used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading At a distance, very far off, on the plains of Alsace, dark points might be remarked indicating their battalions in retreat.
AlsacenounUS /ælˈsɑːs/
a region of northeastern France famous for its wines
From this reading At a distance, very far off, on the plains of Alsace, dark points might be remarked indicating their battalions in retreat.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The Germans had quitted Grandfontaine, Framont, and even Schirmeck.
(used of persons or the military) characterized by having or bearing arms
From this reading He stood for a few moments contemplating the scene that lay extended before him, the cannon pointed towards the gorge, the volunteers stretched around the fire, the armed sentinels; then, satisfied with his inspection, he returned to the farm where Louise and Catherine were still sleeping.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading He stood for a few moments contemplating the scene that lay extended before him, the cannon pointed towards the gorge, the volunteers stretched around the fire, the armed sentinels; then, satisfied with his inspection, he returned to the farm where Louise and Catherine were still sleeping.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At a distance, very far off, on the plains of Alsace, dark points might be remarked indicating their battalions in retreat.
inflected form of “awake” — stop sleeping
From this reading Hullin awoke early, and made the round of the camp.
battalionsnounUS /bəˈtæljənz/
plural of “battalion” — an army unit usually consisting of a headquarters and three or more companies
From this reading At a distance, very far off, on the plains of Alsace, dark points might be remarked indicating their battalions in retreat.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading At a distance, very far off, on the plains of Alsace, dark points might be remarked indicating their battalions in retreat.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He stood for a few moments contemplating the scene that lay extended before him, the cannon pointed towards the gorge, the volunteers stretched around the fire, the armed sentinels; then, satisfied with his inspection, he returned to the farm where Louise and Catherine were still sleeping.
temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers
From this reading Hullin awoke early, and made the round of the camp.
cannonnounUS /ˈkænən/
a large artillery gun that is usually on wheels
From this reading He stood for a few moments contemplating the scene that lay extended before him, the cannon pointed towards the gorge, the volunteers stretched around the fire, the armed sentinels; then, satisfied with his inspection, he returned to the farm where Louise and Catherine were still sleeping.
CatherinenounUS /ˈkæθərən/
first wife of Henry VIII; Henry VIII's divorce from her was the initial step of the Reformation in England (1485-1536)
From this reading He stood for a few moments contemplating the scene that lay extended before him, the cannon pointed towards the gorge, the volunteers stretched around the fire, the armed sentinels; then, satisfied with his inspection, he returned to the farm where Louise and Catherine were still sleeping.
a natural or artificial enclosed space
From this reading The greyish light of dawn was stealing through the chamber.
contemplatingverbUS /ˈkɑːntəmpleɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “contemplate” — look at thoughtfully; observe deep in thought
From this reading He stood for a few moments contemplating the scene that lay extended before him, the cannon pointed towards the gorge, the volunteers stretched around the fire, the armed sentinels; then, satisfied with his inspection, he returned to the farm where Louise and Catherine were still sleeping.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading At a distance, very far off, on the plains of Alsace, dark points might be remarked indicating their battalions in retreat.
the first light of day
From this reading The greyish light of dawn was stealing through the chamber.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading At a distance, very far off, on the plains of Alsace, dark points might be remarked indicating their battalions in retreat.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading Hullin awoke early, and made the round of the camp.
divisible by two
From this reading The Germans had quitted Grandfontaine, Framont, and even Schirmeck.
relatively long in duration; tediously protracted
From this reading He stood for a few moments contemplating the scene that lay extended before him, the cannon pointed towards the gorge, the volunteers stretched around the fire, the armed sentinels; then, satisfied with his inspection, he returned to the farm where Louise and Catherine were still sleeping.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading At a distance, very far off, on the plains of Alsace, dark points might be remarked indicating their battalions in retreat.
be a farmer; work as a farmer
From this reading He stood for a few moments contemplating the scene that lay extended before him, the cannon pointed towards the gorge, the volunteers stretched around the fire, the armed sentinels; then, satisfied with his inspection, he returned to the farm where Louise and Catherine were still sleeping.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading He stood for a few moments contemplating the scene that lay extended before him, the cannon pointed towards the gorge, the volunteers stretched around the fire, the armed sentinels; then, satisfied with his inspection, he returned to the farm where Louise and Catherine were still sleeping.
start firing a weapon
From this reading He stood for a few moments contemplating the scene that lay extended before him, the cannon pointed towards the gorge, the volunteers stretched around the fire, the armed sentinels; then, satisfied with his inspection, he returned to the farm where Louise and Catherine were still sleeping.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He stood for a few moments contemplating the scene that lay extended before him, the cannon pointed towards the gorge, the volunteers stretched around the fire, the armed sentinels; then, satisfied with his inspection, he returned to the farm where Louise and Catherine were still sleeping.
Framont
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Germans had quitted Grandfontaine, Framont, and even Schirmeck.
GermansnounUS /ˈdʒɜːrmənz/
plural of “german” — a person of German nationality
From this reading The Germans had quitted Grandfontaine, Framont, and even Schirmeck.
gorgeverbUS /ɡɔːrdʒ/
overeat or eat immodestly; make a pig of oneself
From this reading He stood for a few moments contemplating the scene that lay extended before him, the cannon pointed towards the gorge, the volunteers stretched around the fire, the armed sentinels; then, satisfied with his inspection, he returned to the farm where Louise and Catherine were still sleeping.
Grandfontaine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Germans had quitted Grandfontaine, Framont, and even Schirmeck.
greyishadjective
of an achromatic color of any lightness intermediate between the extremes of white and black
From this reading The greyish light of dawn was stealing through the chamber.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The Germans had quitted Grandfontaine, Framont, and even Schirmeck.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He stood for a few moments contemplating the scene that lay extended before him, the cannon pointed towards the gorge, the volunteers stretched around the fire, the armed sentinels; then, satisfied with his inspection, he returned to the farm where Louise and Catherine were still sleeping.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He stood for a few moments contemplating the scene that lay extended before him, the cannon pointed towards the gorge, the volunteers stretched around the fire, the armed sentinels; then, satisfied with his inspection, he returned to the farm where Louise and Catherine were still sleeping.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He stood for a few moments contemplating the scene that lay extended before him, the cannon pointed towards the gorge, the volunteers stretched around the fire, the armed sentinels; then, satisfied with his inspection, he returned to the farm where Louise and Catherine were still sleeping.
Hullin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hullin awoke early, and made the round of the camp.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading At a distance, very far off, on the plains of Alsace, dark points might be remarked indicating their battalions in retreat.
indicatingverbUS /ˈɪndəkeɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “indicate” — be a signal for or a symptom of
From this reading At a distance, very far off, on the plains of Alsace, dark points might be remarked indicating their battalions in retreat.
inspectionnounUS /ˌɪnˈspekʃən/
a formal or official examination
From this reading He stood for a few moments contemplating the scene that lay extended before him, the cannon pointed towards the gorge, the volunteers stretched around the fire, the armed sentinels; then, satisfied with his inspection, he returned to the farm where Louise and Catherine were still sleeping.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading He stood for a few moments contemplating the scene that lay extended before him, the cannon pointed towards the gorge, the volunteers stretched around the fire, the armed sentinels; then, satisfied with his inspection, he returned to the farm where Louise and Catherine were still sleeping.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading The greyish light of dawn was stealing through the chamber.
Louise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He stood for a few moments contemplating the scene that lay extended before him, the cannon pointed towards the gorge, the volunteers stretched around the fire, the armed sentinels; then, satisfied with his inspection, he returned to the farm where Louise and Catherine were still sleeping.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Hullin awoke early, and made the round of the camp.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading At a distance, very far off, on the plains of Alsace, dark points might be remarked indicating their battalions in retreat.
plural of “moment” — a particular point in time
From this reading He stood for a few moments contemplating the scene that lay extended before him, the cannon pointed towards the gorge, the volunteers stretched around the fire, the armed sentinels; then, satisfied with his inspection, he returned to the farm where Louise and Catherine were still sleeping.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading At a distance, very far off, on the plains of Alsace, dark points might be remarked indicating their battalions in retreat.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading At a distance, very far off, on the plains of Alsace, dark points might be remarked indicating their battalions in retreat.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading At a distance, very far off, on the plains of Alsace, dark points might be remarked indicating their battalions in retreat.
plainsnounUS /pleɪnz/
plural of “plain” — extensive tract of level open land
From this reading At a distance, very far off, on the plains of Alsace, dark points might be remarked indicating their battalions in retreat.
having a point
From this reading He stood for a few moments contemplating the scene that lay extended before him, the cannon pointed towards the gorge, the volunteers stretched around the fire, the armed sentinels; then, satisfied with his inspection, he returned to the farm where Louise and Catherine were still sleeping.
plural of “point” — a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading At a distance, very far off, on the plains of Alsace, dark points might be remarked indicating their battalions in retreat.
quitted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Germans had quitted Grandfontaine, Framont, and even Schirmeck.
past form of “remark” — make mention of
From this reading At a distance, very far off, on the plains of Alsace, dark points might be remarked indicating their battalions in retreat.
(military) withdrawal of troops to a more favorable position to escape the enemy's superior forces or after a defeat
From this reading At a distance, very far off, on the plains of Alsace, dark points might be remarked indicating their battalions in retreat.
past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading He stood for a few moments contemplating the scene that lay extended before him, the cannon pointed towards the gorge, the volunteers stretched around the fire, the armed sentinels; then, satisfied with his inspection, he returned to the farm where Louise and Catherine were still sleeping.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading Hullin awoke early, and made the round of the camp.
filled with satisfaction
From this reading He stood for a few moments contemplating the scene that lay extended before him, the cannon pointed towards the gorge, the volunteers stretched around the fire, the armed sentinels; then, satisfied with his inspection, he returned to the farm where Louise and Catherine were still sleeping.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading He stood for a few moments contemplating the scene that lay extended before him, the cannon pointed towards the gorge, the volunteers stretched around the fire, the armed sentinels; then, satisfied with his inspection, he returned to the farm where Louise and Catherine were still sleeping.
Schirmeck
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Germans had quitted Grandfontaine, Framont, and even Schirmeck.
sentinelsnounUS /ˈsentənəlz/
plural of “sentinel” — a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
From this reading He stood for a few moments contemplating the scene that lay extended before him, the cannon pointed towards the gorge, the volunteers stretched around the fire, the armed sentinels; then, satisfied with his inspection, he returned to the farm where Louise and Catherine were still sleeping.
the state of being asleep
From this reading He stood for a few moments contemplating the scene that lay extended before him, the cannon pointed towards the gorge, the volunteers stretched around the fire, the armed sentinels; then, satisfied with his inspection, he returned to the farm where Louise and Catherine were still sleeping.
stealingnounUS /ˈstiːlɪŋ/
the act of taking something from someone unlawfully
From this reading The greyish light of dawn was stealing through the chamber.
not in physical motion
From this reading He stood for a few moments contemplating the scene that lay extended before him, the cannon pointed towards the gorge, the volunteers stretched around the fire, the armed sentinels; then, satisfied with his inspection, he returned to the farm where Louise and Catherine were still sleeping.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading He stood for a few moments contemplating the scene that lay extended before him, the cannon pointed towards the gorge, the volunteers stretched around the fire, the armed sentinels; then, satisfied with his inspection, he returned to the farm where Louise and Catherine were still sleeping.
(of muscles) relieved of stiffness by stretching
From this reading He stood for a few moments contemplating the scene that lay extended before him, the cannon pointed towards the gorge, the volunteers stretched around the fire, the armed sentinels; then, satisfied with his inspection, he returned to the farm where Louise and Catherine were still sleeping.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He stood for a few moments contemplating the scene that lay extended before him, the cannon pointed towards the gorge, the volunteers stretched around the fire, the armed sentinels; then, satisfied with his inspection, he returned to the farm where Louise and Catherine were still sleeping.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Germans had quitted Grandfontaine, Framont, and even Schirmeck.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading At a distance, very far off, on the plains of Alsace, dark points might be remarked indicating their battalions in retreat.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading He stood for a few moments contemplating the scene that lay extended before him, the cannon pointed towards the gorge, the volunteers stretched around the fire, the armed sentinels; then, satisfied with his inspection, he returned to the farm where Louise and Catherine were still sleeping.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The greyish light of dawn was stealing through the chamber.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He stood for a few moments contemplating the scene that lay extended before him, the cannon pointed towards the gorge, the volunteers stretched around the fire, the armed sentinels; then, satisfied with his inspection, he returned to the farm where Louise and Catherine were still sleeping.
in the direction of
From this reading He stood for a few moments contemplating the scene that lay extended before him, the cannon pointed towards the gorge, the volunteers stretched around the fire, the armed sentinels; then, satisfied with his inspection, he returned to the farm where Louise and Catherine were still sleeping.
precisely as stated
From this reading At a distance, very far off, on the plains of Alsace, dark points might be remarked indicating their battalions in retreat.
volunteersnounUS /ˌvɑːlənˈtɪrz/
plural of “volunteer” — (military) a person who freely enlists for service
From this reading He stood for a few moments contemplating the scene that lay extended before him, the cannon pointed towards the gorge, the volunteers stretched around the fire, the armed sentinels; then, satisfied with his inspection, he returned to the farm where Louise and Catherine were still sleeping.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The greyish light of dawn was stealing through the chamber.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He stood for a few moments contemplating the scene that lay extended before him, the cannon pointed towards the gorge, the volunteers stretched around the fire, the armed sentinels; then, satisfied with his inspection, he returned to the farm where Louise and Catherine were still sleeping.
in or at the place that
From this reading He stood for a few moments contemplating the scene that lay extended before him, the cannon pointed towards the gorge, the volunteers stretched around the fire, the armed sentinels; then, satisfied with his inspection, he returned to the farm where Louise and Catherine were still sleeping.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He stood for a few moments contemplating the scene that lay extended before him, the cannon pointed towards the gorge, the volunteers stretched around the fire, the armed sentinels; then, satisfied with his inspection, he returned to the farm where Louise and Catherine were still sleeping.
