used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading This to the cultured instinct may seem a somewhat coarse enactment, but to an old Militia hand, possessed of an Indian thirst, it was all-important and always demanded.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading The most important was that which compelled recruits to "stand their hand," or, in plain English, give free drinks all round.
all-importantadjective
of the greatest importance
From this reading This to the cultured instinct may seem a somewhat coarse enactment, but to an old Militia hand, possessed of an Indian thirst, it was all-important and always demanded.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading This to the cultured instinct may seem a somewhat coarse enactment, but to an old Militia hand, possessed of an Indian thirst, it was all-important and always demanded.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading This to the cultured instinct may seem a somewhat coarse enactment, but to an old Militia hand, possessed of an Indian thirst, it was all-important and always demanded.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading This to the cultured instinct may seem a somewhat coarse enactment, but to an old Militia hand, possessed of an Indian thirst, it was all-important and always demanded.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading _The_ unwritten laws of the Glesca Mileeshy were as rigid as the etiquette of the Brigade of Guards.
BrigadenounUS /brəˈɡeɪd/
army unit smaller than a division
From this reading _The_ unwritten laws of the Glesca Mileeshy were as rigid as the etiquette of the Brigade of Guards.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading This to the cultured instinct may seem a somewhat coarse enactment, but to an old Militia hand, possessed of an Indian thirst, it was all-important and always demanded.
coarseadjectiveUS /kɔːrs/
of textures that are rough to the touch or substances consisting of relatively large particles
From this reading This to the cultured instinct may seem a somewhat coarse enactment, but to an old Militia hand, possessed of an Indian thirst, it was all-important and always demanded.
inflected form of “compel” — force somebody to do something
From this reading The most important was that which compelled recruits to "stand their hand," or, in plain English, give free drinks all round.
culturedadjectiveUS /ˈkʌltʃərd/
marked by refinement in taste and manners
From this reading This to the cultured instinct may seem a somewhat coarse enactment, but to an old Militia hand, possessed of an Indian thirst, it was all-important and always demanded.
Dante'snounUS /ˈdæntiz/
possessive form of “dante” — an Italian poet famous for writing the Divine Comedy that describes a journey through Hell and purgatory and paradise guided by Virgil and his idealized Beatrice (1265-1321)
From this reading Pay-day in the Militia, I may say, is just a sort of Dante’s Inferno in miniature.
past form of “demand” — request urgently and forcefully
From this reading This to the cultured instinct may seem a somewhat coarse enactment, but to an old Militia hand, possessed of an Indian thirst, it was all-important and always demanded.
drinksnounUS /drɪŋks/
plural of “drink” — a single serving of a beverage
From this reading The most important was that which compelled recruits to "stand their hand," or, in plain English, give free drinks all round.
enactmentnounUS /eˈnæktmənt/
the passing of a law by a legislative body
From this reading This to the cultured instinct may seem a somewhat coarse enactment, but to an old Militia hand, possessed of an Indian thirst, it was all-important and always demanded.
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
From this reading The most important was that which compelled recruits to "stand their hand," or, in plain English, give free drinks all round.
etiquettenounUS /ˈetəkət/
rules governing socially acceptable behavior
From this reading _The_ unwritten laws of the Glesca Mileeshy were as rigid as the etiquette of the Brigade of Guards.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The recruit’s first pay-day was usually selected for this purpose.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The recruit’s first pay-day was usually selected for this purpose.
grant freedom to; free from confinement
From this reading The most important was that which compelled recruits to "stand their hand," or, in plain English, give free drinks all round.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading The most important was that which compelled recruits to "stand their hand," or, in plain English, give free drinks all round.
Glesca
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _The_ unwritten laws of the Glesca Mileeshy were as rigid as the etiquette of the Brigade of Guards.
GuardsnounUS /ɡɑːrdz/
plural of “guard” — a person who keeps watch over something or someone
From this reading _The_ unwritten laws of the Glesca Mileeshy were as rigid as the etiquette of the Brigade of Guards.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading The most important was that which compelled recruits to "stand their hand," or, in plain English, give free drinks all round.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Pay-day in the Militia, I may say, is just a sort of Dante’s Inferno in miniature.
of great significance or value
From this reading The most important was that which compelled recruits to "stand their hand," or, in plain English, give free drinks all round.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The most important was that which compelled recruits to "stand their hand," or, in plain English, give free drinks all round.
of or relating to or characteristic of India or the East Indies or their peoples or languages or cultures
From this reading This to the cultured instinct may seem a somewhat coarse enactment, but to an old Militia hand, possessed of an Indian thirst, it was all-important and always demanded.
InfernonounUS /ˌɪnˈfɜːrnoʊ/
any place of pain and turmoil
From this reading Pay-day in the Militia, I may say, is just a sort of Dante’s Inferno in miniature.
inborn pattern of behavior often responsive to specific stimuli
From this reading This to the cultured instinct may seem a somewhat coarse enactment, but to an old Militia hand, possessed of an Indian thirst, it was all-important and always demanded.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Pay-day in the Militia, I may say, is just a sort of Dante’s Inferno in miniature.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading This to the cultured instinct may seem a somewhat coarse enactment, but to an old Militia hand, possessed of an Indian thirst, it was all-important and always demanded.
and nothing more
From this reading Pay-day in the Militia, I may say, is just a sort of Dante’s Inferno in miniature.
the first of three divisions of the Hebrew Scriptures comprising the first five books of the Hebrew Bible considered as a unit
From this reading _The_ unwritten laws of the Glesca Mileeshy were as rigid as the etiquette of the Brigade of Guards.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading This to the cultured instinct may seem a somewhat coarse enactment, but to an old Militia hand, possessed of an Indian thirst, it was all-important and always demanded.
Mileeshy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _The_ unwritten laws of the Glesca Mileeshy were as rigid as the etiquette of the Brigade of Guards.
MilitianounUS /məˈlɪʃə/
civilians trained as soldiers but not part of the regular army
From this reading This to the cultured instinct may seem a somewhat coarse enactment, but to an old Militia hand, possessed of an Indian thirst, it was all-important and always demanded.
miniaturenounUS /ˈmɪniətʃʊr/
painting or drawing included in a book (especially in illuminated medieval manuscripts)
From this reading Pay-day in the Militia, I may say, is just a sort of Dante’s Inferno in miniature.
used to form the superlative
From this reading The most important was that which compelled recruits to "stand their hand," or, in plain English, give free drinks all round.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading _The_ unwritten laws of the Glesca Mileeshy were as rigid as the etiquette of the Brigade of Guards.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading This to the cultured instinct may seem a somewhat coarse enactment, but to an old Militia hand, possessed of an Indian thirst, it was all-important and always demanded.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The most important was that which compelled recruits to "stand their hand," or, in plain English, give free drinks all round.
pay-day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The recruit’s first pay-day was usually selected for this purpose.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading The most important was that which compelled recruits to "stand their hand," or, in plain English, give free drinks all round.
influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion
From this reading This to the cultured instinct may seem a somewhat coarse enactment, but to an old Militia hand, possessed of an Indian thirst, it was all-important and always demanded.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading The recruit’s first pay-day was usually selected for this purpose.
recruit'snounUS /riˈkruːts/
possessive form of “recruit” — a recently enlisted soldier
From this reading The recruit’s first pay-day was usually selected for this purpose.
recruitsnounUS /rəˈkruːts/
plural of “recruit” — a recently enlisted soldier
From this reading The most important was that which compelled recruits to "stand their hand," or, in plain English, give free drinks all round.
rigidadjectiveUS /ˈrɪdʒəd/
incapable of or resistant to bending
From this reading _The_ unwritten laws of the Glesca Mileeshy were as rigid as the etiquette of the Brigade of Guards.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading The most important was that which compelled recruits to "stand their hand," or, in plain English, give free drinks all round.
express in words
From this reading Pay-day in the Militia, I may say, is just a sort of Dante’s Inferno in miniature.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading This to the cultured instinct may seem a somewhat coarse enactment, but to an old Militia hand, possessed of an Indian thirst, it was all-important and always demanded.
selectedadjectiveUS /səˈlektɪd/
chosen in preference to another
From this reading The recruit’s first pay-day was usually selected for this purpose.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading This to the cultured instinct may seem a somewhat coarse enactment, but to an old Militia hand, possessed of an Indian thirst, it was all-important and always demanded.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading Pay-day in the Militia, I may say, is just a sort of Dante’s Inferno in miniature.
be standing; be upright
From this reading The most important was that which compelled recruits to "stand their hand," or, in plain English, give free drinks all round.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The most important was that which compelled recruits to "stand their hand," or, in plain English, give free drinks all round.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _The_ unwritten laws of the Glesca Mileeshy were as rigid as the etiquette of the Brigade of Guards.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The most important was that which compelled recruits to "stand their hand," or, in plain English, give free drinks all round.
thirstnounUS /θɜːrst/
a physiological need to drink
From this reading This to the cultured instinct may seem a somewhat coarse enactment, but to an old Militia hand, possessed of an Indian thirst, it was all-important and always demanded.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This to the cultured instinct may seem a somewhat coarse enactment, but to an old Militia hand, possessed of an Indian thirst, it was all-important and always demanded.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The most important was that which compelled recruits to "stand their hand," or, in plain English, give free drinks all round.
unwrittenadjectiveUS /ənˈrɪtən/
based on custom rather than documentation
From this reading _The_ unwritten laws of the Glesca Mileeshy were as rigid as the etiquette of the Brigade of Guards.
under normal conditions
From this reading The recruit’s first pay-day was usually selected for this purpose.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The most important was that which compelled recruits to "stand their hand," or, in plain English, give free drinks all round.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading _The_ unwritten laws of the Glesca Mileeshy were as rigid as the etiquette of the Brigade of Guards.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The most important was that which compelled recruits to "stand their hand," or, in plain English, give free drinks all round.
