Chapter XXI · An Officers’ Prison

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

From this reading There was an axiom, taught in the training camps to give confidence to cadets, which said that when a pilot once gets his wheels squarely on the ground, he will not be killed, though his machine may be badly smashed.

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading Indeed, after the German soldiers dragged him out he was able to stand--and was quite able, so the German intelligence officers decided, to undergo an ordeal intended to make him divulge information.

later than; following

From this reading Indeed, after the German soldiers dragged him out he was able to stand--and was quite able, so the German intelligence officers decided, to undergo an ordeal intended to make him divulge information.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading There was an axiom, taught in the training camps to give confidence to cadets, which said that when a pilot once gets his wheels squarely on the ground, he will not be killed, though his machine may be badly smashed.

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

From this reading Gerry, in his landing, had tested this axiom to its utmost; for he had had sufficient control of his ship, at the last, to put his wheels square to the ground; and though his machine was wholly wrecked, he was not killed.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Gerry, in his landing, had tested this axiom to its utmost; for he had had sufficient control of his ship, at the last, to put his wheels square to the ground; and though his machine was wholly wrecked, he was not killed.

a saying that is widely accepted on its own merits

From this reading There was an axiom, taught in the training camps to give confidence to cadets, which said that when a pilot once gets his wheels squarely on the ground, he will not be killed, though his machine may be badly smashed.

to a severe or serious degree

From this reading There was an axiom, taught in the training camps to give confidence to cadets, which said that when a pilot once gets his wheels squarely on the ground, he will not be killed, though his machine may be badly smashed.

damaged by blows or hard usage

From this reading He was painfully shaken and battered; but so excellently was his ship planned to protect the pilot in a “crash,” that he was not even seriously injured.

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

From this reading There was an axiom, taught in the training camps to give confidence to cadets, which said that when a pilot once gets his wheels squarely on the ground, he will not be killed, though his machine may be badly smashed.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He was painfully shaken and battered; but so excellently was his ship planned to protect the pilot in a “crash,” that he was not even seriously injured.

plural of “cadet” — a military trainee (as at a military academy)

From this reading There was an axiom, taught in the training camps to give confidence to cadets, which said that when a pilot once gets his wheels squarely on the ground, he will not be killed, though his machine may be badly smashed.

plural of “camp” — temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers

From this reading There was an axiom, taught in the training camps to give confidence to cadets, which said that when a pilot once gets his wheels squarely on the ground, he will not be killed, though his machine may be badly smashed.

plural of “comrade” — a friend who is frequently in the company of another

From this reading Gerry, when shot down over the German lines, had succeeded in making that “some sort of landing” which his comrades had reported.

freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities

From this reading There was an axiom, taught in the training camps to give confidence to cadets, which said that when a pilot once gets his wheels squarely on the ground, he will not be killed, though his machine may be badly smashed.

power to direct or determine

From this reading Gerry, in his landing, had tested this axiom to its utmost; for he had had sufficient control of his ship, at the last, to put his wheels square to the ground; and though his machine was wholly wrecked, he was not killed.

fall or come down violently

From this reading He was painfully shaken and battered; but so excellently was his ship planned to protect the pilot in a “crash,” that he was not even seriously injured.

recognizable; marked

From this reading Indeed, after the German soldiers dragged him out he was able to stand--and was quite able, so the German intelligence officers decided, to undergo an ordeal intended to make him divulge information.

make known to the public information that was previously known only to a few people or that was meant to be kept a secret

From this reading Indeed, after the German soldiers dragged him out he was able to stand--and was quite able, so the German intelligence officers decided, to undergo an ordeal intended to make him divulge information.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Gerry, when shot down over the German lines, had succeeded in making that “some sort of landing” which his comrades had reported.

inflected form of “drag” — pull, as against a resistance

From this reading Indeed, after the German soldiers dragged him out he was able to stand--and was quite able, so the German intelligence officers decided, to undergo an ordeal intended to make him divulge information.

divisible by two

From this reading He was painfully shaken and battered; but so excellently was his ship planned to protect the pilot in a “crash,” that he was not even seriously injured.

extremely well

From this reading He was painfully shaken and battered; but so excellently was his ship planned to protect the pilot in a “crash,” that he was not even seriously injured.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Gerry, in his landing, had tested this axiom to its utmost; for he had had sufficient control of his ship, at the last, to put his wheels square to the ground; and though his machine was wholly wrecked, he was not killed.

a person of German nationality

From this reading Gerry, when shot down over the German lines, had succeeded in making that “some sort of landing” which his comrades had reported.

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

From this reading Gerry, when shot down over the German lines, had succeeded in making that “some sort of landing” which his comrades had reported.

plural of “get” — a return on a shot that seemed impossible to reach and would normally have resulted in a point for the opponent

From this reading There was an axiom, taught in the training camps to give confidence to cadets, which said that when a pilot once gets his wheels squarely on the ground, he will not be killed, though his machine may be badly smashed.

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading There was an axiom, taught in the training camps to give confidence to cadets, which said that when a pilot once gets his wheels squarely on the ground, he will not be killed, though his machine may be badly smashed.

the solid part of the earth's surface

From this reading There was an axiom, taught in the training camps to give confidence to cadets, which said that when a pilot once gets his wheels squarely on the ground, he will not be killed, though his machine may be badly smashed.

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

From this reading Gerry, when shot down over the German lines, had succeeded in making that “some sort of landing” which his comrades had reported.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading There was an axiom, taught in the training camps to give confidence to cadets, which said that when a pilot once gets his wheels squarely on the ground, he will not be killed, though his machine may be badly smashed.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Indeed, after the German soldiers dragged him out he was able to stand--and was quite able, so the German intelligence officers decided, to undergo an ordeal intended to make him divulge information.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Gerry, when shot down over the German lines, had succeeded in making that “some sort of landing” which his comrades had reported.

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

From this reading Gerry, when shot down over the German lines, had succeeded in making that “some sort of landing” which his comrades had reported.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading Indeed, after the German soldiers dragged him out he was able to stand--and was quite able, so the German intelligence officers decided, to undergo an ordeal intended to make him divulge information.

a message received and understood

From this reading Indeed, after the German soldiers dragged him out he was able to stand--and was quite able, so the German intelligence officers decided, to undergo an ordeal intended to make him divulge information.

harmed

From this reading He was painfully shaken and battered; but so excellently was his ship planned to protect the pilot in a “crash,” that he was not even seriously injured.

the ability to comprehend; to understand and profit from experience

From this reading Indeed, after the German soldiers dragged him out he was able to stand--and was quite able, so the German intelligence officers decided, to undergo an ordeal intended to make him divulge information.

resulting from one's intentions

From this reading Indeed, after the German soldiers dragged him out he was able to stand--and was quite able, so the German intelligence officers decided, to undergo an ordeal intended to make him divulge information.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Gerry, in his landing, had tested this axiom to its utmost; for he had had sufficient control of his ship, at the last, to put his wheels square to the ground; and though his machine was wholly wrecked, he was not killed.

past form of “kill” — cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly

From this reading There was an axiom, taught in the training camps to give confidence to cadets, which said that when a pilot once gets his wheels squarely on the ground, he will not be killed, though his machine may be badly smashed.

an intermediate platform in a staircase

From this reading Gerry, when shot down over the German lines, had succeeded in making that “some sort of landing” which his comrades had reported.

immediately past

From this reading Gerry, in his landing, had tested this axiom to its utmost; for he had had sufficient control of his ship, at the last, to put his wheels square to the ground; and though his machine was wholly wrecked, he was not killed.

plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading Gerry, when shot down over the German lines, had succeeded in making that “some sort of landing” which his comrades had reported.

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

From this reading There was an axiom, taught in the training camps to give confidence to cadets, which said that when a pilot once gets his wheels squarely on the ground, he will not be killed, though his machine may be badly smashed.

engage in

From this reading Indeed, after the German soldiers dragged him out he was able to stand--and was quite able, so the German intelligence officers decided, to undergo an ordeal intended to make him divulge information.

the act that results in something coming to be

From this reading Gerry, when shot down over the German lines, had succeeded in making that “some sort of landing” which his comrades had reported.

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading There was an axiom, taught in the training camps to give confidence to cadets, which said that when a pilot once gets his wheels squarely on the ground, he will not be killed, though his machine may be badly smashed.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading There was an axiom, taught in the training camps to give confidence to cadets, which said that when a pilot once gets his wheels squarely on the ground, he will not be killed, though his machine may be badly smashed.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Gerry, when shot down over the German lines, had succeeded in making that “some sort of landing” which his comrades had reported.

plural of “officer” — any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command

From this reading Indeed, after the German soldiers dragged him out he was able to stand--and was quite able, so the German intelligence officers decided, to undergo an ordeal intended to make him divulge information.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading There was an axiom, taught in the training camps to give confidence to cadets, which said that when a pilot once gets his wheels squarely on the ground, he will not be killed, though his machine may be badly smashed.

on one occasion

From this reading There was an axiom, taught in the training camps to give confidence to cadets, which said that when a pilot once gets his wheels squarely on the ground, he will not be killed, though his machine may be badly smashed.

a severe or trying experience

From this reading Indeed, after the German soldiers dragged him out he was able to stand--and was quite able, so the German intelligence officers decided, to undergo an ordeal intended to make him divulge information.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Indeed, after the German soldiers dragged him out he was able to stand--and was quite able, so the German intelligence officers decided, to undergo an ordeal intended to make him divulge information.

above and across; more than

From this reading Gerry, when shot down over the German lines, had succeeded in making that “some sort of landing” which his comrades had reported.

unpleasantly

From this reading He was painfully shaken and battered; but so excellently was his ship planned to protect the pilot in a “crash,” that he was not even seriously injured.

operate an airplane

From this reading There was an axiom, taught in the training camps to give confidence to cadets, which said that when a pilot once gets his wheels squarely on the ground, he will not be killed, though his machine may be badly smashed.

designed or carried out according to a plan

From this reading He was painfully shaken and battered; but so excellently was his ship planned to protect the pilot in a “crash,” that he was not even seriously injured.

shield from danger, injury, destruction, or damage

From this reading He was painfully shaken and battered; but so excellently was his ship planned to protect the pilot in a “crash,” that he was not even seriously injured.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Gerry, in his landing, had tested this axiom to its utmost; for he had had sufficient control of his ship, at the last, to put his wheels square to the ground; and though his machine was wholly wrecked, he was not killed.

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading Indeed, after the German soldiers dragged him out he was able to stand--and was quite able, so the German intelligence officers decided, to undergo an ordeal intended to make him divulge information.

made known or told about; especially presented in a formal account

From this reading Gerry, when shot down over the German lines, had succeeded in making that “some sort of landing” which his comrades had reported.

being the one previously mentioned or spoken of

From this reading There was an axiom, taught in the training camps to give confidence to cadets, which said that when a pilot once gets his wheels squarely on the ground, he will not be killed, though his machine may be badly smashed.

in a serious manner

From this reading He was painfully shaken and battered; but so excellently was his ship planned to protect the pilot in a “crash,” that he was not even seriously injured.

disturbed psychologically as if by a physical jolt or shock

From this reading He was painfully shaken and battered; but so excellently was his ship planned to protect the pilot in a “crash,” that he was not even seriously injured.

transport commercially

From this reading Gerry, in his landing, had tested this axiom to its utmost; for he had had sufficient control of his ship, at the last, to put his wheels square to the ground; and though his machine was wholly wrecked, he was not killed.

the act of firing a projectile

From this reading Gerry, when shot down over the German lines, had succeeded in making that “some sort of landing” which his comrades had reported.

very drunk

From this reading There was an axiom, taught in the training camps to give confidence to cadets, which said that when a pilot once gets his wheels squarely on the ground, he will not be killed, though his machine may be badly smashed.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading He was painfully shaken and battered; but so excellently was his ship planned to protect the pilot in a “crash,” that he was not even seriously injured.

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

From this reading Indeed, after the German soldiers dragged him out he was able to stand--and was quite able, so the German intelligence officers decided, to undergo an ordeal intended to make him divulge information.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Gerry, when shot down over the German lines, had succeeded in making that “some sort of landing” which his comrades had reported.

a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading Gerry, when shot down over the German lines, had succeeded in making that “some sort of landing” which his comrades had reported.

make square

From this reading Gerry, in his landing, had tested this axiom to its utmost; for he had had sufficient control of his ship, at the last, to put his wheels square to the ground; and though his machine was wholly wrecked, he was not killed.

directly and without evasion; not roundabout

From this reading There was an axiom, taught in the training camps to give confidence to cadets, which said that when a pilot once gets his wheels squarely on the ground, he will not be killed, though his machine may be badly smashed.

be standing; be upright

From this reading Indeed, after the German soldiers dragged him out he was able to stand--and was quite able, so the German intelligence officers decided, to undergo an ordeal intended to make him divulge information.

past form of “succeed” — attain success or reach a desired goal

From this reading Gerry, when shot down over the German lines, had succeeded in making that “some sort of landing” which his comrades had reported.

of a quantity that can fulfill a need or requirement but without being abundant

From this reading Gerry, in his landing, had tested this axiom to its utmost; for he had had sufficient control of his ship, at the last, to put his wheels square to the ground; and though his machine was wholly wrecked, he was not killed.

inflected form of “teach” — impart skills or knowledge to

From this reading There was an axiom, taught in the training camps to give confidence to cadets, which said that when a pilot once gets his wheels squarely on the ground, he will not be killed, though his machine may be badly smashed.

tested and proved useful or correct

From this reading Gerry, in his landing, had tested this axiom to its utmost; for he had had sufficient control of his ship, at the last, to put his wheels square to the ground; and though his machine was wholly wrecked, he was not killed.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Gerry, when shot down over the German lines, had succeeded in making that “some sort of landing” which his comrades had reported.

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

From this reading Gerry, when shot down over the German lines, had succeeded in making that “some sort of landing” which his comrades had reported.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There was an axiom, taught in the training camps to give confidence to cadets, which said that when a pilot once gets his wheels squarely on the ground, he will not be killed, though his machine may be badly smashed.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading Gerry, in his landing, had tested this axiom to its utmost; for he had had sufficient control of his ship, at the last, to put his wheels square to the ground; and though his machine was wholly wrecked, he was not killed.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading There was an axiom, taught in the training camps to give confidence to cadets, which said that when a pilot once gets his wheels squarely on the ground, he will not be killed, though his machine may be badly smashed.

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

From this reading There was an axiom, taught in the training camps to give confidence to cadets, which said that when a pilot once gets his wheels squarely on the ground, he will not be killed, though his machine may be badly smashed.

activity leading to skilled behavior

From this reading There was an axiom, taught in the training camps to give confidence to cadets, which said that when a pilot once gets his wheels squarely on the ground, he will not be killed, though his machine may be badly smashed.

pass through

From this reading Indeed, after the German soldiers dragged him out he was able to stand--and was quite able, so the German intelligence officers decided, to undergo an ordeal intended to make him divulge information.

of the greatest possible degree or extent or intensity

From this reading Gerry, in his landing, had tested this axiom to its utmost; for he had had sufficient control of his ship, at the last, to put his wheels square to the ground; and though his machine was wholly wrecked, he was not killed.

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

From this reading There was an axiom, taught in the training camps to give confidence to cadets, which said that when a pilot once gets his wheels squarely on the ground, he will not be killed, though his machine may be badly smashed.

plural of “wheel” — a simple machine consisting of a circular frame with spokes (or a solid disc) that can rotate on a shaft or axle (as in vehicles or other machines)

From this reading There was an axiom, taught in the training camps to give confidence to cadets, which said that when a pilot once gets his wheels squarely on the ground, he will not be killed, though his machine may be badly smashed.

at the time that

From this reading Gerry, when shot down over the German lines, had succeeded in making that “some sort of landing” which his comrades had reported.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Gerry, when shot down over the German lines, had succeeded in making that “some sort of landing” which his comrades had reported.

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading Gerry, in his landing, had tested this axiom to its utmost; for he had had sufficient control of his ship, at the last, to put his wheels square to the ground; and though his machine was wholly wrecked, he was not killed.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading There was an axiom, taught in the training camps to give confidence to cadets, which said that when a pilot once gets his wheels squarely on the ground, he will not be killed, though his machine may be badly smashed.

destroyed in an accident

From this reading Gerry, in his landing, had tested this axiom to its utmost; for he had had sufficient control of his ship, at the last, to put his wheels square to the ground; and though his machine was wholly wrecked, he was not killed.