AdeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A report, or it would be better to say a rumor, had come to the British headquarters in German East Africa that the enemy had landed in force on the west coast and was marching across the dark continent to reinforce their colonial troops.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading A report, or it would be better to say a rumor, had come to the British headquarters in German East Africa that the enemy had landed in force on the west coast and was marching across the dark continent to reinforce their colonial troops.
activitynounUS /ækˈtɪvəti/
any specific behavior
From this reading Of course the thing was ridiculous--preposterous--but preposterous things often happen in war; and anyway no good general permits the least rumor of enemy activity to go uninvestigated.
AfricanounUS /ˈæfrəkɑː/
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 A report, or it would be better to say a rumor, had come to the British headquarters in German East Africa that the enemy had landed in force on the west coast and was marching across the dark continent to reinforce their colonial troops.
AirnounUS /er/
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading Dropped from the Sky Lieutenant Harold Percy Smith-Oldwick, Royal Air Service, was on reconnaissance.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A report, or it would be better to say a rumor, had come to the British headquarters in German East Africa that the enemy had landed in force on the west coast and was marching across the dark continent to reinforce their colonial troops.
anywayadverbUS /ˈeniweɪ/
used to indicate that a statement explains or supports a previous statement
From this reading Of course the thing was ridiculous--preposterous--but preposterous things often happen in war; and anyway no good general permits the least rumor of enemy activity to go uninvestigated.
armynounUS /ˈɑːrmi/
a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state
From this reading In fact the new army was supposed to be no more than ten or twelve days' march to the west.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading A report, or it would be better to say a rumor, had come to the British headquarters in German East Africa that the enemy had landed in force on the west coast and was marching across the dark continent to reinforce their colonial troops.
betteradjectiveUS /ˈbetər/
(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 A report, or it would be better to say a rumor, had come to the British headquarters in German East Africa that the enemy had landed in force on the west coast and was marching across the dark continent to reinforce their colonial troops.
BritishnounUS /ˈbrɪtɪʃ/
the people of Great Britain
From this reading A report, or it would be better to say a rumor, had come to the British headquarters in German East Africa that the enemy had landed in force on the west coast and was marching across the dark continent to reinforce their colonial troops.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Of course the thing was ridiculous--preposterous--but preposterous things often happen in war; and anyway no good general permits the least rumor of enemy activity to go uninvestigated.
coastnounUS /koʊst/
the shore of a sea or ocean
From this reading A report, or it would be better to say a rumor, had come to the British headquarters in German East Africa that the enemy had landed in force on the west coast and was marching across the dark continent to reinforce their colonial troops.
colonialadjectiveUS /kəˈloʊniəl/
of or relating to or characteristic of or inhabiting a colony
From this reading A report, or it would be better to say a rumor, had come to the British headquarters in German East Africa that the enemy had landed in force on the west coast and was marching across the dark continent to reinforce their colonial troops.
comeverbUS /kʌm/
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading A report, or it would be better to say a rumor, had come to the British headquarters in German East Africa that the enemy had landed in force on the west coast and was marching across the dark continent to reinforce their colonial troops.
continentnounUS /ˈkɑːntənənt/
one of the large landmasses of the earth
From this reading A report, or it would be better to say a rumor, had come to the British headquarters in German East Africa that the enemy had landed in force on the west coast and was marching across the dark continent to reinforce their colonial troops.
coursenounUS /kɔːrs/
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading Of course the thing was ridiculous--preposterous--but preposterous things often happen in war; and anyway no good general permits the least rumor of enemy activity to go uninvestigated.
darknounUS /dɑːrk/
absence of light or illumination
From this reading A report, or it would be better to say a rumor, had come to the British headquarters in German East Africa that the enemy had landed in force on the west coast and was marching across the dark continent to reinforce their colonial troops.
daysnounUS /deɪz/
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading In fact the new army was supposed to be no more than ten or twelve days' march to the west.
DroppedverbUS /drɑːpt/
inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground
From this reading Dropped from the Sky Lieutenant Harold Percy Smith-Oldwick, Royal Air Service, was on reconnaissance.
EastnounUS /iːst/
the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees
From this reading A report, or it would be better to say a rumor, had come to the British headquarters in German East Africa that the enemy had landed in force on the west coast and was marching across the dark continent to reinforce their colonial troops.
enemynounUS /ˈenəmi/
an opposing military force
From this reading A report, or it would be better to say a rumor, had come to the British headquarters in German East Africa that the enemy had landed in force on the west coast and was marching across the dark continent to reinforce their colonial troops.
eyesnounUS /aɪz/
opinion or judgment
From this reading Therefore Lieutenant Harold Percy Smith-Oldwick flew low toward the west, searching with keen eyes for signs of a Hun army.
factnounUS /fækt/
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
From this reading In fact the new army was supposed to be no more than ten or twelve days' march to the west.
flewverbUS /fluː/
inflected form of “fly” — travel through the air; be airborne
From this reading Therefore Lieutenant Harold Percy Smith-Oldwick flew low toward the west, searching with keen eyes for signs of a Hun army.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Therefore Lieutenant Harold Percy Smith-Oldwick flew low toward the west, searching with keen eyes for signs of a Hun army.
forcenounUS /fɔːrs/
a powerful effect or influence
From this reading A report, or it would be better to say a rumor, had come to the British headquarters in German East Africa that the enemy had landed in force on the west coast and was marching across the dark continent to reinforce their colonial troops.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Dropped from the Sky Lieutenant Harold Percy Smith-Oldwick, Royal Air Service, was on reconnaissance.
generaladjectiveUS /ˈdʒenərəl/
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading Of course the thing was ridiculous--preposterous--but preposterous things often happen in war; and anyway no good general permits the least rumor of enemy activity to go uninvestigated.
GermannounUS /ˈdʒɜːrmən/
a person of German nationality
From this reading A report, or it would be better to say a rumor, had come to the British headquarters in German East Africa that the enemy had landed in force on the west coast and was marching across the dark continent to reinforce their colonial troops.
goverbUS /ɡoʊ/
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Of course the thing was ridiculous--preposterous--but preposterous things often happen in war; and anyway no good general permits the least rumor of enemy activity to go uninvestigated.
goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading Of course the thing was ridiculous--preposterous--but preposterous things often happen in war; and anyway no good general permits the least rumor of enemy activity to go uninvestigated.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A report, or it would be better to say a rumor, had come to the British headquarters in German East Africa that the enemy had landed in force on the west coast and was marching across the dark continent to reinforce their colonial troops.
happenverbUS /ˈhæpən/
come to pass
From this reading Of course the thing was ridiculous--preposterous--but preposterous things often happen in war; and anyway no good general permits the least rumor of enemy activity to go uninvestigated.
Harold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dropped from the Sky Lieutenant Harold Percy Smith-Oldwick, Royal Air Service, was on reconnaissance.
headquartersnounUS /ˈhedkwɔːrtərz/
(usually plural) the office that serves as the administrative center of an enterprise
From this reading A report, or it would be better to say a rumor, had come to the British headquarters in German East Africa that the enemy had landed in force on the west coast and was marching across the dark continent to reinforce their colonial troops.
HunnounUS /hʌn/
a member of a nomadic people who invaded Europe in the 4th century
From this reading Therefore Lieutenant Harold Percy Smith-Oldwick flew low toward the west, searching with keen eyes for signs of a Hun army.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A report, or it would be better to say a rumor, had come to the British headquarters in German East Africa that the enemy had landed in force on the west coast and was marching across the dark continent to reinforce their colonial troops.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A report, or it would be better to say a rumor, had come to the British headquarters in German East Africa that the enemy had landed in force on the west coast and was marching across the dark continent to reinforce their colonial troops.
keenadjectiveUS /kiːn/
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading Therefore Lieutenant Harold Percy Smith-Oldwick flew low toward the west, searching with keen eyes for signs of a Hun army.
landedadjectiveUS /ˈlændəd/
owning or consisting of land or real estate
From this reading A report, or it would be better to say a rumor, had come to the British headquarters in German East Africa that the enemy had landed in force on the west coast and was marching across the dark continent to reinforce their colonial troops.
leastadjectiveUS /liːst/
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading Of course the thing was ridiculous--preposterous--but preposterous things often happen in war; and anyway no good general permits the least rumor of enemy activity to go uninvestigated.
LieutenantnounUS /luːˈtenənt/
a commissioned military officer
From this reading Dropped from the Sky Lieutenant Harold Percy Smith-Oldwick, Royal Air Service, was on reconnaissance.
lowadjectiveUS /loʊ/
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading Therefore Lieutenant Harold Percy Smith-Oldwick flew low toward the west, searching with keen eyes for signs of a Hun army.
marchverbUS /mɑːrtʃ/
march in a procession
From this reading In fact the new army was supposed to be no more than ten or twelve days' march to the west.
marchingnounUS /ˈmɑːrtʃɪŋ/
the act of marching; walking with regular steps (especially in a procession of some kind)
From this reading A report, or it would be better to say a rumor, had come to the British headquarters in German East Africa that the enemy had landed in force on the west coast and was marching across the dark continent to reinforce their colonial troops.
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading In fact the new army was supposed to be no more than ten or twelve days' march to the west.
newadjectiveUS /nuː/
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading In fact the new army was supposed to be no more than ten or twelve days' march to the west.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading In fact the new army was supposed to be no more than ten or twelve days' march to the west.
OfprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Of course the thing was ridiculous--preposterous--but preposterous things often happen in war; and anyway no good general permits the least rumor of enemy activity to go uninvestigated.
oftenadverbUS /ˈɔːfən/
many times at short intervals
From this reading Of course the thing was ridiculous--preposterous--but preposterous things often happen in war; and anyway no good general permits the least rumor of enemy activity to go uninvestigated.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Dropped from the Sky Lieutenant Harold Percy Smith-Oldwick, Royal Air Service, was on reconnaissance.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading A report, or it would be better to say a rumor, had come to the British headquarters in German East Africa that the enemy had landed in force on the west coast and was marching across the dark continent to reinforce their colonial troops.
PercynounUS /ˈpɜːrsi/
United States writer whose novels explored human alienation (1916-1990)
From this reading Dropped from the Sky Lieutenant Harold Percy Smith-Oldwick, Royal Air Service, was on reconnaissance.
permitsnounUS /pərˈmɪts/
plural of “permit” — a legal document giving official permission to do something
From this reading Of course the thing was ridiculous--preposterous--but preposterous things often happen in war; and anyway no good general permits the least rumor of enemy activity to go uninvestigated.
preposterousadjectiveUS /prɪˈpɑːstərəs/
so unreasonable as to invite derision
From this reading Of course the thing was ridiculous--preposterous--but preposterous things often happen in war; and anyway no good general permits the least rumor of enemy activity to go uninvestigated.
reconnaissancenounUS /riˈkɑːnəsəns/
the act of reconnoitring (especially to gain information about an enemy or potential enemy)
From this reading Dropped from the Sky Lieutenant Harold Percy Smith-Oldwick, Royal Air Service, was on reconnaissance.
reinforceverbUS /ˌriːɪnˈfɔːrs/
make stronger
From this reading A report, or it would be better to say a rumor, had come to the British headquarters in German East Africa that the enemy had landed in force on the west coast and was marching across the dark continent to reinforce their colonial troops.
reportverbUS /riˈpɔːrt/
to give an account or representation of in words
From this reading A report, or it would be better to say a rumor, had come to the British headquarters in German East Africa that the enemy had landed in force on the west coast and was marching across the dark continent to reinforce their colonial troops.
ridiculousadjectiveUS /rɪˈdɪkjələs/
inspiring scornful pity
From this reading Of course the thing was ridiculous--preposterous--but preposterous things often happen in war; and anyway no good general permits the least rumor of enemy activity to go uninvestigated.
RoyaladjectiveUS /ˈrɔɪəl/
of or relating to or indicative of or issued or performed by a king or queen or other monarch
From this reading Dropped from the Sky Lieutenant Harold Percy Smith-Oldwick, Royal Air Service, was on reconnaissance.
rumornounUS /ˈruːmər/
gossip (usually a mixture of truth and untruth) passed around by word of mouth
From this reading A report, or it would be better to say a rumor, had come to the British headquarters in German East Africa that the enemy had landed in force on the west coast and was marching across the dark continent to reinforce their colonial troops.
sayverbUS /seɪ/
express in words
From this reading A report, or it would be better to say a rumor, had come to the British headquarters in German East Africa that the enemy had landed in force on the west coast and was marching across the dark continent to reinforce their colonial troops.
searchingadjectiveUS /ˈsɜːrtʃɪŋ/
diligent and thorough in inquiry or investigation
From this reading Therefore Lieutenant Harold Percy Smith-Oldwick flew low toward the west, searching with keen eyes for signs of a Hun army.
ServicenounUS /ˈsɜːrvəs/
work done by one person or group that benefits another
From this reading Dropped from the Sky Lieutenant Harold Percy Smith-Oldwick, Royal Air Service, was on reconnaissance.
signsnounUS /saɪnz/
plural of “sign” — a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading Therefore Lieutenant Harold Percy Smith-Oldwick flew low toward the west, searching with keen eyes for signs of a Hun army.
SkynounUS /skaɪ/
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading Dropped from the Sky Lieutenant Harold Percy Smith-Oldwick, Royal Air Service, was on reconnaissance.
Smith-Oldwick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dropped from the Sky Lieutenant Harold Percy Smith-Oldwick, Royal Air Service, was on reconnaissance.
supposedadjectiveUS /səˈpoʊzd/
required or under orders
From this reading In fact the new army was supposed to be no more than ten or twelve days' march to the west.
tennounUS /ten/
the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system
From this reading In fact the new army was supposed to be no more than ten or twelve days' march to the west.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading In fact the new army was supposed to be no more than ten or twelve days' march to the west.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A report, or it would be better to say a rumor, had come to the British headquarters in German East Africa that the enemy had landed in force on the west coast and was marching across the dark continent to reinforce their colonial troops.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Dropped from the Sky Lieutenant Harold Percy Smith-Oldwick, Royal Air Service, was on reconnaissance.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading A report, or it would be better to say a rumor, had come to the British headquarters in German East Africa that the enemy had landed in force on the west coast and was marching across the dark continent to reinforce their colonial troops.
ThereforeadverbUS /ˈðerfɔːr/
for that reason; as a result
From this reading Therefore Lieutenant Harold Percy Smith-Oldwick flew low toward the west, searching with keen eyes for signs of a Hun army.
thingnounUS /θɪŋ/
a special situation
From this reading Of course the thing was ridiculous--preposterous--but preposterous things often happen in war; and anyway no good general permits the least rumor of enemy activity to go uninvestigated.
thingsnounUS /θɪŋz/
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading Of course the thing was ridiculous--preposterous--but preposterous things often happen in war; and anyway no good general permits the least rumor of enemy activity to go uninvestigated.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A report, or it would be better to say a rumor, had come to the British headquarters in German East Africa that the enemy had landed in force on the west coast and was marching across the dark continent to reinforce their colonial troops.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading Therefore Lieutenant Harold Percy Smith-Oldwick flew low toward the west, searching with keen eyes for signs of a Hun army.
troopsnounUS /truːps/
soldiers collectively
From this reading A report, or it would be better to say a rumor, had come to the British headquarters in German East Africa that the enemy had landed in force on the west coast and was marching across the dark continent to reinforce their colonial troops.
twelvenounUS /twelv/
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading In fact the new army was supposed to be no more than ten or twelve days' march to the west.
uninvestigated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course the thing was ridiculous--preposterous--but preposterous things often happen in war; and anyway no good general permits the least rumor of enemy activity to go uninvestigated.
warnounUS /wɔːr/
the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
From this reading Of course the thing was ridiculous--preposterous--but preposterous things often happen in war; and anyway no good general permits the least rumor of enemy activity to go uninvestigated.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Dropped from the Sky Lieutenant Harold Percy Smith-Oldwick, Royal Air Service, was on reconnaissance.
westnounUS /west/
the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
From this reading A report, or it would be better to say a rumor, had come to the British headquarters in German East Africa that the enemy had landed in force on the west coast and was marching across the dark continent to reinforce their colonial troops.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Therefore Lieutenant Harold Percy Smith-Oldwick flew low toward the west, searching with keen eyes for signs of a Hun army.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading A report, or it would be better to say a rumor, had come to the British headquarters in German East Africa that the enemy had landed in force on the west coast and was marching across the dark continent to reinforce their colonial troops.
