used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A FIGHT AND A RESCUE.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Soon after sunset the five men started.
(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 "Of course we cannot begin operations," he said, "until all is quiet; but as long as the men are sitting round the fires smoking and singing they will keep a very careless guard, and any noise we make will pass unobserved.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading When they once get quiet the sentries will begin to listen, but until then we might almost walk up to their fires without being observed."
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A FIGHT AND A RESCUE.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading "Of course we cannot begin operations," he said, "until all is quiet; but as long as the men are sitting round the fires smoking and singing they will keep a very careless guard, and any noise we make will pass unobserved.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "Of course we cannot begin operations," he said, "until all is quiet; but as long as the men are sitting round the fires smoking and singing they will keep a very careless guard, and any noise we make will pass unobserved.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "Of course we cannot begin operations," he said, "until all is quiet; but as long as the men are sitting round the fires smoking and singing they will keep a very careless guard, and any noise we make will pass unobserved.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading "Of course we cannot begin operations," he said, "until all is quiet; but as long as the men are sitting round the fires smoking and singing they will keep a very careless guard, and any noise we make will pass unobserved.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading When they once get quiet the sentries will begin to listen, but until then we might almost walk up to their fires without being observed."
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
From this reading The doctor was of opinion that it was better not to wait until the brigands had retired to rest.
brigands
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The doctor was of opinion that it was better not to wait until the brigands had retired to rest.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "Of course we cannot begin operations," he said, "until all is quiet; but as long as the men are sitting round the fires smoking and singing they will keep a very careless guard, and any noise we make will pass unobserved.
cannot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Of course we cannot begin operations," he said, "until all is quiet; but as long as the men are sitting round the fires smoking and singing they will keep a very careless guard, and any noise we make will pass unobserved.
marked by lack of attention or consideration or forethought or thoroughness; not careful
From this reading "Of course we cannot begin operations," he said, "until all is quiet; but as long as the men are sitting round the fires smoking and singing they will keep a very careless guard, and any noise we make will pass unobserved.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading "Of course we cannot begin operations," he said, "until all is quiet; but as long as the men are sitting round the fires smoking and singing they will keep a very careless guard, and any noise we make will pass unobserved.
a licensed medical practitioner
From this reading The doctor was of opinion that it was better not to wait until the brigands had retired to rest.
be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight
From this reading A FIGHT AND A RESCUE.
plural of “fire” — the event of something burning (often destructive)
From this reading "Of course we cannot begin operations," he said, "until all is quiet; but as long as the men are sitting round the fires smoking and singing they will keep a very careless guard, and any noise we make will pass unobserved.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading Soon after sunset the five men started.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading When they once get quiet the sentries will begin to listen, but until then we might almost walk up to their fires without being observed."
a person who keeps watch over something or someone
From this reading "Of course we cannot begin operations," he said, "until all is quiet; but as long as the men are sitting round the fires smoking and singing they will keep a very careless guard, and any noise we make will pass unobserved.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The doctor was of opinion that it was better not to wait until the brigands had retired to rest.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Of course we cannot begin operations," he said, "until all is quiet; but as long as the men are sitting round the fires smoking and singing they will keep a very careless guard, and any noise we make will pass unobserved.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "Of course we cannot begin operations," he said, "until all is quiet; but as long as the men are sitting round the fires smoking and singing they will keep a very careless guard, and any noise we make will pass unobserved.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The doctor was of opinion that it was better not to wait until the brigands had retired to rest.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading "Of course we cannot begin operations," he said, "until all is quiet; but as long as the men are sitting round the fires smoking and singing they will keep a very careless guard, and any noise we make will pass unobserved.
hear with intention
From this reading When they once get quiet the sentries will begin to listen, but until then we might almost walk up to their fires without being observed."
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading "Of course we cannot begin operations," he said, "until all is quiet; but as long as the men are sitting round the fires smoking and singing they will keep a very careless guard, and any noise we make will pass unobserved.
engage in
From this reading "Of course we cannot begin operations," he said, "until all is quiet; but as long as the men are sitting round the fires smoking and singing they will keep a very careless guard, and any noise we make will pass unobserved.
the force of workers available
From this reading Soon after sunset the five men started.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading When they once get quiet the sentries will begin to listen, but until then we might almost walk up to their fires without being observed."
sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
From this reading "Of course we cannot begin operations," he said, "until all is quiet; but as long as the men are sitting round the fires smoking and singing they will keep a very careless guard, and any noise we make will pass unobserved.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The doctor was of opinion that it was better not to wait until the brigands had retired to rest.
discovered or determined by scientific observation
From this reading When they once get quiet the sentries will begin to listen, but until then we might almost walk up to their fires without being observed."
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The doctor was of opinion that it was better not to wait until the brigands had retired to rest.
on one occasion
From this reading When they once get quiet the sentries will begin to listen, but until then we might almost walk up to their fires without being observed."
operationsnounUS /ˌɑːpərˈeɪʃənz/
financial transactions at a brokerage; having to do with the execution of trades and keeping customer records
From this reading "Of course we cannot begin operations," he said, "until all is quiet; but as long as the men are sitting round the fires smoking and singing they will keep a very careless guard, and any noise we make will pass unobserved.
a personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty
From this reading The doctor was of opinion that it was better not to wait until the brigands had retired to rest.
go across or through
From this reading "Of course we cannot begin operations," he said, "until all is quiet; but as long as the men are sitting round the fires smoking and singing they will keep a very careless guard, and any noise we make will pass unobserved.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading "Of course we cannot begin operations," he said, "until all is quiet; but as long as the men are sitting round the fires smoking and singing they will keep a very careless guard, and any noise we make will pass unobserved.
free from harm or evil
From this reading A FIGHT AND A RESCUE.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading The doctor was of opinion that it was better not to wait until the brigands had retired to rest.
no longer active in your work or profession
From this reading The doctor was of opinion that it was better not to wait until the brigands had retired to rest.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading "Of course we cannot begin operations," he said, "until all is quiet; but as long as the men are sitting round the fires smoking and singing they will keep a very careless guard, and any noise we make will pass unobserved.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "Of course we cannot begin operations," he said, "until all is quiet; but as long as the men are sitting round the fires smoking and singing they will keep a very careless guard, and any noise we make will pass unobserved.
sentriesnounUS /ˈsentriz/
plural of “sentry” — a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
From this reading When they once get quiet the sentries will begin to listen, but until then we might almost walk up to their fires without being observed."
the act of singing vocal music
From this reading "Of course we cannot begin operations," he said, "until all is quiet; but as long as the men are sitting round the fires smoking and singing they will keep a very careless guard, and any noise we make will pass unobserved.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading "Of course we cannot begin operations," he said, "until all is quiet; but as long as the men are sitting round the fires smoking and singing they will keep a very careless guard, and any noise we make will pass unobserved.
the act of smoking tobacco or other substances
From this reading "Of course we cannot begin operations," he said, "until all is quiet; but as long as the men are sitting round the fires smoking and singing they will keep a very careless guard, and any noise we make will pass unobserved.
in the near future
From this reading Soon after sunset the five men started.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Soon after sunset the five men started.
the time in the evening at which the sun begins to fall below the horizon
From this reading Soon after sunset the five men started.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The doctor was of opinion that it was better not to wait until the brigands had retired to rest.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Soon after sunset the five men started.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading When they once get quiet the sentries will begin to listen, but until then we might almost walk up to their fires without being observed."
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading When they once get quiet the sentries will begin to listen, but until then we might almost walk up to their fires without being observed."
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Of course we cannot begin operations," he said, "until all is quiet; but as long as the men are sitting round the fires smoking and singing they will keep a very careless guard, and any noise we make will pass unobserved.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The doctor was of opinion that it was better not to wait until the brigands had retired to rest.
unobservedadjective
not seen or observed
From this reading "Of course we cannot begin operations," he said, "until all is quiet; but as long as the men are sitting round the fires smoking and singing they will keep a very careless guard, and any noise we make will pass unobserved.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading The doctor was of opinion that it was better not to wait until the brigands had retired to rest.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading When they once get quiet the sentries will begin to listen, but until then we might almost walk up to their fires without being observed."
precisely as stated
From this reading "Of course we cannot begin operations," he said, "until all is quiet; but as long as the men are sitting round the fires smoking and singing they will keep a very careless guard, and any noise we make will pass unobserved.
stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading The doctor was of opinion that it was better not to wait until the brigands had retired to rest.
the act of traveling by foot
From this reading When they once get quiet the sentries will begin to listen, but until then we might almost walk up to their fires without being observed."
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The doctor was of opinion that it was better not to wait until the brigands had retired to rest.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "Of course we cannot begin operations," he said, "until all is quiet; but as long as the men are sitting round the fires smoking and singing they will keep a very careless guard, and any noise we make will pass unobserved.
at the time that
From this reading When they once get quiet the sentries will begin to listen, but until then we might almost walk up to their fires without being observed."
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading "Of course we cannot begin operations," he said, "until all is quiet; but as long as the men are sitting round the fires smoking and singing they will keep a very careless guard, and any noise we make will pass unobserved.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading When they once get quiet the sentries will begin to listen, but until then we might almost walk up to their fires without being observed."
