Chapter XII

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

From this reading She flashed a look at him, laughed shyly, and became very busy with her knitting and with watching the passing column across the river.

distinctive manner of oral expression

From this reading Their smartly mounted officers, smartly booted or gaitered, wearing the smart tunics and gold-laced caps of their arm of the service, seemed merely to accent the gayly dowdy, ill-fitting uniforms of the little _fantassins_.

plural of “accouterment” — clothing that is worn or carried, but not part of your main clothing

From this reading No British officer could, on his soul and conscience, subscribe to such flapping, misfitting, fag-ends of military accouterments; and as Halkett watched them a singularly wooden expression came over his pleasant, youthful features; and Warner, glancing sideways at him, knew why.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading She flashed a look at him, laughed shyly, and became very busy with her knitting and with watching the passing column across the river.

tending to become more severe or wider in scope

From this reading The dusty _fantassins_ were swinging along at a smart route step, rifles slung, red képis askew, their bulky luggage piled on their backs and flopping on their thighs—the same careless, untidy, slipshod infantry with the same active, tireless, reckless, rakish allure.

the power to entice or attract through personal charm

From this reading The dusty _fantassins_ were swinging along at a smart route step, rifles slung, red képis askew, their bulky luggage piled on their backs and flopping on their thighs—the same careless, untidy, slipshod infantry with the same active, tireless, reckless, rakish allure.

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading The dusty _fantassins_ were swinging along at a smart route step, rifles slung, red képis askew, their bulky luggage piled on their backs and flopping on their thighs—the same careless, untidy, slipshod infantry with the same active, tireless, reckless, rakish allure.

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

From this reading She flashed a look at him, laughed shyly, and became very busy with her knitting and with watching the passing column across the river.

a human limb; technically the part of the superior limb between the shoulder and the elbow but commonly used to refer to the whole superior limb

From this reading Their smartly mounted officers, smartly booted or gaitered, wearing the smart tunics and gold-laced caps of their arm of the service, seemed merely to accent the gayly dowdy, ill-fitting uniforms of the little _fantassins_.

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

From this reading No British officer could, on his soul and conscience, subscribe to such flapping, misfitting, fag-ends of military accouterments; and as Halkett watched them a singularly wooden expression came over his pleasant, youthful features; and Warner, glancing sideways at him, knew why.

turned or twisted toward one side

From this reading The dusty _fantassins_ were swinging along at a smart route step, rifles slung, red képis askew, their bulky luggage piled on their backs and flopping on their thighs—the same careless, untidy, slipshod infantry with the same active, tireless, reckless, rakish allure.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading She flashed a look at him, laughed shyly, and became very busy with her knitting and with watching the passing column across the river.

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

From this reading The dusty _fantassins_ were swinging along at a smart route step, rifles slung, red képis askew, their bulky luggage piled on their backs and flopping on their thighs—the same careless, untidy, slipshod infantry with the same active, tireless, reckless, rakish allure.

inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading She flashed a look at him, laughed shyly, and became very busy with her knitting and with watching the passing column across the river.

wearing boots

From this reading Their smartly mounted officers, smartly booted or gaitered, wearing the smart tunics and gold-laced caps of their arm of the service, seemed merely to accent the gayly dowdy, ill-fitting uniforms of the little _fantassins_.

the people of Great Britain

From this reading No British officer could, on his soul and conscience, subscribe to such flapping, misfitting, fag-ends of military accouterments; and as Halkett watched them a singularly wooden expression came over his pleasant, youthful features; and Warner, glancing sideways at him, knew why.

of large size for its weight

From this reading The dusty _fantassins_ were swinging along at a smart route step, rifles slung, red képis askew, their bulky luggage piled on their backs and flopping on their thighs—the same careless, untidy, slipshod infantry with the same active, tireless, reckless, rakish allure.

actively or fully engaged or occupied

From this reading She flashed a look at him, laughed shyly, and became very busy with her knitting and with watching the passing column across the river.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading No British officer could, on his soul and conscience, subscribe to such flapping, misfitting, fag-ends of military accouterments; and as Halkett watched them a singularly wooden expression came over his pleasant, youthful features; and Warner, glancing sideways at him, knew why.

plural of “cap” — a tight-fitting headdress

From this reading Their smartly mounted officers, smartly booted or gaitered, wearing the smart tunics and gold-laced caps of their arm of the service, seemed merely to accent the gayly dowdy, ill-fitting uniforms of the little _fantassins_.

marked by lack of attention or consideration or forethought or thoroughness; not careful

From this reading The dusty _fantassins_ were swinging along at a smart route step, rifles slung, red képis askew, their bulky luggage piled on their backs and flopping on their thighs—the same careless, untidy, slipshod infantry with the same active, tireless, reckless, rakish allure.

(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance

From this reading Halkett had unslung his field glasses to inspect them at closer range.

a line of units following one after another

From this reading She flashed a look at him, laughed shyly, and became very busy with her knitting and with watching the passing column across the river.

motivation deriving logically from ethical or moral principles that govern a person's thoughts and actions

From this reading No British officer could, on his soul and conscience, subscribe to such flapping, misfitting, fag-ends of military accouterments; and as Halkett watched them a singularly wooden expression came over his pleasant, youthful features; and Warner, glancing sideways at him, knew why.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading No British officer could, on his soul and conscience, subscribe to such flapping, misfitting, fag-ends of military accouterments; and as Halkett watched them a singularly wooden expression came over his pleasant, youthful features; and Warner, glancing sideways at him, knew why.

British marshal of the RAF who commanded the British air defense forces that defeated the Luftwaffe during the Battle of Britain (1882-1970)

From this reading Their smartly mounted officers, smartly booted or gaitered, wearing the smart tunics and gold-laced caps of their arm of the service, seemed merely to accent the gayly dowdy, ill-fitting uniforms of the little _fantassins_.

covered with a layer of dust

From this reading The dusty _fantassins_ were swinging along at a smart route step, rifles slung, red képis askew, their bulky luggage piled on their backs and flopping on their thighs—the same careless, untidy, slipshod infantry with the same active, tireless, reckless, rakish allure.

the feelings expressed on a person's face

From this reading No British officer could, on his soul and conscience, subscribe to such flapping, misfitting, fag-ends of military accouterments; and as Halkett watched them a singularly wooden expression came over his pleasant, youthful features; and Warner, glancing sideways at him, knew why.

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

From this reading No British officer could, on his soul and conscience, subscribe to such flapping, misfitting, fag-ends of military accouterments; and as Halkett watched them a singularly wooden expression came over his pleasant, youthful features; and Warner, glancing sideways at him, knew why.

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

From this reading The dusty _fantassins_ were swinging along at a smart route step, rifles slung, red képis askew, their bulky luggage piled on their backs and flopping on their thighs—the same careless, untidy, slipshod infantry with the same active, tireless, reckless, rakish allure.

plural of “feature” — a prominent attribute or aspect of something

From this reading No British officer could, on his soul and conscience, subscribe to such flapping, misfitting, fag-ends of military accouterments; and as Halkett watched them a singularly wooden expression came over his pleasant, youthful features; and Warner, glancing sideways at him, knew why.

a piece of land cleared of trees and usually enclosed

From this reading Halkett had unslung his field glasses to inspect them at closer range.

the motion made by flapping up and down

From this reading No British officer could, on his soul and conscience, subscribe to such flapping, misfitting, fag-ends of military accouterments; and as Halkett watched them a singularly wooden expression came over his pleasant, youthful features; and Warner, glancing sideways at him, knew why.

past form of “flash” — gleam or glow intermittently

From this reading She flashed a look at him, laughed shyly, and became very busy with her knitting and with watching the passing column across the river.

inflected form of “flop” — fall loosely

From this reading The dusty _fantassins_ were swinging along at a smart route step, rifles slung, red képis askew, their bulky luggage piled on their backs and flopping on their thighs—the same careless, untidy, slipshod infantry with the same active, tireless, reckless, rakish allure.

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

From this reading Their smartly mounted officers, smartly booted or gaitered, wearing the smart tunics and gold-laced caps of their arm of the service, seemed merely to accent the gayly dowdy, ill-fitting uniforms of the little _fantassins_.

in a joyous manner

From this reading Their smartly mounted officers, smartly booted or gaitered, wearing the smart tunics and gold-laced caps of their arm of the service, seemed merely to accent the gayly dowdy, ill-fitting uniforms of the little _fantassins_.

-ing form of “glance” — throw a glance at; take a brief look at

From this reading No British officer could, on his soul and conscience, subscribe to such flapping, misfitting, fag-ends of military accouterments; and as Halkett watched them a singularly wooden expression came over his pleasant, youthful features; and Warner, glancing sideways at him, knew why.

(plural) optical instrument consisting of a frame that holds a pair of lenses for correcting defective vision

From this reading Halkett had unslung his field glasses to inspect them at closer range.

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

From this reading Their smartly mounted officers, smartly booted or gaitered, wearing the smart tunics and gold-laced caps of their arm of the service, seemed merely to accent the gayly dowdy, ill-fitting uniforms of the little _fantassins_.

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

From this reading Halkett had unslung his field glasses to inspect them at closer range.

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

From this reading Halkett had unslung his field glasses to inspect them at closer range.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading She flashed a look at him, laughed shyly, and became very busy with her knitting and with watching the passing column across the river.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading She flashed a look at him, laughed shyly, and became very busy with her knitting and with watching the passing column across the river.

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

From this reading Halkett had unslung his field glasses to inspect them at closer range.

not the right size or shape

From this reading Their smartly mounted officers, smartly booted or gaitered, wearing the smart tunics and gold-laced caps of their arm of the service, seemed merely to accent the gayly dowdy, ill-fitting uniforms of the little _fantassins_.

an army unit consisting of soldiers who fight on foot

From this reading The dusty _fantassins_ were swinging along at a smart route step, rifles slung, red képis askew, their bulky luggage piled on their backs and flopping on their thighs—the same careless, untidy, slipshod infantry with the same active, tireless, reckless, rakish allure.

look over carefully

From this reading Halkett had unslung his field glasses to inspect them at closer range.

inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about

From this reading No British officer could, on his soul and conscience, subscribe to such flapping, misfitting, fag-ends of military accouterments; and as Halkett watched them a singularly wooden expression came over his pleasant, youthful features; and Warner, glancing sideways at him, knew why.

needlework created by interlacing yarn in a series of connected loops using straight eyeless needles or by machine

From this reading She flashed a look at him, laughed shyly, and became very busy with her knitting and with watching the passing column across the river.

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

From this reading The dusty _fantassins_ were swinging along at a smart route step, rifles slung, red képis askew, their bulky luggage piled on their backs and flopping on their thighs—the same careless, untidy, slipshod infantry with the same active, tireless, reckless, rakish allure.

past form of “laugh” — produce laughter

From this reading She flashed a look at him, laughed shyly, and became very busy with her knitting and with watching the passing column across the river.

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

From this reading Their smartly mounted officers, smartly booted or gaitered, wearing the smart tunics and gold-laced caps of their arm of the service, seemed merely to accent the gayly dowdy, ill-fitting uniforms of the little _fantassins_.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading She flashed a look at him, laughed shyly, and became very busy with her knitting and with watching the passing column across the river.

cases used to carry belongings when traveling

From this reading The dusty _fantassins_ were swinging along at a smart route step, rifles slung, red képis askew, their bulky luggage piled on their backs and flopping on their thighs—the same careless, untidy, slipshod infantry with the same active, tireless, reckless, rakish allure.

and nothing more

From this reading Their smartly mounted officers, smartly booted or gaitered, wearing the smart tunics and gold-laced caps of their arm of the service, seemed merely to accent the gayly dowdy, ill-fitting uniforms of the little _fantassins_.

of or relating to the study of the principles of warfare

From this reading No British officer could, on his soul and conscience, subscribe to such flapping, misfitting, fag-ends of military accouterments; and as Halkett watched them a singularly wooden expression came over his pleasant, youthful features; and Warner, glancing sideways at him, knew why.

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

From this reading No British officer could, on his soul and conscience, subscribe to such flapping, misfitting, fag-ends of military accouterments; and as Halkett watched them a singularly wooden expression came over his pleasant, youthful features; and Warner, glancing sideways at him, knew why.

assembled for use; especially by being attached to a support

From this reading Their smartly mounted officers, smartly booted or gaitered, wearing the smart tunics and gold-laced caps of their arm of the service, seemed merely to accent the gayly dowdy, ill-fitting uniforms of the little _fantassins_.

not any; not one

From this reading No British officer could, on his soul and conscience, subscribe to such flapping, misfitting, fag-ends of military accouterments; and as Halkett watched them a singularly wooden expression came over his pleasant, youthful features; and Warner, glancing sideways at him, knew why.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Their smartly mounted officers, smartly booted or gaitered, wearing the smart tunics and gold-laced caps of their arm of the service, seemed merely to accent the gayly dowdy, ill-fitting uniforms of the little _fantassins_.

any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command

From this reading No British officer could, on his soul and conscience, subscribe to such flapping, misfitting, fag-ends of military accouterments; and as Halkett watched them a singularly wooden expression came over his pleasant, youthful features; and Warner, glancing sideways at him, knew why.

plural of “officer” — any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command

From this reading Their smartly mounted officers, smartly booted or gaitered, wearing the smart tunics and gold-laced caps of their arm of the service, seemed merely to accent the gayly dowdy, ill-fitting uniforms of the little _fantassins_.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The dusty _fantassins_ were swinging along at a smart route step, rifles slung, red képis askew, their bulky luggage piled on their backs and flopping on their thighs—the same careless, untidy, slipshod infantry with the same active, tireless, reckless, rakish allure.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Their smartly mounted officers, smartly booted or gaitered, wearing the smart tunics and gold-laced caps of their arm of the service, seemed merely to accent the gayly dowdy, ill-fitting uniforms of the little _fantassins_.

above and across; more than

From this reading No British officer could, on his soul and conscience, subscribe to such flapping, misfitting, fag-ends of military accouterments; and as Halkett watched them a singularly wooden expression came over his pleasant, youthful features; and Warner, glancing sideways at him, knew why.

(American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate

From this reading She flashed a look at him, laughed shyly, and became very busy with her knitting and with watching the passing column across the river.

past form of “pile” — arrange in stacks

From this reading The dusty _fantassins_ were swinging along at a smart route step, rifles slung, red képis askew, their bulky luggage piled on their backs and flopping on their thighs—the same careless, untidy, slipshod infantry with the same active, tireless, reckless, rakish allure.

affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings

From this reading No British officer could, on his soul and conscience, subscribe to such flapping, misfitting, fag-ends of military accouterments; and as Halkett watched them a singularly wooden expression came over his pleasant, youthful features; and Warner, glancing sideways at him, knew why.

marked by up-to-dateness in dress and manners

From this reading The dusty _fantassins_ were swinging along at a smart route step, rifles slung, red képis askew, their bulky luggage piled on their backs and flopping on their thighs—the same careless, untidy, slipshod infantry with the same active, tireless, reckless, rakish allure.

an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control: "the range of a supersonic jet"

From this reading Halkett had unslung his field glasses to inspect them at closer range.

marked by defiant disregard for danger or consequences

From this reading The dusty _fantassins_ were swinging along at a smart route step, rifles slung, red képis askew, their bulky luggage piled on their backs and flopping on their thighs—the same careless, untidy, slipshod infantry with the same active, tireless, reckless, rakish allure.

red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood

From this reading The dusty _fantassins_ were swinging along at a smart route step, rifles slung, red képis askew, their bulky luggage piled on their backs and flopping on their thighs—the same careless, untidy, slipshod infantry with the same active, tireless, reckless, rakish allure.

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

From this reading The dusty _fantassins_ were swinging along at a smart route step, rifles slung, red képis askew, their bulky luggage piled on their backs and flopping on their thighs—the same careless, untidy, slipshod infantry with the same active, tireless, reckless, rakish allure.

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading She flashed a look at him, laughed shyly, and became very busy with her knitting and with watching the passing column across the river.

an established line of travel or access

From this reading The dusty _fantassins_ were swinging along at a smart route step, rifles slung, red képis askew, their bulky luggage piled on their backs and flopping on their thighs—the same careless, untidy, slipshod infantry with the same active, tireless, reckless, rakish allure.

Identical; not different.

From this reading The dusty _fantassins_ were swinging along at a smart route step, rifles slung, red képis askew, their bulky luggage piled on their backs and flopping on their thighs—the same careless, untidy, slipshod infantry with the same active, tireless, reckless, rakish allure.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading Their smartly mounted officers, smartly booted or gaitered, wearing the smart tunics and gold-laced caps of their arm of the service, seemed merely to accent the gayly dowdy, ill-fitting uniforms of the little _fantassins_.

work done by one person or group that benefits another

From this reading Their smartly mounted officers, smartly booted or gaitered, wearing the smart tunics and gold-laced caps of their arm of the service, seemed merely to accent the gayly dowdy, ill-fitting uniforms of the little _fantassins_.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading She flashed a look at him, laughed shyly, and became very busy with her knitting and with watching the passing column across the river.

in a shy or timid or bashful manner

From this reading She flashed a look at him, laughed shyly, and became very busy with her knitting and with watching the passing column across the river.

with one side forward or to the front

From this reading No British officer could, on his soul and conscience, subscribe to such flapping, misfitting, fag-ends of military accouterments; and as Halkett watched them a singularly wooden expression came over his pleasant, youthful features; and Warner, glancing sideways at him, knew why.

in a singular manner or to a singular degree

From this reading No British officer could, on his soul and conscience, subscribe to such flapping, misfitting, fag-ends of military accouterments; and as Halkett watched them a singularly wooden expression came over his pleasant, youthful features; and Warner, glancing sideways at him, knew why.

marked by great carelessness

From this reading The dusty _fantassins_ were swinging along at a smart route step, rifles slung, red képis askew, their bulky luggage piled on their backs and flopping on their thighs—the same careless, untidy, slipshod infantry with the same active, tireless, reckless, rakish allure.

inflected form of “sling” — hurl as if with a sling

From this reading The dusty _fantassins_ were swinging along at a smart route step, rifles slung, red képis askew, their bulky luggage piled on their backs and flopping on their thighs—the same careless, untidy, slipshod infantry with the same active, tireless, reckless, rakish allure.

showing mental alertness and calculation and resourcefulness

From this reading The dusty _fantassins_ were swinging along at a smart route step, rifles slung, red képis askew, their bulky luggage piled on their backs and flopping on their thighs—the same careless, untidy, slipshod infantry with the same active, tireless, reckless, rakish allure.

in a clever manner

From this reading Their smartly mounted officers, smartly booted or gaitered, wearing the smart tunics and gold-laced caps of their arm of the service, seemed merely to accent the gayly dowdy, ill-fitting uniforms of the little _fantassins_.

the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life

From this reading No British officer could, on his soul and conscience, subscribe to such flapping, misfitting, fag-ends of military accouterments; and as Halkett watched them a singularly wooden expression came over his pleasant, youthful features; and Warner, glancing sideways at him, knew why.

any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal

From this reading The dusty _fantassins_ were swinging along at a smart route step, rifles slung, red képis askew, their bulky luggage piled on their backs and flopping on their thighs—the same careless, untidy, slipshod infantry with the same active, tireless, reckless, rakish allure.

offer to buy, as of stocks and shares

From this reading No British officer could, on his soul and conscience, subscribe to such flapping, misfitting, fag-ends of military accouterments; and as Halkett watched them a singularly wooden expression came over his pleasant, youthful features; and Warner, glancing sideways at him, knew why.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading No British officer could, on his soul and conscience, subscribe to such flapping, misfitting, fag-ends of military accouterments; and as Halkett watched them a singularly wooden expression came over his pleasant, youthful features; and Warner, glancing sideways at him, knew why.

changing location by moving back and forth

From this reading The dusty _fantassins_ were swinging along at a smart route step, rifles slung, red képis askew, their bulky luggage piled on their backs and flopping on their thighs—the same careless, untidy, slipshod infantry with the same active, tireless, reckless, rakish allure.

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

From this reading She flashed a look at him, laughed shyly, and became very busy with her knitting and with watching the passing column across the river.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The dusty _fantassins_ were swinging along at a smart route step, rifles slung, red képis askew, their bulky luggage piled on their backs and flopping on their thighs—the same careless, untidy, slipshod infantry with the same active, tireless, reckless, rakish allure.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Halkett had unslung his field glasses to inspect them at closer range.

plural of “thigh” — the part of the leg between the hip and the knee

From this reading The dusty _fantassins_ were swinging along at a smart route step, rifles slung, red képis askew, their bulky luggage piled on their backs and flopping on their thighs—the same careless, untidy, slipshod infantry with the same active, tireless, reckless, rakish allure.

showing sustained enthusiastic action with unflagging vitality

From this reading The dusty _fantassins_ were swinging along at a smart route step, rifles slung, red képis askew, their bulky luggage piled on their backs and flopping on their thighs—the same careless, untidy, slipshod infantry with the same active, tireless, reckless, rakish allure.

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

From this reading Halkett had unslung his field glasses to inspect them at closer range.

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

From this reading Their smartly mounted officers, smartly booted or gaitered, wearing the smart tunics and gold-laced caps of their arm of the service, seemed merely to accent the gayly dowdy, ill-fitting uniforms of the little _fantassins_.

plural of “uniform” — clothing of distinctive design worn by members of a particular group as a means of identification

From this reading Their smartly mounted officers, smartly booted or gaitered, wearing the smart tunics and gold-laced caps of their arm of the service, seemed merely to accent the gayly dowdy, ill-fitting uniforms of the little _fantassins_.

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

From this reading Halkett had unslung his field glasses to inspect them at closer range.

not neat and tidy

From this reading The dusty _fantassins_ were swinging along at a smart route step, rifles slung, red képis askew, their bulky luggage piled on their backs and flopping on their thighs—the same careless, untidy, slipshod infantry with the same active, tireless, reckless, rakish allure.

precisely as stated

From this reading She flashed a look at him, laughed shyly, and became very busy with her knitting and with watching the passing column across the river.

United States filmmaker who with his brothers founded the movie studio that produced the first talking picture (1881-1958)

From this reading No British officer could, on his soul and conscience, subscribe to such flapping, misfitting, fag-ends of military accouterments; and as Halkett watched them a singularly wooden expression came over his pleasant, youthful features; and Warner, glancing sideways at him, knew why.

past form of “watch” — look attentively

From this reading No British officer could, on his soul and conscience, subscribe to such flapping, misfitting, fag-ends of military accouterments; and as Halkett watched them a singularly wooden expression came over his pleasant, youthful features; and Warner, glancing sideways at him, knew why.

the act of observing; taking a patient look

From this reading She flashed a look at him, laughed shyly, and became very busy with her knitting and with watching the passing column across the river.

(geology) the mechanical process of wearing or grinding something down (as by particles washing over it)

From this reading Their smartly mounted officers, smartly booted or gaitered, wearing the smart tunics and gold-laced caps of their arm of the service, seemed merely to accent the gayly dowdy, ill-fitting uniforms of the little _fantassins_.

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

From this reading The dusty _fantassins_ were swinging along at a smart route step, rifles slung, red képis askew, their bulky luggage piled on their backs and flopping on their thighs—the same careless, untidy, slipshod infantry with the same active, tireless, reckless, rakish allure.

the cause or intention underlying an action or situation, especially in the phrase “the whys and wherefores”

From this reading No British officer could, on his soul and conscience, subscribe to such flapping, misfitting, fag-ends of military accouterments; and as Halkett watched them a singularly wooden expression came over his pleasant, youthful features; and Warner, glancing sideways at him, knew why.

in the company of; together with

From this reading She flashed a look at him, laughed shyly, and became very busy with her knitting and with watching the passing column across the river.

made or consisting of (entirely or in part) or employing wood

From this reading No British officer could, on his soul and conscience, subscribe to such flapping, misfitting, fag-ends of military accouterments; and as Halkett watched them a singularly wooden expression came over his pleasant, youthful features; and Warner, glancing sideways at him, knew why.

suggestive of youth; vigorous and fresh

From this reading No British officer could, on his soul and conscience, subscribe to such flapping, misfitting, fag-ends of military accouterments; and as Halkett watched them a singularly wooden expression came over his pleasant, youthful features; and Warner, glancing sideways at him, knew why.