Chapter XXIV

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading The shifting tide of battle had forced the advanced line of the Allies to contend with a strong forward movement of German troops.

something done (usually as opposed to something said)

From this reading A heavy siege gun supporting the Allies was in action at the time.

farther along in physical or mental development

From this reading The shifting tide of battle had forced the advanced line of the Allies to contend with a strong forward movement of German troops.

anew

From this reading Time and again the French infantry had found these positions impossible of taking owing to barbed wire entanglements strewn with brush and branches of trees.

the alliance of nations that fought the Axis in World War II and which (with subsequent additions) signed the charter of the United Nations in 1945

From this reading The shifting tide of battle had forced the advanced line of the Allies to contend with a strong forward movement of German troops.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading In the shelter of a wonderfully ingenious and deep-dug trench the boys looked out upon a bloody battlefield, one of the bloodiest in European history.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading A heavy siege gun supporting the Allies was in action at the time.

having a back or backing, usually of a specified type

From this reading French soldiers with rifles in their hands, standing or kneeling in the immediate vicinity, keenly peered over the flat land toward the positions known to be held by the Germans, concealed in the woods--forests believed to be bristling with machine guns, backed by infantry in rifle pits and covered trenches.

capable of wounding

From this reading Time and again the French infantry had found these positions impossible of taking owing to barbed wire entanglements strewn with brush and branches of trees.

a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war

From this reading The shifting tide of battle had forced the advanced line of the Allies to contend with a strong forward movement of German troops.

a region where a battle is being (or has been) fought

From this reading In the shelter of a wonderfully ingenious and deep-dug trench the boys looked out upon a bloody battlefield, one of the bloodiest in European history.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading French soldiers with rifles in their hands, standing or kneeling in the immediate vicinity, keenly peered over the flat land toward the positions known to be held by the Germans, concealed in the woods--forests believed to be bristling with machine guns, backed by infantry in rifle pits and covered trenches.

past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true

From this reading French soldiers with rifles in their hands, standing or kneeling in the immediate vicinity, keenly peered over the flat land toward the positions known to be held by the Germans, concealed in the woods--forests believed to be bristling with machine guns, backed by infantry in rifle pits and covered trenches.

superlative of “bloody” — having or covered with or accompanied by blood

From this reading In the shelter of a wonderfully ingenious and deep-dug trench the boys looked out upon a bloody battlefield, one of the bloodiest in European history.

having or covered with or accompanied by blood

From this reading In the shelter of a wonderfully ingenious and deep-dug trench the boys looked out upon a bloody battlefield, one of the bloodiest in European history.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading In the shelter of a wonderfully ingenious and deep-dug trench the boys looked out upon a bloody battlefield, one of the bloodiest in European history.

plural of “branch” — a division of some larger or more complex organization

From this reading Time and again the French infantry had found these positions impossible of taking owing to barbed wire entanglements strewn with brush and branches of trees.

-ing form of “bristle” — be in a state of movement or action

From this reading French soldiers with rifles in their hands, standing or kneeling in the immediate vicinity, keenly peered over the flat land toward the positions known to be held by the Germans, concealed in the woods--forests believed to be bristling with machine guns, backed by infantry in rifle pits and covered trenches.

rub with a brush, or as if with a brush

From this reading Time and again the French infantry had found these positions impossible of taking owing to barbed wire entanglements strewn with brush and branches of trees.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading French soldiers with rifles in their hands, standing or kneeling in the immediate vicinity, keenly peered over the flat land toward the positions known to be held by the Germans, concealed in the woods--forests believed to be bristling with machine guns, backed by infantry in rifle pits and covered trenches.

not accessible to view

From this reading French soldiers with rifles in their hands, standing or kneeling in the immediate vicinity, keenly peered over the flat land toward the positions known to be held by the Germans, concealed in the woods--forests believed to be bristling with machine guns, backed by infantry in rifle pits and covered trenches.

maintain or assert

From this reading The shifting tide of battle had forced the advanced line of the Allies to contend with a strong forward movement of German troops.

overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form

From this reading French soldiers with rifles in their hands, standing or kneeling in the immediate vicinity, keenly peered over the flat land toward the positions known to be held by the Germans, concealed in the woods--forests believed to be bristling with machine guns, backed by infantry in rifle pits and covered trenches.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In the shelter of a wonderfully ingenious and deep-dug trench the boys looked out upon a bloody battlefield, one of the bloodiest in European history.

plural of “entanglement” — an intricate trap that entangles or ensnares its victim

From this reading Time and again the French infantry had found these positions impossible of taking owing to barbed wire entanglements strewn with brush and branches of trees.

a native or inhabitant of Europe

From this reading In the shelter of a wonderfully ingenious and deep-dug trench the boys looked out upon a bloody battlefield, one of the bloodiest in European history.

having a surface without slope, tilt in which no part is higher or lower than another

From this reading French soldiers with rifles in their hands, standing or kneeling in the immediate vicinity, keenly peered over the flat land toward the positions known to be held by the Germans, concealed in the woods--forests believed to be bristling with machine guns, backed by infantry in rifle pits and covered trenches.

produced by or subjected to forcing

From this reading The shifting tide of battle had forced the advanced line of the Allies to contend with a strong forward movement of German troops.

plural of “forest” — the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading French soldiers with rifles in their hands, standing or kneeling in the immediate vicinity, keenly peered over the flat land toward the positions known to be held by the Germans, concealed in the woods--forests believed to be bristling with machine guns, backed by infantry in rifle pits and covered trenches.

at or to or toward the front

From this reading The shifting tide of battle had forced the advanced line of the Allies to contend with a strong forward movement of German troops.

set up or found

From this reading Time and again the French infantry had found these positions impossible of taking owing to barbed wire entanglements strewn with brush and branches of trees.

the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France

From this reading French soldiers with rifles in their hands, standing or kneeling in the immediate vicinity, keenly peered over the flat land toward the positions known to be held by the Germans, concealed in the woods--forests believed to be bristling with machine guns, backed by infantry in rifle pits and covered trenches.

a person of German nationality

From this reading The shifting tide of battle had forced the advanced line of the Allies to contend with a strong forward movement of German troops.

plural of “german” — a person of German nationality

From this reading French soldiers with rifles in their hands, standing or kneeling in the immediate vicinity, keenly peered over the flat land toward the positions known to be held by the Germans, concealed in the woods--forests believed to be bristling with machine guns, backed by infantry in rifle pits and covered trenches.

a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)

From this reading A heavy siege gun supporting the Allies was in action at the time.

plural of “gun” — a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)

From this reading French soldiers with rifles in their hands, standing or kneeling in the immediate vicinity, keenly peered over the flat land toward the positions known to be held by the Germans, concealed in the woods--forests believed to be bristling with machine guns, backed by infantry in rifle pits and covered trenches.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading The shifting tide of battle had forced the advanced line of the Allies to contend with a strong forward movement of German troops.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading French soldiers with rifles in their hands, standing or kneeling in the immediate vicinity, keenly peered over the flat land toward the positions known to be held by the Germans, concealed in the woods--forests believed to be bristling with machine guns, backed by infantry in rifle pits and covered trenches.

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading A heavy siege gun supporting the Allies was in action at the time.

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading French soldiers with rifles in their hands, standing or kneeling in the immediate vicinity, keenly peered over the flat land toward the positions known to be held by the Germans, concealed in the woods--forests believed to be bristling with machine guns, backed by infantry in rifle pits and covered trenches.

the aggregate of past events

From this reading In the shelter of a wonderfully ingenious and deep-dug trench the boys looked out upon a bloody battlefield, one of the bloodiest in European history.

of the present time and place

From this reading French soldiers with rifles in their hands, standing or kneeling in the immediate vicinity, keenly peered over the flat land toward the positions known to be held by the Germans, concealed in the woods--forests believed to be bristling with machine guns, backed by infantry in rifle pits and covered trenches.

not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with

From this reading Time and again the French infantry had found these positions impossible of taking owing to barbed wire entanglements strewn with brush and branches of trees.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading In the shelter of a wonderfully ingenious and deep-dug trench the boys looked out upon a bloody battlefield, one of the bloodiest in European history.

an army unit consisting of soldiers who fight on foot

From this reading French soldiers with rifles in their hands, standing or kneeling in the immediate vicinity, keenly peered over the flat land toward the positions known to be held by the Germans, concealed in the woods--forests believed to be bristling with machine guns, backed by infantry in rifle pits and covered trenches.

Clever, original, and remarkably inventive in design and execution.

From this reading In the shelter of a wonderfully ingenious and deep-dug trench the boys looked out upon a bloody battlefield, one of the bloodiest in European history.

in a keen or penetrating way

From this reading French soldiers with rifles in their hands, standing or kneeling in the immediate vicinity, keenly peered over the flat land toward the positions known to be held by the Germans, concealed in the woods--forests believed to be bristling with machine guns, backed by infantry in rifle pits and covered trenches.

supporting yourself on your knees

From this reading French soldiers with rifles in their hands, standing or kneeling in the immediate vicinity, keenly peered over the flat land toward the positions known to be held by the Germans, concealed in the woods--forests believed to be bristling with machine guns, backed by infantry in rifle pits and covered trenches.

apprehended with certainty

From this reading French soldiers with rifles in their hands, standing or kneeling in the immediate vicinity, keenly peered over the flat land toward the positions known to be held by the Germans, concealed in the woods--forests believed to be bristling with machine guns, backed by infantry in rifle pits and covered trenches.

the land on which real estate is located

From this reading French soldiers with rifles in their hands, standing or kneeling in the immediate vicinity, keenly peered over the flat land toward the positions known to be held by the Germans, concealed in the woods--forests believed to be bristling with machine guns, backed by infantry in rifle pits and covered trenches.

a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading The shifting tide of battle had forced the advanced line of the Allies to contend with a strong forward movement of German troops.

past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading In the shelter of a wonderfully ingenious and deep-dug trench the boys looked out upon a bloody battlefield, one of the bloodiest in European history.

any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks

From this reading French soldiers with rifles in their hands, standing or kneeling in the immediate vicinity, keenly peered over the flat land toward the positions known to be held by the Germans, concealed in the woods--forests believed to be bristling with machine guns, backed by infantry in rifle pits and covered trenches.

a change of position that does not entail a change of location

From this reading The shifting tide of battle had forced the advanced line of the Allies to contend with a strong forward movement of German troops.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The shifting tide of battle had forced the advanced line of the Allies to contend with a strong forward movement of German troops.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading In the shelter of a wonderfully ingenious and deep-dug trench the boys looked out upon a bloody battlefield, one of the bloodiest in European history.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading French soldiers with rifles in their hands, standing or kneeling in the immediate vicinity, keenly peered over the flat land toward the positions known to be held by the Germans, concealed in the woods--forests believed to be bristling with machine guns, backed by infantry in rifle pits and covered trenches.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading In the shelter of a wonderfully ingenious and deep-dug trench the boys looked out upon a bloody battlefield, one of the bloodiest in European history.

above and across; more than

From this reading French soldiers with rifles in their hands, standing or kneeling in the immediate vicinity, keenly peered over the flat land toward the positions known to be held by the Germans, concealed in the woods--forests believed to be bristling with machine guns, backed by infantry in rifle pits and covered trenches.

owed as a debt

From this reading Time and again the French infantry had found these positions impossible of taking owing to barbed wire entanglements strewn with brush and branches of trees.

past form of “peer” — look searchingly

From this reading French soldiers with rifles in their hands, standing or kneeling in the immediate vicinity, keenly peered over the flat land toward the positions known to be held by the Germans, concealed in the woods--forests believed to be bristling with machine guns, backed by infantry in rifle pits and covered trenches.

plural of “pit” — a sizeable hole (usually in the ground)

From this reading French soldiers with rifles in their hands, standing or kneeling in the immediate vicinity, keenly peered over the flat land toward the positions known to be held by the Germans, concealed in the woods--forests believed to be bristling with machine guns, backed by infantry in rifle pits and covered trenches.

plural of “position” — the particular portion of space occupied by something

From this reading French soldiers with rifles in their hands, standing or kneeling in the immediate vicinity, keenly peered over the flat land toward the positions known to be held by the Germans, concealed in the woods--forests believed to be bristling with machine guns, backed by infantry in rifle pits and covered trenches.

steal goods; take as spoils

From this reading French soldiers with rifles in their hands, standing or kneeling in the immediate vicinity, keenly peered over the flat land toward the positions known to be held by the Germans, concealed in the woods--forests believed to be bristling with machine guns, backed by infantry in rifle pits and covered trenches.

plural of “rifle” — a shoulder firearm with a long barrel and a rifled bore

From this reading French soldiers with rifles in their hands, standing or kneeling in the immediate vicinity, keenly peered over the flat land toward the positions known to be held by the Germans, concealed in the woods--forests believed to be bristling with machine guns, backed by infantry in rifle pits and covered trenches.

a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger

From this reading In the shelter of a wonderfully ingenious and deep-dug trench the boys looked out upon a bloody battlefield, one of the bloodiest in European history.

continuously varying

From this reading The shifting tide of battle had forced the advanced line of the Allies to contend with a strong forward movement of German troops.

the action of an armed force that surrounds a fortified place and isolates it while continuing to attack

From this reading A heavy siege gun supporting the Allies was in action at the time.

plural of “soldier” — an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army

From this reading French soldiers with rifles in their hands, standing or kneeling in the immediate vicinity, keenly peered over the flat land toward the positions known to be held by the Germans, concealed in the woods--forests believed to be bristling with machine guns, backed by infantry in rifle pits and covered trenches.

having a supporting base

From this reading French soldiers with rifles in their hands, standing or kneeling in the immediate vicinity, keenly peered over the flat land toward the positions known to be held by the Germans, concealed in the woods--forests believed to be bristling with machine guns, backed by infantry in rifle pits and covered trenches.

inflected form of “strew” — spread by scattering ("straw" is archaic)

From this reading Time and again the French infantry had found these positions impossible of taking owing to barbed wire entanglements strewn with brush and branches of trees.

having strength or power greater than average or expected

From this reading The shifting tide of battle had forced the advanced line of the Allies to contend with a strong forward movement of German troops.

furnishing support and encouragement

From this reading A heavy siege gun supporting the Allies was in action at the time.

the act of someone who picks up or takes something

From this reading Time and again the French infantry had found these positions impossible of taking owing to barbed wire entanglements strewn with brush and branches of trees.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading The shifting tide of battle had forced the advanced line of the Allies to contend with a strong forward movement of German troops.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading French soldiers with rifles in their hands, standing or kneeling in the immediate vicinity, keenly peered over the flat land toward the positions known to be held by the Germans, concealed in the woods--forests believed to be bristling with machine guns, backed by infantry in rifle pits and covered trenches.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading Time and again the French infantry had found these positions impossible of taking owing to barbed wire entanglements strewn with brush and branches of trees.

the periodic rise and fall of the sea level under the gravitational pull of the moon

From this reading The shifting tide of battle had forced the advanced line of the Allies to contend with a strong forward movement of German troops.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading Time and again the French infantry had found these positions impossible of taking owing to barbed wire entanglements strewn with brush and branches of trees.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading The shifting tide of battle had forced the advanced line of the Allies to contend with a strong forward movement of German troops.

in the direction of

From this reading French soldiers with rifles in their hands, standing or kneeling in the immediate vicinity, keenly peered over the flat land toward the positions known to be held by the Germans, concealed in the woods--forests believed to be bristling with machine guns, backed by infantry in rifle pits and covered trenches.

plural of “tree” — a tall perennial woody plant having a main trunk and branches forming a distinct elevated crown; includes both gymnosperms and angiosperms

From this reading Time and again the French infantry had found these positions impossible of taking owing to barbed wire entanglements strewn with brush and branches of trees.

a ditch dug as a fortification having a parapet of the excavated earth

From this reading In the shelter of a wonderfully ingenious and deep-dug trench the boys looked out upon a bloody battlefield, one of the bloodiest in European history.

plural of “trench” — a ditch dug as a fortification having a parapet of the excavated earth

From this reading French soldiers with rifles in their hands, standing or kneeling in the immediate vicinity, keenly peered over the flat land toward the positions known to be held by the Germans, concealed in the woods--forests believed to be bristling with machine guns, backed by infantry in rifle pits and covered trenches.

soldiers collectively

From this reading The shifting tide of battle had forced the advanced line of the Allies to contend with a strong forward movement of German troops.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading In the shelter of a wonderfully ingenious and deep-dug trench the boys looked out upon a bloody battlefield, one of the bloodiest in European history.

a surrounding or nearby region

From this reading French soldiers with rifles in their hands, standing or kneeling in the immediate vicinity, keenly peered over the flat land toward the positions known to be held by the Germans, concealed in the woods--forests believed to be bristling with machine guns, backed by infantry in rifle pits and covered trenches.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading A heavy siege gun supporting the Allies was in action at the time.

ligament made of metal and used to fasten things or make cages or fences etc

From this reading Time and again the French infantry had found these positions impossible of taking owing to barbed wire entanglements strewn with brush and branches of trees.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The shifting tide of battle had forced the advanced line of the Allies to contend with a strong forward movement of German troops.

(used as an intensifier) extremely well

From this reading In the shelter of a wonderfully ingenious and deep-dug trench the boys looked out upon a bloody battlefield, one of the bloodiest in European history.

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading French soldiers with rifles in their hands, standing or kneeling in the immediate vicinity, keenly peered over the flat land toward the positions known to be held by the Germans, concealed in the woods--forests believed to be bristling with machine guns, backed by infantry in rifle pits and covered trenches.