used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading At the far end of the yard, clothed in his canvas trousers and dirty blouse, stood Private Bonmont, with his comrades, Privates Cocot and Briqueballe, peeling potatoes in front of a cauldron full of water.
account-books
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Important-looking pay-sergeants continually passed by with account-books of all sizes under their arms.
(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 Important-looking pay-sergeants continually passed by with account-books of all sizes under their arms.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In the clear light of early morning the quarters were full of the passing to and fro of the men on duty, sweeping the cobbles, or grooming down the horses.
weapons considered collectively
From this reading Important-looking pay-sergeants continually passed by with account-books of all sizes under their arms.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At the far end of the yard, clothed in his canvas trousers and dirty blouse, stood Private Bonmont, with his comrades, Privates Cocot and Briqueballe, peeling potatoes in front of a cauldron full of water.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The most characteristic feature of these men who had been taught to march was their step, a heavy, laboured step, crushing and sonorous.
blousenounUS /blaʊs/
a top worn by women
From this reading At the far end of the yard, clothed in his canvas trousers and dirty blouse, stood Private Bonmont, with his comrades, Privates Cocot and Briqueballe, peeling potatoes in front of a cauldron full of water.
Bonmont
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the far end of the yard, clothed in his canvas trousers and dirty blouse, stood Private Bonmont, with his comrades, Privates Cocot and Briqueballe, peeling potatoes in front of a cauldron full of water.
Briqueballe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the far end of the yard, clothed in his canvas trousers and dirty blouse, stood Private Bonmont, with his comrades, Privates Cocot and Briqueballe, peeling potatoes in front of a cauldron full of water.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Important-looking pay-sergeants continually passed by with account-books of all sizes under their arms.
canvasnounUS /ˈkænvəs/
a heavy, closely woven fabric (used for clothing or chairs or sails or tents)
From this reading At the far end of the yard, clothed in his canvas trousers and dirty blouse, stood Private Bonmont, with his comrades, Privates Cocot and Briqueballe, peeling potatoes in front of a cauldron full of water.
cauldronnounUS /ˈkɑːldrən/
a very large pot that is used for boiling
From this reading At the far end of the yard, clothed in his canvas trousers and dirty blouse, stood Private Bonmont, with his comrades, Privates Cocot and Briqueballe, peeling potatoes in front of a cauldron full of water.
characteristicnounUS /ˌkerəktərˈɪstɪk/
a prominent attribute or aspect of something
From this reading The most characteristic feature of these men who had been taught to march was their step, a heavy, laboured step, crushing and sonorous.
rid of obstructions
From this reading In the clear light of early morning the quarters were full of the passing to and fro of the men on duty, sweeping the cobbles, or grooming down the horses.
clothedadjectiveUS /kloʊðd/
wearing or provided with clothing; sometimes used in combination
From this reading At the far end of the yard, clothed in his canvas trousers and dirty blouse, stood Private Bonmont, with his comrades, Privates Cocot and Briqueballe, peeling potatoes in front of a cauldron full of water.
cobbles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the clear light of early morning the quarters were full of the passing to and fro of the men on duty, sweeping the cobbles, or grooming down the horses.
Cocot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the far end of the yard, clothed in his canvas trousers and dirty blouse, stood Private Bonmont, with his comrades, Privates Cocot and Briqueballe, peeling potatoes in front of a cauldron full of water.
plural of “comrade” — a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading At the far end of the yard, clothed in his canvas trousers and dirty blouse, stood Private Bonmont, with his comrades, Privates Cocot and Briqueballe, peeling potatoes in front of a cauldron full of water.
direct the course of; manage or control
From this reading Now and then a squad, under the conduct of a non-commissioned officer, rushed down the stairs like a torrent, scattering on its way the invincible gaiety of the young.
continuallyadverbUS /kənˈtɪnjuːəli/
seemingly without interruption
From this reading Important-looking pay-sergeants continually passed by with account-books of all sizes under their arms.
crushingadjectiveUS /ˈkrʌʃɪŋ/
physically or spiritually devastating; often used in combination
From this reading The most characteristic feature of these men who had been taught to march was their step, a heavy, laboured step, crushing and sonorous.
dirtyadjectiveUS /ˈdɜːrti/
soiled or likely to soil with dirt or grime
From this reading At the far end of the yard, clothed in his canvas trousers and dirty blouse, stood Private Bonmont, with his comrades, Privates Cocot and Briqueballe, peeling potatoes in front of a cauldron full of water.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading In the clear light of early morning the quarters were full of the passing to and fro of the men on duty, sweeping the cobbles, or grooming down the horses.
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading In the clear light of early morning the quarters were full of the passing to and fro of the men on duty, sweeping the cobbles, or grooming down the horses.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading In the clear light of early morning the quarters were full of the passing to and fro of the men on duty, sweeping the cobbles, or grooming down the horses.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading At the far end of the yard, clothed in his canvas trousers and dirty blouse, stood Private Bonmont, with his comrades, Privates Cocot and Briqueballe, peeling potatoes in front of a cauldron full of water.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading At the far end of the yard, clothed in his canvas trousers and dirty blouse, stood Private Bonmont, with his comrades, Privates Cocot and Briqueballe, peeling potatoes in front of a cauldron full of water.
featurenounUS /ˈfiːtʃər/
a prominent attribute or aspect of something
From this reading The most characteristic feature of these men who had been taught to march was their step, a heavy, laboured step, crushing and sonorous.
fro
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the clear light of early morning the quarters were full of the passing to and fro of the men on duty, sweeping the cobbles, or grooming down the horses.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading At the far end of the yard, clothed in his canvas trousers and dirty blouse, stood Private Bonmont, with his comrades, Privates Cocot and Briqueballe, peeling potatoes in front of a cauldron full of water.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading In the clear light of early morning the quarters were full of the passing to and fro of the men on duty, sweeping the cobbles, or grooming down the horses.
gaietynoun
a gay feeling
From this reading Now and then a squad, under the conduct of a non-commissioned officer, rushed down the stairs like a torrent, scattering on its way the invincible gaiety of the young.
groomingnounUS /ˈɡruːmɪŋ/
activity leading to skilled behavior
From this reading In the clear light of early morning the quarters were full of the passing to and fro of the men on duty, sweeping the cobbles, or grooming down the horses.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The most characteristic feature of these men who had been taught to march was their step, a heavy, laboured step, crushing and sonorous.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading The most characteristic feature of these men who had been taught to march was their step, a heavy, laboured step, crushing and sonorous.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading At the far end of the yard, clothed in his canvas trousers and dirty blouse, stood Private Bonmont, with his comrades, Privates Cocot and Briqueballe, peeling potatoes in front of a cauldron full of water.
plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading In the clear light of early morning the quarters were full of the passing to and fro of the men on duty, sweeping the cobbles, or grooming down the horses.
Important-looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Important-looking pay-sergeants continually passed by with account-books of all sizes under their arms.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the clear light of early morning the quarters were full of the passing to and fro of the men on duty, sweeping the cobbles, or grooming down the horses.
invincibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈvɪnsəbəl/
incapable of being overcome or subdued
From this reading Now and then a squad, under the conduct of a non-commissioned officer, rushed down the stairs like a torrent, scattering on its way the invincible gaiety of the young.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Now and then a squad, under the conduct of a non-commissioned officer, rushed down the stairs like a torrent, scattering on its way the invincible gaiety of the young.
labouredadjective
lacking natural ease
From this reading The most characteristic feature of these men who had been taught to march was their step, a heavy, laboured step, crushing and sonorous.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading In the clear light of early morning the quarters were full of the passing to and fro of the men on duty, sweeping the cobbles, or grooming down the horses.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Now and then a squad, under the conduct of a non-commissioned officer, rushed down the stairs like a torrent, scattering on its way the invincible gaiety of the young.
march in a procession
From this reading The most characteristic feature of these men who had been taught to march was their step, a heavy, laboured step, crushing and sonorous.
the force of workers available
From this reading In the clear light of early morning the quarters were full of the passing to and fro of the men on duty, sweeping the cobbles, or grooming down the horses.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading In the clear light of early morning the quarters were full of the passing to and fro of the men on duty, sweeping the cobbles, or grooming down the horses.
used to form the superlative
From this reading The most characteristic feature of these men who had been taught to march was their step, a heavy, laboured step, crushing and sonorous.
non-commissioned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now and then a squad, under the conduct of a non-commissioned officer, rushed down the stairs like a torrent, scattering on its way the invincible gaiety of the young.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now and then a squad, under the conduct of a non-commissioned officer, rushed down the stairs like a torrent, scattering on its way the invincible gaiety of the young.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In the clear light of early morning the quarters were full of the passing to and fro of the men on duty, sweeping the cobbles, or grooming down the horses.
any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading Now and then a squad, under the conduct of a non-commissioned officer, rushed down the stairs like a torrent, scattering on its way the invincible gaiety of the young.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading In the clear light of early morning the quarters were full of the passing to and fro of the men on duty, sweeping the cobbles, or grooming down the horses.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading In the clear light of early morning the quarters were full of the passing to and fro of the men on duty, sweeping the cobbles, or grooming down the horses.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading Important-looking pay-sergeants continually passed by with account-books of all sizes under their arms.
(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate
From this reading In the clear light of early morning the quarters were full of the passing to and fro of the men on duty, sweeping the cobbles, or grooming down the horses.
pay-sergeants
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Important-looking pay-sergeants continually passed by with account-books of all sizes under their arms.
peelingnounUS /ˈpiːlɪŋ/
loss of bits of outer skin by peeling or shedding or coming off in scales
From this reading At the far end of the yard, clothed in his canvas trousers and dirty blouse, stood Private Bonmont, with his comrades, Privates Cocot and Briqueballe, peeling potatoes in front of a cauldron full of water.
potatoesnounUS /pəˈteɪtoʊz/
plural of “potato” — an edible tuber native to South America; a staple food of Ireland
From this reading At the far end of the yard, clothed in his canvas trousers and dirty blouse, stood Private Bonmont, with his comrades, Privates Cocot and Briqueballe, peeling potatoes in front of a cauldron full of water.
confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy
From this reading At the far end of the yard, clothed in his canvas trousers and dirty blouse, stood Private Bonmont, with his comrades, Privates Cocot and Briqueballe, peeling potatoes in front of a cauldron full of water.
PrivatesnounUS /ˈpraɪvəts/
external sex organ
From this reading At the far end of the yard, clothed in his canvas trousers and dirty blouse, stood Private Bonmont, with his comrades, Privates Cocot and Briqueballe, peeling potatoes in front of a cauldron full of water.
housing available for people to live in
From this reading In the clear light of early morning the quarters were full of the passing to and fro of the men on duty, sweeping the cobbles, or grooming down the horses.
done under pressure
From this reading Now and then a squad, under the conduct of a non-commissioned officer, rushed down the stairs like a torrent, scattering on its way the invincible gaiety of the young.
scatteringnounUS /ˈskætərɪŋ/
a small number (of something) dispersed haphazardly
From this reading Now and then a squad, under the conduct of a non-commissioned officer, rushed down the stairs like a torrent, scattering on its way the invincible gaiety of the young.
sizesnounUS /ˈsaɪzəz/
plural of “size” — the physical magnitude of something (how big it is)
From this reading Important-looking pay-sergeants continually passed by with account-books of all sizes under their arms.
sonorousadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːnərəs/
full and loud and deep
From this reading The most characteristic feature of these men who had been taught to march was their step, a heavy, laboured step, crushing and sonorous.
squadnounUS /skwɑːd/
a smallest army unit
From this reading Now and then a squad, under the conduct of a non-commissioned officer, rushed down the stairs like a torrent, scattering on its way the invincible gaiety of the young.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading Now and then a squad, under the conduct of a non-commissioned officer, rushed down the stairs like a torrent, scattering on its way the invincible gaiety of the young.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading The most characteristic feature of these men who had been taught to march was their step, a heavy, laboured step, crushing and sonorous.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading At the far end of the yard, clothed in his canvas trousers and dirty blouse, stood Private Bonmont, with his comrades, Privates Cocot and Briqueballe, peeling potatoes in front of a cauldron full of water.
sweepingadjectiveUS /ˈswiːpɪŋ/
taking in or moving over (or as if over) a wide area; often used in combination
From this reading In the clear light of early morning the quarters were full of the passing to and fro of the men on duty, sweeping the cobbles, or grooming down the horses.
inflected form of “teach” — impart skills or knowledge to
From this reading The most characteristic feature of these men who had been taught to march was their step, a heavy, laboured step, crushing and sonorous.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In the clear light of early morning the quarters were full of the passing to and fro of the men on duty, sweeping the cobbles, or grooming down the horses.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The most characteristic feature of these men who had been taught to march was their step, a heavy, laboured step, crushing and sonorous.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Now and then a squad, under the conduct of a non-commissioned officer, rushed down the stairs like a torrent, scattering on its way the invincible gaiety of the young.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading The most characteristic feature of these men who had been taught to march was their step, a heavy, laboured step, crushing and sonorous.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In the clear light of early morning the quarters were full of the passing to and fro of the men on duty, sweeping the cobbles, or grooming down the horses.
torrentnounUS /ˈtɔːrənt/
a heavy rain
From this reading Now and then a squad, under the conduct of a non-commissioned officer, rushed down the stairs like a torrent, scattering on its way the invincible gaiety of the young.
trousersnounUS /ˈtraʊzərz/
(usually in the plural) a garment extending from the waist to the knee or ankle, covering each leg separately
From this reading At the far end of the yard, clothed in his canvas trousers and dirty blouse, stood Private Bonmont, with his comrades, Privates Cocot and Briqueballe, peeling potatoes in front of a cauldron full of water.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Now and then a squad, under the conduct of a non-commissioned officer, rushed down the stairs like a torrent, scattering on its way the invincible gaiety of the young.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The most characteristic feature of these men who had been taught to march was their step, a heavy, laboured step, crushing and sonorous.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading At the far end of the yard, clothed in his canvas trousers and dirty blouse, stood Private Bonmont, with his comrades, Privates Cocot and Briqueballe, peeling potatoes in front of a cauldron full of water.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Now and then a squad, under the conduct of a non-commissioned officer, rushed down the stairs like a torrent, scattering on its way the invincible gaiety of the young.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading In the clear light of early morning the quarters were full of the passing to and fro of the men on duty, sweeping the cobbles, or grooming down the horses.
which person or people
From this reading The most characteristic feature of these men who had been taught to march was their step, a heavy, laboured step, crushing and sonorous.
in the company of; together with
From this reading At the far end of the yard, clothed in his canvas trousers and dirty blouse, stood Private Bonmont, with his comrades, Privates Cocot and Briqueballe, peeling potatoes in front of a cauldron full of water.
a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading At the far end of the yard, clothed in his canvas trousers and dirty blouse, stood Private Bonmont, with his comrades, Privates Cocot and Briqueballe, peeling potatoes in front of a cauldron full of water.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Now and then a squad, under the conduct of a non-commissioned officer, rushed down the stairs like a torrent, scattering on its way the invincible gaiety of the young.
