used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A LIVELY CAMP BEHIND THE LINES Such accidents are of common occurrence on the battlefields.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Ralph was too dazed to have any feelings about the matter, except the faintest idea that he ought to do something to help his chum.
accidentsnounUS /ˈæksədənts/
plural of “accident” — an unfortunate mishap; especially one causing damage or injury
From this reading A LIVELY CAMP BEHIND THE LINES Such accidents are of common occurrence on the battlefields.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After all he had seen during the day, this was a mere matter-of-fact occurrence, something that might happen to any one, particularly on a battlefield.
AlfrednounUS /ˈælfrəd/
king of Wessex; defeated the Vikings and encouraged writing in English (849-899)
From this reading It did not at that time, nor for hours thereafter, seem to be anything dreadful, nor did it occur to him that Alfred might be dead.
(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 After all he had seen during the day, this was a mere matter-of-fact occurrence, something that might happen to any one, particularly on a battlefield.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Ralph was too dazed to have any feelings about the matter, except the faintest idea that he ought to do something to help his chum.
any thing at all
From this reading It did not at that time, nor for hours thereafter, seem to be anything dreadful, nor did it occur to him that Alfred might be dead.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A LIVELY CAMP BEHIND THE LINES Such accidents are of common occurrence on the battlefields.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading However carefully the shells may be made to insure their explosion at the instant for which they are timed, something often happens with many of them that prevents it.
battlefieldnounUS /ˈbætəlfiːld/
a region where a battle is being (or has been) fought
From this reading After all he had seen during the day, this was a mere matter-of-fact occurrence, something that might happen to any one, particularly on a battlefield.
battlefieldsnounUS /ˈbætəlfiːldz/
plural of “battlefield” — a region where a battle is being (or has been) fought
From this reading A LIVELY CAMP BEHIND THE LINES Such accidents are of common occurrence on the battlefields.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading However carefully the shells may be made to insure their explosion at the instant for which they are timed, something often happens with many of them that prevents it.
BEHINDprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading A LIVELY CAMP BEHIND THE LINES Such accidents are of common occurrence on the battlefields.
temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers
From this reading A LIVELY CAMP BEHIND THE LINES Such accidents are of common occurrence on the battlefields.
taking care or paying attention
From this reading However carefully the shells may be made to insure their explosion at the instant for which they are timed, something often happens with many of them that prevents it.
chumnounUS /tʃʌm/
a close friend who accompanies his buddies in their activities
From this reading Ralph was too dazed to have any feelings about the matter, except the faintest idea that he ought to do something to help his chum.
belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public
From this reading A LIVELY CAMP BEHIND THE LINES Such accidents are of common occurrence on the battlefields.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading After all he had seen during the day, this was a mere matter-of-fact occurrence, something that might happen to any one, particularly on a battlefield.
dazedadjectiveUS /deɪzd/
in a state of mental numbness especially as resulting from shock
From this reading Ralph was too dazed to have any feelings about the matter, except the faintest idea that he ought to do something to help his chum.
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading It did not at that time, nor for hours thereafter, seem to be anything dreadful, nor did it occur to him that Alfred might be dead.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading It did not at that time, nor for hours thereafter, seem to be anything dreadful, nor did it occur to him that Alfred might be dead.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Ralph was too dazed to have any feelings about the matter, except the faintest idea that he ought to do something to help his chum.
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading It did not at that time, nor for hours thereafter, seem to be anything dreadful, nor did it occur to him that Alfred might be dead.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading After all he had seen during the day, this was a mere matter-of-fact occurrence, something that might happen to any one, particularly on a battlefield.
apart from; not including
From this reading Ralph was too dazed to have any feelings about the matter, except the faintest idea that he ought to do something to help his chum.
explosionnounUS /ɪkˈsploʊʒən/
a violent release of energy caused by a chemical or nuclear reaction
From this reading However carefully the shells may be made to insure their explosion at the instant for which they are timed, something often happens with many of them that prevents it.
faintestadjectiveUS /ˈfeɪntəst/
superlative of “faint” — deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc
From this reading Ralph was too dazed to have any feelings about the matter, except the faintest idea that he ought to do something to help his chum.
emotional or moral sensitivity (especially in relation to personal principles or dignity)
From this reading Ralph was too dazed to have any feelings about the matter, except the faintest idea that he ought to do something to help his chum.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading However carefully the shells may be made to insure their explosion at the instant for which they are timed, something often happens with many of them that prevents it.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading After all he had seen during the day, this was a mere matter-of-fact occurrence, something that might happen to any one, particularly on a battlefield.
come to pass
From this reading After all he had seen during the day, this was a mere matter-of-fact occurrence, something that might happen to any one, particularly on a battlefield.
third-person singular of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading However carefully the shells may be made to insure their explosion at the instant for which they are timed, something often happens with many of them that prevents it.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Ralph was too dazed to have any feelings about the matter, except the faintest idea that he ought to do something to help his chum.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Ralph was too dazed to have any feelings about the matter, except the faintest idea that he ought to do something to help his chum.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading Ralph was too dazed to have any feelings about the matter, except the faintest idea that he ought to do something to help his chum.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It did not at that time, nor for hours thereafter, seem to be anything dreadful, nor did it occur to him that Alfred might be dead.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Ralph was too dazed to have any feelings about the matter, except the faintest idea that he ought to do something to help his chum.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading It did not at that time, nor for hours thereafter, seem to be anything dreadful, nor did it occur to him that Alfred might be dead.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading However carefully the shells may be made to insure their explosion at the instant for which they are timed, something often happens with many of them that prevents it.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Ralph was too dazed to have any feelings about the matter, except the faintest idea that he ought to do something to help his chum.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading However carefully the shells may be made to insure their explosion at the instant for which they are timed, something often happens with many of them that prevents it.
insureverbUS /ˌɪnˈʃʊr/
be careful or certain to do something; make certain of something
From this reading However carefully the shells may be made to insure their explosion at the instant for which they are timed, something often happens with many of them that prevents it.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading However carefully the shells may be made to insure their explosion at the instant for which they are timed, something often happens with many of them that prevents it.
plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading A LIVELY CAMP BEHIND THE LINES Such accidents are of common occurrence on the battlefields.
full of life and energy
From this reading A LIVELY CAMP BEHIND THE LINES Such accidents are of common occurrence on the battlefields.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading However carefully the shells may be made to insure their explosion at the instant for which they are timed, something often happens with many of them that prevents it.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading However carefully the shells may be made to insure their explosion at the instant for which they are timed, something often happens with many of them that prevents it.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading Ralph was too dazed to have any feelings about the matter, except the faintest idea that he ought to do something to help his chum.
matter-of-factadjective
not fanciful or imaginative
From this reading After all he had seen during the day, this was a mere matter-of-fact occurrence, something that might happen to any one, particularly on a battlefield.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading However carefully the shells may be made to insure their explosion at the instant for which they are timed, something often happens with many of them that prevents it.
being nothing more than specified
From this reading After all he had seen during the day, this was a mere matter-of-fact occurrence, something that might happen to any one, particularly on a battlefield.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading It did not at that time, nor for hours thereafter, seem to be anything dreadful, nor did it occur to him that Alfred might be dead.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading It did not at that time, nor for hours thereafter, seem to be anything dreadful, nor did it occur to him that Alfred might be dead.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It did not at that time, nor for hours thereafter, seem to be anything dreadful, nor did it occur to him that Alfred might be dead.
occurverbUS /əˈkɜːr/
come to pass
From this reading It did not at that time, nor for hours thereafter, seem to be anything dreadful, nor did it occur to him that Alfred might be dead.
occurrencenounUS /əˈkɜːrəns/
an event that happens
From this reading A LIVELY CAMP BEHIND THE LINES Such accidents are of common occurrence on the battlefields.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A LIVELY CAMP BEHIND THE LINES Such accidents are of common occurrence on the battlefields.
many times at short intervals
From this reading However carefully the shells may be made to insure their explosion at the instant for which they are timed, something often happens with many of them that prevents it.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A LIVELY CAMP BEHIND THE LINES Such accidents are of common occurrence on the battlefields.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading After all he had seen during the day, this was a mere matter-of-fact occurrence, something that might happen to any one, particularly on a battlefield.
used with “to” to say what is right or advisable
From this reading Ralph was too dazed to have any feelings about the matter, except the faintest idea that he ought to do something to help his chum.
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading After all he had seen during the day, this was a mere matter-of-fact occurrence, something that might happen to any one, particularly on a battlefield.
preventsverbUS /prɪˈvents/
third-person singular of “prevent” — keep from happening or arising; make impossible
From this reading However carefully the shells may be made to insure their explosion at the instant for which they are timed, something often happens with many of them that prevents it.
Ralph
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ralph was too dazed to have any feelings about the matter, except the faintest idea that he ought to do something to help his chum.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading It did not at that time, nor for hours thereafter, seem to be anything dreadful, nor did it occur to him that Alfred might be dead.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading After all he had seen during the day, this was a mere matter-of-fact occurrence, something that might happen to any one, particularly on a battlefield.
shellsnounUS /ʃelz/
plural of “shell” — ammunition consisting of a cylindrical metal casing containing an explosive charge and a projectile; fired from a large gun
From this reading However carefully the shells may be made to insure their explosion at the instant for which they are timed, something often happens with many of them that prevents it.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading However carefully the shells may be made to insure their explosion at the instant for which they are timed, something often happens with many of them that prevents it.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading A LIVELY CAMP BEHIND THE LINES Such accidents are of common occurrence on the battlefields.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading However carefully the shells may be made to insure their explosion at the instant for which they are timed, something often happens with many of them that prevents it.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A LIVELY CAMP BEHIND THE LINES Such accidents are of common occurrence on the battlefields.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading However carefully the shells may be made to insure their explosion at the instant for which they are timed, something often happens with many of them that prevents it.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading However carefully the shells may be made to insure their explosion at the instant for which they are timed, something often happens with many of them that prevents it.
thereafteradverbUS /ðeˈræftər/
from that time on
From this reading It did not at that time, nor for hours thereafter, seem to be anything dreadful, nor did it occur to him that Alfred might be dead.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading However carefully the shells may be made to insure their explosion at the instant for which they are timed, something often happens with many of them that prevents it.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading After all he had seen during the day, this was a mere matter-of-fact occurrence, something that might happen to any one, particularly on a battlefield.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading It did not at that time, nor for hours thereafter, seem to be anything dreadful, nor did it occur to him that Alfred might be dead.
timedadjectiveUS /taɪmd/
regularly spaced in time
From this reading However carefully the shells may be made to insure their explosion at the instant for which they are timed, something often happens with many of them that prevents it.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading However carefully the shells may be made to insure their explosion at the instant for which they are timed, something often happens with many of them that prevents it.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading Ralph was too dazed to have any feelings about the matter, except the faintest idea that he ought to do something to help his chum.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Ralph was too dazed to have any feelings about the matter, except the faintest idea that he ought to do something to help his chum.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading However carefully the shells may be made to insure their explosion at the instant for which they are timed, something often happens with many of them that prevents it.
in the company of; together with
From this reading However carefully the shells may be made to insure their explosion at the instant for which they are timed, something often happens with many of them that prevents it.
