Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading His lieutenant marched beside him while Underlieutenant von Goss brought up the rear, following with a handful of askaris the tired and all but exhausted porters whom the black soldiers, following the example of their white officer, encouraged with the sharp points of bayonets and the metal-shod butts of rifles.

the second largest continent; located to the south of Europe and bordered to the west by the South Atlantic and to the east by the Indian Ocean

From this reading There were no porters within reach of Hauptmann Schneider so he vented his Prussian spleen upon the askaris nearest at hand, yet with greater circumspection since these men bore loaded rifles--and the three white men were alone with them in the heart of Africa.

at or in the front

From this reading Ahead of the hauptmann marched half his company, behind him the other half--thus were the dangers of the savage jungle minimized for the German captain.

plural of “aisle” — a long narrow passage (as in a cave or woods)

From this reading Hauptmann Fritz Schneider trudged wearily through the somber aisles of the dark forest.

(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 His lieutenant marched beside him while Underlieutenant von Goss brought up the rear, following with a handful of askaris the tired and all but exhausted porters whom the black soldiers, following the example of their white officer, encouraged with the sharp points of bayonets and the metal-shod butts of rifles.

Having no one else present.

From this reading There were no porters within reach of Hauptmann Schneider so he vented his Prussian spleen upon the askaris nearest at hand, yet with greater circumspection since these men bore loaded rifles--and the three white men were alone with them in the heart of Africa.

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

From this reading Sweat rolled down his bullet head and stood upon his heavy jowls and bull neck.

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

From this reading His lieutenant marched beside him while Underlieutenant von Goss brought up the rear, following with a handful of askaris the tired and all but exhausted porters whom the black soldiers, following the example of their white officer, encouraged with the sharp points of bayonets and the metal-shod butts of rifles.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading There were no porters within reach of Hauptmann Schneider so he vented his Prussian spleen upon the askaris nearest at hand, yet with greater circumspection since these men bore loaded rifles--and the three white men were alone with them in the heart of Africa.

plural of “bayonet” — a knife that can be fixed to the end of a rifle and used as a weapon

From this reading His lieutenant marched beside him while Underlieutenant von Goss brought up the rear, following with a handful of askaris the tired and all but exhausted porters whom the black soldiers, following the example of their white officer, encouraged with the sharp points of bayonets and the metal-shod butts of rifles.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading Ahead of the hauptmann marched half his company, behind him the other half--thus were the dangers of the savage jungle minimized for the German captain.

next to; at the side of

From this reading His lieutenant marched beside him while Underlieutenant von Goss brought up the rear, following with a handful of askaris the tired and all but exhausted porters whom the black soldiers, following the example of their white officer, encouraged with the sharp points of bayonets and the metal-shod butts of rifles.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading His lieutenant marched beside him while Underlieutenant von Goss brought up the rear, following with a handful of askaris the tired and all but exhausted porters whom the black soldiers, following the example of their white officer, encouraged with the sharp points of bayonets and the metal-shod butts of rifles.

cause to be bored

From this reading There were no porters within reach of Hauptmann Schneider so he vented his Prussian spleen upon the askaris nearest at hand, yet with greater circumspection since these men bore loaded rifles--and the three white men were alone with them in the heart of Africa.

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading His lieutenant marched beside him while Underlieutenant von Goss brought up the rear, following with a handful of askaris the tired and all but exhausted porters whom the black soldiers, following the example of their white officer, encouraged with the sharp points of bayonets and the metal-shod butts of rifles.

uncastrated adult male of domestic cattle

From this reading Sweat rolled down his bullet head and stood upon his heavy jowls and bull neck.

a projectile that is fired from a gun

From this reading Sweat rolled down his bullet head and stood upon his heavy jowls and bull neck.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading His lieutenant marched beside him while Underlieutenant von Goss brought up the rear, following with a handful of askaris the tired and all but exhausted porters whom the black soldiers, following the example of their white officer, encouraged with the sharp points of bayonets and the metal-shod butts of rifles.

plural of “butt” — thick end of the handle

From this reading His lieutenant marched beside him while Underlieutenant von Goss brought up the rear, following with a handful of askaris the tired and all but exhausted porters whom the black soldiers, following the example of their white officer, encouraged with the sharp points of bayonets and the metal-shod butts of rifles.

an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant

From this reading Ahead of the hauptmann marched half his company, behind him the other half--thus were the dangers of the savage jungle minimized for the German captain.

knowing how to avoid embarrassment or distress

From this reading There were no porters within reach of Hauptmann Schneider so he vented his Prussian spleen upon the askaris nearest at hand, yet with greater circumspection since these men bore loaded rifles--and the three white men were alone with them in the heart of Africa.

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading Ahead of the hauptmann marched half his company, behind him the other half--thus were the dangers of the savage jungle minimized for the German captain.

plural of “danger” — the condition of being susceptible to harm or injury

From this reading Ahead of the hauptmann marched half his company, behind him the other half--thus were the dangers of the savage jungle minimized for the German captain.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading Hauptmann Fritz Schneider trudged wearily through the somber aisles of the dark forest.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Sweat rolled down his bullet head and stood upon his heavy jowls and bull neck.

inspired with confidence

From this reading His lieutenant marched beside him while Underlieutenant von Goss brought up the rear, following with a handful of askaris the tired and all but exhausted porters whom the black soldiers, following the example of their white officer, encouraged with the sharp points of bayonets and the metal-shod butts of rifles.

an item of information that is typical of a class or group

From this reading His lieutenant marched beside him while Underlieutenant von Goss brought up the rear, following with a handful of askaris the tired and all but exhausted porters whom the black soldiers, following the example of their white officer, encouraged with the sharp points of bayonets and the metal-shod butts of rifles.

drained of energy or effectiveness; extremely tired; completely exhausted

From this reading His lieutenant marched beside him while Underlieutenant von Goss brought up the rear, following with a handful of askaris the tired and all but exhausted porters whom the black soldiers, following the example of their white officer, encouraged with the sharp points of bayonets and the metal-shod butts of rifles.

about to be mentioned or specified

From this reading His lieutenant marched beside him while Underlieutenant von Goss brought up the rear, following with a handful of askaris the tired and all but exhausted porters whom the black soldiers, following the example of their white officer, encouraged with the sharp points of bayonets and the metal-shod butts of rifles.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Ahead of the hauptmann marched half his company, behind him the other half--thus were the dangers of the savage jungle minimized for the German captain.

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading Hauptmann Fritz Schneider trudged wearily through the somber aisles of the dark forest.

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

From this reading Hauptmann Fritz Schneider trudged wearily through the somber aisles of the dark forest.

a person of German nationality

From this reading Ahead of the hauptmann marched half his company, behind him the other half--thus were the dangers of the savage jungle minimized for the German captain.

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

From this reading His lieutenant marched beside him while Underlieutenant von Goss brought up the rear, following with a handful of askaris the tired and all but exhausted porters whom the black soldiers, following the example of their white officer, encouraged with the sharp points of bayonets and the metal-shod butts of rifles.

greater in size or importance or degree

From this reading There were no porters within reach of Hauptmann Schneider so he vented his Prussian spleen upon the askaris nearest at hand, yet with greater circumspection since these men bore loaded rifles--and the three white men were alone with them in the heart of Africa.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading Ahead of the hauptmann marched half his company, behind him the other half--thus were the dangers of the savage jungle minimized for the German captain.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading There were no porters within reach of Hauptmann Schneider so he vented his Prussian spleen upon the askaris nearest at hand, yet with greater circumspection since these men bore loaded rifles--and the three white men were alone with them in the heart of Africa.

a small number or amount

From this reading His lieutenant marched beside him while Underlieutenant von Goss brought up the rear, following with a handful of askaris the tired and all but exhausted porters whom the black soldiers, following the example of their white officer, encouraged with the sharp points of bayonets and the metal-shod butts of rifles.

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

From this reading Hauptmann Fritz Schneider trudged wearily through the somber aisles of the dark forest.

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

From this reading There were no porters within reach of Hauptmann Schneider so he vented his Prussian spleen upon the askaris nearest at hand, yet with greater circumspection since these men bore loaded rifles--and the three white men were alone with them in the heart of Africa.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading Sweat rolled down his bullet head and stood upon his heavy jowls and bull neck.

the locus of feelings and intuitions

From this reading There were no porters within reach of Hauptmann Schneider so he vented his Prussian spleen upon the askaris nearest at hand, yet with greater circumspection since these men bore loaded rifles--and the three white men were alone with them in the heart of Africa.

of comparatively great physical weight or density

From this reading Sweat rolled down his bullet head and stood upon his heavy jowls and bull neck.

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

From this reading His lieutenant marched beside him while Underlieutenant von Goss brought up the rear, following with a handful of askaris the tired and all but exhausted porters whom the black soldiers, following the example of their white officer, encouraged with the sharp points of bayonets and the metal-shod butts of rifles.

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

From this reading Sweat rolled down his bullet head and stood upon his heavy jowls and bull neck.

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

From this reading There were no porters within reach of Hauptmann Schneider so he vented his Prussian spleen upon the askaris nearest at hand, yet with greater circumspection since these men bore loaded rifles--and the three white men were alone with them in the heart of Africa.

plural of “jowl” — the jaw in vertebrates that is hinged to open the mouth

From this reading Sweat rolled down his bullet head and stood upon his heavy jowls and bull neck.

a location marked by an intense competition and struggle for survival

From this reading Ahead of the hauptmann marched half his company, behind him the other half--thus were the dangers of the savage jungle minimized for the German captain.

a commissioned military officer

From this reading His lieutenant marched beside him while Underlieutenant von Goss brought up the rear, following with a handful of askaris the tired and all but exhausted porters whom the black soldiers, following the example of their white officer, encouraged with the sharp points of bayonets and the metal-shod butts of rifles.

filled with a great quantity

From this reading There were no porters within reach of Hauptmann Schneider so he vented his Prussian spleen upon the askaris nearest at hand, yet with greater circumspection since these men bore loaded rifles--and the three white men were alone with them in the heart of Africa.

past form of “march” — march in a procession

From this reading His lieutenant marched beside him while Underlieutenant von Goss brought up the rear, following with a handful of askaris the tired and all but exhausted porters whom the black soldiers, following the example of their white officer, encouraged with the sharp points of bayonets and the metal-shod butts of rifles.

the force of workers available

From this reading There were no porters within reach of Hauptmann Schneider so he vented his Prussian spleen upon the askaris nearest at hand, yet with greater circumspection since these men bore loaded rifles--and the three white men were alone with them in the heart of Africa.

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

From this reading His lieutenant marched beside him while Underlieutenant von Goss brought up the rear, following with a handful of askaris the tired and all but exhausted porters whom the black soldiers, following the example of their white officer, encouraged with the sharp points of bayonets and the metal-shod butts of rifles.

reduced to the smallest possible size or amount or degree

From this reading Ahead of the hauptmann marched half his company, behind him the other half--thus were the dangers of the savage jungle minimized for the German captain.

(superlative of “near” or “close”) within the shortest distance

From this reading There were no porters within reach of Hauptmann Schneider so he vented his Prussian spleen upon the askaris nearest at hand, yet with greater circumspection since these men bore loaded rifles--and the three white men were alone with them in the heart of Africa.

the part of an organism (human or animal) that connects the head to the rest of the body

From this reading Sweat rolled down his bullet head and stood upon his heavy jowls and bull neck.

not any; not one

From this reading There were no porters within reach of Hauptmann Schneider so he vented his Prussian spleen upon the askaris nearest at hand, yet with greater circumspection since these men bore loaded rifles--and the three white men were alone with them in the heart of Africa.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Hauptmann Fritz Schneider trudged wearily through the somber aisles of the dark forest.

any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command

From this reading His lieutenant marched beside him while Underlieutenant von Goss brought up the rear, following with a handful of askaris the tired and all but exhausted porters whom the black soldiers, following the example of their white officer, encouraged with the sharp points of bayonets and the metal-shod butts of rifles.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Ahead of the hauptmann marched half his company, behind him the other half--thus were the dangers of the savage jungle minimized for the German captain.

plural of “point” — a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading His lieutenant marched beside him while Underlieutenant von Goss brought up the rear, following with a handful of askaris the tired and all but exhausted porters whom the black soldiers, following the example of their white officer, encouraged with the sharp points of bayonets and the metal-shod butts of rifles.

plural of “porter” — a person employed to carry luggage and supplies

From this reading His lieutenant marched beside him while Underlieutenant von Goss brought up the rear, following with a handful of askaris the tired and all but exhausted porters whom the black soldiers, following the example of their white officer, encouraged with the sharp points of bayonets and the metal-shod butts of rifles.

a German inhabitant of Prussia

From this reading There were no porters within reach of Hauptmann Schneider so he vented his Prussian spleen upon the askaris nearest at hand, yet with greater circumspection since these men bore loaded rifles--and the three white men were alone with them in the heart of Africa.

reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading There were no porters within reach of Hauptmann Schneider so he vented his Prussian spleen upon the askaris nearest at hand, yet with greater circumspection since these men bore loaded rifles--and the three white men were alone with them in the heart of Africa.

the back of a military formation or procession

From this reading His lieutenant marched beside him while Underlieutenant von Goss brought up the rear, following with a handful of askaris the tired and all but exhausted porters whom the black soldiers, following the example of their white officer, encouraged with the sharp points of bayonets and the metal-shod butts of rifles.

plural of “rifle” — a shoulder firearm with a long barrel and a rifled bore

From this reading His lieutenant marched beside him while Underlieutenant von Goss brought up the rear, following with a handful of askaris the tired and all but exhausted porters whom the black soldiers, following the example of their white officer, encouraged with the sharp points of bayonets and the metal-shod butts of rifles.

especially of petals or leaves in bud; having margins rolled inward

From this reading Sweat rolled down his bullet head and stood upon his heavy jowls and bull neck.

(of persons or their actions) able or disposed to inflict pain or suffering

From this reading Ahead of the hauptmann marched half his company, behind him the other half--thus were the dangers of the savage jungle minimized for the German captain.

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

From this reading Hauptmann Fritz Schneider trudged wearily through the somber aisles of the dark forest.

(of something seen or heard) clearly defined

From this reading His lieutenant marched beside him while Underlieutenant von Goss brought up the rear, following with a handful of askaris the tired and all but exhausted porters whom the black soldiers, following the example of their white officer, encouraged with the sharp points of bayonets and the metal-shod butts of rifles.

from a time in the past until now

From this reading There were no porters within reach of Hauptmann Schneider so he vented his Prussian spleen upon the askaris nearest at hand, yet with greater circumspection since these men bore loaded rifles--and the three white men were alone with them in the heart of Africa.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading There were no porters within reach of Hauptmann Schneider so he vented his Prussian spleen upon the askaris nearest at hand, yet with greater circumspection since these men bore loaded rifles--and the three white men were alone with them in the heart of Africa.

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

From this reading His lieutenant marched beside him while Underlieutenant von Goss brought up the rear, following with a handful of askaris the tired and all but exhausted porters whom the black soldiers, following the example of their white officer, encouraged with the sharp points of bayonets and the metal-shod butts of rifles.

lacking brightness or color; dull

From this reading Hauptmann Fritz Schneider trudged wearily through the somber aisles of the dark forest.

a large dark-red oval organ on the left side of the body between the stomach and the diaphragm; produces cells involved in immune responses

From this reading There were no porters within reach of Hauptmann Schneider so he vented his Prussian spleen upon the askaris nearest at hand, yet with greater circumspection since these men bore loaded rifles--and the three white men were alone with them in the heart of Africa.

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading Sweat rolled down his bullet head and stood upon his heavy jowls and bull neck.

salty fluid secreted by sweat glands

From this reading Sweat rolled down his bullet head and stood upon his heavy jowls and bull neck.

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

From this reading Hauptmann Fritz Schneider trudged wearily through the somber aisles of the dark forest.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading His lieutenant marched beside him while Underlieutenant von Goss brought up the rear, following with a handful of askaris the tired and all but exhausted porters whom the black soldiers, following the example of their white officer, encouraged with the sharp points of bayonets and the metal-shod butts of rifles.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading There were no porters within reach of Hauptmann Schneider so he vented his Prussian spleen upon the askaris nearest at hand, yet with greater circumspection since these men bore loaded rifles--and the three white men were alone with them in the heart of Africa.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There were no porters within reach of Hauptmann Schneider so he vented his Prussian spleen upon the askaris nearest at hand, yet with greater circumspection since these men bore loaded rifles--and the three white men were alone with them in the heart of Africa.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading There were no porters within reach of Hauptmann Schneider so he vented his Prussian spleen upon the askaris nearest at hand, yet with greater circumspection since these men bore loaded rifles--and the three white men were alone with them in the heart of Africa.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading There were no porters within reach of Hauptmann Schneider so he vented his Prussian spleen upon the askaris nearest at hand, yet with greater circumspection since these men bore loaded rifles--and the three white men were alone with them in the heart of Africa.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading Hauptmann Fritz Schneider trudged wearily through the somber aisles of the dark forest.

(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result

From this reading Ahead of the hauptmann marched half his company, behind him the other half--thus were the dangers of the savage jungle minimized for the German captain.

depleted of strength or energy

From this reading His lieutenant marched beside him while Underlieutenant von Goss brought up the rear, following with a handful of askaris the tired and all but exhausted porters whom the black soldiers, following the example of their white officer, encouraged with the sharp points of bayonets and the metal-shod butts of rifles.

past form of “trudge” — walk heavily and firmly, as when weary, or through mud

From this reading Hauptmann Fritz Schneider trudged wearily through the somber aisles of the dark forest.

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

From this reading His lieutenant marched beside him while Underlieutenant von Goss brought up the rear, following with a handful of askaris the tired and all but exhausted porters whom the black soldiers, following the example of their white officer, encouraged with the sharp points of bayonets and the metal-shod butts of rifles.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading His lieutenant marched beside him while Underlieutenant von Goss brought up the rear, following with a handful of askaris the tired and all but exhausted porters whom the black soldiers, following the example of their white officer, encouraged with the sharp points of bayonets and the metal-shod butts of rifles.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Sweat rolled down his bullet head and stood upon his heavy jowls and bull neck.

supplied with a vent or vents for intake of air or discharge of gases

From this reading There were no porters within reach of Hauptmann Schneider so he vented his Prussian spleen upon the askaris nearest at hand, yet with greater circumspection since these men bore loaded rifles--and the three white men were alone with them in the heart of Africa.

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

From this reading His lieutenant marched beside him while Underlieutenant von Goss brought up the rear, following with a handful of askaris the tired and all but exhausted porters whom the black soldiers, following the example of their white officer, encouraged with the sharp points of bayonets and the metal-shod butts of rifles.

in a weary manner

From this reading Hauptmann Fritz Schneider trudged wearily through the somber aisles of the dark forest.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading There were no porters within reach of Hauptmann Schneider so he vented his Prussian spleen upon the askaris nearest at hand, yet with greater circumspection since these men bore loaded rifles--and the three white men were alone with them in the heart of Africa.

during the time that

From this reading His lieutenant marched beside him while Underlieutenant von Goss brought up the rear, following with a handful of askaris the tired and all but exhausted porters whom the black soldiers, following the example of their white officer, encouraged with the sharp points of bayonets and the metal-shod butts of rifles.

a Caucasian

From this reading His lieutenant marched beside him while Underlieutenant von Goss brought up the rear, following with a handful of askaris the tired and all but exhausted porters whom the black soldiers, following the example of their white officer, encouraged with the sharp points of bayonets and the metal-shod butts of rifles.

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading His lieutenant marched beside him while Underlieutenant von Goss brought up the rear, following with a handful of askaris the tired and all but exhausted porters whom the black soldiers, following the example of their white officer, encouraged with the sharp points of bayonets and the metal-shod butts of rifles.

in the company of; together with

From this reading His lieutenant marched beside him while Underlieutenant von Goss brought up the rear, following with a handful of askaris the tired and all but exhausted porters whom the black soldiers, following the example of their white officer, encouraged with the sharp points of bayonets and the metal-shod butts of rifles.

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading There were no porters within reach of Hauptmann Schneider so he vented his Prussian spleen upon the askaris nearest at hand, yet with greater circumspection since these men bore loaded rifles--and the three white men were alone with them in the heart of Africa.

but in spite of that

From this reading There were no porters within reach of Hauptmann Schneider so he vented his Prussian spleen upon the askaris nearest at hand, yet with greater circumspection since these men bore loaded rifles--and the three white men were alone with them in the heart of Africa.