used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading LIEUTENANT WHITCOMB The great push had served a big purpose; it was to be followed by others quickly.
(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 It could not be expected, however, that the Germans would take the matter at all calmly; they must be met with two blows to their one.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The place that Herbert had chosen was a small natural depression of a few feet; a pile of stones and hastily filled sand bags helped this much until a trench, really a nearly square hole, had been dug.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading In this manner it was hoped to strike the most effective blows at the enemy, giving it little time to recover.
bagsnounUS /bæɡz/
plural of “bag” — a flexible container with a single opening
From this reading The place that Herbert had chosen was a small natural depression of a few feet; a pile of stones and hastily filled sand bags helped this much until a trench, really a nearly square hole, had been dug.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading LIEUTENANT WHITCOMB The great push had served a big purpose; it was to be followed by others quickly.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The place that Herbert had chosen was a small natural depression of a few feet; a pile of stones and hastily filled sand bags helped this much until a trench, really a nearly square hole, had been dug.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading LIEUTENANT WHITCOMB The great push had served a big purpose; it was to be followed by others quickly.
blowsnounUS /bloʊz/
plural of “blow” — a powerful stroke with the fist or a weapon
From this reading In this manner it was hoped to strike the most effective blows at the enemy, giving it little time to recover.
boardsnounUS /bɔːrdz/
(used in the plural) the stage of a theater
From this reading Then this was roofed over with some half-charred planks and boards brought from a nearby pig-sty which the Huns had tried to burn, but could not.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading Then this was roofed over with some half-charred planks and boards brought from a nearby pig-sty which the Huns had tried to burn, but could not.
To consume or be consumed by fire.
From this reading Then this was roofed over with some half-charred planks and boards brought from a nearby pig-sty which the Huns had tried to burn, but could not.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Then this was roofed over with some half-charred planks and boards brought from a nearby pig-sty which the Huns had tried to burn, but could not.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading LIEUTENANT WHITCOMB The great push had served a big purpose; it was to be followed by others quickly.
with self-possession (especially in times of stress)
From this reading It could not be expected, however, that the Germans would take the matter at all calmly; they must be met with two blows to their one.
one who is the object of choice; who is given preference
From this reading The place that Herbert had chosen was a small natural depression of a few feet; a pile of stones and hastily filled sand bags helped this much until a trench, really a nearly square hole, had been dug.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading It could not be expected, however, that the Germans would take the matter at all calmly; they must be met with two blows to their one.
depressionnounUS /dɪˈpreʃən/
a mental state characterized by a pessimistic sense of inadequacy and a despondent lack of activity
From this reading The place that Herbert had chosen was a small natural depression of a few feet; a pile of stones and hastily filled sand bags helped this much until a trench, really a nearly square hole, had been dug.
dugnounUS /dʌɡ/
an udder or breast or teat
From this reading The place that Herbert had chosen was a small natural depression of a few feet; a pile of stones and hastily filled sand bags helped this much until a trench, really a nearly square hole, had been dug.
effectiveadjectiveUS /ɪˈfektɪv/
producing or capable of producing an intended result or having a striking effect
From this reading In this manner it was hoped to strike the most effective blows at the enemy, giving it little time to recover.
an opposing military force
From this reading In this manner it was hoped to strike the most effective blows at the enemy, giving it little time to recover.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading It could not be expected, however, that the Germans would take the matter at all calmly; they must be met with two blows to their one.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading The place that Herbert had chosen was a small natural depression of a few feet; a pile of stones and hastily filled sand bags helped this much until a trench, really a nearly square hole, had been dug.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading The place that Herbert had chosen was a small natural depression of a few feet; a pile of stones and hastily filled sand bags helped this much until a trench, really a nearly square hole, had been dug.
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading The place that Herbert had chosen was a small natural depression of a few feet; a pile of stones and hastily filled sand bags helped this much until a trench, really a nearly square hole, had been dug.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading LIEUTENANT WHITCOMB The great push had served a big purpose; it was to be followed by others quickly.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Then this was roofed over with some half-charred planks and boards brought from a nearby pig-sty which the Huns had tried to burn, but could not.
GermansnounUS /ˈdʒɜːrmənz/
plural of “german” — a person of German nationality
From this reading It could not be expected, however, that the Germans would take the matter at all calmly; they must be met with two blows to their one.
the act of giving
From this reading In this manner it was hoped to strike the most effective blows at the enemy, giving it little time to recover.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading LIEUTENANT WHITCOMB The great push had served a big purpose; it was to be followed by others quickly.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading LIEUTENANT WHITCOMB The great push had served a big purpose; it was to be followed by others quickly.
half-charred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then this was roofed over with some half-charred planks and boards brought from a nearby pig-sty which the Huns had tried to burn, but could not.
in a hurried or hasty manner
From this reading The place that Herbert had chosen was a small natural depression of a few feet; a pile of stones and hastily filled sand bags helped this much until a trench, really a nearly square hole, had been dug.
past form of “help” — give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading The place that Herbert had chosen was a small natural depression of a few feet; a pile of stones and hastily filled sand bags helped this much until a trench, really a nearly square hole, had been dug.
HerbertnounUS /ˈhɜːrbərt/
United States musician and composer and conductor noted for his comic operas (1859-1924)
From this reading The place that Herbert had chosen was a small natural depression of a few feet; a pile of stones and hastily filled sand bags helped this much until a trench, really a nearly square hole, had been dug.
an opening into or through something
From this reading The place that Herbert had chosen was a small natural depression of a few feet; a pile of stones and hastily filled sand bags helped this much until a trench, really a nearly square hole, had been dug.
past form of “hope” — expect and wish
From this reading In this manner it was hoped to strike the most effective blows at the enemy, giving it little time to recover.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading It could not be expected, however, that the Germans would take the matter at all calmly; they must be met with two blows to their one.
Huns
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then this was roofed over with some half-charred planks and boards brought from a nearby pig-sty which the Huns had tried to burn, but could not.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In this manner it was hoped to strike the most effective blows at the enemy, giving it little time to recover.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading LIEUTENANT WHITCOMB The great push had served a big purpose; it was to be followed by others quickly.
a commissioned military officer
From this reading LIEUTENANT WHITCOMB The great push had served a big purpose; it was to be followed by others quickly.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading In this manner it was hoped to strike the most effective blows at the enemy, giving it little time to recover.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading In this manner it was hoped to strike the most effective blows at the enemy, giving it little time to recover.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading It could not be expected, however, that the Germans would take the matter at all calmly; they must be met with two blows to their one.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading It could not be expected, however, that the Germans would take the matter at all calmly; they must be met with two blows to their one.
used to form the superlative
From this reading In this manner it was hoped to strike the most effective blows at the enemy, giving it little time to recover.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading The place that Herbert had chosen was a small natural depression of a few feet; a pile of stones and hastily filled sand bags helped this much until a trench, really a nearly square hole, had been dug.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading It could not be expected, however, that the Germans would take the matter at all calmly; they must be met with two blows to their one.
in accordance with nature; relating to or concerning nature
From this reading The place that Herbert had chosen was a small natural depression of a few feet; a pile of stones and hastily filled sand bags helped this much until a trench, really a nearly square hole, had been dug.
nearbyadjectiveUS /ˈnɪrˈbaɪ/
close at hand
From this reading Then this was roofed over with some half-charred planks and boards brought from a nearby pig-sty which the Huns had tried to burn, but could not.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading The place that Herbert had chosen was a small natural depression of a few feet; a pile of stones and hastily filled sand bags helped this much until a trench, really a nearly square hole, had been dug.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It could not be expected, however, that the Germans would take the matter at all calmly; they must be met with two blows to their one.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The place that Herbert had chosen was a small natural depression of a few feet; a pile of stones and hastily filled sand bags helped this much until a trench, really a nearly square hole, had been dug.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It could not be expected, however, that the Germans would take the matter at all calmly; they must be met with two blows to their one.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LIEUTENANT WHITCOMB The great push had served a big purpose; it was to be followed by others quickly.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Then this was roofed over with some half-charred planks and boards brought from a nearby pig-sty which the Huns had tried to burn, but could not.
pig-sty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then this was roofed over with some half-charred planks and boards brought from a nearby pig-sty which the Huns had tried to burn, but could not.
a collection of objects laid on top of each other
From this reading The place that Herbert had chosen was a small natural depression of a few feet; a pile of stones and hastily filled sand bags helped this much until a trench, really a nearly square hole, had been dug.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading The place that Herbert had chosen was a small natural depression of a few feet; a pile of stones and hastily filled sand bags helped this much until a trench, really a nearly square hole, had been dug.
planksnounUS /plæŋks/
plural of “plank” — a stout length of sawn timber; made in a wide variety of sizes and used for many purposes
From this reading Then this was roofed over with some half-charred planks and boards brought from a nearby pig-sty which the Huns had tried to burn, but could not.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading LIEUTENANT WHITCOMB The great push had served a big purpose; it was to be followed by others quickly.
pushverbUS /pʊʃ/
move with force
From this reading LIEUTENANT WHITCOMB The great push had served a big purpose; it was to be followed by others quickly.
with speed
From this reading LIEUTENANT WHITCOMB The great push had served a big purpose; it was to be followed by others quickly.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading The place that Herbert had chosen was a small natural depression of a few feet; a pile of stones and hastily filled sand bags helped this much until a trench, really a nearly square hole, had been dug.
recoververbUS /rɪˈkʌvər/
get or find back; recover the use of
From this reading In this manner it was hoped to strike the most effective blows at the enemy, giving it little time to recover.
roofedadjectiveUS /ruːft/
covered with a roof; having a roof as specified (often used in combination)
From this reading Then this was roofed over with some half-charred planks and boards brought from a nearby pig-sty which the Huns had tried to burn, but could not.
a loose material consisting of grains of rock or coral
From this reading The place that Herbert had chosen was a small natural depression of a few feet; a pile of stones and hastily filled sand bags helped this much until a trench, really a nearly square hole, had been dug.
past form of “serve” — serve a purpose, role, or function
From this reading LIEUTENANT WHITCOMB The great push had served a big purpose; it was to be followed by others quickly.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The place that Herbert had chosen was a small natural depression of a few feet; a pile of stones and hastily filled sand bags helped this much until a trench, really a nearly square hole, had been dug.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Then this was roofed over with some half-charred planks and boards brought from a nearby pig-sty which the Huns had tried to burn, but could not.
make square
From this reading The place that Herbert had chosen was a small natural depression of a few feet; a pile of stones and hastily filled sand bags helped this much until a trench, really a nearly square hole, had been dug.
plural of “stone” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading The place that Herbert had chosen was a small natural depression of a few feet; a pile of stones and hastily filled sand bags helped this much until a trench, really a nearly square hole, had been dug.
deliver a sharp blow, as with the hand, fist, or weapon
From this reading In this manner it was hoped to strike the most effective blows at the enemy, giving it little time to recover.
carry out
From this reading It could not be expected, however, that the Germans would take the matter at all calmly; they must be met with two blows to their one.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It could not be expected, however, that the Germans would take the matter at all calmly; they must be met with two blows to their one.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading LIEUTENANT WHITCOMB The great push had served a big purpose; it was to be followed by others quickly.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading It could not be expected, however, that the Germans would take the matter at all calmly; they must be met with two blows to their one.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then this was roofed over with some half-charred planks and boards brought from a nearby pig-sty which the Huns had tried to burn, but could not.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It could not be expected, however, that the Germans would take the matter at all calmly; they must be met with two blows to their one.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading In this manner it was hoped to strike the most effective blows at the enemy, giving it little time to recover.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading In this manner it was hoped to strike the most effective blows at the enemy, giving it little time to recover.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading LIEUTENANT WHITCOMB The great push had served a big purpose; it was to be followed by others quickly.
trenchnounUS /trentʃ/
a ditch dug as a fortification having a parapet of the excavated earth
From this reading The place that Herbert had chosen was a small natural depression of a few feet; a pile of stones and hastily filled sand bags helped this much until a trench, really a nearly square hole, had been dug.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading Then this was roofed over with some half-charred planks and boards brought from a nearby pig-sty which the Huns had tried to burn, but could not.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading It could not be expected, however, that the Germans would take the matter at all calmly; they must be met with two blows to their one.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading The place that Herbert had chosen was a small natural depression of a few feet; a pile of stones and hastily filled sand bags helped this much until a trench, really a nearly square hole, had been dug.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading LIEUTENANT WHITCOMB The great push had served a big purpose; it was to be followed by others quickly.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Then this was roofed over with some half-charred planks and boards brought from a nearby pig-sty which the Huns had tried to burn, but could not.
WHITCOMB
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading LIEUTENANT WHITCOMB The great push had served a big purpose; it was to be followed by others quickly.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It could not be expected, however, that the Germans would take the matter at all calmly; they must be met with two blows to their one.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It could not be expected, however, that the Germans would take the matter at all calmly; they must be met with two blows to their one.
