Chapter IV

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading Captain Lowden had been walking with a French guide up the slope and not far from where Herbert preceded his men.

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading It is a wild place; the Huns have chosen to make a stand in it and they have boasted that nothing will be able to dislodge them.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading “INTO THE JAWS OF DEATH” ON the platoons went, gaining the top of the low hill that crowned the valley slope and then--suddenly the terrors of real war descended with one swift stroke and bit and tore and gnashed with even more than their usual fury.

an American operation in World War I (1918); American troops under Pershing drove back the German armies which were saved only by the armistice on November 11

From this reading “He says,” meaning the guide, “that right over the hill is the edge of the famous Argonne Forest.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading It is a wild place; the Huns have chosen to make a stand in it and they have boasted that nothing will be able to dislodge them.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Captain Lowden had been walking with a French guide up the slope and not far from where Herbert preceded his men.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading A moment before the former had gained the top and come within sight of the enemy’s front-line defenses, hardly a second before the outburst of machine-gun fire from the entrenched foe, the captain had turned to his second lieutenant.

a small piece or quantity of something

From this reading “INTO THE JAWS OF DEATH” ON the platoons went, gaining the top of the low hill that crowned the valley slope and then--suddenly the terrors of real war descended with one swift stroke and bit and tore and gnashed with even more than their usual fury.

past form of “boast” — show off

From this reading It is a wild place; the Huns have chosen to make a stand in it and they have boasted that nothing will be able to dislodge them.

an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant

From this reading Captain Lowden had been walking with a French guide up the slope and not far from where Herbert preceded his men.

one who is the object of choice; who is given preference

From this reading It is a wild place; the Huns have chosen to make a stand in it and they have boasted that nothing will be able to dislodge them.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading A moment before the former had gained the top and come within sight of the enemy’s front-line defenses, hardly a second before the outburst of machine-gun fire from the entrenched foe, the captain had turned to his second lieutenant.

having an (artificial) crown on a tooth

From this reading “INTO THE JAWS OF DEATH” ON the platoons went, gaining the top of the low hill that crowned the valley slope and then--suddenly the terrors of real war descended with one swift stroke and bit and tore and gnashed with even more than their usual fury.

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading “INTO THE JAWS OF DEATH” ON the platoons went, gaining the top of the low hill that crowned the valley slope and then--suddenly the terrors of real war descended with one swift stroke and bit and tore and gnashed with even more than their usual fury.

plural of “defense” — (military) military action or resources protecting a country against potential enemies

From this reading A moment before the former had gained the top and come within sight of the enemy’s front-line defenses, hardly a second before the outburst of machine-gun fire from the entrenched foe, the captain had turned to his second lieutenant.

past form of “descend” — move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way

From this reading “INTO THE JAWS OF DEATH” ON the platoons went, gaining the top of the low hill that crowned the valley slope and then--suddenly the terrors of real war descended with one swift stroke and bit and tore and gnashed with even more than their usual fury.

remove or force out from a position

From this reading It is a wild place; the Huns have chosen to make a stand in it and they have boasted that nothing will be able to dislodge them.

the boundary of a surface

From this reading “He says,” meaning the guide, “that right over the hill is the edge of the famous Argonne Forest.

possessive form of “enemy” — an opposing military force

From this reading A moment before the former had gained the top and come within sight of the enemy’s front-line defenses, hardly a second before the outburst of machine-gun fire from the entrenched foe, the captain had turned to his second lieutenant.

dug in

From this reading A moment before the former had gained the top and come within sight of the enemy’s front-line defenses, hardly a second before the outburst of machine-gun fire from the entrenched foe, the captain had turned to his second lieutenant.

divisible by two

From this reading “INTO THE JAWS OF DEATH” ON the platoons went, gaining the top of the low hill that crowned the valley slope and then--suddenly the terrors of real war descended with one swift stroke and bit and tore and gnashed with even more than their usual fury.

widely known and esteemed

From this reading “He says,” meaning the guide, “that right over the hill is the edge of the famous Argonne Forest.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading Captain Lowden had been walking with a French guide up the slope and not far from where Herbert preceded his men.

start firing a weapon

From this reading A moment before the former had gained the top and come within sight of the enemy’s front-line defenses, hardly a second before the outburst of machine-gun fire from the entrenched foe, the captain had turned to his second lieutenant.

an armed adversary (especially a member of an opposing military force)

From this reading A moment before the former had gained the top and come within sight of the enemy’s front-line defenses, hardly a second before the outburst of machine-gun fire from the entrenched foe, the captain had turned to his second lieutenant.

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading “He says,” meaning the guide, “that right over the hill is the edge of the famous Argonne Forest.

referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)

From this reading A moment before the former had gained the top and come within sight of the enemy’s front-line defenses, hardly a second before the outburst of machine-gun fire from the entrenched foe, the captain had turned to his second lieutenant.

the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France

From this reading Captain Lowden had been walking with a French guide up the slope and not far from where Herbert preceded his men.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Captain Lowden had been walking with a French guide up the slope and not far from where Herbert preceded his men.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A moment before the former had gained the top and come within sight of the enemy’s front-line defenses, hardly a second before the outburst of machine-gun fire from the entrenched foe, the captain had turned to his second lieutenant.

a feeling of intense anger

From this reading “INTO THE JAWS OF DEATH” ON the platoons went, gaining the top of the low hill that crowned the valley slope and then--suddenly the terrors of real war descended with one swift stroke and bit and tore and gnashed with even more than their usual fury.

past form of “gain” — obtain

From this reading A moment before the former had gained the top and come within sight of the enemy’s front-line defenses, hardly a second before the outburst of machine-gun fire from the entrenched foe, the captain had turned to his second lieutenant.

-ing form of “gain” — obtain

From this reading “INTO THE JAWS OF DEATH” ON the platoons went, gaining the top of the low hill that crowned the valley slope and then--suddenly the terrors of real war descended with one swift stroke and bit and tore and gnashed with even more than their usual fury.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “INTO THE JAWS OF DEATH” ON the platoons went, gaining the top of the low hill that crowned the valley slope and then--suddenly the terrors of real war descended with one swift stroke and bit and tore and gnashed with even more than their usual fury.

someone employed to conduct others

From this reading Captain Lowden had been walking with a French guide up the slope and not far from where Herbert preceded his men.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Captain Lowden had been walking with a French guide up the slope and not far from where Herbert preceded his men.

only a very short time before

From this reading A moment before the former had gained the top and come within sight of the enemy’s front-line defenses, hardly a second before the outburst of machine-gun fire from the entrenched foe, the captain had turned to his second lieutenant.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading It is a wild place; the Huns have chosen to make a stand in it and they have boasted that nothing will be able to dislodge them.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading “He says,” meaning the guide, “that right over the hill is the edge of the famous Argonne Forest.

United States musician and composer and conductor noted for his comic operas (1859-1924)

From this reading Captain Lowden had been walking with a French guide up the slope and not far from where Herbert preceded his men.

a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading “INTO THE JAWS OF DEATH” ON the platoons went, gaining the top of the low hill that crowned the valley slope and then--suddenly the terrors of real war descended with one swift stroke and bit and tore and gnashed with even more than their usual fury.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Captain Lowden had been walking with a French guide up the slope and not far from where Herbert preceded his men.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It is a wild place; the Huns have chosen to make a stand in it and they have boasted that nothing will be able to dislodge them.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading It is a wild place; the Huns have chosen to make a stand in it and they have boasted that nothing will be able to dislodge them.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading “INTO THE JAWS OF DEATH” ON the platoons went, gaining the top of the low hill that crowned the valley slope and then--suddenly the terrors of real war descended with one swift stroke and bit and tore and gnashed with even more than their usual fury.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading “He says,” meaning the guide, “that right over the hill is the edge of the famous Argonne Forest.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It is a wild place; the Huns have chosen to make a stand in it and they have boasted that nothing will be able to dislodge them.

plural of “jaw” — the part of the skull of a vertebrate that frames the mouth and holds the teeth

From this reading “INTO THE JAWS OF DEATH” ON the platoons went, gaining the top of the low hill that crowned the valley slope and then--suddenly the terrors of real war descended with one swift stroke and bit and tore and gnashed with even more than their usual fury.

a commissioned military officer

From this reading A moment before the former had gained the top and come within sight of the enemy’s front-line defenses, hardly a second before the outburst of machine-gun fire from the entrenched foe, the captain had turned to his second lieutenant.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading “INTO THE JAWS OF DEATH” ON the platoons went, gaining the top of the low hill that crowned the valley slope and then--suddenly the terrors of real war descended with one swift stroke and bit and tore and gnashed with even more than their usual fury.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Captain Lowden had been walking with a French guide up the slope and not far from where Herbert preceded his men.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A moment before the former had gained the top and come within sight of the enemy’s front-line defenses, hardly a second before the outburst of machine-gun fire from the entrenched foe, the captain had turned to his second lieutenant.

engage in

From this reading It is a wild place; the Huns have chosen to make a stand in it and they have boasted that nothing will be able to dislodge them.

the message that is intended or expressed or signified

From this reading “He says,” meaning the guide, “that right over the hill is the edge of the famous Argonne Forest.

the force of workers available

From this reading Captain Lowden had been walking with a French guide up the slope and not far from where Herbert preceded his men.

a particular point in time

From this reading A moment before the former had gained the top and come within sight of the enemy’s front-line defenses, hardly a second before the outburst of machine-gun fire from the entrenched foe, the captain had turned to his second lieutenant.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading “INTO THE JAWS OF DEATH” ON the platoons went, gaining the top of the low hill that crowned the valley slope and then--suddenly the terrors of real war descended with one swift stroke and bit and tore and gnashed with even more than their usual fury.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Captain Lowden had been walking with a French guide up the slope and not far from where Herbert preceded his men.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading It is a wild place; the Huns have chosen to make a stand in it and they have boasted that nothing will be able to dislodge them.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading “INTO THE JAWS OF DEATH” ON the platoons went, gaining the top of the low hill that crowned the valley slope and then--suddenly the terrors of real war descended with one swift stroke and bit and tore and gnashed with even more than their usual fury.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading “INTO THE JAWS OF DEATH” ON the platoons went, gaining the top of the low hill that crowned the valley slope and then--suddenly the terrors of real war descended with one swift stroke and bit and tore and gnashed with even more than their usual fury.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “INTO THE JAWS OF DEATH” ON the platoons went, gaining the top of the low hill that crowned the valley slope and then--suddenly the terrors of real war descended with one swift stroke and bit and tore and gnashed with even more than their usual fury.

an unrestrained expression of emotion

From this reading A moment before the former had gained the top and come within sight of the enemy’s front-line defenses, hardly a second before the outburst of machine-gun fire from the entrenched foe, the captain had turned to his second lieutenant.

above and across; more than

From this reading “He says,” meaning the guide, “that right over the hill is the edge of the famous Argonne Forest.

a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading It is a wild place; the Huns have chosen to make a stand in it and they have boasted that nothing will be able to dislodge them.

plural of “platoon” — a military unit that is a subdivision of a company; usually has a headquarters and two or more squads; usually commanded by a lieutenant

From this reading “INTO THE JAWS OF DEATH” ON the platoons went, gaining the top of the low hill that crowned the valley slope and then--suddenly the terrors of real war descended with one swift stroke and bit and tore and gnashed with even more than their usual fury.

past form of “precede” — be earlier in time; go back further

From this reading Captain Lowden had been walking with a French guide up the slope and not far from where Herbert preceded his men.

being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory

From this reading “INTO THE JAWS OF DEATH” ON the platoons went, gaining the top of the low hill that crowned the valley slope and then--suddenly the terrors of real war descended with one swift stroke and bit and tore and gnashed with even more than their usual fury.

precisely, exactly

From this reading “He says,” meaning the guide, “that right over the hill is the edge of the famous Argonne Forest.

plural of “say” — the chance to speak

From this reading “He says,” meaning the guide, “that right over the hill is the edge of the famous Argonne Forest.

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading A moment before the former had gained the top and come within sight of the enemy’s front-line defenses, hardly a second before the outburst of machine-gun fire from the entrenched foe, the captain had turned to his second lieutenant.

an instance of visual perception

From this reading A moment before the former had gained the top and come within sight of the enemy’s front-line defenses, hardly a second before the outburst of machine-gun fire from the entrenched foe, the captain had turned to his second lieutenant.

an elevated geological formation

From this reading “INTO THE JAWS OF DEATH” ON the platoons went, gaining the top of the low hill that crowned the valley slope and then--suddenly the terrors of real war descended with one swift stroke and bit and tore and gnashed with even more than their usual fury.

be standing; be upright

From this reading It is a wild place; the Huns have chosen to make a stand in it and they have boasted that nothing will be able to dislodge them.

(sports) the act of swinging or striking at a ball with a club or racket or bat or cue or hand

From this reading “INTO THE JAWS OF DEATH” ON the platoons went, gaining the top of the low hill that crowned the valley slope and then--suddenly the terrors of real war descended with one swift stroke and bit and tore and gnashed with even more than their usual fury.

happening unexpectedly

From this reading “INTO THE JAWS OF DEATH” ON the platoons went, gaining the top of the low hill that crowned the valley slope and then--suddenly the terrors of real war descended with one swift stroke and bit and tore and gnashed with even more than their usual fury.

moving very fast

From this reading “INTO THE JAWS OF DEATH” ON the platoons went, gaining the top of the low hill that crowned the valley slope and then--suddenly the terrors of real war descended with one swift stroke and bit and tore and gnashed with even more than their usual fury.

plural of “terror” — an overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety

From this reading “INTO THE JAWS OF DEATH” ON the platoons went, gaining the top of the low hill that crowned the valley slope and then--suddenly the terrors of real war descended with one swift stroke and bit and tore and gnashed with even more than their usual fury.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading “INTO THE JAWS OF DEATH” ON the platoons went, gaining the top of the low hill that crowned the valley slope and then--suddenly the terrors of real war descended with one swift stroke and bit and tore and gnashed with even more than their usual fury.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading “INTO THE JAWS OF DEATH” ON the platoons went, gaining the top of the low hill that crowned the valley slope and then--suddenly the terrors of real war descended with one swift stroke and bit and tore and gnashed with even more than their usual fury.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading “INTO THE JAWS OF DEATH” ON the platoons went, gaining the top of the low hill that crowned the valley slope and then--suddenly the terrors of real war descended with one swift stroke and bit and tore and gnashed with even more than their usual fury.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading “INTO THE JAWS OF DEATH” ON the platoons went, gaining the top of the low hill that crowned the valley slope and then--suddenly the terrors of real war descended with one swift stroke and bit and tore and gnashed with even more than their usual fury.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading It is a wild place; the Huns have chosen to make a stand in it and they have boasted that nothing will be able to dislodge them.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading “INTO THE JAWS OF DEATH” ON the platoons went, gaining the top of the low hill that crowned the valley slope and then--suddenly the terrors of real war descended with one swift stroke and bit and tore and gnashed with even more than their usual fury.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading It is a wild place; the Huns have chosen to make a stand in it and they have boasted that nothing will be able to dislodge them.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading A moment before the former had gained the top and come within sight of the enemy’s front-line defenses, hardly a second before the outburst of machine-gun fire from the entrenched foe, the captain had turned to his second lieutenant.

the upper part of anything

From this reading “INTO THE JAWS OF DEATH” ON the platoons went, gaining the top of the low hill that crowned the valley slope and then--suddenly the terrors of real war descended with one swift stroke and bit and tore and gnashed with even more than their usual fury.

commonly the lowest molding at the base of a column

From this reading “INTO THE JAWS OF DEATH” ON the platoons went, gaining the top of the low hill that crowned the valley slope and then--suddenly the terrors of real war descended with one swift stroke and bit and tore and gnashed with even more than their usual fury.

moved around an axis or center

From this reading A moment before the former had gained the top and come within sight of the enemy’s front-line defenses, hardly a second before the outburst of machine-gun fire from the entrenched foe, the captain had turned to his second lieutenant.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading Captain Lowden had been walking with a French guide up the slope and not far from where Herbert preceded his men.

occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure

From this reading “INTO THE JAWS OF DEATH” ON the platoons went, gaining the top of the low hill that crowned the valley slope and then--suddenly the terrors of real war descended with one swift stroke and bit and tore and gnashed with even more than their usual fury.

a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river

From this reading “INTO THE JAWS OF DEATH” ON the platoons went, gaining the top of the low hill that crowned the valley slope and then--suddenly the terrors of real war descended with one swift stroke and bit and tore and gnashed with even more than their usual fury.

close enough to be walked to

From this reading Captain Lowden had been walking with a French guide up the slope and not far from where Herbert preceded his men.

the waging of armed conflict against an enemy

From this reading “INTO THE JAWS OF DEATH” ON the platoons went, gaining the top of the low hill that crowned the valley slope and then--suddenly the terrors of real war descended with one swift stroke and bit and tore and gnashed with even more than their usual fury.

inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading “INTO THE JAWS OF DEATH” ON the platoons went, gaining the top of the low hill that crowned the valley slope and then--suddenly the terrors of real war descended with one swift stroke and bit and tore and gnashed with even more than their usual fury.

in or at the place that

From this reading Captain Lowden had been walking with a French guide up the slope and not far from where Herbert preceded his men.

marked by extreme lack of restraint or control

From this reading It is a wild place; the Huns have chosen to make a stand in it and they have boasted that nothing will be able to dislodge them.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading It is a wild place; the Huns have chosen to make a stand in it and they have boasted that nothing will be able to dislodge them.

in the company of; together with

From this reading “INTO THE JAWS OF DEATH” ON the platoons went, gaining the top of the low hill that crowned the valley slope and then--suddenly the terrors of real war descended with one swift stroke and bit and tore and gnashed with even more than their usual fury.

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading A moment before the former had gained the top and come within sight of the enemy’s front-line defenses, hardly a second before the outburst of machine-gun fire from the entrenched foe, the captain had turned to his second lieutenant.