Chapter IV

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

From this reading You will remember that when the year 1914 closed the rival armies were facing each other in trenches which extended over well-nigh 500 miles--from the North Sea across the flats of Flanders, through the coalfield of North France, along the ups and downs of the Oise Valley and the heights of the Aisne, through the Forest of Argonne into Lorraine, along every high valley of the Vosges, right through Alsace to within sight of Alpine snows.

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

From this reading You will remember that when the year 1914 closed the rival armies were facing each other in trenches which extended over well-nigh 500 miles--from the North Sea across the flats of Flanders, through the coalfield of North France, along the ups and downs of the Oise Valley and the heights of the Aisne, through the Forest of Argonne into Lorraine, along every high valley of the Vosges, right through Alsace to within sight of Alpine snows.

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

From this reading The cold and storms of winter had put an end to operations on a large scale, but scarcely a day passed without artillery duels and local attacks.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading You will remember that when the year 1914 closed the rival armies were facing each other in trenches which extended over well-nigh 500 miles--from the North Sea across the flats of Flanders, through the coalfield of North France, along the ups and downs of the Oise Valley and the heights of the Aisne, through the Forest of Argonne into Lorraine, along every high valley of the Vosges, right through Alsace to within sight of Alpine snows.

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

From this reading You will remember that when the year 1914 closed the rival armies were facing each other in trenches which extended over well-nigh 500 miles--from the North Sea across the flats of Flanders, through the coalfield of North France, along the ups and downs of the Oise Valley and the heights of the Aisne, through the Forest of Argonne into Lorraine, along every high valley of the Vosges, right through Alsace to within sight of Alpine snows.

the alliance of nations that fought the Axis in World War II and which (with subsequent additions) signed the charter of the United Nations in 1945

From this reading Now we must return to the battle front in the West, and see how the Allies fared during the months of January and February.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading You will remember that when the year 1914 closed the rival armies were facing each other in trenches which extended over well-nigh 500 miles--from the North Sea across the flats of Flanders, through the coalfield of North France, along the ups and downs of the Oise Valley and the heights of the Aisne, through the Forest of Argonne into Lorraine, along every high valley of the Vosges, right through Alsace to within sight of Alpine snows.

relating to or characteristic of alps

From this reading You will remember that when the year 1914 closed the rival armies were facing each other in trenches which extended over well-nigh 500 miles--from the North Sea across the flats of Flanders, through the coalfield of North France, along the ups and downs of the Oise Valley and the heights of the Aisne, through the Forest of Argonne into Lorraine, along every high valley of the Vosges, right through Alsace to within sight of Alpine snows.

a region of northeastern France famous for its wines

From this reading You will remember that when the year 1914 closed the rival armies were facing each other in trenches which extended over well-nigh 500 miles--from the North Sea across the flats of Flanders, through the coalfield of North France, along the ups and downs of the Oise Valley and the heights of the Aisne, through the Forest of Argonne into Lorraine, along every high valley of the Vosges, right through Alsace to within sight of Alpine snows.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading The cold and storms of winter had put an end to operations on a large scale, but scarcely a day passed without artillery duels and local attacks.

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

From this reading Now we must return to the battle front in the West, and see how the Allies fared during the months of January and February.

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading When General Joffre was asked to describe his operations during the winter months he replied, "We are nibbling away at them."

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 You will remember that when the year 1914 closed the rival armies were facing each other in trenches which extended over well-nigh 500 miles--from the North Sea across the flats of Flanders, through the coalfield of North France, along the ups and downs of the Oise Valley and the heights of the Aisne, through the Forest of Argonne into Lorraine, along every high valley of the Vosges, right through Alsace to within sight of Alpine snows.

plural of “army” — a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state

From this reading You will remember that when the year 1914 closed the rival armies were facing each other in trenches which extended over well-nigh 500 miles--from the North Sea across the flats of Flanders, through the coalfield of North France, along the ups and downs of the Oise Valley and the heights of the Aisne, through the Forest of Argonne into Lorraine, along every high valley of the Vosges, right through Alsace to within sight of Alpine snows.

large but transportable armament

From this reading The cold and storms of winter had put an end to operations on a large scale, but scarcely a day passed without artillery duels and local attacks.

past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody

From this reading When General Joffre was asked to describe his operations during the winter months he replied, "We are nibbling away at them."

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading When General Joffre was asked to describe his operations during the winter months he replied, "We are nibbling away at them."

plural of “attack” — (military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)

From this reading The cold and storms of winter had put an end to operations on a large scale, but scarcely a day passed without artillery duels and local attacks.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading When General Joffre was asked to describe his operations during the winter months he replied, "We are nibbling away at them."

a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war

From this reading Now we must return to the battle front in the West, and see how the Allies fared during the months of January and February.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The cold and storms of winter had put an end to operations on a large scale, but scarcely a day passed without artillery duels and local attacks.

not open or affording passage or access

From this reading You will remember that when the year 1914 closed the rival armies were facing each other in trenches which extended over well-nigh 500 miles--from the North Sea across the flats of Flanders, through the coalfield of North France, along the ups and downs of the Oise Valley and the heights of the Aisne, through the Forest of Argonne into Lorraine, along every high valley of the Vosges, right through Alsace to within sight of Alpine snows.

a region where there is coal underground

From this reading You will remember that when the year 1914 closed the rival armies were facing each other in trenches which extended over well-nigh 500 miles--from the North Sea across the flats of Flanders, through the coalfield of North France, along the ups and downs of the Oise Valley and the heights of the Aisne, through the Forest of Argonne into Lorraine, along every high valley of the Vosges, right through Alsace to within sight of Alpine snows.

having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration

From this reading The cold and storms of winter had put an end to operations on a large scale, but scarcely a day passed without artillery duels and local attacks.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading The cold and storms of winter had put an end to operations on a large scale, but scarcely a day passed without artillery duels and local attacks.

give a description of

From this reading When General Joffre was asked to describe his operations during the winter months he replied, "We are nibbling away at them."

plural of “down” — soft fine feathers

From this reading You will remember that when the year 1914 closed the rival armies were facing each other in trenches which extended over well-nigh 500 miles--from the North Sea across the flats of Flanders, through the coalfield of North France, along the ups and downs of the Oise Valley and the heights of the Aisne, through the Forest of Argonne into Lorraine, along every high valley of the Vosges, right through Alsace to within sight of Alpine snows.

plural of “duel” — a prearranged fight with deadly weapons by two people (accompanied by seconds) in order to settle a quarrel over a point of honor

From this reading The cold and storms of winter had put an end to operations on a large scale, but scarcely a day passed without artillery duels and local attacks.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading Now we must return to the battle front in the West, and see how the Allies fared during the months of January and February.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading You will remember that when the year 1914 closed the rival armies were facing each other in trenches which extended over well-nigh 500 miles--from the North Sea across the flats of Flanders, through the coalfield of North France, along the ups and downs of the Oise Valley and the heights of the Aisne, through the Forest of Argonne into Lorraine, along every high valley of the Vosges, right through Alsace to within sight of Alpine snows.

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading The cold and storms of winter had put an end to operations on a large scale, but scarcely a day passed without artillery duels and local attacks.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading You will remember that when the year 1914 closed the rival armies were facing each other in trenches which extended over well-nigh 500 miles--from the North Sea across the flats of Flanders, through the coalfield of North France, along the ups and downs of the Oise Valley and the heights of the Aisne, through the Forest of Argonne into Lorraine, along every high valley of the Vosges, right through Alsace to within sight of Alpine snows.

relatively long in duration; tediously protracted

From this reading You will remember that when the year 1914 closed the rival armies were facing each other in trenches which extended over well-nigh 500 miles--from the North Sea across the flats of Flanders, through the coalfield of North France, along the ups and downs of the Oise Valley and the heights of the Aisne, through the Forest of Argonne into Lorraine, along every high valley of the Vosges, right through Alsace to within sight of Alpine snows.

a lining applied to the edge of a garment for ornamentation or strengthening

From this reading You will remember that when the year 1914 closed the rival armies were facing each other in trenches which extended over well-nigh 500 miles--from the North Sea across the flats of Flanders, through the coalfield of North France, along the ups and downs of the Oise Valley and the heights of the Aisne, through the Forest of Argonne into Lorraine, along every high valley of the Vosges, right through Alsace to within sight of Alpine snows.

past form of “fare” — proceed or get along

From this reading Now we must return to the battle front in the West, and see how the Allies fared during the months of January and February.

the month following January and preceding March

From this reading Now we must return to the battle front in the West, and see how the Allies fared during the months of January and February.

a medieval country in northern Europe that included regions now parts of northern France and Belgium and southwestern Netherlands

From this reading You will remember that when the year 1914 closed the rival armies were facing each other in trenches which extended over well-nigh 500 miles--from the North Sea across the flats of Flanders, through the coalfield of North France, along the ups and downs of the Oise Valley and the heights of the Aisne, through the Forest of Argonne into Lorraine, along every high valley of the Vosges, right through Alsace to within sight of Alpine snows.

footwear (shoes or slippers) with no heel (or a very low heel)

From this reading You will remember that when the year 1914 closed the rival armies were facing each other in trenches which extended over well-nigh 500 miles--from the North Sea across the flats of Flanders, through the coalfield of North France, along the ups and downs of the Oise Valley and the heights of the Aisne, through the Forest of Argonne into Lorraine, along every high valley of the Vosges, right through Alsace to within sight of Alpine snows.

the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading You will remember that when the year 1914 closed the rival armies were facing each other in trenches which extended over well-nigh 500 miles--from the North Sea across the flats of Flanders, through the coalfield of North France, along the ups and downs of the Oise Valley and the heights of the Aisne, through the Forest of Argonne into Lorraine, along every high valley of the Vosges, right through Alsace to within sight of Alpine snows.

a republic in western Europe; the largest country wholly in Europe

From this reading You will remember that when the year 1914 closed the rival armies were facing each other in trenches which extended over well-nigh 500 miles--from the North Sea across the flats of Flanders, through the coalfield of North France, along the ups and downs of the Oise Valley and the heights of the Aisne, through the Forest of Argonne into Lorraine, along every high valley of the Vosges, right through Alsace to within sight of Alpine snows.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading You will remember that when the year 1914 closed the rival armies were facing each other in trenches which extended over well-nigh 500 miles--from the North Sea across the flats of Flanders, through the coalfield of North France, along the ups and downs of the Oise Valley and the heights of the Aisne, through the Forest of Argonne into Lorraine, along every high valley of the Vosges, right through Alsace to within sight of Alpine snows.

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading WINTER WARFARE ON THE WESTERN FRONT.--I.

applying to all or most members of a category or group

From this reading When General Joffre was asked to describe his operations during the winter months he replied, "We are nibbling away at them."

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

From this reading The cold and storms of winter had put an end to operations on a large scale, but scarcely a day passed without artillery duels and local attacks.

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

From this reading When General Joffre was asked to describe his operations during the winter months he replied, "We are nibbling away at them."

a high place

From this reading You will remember that when the year 1914 closed the rival armies were facing each other in trenches which extended over well-nigh 500 miles--from the North Sea across the flats of Flanders, through the coalfield of North France, along the ups and downs of the Oise Valley and the heights of the Aisne, through the Forest of Argonne into Lorraine, along every high valley of the Vosges, right through Alsace to within sight of Alpine snows.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading You will remember that when the year 1914 closed the rival armies were facing each other in trenches which extended over well-nigh 500 miles--from the North Sea across the flats of Flanders, through the coalfield of North France, along the ups and downs of the Oise Valley and the heights of the Aisne, through the Forest of Argonne into Lorraine, along every high valley of the Vosges, right through Alsace to within sight of Alpine snows.

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

From this reading When General Joffre was asked to describe his operations during the winter months he replied, "We are nibbling away at them."

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

From this reading Now we must return to the battle front in the West, and see how the Allies fared during the months of January and February.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading WINTER WARFARE ON THE WESTERN FRONT.--I.

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

From this reading Now we must return to the battle front in the West, and see how the Allies fared during the months of January and February.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading You will remember that when the year 1914 closed the rival armies were facing each other in trenches which extended over well-nigh 500 miles--from the North Sea across the flats of Flanders, through the coalfield of North France, along the ups and downs of the Oise Valley and the heights of the Aisne, through the Forest of Argonne into Lorraine, along every high valley of the Vosges, right through Alsace to within sight of Alpine snows.

the first month of the year; begins 10 days after the winter solstice

From this reading Now we must return to the battle front in the West, and see how the Allies fared during the months of January and February.

French field marshal who commanded the Allied armies in France during World War II (1852-1931)

From this reading When General Joffre was asked to describe his operations during the winter months he replied, "We are nibbling away at them."

above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading The cold and storms of winter had put an end to operations on a large scale, but scarcely a day passed without artillery duels and local attacks.

relating to or applicable to or concerned with the administration of a city or town or district rather than a larger area

From this reading The cold and storms of winter had put an end to operations on a large scale, but scarcely a day passed without artillery duels and local attacks.

an eastern French region rich in iron-ore deposits

From this reading You will remember that when the year 1914 closed the rival armies were facing each other in trenches which extended over well-nigh 500 miles--from the North Sea across the flats of Flanders, through the coalfield of North France, along the ups and downs of the Oise Valley and the heights of the Aisne, through the Forest of Argonne into Lorraine, along every high valley of the Vosges, right through Alsace to within sight of Alpine snows.

plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters

From this reading You will remember that when the year 1914 closed the rival armies were facing each other in trenches which extended over well-nigh 500 miles--from the North Sea across the flats of Flanders, through the coalfield of North France, along the ups and downs of the Oise Valley and the heights of the Aisne, through the Forest of Argonne into Lorraine, along every high valley of the Vosges, right through Alsace to within sight of Alpine snows.

plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year

From this reading Now we must return to the battle front in the West, and see how the Allies fared during the months of January and February.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading Now we must return to the battle front in the West, and see how the Allies fared during the months of January and February.

-ing form of “nibble” — bite off very small pieces

From this reading When General Joffre was asked to describe his operations during the winter months he replied, "We are nibbling away at them."

the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading You will remember that when the year 1914 closed the rival armies were facing each other in trenches which extended over well-nigh 500 miles--from the North Sea across the flats of Flanders, through the coalfield of North France, along the ups and downs of the Oise Valley and the heights of the Aisne, through the Forest of Argonne into Lorraine, along every high valley of the Vosges, right through Alsace to within sight of Alpine snows.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading Now we must return to the battle front in the West, and see how the Allies fared during the months of January and February.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Now we must return to the battle front in the West, and see how the Allies fared during the months of January and February.

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

From this reading You will remember that when the year 1914 closed the rival armies were facing each other in trenches which extended over well-nigh 500 miles--from the North Sea across the flats of Flanders, through the coalfield of North France, along the ups and downs of the Oise Valley and the heights of the Aisne, through the Forest of Argonne into Lorraine, along every high valley of the Vosges, right through Alsace to within sight of Alpine snows.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading WINTER WARFARE ON THE WESTERN FRONT.--I.

financial transactions at a brokerage; having to do with the execution of trades and keeping customer records

From this reading The cold and storms of winter had put an end to operations on a large scale, but scarcely a day passed without artillery duels and local attacks.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading You will remember that when the year 1914 closed the rival armies were facing each other in trenches which extended over well-nigh 500 miles--from the North Sea across the flats of Flanders, through the coalfield of North France, along the ups and downs of the Oise Valley and the heights of the Aisne, through the Forest of Argonne into Lorraine, along every high valley of the Vosges, right through Alsace to within sight of Alpine snows.

above and across; more than

From this reading You will remember that when the year 1914 closed the rival armies were facing each other in trenches which extended over well-nigh 500 miles--from the North Sea across the flats of Flanders, through the coalfield of North France, along the ups and downs of the Oise Valley and the heights of the Aisne, through the Forest of Argonne into Lorraine, along every high valley of the Vosges, right through Alsace to within sight of Alpine snows.

past form of “pass” — go across or through

From this reading The cold and storms of winter had put an end to operations on a large scale, but scarcely a day passed without artillery duels and local attacks.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading The cold and storms of winter had put an end to operations on a large scale, but scarcely a day passed without artillery duels and local attacks.

To recall to mind.

From this reading You will remember that when the year 1914 closed the rival armies were facing each other in trenches which extended over well-nigh 500 miles--from the North Sea across the flats of Flanders, through the coalfield of North France, along the ups and downs of the Oise Valley and the heights of the Aisne, through the Forest of Argonne into Lorraine, along every high valley of the Vosges, right through Alsace to within sight of Alpine snows.

inflected form of “reply” — react verbally

From this reading When General Joffre was asked to describe his operations during the winter months he replied, "We are nibbling away at them."

go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading Now we must return to the battle front in the West, and see how the Allies fared during the months of January and February.

precisely, exactly

From this reading You will remember that when the year 1914 closed the rival armies were facing each other in trenches which extended over well-nigh 500 miles--from the North Sea across the flats of Flanders, through the coalfield of North France, along the ups and downs of the Oise Valley and the heights of the Aisne, through the Forest of Argonne into Lorraine, along every high valley of the Vosges, right through Alsace to within sight of Alpine snows.

be equal to in quality or ability

From this reading You will remember that when the year 1914 closed the rival armies were facing each other in trenches which extended over well-nigh 500 miles--from the North Sea across the flats of Flanders, through the coalfield of North France, along the ups and downs of the Oise Valley and the heights of the Aisne, through the Forest of Argonne into Lorraine, along every high valley of the Vosges, right through Alsace to within sight of Alpine snows.

an ordered reference standard

From this reading The cold and storms of winter had put an end to operations on a large scale, but scarcely a day passed without artillery duels and local attacks.

only a very short time before

From this reading The cold and storms of winter had put an end to operations on a large scale, but scarcely a day passed without artillery duels and local attacks.

a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land

From this reading You will remember that when the year 1914 closed the rival armies were facing each other in trenches which extended over well-nigh 500 miles--from the North Sea across the flats of Flanders, through the coalfield of North France, along the ups and downs of the Oise Valley and the heights of the Aisne, through the Forest of Argonne into Lorraine, along every high valley of the Vosges, right through Alsace to within sight of Alpine snows.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading Now we must return to the battle front in the West, and see how the Allies fared during the months of January and February.

an instance of visual perception

From this reading You will remember that when the year 1914 closed the rival armies were facing each other in trenches which extended over well-nigh 500 miles--from the North Sea across the flats of Flanders, through the coalfield of North France, along the ups and downs of the Oise Valley and the heights of the Aisne, through the Forest of Argonne into Lorraine, along every high valley of the Vosges, right through Alsace to within sight of Alpine snows.

plural of “snow” — precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals

From this reading You will remember that when the year 1914 closed the rival armies were facing each other in trenches which extended over well-nigh 500 miles--from the North Sea across the flats of Flanders, through the coalfield of North France, along the ups and downs of the Oise Valley and the heights of the Aisne, through the Forest of Argonne into Lorraine, along every high valley of the Vosges, right through Alsace to within sight of Alpine snows.

plural of “storm” — a violent weather condition with winds 64-72 knots (11 on the Beaufort scale) and precipitation and thunder and lightning

From this reading The cold and storms of winter had put an end to operations on a large scale, but scarcely a day passed without artillery duels and local attacks.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading You will remember that when the year 1914 closed the rival armies were facing each other in trenches which extended over well-nigh 500 miles--from the North Sea across the flats of Flanders, through the coalfield of North France, along the ups and downs of the Oise Valley and the heights of the Aisne, through the Forest of Argonne into Lorraine, along every high valley of the Vosges, right through Alsace to within sight of Alpine snows.

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

From this reading WINTER WARFARE ON THE WESTERN FRONT.--I.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading When General Joffre was asked to describe his operations during the winter months he replied, "We are nibbling away at them."

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading You will remember that when the year 1914 closed the rival armies were facing each other in trenches which extended over well-nigh 500 miles--from the North Sea across the flats of Flanders, through the coalfield of North France, along the ups and downs of the Oise Valley and the heights of the Aisne, through the Forest of Argonne into Lorraine, along every high valley of the Vosges, right through Alsace to within sight of Alpine snows.

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

From this reading Now we must return to the battle front in the West, and see how the Allies fared during the months of January and February.

plural of “trench” — a ditch dug as a fortification having a parapet of the excavated earth

From this reading You will remember that when the year 1914 closed the rival armies were facing each other in trenches which extended over well-nigh 500 miles--from the North Sea across the flats of Flanders, through the coalfield of North France, along the ups and downs of the Oise Valley and the heights of the Aisne, through the Forest of Argonne into Lorraine, along every high valley of the Vosges, right through Alsace to within sight of Alpine snows.

third-person singular of “up” — raise

From this reading You will remember that when the year 1914 closed the rival armies were facing each other in trenches which extended over well-nigh 500 miles--from the North Sea across the flats of Flanders, through the coalfield of North France, along the ups and downs of the Oise Valley and the heights of the Aisne, through the Forest of Argonne into Lorraine, along every high valley of the Vosges, right through Alsace to within sight of Alpine snows.

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

From this reading You will remember that when the year 1914 closed the rival armies were facing each other in trenches which extended over well-nigh 500 miles--from the North Sea across the flats of Flanders, through the coalfield of North France, along the ups and downs of the Oise Valley and the heights of the Aisne, through the Forest of Argonne into Lorraine, along every high valley of the Vosges, right through Alsace to within sight of Alpine snows.

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

From this reading You will remember that when the year 1914 closed the rival armies were facing each other in trenches which extended over well-nigh 500 miles--from the North Sea across the flats of Flanders, through the coalfield of North France, along the ups and downs of the Oise Valley and the heights of the Aisne, through the Forest of Argonne into Lorraine, along every high valley of the Vosges, right through Alsace to within sight of Alpine snows.

the waging of armed conflict against an enemy

From this reading WINTER WARFARE ON THE WESTERN FRONT.--I.

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

From this reading When General Joffre was asked to describe his operations during the winter months he replied, "We are nibbling away at them."

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading Now we must return to the battle front in the West, and see how the Allies fared during the months of January and February.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading You will remember that when the year 1914 closed the rival armies were facing each other in trenches which extended over well-nigh 500 miles--from the North Sea across the flats of Flanders, through the coalfield of North France, along the ups and downs of the Oise Valley and the heights of the Aisne, through the Forest of Argonne into Lorraine, along every high valley of the Vosges, right through Alsace to within sight of Alpine snows.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading You will remember that when the year 1914 closed the rival armies were facing each other in trenches which extended over well-nigh 500 miles--from the North Sea across the flats of Flanders, through the coalfield of North France, along the ups and downs of the Oise Valley and the heights of the Aisne, through the Forest of Argonne into Lorraine, along every high valley of the Vosges, right through Alsace to within sight of Alpine snows.

the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America

From this reading Now we must return to the battle front in the West, and see how the Allies fared during the months of January and February.

relating to or characteristic of the western parts of the world or the West as opposed to the eastern or oriental parts

From this reading WINTER WARFARE ON THE WESTERN FRONT.--I.

at the time that

From this reading You will remember that when the year 1914 closed the rival armies were facing each other in trenches which extended over well-nigh 500 miles--from the North Sea across the flats of Flanders, through the coalfield of North France, along the ups and downs of the Oise Valley and the heights of the Aisne, through the Forest of Argonne into Lorraine, along every high valley of the Vosges, right through Alsace to within sight of Alpine snows.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading You will remember that when the year 1914 closed the rival armies were facing each other in trenches which extended over well-nigh 500 miles--from the North Sea across the flats of Flanders, through the coalfield of North France, along the ups and downs of the Oise Valley and the heights of the Aisne, through the Forest of Argonne into Lorraine, along every high valley of the Vosges, right through Alsace to within sight of Alpine snows.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading You will remember that when the year 1914 closed the rival armies were facing each other in trenches which extended over well-nigh 500 miles--from the North Sea across the flats of Flanders, through the coalfield of North France, along the ups and downs of the Oise Valley and the heights of the Aisne, through the Forest of Argonne into Lorraine, along every high valley of the Vosges, right through Alsace to within sight of Alpine snows.

the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox

From this reading WINTER WARFARE ON THE WESTERN FRONT.--I.

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading You will remember that when the year 1914 closed the rival armies were facing each other in trenches which extended over well-nigh 500 miles--from the North Sea across the flats of Flanders, through the coalfield of North France, along the ups and downs of the Oise Valley and the heights of the Aisne, through the Forest of Argonne into Lorraine, along every high valley of the Vosges, right through Alsace to within sight of Alpine snows.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading The cold and storms of winter had put an end to operations on a large scale, but scarcely a day passed without artillery duels and local attacks.

a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days

From this reading You will remember that when the year 1914 closed the rival armies were facing each other in trenches which extended over well-nigh 500 miles--from the North Sea across the flats of Flanders, through the coalfield of North France, along the ups and downs of the Oise Valley and the heights of the Aisne, through the Forest of Argonne into Lorraine, along every high valley of the Vosges, right through Alsace to within sight of Alpine snows.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading You will remember that when the year 1914 closed the rival armies were facing each other in trenches which extended over well-nigh 500 miles--from the North Sea across the flats of Flanders, through the coalfield of North France, along the ups and downs of the Oise Valley and the heights of the Aisne, through the Forest of Argonne into Lorraine, along every high valley of the Vosges, right through Alsace to within sight of Alpine snows.