Chapter I · Chapter 1

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

From this reading The ranks are trimmed up by imperceptible degrees; the men set their teeth, and a strange eager look comes over many a face.

in the middle of; surrounded by

From this reading Curses ring out amid a low sound of hard breathing; the ranks are gapped here and there as a man wriggles away like a wounded rabbit, or another bounds upward with a frantic ejaculation.

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

From this reading The ranks are trimmed up by imperceptible degrees; the men set their teeth, and a strange eager look comes over many a face.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading Curses ring out amid a low sound of hard breathing; the ranks are gapped here and there as a man wriggles away like a wounded rabbit, or another bounds upward with a frantic ejaculation.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading The eyes of the youngsters stare glassily; they can see the wood from which the enemy must be dislodged at any price, but they can form no definite ideas; they merely grip their rifles and go on mechanically.

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

From this reading The ranks are trimmed up by imperceptible degrees; the men set their teeth, and a strange eager look comes over many a face.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading Curses ring out amid a low sound of hard breathing; the ranks are gapped here and there as a man wriggles away like a wounded rabbit, or another bounds upward with a frantic ejaculation.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The eyes of the youngsters stare glassily; they can see the wood from which the enemy must be dislodged at any price, but they can form no definite ideas; they merely grip their rifles and go on mechanically.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading Curses ring out amid a low sound of hard breathing; the ranks are gapped here and there as a man wriggles away like a wounded rabbit, or another bounds upward with a frantic ejaculation.

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

From this reading The eyes of the youngsters stare glassily; they can see the wood from which the enemy must be dislodged at any price, but they can form no definite ideas; they merely grip their rifles and go on mechanically.

the line or plane indicating the limit or extent of something

From this reading Curses ring out amid a low sound of hard breathing; the ranks are gapped here and there as a man wriggles away like a wounded rabbit, or another bounds upward with a frantic ejaculation.

plural of “break” — some abrupt occurrence that interrupts an ongoing activity

From this reading The word is given--the dark lines dash forward; the firing from the wood breaks out in a crash of fury--there is a long harsh rattle, then a chance crack like a thunder-clap, and then a whirring like the spinning of some demoniac mill.

the bodily process of inhalation and exhalation; the process of taking in oxygen from inhaled air and releasing carbon dioxide by exhalation

From this reading Curses ring out amid a low sound of hard breathing; the ranks are gapped here and there as a man wriggles away like a wounded rabbit, or another bounds upward with a frantic ejaculation.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The eyes of the youngsters stare glassily; they can see the wood from which the enemy must be dislodged at any price, but they can form no definite ideas; they merely grip their rifles and go on mechanically.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The ranks are trimmed up by imperceptible degrees; the men set their teeth, and a strange eager look comes over many a face.

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading The eyes of the youngsters stare glassily; they can see the wood from which the enemy must be dislodged at any price, but they can form no definite ideas; they merely grip their rifles and go on mechanically.

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading The word is given--the dark lines dash forward; the firing from the wood breaks out in a crash of fury--there is a long harsh rattle, then a chance crack like a thunder-clap, and then a whirring like the spinning of some demoniac mill.

at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other

From this reading Then comes the fighting at close quarters.

plural of “come” — the thick white fluid containing spermatozoa that is ejaculated by the male genital tract

From this reading The ranks are trimmed up by imperceptible degrees; the men set their teeth, and a strange eager look comes over many a face.

become fractured; break or crack on the surface only

From this reading The word is given--the dark lines dash forward; the firing from the wood breaks out in a crash of fury--there is a long harsh rattle, then a chance crack like a thunder-clap, and then a whirring like the spinning of some demoniac mill.

fall or come down violently

From this reading The word is given--the dark lines dash forward; the firing from the wood breaks out in a crash of fury--there is a long harsh rattle, then a chance crack like a thunder-clap, and then a whirring like the spinning of some demoniac mill.

plural of “curse” — profane or obscene expression usually of surprise or anger

From this reading Curses ring out amid a low sound of hard breathing; the ranks are gapped here and there as a man wriggles away like a wounded rabbit, or another bounds upward with a frantic ejaculation.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading The word is given--the dark lines dash forward; the firing from the wood breaks out in a crash of fury--there is a long harsh rattle, then a chance crack like a thunder-clap, and then a whirring like the spinning of some demoniac mill.

run or move very quickly or hastily

From this reading The word is given--the dark lines dash forward; the firing from the wood breaks out in a crash of fury--there is a long harsh rattle, then a chance crack like a thunder-clap, and then a whirring like the spinning of some demoniac mill.

precise; explicit and clearly defined

From this reading The eyes of the youngsters stare glassily; they can see the wood from which the enemy must be dislodged at any price, but they can form no definite ideas; they merely grip their rifles and go on mechanically.

plural of “degree” — a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality

From this reading The ranks are trimmed up by imperceptible degrees; the men set their teeth, and a strange eager look comes over many a face.

someone who acts as if possessed by a demon

From this reading The word is given--the dark lines dash forward; the firing from the wood breaks out in a crash of fury--there is a long harsh rattle, then a chance crack like a thunder-clap, and then a whirring like the spinning of some demoniac mill.

past form of “dislodge” — remove or force out from a position

From this reading The eyes of the youngsters stare glassily; they can see the wood from which the enemy must be dislodged at any price, but they can form no definite ideas; they merely grip their rifles and go on mechanically.

having or showing keen interest or intense desire or impatient expectancy

From this reading The ranks are trimmed up by imperceptible degrees; the men set their teeth, and a strange eager look comes over many a face.

an abrupt emphatic exclamation expressing emotion

From this reading Curses ring out amid a low sound of hard breathing; the ranks are gapped here and there as a man wriggles away like a wounded rabbit, or another bounds upward with a frantic ejaculation.

an opposing military force

From this reading The eyes of the youngsters stare glassily; they can see the wood from which the enemy must be dislodged at any price, but they can form no definite ideas; they merely grip their rifles and go on mechanically.

opinion or judgment

From this reading The eyes of the youngsters stare glassily; they can see the wood from which the enemy must be dislodged at any price, but they can form no definite ideas; they merely grip their rifles and go on mechanically.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading The ranks are trimmed up by imperceptible degrees; the men set their teeth, and a strange eager look comes over many a face.

the act of fighting; any contest or struggle

From this reading Then comes the fighting at close quarters.

the act of firing weapons or artillery at an enemy

From this reading The word is given--the dark lines dash forward; the firing from the wood breaks out in a crash of fury--there is a long harsh rattle, then a chance crack like a thunder-clap, and then a whirring like the spinning of some demoniac mill.

the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something

From this reading The eyes of the youngsters stare glassily; they can see the wood from which the enemy must be dislodged at any price, but they can form no definite ideas; they merely grip their rifles and go on mechanically.

at or to or toward the front

From this reading The word is given--the dark lines dash forward; the firing from the wood breaks out in a crash of fury--there is a long harsh rattle, then a chance crack like a thunder-clap, and then a whirring like the spinning of some demoniac mill.

excessively agitated; distraught with fear or other violent emotion

From this reading Curses ring out amid a low sound of hard breathing; the ranks are gapped here and there as a man wriggles away like a wounded rabbit, or another bounds upward with a frantic ejaculation.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The eyes of the youngsters stare glassily; they can see the wood from which the enemy must be dislodged at any price, but they can form no definite ideas; they merely grip their rifles and go on mechanically.

a feeling of intense anger

From this reading The word is given--the dark lines dash forward; the firing from the wood breaks out in a crash of fury--there is a long harsh rattle, then a chance crack like a thunder-clap, and then a whirring like the spinning of some demoniac mill.

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

From this reading Curses ring out amid a low sound of hard breathing; the ranks are gapped here and there as a man wriggles away like a wounded rabbit, or another bounds upward with a frantic ejaculation.

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading The word is given--the dark lines dash forward; the firing from the wood breaks out in a crash of fury--there is a long harsh rattle, then a chance crack like a thunder-clap, and then a whirring like the spinning of some demoniac mill.

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

From this reading The eyes of the youngsters stare glassily; they can see the wood from which the enemy must be dislodged at any price, but they can form no definite ideas; they merely grip their rifles and go on mechanically.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading The eyes of the youngsters stare glassily; they can see the wood from which the enemy must be dislodged at any price, but they can form no definite ideas; they merely grip their rifles and go on mechanically.

the act of grasping

From this reading The eyes of the youngsters stare glassily; they can see the wood from which the enemy must be dislodged at any price, but they can form no definite ideas; they merely grip their rifles and go on mechanically.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading Curses ring out amid a low sound of hard breathing; the ranks are gapped here and there as a man wriggles away like a wounded rabbit, or another bounds upward with a frantic ejaculation.

unpleasantly stern

From this reading The word is given--the dark lines dash forward; the firing from the wood breaks out in a crash of fury--there is a long harsh rattle, then a chance crack like a thunder-clap, and then a whirring like the spinning of some demoniac mill.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading Curses ring out amid a low sound of hard breathing; the ranks are gapped here and there as a man wriggles away like a wounded rabbit, or another bounds upward with a frantic ejaculation.

plural of “idea” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading The eyes of the youngsters stare glassily; they can see the wood from which the enemy must be dislodged at any price, but they can form no definite ideas; they merely grip their rifles and go on mechanically.

impossible or difficult to perceive by the mind or senses

From this reading The ranks are trimmed up by imperceptible degrees; the men set their teeth, and a strange eager look comes over many a face.

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

From this reading The word is given--the dark lines dash forward; the firing from the wood breaks out in a crash of fury--there is a long harsh rattle, then a chance crack like a thunder-clap, and then a whirring like the spinning of some demoniac mill.

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

From this reading The word is given--the dark lines dash forward; the firing from the wood breaks out in a crash of fury--there is a long harsh rattle, then a chance crack like a thunder-clap, and then a whirring like the spinning of some demoniac mill.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading The word is given--the dark lines dash forward; the firing from the wood breaks out in a crash of fury--there is a long harsh rattle, then a chance crack like a thunder-clap, and then a whirring like the spinning of some demoniac mill.

plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading The word is given--the dark lines dash forward; the firing from the wood breaks out in a crash of fury--there is a long harsh rattle, then a chance crack like a thunder-clap, and then a whirring like the spinning of some demoniac mill.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading The word is given--the dark lines dash forward; the firing from the wood breaks out in a crash of fury--there is a long harsh rattle, then a chance crack like a thunder-clap, and then a whirring like the spinning of some demoniac mill.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading The ranks are trimmed up by imperceptible degrees; the men set their teeth, and a strange eager look comes over many a face.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading Curses ring out amid a low sound of hard breathing; the ranks are gapped here and there as a man wriggles away like a wounded rabbit, or another bounds upward with a frantic ejaculation.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading Curses ring out amid a low sound of hard breathing; the ranks are gapped here and there as a man wriggles away like a wounded rabbit, or another bounds upward with a frantic ejaculation.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading The ranks are trimmed up by imperceptible degrees; the men set their teeth, and a strange eager look comes over many a face.

in a mechanical manner; by a mechanism

From this reading The eyes of the youngsters stare glassily; they can see the wood from which the enemy must be dislodged at any price, but they can form no definite ideas; they merely grip their rifles and go on mechanically.

the force of workers available

From this reading The ranks are trimmed up by imperceptible degrees; the men set their teeth, and a strange eager look comes over many a face.

and nothing more

From this reading The eyes of the youngsters stare glassily; they can see the wood from which the enemy must be dislodged at any price, but they can form no definite ideas; they merely grip their rifles and go on mechanically.

move about in a confused manner

From this reading The word is given--the dark lines dash forward; the firing from the wood breaks out in a crash of fury--there is a long harsh rattle, then a chance crack like a thunder-clap, and then a whirring like the spinning of some demoniac mill.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading The eyes of the youngsters stare glassily; they can see the wood from which the enemy must be dislodged at any price, but they can form no definite ideas; they merely grip their rifles and go on mechanically.

not any; not one

From this reading The eyes of the youngsters stare glassily; they can see the wood from which the enemy must be dislodged at any price, but they can form no definite ideas; they merely grip their rifles and go on mechanically.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The eyes of the youngsters stare glassily; they can see the wood from which the enemy must be dislodged at any price, but they can form no definite ideas; they merely grip their rifles and go on mechanically.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The eyes of the youngsters stare glassily; they can see the wood from which the enemy must be dislodged at any price, but they can form no definite ideas; they merely grip their rifles and go on mechanically.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Curses ring out amid a low sound of hard breathing; the ranks are gapped here and there as a man wriggles away like a wounded rabbit, or another bounds upward with a frantic ejaculation.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading The word is given--the dark lines dash forward; the firing from the wood breaks out in a crash of fury--there is a long harsh rattle, then a chance crack like a thunder-clap, and then a whirring like the spinning of some demoniac mill.

above and across; more than

From this reading The ranks are trimmed up by imperceptible degrees; the men set their teeth, and a strange eager look comes over many a face.

the property of having material worth (often indicated by the amount of money something would bring if sold)

From this reading The eyes of the youngsters stare glassily; they can see the wood from which the enemy must be dislodged at any price, but they can form no definite ideas; they merely grip their rifles and go on mechanically.

housing available for people to live in

From this reading Then comes the fighting at close quarters.

any of various burrowing animals of the family Leporidae having long ears and short tails; some domesticated and raised for pets or food

From this reading Curses ring out amid a low sound of hard breathing; the ranks are gapped here and there as a man wriggles away like a wounded rabbit, or another bounds upward with a frantic ejaculation.

plural of “rank” — a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another

From this reading The ranks are trimmed up by imperceptible degrees; the men set their teeth, and a strange eager look comes over many a face.

make short successive sounds

From this reading The word is given--the dark lines dash forward; the firing from the wood breaks out in a crash of fury--there is a long harsh rattle, then a chance crack like a thunder-clap, and then a whirring like the spinning of some demoniac mill.

plural of “rifle” — a shoulder firearm with a long barrel and a rifled bore

From this reading The eyes of the youngsters stare glassily; they can see the wood from which the enemy must be dislodged at any price, but they can form no definite ideas; they merely grip their rifles and go on mechanically.

sound loudly and sonorously

From this reading Curses ring out amid a low sound of hard breathing; the ranks are gapped here and there as a man wriggles away like a wounded rabbit, or another bounds upward with a frantic ejaculation.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading The eyes of the youngsters stare glassily; they can see the wood from which the enemy must be dislodged at any price, but they can form no definite ideas; they merely grip their rifles and go on mechanically.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading The ranks are trimmed up by imperceptible degrees; the men set their teeth, and a strange eager look comes over many a face.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading The word is given--the dark lines dash forward; the firing from the wood breaks out in a crash of fury--there is a long harsh rattle, then a chance crack like a thunder-clap, and then a whirring like the spinning of some demoniac mill.

the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading Curses ring out amid a low sound of hard breathing; the ranks are gapped here and there as a man wriggles away like a wounded rabbit, or another bounds upward with a frantic ejaculation.

creating thread

From this reading The word is given--the dark lines dash forward; the firing from the wood breaks out in a crash of fury--there is a long harsh rattle, then a chance crack like a thunder-clap, and then a whirring like the spinning of some demoniac mill.

look at with fixed eyes

From this reading The eyes of the youngsters stare glassily; they can see the wood from which the enemy must be dislodged at any price, but they can form no definite ideas; they merely grip their rifles and go on mechanically.

being definitely out of the ordinary and unexpected; slightly odd or even a bit weird

From this reading The ranks are trimmed up by imperceptible degrees; the men set their teeth, and a strange eager look comes over many a face.

the kind and number and arrangement of teeth (collectively) in a person or animal

From this reading The ranks are trimmed up by imperceptible degrees; the men set their teeth, and a strange eager look comes over many a face.

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

From this reading The ranks are trimmed up by imperceptible degrees; the men set their teeth, and a strange eager look comes over many a face.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The ranks are trimmed up by imperceptible degrees; the men set their teeth, and a strange eager look comes over many a face.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading The word is given--the dark lines dash forward; the firing from the wood breaks out in a crash of fury--there is a long harsh rattle, then a chance crack like a thunder-clap, and then a whirring like the spinning of some demoniac mill.

in or at that place or location

From this reading The word is given--the dark lines dash forward; the firing from the wood breaks out in a crash of fury--there is a long harsh rattle, then a chance crack like a thunder-clap, and then a whirring like the spinning of some demoniac mill.

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

From this reading The eyes of the youngsters stare glassily; they can see the wood from which the enemy must be dislodged at any price, but they can form no definite ideas; they merely grip their rifles and go on mechanically.

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

From this reading The word is given--the dark lines dash forward; the firing from the wood breaks out in a crash of fury--there is a long harsh rattle, then a chance crack like a thunder-clap, and then a whirring like the spinning of some demoniac mill.

made neat and tidy by trimming

From this reading The ranks are trimmed up by imperceptible degrees; the men set their teeth, and a strange eager look comes over many a face.

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

From this reading The ranks are trimmed up by imperceptible degrees; the men set their teeth, and a strange eager look comes over many a face.

directed up

From this reading Curses ring out amid a low sound of hard breathing; the ranks are gapped here and there as a man wriggles away like a wounded rabbit, or another bounds upward with a frantic ejaculation.

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

From this reading The eyes of the youngsters stare glassily; they can see the wood from which the enemy must be dislodged at any price, but they can form no definite ideas; they merely grip their rifles and go on mechanically.

sound of something in rapid motion

From this reading The word is given--the dark lines dash forward; the firing from the wood breaks out in a crash of fury--there is a long harsh rattle, then a chance crack like a thunder-clap, and then a whirring like the spinning of some demoniac mill.

in the company of; together with

From this reading Curses ring out amid a low sound of hard breathing; the ranks are gapped here and there as a man wriggles away like a wounded rabbit, or another bounds upward with a frantic ejaculation.

the hard fibrous lignified substance under the bark of trees

From this reading The eyes of the youngsters stare glassily; they can see the wood from which the enemy must be dislodged at any price, but they can form no definite ideas; they merely grip their rifles and go on mechanically.

a unit of language that native speakers can identify

From this reading The word is given--the dark lines dash forward; the firing from the wood breaks out in a crash of fury--there is a long harsh rattle, then a chance crack like a thunder-clap, and then a whirring like the spinning of some demoniac mill.

people who are wounded

From this reading Curses ring out amid a low sound of hard breathing; the ranks are gapped here and there as a man wriggles away like a wounded rabbit, or another bounds upward with a frantic ejaculation.

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

From this reading Curses ring out amid a low sound of hard breathing; the ranks are gapped here and there as a man wriggles away like a wounded rabbit, or another bounds upward with a frantic ejaculation.

plural of “youngster” — a young person of either sex

From this reading The eyes of the youngsters stare glassily; they can see the wood from which the enemy must be dislodged at any price, but they can form no definite ideas; they merely grip their rifles and go on mechanically.