingily to the waterside.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading There was a long row of miners’ cottages between my billet and the guard-room, and after tea the women would sit upon their doorsteps and talk to one another, while the children played on a strip of grass that ran dingily to the waterside.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Beyond a more or less mechanical supervision I had very little work to do, and in the evenings I would stand in the roadway and watch the dusk rise slowly from the river, to soften the harsh outline of chimney stack and factory.
outlinenounUS /ˈaʊtlaɪn/
the line that appears to bound an object
From this reading Beyond a more or less mechanical supervision I had very little work to do, and in the evenings I would stand in the roadway and watch the dusk rise slowly from the river, to soften the harsh outline of chimney stack and factory.
platoonnounUS /pləˈtuːn/
a military unit that is a subdivision of a company; usually has a headquarters and two or more squads; usually commanded by a lieutenant
From this reading During the coal strike of 1921 my platoon was protecting the property of the Shell Motor Spirit Company in Newcastle.
(of games) engaged in
From this reading There was a long row of miners’ cottages between my billet and the guard-room, and after tea the women would sit upon their doorsteps and talk to one another, while the children played on a strip of grass that ran dingily to the waterside.
something owned; any tangible or intangible possession that is owned by someone
From this reading During the coal strike of 1921 my platoon was protecting the property of the Shell Motor Spirit Company in Newcastle.
protectingadjectiveUS /prəˈtektɪŋ/
shielding (or designed to shield) against harm or discomfort
From this reading During the coal strike of 1921 my platoon was protecting the property of the Shell Motor Spirit Company in Newcastle.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading There was a long row of miners’ cottages between my billet and the guard-room, and after tea the women would sit upon their doorsteps and talk to one another, while the children played on a strip of grass that ran dingily to the waterside.
move upward
From this reading Beyond a more or less mechanical supervision I had very little work to do, and in the evenings I would stand in the roadway and watch the dusk rise slowly from the river, to soften the harsh outline of chimney stack and factory.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading It was a dismal enough spot, beside the river.
roadwaynounUS /ˈroʊdweɪ/
a road (especially that part of a road) over which vehicles travel
From this reading Beyond a more or less mechanical supervision I had very little work to do, and in the evenings I would stand in the roadway and watch the dusk rise slowly from the river, to soften the harsh outline of chimney stack and factory.
an arrangement of objects or people side by side in a line
From this reading There was a long row of miners’ cottages between my billet and the guard-room, and after tea the women would sit upon their doorsteps and talk to one another, while the children played on a strip of grass that ran dingily to the waterside.
ShellnounUS /ʃel/
ammunition consisting of a cylindrical metal casing containing an explosive charge and a projectile; fired from a large gun
From this reading During the coal strike of 1921 my platoon was protecting the property of the Shell Motor Spirit Company in Newcastle.
be seated
From this reading There was a long row of miners’ cottages between my billet and the guard-room, and after tea the women would sit upon their doorsteps and talk to one another, while the children played on a strip of grass that ran dingily to the waterside.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading Beyond a more or less mechanical supervision I had very little work to do, and in the evenings I would stand in the roadway and watch the dusk rise slowly from the river, to soften the harsh outline of chimney stack and factory.
softenverbUS /ˈsɑːfən/
make (images or sounds) soft or softer
From this reading Beyond a more or less mechanical supervision I had very little work to do, and in the evenings I would stand in the roadway and watch the dusk rise slowly from the river, to soften the harsh outline of chimney stack and factory.
the vital principle or animating force within living things
From this reading During the coal strike of 1921 my platoon was protecting the property of the Shell Motor Spirit Company in Newcastle.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading It was a dismal enough spot, beside the river.
stacknounUS /stæk/
an orderly pile
From this reading Beyond a more or less mechanical supervision I had very little work to do, and in the evenings I would stand in the roadway and watch the dusk rise slowly from the river, to soften the harsh outline of chimney stack and factory.
be standing; be upright
From this reading Beyond a more or less mechanical supervision I had very little work to do, and in the evenings I would stand in the roadway and watch the dusk rise slowly from the river, to soften the harsh outline of chimney stack and factory.
deliver a sharp blow, as with the hand, fist, or weapon
From this reading During the coal strike of 1921 my platoon was protecting the property of the Shell Motor Spirit Company in Newcastle.
stripverbUS /strɪp/
take away possessions from someone
From this reading There was a long row of miners’ cottages between my billet and the guard-room, and after tea the women would sit upon their doorsteps and talk to one another, while the children played on a strip of grass that ran dingily to the waterside.
supervisionnounUS /ˌsuːpərˈvɪʒən/
management by overseeing the performance or operation of a person or group
From this reading Beyond a more or less mechanical supervision I had very little work to do, and in the evenings I would stand in the roadway and watch the dusk rise slowly from the river, to soften the harsh outline of chimney stack and factory.
exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading There was a long row of miners’ cottages between my billet and the guard-room, and after tea the women would sit upon their doorsteps and talk to one another, while the children played on a strip of grass that ran dingily to the waterside.
a beverage made by steeping tea leaves in water
From this reading There was a long row of miners’ cottages between my billet and the guard-room, and after tea the women would sit upon their doorsteps and talk to one another, while the children played on a strip of grass that ran dingily to the waterside.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading There was a long row of miners’ cottages between my billet and the guard-room, and after tea the women would sit upon their doorsteps and talk to one another, while the children played on a strip of grass that ran dingily to the waterside.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading There are indeed times when we are inclined to welcome the infirmities and immunities of age.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading There was a long row of miners’ cottages between my billet and the guard-room, and after tea the women would sit upon their doorsteps and talk to one another, while the children played on a strip of grass that ran dingily to the waterside.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There are indeed times when we are inclined to welcome the infirmities and immunities of age.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading There are indeed times when we are inclined to welcome the infirmities and immunities of age.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There are indeed times when we are inclined to welcome the infirmities and immunities of age.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading There was a long row of miners’ cottages between my billet and the guard-room, and after tea the women would sit upon their doorsteps and talk to one another, while the children played on a strip of grass that ran dingily to the waterside.
precisely as stated
From this reading Beyond a more or less mechanical supervision I had very little work to do, and in the evenings I would stand in the roadway and watch the dusk rise slowly from the river, to soften the harsh outline of chimney stack and factory.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading During the coal strike of 1921 my platoon was protecting the property of the Shell Motor Spirit Company in Newcastle.
look attentively
From this reading Beyond a more or less mechanical supervision I had very little work to do, and in the evenings I would stand in the roadway and watch the dusk rise slowly from the river, to soften the harsh outline of chimney stack and factory.
watersidenoun
land bordering a body of water
From this reading There was a long row of miners’ cottages between my billet and the guard-room, and after tea the women would sit upon their doorsteps and talk to one another, while the children played on a strip of grass that ran dingily to the waterside.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading There are indeed times when we are inclined to welcome the infirmities and immunities of age.
accept gladly
From this reading There are indeed times when we are inclined to welcome the infirmities and immunities of age.
at the time that
From this reading There are indeed times when we are inclined to welcome the infirmities and immunities of age.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading There was a long row of miners’ cottages between my billet and the guard-room, and after tea the women would sit upon their doorsteps and talk to one another, while the children played on a strip of grass that ran dingily to the waterside.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading There was a long row of miners’ cottages between my billet and the guard-room, and after tea the women would sit upon their doorsteps and talk to one another, while the children played on a strip of grass that ran dingily to the waterside.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading Beyond a more or less mechanical supervision I had very little work to do, and in the evenings I would stand in the roadway and watch the dusk rise slowly from the river, to soften the harsh outline of chimney stack and factory.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading There was a long row of miners’ cottages between my billet and the guard-room, and after tea the women would sit upon their doorsteps and talk to one another, while the children played on a strip of grass that ran dingily to the waterside.
