used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The next day happened to be the festival of a very important saint, and it was of course out of the question that any drill should take place.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading A burst of heavy firing early in the morning suggested that the Roumis were presuming on the piety of the insurgents to make an attack in the belief that they would not fight, but Wylie was able to reassure his friends when he came to breakfast.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A burst of heavy firing early in the morning suggested that the Roumis were presuming on the piety of the insurgents to make an attack in the belief that they would not fight, but Wylie was able to reassure his friends when he came to breakfast.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The next day happened to be the festival of a very important saint, and it was of course out of the question that any drill should take place.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading The next day happened to be the festival of a very important saint, and it was of course out of the question that any drill should take place.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading I have put a stop to it, of course, but the men are very sick.
(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
From this reading A burst of heavy firing early in the morning suggested that the Roumis were presuming on the piety of the insurgents to make an attack in the belief that they would not fight, but Wylie was able to reassure his friends when he came to breakfast.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The next day happened to be the festival of a very important saint, and it was of course out of the question that any drill should take place.
any cognitive content held as true
From this reading A burst of heavy firing early in the morning suggested that the Roumis were presuming on the piety of the insurgents to make an attack in the belief that they would not fight, but Wylie was able to reassure his friends when he came to breakfast.
eat an early morning meal
From this reading A burst of heavy firing early in the morning suggested that the Roumis were presuming on the piety of the insurgents to make an attack in the belief that they would not fight, but Wylie was able to reassure his friends when he came to breakfast.
come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure
From this reading A burst of heavy firing early in the morning suggested that the Roumis were presuming on the piety of the insurgents to make an attack in the belief that they would not fight, but Wylie was able to reassure his friends when he came to breakfast.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading A burst of heavy firing early in the morning suggested that the Roumis were presuming on the piety of the insurgents to make an attack in the belief that they would not fight, but Wylie was able to reassure his friends when he came to breakfast.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading A burst of heavy firing early in the morning suggested that the Roumis were presuming on the piety of the insurgents to make an attack in the belief that they would not fight, but Wylie was able to reassure his friends when he came to breakfast.
cartridgesnounUS /ˈkɑːrtrədʒəz/
plural of “cartridge” — ammunition consisting of a cylindrical casing containing an explosive charge and a bullet; fired from a rifle or handgun
From this reading “Simple wicked waste of cartridges in honour of St Elijah, or whatever his name is.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading The next day happened to be the festival of a very important saint, and it was of course out of the question that any drill should take place.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading The next day happened to be the festival of a very important saint, and it was of course out of the question that any drill should take place.
drillverbUS /drɪl/
make a hole, especially with a pointed power or hand tool
From this reading The next day happened to be the festival of a very important saint, and it was of course out of the question that any drill should take place.
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 A burst of heavy firing early in the morning suggested that the Roumis were presuming on the piety of the insurgents to make an attack in the belief that they would not fight, but Wylie was able to reassure his friends when he came to breakfast.
ElijahnounUS /eˈlaɪdʒə/
a Hebrew prophet in the Old Testament who opposed the worship of idols; he was persecuted for rebuking Ahab and Jezebel (king and queen of Israel); he was taken up to heaven in a chariot of fire (circa 9th century BC)
From this reading “Simple wicked waste of cartridges in honour of St Elijah, or whatever his name is.
festivalnounUS /ˈfestəvəl/
a day or period of time set aside for feasting and celebration
From this reading The next day happened to be the festival of a very important saint, and it was of course out of the question that any drill should take place.
be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight
From this reading A burst of heavy firing early in the morning suggested that the Roumis were presuming on the piety of the insurgents to make an attack in the belief that they would not fight, but Wylie was able to reassure his friends when he came to breakfast.
firingnounUS /ˈfaɪrɪŋ/
the act of firing weapons or artillery at an enemy
From this reading A burst of heavy firing early in the morning suggested that the Roumis were presuming on the piety of the insurgents to make an attack in the belief that they would not fight, but Wylie was able to reassure his friends when he came to breakfast.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading A burst of heavy firing early in the morning suggested that the Roumis were presuming on the piety of the insurgents to make an attack in the belief that they would not fight, but Wylie was able to reassure his friends when he came to breakfast.
past form of “happen” — come to pass
From this reading The next day happened to be the festival of a very important saint, and it was of course out of the question that any drill should take place.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading I have put a stop to it, of course, but the men are very sick.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A burst of heavy firing early in the morning suggested that the Roumis were presuming on the piety of the insurgents to make an attack in the belief that they would not fight, but Wylie was able to reassure his friends when he came to breakfast.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading A burst of heavy firing early in the morning suggested that the Roumis were presuming on the piety of the insurgents to make an attack in the belief that they would not fight, but Wylie was able to reassure his friends when he came to breakfast.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading A burst of heavy firing early in the morning suggested that the Roumis were presuming on the piety of the insurgents to make an attack in the belief that they would not fight, but Wylie was able to reassure his friends when he came to breakfast.
the state of being honored
From this reading “Simple wicked waste of cartridges in honour of St Elijah, or whatever his name is.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I have put a stop to it, of course, but the men are very sick.
of great significance or value
From this reading The next day happened to be the festival of a very important saint, and it was of course out of the question that any drill should take place.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A burst of heavy firing early in the morning suggested that the Roumis were presuming on the piety of the insurgents to make an attack in the belief that they would not fight, but Wylie was able to reassure his friends when he came to breakfast.
insurgentsnounUS /ˌɪnˈsɜːrdʒənts/
plural of “insurgent” — a person who takes part in an armed rebellion against the constituted authority (especially in the hope of improving conditions)
From this reading A burst of heavy firing early in the morning suggested that the Roumis were presuming on the piety of the insurgents to make an attack in the belief that they would not fight, but Wylie was able to reassure his friends when he came to breakfast.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading “Simple wicked waste of cartridges in honour of St Elijah, or whatever his name is.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The next day happened to be the festival of a very important saint, and it was of course out of the question that any drill should take place.
engage in
From this reading A burst of heavy firing early in the morning suggested that the Roumis were presuming on the piety of the insurgents to make an attack in the belief that they would not fight, but Wylie was able to reassure his friends when he came to breakfast.
the force of workers available
From this reading I have put a stop to it, of course, but the men are very sick.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading A burst of heavy firing early in the morning suggested that the Roumis were presuming on the piety of the insurgents to make an attack in the belief that they would not fight, but Wylie was able to reassure his friends when he came to breakfast.
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading “Simple wicked waste of cartridges in honour of St Elijah, or whatever his name is.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading The next day happened to be the festival of a very important saint, and it was of course out of the question that any drill should take place.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading A burst of heavy firing early in the morning suggested that the Roumis were presuming on the piety of the insurgents to make an attack in the belief that they would not fight, but Wylie was able to reassure his friends when he came to breakfast.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading “Nothing but powder-play,” he said.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The next day happened to be the festival of a very important saint, and it was of course out of the question that any drill should take place.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A burst of heavy firing early in the morning suggested that the Roumis were presuming on the piety of the insurgents to make an attack in the belief that they would not fight, but Wylie was able to reassure his friends when he came to breakfast.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading “Simple wicked waste of cartridges in honour of St Elijah, or whatever his name is.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The next day happened to be the festival of a very important saint, and it was of course out of the question that any drill should take place.
pietynounUS /ˈpaɪəti/
righteousness by virtue of being pious
From this reading A burst of heavy firing early in the morning suggested that the Roumis were presuming on the piety of the insurgents to make an attack in the belief that they would not fight, but Wylie was able to reassure his friends when he came to breakfast.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading The next day happened to be the festival of a very important saint, and it was of course out of the question that any drill should take place.
powder-play
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Nothing but powder-play,” he said.
presumingverbUS /prɪˈzuːmɪŋ/
-ing form of “presume” — take to be the case or to be true; accept without verification or proof
From this reading A burst of heavy firing early in the morning suggested that the Roumis were presuming on the piety of the insurgents to make an attack in the belief that they would not fight, but Wylie was able to reassure his friends when he came to breakfast.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading I have put a stop to it, of course, but the men are very sick.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading The next day happened to be the festival of a very important saint, and it was of course out of the question that any drill should take place.
reassureverbUS /ˌriːəˈʃʊr/
cause to feel sure; give reassurance to
From this reading A burst of heavy firing early in the morning suggested that the Roumis were presuming on the piety of the insurgents to make an attack in the belief that they would not fight, but Wylie was able to reassure his friends when he came to breakfast.
Roumis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A burst of heavy firing early in the morning suggested that the Roumis were presuming on the piety of the insurgents to make an attack in the belief that they would not fight, but Wylie was able to reassure his friends when he came to breakfast.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading “Nothing but powder-play,” he said.
a person who has died and has been declared a saint by canonization
From this reading The next day happened to be the festival of a very important saint, and it was of course out of the question that any drill should take place.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading The next day happened to be the festival of a very important saint, and it was of course out of the question that any drill should take place.
affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function
From this reading I have put a stop to it, of course, but the men are very sick.
having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved
From this reading “Simple wicked waste of cartridges in honour of St Elijah, or whatever his name is.
St
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Simple wicked waste of cartridges in honour of St Elijah, or whatever his name is.
come to a halt, stop moving
From this reading I have put a stop to it, of course, but the men are very sick.
past form of “suggest” — make a proposal, declare a plan for something
From this reading A burst of heavy firing early in the morning suggested that the Roumis were presuming on the piety of the insurgents to make an attack in the belief that they would not fight, but Wylie was able to reassure his friends when he came to breakfast.
carry out
From this reading The next day happened to be the festival of a very important saint, and it was of course out of the question that any drill should take place.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The next day happened to be the festival of a very important saint, and it was of course out of the question that any drill should take place.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The next day happened to be the festival of a very important saint, and it was of course out of the question that any drill should take place.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A burst of heavy firing early in the morning suggested that the Roumis were presuming on the piety of the insurgents to make an attack in the belief that they would not fight, but Wylie was able to reassure his friends when he came to breakfast.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The next day happened to be the festival of a very important saint, and it was of course out of the question that any drill should take place.
precisely as stated
From this reading The next day happened to be the festival of a very important saint, and it was of course out of the question that any drill should take place.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The next day happened to be the festival of a very important saint, and it was of course out of the question that any drill should take place.
any materials unused and rejected as worthless or unwanted
From this reading “Simple wicked waste of cartridges in honour of St Elijah, or whatever his name is.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading A burst of heavy firing early in the morning suggested that the Roumis were presuming on the piety of the insurgents to make an attack in the belief that they would not fight, but Wylie was able to reassure his friends when he came to breakfast.
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading “Simple wicked waste of cartridges in honour of St Elijah, or whatever his name is.
at the time that
From this reading A burst of heavy firing early in the morning suggested that the Roumis were presuming on the piety of the insurgents to make an attack in the belief that they would not fight, but Wylie was able to reassure his friends when he came to breakfast.
morally bad in principle or practice
From this reading “Simple wicked waste of cartridges in honour of St Elijah, or whatever his name is.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading A burst of heavy firing early in the morning suggested that the Roumis were presuming on the piety of the insurgents to make an attack in the belief that they would not fight, but Wylie was able to reassure his friends when he came to breakfast.
WylienounUS /ˈwaɪli/
United States poet (1885-1928)
From this reading A burst of heavy firing early in the morning suggested that the Roumis were presuming on the piety of the insurgents to make an attack in the belief that they would not fight, but Wylie was able to reassure his friends when he came to breakfast.
