AdeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A BIT OF HISTORY.
advanceverbUS /ədˈvæns/
move forward, also in the metaphorical sense
From this reading From the time that the Allies had braced and checked the Germans in their rapid advance upon Paris, and had assumed the offensive themselves, they had progressed consistently, if slowly.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(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 The Germans contested every inch of the ground, and all along the great battle line, stretching out for almost four hundred miles, the fighting had been terrific.
AlliesnounUS /ˈælaɪz/
the alliance of nations that fought the Axis in World War II and which (with subsequent additions) signed the charter of the United Nations in 1945
From this reading From the time that the Allies had braced and checked the Germans in their rapid advance upon Paris, and had assumed the offensive themselves, they had progressed consistently, if slowly.
almostadverbUS /ˈɔːlmoʊst/
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading The Germans contested every inch of the ground, and all along the great battle line, stretching out for almost four hundred miles, the fighting had been terrific.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading The Germans contested every inch of the ground, and all along the great battle line, stretching out for almost four hundred miles, the fighting had been terrific.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading While Hal and Chester and their troop of British cavalry are preparing to meet this unexpected attack, it will be well to introduce here a few words relating to the positions of the gigantic armies battling in France and Belgium.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading While Hal and Chester and their troop of British cavalry are preparing to meet this unexpected attack, it will be well to introduce here a few words relating to the positions of the gigantic armies battling in France and Belgium.
armiesnounUS /ˈɑːrmiz/
plural of “army” — a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state
From this reading While Hal and Chester and their troop of British cavalry are preparing to meet this unexpected attack, it will be well to introduce here a few words relating to the positions of the gigantic armies battling in France and Belgium.
assumedadjectiveUS /əˈsuːmd/
adopted in order to deceive
From this reading From the time that the Allies had braced and checked the Germans in their rapid advance upon Paris, and had assumed the offensive themselves, they had progressed consistently, if slowly.
attacknounUS /əˈtæk/
(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
From this reading While Hal and Chester and their troop of British cavalry are preparing to meet this unexpected attack, it will be well to introduce here a few words relating to the positions of the gigantic armies battling in France and Belgium.
battlenounUS /ˈbætəl/
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading The Germans contested every inch of the ground, and all along the great battle line, stretching out for almost four hundred miles, the fighting had been terrific.
battlingverbUS /ˈbætəlɪŋ/
-ing form of “battle” — battle or contend against in or as if in a battle
From this reading While Hal and Chester and their troop of British cavalry are preparing to meet this unexpected attack, it will be well to introduce here a few words relating to the positions of the gigantic armies battling in France and Belgium.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading While Hal and Chester and their troop of British cavalry are preparing to meet this unexpected attack, it will be well to introduce here a few words relating to the positions of the gigantic armies battling in France and Belgium.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The war had now been in progress for five months.
BelgiumnounUS /ˈbeldʒəm/
a monarchy in northwestern Europe; headquarters for the European Union and for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization
From this reading While Hal and Chester and their troop of British cavalry are preparing to meet this unexpected attack, it will be well to introduce here a few words relating to the positions of the gigantic armies battling in France and Belgium.
BITnounUS /bɪt/
a small piece or quantity of something
From this reading A BIT OF HISTORY.
bracedadjectiveUS /breɪst/
positioned so as to be ready for confrontation or danger
From this reading From the time that the Allies had braced and checked the Germans in their rapid advance upon Paris, and had assumed the offensive themselves, they had progressed consistently, if slowly.
BritishnounUS /ˈbrɪtɪʃ/
the people of Great Britain
From this reading While Hal and Chester and their troop of British cavalry are preparing to meet this unexpected attack, it will be well to introduce here a few words relating to the positions of the gigantic armies battling in France and Belgium.
cavalrynounUS /ˈkævəlri/
troops trained to fight on horseback
From this reading While Hal and Chester and their troop of British cavalry are preparing to meet this unexpected attack, it will be well to introduce here a few words relating to the positions of the gigantic armies battling in France and Belgium.
checkedadjectiveUS /tʃekt/
patterned with alternating squares of color
From this reading From the time that the Allies had braced and checked the Germans in their rapid advance upon Paris, and had assumed the offensive themselves, they had progressed consistently, if slowly.
ChesternounUS /ˈtʃestər/
a city of southeastern Pennsylvania on the Delaware river (an industrial suburb of Philadelphia)
From this reading While Hal and Chester and their troop of British cavalry are preparing to meet this unexpected attack, it will be well to introduce here a few words relating to the positions of the gigantic armies battling in France and Belgium.
consistentlyadverbUS /kənˈsɪstəntli/
in a systematic or consistent manner
From this reading From the time that the Allies had braced and checked the Germans in their rapid advance upon Paris, and had assumed the offensive themselves, they had progressed consistently, if slowly.
contestedadjectiveUS /kənˈtestəd/
disputed or made the object of contention or competition
From this reading The Germans contested every inch of the ground, and all along the great battle line, stretching out for almost four hundred miles, the fighting had been terrific.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading The Germans contested every inch of the ground, and all along the great battle line, stretching out for almost four hundred miles, the fighting had been terrific.
fewadjectiveUS /fjuː/
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading While Hal and Chester and their troop of British cavalry are preparing to meet this unexpected attack, it will be well to introduce here a few words relating to the positions of the gigantic armies battling in France and Belgium.
fightingnounUS /ˈfaɪtɪŋ/
the act of fighting; any contest or struggle
From this reading The Germans contested every inch of the ground, and all along the great battle line, stretching out for almost four hundred miles, the fighting had been terrific.
fivenounUS /faɪv/
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading The war had now been in progress for five months.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The war had now been in progress for five months.
fournounUS /fɔːr/
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading The Germans contested every inch of the ground, and all along the great battle line, stretching out for almost four hundred miles, the fighting had been terrific.
FrancenounUS /fræns/
a republic in western Europe; the largest country wholly in Europe
From this reading While Hal and Chester and their troop of British cavalry are preparing to meet this unexpected attack, it will be well to introduce here a few words relating to the positions of the gigantic armies battling in France and Belgium.
FromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From the time that the Allies had braced and checked the Germans in their rapid advance upon Paris, and had assumed the offensive themselves, they had progressed consistently, if slowly.
GermansnounUS /ˈdʒɜːrmənz/
plural of “german” — a person of German nationality
From this reading From the time that the Allies had braced and checked the Germans in their rapid advance upon Paris, and had assumed the offensive themselves, they had progressed consistently, if slowly.
giganticadjectiveUS /dʒaɪˈɡæntɪk/
so exceedingly large or extensive as to suggest a giant or mammoth
From this reading While Hal and Chester and their troop of British cavalry are preparing to meet this unexpected attack, it will be well to introduce here a few words relating to the positions of the gigantic armies battling in France and Belgium.
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading The Germans contested every inch of the ground, and all along the great battle line, stretching out for almost four hundred miles, the fighting had been terrific.
groundnounUS /ɡraʊnd/
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading The Germans contested every inch of the ground, and all along the great battle line, stretching out for almost four hundred miles, the fighting had been terrific.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The war had now been in progress for five months.
Hal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading While Hal and Chester and their troop of British cavalry are preparing to meet this unexpected attack, it will be well to introduce here a few words relating to the positions of the gigantic armies battling in France and Belgium.
hereadverbUS /hiːr/
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading While Hal and Chester and their troop of British cavalry are preparing to meet this unexpected attack, it will be well to introduce here a few words relating to the positions of the gigantic armies battling in France and Belgium.
HISTORYnounUS /ˈhɪstəri/
the aggregate of past events
From this reading A BIT OF HISTORY.
hundrednounUS /ˈhʌndrəd/
ten 10s
From this reading The Germans contested every inch of the ground, and all along the great battle line, stretching out for almost four hundred miles, the fighting had been terrific.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading From the time that the Allies had braced and checked the Germans in their rapid advance upon Paris, and had assumed the offensive themselves, they had progressed consistently, if slowly.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading While Hal and Chester and their troop of British cavalry are preparing to meet this unexpected attack, it will be well to introduce here a few words relating to the positions of the gigantic armies battling in France and Belgium.
inchnounUS /ɪntʃ/
a unit of length equal to one twelfth of a foot
From this reading The Germans contested every inch of the ground, and all along the great battle line, stretching out for almost four hundred miles, the fighting had been terrific.
introduceverbUS /ˌɪntrəˈduːs/
cause to come to know personally
From this reading While Hal and Chester and their troop of British cavalry are preparing to meet this unexpected attack, it will be well to introduce here a few words relating to the positions of the gigantic armies battling in France and Belgium.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading While Hal and Chester and their troop of British cavalry are preparing to meet this unexpected attack, it will be well to introduce here a few words relating to the positions of the gigantic armies battling in France and Belgium.
linenounUS /laɪn/
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading The Germans contested every inch of the ground, and all along the great battle line, stretching out for almost four hundred miles, the fighting had been terrific.
meetverbUS /miːt/
come together
From this reading While Hal and Chester and their troop of British cavalry are preparing to meet this unexpected attack, it will be well to introduce here a few words relating to the positions of the gigantic armies battling in France and Belgium.
milesnounUS /maɪlz/
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading The Germans contested every inch of the ground, and all along the great battle line, stretching out for almost four hundred miles, the fighting had been terrific.
monthsnounUS /mʌnθs/
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading The war had now been in progress for five months.
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The war had now been in progress for five months.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A BIT OF HISTORY.
offensiveadjectiveUS /əˈfensɪv/
violating or tending to violate or offend against
From this reading From the time that the Allies had braced and checked the Germans in their rapid advance upon Paris, and had assumed the offensive themselves, they had progressed consistently, if slowly.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The Germans contested every inch of the ground, and all along the great battle line, stretching out for almost four hundred miles, the fighting had been terrific.
ParisnounUS /ˈperɪs/
the capital and largest city of France; and international center of culture and commerce
From this reading From the time that the Allies had braced and checked the Germans in their rapid advance upon Paris, and had assumed the offensive themselves, they had progressed consistently, if slowly.
positionsnounUS /pəˈzɪʃənz/
plural of “position” — the particular portion of space occupied by something
From this reading While Hal and Chester and their troop of British cavalry are preparing to meet this unexpected attack, it will be well to introduce here a few words relating to the positions of the gigantic armies battling in France and Belgium.
preparingverbUS /priˈperɪŋ/
-ing form of “prepare” — make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, etc
From this reading While Hal and Chester and their troop of British cavalry are preparing to meet this unexpected attack, it will be well to introduce here a few words relating to the positions of the gigantic armies battling in France and Belgium.
progressnounUS /ˈprɑːɡres/
gradual improvement or growth or development
From this reading The war had now been in progress for five months.
progressedverbUS /prəˈɡrest/
past form of “progress” — develop in a positive way
From this reading From the time that the Allies had braced and checked the Germans in their rapid advance upon Paris, and had assumed the offensive themselves, they had progressed consistently, if slowly.
rapidadjectiveUS /ˈræpəd/
done or occurring in a brief period of time
From this reading From the time that the Allies had braced and checked the Germans in their rapid advance upon Paris, and had assumed the offensive themselves, they had progressed consistently, if slowly.
relatingverbUS /rɪˈleɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “relate” — make a logical or causal connection
From this reading While Hal and Chester and their troop of British cavalry are preparing to meet this unexpected attack, it will be well to introduce here a few words relating to the positions of the gigantic armies battling in France and Belgium.
slowlyadverbUS /ˈsloʊli/
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading From the time that the Allies had braced and checked the Germans in their rapid advance upon Paris, and had assumed the offensive themselves, they had progressed consistently, if slowly.
stretchingnounUS /ˈstretʃɪŋ/
act of expanding by lengthening or widening
From this reading The Germans contested every inch of the ground, and all along the great battle line, stretching out for almost four hundred miles, the fighting had been terrific.
terrificadjectiveUS /tərˈɪfɪk/
very great or intense
From this reading The Germans contested every inch of the ground, and all along the great battle line, stretching out for almost four hundred miles, the fighting had been terrific.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading From the time that the Allies had braced and checked the Germans in their rapid advance upon Paris, and had assumed the offensive themselves, they had progressed consistently, if slowly.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading While Hal and Chester and their troop of British cavalry are preparing to meet this unexpected attack, it will be well to introduce here a few words relating to the positions of the gigantic armies battling in France and Belgium.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading While Hal and Chester and their troop of British cavalry are preparing to meet this unexpected attack, it will be well to introduce here a few words relating to the positions of the gigantic armies battling in France and Belgium.
themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading From the time that the Allies had braced and checked the Germans in their rapid advance upon Paris, and had assumed the offensive themselves, they had progressed consistently, if slowly.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading From the time that the Allies had braced and checked the Germans in their rapid advance upon Paris, and had assumed the offensive themselves, they had progressed consistently, if slowly.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading While Hal and Chester and their troop of British cavalry are preparing to meet this unexpected attack, it will be well to introduce here a few words relating to the positions of the gigantic armies battling in France and Belgium.
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading From the time that the Allies had braced and checked the Germans in their rapid advance upon Paris, and had assumed the offensive themselves, they had progressed consistently, if slowly.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading While Hal and Chester and their troop of British cavalry are preparing to meet this unexpected attack, it will be well to introduce here a few words relating to the positions of the gigantic armies battling in France and Belgium.
troopnounUS /truːp/
a group of soldiers
From this reading While Hal and Chester and their troop of British cavalry are preparing to meet this unexpected attack, it will be well to introduce here a few words relating to the positions of the gigantic armies battling in France and Belgium.
unexpectedadjectiveUS /ˌʌnɪkˈspektɪd/
not expected or anticipated
From this reading While Hal and Chester and their troop of British cavalry are preparing to meet this unexpected attack, it will be well to introduce here a few words relating to the positions of the gigantic armies battling in France and Belgium.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading From the time that the Allies had braced and checked the Germans in their rapid advance upon Paris, and had assumed the offensive themselves, they had progressed consistently, if slowly.
warnounUS /wɔːr/
the waging of armed conflict against an enemy
From this reading The war had now been in progress for five months.
welladverbUS /wel/
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading While Hal and Chester and their troop of British cavalry are preparing to meet this unexpected attack, it will be well to introduce here a few words relating to the positions of the gigantic armies battling in France and Belgium.
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading While Hal and Chester and their troop of British cavalry are preparing to meet this unexpected attack, it will be well to introduce here a few words relating to the positions of the gigantic armies battling in France and Belgium.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading While Hal and Chester and their troop of British cavalry are preparing to meet this unexpected attack, it will be well to introduce here a few words relating to the positions of the gigantic armies battling in France and Belgium.
wordsnounUS /wɜːrdz/
the words that are spoken
From this reading While Hal and Chester and their troop of British cavalry are preparing to meet this unexpected attack, it will be well to introduce here a few words relating to the positions of the gigantic armies battling in France and Belgium.
