used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The few words exchanged among them were not of a character flattering to the commander of their column.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading /The/ sun had risen some time, and the waves of heat were rolling up to the assault of Colonel Bleackley’s camp in the shadeless desert, but the bored and discontented officers who were lounging about the mess tent made no move to retire to their own quarters.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading The few words exchanged among them were not of a character flattering to the commander of their column.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading /The/ sun had risen some time, and the waves of heat were rolling up to the assault of Colonel Bleackley’s camp in the shadeless desert, but the bored and discontented officers who were lounging about the mess tent made no move to retire to their own quarters.
Arabit-hunting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had no spirit even for what jealous civilians called “Arabit-hunting,” the perpetual diversion of Sir Harry and his circle--which meant recalling the exploits of this or that comrade in the battles, and how many of the enemy he had killed.
assaultnounUS /əˈsɔːlt/
close fighting during the culmination of a military attack
From this reading /The/ sun had risen some time, and the waves of heat were rolling up to the assault of Colonel Bleackley’s camp in the shadeless desert, but the bored and discontented officers who were lounging about the mess tent made no move to retire to their own quarters.
battlesnounUS /ˈbætəlz/
plural of “battle” — a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading They had no spirit even for what jealous civilians called “Arabit-hunting,” the perpetual diversion of Sir Harry and his circle--which meant recalling the exploits of this or that comrade in the battles, and how many of the enemy he had killed.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “We ought to be in Umarganj now, and should be if he had done his duty.”
Bleackley's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading /The/ sun had risen some time, and the waves of heat were rolling up to the assault of Colonel Bleackley’s camp in the shadeless desert, but the bored and discontented officers who were lounging about the mess tent made no move to retire to their own quarters.
boredadjectiveUS /bɔːrd/
tired of the world
From this reading /The/ sun had risen some time, and the waves of heat were rolling up to the assault of Colonel Bleackley’s camp in the shadeless desert, but the bored and discontented officers who were lounging about the mess tent made no move to retire to their own quarters.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading /The/ sun had risen some time, and the waves of heat were rolling up to the assault of Colonel Bleackley’s camp in the shadeless desert, but the bored and discontented officers who were lounging about the mess tent made no move to retire to their own quarters.
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading They had no spirit even for what jealous civilians called “Arabit-hunting,” the perpetual diversion of Sir Harry and his circle--which meant recalling the exploits of this or that comrade in the battles, and how many of the enemy he had killed.
temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers
From this reading /The/ sun had risen some time, and the waves of heat were rolling up to the assault of Colonel Bleackley’s camp in the shadeless desert, but the bored and discontented officers who were lounging about the mess tent made no move to retire to their own quarters.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading “Shoving his responsibility off upon Delany!” growled Captain Keeling savagely.
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading The few words exchanged among them were not of a character flattering to the commander of their column.
ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point
From this reading They had no spirit even for what jealous civilians called “Arabit-hunting,” the perpetual diversion of Sir Harry and his circle--which meant recalling the exploits of this or that comrade in the battles, and how many of the enemy he had killed.
civiliansnounUS /səˈvɪljənz/
plural of “civilian” — a nonmilitary citizen
From this reading They had no spirit even for what jealous civilians called “Arabit-hunting,” the perpetual diversion of Sir Harry and his circle--which meant recalling the exploits of this or that comrade in the battles, and how many of the enemy he had killed.
a commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines who ranks above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general
From this reading /The/ sun had risen some time, and the waves of heat were rolling up to the assault of Colonel Bleackley’s camp in the shadeless desert, but the bored and discontented officers who were lounging about the mess tent made no move to retire to their own quarters.
columnnounUS /ˈkɑːləm/
a line of units following one after another
From this reading The few words exchanged among them were not of a character flattering to the commander of their column.
an officer in command of a military unit
From this reading The few words exchanged among them were not of a character flattering to the commander of their column.
comradenounUS /ˈkɑːmræd/
a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading They had no spirit even for what jealous civilians called “Arabit-hunting,” the perpetual diversion of Sir Harry and his circle--which meant recalling the exploits of this or that comrade in the battles, and how many of the enemy he had killed.
Delany
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Shoving his responsibility off upon Delany!” growled Captain Keeling savagely.
leave someone who needs or counts on you; leave in the lurch
From this reading /The/ sun had risen some time, and the waves of heat were rolling up to the assault of Colonel Bleackley’s camp in the shadeless desert, but the bored and discontented officers who were lounging about the mess tent made no move to retire to their own quarters.
discontentedadjectiveUS /ˌdɪskənˈtentɪd/
showing or experiencing dissatisfaction or restless longing
From this reading /The/ sun had risen some time, and the waves of heat were rolling up to the assault of Colonel Bleackley’s camp in the shadeless desert, but the bored and discontented officers who were lounging about the mess tent made no move to retire to their own quarters.
diversionnounUS /daɪˈvɜːrʒən/
an activity that diverts or amuses or stimulates
From this reading They had no spirit even for what jealous civilians called “Arabit-hunting,” the perpetual diversion of Sir Harry and his circle--which meant recalling the exploits of this or that comrade in the battles, and how many of the enemy he had killed.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading “We ought to be in Umarganj now, and should be if he had done his duty.”
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading “We ought to be in Umarganj now, and should be if he had done his duty.”
an opposing military force
From this reading They had no spirit even for what jealous civilians called “Arabit-hunting,” the perpetual diversion of Sir Harry and his circle--which meant recalling the exploits of this or that comrade in the battles, and how many of the enemy he had killed.
divisible by two
From this reading They had no spirit even for what jealous civilians called “Arabit-hunting,” the perpetual diversion of Sir Harry and his circle--which meant recalling the exploits of this or that comrade in the battles, and how many of the enemy he had killed.
exchangedadjectiveUS /ɪksˈtʃeɪndʒd/
changed for (replaced by) something different
From this reading The few words exchanged among them were not of a character flattering to the commander of their column.
exploitsnounUS /ˈeksplɔɪts/
plural of “exploit” — a notable achievement
From this reading They had no spirit even for what jealous civilians called “Arabit-hunting,” the perpetual diversion of Sir Harry and his circle--which meant recalling the exploits of this or that comrade in the battles, and how many of the enemy he had killed.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading The few words exchanged among them were not of a character flattering to the commander of their column.
flatteringadjectiveUS /ˈflætərɪŋ/
showing or representing to advantage
From this reading The few words exchanged among them were not of a character flattering to the commander of their column.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading They had no spirit even for what jealous civilians called “Arabit-hunting,” the perpetual diversion of Sir Harry and his circle--which meant recalling the exploits of this or that comrade in the battles, and how many of the enemy he had killed.
growledverbUS /ɡraʊld/
past form of “growl” — to utter or emit low dull rumbling sounds
From this reading “Shoving his responsibility off upon Delany!” growled Captain Keeling savagely.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading /The/ sun had risen some time, and the waves of heat were rolling up to the assault of Colonel Bleackley’s camp in the shadeless desert, but the bored and discontented officers who were lounging about the mess tent made no move to retire to their own quarters.
annoy continually or chronically
From this reading They had no spirit even for what jealous civilians called “Arabit-hunting,” the perpetual diversion of Sir Harry and his circle--which meant recalling the exploits of this or that comrade in the battles, and how many of the enemy he had killed.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They had no spirit even for what jealous civilians called “Arabit-hunting,” the perpetual diversion of Sir Harry and his circle--which meant recalling the exploits of this or that comrade in the battles, and how many of the enemy he had killed.
a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature
From this reading /The/ sun had risen some time, and the waves of heat were rolling up to the assault of Colonel Bleackley’s camp in the shadeless desert, but the bored and discontented officers who were lounging about the mess tent made no move to retire to their own quarters.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading They had no spirit even for what jealous civilians called “Arabit-hunting,” the perpetual diversion of Sir Harry and his circle--which meant recalling the exploits of this or that comrade in the battles, and how many of the enemy he had killed.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They had no spirit even for what jealous civilians called “Arabit-hunting,” the perpetual diversion of Sir Harry and his circle--which meant recalling the exploits of this or that comrade in the battles, and how many of the enemy he had killed.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading “We ought to be in Umarganj now, and should be if he had done his duty.”
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading /The/ sun had risen some time, and the waves of heat were rolling up to the assault of Colonel Bleackley’s camp in the shadeless desert, but the bored and discontented officers who were lounging about the mess tent made no move to retire to their own quarters.
showing extreme cupidity; painfully desirous of another's advantages
From this reading They had no spirit even for what jealous civilians called “Arabit-hunting,” the perpetual diversion of Sir Harry and his circle--which meant recalling the exploits of this or that comrade in the battles, and how many of the enemy he had killed.
KeelingverbUS /ˈkiːlɪŋ/
-ing form of “keel” — walk as if unable to control one's movements
From this reading “Shoving his responsibility off upon Delany!” growled Captain Keeling savagely.
past form of “kill” — cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly
From this reading They had no spirit even for what jealous civilians called “Arabit-hunting,” the perpetual diversion of Sir Harry and his circle--which meant recalling the exploits of this or that comrade in the battles, and how many of the enemy he had killed.
loungingverbUS /ˈlaʊndʒɪŋ/
-ing form of “lounge” — sit or recline comfortably
From this reading /The/ sun had risen some time, and the waves of heat were rolling up to the assault of Colonel Bleackley’s camp in the shadeless desert, but the bored and discontented officers who were lounging about the mess tent made no move to retire to their own quarters.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading /The/ sun had risen some time, and the waves of heat were rolling up to the assault of Colonel Bleackley’s camp in the shadeless desert, but the bored and discontented officers who were lounging about the mess tent made no move to retire to their own quarters.
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 They had no spirit even for what jealous civilians called “Arabit-hunting,” the perpetual diversion of Sir Harry and his circle--which meant recalling the exploits of this or that comrade in the battles, and how many of the enemy he had killed.
inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading They had no spirit even for what jealous civilians called “Arabit-hunting,” the perpetual diversion of Sir Harry and his circle--which meant recalling the exploits of this or that comrade in the battles, and how many of the enemy he had killed.
messnounUS /mes/
a state of confusion and disorderliness
From this reading /The/ sun had risen some time, and the waves of heat were rolling up to the assault of Colonel Bleackley’s camp in the shadeless desert, but the bored and discontented officers who were lounging about the mess tent made no move to retire to their own quarters.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading /The/ sun had risen some time, and the waves of heat were rolling up to the assault of Colonel Bleackley’s camp in the shadeless desert, but the bored and discontented officers who were lounging about the mess tent made no move to retire to their own quarters.
not any; not one
From this reading /The/ sun had risen some time, and the waves of heat were rolling up to the assault of Colonel Bleackley’s camp in the shadeless desert, but the bored and discontented officers who were lounging about the mess tent made no move to retire to their own quarters.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The few words exchanged among them were not of a character flattering to the commander of their column.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading “We ought to be in Umarganj now, and should be if he had done his duty.”
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading /The/ sun had risen some time, and the waves of heat were rolling up to the assault of Colonel Bleackley’s camp in the shadeless desert, but the bored and discontented officers who were lounging about the mess tent made no move to retire to their own quarters.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading “Shoving his responsibility off upon Delany!” growled Captain Keeling savagely.
plural of “officer” — any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading /The/ sun had risen some time, and the waves of heat were rolling up to the assault of Colonel Bleackley’s camp in the shadeless desert, but the bored and discontented officers who were lounging about the mess tent made no move to retire to their own quarters.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading They had no spirit even for what jealous civilians called “Arabit-hunting,” the perpetual diversion of Sir Harry and his circle--which meant recalling the exploits of this or that comrade in the battles, and how many of the enemy he had killed.
used with “to” to say what is right or advisable
From this reading “We ought to be in Umarganj now, and should be if he had done his duty.”
have ownership or possession of
From this reading /The/ sun had risen some time, and the waves of heat were rolling up to the assault of Colonel Bleackley’s camp in the shadeless desert, but the bored and discontented officers who were lounging about the mess tent made no move to retire to their own quarters.
perpetualadjectiveUS /pərˈpetʃuːəl/
continuing forever or indefinitely
From this reading They had no spirit even for what jealous civilians called “Arabit-hunting,” the perpetual diversion of Sir Harry and his circle--which meant recalling the exploits of this or that comrade in the battles, and how many of the enemy he had killed.
housing available for people to live in
From this reading /The/ sun had risen some time, and the waves of heat were rolling up to the assault of Colonel Bleackley’s camp in the shadeless desert, but the bored and discontented officers who were lounging about the mess tent made no move to retire to their own quarters.
recallingverbUS /rɪˈkɔːlɪŋ/
-ing form of “recall” — recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
From this reading They had no spirit even for what jealous civilians called “Arabit-hunting,” the perpetual diversion of Sir Harry and his circle--which meant recalling the exploits of this or that comrade in the battles, and how many of the enemy he had killed.
responsibilitynounUS /riˌspɑːnsəˈbɪləti/
the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading “Shoving his responsibility off upon Delany!” growled Captain Keeling savagely.
retireverbUS /rɪˈtaɪr/
go into retirement; stop performing one's work or withdraw from one's position
From this reading /The/ sun had risen some time, and the waves of heat were rolling up to the assault of Colonel Bleackley’s camp in the shadeless desert, but the bored and discontented officers who were lounging about the mess tent made no move to retire to their own quarters.
risenadjectiveUS /ˈrɪzən/
(of e.g. celestial bodies) above the horizon
From this reading /The/ sun had risen some time, and the waves of heat were rolling up to the assault of Colonel Bleackley’s camp in the shadeless desert, but the bored and discontented officers who were lounging about the mess tent made no move to retire to their own quarters.
uttered with a trill
From this reading /The/ sun had risen some time, and the waves of heat were rolling up to the assault of Colonel Bleackley’s camp in the shadeless desert, but the bored and discontented officers who were lounging about the mess tent made no move to retire to their own quarters.
savagelyadverbUS /ˈsævɪdʒli/
in a vicious manner
From this reading “Shoving his responsibility off upon Delany!” growled Captain Keeling savagely.
shadeless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading /The/ sun had risen some time, and the waves of heat were rolling up to the assault of Colonel Bleackley’s camp in the shadeless desert, but the bored and discontented officers who were lounging about the mess tent made no move to retire to their own quarters.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading “We ought to be in Umarganj now, and should be if he had done his duty.”
ShovingverbUS /ˈʃʌvɪŋ/
-ing form of “shove” — come into rough contact with while moving
From this reading “Shoving his responsibility off upon Delany!” growled Captain Keeling savagely.
term of address for a man
From this reading They had no spirit even for what jealous civilians called “Arabit-hunting,” the perpetual diversion of Sir Harry and his circle--which meant recalling the exploits of this or that comrade in the battles, and how many of the enemy he had killed.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading /The/ sun had risen some time, and the waves of heat were rolling up to the assault of Colonel Bleackley’s camp in the shadeless desert, but the bored and discontented officers who were lounging about the mess tent made no move to retire to their own quarters.
the vital principle or animating force within living things
From this reading They had no spirit even for what jealous civilians called “Arabit-hunting,” the perpetual diversion of Sir Harry and his circle--which meant recalling the exploits of this or that comrade in the battles, and how many of the enemy he had killed.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading /The/ sun had risen some time, and the waves of heat were rolling up to the assault of Colonel Bleackley’s camp in the shadeless desert, but the bored and discontented officers who were lounging about the mess tent made no move to retire to their own quarters.
a portable shelter (usually of canvas stretched over supporting poles and fastened to the ground with ropes and pegs)
From this reading /The/ sun had risen some time, and the waves of heat were rolling up to the assault of Colonel Bleackley’s camp in the shadeless desert, but the bored and discontented officers who were lounging about the mess tent made no move to retire to their own quarters.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading They had no spirit even for what jealous civilians called “Arabit-hunting,” the perpetual diversion of Sir Harry and his circle--which meant recalling the exploits of this or that comrade in the battles, and how many of the enemy he had killed.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading /The/ sun had risen some time, and the waves of heat were rolling up to the assault of Colonel Bleackley’s camp in the shadeless desert, but the bored and discontented officers who were lounging about the mess tent made no move to retire to their own quarters.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading /The/ sun had risen some time, and the waves of heat were rolling up to the assault of Colonel Bleackley’s camp in the shadeless desert, but the bored and discontented officers who were lounging about the mess tent made no move to retire to their own quarters.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The few words exchanged among them were not of a character flattering to the commander of their column.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They had no spirit even for what jealous civilians called “Arabit-hunting,” the perpetual diversion of Sir Harry and his circle--which meant recalling the exploits of this or that comrade in the battles, and how many of the enemy he had killed.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading They had no spirit even for what jealous civilians called “Arabit-hunting,” the perpetual diversion of Sir Harry and his circle--which meant recalling the exploits of this or that comrade in the battles, and how many of the enemy he had killed.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading /The/ sun had risen some time, and the waves of heat were rolling up to the assault of Colonel Bleackley’s camp in the shadeless desert, but the bored and discontented officers who were lounging about the mess tent made no move to retire to their own quarters.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading /The/ sun had risen some time, and the waves of heat were rolling up to the assault of Colonel Bleackley’s camp in the shadeless desert, but the bored and discontented officers who were lounging about the mess tent made no move to retire to their own quarters.
Umarganj
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “We ought to be in Umarganj now, and should be if he had done his duty.”
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading /The/ sun had risen some time, and the waves of heat were rolling up to the assault of Colonel Bleackley’s camp in the shadeless desert, but the bored and discontented officers who were lounging about the mess tent made no move to retire to their own quarters.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading “Shoving his responsibility off upon Delany!” growled Captain Keeling savagely.
plural of “wave” — one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)
From this reading /The/ sun had risen some time, and the waves of heat were rolling up to the assault of Colonel Bleackley’s camp in the shadeless desert, but the bored and discontented officers who were lounging about the mess tent made no move to retire to their own quarters.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading “We ought to be in Umarganj now, and should be if he had done his duty.”
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading /The/ sun had risen some time, and the waves of heat were rolling up to the assault of Colonel Bleackley’s camp in the shadeless desert, but the bored and discontented officers who were lounging about the mess tent made no move to retire to their own quarters.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading They had no spirit even for what jealous civilians called “Arabit-hunting,” the perpetual diversion of Sir Harry and his circle--which meant recalling the exploits of this or that comrade in the battles, and how many of the enemy he had killed.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading They had no spirit even for what jealous civilians called “Arabit-hunting,” the perpetual diversion of Sir Harry and his circle--which meant recalling the exploits of this or that comrade in the battles, and how many of the enemy he had killed.
which person or people
From this reading /The/ sun had risen some time, and the waves of heat were rolling up to the assault of Colonel Bleackley’s camp in the shadeless desert, but the bored and discontented officers who were lounging about the mess tent made no move to retire to their own quarters.
the words that are spoken
From this reading The few words exchanged among them were not of a character flattering to the commander of their column.
