used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading What had happened, or what might happen, was a mystery to mere civilians; but it was whispered about that possibly there might be real fighting at El Paso.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading What had happened, or what might happen, was a mystery to mere civilians; but it was whispered about that possibly there might be real fighting at El Paso.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading There must have been, everybody said, something serious under the rumours of a threatened attack from across the Rio Grande, otherwise government would not be sending troops to reinforce the large garrison at Fort Bliss, or be offering to take women and children away from the river towns, in armoured trains if desired.
admireverbUS /ædˈmaɪr/
feel admiration for
From this reading People--when I say people, I mean women--didn't come to Alvarado to drink the celebrated waters, or to admire the wonderful scenery.
Alvarado
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was desolation at Alvarado Springs, in the hotel, and in the super-cottages.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There was desolation at Alvarado Springs, in the hotel, and in the super-cottages.
armouredadjective
used of animals; provided with protective covering
From this reading There must have been, everybody said, something serious under the rumours of a threatened attack from across the Rio Grande, otherwise government would not be sending troops to reinforce the large garrison at Fort Bliss, or be offering to take women and children away from the river towns, in armoured trains if desired.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading There was desolation at Alvarado Springs, in the hotel, and in the super-cottages.
(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
From this reading There must have been, everybody said, something serious under the rumours of a threatened attack from across the Rio Grande, otherwise government would not be sending troops to reinforce the large garrison at Fort Bliss, or be offering to take women and children away from the river towns, in armoured trains if desired.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading There must have been, everybody said, something serious under the rumours of a threatened attack from across the Rio Grande, otherwise government would not be sending troops to reinforce the large garrison at Fort Bliss, or be offering to take women and children away from the river towns, in armoured trains if desired.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading They came to play with the officers, and now the bravest and best (looking) were to be snatched from them.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading There must have been, everybody said, something serious under the rumours of a threatened attack from across the Rio Grande, otherwise government would not be sending troops to reinforce the large garrison at Fort Bliss, or be offering to take women and children away from the river towns, in armoured trains if desired.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading They came to play with the officers, and now the bravest and best (looking) were to be snatched from them.
BlissnounUS /blɪs/
a state of extreme happiness
From this reading There must have been, everybody said, something serious under the rumours of a threatened attack from across the Rio Grande, otherwise government would not be sending troops to reinforce the large garrison at Fort Bliss, or be offering to take women and children away from the river towns, in armoured trains if desired.
bravestadjectiveUS /ˈbreɪvəst/
superlative of “brave” — possessing or displaying courage; able to face and deal with danger or fear without flinching
From this reading They came to play with the officers, and now the bravest and best (looking) were to be snatched from them.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading What had happened, or what might happen, was a mystery to mere civilians; but it was whispered about that possibly there might be real fighting at El Paso.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading They came to play with the officers, and now the bravest and best (looking) were to be snatched from them.
celebratedadjectiveUS /ˈseləbreɪtɪd/
widely known and esteemed
From this reading People--when I say people, I mean women--didn't come to Alvarado to drink the celebrated waters, or to admire the wonderful scenery.
plural of “child” — a young person of either sex
From this reading There must have been, everybody said, something serious under the rumours of a threatened attack from across the Rio Grande, otherwise government would not be sending troops to reinforce the large garrison at Fort Bliss, or be offering to take women and children away from the river towns, in armoured trains if desired.
civiliansnounUS /səˈvɪljənz/
plural of “civilian” — a nonmilitary citizen
From this reading What had happened, or what might happen, was a mystery to mere civilians; but it was whispered about that possibly there might be real fighting at El Paso.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading People--when I say people, I mean women--didn't come to Alvarado to drink the celebrated waters, or to admire the wonderful scenery.
wanted intensely
From this reading There must have been, everybody said, something serious under the rumours of a threatened attack from across the Rio Grande, otherwise government would not be sending troops to reinforce the large garrison at Fort Bliss, or be offering to take women and children away from the river towns, in armoured trains if desired.
desolationnounUS /ˌdesəˈleɪʃən/
the state of being decayed or destroyed
From this reading There was desolation at Alvarado Springs, in the hotel, and in the super-cottages.
didn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading People--when I say people, I mean women--didn't come to Alvarado to drink the celebrated waters, or to admire the wonderful scenery.
take in liquids
From this reading People--when I say people, I mean women--didn't come to Alvarado to drink the celebrated waters, or to admire the wonderful scenery.
ElnounUS /el/
angular distance above the horizon (especially of a celestial object)
From this reading What had happened, or what might happen, was a mystery to mere civilians; but it was whispered about that possibly there might be real fighting at El Paso.
every person
From this reading There must have been, everybody said, something serious under the rumours of a threatened attack from across the Rio Grande, otherwise government would not be sending troops to reinforce the large garrison at Fort Bliss, or be offering to take women and children away from the river towns, in armoured trains if desired.
the act of fighting; any contest or struggle
From this reading What had happened, or what might happen, was a mystery to mere civilians; but it was whispered about that possibly there might be real fighting at El Paso.
a fortified military post where troops are stationed
From this reading There must have been, everybody said, something serious under the rumours of a threatened attack from across the Rio Grande, otherwise government would not be sending troops to reinforce the large garrison at Fort Bliss, or be offering to take women and children away from the river towns, in armoured trains if desired.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading They came to play with the officers, and now the bravest and best (looking) were to be snatched from them.
garrisonnounUS /ˈɡærɪsən/
a fortified military post where troops are stationed
From this reading There must have been, everybody said, something serious under the rumours of a threatened attack from across the Rio Grande, otherwise government would not be sending troops to reinforce the large garrison at Fort Bliss, or be offering to take women and children away from the river towns, in armoured trains if desired.
the organization that is the governing authority of a political unit
From this reading There must have been, everybody said, something serious under the rumours of a threatened attack from across the Rio Grande, otherwise government would not be sending troops to reinforce the large garrison at Fort Bliss, or be offering to take women and children away from the river towns, in armoured trains if desired.
Grande
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There must have been, everybody said, something serious under the rumours of a threatened attack from across the Rio Grande, otherwise government would not be sending troops to reinforce the large garrison at Fort Bliss, or be offering to take women and children away from the river towns, in armoured trains if desired.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading What had happened, or what might happen, was a mystery to mere civilians; but it was whispered about that possibly there might be real fighting at El Paso.
come to pass
From this reading What had happened, or what might happen, was a mystery to mere civilians; but it was whispered about that possibly there might be real fighting at El Paso.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading What had happened, or what might happen, was a mystery to mere civilians; but it was whispered about that possibly there might be real fighting at El Paso.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading There must have been, everybody said, something serious under the rumours of a threatened attack from across the Rio Grande, otherwise government would not be sending troops to reinforce the large garrison at Fort Bliss, or be offering to take women and children away from the river towns, in armoured trains if desired.
a building where travelers can pay for lodging and meals and other services
From this reading There was desolation at Alvarado Springs, in the hotel, and in the super-cottages.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading People--when I say people, I mean women--didn't come to Alvarado to drink the celebrated waters, or to admire the wonderful scenery.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading There must have been, everybody said, something serious under the rumours of a threatened attack from across the Rio Grande, otherwise government would not be sending troops to reinforce the large garrison at Fort Bliss, or be offering to take women and children away from the river towns, in armoured trains if desired.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There was desolation at Alvarado Springs, in the hotel, and in the super-cottages.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading What had happened, or what might happen, was a mystery to mere civilians; but it was whispered about that possibly there might be real fighting at El Paso.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading There must have been, everybody said, something serious under the rumours of a threatened attack from across the Rio Grande, otherwise government would not be sending troops to reinforce the large garrison at Fort Bliss, or be offering to take women and children away from the river towns, in armoured trains if desired.
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading They came to play with the officers, and now the bravest and best (looking) were to be snatched from them.
mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading People--when I say people, I mean women--didn't come to Alvarado to drink the celebrated waters, or to admire the wonderful scenery.
being nothing more than specified
From this reading What had happened, or what might happen, was a mystery to mere civilians; but it was whispered about that possibly there might be real fighting at El Paso.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading What had happened, or what might happen, was a mystery to mere civilians; but it was whispered about that possibly there might be real fighting at El Paso.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading There must have been, everybody said, something serious under the rumours of a threatened attack from across the Rio Grande, otherwise government would not be sending troops to reinforce the large garrison at Fort Bliss, or be offering to take women and children away from the river towns, in armoured trains if desired.
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading What had happened, or what might happen, was a mystery to mere civilians; but it was whispered about that possibly there might be real fighting at El Paso.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading There must have been, everybody said, something serious under the rumours of a threatened attack from across the Rio Grande, otherwise government would not be sending troops to reinforce the large garrison at Fort Bliss, or be offering to take women and children away from the river towns, in armoured trains if desired.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading They came to play with the officers, and now the bravest and best (looking) were to be snatched from them.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There must have been, everybody said, something serious under the rumours of a threatened attack from across the Rio Grande, otherwise government would not be sending troops to reinforce the large garrison at Fort Bliss, or be offering to take women and children away from the river towns, in armoured trains if desired.
offeringnounUS /ˈɔːfərɪŋ/
something offered (as a proposal or bid)
From this reading There must have been, everybody said, something serious under the rumours of a threatened attack from across the Rio Grande, otherwise government would not be sending troops to reinforce the large garrison at Fort Bliss, or be offering to take women and children away from the river towns, in armoured trains if desired.
plural of “officer” — any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading They came to play with the officers, and now the bravest and best (looking) were to be snatched from them.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading People--when I say people, I mean women--didn't come to Alvarado to drink the celebrated waters, or to admire the wonderful scenery.
in other respects or ways
From this reading There must have been, everybody said, something serious under the rumours of a threatened attack from across the Rio Grande, otherwise government would not be sending troops to reinforce the large garrison at Fort Bliss, or be offering to take women and children away from the river towns, in armoured trains if desired.
Paso
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading What had happened, or what might happen, was a mystery to mere civilians; but it was whispered about that possibly there might be real fighting at El Paso.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading People--when I say people, I mean women--didn't come to Alvarado to drink the celebrated waters, or to admire the wonderful scenery.
participate in games or sport
From this reading They came to play with the officers, and now the bravest and best (looking) were to be snatched from them.
by chance
From this reading What had happened, or what might happen, was a mystery to mere civilians; but it was whispered about that possibly there might be real fighting at El Paso.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading What had happened, or what might happen, was a mystery to mere civilians; but it was whispered about that possibly there might be real fighting at El Paso.
reinforceverbUS /ˌriːɪnˈfɔːrs/
make stronger
From this reading There must have been, everybody said, something serious under the rumours of a threatened attack from across the Rio Grande, otherwise government would not be sending troops to reinforce the large garrison at Fort Bliss, or be offering to take women and children away from the river towns, in armoured trains if desired.
RionounUS /ˈriːoʊ/
the former capital and 2nd largest city of Brazil; chief Brazilian port; famous as a tourist attraction
From this reading There must have been, everybody said, something serious under the rumours of a threatened attack from across the Rio Grande, otherwise government would not be sending troops to reinforce the large garrison at Fort Bliss, or be offering to take women and children away from the river towns, in armoured trains if desired.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading There must have been, everybody said, something serious under the rumours of a threatened attack from across the Rio Grande, otherwise government would not be sending troops to reinforce the large garrison at Fort Bliss, or be offering to take women and children away from the river towns, in armoured trains if desired.
rumoursnounUS /ˈruːmərz/
plural of “rumour” — gossip (usually a mixture of truth and untruth) passed around by word of mouth
From this reading There must have been, everybody said, something serious under the rumours of a threatened attack from across the Rio Grande, otherwise government would not be sending troops to reinforce the large garrison at Fort Bliss, or be offering to take women and children away from the river towns, in armoured trains if desired.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading There must have been, everybody said, something serious under the rumours of a threatened attack from across the Rio Grande, otherwise government would not be sending troops to reinforce the large garrison at Fort Bliss, or be offering to take women and children away from the river towns, in armoured trains if desired.
express in words
From this reading People--when I say people, I mean women--didn't come to Alvarado to drink the celebrated waters, or to admire the wonderful scenery.
scenerynounUS /ˈsiːnəri/
the painted structures of a stage set that are intended to suggest a particular locale
From this reading People--when I say people, I mean women--didn't come to Alvarado to drink the celebrated waters, or to admire the wonderful scenery.
the act of causing something to go (especially messages)
From this reading There must have been, everybody said, something serious under the rumours of a threatened attack from across the Rio Grande, otherwise government would not be sending troops to reinforce the large garrison at Fort Bliss, or be offering to take women and children away from the river towns, in armoured trains if desired.
concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities
From this reading There must have been, everybody said, something serious under the rumours of a threatened attack from across the Rio Grande, otherwise government would not be sending troops to reinforce the large garrison at Fort Bliss, or be offering to take women and children away from the river towns, in armoured trains if desired.
snatchedverbUS /snætʃt/
past form of “snatch” — to grasp hastily or eagerly
From this reading They came to play with the officers, and now the bravest and best (looking) were to be snatched from them.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading There must have been, everybody said, something serious under the rumours of a threatened attack from across the Rio Grande, otherwise government would not be sending troops to reinforce the large garrison at Fort Bliss, or be offering to take women and children away from the river towns, in armoured trains if desired.
SpringsnounUS /sprɪŋz/
plural of “spring” — the season of growth
From this reading There was desolation at Alvarado Springs, in the hotel, and in the super-cottages.
super-cottages
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was desolation at Alvarado Springs, in the hotel, and in the super-cottages.
carry out
From this reading There must have been, everybody said, something serious under the rumours of a threatened attack from across the Rio Grande, otherwise government would not be sending troops to reinforce the large garrison at Fort Bliss, or be offering to take women and children away from the river towns, in armoured trains if desired.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading What had happened, or what might happen, was a mystery to mere civilians; but it was whispered about that possibly there might be real fighting at El Paso.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading There was desolation at Alvarado Springs, in the hotel, and in the super-cottages.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading They came to play with the officers, and now the bravest and best (looking) were to be snatched from them.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was desolation at Alvarado Springs, in the hotel, and in the super-cottages.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They came to play with the officers, and now the bravest and best (looking) were to be snatched from them.
(of flora or fauna) likely in the near future to become endangered
From this reading There must have been, everybody said, something serious under the rumours of a threatened attack from across the Rio Grande, otherwise government would not be sending troops to reinforce the large garrison at Fort Bliss, or be offering to take women and children away from the river towns, in armoured trains if desired.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading People--when I say people, I mean women--didn't come to Alvarado to drink the celebrated waters, or to admire the wonderful scenery.
townsnounUS /taʊnz/
plural of “town” — an urban area with a fixed boundary that is smaller than a city
From this reading There must have been, everybody said, something serious under the rumours of a threatened attack from across the Rio Grande, otherwise government would not be sending troops to reinforce the large garrison at Fort Bliss, or be offering to take women and children away from the river towns, in armoured trains if desired.
trainsnounUS /treɪnz/
plural of “train” — public transport provided by a line of railway cars coupled together and drawn by a locomotive
From this reading There must have been, everybody said, something serious under the rumours of a threatened attack from across the Rio Grande, otherwise government would not be sending troops to reinforce the large garrison at Fort Bliss, or be offering to take women and children away from the river towns, in armoured trains if desired.
soldiers collectively
From this reading There must have been, everybody said, something serious under the rumours of a threatened attack from across the Rio Grande, otherwise government would not be sending troops to reinforce the large garrison at Fort Bliss, or be offering to take women and children away from the river towns, in armoured trains if desired.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading There must have been, everybody said, something serious under the rumours of a threatened attack from across the Rio Grande, otherwise government would not be sending troops to reinforce the large garrison at Fort Bliss, or be offering to take women and children away from the river towns, in armoured trains if desired.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was desolation at Alvarado Springs, in the hotel, and in the super-cottages.
United States actress and singer (1896-1977)
From this reading People--when I say people, I mean women--didn't come to Alvarado to drink the celebrated waters, or to admire the wonderful scenery.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They came to play with the officers, and now the bravest and best (looking) were to be snatched from them.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading What had happened, or what might happen, was a mystery to mere civilians; but it was whispered about that possibly there might be real fighting at El Paso.
at the time that
From this reading People--when I say people, I mean women--didn't come to Alvarado to drink the celebrated waters, or to admire the wonderful scenery.
spoken in soft hushed tones without vibrations of the vocal cords
From this reading What had happened, or what might happen, was a mystery to mere civilians; but it was whispered about that possibly there might be real fighting at El Paso.
in the company of; together with
From this reading They came to play with the officers, and now the bravest and best (looking) were to be snatched from them.
plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading People--when I say people, I mean women--didn't come to Alvarado to drink the celebrated waters, or to admire the wonderful scenery.
extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers
From this reading People--when I say people, I mean women--didn't come to Alvarado to drink the celebrated waters, or to admire the wonderful scenery.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading There must have been, everybody said, something serious under the rumours of a threatened attack from across the Rio Grande, otherwise government would not be sending troops to reinforce the large garrison at Fort Bliss, or be offering to take women and children away from the river towns, in armoured trains if desired.
