used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE GRAND ARMY OF THE POTOMAC The defeat at Bull Run showed the necessity for a thorough reorganization of the Army of the Potomac, and George B. McClellan, who had made a successful campaign in Western Virginia, was summoned to Washington and placed in command.
Ah
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ah, captain! here goes for a fine-drawn bead, There's music around when my barrel's in tune!"
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading The pickets were gradually extended, and little skirmishes with the enemy took place almost daily.
amuletnounUS /ˈæmjələt/
a trinket or piece of jewelry usually hung about the neck and thought to be a magical protection against evil or disease
From this reading CIVIL WAR "Rifleman, shoot me a fancy shot Straight at the heart of yon prowling vidette; Ring me a ball in the glittering spot That shines on his breast like an amulet!"
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading CIVIL WAR "Rifleman, shoot me a fancy shot Straight at the heart of yon prowling vidette; Ring me a ball in the glittering spot That shines on his breast like an amulet!"
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE GRAND ARMY OF THE POTOMAC The defeat at Bull Run showed the necessity for a thorough reorganization of the Army of the Potomac, and George B. McClellan, who had made a successful campaign in Western Virginia, was summoned to Washington and placed in command.
a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state
From this reading THE GRAND ARMY OF THE POTOMAC The defeat at Bull Run showed the necessity for a thorough reorganization of the Army of the Potomac, and George B. McClellan, who had made a successful campaign in Western Virginia, was summoned to Washington and placed in command.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading "Ah, captain! here goes for a fine-drawn bead, There's music around when my barrel's in tune!"
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE GRAND ARMY OF THE POTOMAC The defeat at Bull Run showed the necessity for a thorough reorganization of the Army of the Potomac, and George B. McClellan, who had made a successful campaign in Western Virginia, was summoned to Washington and placed in command.
aerobic rod-shaped spore-producing bacterium; often occurring in chainlike formations; found primarily in soil
From this reading THE GRAND ARMY OF THE POTOMAC The defeat at Bull Run showed the necessity for a thorough reorganization of the Army of the Potomac, and George B. McClellan, who had made a successful campaign in Western Virginia, was summoned to Washington and placed in command.
round object that is hit or thrown or kicked in games
From this reading CIVIL WAR "Rifleman, shoot me a fancy shot Straight at the heart of yon prowling vidette; Ring me a ball in the glittering spot That shines on his breast like an amulet!"
barrel's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ah, captain! here goes for a fine-drawn bead, There's music around when my barrel's in tune!"
beadnounUS /biːd/
a small ball with a hole through the middle
From this reading "Ah, captain! here goes for a fine-drawn bead, There's music around when my barrel's in tune!"
the front of the trunk from the neck to the abdomen
From this reading CIVIL WAR "Rifleman, shoot me a fancy shot Straight at the heart of yon prowling vidette; Ring me a ball in the glittering spot That shines on his breast like an amulet!"
uncastrated adult male of domestic cattle
From this reading THE GRAND ARMY OF THE POTOMAC The defeat at Bull Run showed the necessity for a thorough reorganization of the Army of the Potomac, and George B. McClellan, who had made a successful campaign in Western Virginia, was summoned to Washington and placed in command.
campaignnounUS /kæmˈpeɪn/
a race between candidates for elective office
From this reading THE GRAND ARMY OF THE POTOMAC The defeat at Bull Run showed the necessity for a thorough reorganization of the Army of the Potomac, and George B. McClellan, who had made a successful campaign in Western Virginia, was summoned to Washington and placed in command.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading "Ah, captain! here goes for a fine-drawn bead, There's music around when my barrel's in tune!"
CIVILadjectiveUS /ˈsɪvəl/
applying to ordinary citizens as contrasted with the military
From this reading CIVIL WAR "Rifleman, shoot me a fancy shot Straight at the heart of yon prowling vidette; Ring me a ball in the glittering spot That shines on his breast like an amulet!"
an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
From this reading THE GRAND ARMY OF THE POTOMAC The defeat at Bull Run showed the necessity for a thorough reorganization of the Army of the Potomac, and George B. McClellan, who had made a successful campaign in Western Virginia, was summoned to Washington and placed in command.
every day; without missing a day
From this reading The pickets were gradually extended, and little skirmishes with the enemy took place almost daily.
defeatnounUS /dɪˈfiːt/
an unsuccessful ending to a struggle or contest
From this reading THE GRAND ARMY OF THE POTOMAC The defeat at Bull Run showed the necessity for a thorough reorganization of the Army of the Potomac, and George B. McClellan, who had made a successful campaign in Western Virginia, was summoned to Washington and placed in command.
disciplinedadjectiveUS /ˈdɪsəplənd/
obeying the rules
From this reading At the end of two months, he had under him a splendidly equipped and disciplined force of over a hundred thousand men.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading At the end of two months, he had under him a splendidly equipped and disciplined force of over a hundred thousand men.
an opposing military force
From this reading The pickets were gradually extended, and little skirmishes with the enemy took place almost daily.
equippedadjectiveUS /ɪˈkwɪpt/
provided or fitted out with what is necessary or useful or appropriate
From this reading At the end of two months, he had under him a splendidly equipped and disciplined force of over a hundred thousand men.
relatively long in duration; tediously protracted
From this reading The pickets were gradually extended, and little skirmishes with the enemy took place almost daily.
something many people believe that is false
From this reading CIVIL WAR "Rifleman, shoot me a fancy shot Straight at the heart of yon prowling vidette; Ring me a ball in the glittering spot That shines on his breast like an amulet!"
fine-drawn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ah, captain! here goes for a fine-drawn bead, There's music around when my barrel's in tune!"
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE GRAND ARMY OF THE POTOMAC The defeat at Bull Run showed the necessity for a thorough reorganization of the Army of the Potomac, and George B. McClellan, who had made a successful campaign in Western Virginia, was summoned to Washington and placed in command.
a powerful effect or influence
From this reading At the end of two months, he had under him a splendidly equipped and disciplined force of over a hundred thousand men.
Christian martyr; patron saint of England; hero of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon in which he slew a dragon and saved a princess (?-303)
From this reading THE GRAND ARMY OF THE POTOMAC The defeat at Bull Run showed the necessity for a thorough reorganization of the Army of the Potomac, and George B. McClellan, who had made a successful campaign in Western Virginia, was summoned to Washington and placed in command.
glitteringadjectiveUS /ˈɡlɪtərɪŋ/
having brief brilliant points or flashes of light
From this reading CIVIL WAR "Rifleman, shoot me a fancy shot Straight at the heart of yon prowling vidette; Ring me a ball in the glittering spot That shines on his breast like an amulet!"
plural of “go” — a time period for working (after which you will be relieved by someone else)
From this reading "Ah, captain! here goes for a fine-drawn bead, There's music around when my barrel's in tune!"
in a gradual manner
From this reading The pickets were gradually extended, and little skirmishes with the enemy took place almost daily.
of behavior that is impressive and ambitious in scale or scope
From this reading THE GRAND ARMY OF THE POTOMAC The defeat at Bull Run showed the necessity for a thorough reorganization of the Army of the Potomac, and George B. McClellan, who had made a successful campaign in Western Virginia, was summoned to Washington and placed in command.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE GRAND ARMY OF THE POTOMAC The defeat at Bull Run showed the necessity for a thorough reorganization of the Army of the Potomac, and George B. McClellan, who had made a successful campaign in Western Virginia, was summoned to Washington and placed in command.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading At the end of two months, he had under him a splendidly equipped and disciplined force of over a hundred thousand men.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading CIVIL WAR "Rifleman, shoot me a fancy shot Straight at the heart of yon prowling vidette; Ring me a ball in the glittering spot That shines on his breast like an amulet!"
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading "Ah, captain! here goes for a fine-drawn bead, There's music around when my barrel's in tune!"
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading At the end of two months, he had under him a splendidly equipped and disciplined force of over a hundred thousand men.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading CIVIL WAR "Rifleman, shoot me a fancy shot Straight at the heart of yon prowling vidette; Ring me a ball in the glittering spot That shines on his breast like an amulet!"
ten 10s
From this reading At the end of two months, he had under him a splendidly equipped and disciplined force of over a hundred thousand men.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE GRAND ARMY OF THE POTOMAC The defeat at Bull Run showed the necessity for a thorough reorganization of the Army of the Potomac, and George B. McClellan, who had made a successful campaign in Western Virginia, was summoned to Washington and placed in command.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading CIVIL WAR "Rifleman, shoot me a fancy shot Straight at the heart of yon prowling vidette; Ring me a ball in the glittering spot That shines on his breast like an amulet!"
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The pickets were gradually extended, and little skirmishes with the enemy took place almost daily.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading THE GRAND ARMY OF THE POTOMAC The defeat at Bull Run showed the necessity for a thorough reorganization of the Army of the Potomac, and George B. McClellan, who had made a successful campaign in Western Virginia, was summoned to Washington and placed in command.
McClellan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE GRAND ARMY OF THE POTOMAC The defeat at Bull Run showed the necessity for a thorough reorganization of the Army of the Potomac, and George B. McClellan, who had made a successful campaign in Western Virginia, was summoned to Washington and placed in command.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading CIVIL WAR "Rifleman, shoot me a fancy shot Straight at the heart of yon prowling vidette; Ring me a ball in the glittering spot That shines on his breast like an amulet!"
the force of workers available
From this reading At the end of two months, he had under him a splendidly equipped and disciplined force of over a hundred thousand men.
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading At the end of two months, he had under him a splendidly equipped and disciplined force of over a hundred thousand men.
an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner
From this reading "Ah, captain! here goes for a fine-drawn bead, There's music around when my barrel's in tune!"
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "Ah, captain! here goes for a fine-drawn bead, There's music around when my barrel's in tune!"
the condition of being essential or indispensable
From this reading THE GRAND ARMY OF THE POTOMAC The defeat at Bull Run showed the necessity for a thorough reorganization of the Army of the Potomac, and George B. McClellan, who had made a successful campaign in Western Virginia, was summoned to Washington and placed in command.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE GRAND ARMY OF THE POTOMAC The defeat at Bull Run showed the necessity for a thorough reorganization of the Army of the Potomac, and George B. McClellan, who had made a successful campaign in Western Virginia, was summoned to Washington and placed in command.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading CIVIL WAR "Rifleman, shoot me a fancy shot Straight at the heart of yon prowling vidette; Ring me a ball in the glittering spot That shines on his breast like an amulet!"
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading At the end of two months, he had under him a splendidly equipped and disciplined force of over a hundred thousand men.
picketsnounUS /ˈpɪkəts/
plural of “picket” — a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
From this reading The pickets were gradually extended, and little skirmishes with the enemy took place almost daily.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading The pickets were gradually extended, and little skirmishes with the enemy took place almost daily.
situated in a particular spot or position
From this reading THE GRAND ARMY OF THE POTOMAC The defeat at Bull Run showed the necessity for a thorough reorganization of the Army of the Potomac, and George B. McClellan, who had made a successful campaign in Western Virginia, was summoned to Washington and placed in command.
POTOMACnounUS /pəˈtoʊmək/
a river in the east central United States; rises in West Virginia in the Appalachian Mountains and flows eastward, forming the boundary between Maryland and Virginia, to the Chesapeake Bay
From this reading THE GRAND ARMY OF THE POTOMAC The defeat at Bull Run showed the necessity for a thorough reorganization of the Army of the Potomac, and George B. McClellan, who had made a successful campaign in Western Virginia, was summoned to Washington and placed in command.
prowlingverbUS /ˈpraʊlɪŋ/
-ing form of “prowl” — move about in or as if in a predatory manner
From this reading CIVIL WAR "Rifleman, shoot me a fancy shot Straight at the heart of yon prowling vidette; Ring me a ball in the glittering spot That shines on his breast like an amulet!"
reorganizationnounUS /ˌriːɔːrɡənəˈzeɪʃən/
the imposition of a new organization; organizing differently (often involving extensive and drastic changes)
From this reading THE GRAND ARMY OF THE POTOMAC The defeat at Bull Run showed the necessity for a thorough reorganization of the Army of the Potomac, and George B. McClellan, who had made a successful campaign in Western Virginia, was summoned to Washington and placed in command.
RiflemannounUS /ˈraɪfəlmən/
someone skilled in the use of a rifle
From this reading CIVIL WAR "Rifleman, shoot me a fancy shot Straight at the heart of yon prowling vidette; Ring me a ball in the glittering spot That shines on his breast like an amulet!"
sound loudly and sonorously
From this reading CIVIL WAR "Rifleman, shoot me a fancy shot Straight at the heart of yon prowling vidette; Ring me a ball in the glittering spot That shines on his breast like an amulet!"
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading THE GRAND ARMY OF THE POTOMAC The defeat at Bull Run showed the necessity for a thorough reorganization of the Army of the Potomac, and George B. McClellan, who had made a successful campaign in Western Virginia, was summoned to Washington and placed in command.
shinesnounUS /ʃaɪnz/
plural of “shine” — the quality of being bright and sending out rays of light
From this reading CIVIL WAR "Rifleman, shoot me a fancy shot Straight at the heart of yon prowling vidette; Ring me a ball in the glittering spot That shines on his breast like an amulet!"
hit with a missile from a weapon
From this reading CIVIL WAR "Rifleman, shoot me a fancy shot Straight at the heart of yon prowling vidette; Ring me a ball in the glittering spot That shines on his breast like an amulet!"
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading CIVIL WAR "Rifleman, shoot me a fancy shot Straight at the heart of yon prowling vidette; Ring me a ball in the glittering spot That shines on his breast like an amulet!"
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading THE GRAND ARMY OF THE POTOMAC The defeat at Bull Run showed the necessity for a thorough reorganization of the Army of the Potomac, and George B. McClellan, who had made a successful campaign in Western Virginia, was summoned to Washington and placed in command.
skirmishesnounUS /ˈskɜːrmɪʃɪz/
plural of “skirmish” — a minor short-term fight
From this reading The pickets were gradually extended, and little skirmishes with the enemy took place almost daily.
splendidlyadverbUS /ˈsplendədli/
extremely well
From this reading At the end of two months, he had under him a splendidly equipped and disciplined force of over a hundred thousand men.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading CIVIL WAR "Rifleman, shoot me a fancy shot Straight at the heart of yon prowling vidette; Ring me a ball in the glittering spot That shines on his breast like an amulet!"
successive (without a break)
From this reading CIVIL WAR "Rifleman, shoot me a fancy shot Straight at the heart of yon prowling vidette; Ring me a ball in the glittering spot That shines on his breast like an amulet!"
having succeeded or being marked by a favorable outcome
From this reading THE GRAND ARMY OF THE POTOMAC The defeat at Bull Run showed the necessity for a thorough reorganization of the Army of the Potomac, and George B. McClellan, who had made a successful campaign in Western Virginia, was summoned to Washington and placed in command.
summonedverbUS /ˈsʌmənd/
past form of “summon” — call in an official matter, such as to attend court
From this reading THE GRAND ARMY OF THE POTOMAC The defeat at Bull Run showed the necessity for a thorough reorganization of the Army of the Potomac, and George B. McClellan, who had made a successful campaign in Western Virginia, was summoned to Washington and placed in command.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading CIVIL WAR "Rifleman, shoot me a fancy shot Straight at the heart of yon prowling vidette; Ring me a ball in the glittering spot That shines on his breast like an amulet!"
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE GRAND ARMY OF THE POTOMAC The defeat at Bull Run showed the necessity for a thorough reorganization of the Army of the Potomac, and George B. McClellan, who had made a successful campaign in Western Virginia, was summoned to Washington and placed in command.
There's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Ah, captain! here goes for a fine-drawn bead, There's music around when my barrel's in tune!"
thoroughadjectiveUS /ˈθɜːroʊ/
painstakingly careful and accurate
From this reading THE GRAND ARMY OF THE POTOMAC The defeat at Bull Run showed the necessity for a thorough reorganization of the Army of the Potomac, and George B. McClellan, who had made a successful campaign in Western Virginia, was summoned to Washington and placed in command.
the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100
From this reading At the end of two months, he had under him a splendidly equipped and disciplined force of over a hundred thousand men.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE GRAND ARMY OF THE POTOMAC The defeat at Bull Run showed the necessity for a thorough reorganization of the Army of the Potomac, and George B. McClellan, who had made a successful campaign in Western Virginia, was summoned to Washington and placed in command.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading The pickets were gradually extended, and little skirmishes with the enemy took place almost daily.
tunenounUS /tuːn/
a succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence
From this reading "Ah, captain! here goes for a fine-drawn bead, There's music around when my barrel's in tune!"
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading At the end of two months, he had under him a splendidly equipped and disciplined force of over a hundred thousand men.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading At the end of two months, he had under him a splendidly equipped and disciplined force of over a hundred thousand men.
vidette
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CIVIL WAR "Rifleman, shoot me a fancy shot Straight at the heart of yon prowling vidette; Ring me a ball in the glittering spot That shines on his breast like an amulet!"
VirginianounUS /vərˈdʒɪnjə/
a state in the eastern United States; one of the original 13 colonies; one of the Confederate States in the American Civil War
From this reading THE GRAND ARMY OF THE POTOMAC The defeat at Bull Run showed the necessity for a thorough reorganization of the Army of the Potomac, and George B. McClellan, who had made a successful campaign in Western Virginia, was summoned to Washington and placed in command.
the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
From this reading CIVIL WAR "Rifleman, shoot me a fancy shot Straight at the heart of yon prowling vidette; Ring me a ball in the glittering spot That shines on his breast like an amulet!"
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE GRAND ARMY OF THE POTOMAC The defeat at Bull Run showed the necessity for a thorough reorganization of the Army of the Potomac, and George B. McClellan, who had made a successful campaign in Western Virginia, was summoned to Washington and placed in command.
the capital of the United States in the District of Columbia and a tourist mecca; George Washington commissioned Charles L'Enfant to lay out the city in 1791
From this reading THE GRAND ARMY OF THE POTOMAC The defeat at Bull Run showed the necessity for a thorough reorganization of the Army of the Potomac, and George B. McClellan, who had made a successful campaign in Western Virginia, was summoned to Washington and placed in command.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The pickets were gradually extended, and little skirmishes with the enemy took place almost daily.
relating to or characteristic of the western parts of the world or the West as opposed to the eastern or oriental parts
From this reading THE GRAND ARMY OF THE POTOMAC The defeat at Bull Run showed the necessity for a thorough reorganization of the Army of the Potomac, and George B. McClellan, who had made a successful campaign in Western Virginia, was summoned to Washington and placed in command.
at the time that
From this reading "Ah, captain! here goes for a fine-drawn bead, There's music around when my barrel's in tune!"
which person or people
From this reading THE GRAND ARMY OF THE POTOMAC The defeat at Bull Run showed the necessity for a thorough reorganization of the Army of the Potomac, and George B. McClellan, who had made a successful campaign in Western Virginia, was summoned to Washington and placed in command.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The pickets were gradually extended, and little skirmishes with the enemy took place almost daily.
yonadjectiveUS /jɑːn/
distant but within sight (“yon” is dialectal)
From this reading CIVIL WAR "Rifleman, shoot me a fancy shot Straight at the heart of yon prowling vidette; Ring me a ball in the glittering spot That shines on his breast like an amulet!"
