used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A NARROW ESCAPE It was an inspiring spectacle.
advancingadjectiveUS /ədˈvænsɪŋ/
moving forward
From this reading The French field battery had done its utmost to inflict more or less damage upon the advancing German hosts, but evidently the time had come for discretion to take the part of desperate valor.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A NARROW ESCAPE It was an inspiring spectacle.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading “Those who fight and run away may live to fight another day”; and the policy of these clever Frenchmen was to pester and annoy the oncoming invaders as much as possible in order to delay their progress, since every hour counted in the gathering of a force to defend Paris.
annoyverbUS /əˈnɔɪ/
cause annoyance in; disturb, especially by minor irritations
From this reading “Those who fight and run away may live to fight another day”; and the policy of these clever Frenchmen was to pester and annoy the oncoming invaders as much as possible in order to delay their progress, since every hour counted in the gathering of a force to defend Paris.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading “Those who fight and run away may live to fight another day”; and the policy of these clever Frenchmen was to pester and annoy the oncoming invaders as much as possible in order to delay their progress, since every hour counted in the gathering of a force to defend Paris.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading “Those who fight and run away may live to fight another day”; and the policy of these clever Frenchmen was to pester and annoy the oncoming invaders as much as possible in order to delay their progress, since every hour counted in the gathering of a force to defend Paris.
on or to one side
From this reading The boys hastened to step aside in order to let the galloping horses and the swinging guns and caissons sweep past.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading “Those who fight and run away may live to fight another day”; and the policy of these clever Frenchmen was to pester and annoy the oncoming invaders as much as possible in order to delay their progress, since every hour counted in the gathering of a force to defend Paris.
batterynounUS /ˈbætəri/
group of guns or missile launchers operated together at one place
From this reading The French field battery had done its utmost to inflict more or less damage upon the advancing German hosts, but evidently the time had come for discretion to take the part of desperate valor.
bayonetnounUS /ˈbeɪənet/
a knife that can be fixed to the end of a rifle and used as a weapon
From this reading They had no orders to stick it out until every gun was smashed or the enemy had come swarming up to bayonet each reckless gunner.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading The boys hastened to step aside in order to let the galloping horses and the swinging guns and caissons sweep past.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The French field battery had done its utmost to inflict more or less damage upon the advancing German hosts, but evidently the time had come for discretion to take the part of desperate valor.
caissonsnounUS /ˈkeɪsənz/
plural of “caisson” — an ornamental sunken panel in a ceiling or dome
From this reading The boys hastened to step aside in order to let the galloping horses and the swinging guns and caissons sweep past.
showing self-interest and shrewdness in dealing with others
From this reading “Those who fight and run away may live to fight another day”; and the policy of these clever Frenchmen was to pester and annoy the oncoming invaders as much as possible in order to delay their progress, since every hour counted in the gathering of a force to defend Paris.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The French field battery had done its utmost to inflict more or less damage upon the advancing German hosts, but evidently the time had come for discretion to take the part of desperate valor.
countedverbUS /ˈkaʊntɪd/
past form of “count” — determine the number or amount of
From this reading “Those who fight and run away may live to fight another day”; and the policy of these clever Frenchmen was to pester and annoy the oncoming invaders as much as possible in order to delay their progress, since every hour counted in the gathering of a force to defend Paris.
damagenounUS /ˈdæmədʒ/
the occurrence of a change for the worse
From this reading The French field battery had done its utmost to inflict more or less damage upon the advancing German hosts, but evidently the time had come for discretion to take the part of desperate valor.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading “Those who fight and run away may live to fight another day”; and the policy of these clever Frenchmen was to pester and annoy the oncoming invaders as much as possible in order to delay their progress, since every hour counted in the gathering of a force to defend Paris.
defendverbUS /dɪˈfend/
argue or speak in defense of
From this reading “Those who fight and run away may live to fight another day”; and the policy of these clever Frenchmen was to pester and annoy the oncoming invaders as much as possible in order to delay their progress, since every hour counted in the gathering of a force to defend Paris.
cause to be slowed down or delayed
From this reading “Those who fight and run away may live to fight another day”; and the policy of these clever Frenchmen was to pester and annoy the oncoming invaders as much as possible in order to delay their progress, since every hour counted in the gathering of a force to defend Paris.
arising from or marked by despair or loss of hope
From this reading The French field battery had done its utmost to inflict more or less damage upon the advancing German hosts, but evidently the time had come for discretion to take the part of desperate valor.
discretionnounUS /dɪˈskreʃən/
freedom to act or judge on one's own
From this reading The French field battery had done its utmost to inflict more or less damage upon the advancing German hosts, but evidently the time had come for discretion to take the part of desperate valor.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading The French field battery had done its utmost to inflict more or less damage upon the advancing German hosts, but evidently the time had come for discretion to take the part of desperate valor.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading They had no orders to stick it out until every gun was smashed or the enemy had come swarming up to bayonet each reckless gunner.
an opposing military force
From this reading They had no orders to stick it out until every gun was smashed or the enemy had come swarming up to bayonet each reckless gunner.
the act of escaping physically
From this reading A NARROW ESCAPE It was an inspiring spectacle.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading They had no orders to stick it out until every gun was smashed or the enemy had come swarming up to bayonet each reckless gunner.
unmistakably (“plain” is often used informally for “plainly”)
From this reading The French field battery had done its utmost to inflict more or less damage upon the advancing German hosts, but evidently the time had come for discretion to take the part of desperate valor.
a piece of land cleared of trees and usually enclosed
From this reading The French field battery had done its utmost to inflict more or less damage upon the advancing German hosts, but evidently the time had come for discretion to take the part of desperate valor.
be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight
From this reading “Those who fight and run away may live to fight another day”; and the policy of these clever Frenchmen was to pester and annoy the oncoming invaders as much as possible in order to delay their progress, since every hour counted in the gathering of a force to defend Paris.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The French field battery had done its utmost to inflict more or less damage upon the advancing German hosts, but evidently the time had come for discretion to take the part of desperate valor.
a powerful effect or influence
From this reading “Those who fight and run away may live to fight another day”; and the policy of these clever Frenchmen was to pester and annoy the oncoming invaders as much as possible in order to delay their progress, since every hour counted in the gathering of a force to defend Paris.
the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France
From this reading The French field battery had done its utmost to inflict more or less damage upon the advancing German hosts, but evidently the time had come for discretion to take the part of desperate valor.
FrenchmennounUS /ˈfrentʃmen/
plural of “frenchman” — a person of French nationality
From this reading “Those who fight and run away may live to fight another day”; and the policy of these clever Frenchmen was to pester and annoy the oncoming invaders as much as possible in order to delay their progress, since every hour counted in the gathering of a force to defend Paris.
gallopingverbUS /ˈɡæləpɪŋ/
-ing form of “gallop” — ride at a galloping pace
From this reading The boys hastened to step aside in order to let the galloping horses and the swinging guns and caissons sweep past.
a group of persons together in one place
From this reading “Those who fight and run away may live to fight another day”; and the policy of these clever Frenchmen was to pester and annoy the oncoming invaders as much as possible in order to delay their progress, since every hour counted in the gathering of a force to defend Paris.
a person of German nationality
From this reading The French field battery had done its utmost to inflict more or less damage upon the advancing German hosts, but evidently the time had come for discretion to take the part of desperate valor.
a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)
From this reading They had no orders to stick it out until every gun was smashed or the enemy had come swarming up to bayonet each reckless gunner.
gunnernounUS /ˈɡʌnər/
a serviceman in the artillery
From this reading They had no orders to stick it out until every gun was smashed or the enemy had come swarming up to bayonet each reckless gunner.
plural of “gun” — a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)
From this reading The boys hastened to step aside in order to let the galloping horses and the swinging guns and caissons sweep past.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The French field battery had done its utmost to inflict more or less damage upon the advancing German hosts, but evidently the time had come for discretion to take the part of desperate valor.
past form of “hasten” — act or move at high speed
From this reading The boys hastened to step aside in order to let the galloping horses and the swinging guns and caissons sweep past.
plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times
From this reading The boys hastened to step aside in order to let the galloping horses and the swinging guns and caissons sweep past.
hostsnounUS /hoʊsts/
plural of “host” — a person who invites guests to a social event (such as a party in his or her own home) and who is responsible for them while they are there
From this reading The French field battery had done its utmost to inflict more or less damage upon the advancing German hosts, but evidently the time had come for discretion to take the part of desperate valor.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading “Those who fight and run away may live to fight another day”; and the policy of these clever Frenchmen was to pester and annoy the oncoming invaders as much as possible in order to delay their progress, since every hour counted in the gathering of a force to defend Paris.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading “Those who fight and run away may live to fight another day”; and the policy of these clever Frenchmen was to pester and annoy the oncoming invaders as much as possible in order to delay their progress, since every hour counted in the gathering of a force to defend Paris.
inflictverbUS /ˌɪnˈflɪkt/
impose something unpleasant
From this reading The French field battery had done its utmost to inflict more or less damage upon the advancing German hosts, but evidently the time had come for discretion to take the part of desperate valor.
inspiringadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈspaɪrɪŋ/
stimulating or exalting to the spirit
From this reading A NARROW ESCAPE It was an inspiring spectacle.
invadersnounUS /ˌɪnˈveɪdərz/
plural of “invader” — someone who enters by force in order to conquer
From this reading “Those who fight and run away may live to fight another day”; and the policy of these clever Frenchmen was to pester and annoy the oncoming invaders as much as possible in order to delay their progress, since every hour counted in the gathering of a force to defend Paris.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A NARROW ESCAPE It was an inspiring spectacle.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The French field battery had done its utmost to inflict more or less damage upon the advancing German hosts, but evidently the time had come for discretion to take the part of desperate valor.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading The French field battery had done its utmost to inflict more or less damage upon the advancing German hosts, but evidently the time had come for discretion to take the part of desperate valor.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading The boys hastened to step aside in order to let the galloping horses and the swinging guns and caissons sweep past.
be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading “Those who fight and run away may live to fight another day”; and the policy of these clever Frenchmen was to pester and annoy the oncoming invaders as much as possible in order to delay their progress, since every hour counted in the gathering of a force to defend Paris.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading “Those who fight and run away may live to fight another day”; and the policy of these clever Frenchmen was to pester and annoy the oncoming invaders as much as possible in order to delay their progress, since every hour counted in the gathering of a force to defend Paris.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The French field battery had done its utmost to inflict more or less damage upon the advancing German hosts, but evidently the time had come for discretion to take the part of desperate valor.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading “Those who fight and run away may live to fight another day”; and the policy of these clever Frenchmen was to pester and annoy the oncoming invaders as much as possible in order to delay their progress, since every hour counted in the gathering of a force to defend Paris.
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading A NARROW ESCAPE It was an inspiring spectacle.
not any; not one
From this reading They had no orders to stick it out until every gun was smashed or the enemy had come swarming up to bayonet each reckless gunner.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The French field battery had done its utmost to inflict more or less damage upon the advancing German hosts, but evidently the time had come for discretion to take the part of desperate valor.
oncomingadjectiveUS /ˈɔːnkʌmɪŋ/
moving toward one
From this reading “Those who fight and run away may live to fight another day”; and the policy of these clever Frenchmen was to pester and annoy the oncoming invaders as much as possible in order to delay their progress, since every hour counted in the gathering of a force to defend Paris.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The French field battery had done its utmost to inflict more or less damage upon the advancing German hosts, but evidently the time had come for discretion to take the part of desperate valor.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading “Those who fight and run away may live to fight another day”; and the policy of these clever Frenchmen was to pester and annoy the oncoming invaders as much as possible in order to delay their progress, since every hour counted in the gathering of a force to defend Paris.
plural of “order” — (often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading They had no orders to stick it out until every gun was smashed or the enemy had come swarming up to bayonet each reckless gunner.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading They had no orders to stick it out until every gun was smashed or the enemy had come swarming up to bayonet each reckless gunner.
the capital and largest city of France; and international center of culture and commerce
From this reading “Those who fight and run away may live to fight another day”; and the policy of these clever Frenchmen was to pester and annoy the oncoming invaders as much as possible in order to delay their progress, since every hour counted in the gathering of a force to defend Paris.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading The French field battery had done its utmost to inflict more or less damage upon the advancing German hosts, but evidently the time had come for discretion to take the part of desperate valor.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading The boys hastened to step aside in order to let the galloping horses and the swinging guns and caissons sweep past.
pesterverbUS /ˈpestər/
annoy persistently
From this reading “Those who fight and run away may live to fight another day”; and the policy of these clever Frenchmen was to pester and annoy the oncoming invaders as much as possible in order to delay their progress, since every hour counted in the gathering of a force to defend Paris.
policynounUS /ˈpɑːləsi/
a plan of action adopted by an individual or social group
From this reading “Those who fight and run away may live to fight another day”; and the policy of these clever Frenchmen was to pester and annoy the oncoming invaders as much as possible in order to delay their progress, since every hour counted in the gathering of a force to defend Paris.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading “Those who fight and run away may live to fight another day”; and the policy of these clever Frenchmen was to pester and annoy the oncoming invaders as much as possible in order to delay their progress, since every hour counted in the gathering of a force to defend Paris.
gradual improvement or growth or development
From this reading “Those who fight and run away may live to fight another day”; and the policy of these clever Frenchmen was to pester and annoy the oncoming invaders as much as possible in order to delay their progress, since every hour counted in the gathering of a force to defend Paris.
recklessadjectiveUS /ˈrekləs/
marked by defiant disregard for danger or consequences
From this reading They had no orders to stick it out until every gun was smashed or the enemy had come swarming up to bayonet each reckless gunner.
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading “Those who fight and run away may live to fight another day”; and the policy of these clever Frenchmen was to pester and annoy the oncoming invaders as much as possible in order to delay their progress, since every hour counted in the gathering of a force to defend Paris.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading “Those who fight and run away may live to fight another day”; and the policy of these clever Frenchmen was to pester and annoy the oncoming invaders as much as possible in order to delay their progress, since every hour counted in the gathering of a force to defend Paris.
smashedadjectiveUS /smæʃt/
very drunk
From this reading They had no orders to stick it out until every gun was smashed or the enemy had come swarming up to bayonet each reckless gunner.
spectaclenounUS /ˈspektəkəl/
something or someone seen (especially a notable or unusual sight)
From this reading A NARROW ESCAPE It was an inspiring spectacle.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading The boys hastened to step aside in order to let the galloping horses and the swinging guns and caissons sweep past.
put, fix, force, or implant
From this reading They had no orders to stick it out until every gun was smashed or the enemy had come swarming up to bayonet each reckless gunner.
swarmingverbUS /ˈswɔːrmɪŋ/
-ing form of “swarm” — be teeming, be abuzz
From this reading They had no orders to stick it out until every gun was smashed or the enemy had come swarming up to bayonet each reckless gunner.
sweepverbUS /swiːp/
sweep across or over
From this reading The boys hastened to step aside in order to let the galloping horses and the swinging guns and caissons sweep past.
swingingnounUS /ˈswɪŋɪŋ/
changing location by moving back and forth
From this reading The boys hastened to step aside in order to let the galloping horses and the swinging guns and caissons sweep past.
carry out
From this reading The French field battery had done its utmost to inflict more or less damage upon the advancing German hosts, but evidently the time had come for discretion to take the part of desperate valor.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The French field battery had done its utmost to inflict more or less damage upon the advancing German hosts, but evidently the time had come for discretion to take the part of desperate valor.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading “Those who fight and run away may live to fight another day”; and the policy of these clever Frenchmen was to pester and annoy the oncoming invaders as much as possible in order to delay their progress, since every hour counted in the gathering of a force to defend Paris.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading “Those who fight and run away may live to fight another day”; and the policy of these clever Frenchmen was to pester and annoy the oncoming invaders as much as possible in order to delay their progress, since every hour counted in the gathering of a force to defend Paris.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They had no orders to stick it out until every gun was smashed or the enemy had come swarming up to bayonet each reckless gunner.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading “Those who fight and run away may live to fight another day”; and the policy of these clever Frenchmen was to pester and annoy the oncoming invaders as much as possible in order to delay their progress, since every hour counted in the gathering of a force to defend Paris.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading The French field battery had done its utmost to inflict more or less damage upon the advancing German hosts, but evidently the time had come for discretion to take the part of desperate valor.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The French field battery had done its utmost to inflict more or less damage upon the advancing German hosts, but evidently the time had come for discretion to take the part of desperate valor.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading They had no orders to stick it out until every gun was smashed or the enemy had come swarming up to bayonet each reckless gunner.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading They had no orders to stick it out until every gun was smashed or the enemy had come swarming up to bayonet each reckless gunner.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The French field battery had done its utmost to inflict more or less damage upon the advancing German hosts, but evidently the time had come for discretion to take the part of desperate valor.
of the greatest possible degree or extent or intensity
From this reading The French field battery had done its utmost to inflict more or less damage upon the advancing German hosts, but evidently the time had come for discretion to take the part of desperate valor.
valornounUS /ˈvælər/
the qualities of a hero or heroine; exceptional or heroic courage when facing danger (especially in battle)
From this reading The French field battery had done its utmost to inflict more or less damage upon the advancing German hosts, but evidently the time had come for discretion to take the part of desperate valor.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A NARROW ESCAPE It was an inspiring spectacle.
which person or people
From this reading “Those who fight and run away may live to fight another day”; and the policy of these clever Frenchmen was to pester and annoy the oncoming invaders as much as possible in order to delay their progress, since every hour counted in the gathering of a force to defend Paris.
