adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.
alongsideadverbUS /əˈlɔːŋˈsaɪd/
side by side
From this reading They had been seized by the governor at the last moment and pressed into the service to make up the tale, and he had placed a veteran alongside of each with orders to help him stick to the saddle, and kill him if he tried to desert.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading WE WERE twenty-five strong, and well equipped.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading We rode in double file, Joan and her brothers in the center of the column, with Jean de Metz at the head of it and the Sieur Bertrand at its extreme rear.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading In two or three hours we should be in the enemy’s country, and then none would venture to desert.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading They had been seized by the governor at the last moment and pressed into the service to make up the tale, and he had placed a veteran alongside of each with orders to help him stick to the saddle, and kill him if he tried to desert.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.
beganverbUS /bɪˈɡæn/
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.
beginningnounUS /bɪˈɡɪnɪŋ/
the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.
Bertrand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We rode in double file, Joan and her brothers in the center of the column, with Jean de Metz at the head of it and the Sieur Bertrand at its extreme rear.
bodilyadverbUS /ˈbɑːdəli/
in bodily form
From this reading By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.
brothersnounUS /ˈbrʌðərz/
plural of “brother” — a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading We rode in double file, Joan and her brothers in the center of the column, with Jean de Metz at the head of it and the Sieur Bertrand at its extreme rear.
ByprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.
centernounUS /ˈsɛn.tər/
The middle point or core of an area.
From this reading We rode in double file, Joan and her brothers in the center of the column, with Jean de Metz at the head of it and the Sieur Bertrand at its extreme rear.
columnnounUS /ˈkɑːləm/
a line of units following one after another
From this reading We rode in double file, Joan and her brothers in the center of the column, with Jean de Metz at the head of it and the Sieur Bertrand at its extreme rear.
considerableadjectiveUS /kənˈsɪdərəbəl/
large or relatively large in number or amount or extent or degree
From this reading By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.
countrynounUS /ˈkʌntri/
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading In two or three hours we should be in the enemy’s country, and then none would venture to desert.
denounUS /diː/
a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies
From this reading We rode in double file, Joan and her brothers in the center of the column, with Jean de Metz at the head of it and the Sieur Bertrand at its extreme rear.
desertverbUS /ˈdezərt/
leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch
From this reading In two or three hours we should be in the enemy’s country, and then none would venture to desert.
differentadjectiveUS /ˈdɪfərənt/
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.
difficultadjectiveUS /ˈdɪfəkəlt/
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.
doubleverbUS /ˈdʌbəl/
increase twofold
From this reading We rode in double file, Joan and her brothers in the center of the column, with Jean de Metz at the head of it and the Sieur Bertrand at its extreme rear.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading They had been seized by the governor at the last moment and pressed into the service to make up the tale, and he had placed a veteran alongside of each with orders to help him stick to the saddle, and kill him if he tried to desert.
enemy'snounUS /ˈenəmiz/
possessive form of “enemy” — an opposing military force
From this reading In two or three hours we should be in the enemy’s country, and then none would venture to desert.
equippedadjectiveUS /ɪˈkwɪpt/
provided or fitted out with what is necessary or useful or appropriate
From this reading WE WERE twenty-five strong, and well equipped.
execrations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.
extremeadjectiveUS /ekˈstriːm/
of the greatest possible degree or extent or intensity
From this reading We rode in double file, Joan and her brothers in the center of the column, with Jean de Metz at the head of it and the Sieur Bertrand at its extreme rear.
fileverbUS /faɪl/
record in a public office or in a court of law
From this reading We rode in double file, Joan and her brothers in the center of the column, with Jean de Metz at the head of it and the Sieur Bertrand at its extreme rear.
findingnounUS /ˈfaɪndɪŋ/
the act of determining the properties of something, usually by research or calculation
From this reading By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.
foundverbUS /faʊnd/
set up or found
From this reading By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.
governornounUS /ˈɡʌvərnər/
the head of a state government
From this reading They had been seized by the governor at the last moment and pressed into the service to make up the tale, and he had placed a veteran alongside of each with orders to help him stick to the saddle, and kill him if he tried to desert.
groansnounUS /ɡroʊnz/
plural of “groan” — an utterance expressing pain or disapproval
From this reading By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They had been seized by the governor at the last moment and pressed into the service to make up the tale, and he had placed a veteran alongside of each with orders to help him stick to the saddle, and kill him if he tried to desert.
headnounUS /hed/
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading We rode in double file, Joan and her brothers in the center of the column, with Jean de Metz at the head of it and the Sieur Bertrand at its extreme rear.
hearverbUS /hiːr/
perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
From this reading By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.
helpverbUS /help/
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading They had been seized by the governor at the last moment and pressed into the service to make up the tale, and he had placed a veteran alongside of each with orders to help him stick to the saddle, and kill him if he tried to desert.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading We rode in double file, Joan and her brothers in the center of the column, with Jean de Metz at the head of it and the Sieur Bertrand at its extreme rear.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading They had been seized by the governor at the last moment and pressed into the service to make up the tale, and he had placed a veteran alongside of each with orders to help him stick to the saddle, and kill him if he tried to desert.
horsenounUS /hɔːrs/
solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.
hoursnounUS /ˈaʊərz/
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading In two or three hours we should be in the enemy’s country, and then none would venture to desert.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading They had been seized by the governor at the last moment and pressed into the service to make up the tale, and he had placed a veteran alongside of each with orders to help him stick to the saddle, and kill him if he tried to desert.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading We rode in double file, Joan and her brothers in the center of the column, with Jean de Metz at the head of it and the Sieur Bertrand at its extreme rear.
inquirynounUS /ˌɪnˈkwaɪriː/
a search for knowledge
From this reading By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading They had been seized by the governor at the last moment and pressed into the service to make up the tale, and he had placed a veteran alongside of each with orders to help him stick to the saddle, and kill him if he tried to desert.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading We rode in double file, Joan and her brothers in the center of the column, with Jean de Metz at the head of it and the Sieur Bertrand at its extreme rear.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading We rode in double file, Joan and her brothers in the center of the column, with Jean de Metz at the head of it and the Sieur Bertrand at its extreme rear.
JeannounUS /dʒiːn/
a coarse durable twill-weave cotton fabric
From this reading We rode in double file, Joan and her brothers in the center of the column, with Jean de Metz at the head of it and the Sieur Bertrand at its extreme rear.
Joan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We rode in double file, Joan and her brothers in the center of the column, with Jean de Metz at the head of it and the Sieur Bertrand at its extreme rear.
killverbUS /kɪl/
cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly
From this reading They had been seized by the governor at the last moment and pressed into the service to make up the tale, and he had placed a veteran alongside of each with orders to help him stick to the saddle, and kill him if he tried to desert.
lastadjectiveUS /læst/
immediately past
From this reading They had been seized by the governor at the last moment and pressed into the service to make up the tale, and he had placed a veteran alongside of each with orders to help him stick to the saddle, and kill him if he tried to desert.
linenounUS /laɪn/
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.
makeverbUS /meɪk/
engage in
From this reading They had been seized by the governor at the last moment and pressed into the service to make up the tale, and he had placed a veteran alongside of each with orders to help him stick to the saddle, and kill him if he tried to desert.
mennounUS /men/
the force of workers available
From this reading By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.
Metz
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We rode in double file, Joan and her brothers in the center of the column, with Jean de Metz at the head of it and the Sieur Bertrand at its extreme rear.
momentnounUS /ˈmoʊmənt/
a particular point in time
From this reading They had been seized by the governor at the last moment and pressed into the service to make up the tale, and he had placed a veteran alongside of each with orders to help him stick to the saddle, and kill him if he tried to desert.
moreoveradverbUS /mɔːˈroʊvər/
in addition to what has just been said
From this reading By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.
neveradverbUS /ˈnevər/
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.
nonepronounUS /nʌn/
not one, and not any
From this reading In two or three hours we should be in the enemy’s country, and then none would venture to desert.
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading We rode in double file, Joan and her brothers in the center of the column, with Jean de Metz at the head of it and the Sieur Bertrand at its extreme rear.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading In two or three hours we should be in the enemy’s country, and then none would venture to desert.
ordersnounUS /ˈɔːrdərz/
plural of “order” — (often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading They had been seized by the governor at the last moment and pressed into the service to make up the tale, and he had placed a veteran alongside of each with orders to help him stick to the saddle, and kill him if he tried to desert.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.
peasantsnounUS /ˈpezənts/
plural of “peasant” — a country person
From this reading By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.
placedadjectiveUS /pleɪst/
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading They had been seized by the governor at the last moment and pressed into the service to make up the tale, and he had placed a veteran alongside of each with orders to help him stick to the saddle, and kill him if he tried to desert.
pointsnounUS /pɔɪnts/
plural of “point” — a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.
pressedadjectiveUS /prest/
compacted by ironing
From this reading They had been seized by the governor at the last moment and pressed into the service to make up the tale, and he had placed a veteran alongside of each with orders to help him stick to the saddle, and kill him if he tried to desert.
rearnounUS /rɪr/
the back of a military formation or procession
From this reading We rode in double file, Joan and her brothers in the center of the column, with Jean de Metz at the head of it and the Sieur Bertrand at its extreme rear.
riddenverbUS /ˈrɪdən/
inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.
rodeverbUS /roʊd/
inflected form of “ride” — sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading We rode in double file, Joan and her brothers in the center of the column, with Jean de Metz at the head of it and the Sieur Bertrand at its extreme rear.
saddleverbUS /ˈsædəl/
put a saddle on
From this reading They had been seized by the governor at the last moment and pressed into the service to make up the tale, and he had placed a veteran alongside of each with orders to help him stick to the saddle, and kill him if he tried to desert.
saddlesnounUS /ˈsædəlz/
plural of “saddle” — a seat for the rider of a horse or other animal
From this reading By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.
seizedverbUS /siːzd/
past form of “seize” — take hold of; grab
From this reading They had been seized by the governor at the last moment and pressed into the service to make up the tale, and he had placed a veteran alongside of each with orders to help him stick to the saddle, and kill him if he tried to desert.
servicenounUS /ˈsɜːrvəs/
work done by one person or group that benefits another
From this reading They had been seized by the governor at the last moment and pressed into the service to make up the tale, and he had placed a veteran alongside of each with orders to help him stick to the saddle, and kill him if he tried to desert.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading In two or three hours we should be in the enemy’s country, and then none would venture to desert.
Sieur
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We rode in double file, Joan and her brothers in the center of the column, with Jean de Metz at the head of it and the Sieur Bertrand at its extreme rear.
sixnounUS /sɪks/
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.
sobsnounUS /sɑːbz/
plural of “sob” — a dyspneic condition
From this reading By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.
stayverbUS /steɪ/
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.
stickverbUS /stɪk/
put, fix, force, or implant
From this reading They had been seized by the governor at the last moment and pressed into the service to make up the tale, and he had placed a veteran alongside of each with orders to help him stick to the saddle, and kill him if he tried to desert.
strongadjectiveUS /strɔːŋ/
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading WE WERE twenty-five strong, and well equipped.
sufferverbUS /ˈsʌfər/
undergo or be subjected to
From this reading By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.
talenounUS /teɪl/
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading They had been seized by the governor at the last moment and pressed into the service to make up the tale, and he had placed a veteran alongside of each with orders to help him stick to the saddle, and kill him if he tried to desert.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading We rode in double file, Joan and her brothers in the center of the column, with Jean de Metz at the head of it and the Sieur Bertrand at its extreme rear.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.
thenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading In two or three hours we should be in the enemy’s country, and then none would venture to desert.
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They had been seized by the governor at the last moment and pressed into the service to make up the tale, and he had placed a veteran alongside of each with orders to help him stick to the saddle, and kill him if he tried to desert.
threenounUS /θriː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading In two or three hours we should be in the enemy’s country, and then none would venture to desert.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In two or three hours we should be in the enemy’s country, and then none would venture to desert.
tortureverbUS /ˈtɔːrtʃər/
torment emotionally or mentally
From this reading By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.
triedadjectiveUS /traɪd/
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading They had been seized by the governor at the last moment and pressed into the service to make up the tale, and he had placed a veteran alongside of each with orders to help him stick to the saddle, and kill him if he tried to desert.
twenty-fiveadjectiveUS /ˈtwentifaɪv/
being five more than twenty
From this reading WE WERE twenty-five strong, and well equipped.
twonounUS /tuː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading In two or three hours we should be in the enemy’s country, and then none would venture to desert.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading They had been seized by the governor at the last moment and pressed into the service to make up the tale, and he had placed a veteran alongside of each with orders to help him stick to the saddle, and kill him if he tried to desert.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.
venturenounUS /ˈventʃər/
any venturesome undertaking especially one with an uncertain outcome
From this reading In two or three hours we should be in the enemy’s country, and then none would venture to desert.
veryadjectiveUS /ˈveri/
precisely as stated
From this reading By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.
veterannounUS /ˈvetərən/
a serviceman who has seen considerable active service
From this reading They had been seized by the governor at the last moment and pressed into the service to make up the tale, and he had placed a veteran alongside of each with orders to help him stick to the saddle, and kill him if he tried to desert.
WEpronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading WE WERE twenty-five strong, and well equipped.
welladverbUS /wel/
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading WE WERE twenty-five strong, and well equipped.
WEREauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading WE WERE twenty-five strong, and well equipped.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading By and by we began to hear groans and sobs and execrations from different points along the line, and upon inquiry found that six of our men were peasants who had never ridden a horse before, and were finding it very difficult to stay in their saddles, and moreover were now beginning to suffer considerable bodily torture.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading We rode in double file, Joan and her brothers in the center of the column, with Jean de Metz at the head of it and the Sieur Bertrand at its extreme rear.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading In two or three hours we should be in the enemy’s country, and then none would venture to desert.
