Chapter XXXIV

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

From this reading Sometimes wearily enough, sometimes enlivened by a party of pleasure to Baidar, an expedition to the monastery of St. George, a general action at the Tchernaya, a hurdle-race at Kadikoi, or some trifling excitement of the same kind.

something done (usually as opposed to something said)

From this reading Sometimes wearily enough, sometimes enlivened by a party of pleasure to Baidar, an expedition to the monastery of St. George, a general action at the Tchernaya, a hurdle-race at Kadikoi, or some trifling excitement of the same kind.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading Already the great heat was beginning to be tempered by the bracing air of autumn, and the army was more than half inclined to speculate on the possibility of another long dreary winter before Sebastopol.

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading Already the great heat was beginning to be tempered by the bracing air of autumn, and the army was more than half inclined to speculate on the possibility of another long dreary winter before Sebastopol.

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

From this reading Sometimes wearily enough, sometimes enlivened by a party of pleasure to Baidar, an expedition to the monastery of St. George, a general action at the Tchernaya, a hurdle-race at Kadikoi, or some trifling excitement of the same kind.

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

From this reading Already the great heat was beginning to be tempered by the bracing air of autumn, and the army was more than half inclined to speculate on the possibility of another long dreary winter before Sebastopol.

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading Already the great heat was beginning to be tempered by the bracing air of autumn, and the army was more than half inclined to speculate on the possibility of another long dreary winter before Sebastopol.

a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state

From this reading Already the great heat was beginning to be tempered by the bracing air of autumn, and the army was more than half inclined to speculate on the possibility of another long dreary winter before Sebastopol.

close fighting during the culmination of a military attack

From this reading The blow so long withheld was to be launched in earnest, and for a day or two before the final and successful assault, men’s minds seemed to tell them--they scarce knew why--that a great change was impending, and that every night might now be the last on which the dogged valour of the besieged would man those formidable defences that, under the names of the Malakhoff, the Redan, etc., had for so long occupied the attention of France, England, and indeed the whole of Europe.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Sometimes wearily enough, sometimes enlivened by a party of pleasure to Baidar, an expedition to the monastery of St. George, a general action at the Tchernaya, a hurdle-race at Kadikoi, or some trifling excitement of the same kind.

the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others

From this reading The blow so long withheld was to be launched in earnest, and for a day or two before the final and successful assault, men’s minds seemed to tell them--they scarce knew why--that a great change was impending, and that every night might now be the last on which the dogged valour of the besieged would man those formidable defences that, under the names of the Malakhoff, the Redan, etc., had for so long occupied the attention of France, England, and indeed the whole of Europe.

the season when the leaves fall from the trees

From this reading Already the great heat was beginning to be tempered by the bracing air of autumn, and the army was more than half inclined to speculate on the possibility of another long dreary winter before Sebastopol.

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

From this reading Sometimes wearily enough, sometimes enlivened by a party of pleasure to Baidar, an expedition to the monastery of St. George, a general action at the Tchernaya, a hurdle-race at Kadikoi, or some trifling excitement of the same kind.

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

From this reading Already the great heat was beginning to be tempered by the bracing air of autumn, and the army was more than half inclined to speculate on the possibility of another long dreary winter before Sebastopol.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Already the great heat was beginning to be tempered by the bracing air of autumn, and the army was more than half inclined to speculate on the possibility of another long dreary winter before Sebastopol.

the event consisting of the start of something

From this reading Already the great heat was beginning to be tempered by the bracing air of autumn, and the army was more than half inclined to speculate on the possibility of another long dreary winter before Sebastopol.

surrounded by hostile forces

From this reading The blow so long withheld was to be launched in earnest, and for a day or two before the final and successful assault, men’s minds seemed to tell them--they scarce knew why--that a great change was impending, and that every night might now be the last on which the dogged valour of the besieged would man those formidable defences that, under the names of the Malakhoff, the Redan, etc., had for so long occupied the attention of France, England, and indeed the whole of Europe.

exhale hard

From this reading The blow so long withheld was to be launched in earnest, and for a day or two before the final and successful assault, men’s minds seemed to tell them--they scarce knew why--that a great change was impending, and that every night might now be the last on which the dogged valour of the besieged would man those formidable defences that, under the names of the Malakhoff, the Redan, etc., had for so long occupied the attention of France, England, and indeed the whole of Europe.

a structural member used to stiffen a framework

From this reading Already the great heat was beginning to be tempered by the bracing air of autumn, and the army was more than half inclined to speculate on the possibility of another long dreary winter before Sebastopol.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But the time had come at last.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Sometimes wearily enough, sometimes enlivened by a party of pleasure to Baidar, an expedition to the monastery of St. George, a general action at the Tchernaya, a hurdle-race at Kadikoi, or some trifling excitement of the same kind.

temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers

From this reading THE REDAN The days dragged on in the camp.

cause to change; make different; cause a transformation

From this reading The blow so long withheld was to be launched in earnest, and for a day or two before the final and successful assault, men’s minds seemed to tell them--they scarce knew why--that a great change was impending, and that every night might now be the last on which the dogged valour of the besieged would man those formidable defences that, under the names of the Malakhoff, the Redan, etc., had for so long occupied the attention of France, England, and indeed the whole of Europe.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading But the time had come at last.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading The blow so long withheld was to be launched in earnest, and for a day or two before the final and successful assault, men’s minds seemed to tell them--they scarce knew why--that a great change was impending, and that every night might now be the last on which the dogged valour of the besieged would man those formidable defences that, under the names of the Malakhoff, the Redan, etc., had for so long occupied the attention of France, England, and indeed the whole of Europe.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading THE REDAN The days dragged on in the camp.

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

From this reading The blow so long withheld was to be launched in earnest, and for a day or two before the final and successful assault, men’s minds seemed to tell them--they scarce knew why--that a great change was impending, and that every night might now be the last on which the dogged valour of the besieged would man those formidable defences that, under the names of the Malakhoff, the Redan, etc., had for so long occupied the attention of France, England, and indeed the whole of Europe.

stubbornly unyielding

From this reading The blow so long withheld was to be launched in earnest, and for a day or two before the final and successful assault, men’s minds seemed to tell them--they scarce knew why--that a great change was impending, and that every night might now be the last on which the dogged valour of the besieged would man those formidable defences that, under the names of the Malakhoff, the Redan, etc., had for so long occupied the attention of France, England, and indeed the whole of Europe.

inflected form of “drag” — pull, as against a resistance

From this reading THE REDAN The days dragged on in the camp.

lacking in liveliness or charm or surprise

From this reading Already the great heat was beginning to be tempered by the bracing air of autumn, and the army was more than half inclined to speculate on the possibility of another long dreary winter before Sebastopol.

characterized by a firm and humorless belief in the validity of your opinions

From this reading The blow so long withheld was to be launched in earnest, and for a day or two before the final and successful assault, men’s minds seemed to tell them--they scarce knew why--that a great change was impending, and that every night might now be the last on which the dogged valour of the besieged would man those formidable defences that, under the names of the Malakhoff, the Redan, etc., had for so long occupied the attention of France, England, and indeed the whole of Europe.

a division of the United Kingdom

From this reading The blow so long withheld was to be launched in earnest, and for a day or two before the final and successful assault, men’s minds seemed to tell them--they scarce knew why--that a great change was impending, and that every night might now be the last on which the dogged valour of the besieged would man those formidable defences that, under the names of the Malakhoff, the Redan, etc., had for so long occupied the attention of France, England, and indeed the whole of Europe.

made sprightly or cheerful

From this reading Sometimes wearily enough, sometimes enlivened by a party of pleasure to Baidar, an expedition to the monastery of St. George, a general action at the Tchernaya, a hurdle-race at Kadikoi, or some trifling excitement of the same kind.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading Sometimes wearily enough, sometimes enlivened by a party of pleasure to Baidar, an expedition to the monastery of St. George, a general action at the Tchernaya, a hurdle-race at Kadikoi, or some trifling excitement of the same kind.

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

From this reading The blow so long withheld was to be launched in earnest, and for a day or two before the final and successful assault, men’s minds seemed to tell them--they scarce knew why--that a great change was impending, and that every night might now be the last on which the dogged valour of the besieged would man those formidable defences that, under the names of the Malakhoff, the Redan, etc., had for so long occupied the attention of France, England, and indeed the whole of Europe.

the 2nd smallest continent (actually a vast peninsula of Eurasia); the British use “Europe” to refer to all of the continent except the British Isles

From this reading The blow so long withheld was to be launched in earnest, and for a day or two before the final and successful assault, men’s minds seemed to tell them--they scarce knew why--that a great change was impending, and that every night might now be the last on which the dogged valour of the besieged would man those formidable defences that, under the names of the Malakhoff, the Redan, etc., had for so long occupied the attention of France, England, and indeed the whole of Europe.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading The blow so long withheld was to be launched in earnest, and for a day or two before the final and successful assault, men’s minds seemed to tell them--they scarce knew why--that a great change was impending, and that every night might now be the last on which the dogged valour of the besieged would man those formidable defences that, under the names of the Malakhoff, the Redan, etc., had for so long occupied the attention of France, England, and indeed the whole of Europe.

the feeling of lively and cheerful joy

From this reading Sometimes wearily enough, sometimes enlivened by a party of pleasure to Baidar, an expedition to the monastery of St. George, a general action at the Tchernaya, a hurdle-race at Kadikoi, or some trifling excitement of the same kind.

a military campaign designed to achieve a specific objective in a foreign country

From this reading Sometimes wearily enough, sometimes enlivened by a party of pleasure to Baidar, an expedition to the monastery of St. George, a general action at the Tchernaya, a hurdle-race at Kadikoi, or some trifling excitement of the same kind.

occurring at or forming an end or termination

From this reading The blow so long withheld was to be launched in earnest, and for a day or two before the final and successful assault, men’s minds seemed to tell them--they scarce knew why--that a great change was impending, and that every night might now be the last on which the dogged valour of the besieged would man those formidable defences that, under the names of the Malakhoff, the Redan, etc., had for so long occupied the attention of France, England, and indeed the whole of Europe.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The blow so long withheld was to be launched in earnest, and for a day or two before the final and successful assault, men’s minds seemed to tell them--they scarce knew why--that a great change was impending, and that every night might now be the last on which the dogged valour of the besieged would man those formidable defences that, under the names of the Malakhoff, the Redan, etc., had for so long occupied the attention of France, England, and indeed the whole of Europe.

extremely impressive in strength or excellence

From this reading The blow so long withheld was to be launched in earnest, and for a day or two before the final and successful assault, men’s minds seemed to tell them--they scarce knew why--that a great change was impending, and that every night might now be the last on which the dogged valour of the besieged would man those formidable defences that, under the names of the Malakhoff, the Redan, etc., had for so long occupied the attention of France, England, and indeed the whole of Europe.

a republic in western Europe; the largest country wholly in Europe

From this reading The blow so long withheld was to be launched in earnest, and for a day or two before the final and successful assault, men’s minds seemed to tell them--they scarce knew why--that a great change was impending, and that every night might now be the last on which the dogged valour of the besieged would man those formidable defences that, under the names of the Malakhoff, the Redan, etc., had for so long occupied the attention of France, England, and indeed the whole of Europe.

applying to all or most members of a category or group

From this reading Sometimes wearily enough, sometimes enlivened by a party of pleasure to Baidar, an expedition to the monastery of St. George, a general action at the Tchernaya, a hurdle-race at Kadikoi, or some trifling excitement of the same kind.

Christian martyr; patron saint of England; hero of the legend of Saint George and the Dragon in which he slew a dragon and saved a princess (?-303)

From this reading Sometimes wearily enough, sometimes enlivened by a party of pleasure to Baidar, an expedition to the monastery of St. George, a general action at the Tchernaya, a hurdle-race at Kadikoi, or some trifling excitement of the same kind.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading Already the great heat was beginning to be tempered by the bracing air of autumn, and the army was more than half inclined to speculate on the possibility of another long dreary winter before Sebastopol.

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

From this reading But the time had come at last.

consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity

From this reading Already the great heat was beginning to be tempered by the bracing air of autumn, and the army was more than half inclined to speculate on the possibility of another long dreary winter before Sebastopol.

a form of energy that is transferred by a difference in temperature

From this reading Already the great heat was beginning to be tempered by the bracing air of autumn, and the army was more than half inclined to speculate on the possibility of another long dreary winter before Sebastopol.

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

From this reading Sometimes wearily enough, sometimes enlivened by a party of pleasure to Baidar, an expedition to the monastery of St. George, a general action at the Tchernaya, a hurdle-race at Kadikoi, or some trifling excitement of the same kind.

close in time; about to occur

From this reading The blow so long withheld was to be launched in earnest, and for a day or two before the final and successful assault, men’s minds seemed to tell them--they scarce knew why--that a great change was impending, and that every night might now be the last on which the dogged valour of the besieged would man those formidable defences that, under the names of the Malakhoff, the Redan, etc., had for so long occupied the attention of France, England, and indeed the whole of Europe.

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

From this reading THE REDAN The days dragged on in the camp.

(often followed by “to”) having a preference, disposition, or tendency

From this reading Already the great heat was beginning to be tempered by the bracing air of autumn, and the army was more than half inclined to speculate on the possibility of another long dreary winter before Sebastopol.

in truth (often tends to intensify)

From this reading The blow so long withheld was to be launched in earnest, and for a day or two before the final and successful assault, men’s minds seemed to tell them--they scarce knew why--that a great change was impending, and that every night might now be the last on which the dogged valour of the besieged would man those formidable defences that, under the names of the Malakhoff, the Redan, etc., had for so long occupied the attention of France, England, and indeed the whole of Europe.

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

From this reading Sometimes wearily enough, sometimes enlivened by a party of pleasure to Baidar, an expedition to the monastery of St. George, a general action at the Tchernaya, a hurdle-race at Kadikoi, or some trifling excitement of the same kind.

having or showing a tender and considerate and helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behavior

From this reading Sometimes wearily enough, sometimes enlivened by a party of pleasure to Baidar, an expedition to the monastery of St. George, a general action at the Tchernaya, a hurdle-race at Kadikoi, or some trifling excitement of the same kind.

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 The blow so long withheld was to be launched in earnest, and for a day or two before the final and successful assault, men’s minds seemed to tell them--they scarce knew why--that a great change was impending, and that every night might now be the last on which the dogged valour of the besieged would man those formidable defences that, under the names of the Malakhoff, the Redan, etc., had for so long occupied the attention of France, England, and indeed the whole of Europe.

immediately past

From this reading But the time had come at last.

past form of “launch” — set up or found

From this reading The blow so long withheld was to be launched in earnest, and for a day or two before the final and successful assault, men’s minds seemed to tell them--they scarce knew why--that a great change was impending, and that every night might now be the last on which the dogged valour of the besieged would man those formidable defences that, under the names of the Malakhoff, the Redan, etc., had for so long occupied the attention of France, England, and indeed the whole of Europe.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading Already the great heat was beginning to be tempered by the bracing air of autumn, and the army was more than half inclined to speculate on the possibility of another long dreary winter before Sebastopol.

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

From this reading The blow so long withheld was to be launched in earnest, and for a day or two before the final and successful assault, men’s minds seemed to tell them--they scarce knew why--that a great change was impending, and that every night might now be the last on which the dogged valour of the besieged would man those formidable defences that, under the names of the Malakhoff, the Redan, etc., had for so long occupied the attention of France, England, and indeed the whole of Europe.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading The blow so long withheld was to be launched in earnest, and for a day or two before the final and successful assault, men’s minds seemed to tell them--they scarce knew why--that a great change was impending, and that every night might now be the last on which the dogged valour of the besieged would man those formidable defences that, under the names of the Malakhoff, the Redan, etc., had for so long occupied the attention of France, England, and indeed the whole of Europe.

a public toilet for men

From this reading The blow so long withheld was to be launched in earnest, and for a day or two before the final and successful assault, men’s minds seemed to tell them--they scarce knew why--that a great change was impending, and that every night might now be the last on which the dogged valour of the besieged would man those formidable defences that, under the names of the Malakhoff, the Redan, etc., had for so long occupied the attention of France, England, and indeed the whole of Europe.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading The blow so long withheld was to be launched in earnest, and for a day or two before the final and successful assault, men’s minds seemed to tell them--they scarce knew why--that a great change was impending, and that every night might now be the last on which the dogged valour of the besieged would man those formidable defences that, under the names of the Malakhoff, the Redan, etc., had for so long occupied the attention of France, England, and indeed the whole of Europe.

plural of “mind” — that which is responsible for one's thoughts, feelings, and conscious brain functions; the seat of the faculty of reason

From this reading The blow so long withheld was to be launched in earnest, and for a day or two before the final and successful assault, men’s minds seemed to tell them--they scarce knew why--that a great change was impending, and that every night might now be the last on which the dogged valour of the besieged would man those formidable defences that, under the names of the Malakhoff, the Redan, etc., had for so long occupied the attention of France, England, and indeed the whole of Europe.

the residence of a religious community

From this reading Sometimes wearily enough, sometimes enlivened by a party of pleasure to Baidar, an expedition to the monastery of St. George, a general action at the Tchernaya, a hurdle-race at Kadikoi, or some trifling excitement of the same kind.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading Already the great heat was beginning to be tempered by the bracing air of autumn, and the army was more than half inclined to speculate on the possibility of another long dreary winter before Sebastopol.

verbal abuse; a crude substitute for argument

From this reading The blow so long withheld was to be launched in earnest, and for a day or two before the final and successful assault, men’s minds seemed to tell them--they scarce knew why--that a great change was impending, and that every night might now be the last on which the dogged valour of the besieged would man those formidable defences that, under the names of the Malakhoff, the Redan, etc., had for so long occupied the attention of France, England, and indeed the whole of Europe.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading The blow so long withheld was to be launched in earnest, and for a day or two before the final and successful assault, men’s minds seemed to tell them--they scarce knew why--that a great change was impending, and that every night might now be the last on which the dogged valour of the besieged would man those formidable defences that, under the names of the Malakhoff, the Redan, etc., had for so long occupied the attention of France, England, and indeed the whole of Europe.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading The blow so long withheld was to be launched in earnest, and for a day or two before the final and successful assault, men’s minds seemed to tell them--they scarce knew why--that a great change was impending, and that every night might now be the last on which the dogged valour of the besieged would man those formidable defences that, under the names of the Malakhoff, the Redan, etc., had for so long occupied the attention of France, England, and indeed the whole of Europe.

held or filled or in use

From this reading The blow so long withheld was to be launched in earnest, and for a day or two before the final and successful assault, men’s minds seemed to tell them--they scarce knew why--that a great change was impending, and that every night might now be the last on which the dogged valour of the besieged would man those formidable defences that, under the names of the Malakhoff, the Redan, etc., had for so long occupied the attention of France, England, and indeed the whole of Europe.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Sometimes wearily enough, sometimes enlivened by a party of pleasure to Baidar, an expedition to the monastery of St. George, a general action at the Tchernaya, a hurdle-race at Kadikoi, or some trifling excitement of the same kind.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading THE REDAN The days dragged on in the camp.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Sometimes wearily enough, sometimes enlivened by a party of pleasure to Baidar, an expedition to the monastery of St. George, a general action at the Tchernaya, a hurdle-race at Kadikoi, or some trifling excitement of the same kind.

an organization to gain political power

From this reading Sometimes wearily enough, sometimes enlivened by a party of pleasure to Baidar, an expedition to the monastery of St. George, a general action at the Tchernaya, a hurdle-race at Kadikoi, or some trifling excitement of the same kind.

a fundamental feeling that is hard to define but that people desire to experience

From this reading Sometimes wearily enough, sometimes enlivened by a party of pleasure to Baidar, an expedition to the monastery of St. George, a general action at the Tchernaya, a hurdle-race at Kadikoi, or some trifling excitement of the same kind.

a future prospect or potential

From this reading Already the great heat was beginning to be tempered by the bracing air of autumn, and the army was more than half inclined to speculate on the possibility of another long dreary winter before Sebastopol.

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

From this reading THE REDAN The days dragged on in the camp.

Identical; not different.

From this reading Sometimes wearily enough, sometimes enlivened by a party of pleasure to Baidar, an expedition to the monastery of St. George, a general action at the Tchernaya, a hurdle-race at Kadikoi, or some trifling excitement of the same kind.

only a very short time before

From this reading The blow so long withheld was to be launched in earnest, and for a day or two before the final and successful assault, men’s minds seemed to tell them--they scarce knew why--that a great change was impending, and that every night might now be the last on which the dogged valour of the besieged would man those formidable defences that, under the names of the Malakhoff, the Redan, etc., had for so long occupied the attention of France, England, and indeed the whole of Europe.

a city in southern Ukraine on the Black Sea

From this reading Already the great heat was beginning to be tempered by the bracing air of autumn, and the army was more than half inclined to speculate on the possibility of another long dreary winter before Sebastopol.

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

From this reading The blow so long withheld was to be launched in earnest, and for a day or two before the final and successful assault, men’s minds seemed to tell them--they scarce knew why--that a great change was impending, and that every night might now be the last on which the dogged valour of the besieged would man those formidable defences that, under the names of the Malakhoff, the Redan, etc., had for so long occupied the attention of France, England, and indeed the whole of Europe.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The blow so long withheld was to be launched in earnest, and for a day or two before the final and successful assault, men’s minds seemed to tell them--they scarce knew why--that a great change was impending, and that every night might now be the last on which the dogged valour of the besieged would man those formidable defences that, under the names of the Malakhoff, the Redan, etc., had for so long occupied the attention of France, England, and indeed the whole of Europe.

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

From this reading Sometimes wearily enough, sometimes enlivened by a party of pleasure to Baidar, an expedition to the monastery of St. George, a general action at the Tchernaya, a hurdle-race at Kadikoi, or some trifling excitement of the same kind.

on certain occasions or in certain cases but not always

From this reading Sometimes wearily enough, sometimes enlivened by a party of pleasure to Baidar, an expedition to the monastery of St. George, a general action at the Tchernaya, a hurdle-race at Kadikoi, or some trifling excitement of the same kind.

to believe especially on uncertain or tentative grounds

From this reading Already the great heat was beginning to be tempered by the bracing air of autumn, and the army was more than half inclined to speculate on the possibility of another long dreary winter before Sebastopol.

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

From this reading Sometimes wearily enough, sometimes enlivened by a party of pleasure to Baidar, an expedition to the monastery of St. George, a general action at the Tchernaya, a hurdle-race at Kadikoi, or some trifling excitement of the same kind.

having succeeded or being marked by a favorable outcome

From this reading The blow so long withheld was to be launched in earnest, and for a day or two before the final and successful assault, men’s minds seemed to tell them--they scarce knew why--that a great change was impending, and that every night might now be the last on which the dogged valour of the besieged would man those formidable defences that, under the names of the Malakhoff, the Redan, etc., had for so long occupied the attention of France, England, and indeed the whole of Europe.

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

From this reading Sometimes wearily enough, sometimes enlivened by a party of pleasure to Baidar, an expedition to the monastery of St. George, a general action at the Tchernaya, a hurdle-race at Kadikoi, or some trifling excitement of the same kind.

express in words

From this reading The blow so long withheld was to be launched in earnest, and for a day or two before the final and successful assault, men’s minds seemed to tell them--they scarce knew why--that a great change was impending, and that every night might now be the last on which the dogged valour of the besieged would man those formidable defences that, under the names of the Malakhoff, the Redan, etc., had for so long occupied the attention of France, England, and indeed the whole of Europe.

made hard or flexible or resilient especially by heat treatment

From this reading Already the great heat was beginning to be tempered by the bracing air of autumn, and the army was more than half inclined to speculate on the possibility of another long dreary winter before Sebastopol.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Already the great heat was beginning to be tempered by the bracing air of autumn, and the army was more than half inclined to speculate on the possibility of another long dreary winter before Sebastopol.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The blow so long withheld was to be launched in earnest, and for a day or two before the final and successful assault, men’s minds seemed to tell them--they scarce knew why--that a great change was impending, and that every night might now be the last on which the dogged valour of the besieged would man those formidable defences that, under the names of the Malakhoff, the Redan, etc., had for so long occupied the attention of France, England, and indeed the whole of Europe.

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

From this reading THE REDAN The days dragged on in the camp.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading The blow so long withheld was to be launched in earnest, and for a day or two before the final and successful assault, men’s minds seemed to tell them--they scarce knew why--that a great change was impending, and that every night might now be the last on which the dogged valour of the besieged would man those formidable defences that, under the names of the Malakhoff, the Redan, etc., had for so long occupied the attention of France, England, and indeed the whole of Europe.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The blow so long withheld was to be launched in earnest, and for a day or two before the final and successful assault, men’s minds seemed to tell them--they scarce knew why--that a great change was impending, and that every night might now be the last on which the dogged valour of the besieged would man those formidable defences that, under the names of the Malakhoff, the Redan, etc., had for so long occupied the attention of France, England, and indeed the whole of Europe.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading The blow so long withheld was to be launched in earnest, and for a day or two before the final and successful assault, men’s minds seemed to tell them--they scarce knew why--that a great change was impending, and that every night might now be the last on which the dogged valour of the besieged would man those formidable defences that, under the names of the Malakhoff, the Redan, etc., had for so long occupied the attention of France, England, and indeed the whole of Europe.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading But the time had come at last.

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

From this reading Sometimes wearily enough, sometimes enlivened by a party of pleasure to Baidar, an expedition to the monastery of St. George, a general action at the Tchernaya, a hurdle-race at Kadikoi, or some trifling excitement of the same kind.

the deliberate act of delaying and playing instead of working

From this reading Sometimes wearily enough, sometimes enlivened by a party of pleasure to Baidar, an expedition to the monastery of St. George, a general action at the Tchernaya, a hurdle-race at Kadikoi, or some trifling excitement of the same kind.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading The blow so long withheld was to be launched in earnest, and for a day or two before the final and successful assault, men’s minds seemed to tell them--they scarce knew why--that a great change was impending, and that every night might now be the last on which the dogged valour of the besieged would man those formidable defences that, under the names of the Malakhoff, the Redan, etc., had for so long occupied the attention of France, England, and indeed the whole of Europe.

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading The blow so long withheld was to be launched in earnest, and for a day or two before the final and successful assault, men’s minds seemed to tell them--they scarce knew why--that a great change was impending, and that every night might now be the last on which the dogged valour of the besieged would man those formidable defences that, under the names of the Malakhoff, the Redan, etc., had for so long occupied the attention of France, England, and indeed the whole of Europe.

the qualities of a hero or heroine; exceptional or heroic courage when facing danger (especially in battle)

From this reading The blow so long withheld was to be launched in earnest, and for a day or two before the final and successful assault, men’s minds seemed to tell them--they scarce knew why--that a great change was impending, and that every night might now be the last on which the dogged valour of the besieged would man those formidable defences that, under the names of the Malakhoff, the Redan, etc., had for so long occupied the attention of France, England, and indeed the whole of Europe.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Already the great heat was beginning to be tempered by the bracing air of autumn, and the army was more than half inclined to speculate on the possibility of another long dreary winter before Sebastopol.

in a weary manner

From this reading Sometimes wearily enough, sometimes enlivened by a party of pleasure to Baidar, an expedition to the monastery of St. George, a general action at the Tchernaya, a hurdle-race at Kadikoi, or some trifling excitement of the same kind.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading The blow so long withheld was to be launched in earnest, and for a day or two before the final and successful assault, men’s minds seemed to tell them--they scarce knew why--that a great change was impending, and that every night might now be the last on which the dogged valour of the besieged would man those formidable defences that, under the names of the Malakhoff, the Redan, etc., had for so long occupied the attention of France, England, and indeed the whole of Europe.

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

From this reading The blow so long withheld was to be launched in earnest, and for a day or two before the final and successful assault, men’s minds seemed to tell them--they scarce knew why--that a great change was impending, and that every night might now be the last on which the dogged valour of the besieged would man those formidable defences that, under the names of the Malakhoff, the Redan, etc., had for so long occupied the attention of France, England, and indeed the whole of Europe.

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

From this reading The blow so long withheld was to be launched in earnest, and for a day or two before the final and successful assault, men’s minds seemed to tell them--they scarce knew why--that a great change was impending, and that every night might now be the last on which the dogged valour of the besieged would man those formidable defences that, under the names of the Malakhoff, the Redan, etc., had for so long occupied the attention of France, England, and indeed the whole of Europe.

the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox

From this reading Already the great heat was beginning to be tempered by the bracing air of autumn, and the army was more than half inclined to speculate on the possibility of another long dreary winter before Sebastopol.

inflected form of “withhold” — hold back; refuse to hand over or share

From this reading The blow so long withheld was to be launched in earnest, and for a day or two before the final and successful assault, men’s minds seemed to tell them--they scarce knew why--that a great change was impending, and that every night might now be the last on which the dogged valour of the besieged would man those formidable defences that, under the names of the Malakhoff, the Redan, etc., had for so long occupied the attention of France, England, and indeed the whole of Europe.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading The blow so long withheld was to be launched in earnest, and for a day or two before the final and successful assault, men’s minds seemed to tell them--they scarce knew why--that a great change was impending, and that every night might now be the last on which the dogged valour of the besieged would man those formidable defences that, under the names of the Malakhoff, the Redan, etc., had for so long occupied the attention of France, England, and indeed the whole of Europe.