used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading (_From "Soldier Songs."_) A soft rain was falling; a low wind swept across the levels, and the leaves of a near birch copse rustled in the breeze, faltering timidly as they shook the rain from their shining fringes.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading (_From "Soldier Songs."_) A soft rain was falling; a low wind swept across the levels, and the leaves of a near birch copse rustled in the breeze, faltering timidly as they shook the rain from their shining fringes.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading BACK FROM BATTLE And as we left the trench to-night, Each weary 'neath his load, Grey silent ghosts as light as air Came with us down the road.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A soft, bluish haze surrounded the tops of the birches, the trunks were engirt with a pale mist which gave an eerie atmosphere to the whole wood.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading BACK FROM BATTLE And as we left the trench to-night, Each weary 'neath his load, Grey silent ghosts as light as air Came with us down the road.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading BACK FROM BATTLE And as we left the trench to-night, Each weary 'neath his load, Grey silent ghosts as light as air Came with us down the road.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading And as we sat us down to drink, They sat beside us too, And drank red wine at Nouex les Mines, As once they used to do.
a particular environment or surrounding influence
From this reading A soft, bluish haze surrounded the tops of the birches, the trunks were engirt with a pale mist which gave an eerie atmosphere to the whole wood.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading BACK FROM BATTLE And as we left the trench to-night, Each weary 'neath his load, Grey silent ghosts as light as air Came with us down the road.
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading BACK FROM BATTLE And as we left the trench to-night, Each weary 'neath his load, Grey silent ghosts as light as air Came with us down the road.
next to; at the side of
From this reading And as we sat us down to drink, They sat beside us too, And drank red wine at Nouex les Mines, As once they used to do.
billetsnounUS /ˈbɪləts/
plural of “billet” — a short personal letter
From this reading The London Irish had just left the trenches and were following a sunken road on their way back to billets and a month's rest.
birchnounUS /bɜːrtʃ/
hard close-grained wood of any of various birch trees; used especially in furniture and interior finishes and plywood
From this reading (_From "Soldier Songs."_) A soft rain was falling; a low wind swept across the levels, and the leaves of a near birch copse rustled in the breeze, faltering timidly as they shook the rain from their shining fringes.
birches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A soft, bluish haze surrounded the tops of the birches, the trunks were engirt with a pale mist which gave an eerie atmosphere to the whole wood.
bluishadjectiveUS /ˈbluːɪʃ/
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading A soft, bluish haze surrounded the tops of the birches, the trunks were engirt with a pale mist which gave an eerie atmosphere to the whole wood.
a slight wind (usually refreshing)
From this reading (_From "Soldier Songs."_) A soft rain was falling; a low wind swept across the levels, and the leaves of a near birch copse rustled in the breeze, faltering timidly as they shook the rain from their shining fringes.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading BACK FROM BATTLE And as we left the trench to-night, Each weary 'neath his load, Grey silent ghosts as light as air Came with us down the road.
copsenoun
a dense growth of bushes
From this reading (_From "Soldier Songs."_) A soft rain was falling; a low wind swept across the levels, and the leaves of a near birch copse rustled in the breeze, faltering timidly as they shook the rain from their shining fringes.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading And as we sat us down to drink, They sat beside us too, And drank red wine at Nouex les Mines, As once they used to do.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading BACK FROM BATTLE And as we left the trench to-night, Each weary 'neath his load, Grey silent ghosts as light as air Came with us down the road.
inflected form of “drink” — take in liquids
From this reading And as we sat us down to drink, They sat beside us too, And drank red wine at Nouex les Mines, As once they used to do.
take in liquids
From this reading And as we sat us down to drink, They sat beside us too, And drank red wine at Nouex les Mines, As once they used to do.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading BACK FROM BATTLE And as we left the trench to-night, Each weary 'neath his load, Grey silent ghosts as light as air Came with us down the road.
eerieadjectiveUS /ˈɪri/
suggestive of the supernatural; mysterious
From this reading A soft, bluish haze surrounded the tops of the birches, the trunks were engirt with a pale mist which gave an eerie atmosphere to the whole wood.
engirt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A soft, bluish haze surrounded the tops of the birches, the trunks were engirt with a pale mist which gave an eerie atmosphere to the whole wood.
decreasing in amount or degree
From this reading (_From "Soldier Songs."_) A soft rain was falling; a low wind swept across the levels, and the leaves of a near birch copse rustled in the breeze, faltering timidly as they shook the rain from their shining fringes.
falteringnounUS /ˈfɔːltərɪŋ/
the act of pausing uncertainly
From this reading (_From "Soldier Songs."_) A soft rain was falling; a low wind swept across the levels, and the leaves of a near birch copse rustled in the breeze, faltering timidly as they shook the rain from their shining fringes.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading The London Irish had just left the trenches and were following a sunken road on their way back to billets and a month's rest.
fringesnounUS /ˈfrɪndʒɪz/
plural of “fringe” — the outside boundary or surface of something
From this reading (_From "Soldier Songs."_) A soft rain was falling; a low wind swept across the levels, and the leaves of a near birch copse rustled in the breeze, faltering timidly as they shook the rain from their shining fringes.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading BACK FROM BATTLE And as we left the trench to-night, Each weary 'neath his load, Grey silent ghosts as light as air Came with us down the road.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading A soft, bluish haze surrounded the tops of the birches, the trunks were engirt with a pale mist which gave an eerie atmosphere to the whole wood.
ghostsnounUS /ɡoʊsts/
plural of “ghost” — a mental representation of some haunting experience
From this reading BACK FROM BATTLE And as we left the trench to-night, Each weary 'neath his load, Grey silent ghosts as light as air Came with us down the road.
of an achromatic color of any lightness intermediate between the extremes of white and black
From this reading BACK FROM BATTLE And as we left the trench to-night, Each weary 'neath his load, Grey silent ghosts as light as air Came with us down the road.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The London Irish had just left the trenches and were following a sunken road on their way back to billets and a month's rest.
hazenounUS /heɪz/
atmospheric moisture or dust or smoke that causes reduced visibility
From this reading A soft, bluish haze surrounded the tops of the birches, the trunks were engirt with a pale mist which gave an eerie atmosphere to the whole wood.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading BACK FROM BATTLE And as we left the trench to-night, Each weary 'neath his load, Grey silent ghosts as light as air Came with us down the road.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading (_From "Soldier Songs."_) A soft rain was falling; a low wind swept across the levels, and the leaves of a near birch copse rustled in the breeze, faltering timidly as they shook the rain from their shining fringes.
people of Ireland or of Irish extraction
From this reading The London Irish had just left the trenches and were following a sunken road on their way back to billets and a month's rest.
and nothing more
From this reading The London Irish had just left the trenches and were following a sunken road on their way back to billets and a month's rest.
plural of “leaf” — the main organ of photosynthesis and transpiration in higher plants
From this reading (_From "Soldier Songs."_) A soft rain was falling; a low wind swept across the levels, and the leaves of a near birch copse rustled in the breeze, faltering timidly as they shook the rain from their shining fringes.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading BACK FROM BATTLE And as we left the trench to-night, Each weary 'neath his load, Grey silent ghosts as light as air Came with us down the road.
lesnounUS /les/
plural of “le” — a chronic inflammatory collagen disease affecting connective tissue (skin or joints)
From this reading And as we sat us down to drink, They sat beside us too, And drank red wine at Nouex les Mines, As once they used to do.
levelsnounUS /ˈlevəlz/
plural of “level” — a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading (_From "Soldier Songs."_) A soft rain was falling; a low wind swept across the levels, and the leaves of a near birch copse rustled in the breeze, faltering timidly as they shook the rain from their shining fringes.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading BACK FROM BATTLE And as we left the trench to-night, Each weary 'neath his load, Grey silent ghosts as light as air Came with us down the road.
loadnounUS /loʊd/
weight to be borne or conveyed
From this reading BACK FROM BATTLE And as we left the trench to-night, Each weary 'neath his load, Grey silent ghosts as light as air Came with us down the road.
the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center
From this reading The London Irish had just left the trenches and were following a sunken road on their way back to billets and a month's rest.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading (_From "Soldier Songs."_) A soft rain was falling; a low wind swept across the levels, and the leaves of a near birch copse rustled in the breeze, faltering timidly as they shook the rain from their shining fringes.
MinesnounUS /maɪnz/
plural of “mine” — excavation in the earth from which ores and minerals are extracted
From this reading And as we sat us down to drink, They sat beside us too, And drank red wine at Nouex les Mines, As once they used to do.
become covered with mist
From this reading A soft, bluish haze surrounded the tops of the birches, the trunks were engirt with a pale mist which gave an eerie atmosphere to the whole wood.
month'snounUS /mʌnθs/
possessive form of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading The London Irish had just left the trenches and were following a sunken road on their way back to billets and a month's rest.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading (_From "Soldier Songs."_) A soft rain was falling; a low wind swept across the levels, and the leaves of a near birch copse rustled in the breeze, faltering timidly as they shook the rain from their shining fringes.
neath
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BACK FROM BATTLE And as we left the trench to-night, Each weary 'neath his load, Grey silent ghosts as light as air Came with us down the road.
Nouex
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And as we sat us down to drink, They sat beside us too, And drank red wine at Nouex les Mines, As once they used to do.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading (_From "Soldier Songs."_) A soft rain was falling; a low wind swept across the levels, and the leaves of a near birch copse rustled in the breeze, faltering timidly as they shook the rain from their shining fringes.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The London Irish had just left the trenches and were following a sunken road on their way back to billets and a month's rest.
on one occasion
From this reading And as we sat us down to drink, They sat beside us too, And drank red wine at Nouex les Mines, As once they used to do.
very light colored; highly diluted with white
From this reading A soft, bluish haze surrounded the tops of the birches, the trunks were engirt with a pale mist which gave an eerie atmosphere to the whole wood.
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading (_From "Soldier Songs."_) A soft rain was falling; a low wind swept across the levels, and the leaves of a near birch copse rustled in the breeze, faltering timidly as they shook the rain from their shining fringes.
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading And as we sat us down to drink, They sat beside us too, And drank red wine at Nouex les Mines, As once they used to do.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading The London Irish had just left the trenches and were following a sunken road on their way back to billets and a month's rest.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading BACK FROM BATTLE And as we left the trench to-night, Each weary 'neath his load, Grey silent ghosts as light as air Came with us down the road.
rustled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading (_From "Soldier Songs."_) A soft rain was falling; a low wind swept across the levels, and the leaves of a near birch copse rustled in the breeze, faltering timidly as they shook the rain from their shining fringes.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading And as we sat us down to drink, They sat beside us too, And drank red wine at Nouex les Mines, As once they used to do.
marked by exceptional merit
From this reading (_From "Soldier Songs."_) A soft rain was falling; a low wind swept across the levels, and the leaves of a near birch copse rustled in the breeze, faltering timidly as they shook the rain from their shining fringes.
a disassembled barrel; the parts packed for storage or shipment
From this reading (_From "Soldier Songs."_) A soft rain was falling; a low wind swept across the levels, and the leaves of a near birch copse rustled in the breeze, faltering timidly as they shook the rain from their shining fringes.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading BACK FROM BATTLE And as we left the trench to-night, Each weary 'neath his load, Grey silent ghosts as light as air Came with us down the road.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading (_From "Soldier Songs."_) A soft rain was falling; a low wind swept across the levels, and the leaves of a near birch copse rustled in the breeze, faltering timidly as they shook the rain from their shining fringes.
an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army
From this reading (_From "Soldier Songs."_) A soft rain was falling; a low wind swept across the levels, and the leaves of a near birch copse rustled in the breeze, faltering timidly as they shook the rain from their shining fringes.
plural of “song” — a short musical composition with words
From this reading (_From "Soldier Songs."_) A soft rain was falling; a low wind swept across the levels, and the leaves of a near birch copse rustled in the breeze, faltering timidly as they shook the rain from their shining fringes.
sunkenadjectiveUS /ˈsʌŋkən/
having a sunken area
From this reading The London Irish had just left the trenches and were following a sunken road on their way back to billets and a month's rest.
confined on all sides
From this reading A soft, bluish haze surrounded the tops of the birches, the trunks were engirt with a pale mist which gave an eerie atmosphere to the whole wood.
possessing sweep
From this reading (_From "Soldier Songs."_) A soft rain was falling; a low wind swept across the levels, and the leaves of a near birch copse rustled in the breeze, faltering timidly as they shook the rain from their shining fringes.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading BACK FROM BATTLE And as we left the trench to-night, Each weary 'neath his load, Grey silent ghosts as light as air Came with us down the road.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading (_From "Soldier Songs."_) A soft rain was falling; a low wind swept across the levels, and the leaves of a near birch copse rustled in the breeze, faltering timidly as they shook the rain from their shining fringes.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading And as we sat us down to drink, They sat beside us too, And drank red wine at Nouex les Mines, As once they used to do.
timidlyadverbUS /ˈtɪmədli/
in a shy or timid or bashful manner
From this reading (_From "Soldier Songs."_) A soft rain was falling; a low wind swept across the levels, and the leaves of a near birch copse rustled in the breeze, faltering timidly as they shook the rain from their shining fringes.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading And as we sat us down to drink, They sat beside us too, And drank red wine at Nouex les Mines, As once they used to do.
to-night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BACK FROM BATTLE And as we left the trench to-night, Each weary 'neath his load, Grey silent ghosts as light as air Came with us down the road.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading And as we sat us down to drink, They sat beside us too, And drank red wine at Nouex les Mines, As once they used to do.
topsadjectiveUS /tɑːps/
of the highest quality
From this reading A soft, bluish haze surrounded the tops of the birches, the trunks were engirt with a pale mist which gave an eerie atmosphere to the whole wood.
trenchnounUS /trentʃ/
a ditch dug as a fortification having a parapet of the excavated earth
From this reading BACK FROM BATTLE And as we left the trench to-night, Each weary 'neath his load, Grey silent ghosts as light as air Came with us down the road.
trenchesnounUS /ˈtrentʃɪz/
plural of “trench” — a ditch dug as a fortification having a parapet of the excavated earth
From this reading The London Irish had just left the trenches and were following a sunken road on their way back to billets and a month's rest.
trunksnounUS /trʌŋks/
(used in the plural) trousers that end at or above the knee
From this reading A soft, bluish haze surrounded the tops of the birches, the trunks were engirt with a pale mist which gave an eerie atmosphere to the whole wood.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading BACK FROM BATTLE And as we left the trench to-night, Each weary 'neath his load, Grey silent ghosts as light as air Came with us down the road.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading And as we sat us down to drink, They sat beside us too, And drank red wine at Nouex les Mines, As once they used to do.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading (_From "Soldier Songs."_) A soft rain was falling; a low wind swept across the levels, and the leaves of a near birch copse rustled in the breeze, faltering timidly as they shook the rain from their shining fringes.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The London Irish had just left the trenches and were following a sunken road on their way back to billets and a month's rest.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading BACK FROM BATTLE And as we left the trench to-night, Each weary 'neath his load, Grey silent ghosts as light as air Came with us down the road.
exhaust or get tired through overuse or great strain or stress
From this reading BACK FROM BATTLE And as we left the trench to-night, Each weary 'neath his load, Grey silent ghosts as light as air Came with us down the road.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A soft, bluish haze surrounded the tops of the birches, the trunks were engirt with a pale mist which gave an eerie atmosphere to the whole wood.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A soft, bluish haze surrounded the tops of the birches, the trunks were engirt with a pale mist which gave an eerie atmosphere to the whole wood.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading A soft, bluish haze surrounded the tops of the birches, the trunks were engirt with a pale mist which gave an eerie atmosphere to the whole wood.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading (_From "Soldier Songs."_) A soft rain was falling; a low wind swept across the levels, and the leaves of a near birch copse rustled in the breeze, faltering timidly as they shook the rain from their shining fringes.
fermented juice (of grapes especially)
From this reading And as we sat us down to drink, They sat beside us too, And drank red wine at Nouex les Mines, As once they used to do.
in the company of; together with
From this reading BACK FROM BATTLE And as we left the trench to-night, Each weary 'neath his load, Grey silent ghosts as light as air Came with us down the road.
the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees
From this reading A soft, bluish haze surrounded the tops of the birches, the trunks were engirt with a pale mist which gave an eerie atmosphere to the whole wood.
