Chapter XI · Chapter 11

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

From this reading At one point we pass through a howitzer battery, where dishevelled gentlemen give us a friendly wave of the hand.

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

From this reading "The whole Division," explains Captain Wagstaffe to Bobby Little, "should be able to get up into some sort of formation about the Bosche third line before any real fighting begins; so it does not very much matter whether we start first or fiftieth in the procession."

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading "The whole Division," explains Captain Wagstaffe to Bobby Little, "should be able to get up into some sort of formation about the Bosche third line before any real fighting begins; so it does not very much matter whether we start first or fiftieth in the procession."

conforming exactly or almost exactly to fact or to a standard or performing with total accuracy

From this reading Captain Wagstaffe showed himself an accurate prophet.

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

From this reading Captain Wagstaffe showed himself an accurate prophet.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading "The whole Division," explains Captain Wagstaffe to Bobby Little, "should be able to get up into some sort of formation about the Bosche third line before any real fighting begins; so it does not very much matter whether we start first or fiftieth in the procession."

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At one point we pass through a howitzer battery, where dishevelled gentlemen give us a friendly wave of the hand.

plural of “back” — the posterior part of a human (or animal) body from the neck to the end of the spine

From this reading Others, not professionally engaged for the moment, sit unconcernedly in the ditch with their backs to the proceedings, frying bacon.

back and sides of a hog salted and dried or smoked; usually sliced thin and fried

From this reading Others, not professionally engaged for the moment, sit unconcernedly in the ditch with their backs to the proceedings, frying bacon.

group of guns or missile launchers operated together at one place

From this reading At one point we pass through a howitzer battery, where dishevelled gentlemen give us a friendly wave of the hand.

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

From this reading "The whole Division," explains Captain Wagstaffe to Bobby Little, "should be able to get up into some sort of formation about the Bosche third line before any real fighting begins; so it does not very much matter whether we start first or fiftieth in the procession."

earlier than; in front of

From this reading "The whole Division," explains Captain Wagstaffe to Bobby Little, "should be able to get up into some sort of formation about the Bosche third line before any real fighting begins; so it does not very much matter whether we start first or fiftieth in the procession."

plural of “begin” — Israeli statesman (born in Russia) who (as prime minister of Israel) negotiated a peace treaty with Anwar Sadat (then the president of Egypt) (1913-1992)

From this reading "The whole Division," explains Captain Wagstaffe to Bobby Little, "should be able to get up into some sort of formation about the Bosche third line before any real fighting begins; so it does not very much matter whether we start first or fiftieth in the procession."

an informal term for a British policeman

From this reading "The whole Division," explains Captain Wagstaffe to Bobby Little, "should be able to get up into some sort of formation about the Bosche third line before any real fighting begins; so it does not very much matter whether we start first or fiftieth in the procession."

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

From this reading "The whole Division," explains Captain Wagstaffe to Bobby Little, "should be able to get up into some sort of formation about the Bosche third line before any real fighting begins; so it does not very much matter whether we start first or fiftieth in the procession."

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

From this reading "The whole Division," explains Captain Wagstaffe to Bobby Little, "should be able to get up into some sort of formation about the Bosche third line before any real fighting begins; so it does not very much matter whether we start first or fiftieth in the procession."

in disarray; extremely disorderly

From this reading At one point we pass through a howitzer battery, where dishevelled gentlemen give us a friendly wave of the hand.

a long narrow excavation in the earth

From this reading Others, not professionally engaged for the moment, sit unconcernedly in the ditch with their backs to the proceedings, frying bacon.

an army unit large enough to sustain combat

From this reading "The whole Division," explains Captain Wagstaffe to Bobby Little, "should be able to get up into some sort of formation about the Bosche third line before any real fighting begins; so it does not very much matter whether we start first or fiftieth in the procession."

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

From this reading "The whole Division," explains Captain Wagstaffe to Bobby Little, "should be able to get up into some sort of formation about the Bosche third line before any real fighting begins; so it does not very much matter whether we start first or fiftieth in the procession."

having ones attention or mind or energy engaged

From this reading Others, not professionally engaged for the moment, sit unconcernedly in the ditch with their backs to the proceedings, frying bacon.

third-person singular of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible

From this reading "The whole Division," explains Captain Wagstaffe to Bobby Little, "should be able to get up into some sort of formation about the Bosche third line before any real fighting begins; so it does not very much matter whether we start first or fiftieth in the procession."

the ordinal number of fifty in counting order

From this reading "The whole Division," explains Captain Wagstaffe to Bobby Little, "should be able to get up into some sort of formation about the Bosche third line before any real fighting begins; so it does not very much matter whether we start first or fiftieth in the procession."

the act of fighting; any contest or struggle

From this reading "The whole Division," explains Captain Wagstaffe to Bobby Little, "should be able to get up into some sort of formation about the Bosche third line before any real fighting begins; so it does not very much matter whether we start first or fiftieth in the procession."

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading "The whole Division," explains Captain Wagstaffe to Bobby Little, "should be able to get up into some sort of formation about the Bosche third line before any real fighting begins; so it does not very much matter whether we start first or fiftieth in the procession."

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Others, not professionally engaged for the moment, sit unconcernedly in the ditch with their backs to the proceedings, frying bacon.

an arrangement of people or things acting as a unit

From this reading "The whole Division," explains Captain Wagstaffe to Bobby Little, "should be able to get up into some sort of formation about the Bosche third line before any real fighting begins; so it does not very much matter whether we start first or fiftieth in the procession."

characteristic of or befitting a friend

From this reading At one point we pass through a howitzer battery, where dishevelled gentlemen give us a friendly wave of the hand.

cooking in fat or oil in a pan or griddle

From this reading Others, not professionally engaged for the moment, sit unconcernedly in the ditch with their backs to the proceedings, frying bacon.

plural of “gentleman” — a man of refinement

From this reading At one point we pass through a howitzer battery, where dishevelled gentlemen give us a friendly wave of the hand.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading "The whole Division," explains Captain Wagstaffe to Bobby Little, "should be able to get up into some sort of formation about the Bosche third line before any real fighting begins; so it does not very much matter whether we start first or fiftieth in the procession."

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading At one point we pass through a howitzer battery, where dishevelled gentlemen give us a friendly wave of the hand.

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb

From this reading At one point we pass through a howitzer battery, where dishevelled gentlemen give us a friendly wave of the hand.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading Captain Wagstaffe showed himself an accurate prophet.

a muzzle-loading high-angle gun with a short barrel that fires shells at high elevations for a short range

From this reading At one point we pass through a howitzer battery, where dishevelled gentlemen give us a friendly wave of the hand.

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

From this reading "The whole Division," explains Captain Wagstaffe to Bobby Little, "should be able to get up into some sort of formation about the Bosche third line before any real fighting begins; so it does not very much matter whether we start first or fiftieth in the procession."

moving to the inside of something

From this reading "The whole Division," explains Captain Wagstaffe to Bobby Little, "should be able to get up into some sort of formation about the Bosche third line before any real fighting begins; so it does not very much matter whether we start first or fiftieth in the procession."

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading "The whole Division," explains Captain Wagstaffe to Bobby Little, "should be able to get up into some sort of formation about the Bosche third line before any real fighting begins; so it does not very much matter whether we start first or fiftieth in the procession."

a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading "The whole Division," explains Captain Wagstaffe to Bobby Little, "should be able to get up into some sort of formation about the Bosche third line before any real fighting begins; so it does not very much matter whether we start first or fiftieth in the procession."

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading "The whole Division," explains Captain Wagstaffe to Bobby Little, "should be able to get up into some sort of formation about the Bosche third line before any real fighting begins; so it does not very much matter whether we start first or fiftieth in the procession."

a vaguely specified concern

From this reading "The whole Division," explains Captain Wagstaffe to Bobby Little, "should be able to get up into some sort of formation about the Bosche third line before any real fighting begins; so it does not very much matter whether we start first or fiftieth in the procession."

a particular point in time

From this reading Others, not professionally engaged for the moment, sit unconcernedly in the ditch with their backs to the proceedings, frying bacon.

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

From this reading We move on.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading "The whole Division," explains Captain Wagstaffe to Bobby Little, "should be able to get up into some sort of formation about the Bosche third line before any real fighting begins; so it does not very much matter whether we start first or fiftieth in the procession."

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading "The whole Division," explains Captain Wagstaffe to Bobby Little, "should be able to get up into some sort of formation about the Bosche third line before any real fighting begins; so it does not very much matter whether we start first or fiftieth in the procession."

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading "The whole Division," explains Captain Wagstaffe to Bobby Little, "should be able to get up into some sort of formation about the Bosche third line before any real fighting begins; so it does not very much matter whether we start first or fiftieth in the procession."

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading We move on.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading At one point we pass through a howitzer battery, where dishevelled gentlemen give us a friendly wave of the hand.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading "The whole Division," explains Captain Wagstaffe to Bobby Little, "should be able to get up into some sort of formation about the Bosche third line before any real fighting begins; so it does not very much matter whether we start first or fiftieth in the procession."

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

From this reading Others, not professionally engaged for the moment, sit unconcernedly in the ditch with their backs to the proceedings, frying bacon.

go across or through

From this reading At one point we pass through a howitzer battery, where dishevelled gentlemen give us a friendly wave of the hand.

a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading At one point we pass through a howitzer battery, where dishevelled gentlemen give us a friendly wave of the hand.

(law) the institution of a sequence of steps by which legal judgments are invoked

From this reading Others, not professionally engaged for the moment, sit unconcernedly in the ditch with their backs to the proceedings, frying bacon.

(theology) the origination of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost

From this reading "The whole Division," explains Captain Wagstaffe to Bobby Little, "should be able to get up into some sort of formation about the Bosche third line before any real fighting begins; so it does not very much matter whether we start first or fiftieth in the procession."

in a professional manner

From this reading Others, not professionally engaged for the moment, sit unconcernedly in the ditch with their backs to the proceedings, frying bacon.

an authoritative person who divines the future

From this reading Captain Wagstaffe showed himself an accurate prophet.

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

From this reading "The whole Division," explains Captain Wagstaffe to Bobby Little, "should be able to get up into some sort of formation about the Bosche third line before any real fighting begins; so it does not very much matter whether we start first or fiftieth in the procession."

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading "The whole Division," explains Captain Wagstaffe to Bobby Little, "should be able to get up into some sort of formation about the Bosche third line before any real fighting begins; so it does not very much matter whether we start first or fiftieth in the procession."

past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience

From this reading Captain Wagstaffe showed himself an accurate prophet.

be seated

From this reading Others, not professionally engaged for the moment, sit unconcernedly in the ditch with their backs to the proceedings, frying bacon.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading "The whole Division," explains Captain Wagstaffe to Bobby Little, "should be able to get up into some sort of formation about the Bosche third line before any real fighting begins; so it does not very much matter whether we start first or fiftieth in the procession."

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

From this reading "The whole Division," explains Captain Wagstaffe to Bobby Little, "should be able to get up into some sort of formation about the Bosche third line before any real fighting begins; so it does not very much matter whether we start first or fiftieth in the procession."

a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality

From this reading "The whole Division," explains Captain Wagstaffe to Bobby Little, "should be able to get up into some sort of formation about the Bosche third line before any real fighting begins; so it does not very much matter whether we start first or fiftieth in the procession."

take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading "The whole Division," explains Captain Wagstaffe to Bobby Little, "should be able to get up into some sort of formation about the Bosche third line before any real fighting begins; so it does not very much matter whether we start first or fiftieth in the procession."

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

From this reading "The whole Division," explains Captain Wagstaffe to Bobby Little, "should be able to get up into some sort of formation about the Bosche third line before any real fighting begins; so it does not very much matter whether we start first or fiftieth in the procession."

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Others, not professionally engaged for the moment, sit unconcernedly in the ditch with their backs to the proceedings, frying bacon.

one of three equal parts of a divisible whole

From this reading "The whole Division," explains Captain Wagstaffe to Bobby Little, "should be able to get up into some sort of formation about the Bosche third line before any real fighting begins; so it does not very much matter whether we start first or fiftieth in the procession."

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading At one point we pass through a howitzer battery, where dishevelled gentlemen give us a friendly wave of the hand.

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

From this reading "The whole Division," explains Captain Wagstaffe to Bobby Little, "should be able to get up into some sort of formation about the Bosche third line before any real fighting begins; so it does not very much matter whether we start first or fiftieth in the procession."

in an unconcerned manner

From this reading Others, not professionally engaged for the moment, sit unconcernedly in the ditch with their backs to the proceedings, frying bacon.

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

From this reading "The whole Division," explains Captain Wagstaffe to Bobby Little, "should be able to get up into some sort of formation about the Bosche third line before any real fighting begins; so it does not very much matter whether we start first or fiftieth in the procession."

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading At one point we pass through a howitzer battery, where dishevelled gentlemen give us a friendly wave of the hand.

precisely as stated

From this reading "The whole Division," explains Captain Wagstaffe to Bobby Little, "should be able to get up into some sort of formation about the Bosche third line before any real fighting begins; so it does not very much matter whether we start first or fiftieth in the procession."

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

From this reading "The whole Division," explains Captain Wagstaffe to Bobby Little, "should be able to get up into some sort of formation about the Bosche third line before any real fighting begins; so it does not very much matter whether we start first or fiftieth in the procession."

one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)

From this reading At one point we pass through a howitzer battery, where dishevelled gentlemen give us a friendly wave of the hand.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading "The whole Division," explains Captain Wagstaffe to Bobby Little, "should be able to get up into some sort of formation about the Bosche third line before any real fighting begins; so it does not very much matter whether we start first or fiftieth in the procession."

in or at the place that

From this reading At one point we pass through a howitzer battery, where dishevelled gentlemen give us a friendly wave of the hand.

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading "The whole Division," explains Captain Wagstaffe to Bobby Little, "should be able to get up into some sort of formation about the Bosche third line before any real fighting begins; so it does not very much matter whether we start first or fiftieth in the procession."

including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete

From this reading "The whole Division," explains Captain Wagstaffe to Bobby Little, "should be able to get up into some sort of formation about the Bosche third line before any real fighting begins; so it does not very much matter whether we start first or fiftieth in the procession."

in the company of; together with

From this reading Others, not professionally engaged for the moment, sit unconcernedly in the ditch with their backs to the proceedings, frying bacon.