used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading AT sunrise, on a beautiful April morning, the last detachment of General Loudon’s light troops, five thousand strong, took up their march to join the army of Marshal Daun.
(followed by “to”) in agreement with or accordant with
From this reading Every officer and man wore in his helmet a sprig of green, according to an ancient custom of the Austrian army when beginning a campaign.
afaradverbUS /əˈfɑːr/
(old-fashioned) at or from or to a great distance; far
From this reading Vast crowds assembled at every point of vantage along the highway to applaud these favourite troops; while, afar off, the steeples, towers, and belfries of Vienna were black with people watching as this splendid body of men unwound itself, like a great serpent, and turned its head toward the enemy.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading Vast crowds assembled at every point of vantage along the highway to applaud these favourite troops; while, afar off, the steeples, towers, and belfries of Vienna were black with people watching as this splendid body of men unwound itself, like a great serpent, and turned its head toward the enemy.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading They were mostly new recruits, with a sprinkling of seasoned soldiers, but they had had several months of breaking in at the cantonments, and being originally of stout fibre--honest peasantry, used to an outdoor life of toil--they were already fair soldiers.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Every officer and man wore in his helmet a sprig of green, according to an ancient custom of the Austrian army when beginning a campaign.
Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.
From this reading Every officer and man wore in his helmet a sprig of green, according to an ancient custom of the Austrian army when beginning a campaign.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Every officer and man wore in his helmet a sprig of green, according to an ancient custom of the Austrian army when beginning a campaign.
applaudverbUS /əˈplɔːd/
clap one's hands or shout after performances to indicate approval
From this reading Vast crowds assembled at every point of vantage along the highway to applaud these favourite troops; while, afar off, the steeples, towers, and belfries of Vienna were black with people watching as this splendid body of men unwound itself, like a great serpent, and turned its head toward the enemy.
the month following March and preceding May
From this reading AT sunrise, on a beautiful April morning, the last detachment of General Loudon’s light troops, five thousand strong, took up their march to join the army of Marshal Daun.
a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state
From this reading AT sunrise, on a beautiful April morning, the last detachment of General Loudon’s light troops, five thousand strong, took up their march to join the army of Marshal Daun.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Vast crowds assembled at every point of vantage along the highway to applaud these favourite troops; while, afar off, the steeples, towers, and belfries of Vienna were black with people watching as this splendid body of men unwound itself, like a great serpent, and turned its head toward the enemy.
assembledverbUS /əˈsembəld/
past form of “assemble” — create by putting components or members together
From this reading Vast crowds assembled at every point of vantage along the highway to applaud these favourite troops; while, afar off, the steeples, towers, and belfries of Vienna were black with people watching as this splendid body of men unwound itself, like a great serpent, and turned its head toward the enemy.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading AT sunrise, on a beautiful April morning, the last detachment of General Loudon’s light troops, five thousand strong, took up their march to join the army of Marshal Daun.
AustriannounUS /ˈɔːstriən/
a native or inhabitant of Austria
From this reading Every officer and man wore in his helmet a sprig of green, according to an ancient custom of the Austrian army when beginning a campaign.
delighting the senses or exciting intellectual or emotional admiration
From this reading AT sunrise, on a beautiful April morning, the last detachment of General Loudon’s light troops, five thousand strong, took up their march to join the army of Marshal Daun.
the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading Every officer and man wore in his helmet a sprig of green, according to an ancient custom of the Austrian army when beginning a campaign.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading They were mostly new recruits, with a sprinkling of seasoned soldiers, but they had had several months of breaking in at the cantonments, and being originally of stout fibre--honest peasantry, used to an outdoor life of toil--they were already fair soldiers.
belfries
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Vast crowds assembled at every point of vantage along the highway to applaud these favourite troops; while, afar off, the steeples, towers, and belfries of Vienna were black with people watching as this splendid body of men unwound itself, like a great serpent, and turned its head toward the enemy.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading Vast crowds assembled at every point of vantage along the highway to applaud these favourite troops; while, afar off, the steeples, towers, and belfries of Vienna were black with people watching as this splendid body of men unwound itself, like a great serpent, and turned its head toward the enemy.
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading Vast crowds assembled at every point of vantage along the highway to applaud these favourite troops; while, afar off, the steeples, towers, and belfries of Vienna were black with people watching as this splendid body of men unwound itself, like a great serpent, and turned its head toward the enemy.
the act of breaking something
From this reading They were mostly new recruits, with a sprinkling of seasoned soldiers, but they had had several months of breaking in at the cantonments, and being originally of stout fibre--honest peasantry, used to an outdoor life of toil--they were already fair soldiers.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading They were mostly new recruits, with a sprinkling of seasoned soldiers, but they had had several months of breaking in at the cantonments, and being originally of stout fibre--honest peasantry, used to an outdoor life of toil--they were already fair soldiers.
campaignnounUS /kæmˈpeɪn/
a race between candidates for elective office
From this reading Every officer and man wore in his helmet a sprig of green, according to an ancient custom of the Austrian army when beginning a campaign.
cantonments
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were mostly new recruits, with a sprinkling of seasoned soldiers, but they had had several months of breaking in at the cantonments, and being originally of stout fibre--honest peasantry, used to an outdoor life of toil--they were already fair soldiers.
cladadjectiveUS /klæd/
wearing or provided with clothing; sometimes used in combination
From this reading Gavin felt triumphantly happy as his troop, well horsed and clad, fell in line.
crowdsnounUS /kraʊdz/
plural of “crowd” — a large number of things or people considered together
From this reading Vast crowds assembled at every point of vantage along the highway to applaud these favourite troops; while, afar off, the steeples, towers, and belfries of Vienna were black with people watching as this splendid body of men unwound itself, like a great serpent, and turned its head toward the enemy.
accepted or habitual practice
From this reading Every officer and man wore in his helmet a sprig of green, according to an ancient custom of the Austrian army when beginning a campaign.
Daun
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT sunrise, on a beautiful April morning, the last detachment of General Loudon’s light troops, five thousand strong, took up their march to join the army of Marshal Daun.
detachmentnounUS /dɪˈtætʃmənt/
avoiding emotional involvement
From this reading AT sunrise, on a beautiful April morning, the last detachment of General Loudon’s light troops, five thousand strong, took up their march to join the army of Marshal Daun.
an opposing military force
From this reading Vast crowds assembled at every point of vantage along the highway to applaud these favourite troops; while, afar off, the steeples, towers, and belfries of Vienna were black with people watching as this splendid body of men unwound itself, like a great serpent, and turned its head toward the enemy.
EverydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Every officer and man wore in his helmet a sprig of green, according to an ancient custom of the Austrian army when beginning a campaign.
free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading They were mostly new recruits, with a sprinkling of seasoned soldiers, but they had had several months of breaking in at the cantonments, and being originally of stout fibre--honest peasantry, used to an outdoor life of toil--they were already fair soldiers.
a competitor thought likely to win
From this reading Vast crowds assembled at every point of vantage along the highway to applaud these favourite troops; while, afar off, the steeples, towers, and belfries of Vienna were black with people watching as this splendid body of men unwound itself, like a great serpent, and turned its head toward the enemy.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading Gavin felt triumphantly happy as his troop, well horsed and clad, fell in line.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading Gavin felt triumphantly happy as his troop, well horsed and clad, fell in line.
fibrenounUS /ˈfaɪbər/
a slender and greatly elongated substance capable of being spun into yarn
From this reading They were mostly new recruits, with a sprinkling of seasoned soldiers, but they had had several months of breaking in at the cantonments, and being originally of stout fibre--honest peasantry, used to an outdoor life of toil--they were already fair soldiers.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading AT sunrise, on a beautiful April morning, the last detachment of General Loudon’s light troops, five thousand strong, took up their march to join the army of Marshal Daun.
Gavin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gavin felt triumphantly happy as his troop, well horsed and clad, fell in line.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading AT sunrise, on a beautiful April morning, the last detachment of General Loudon’s light troops, five thousand strong, took up their march to join the army of Marshal Daun.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading Vast crowds assembled at every point of vantage along the highway to applaud these favourite troops; while, afar off, the steeples, towers, and belfries of Vienna were black with people watching as this splendid body of men unwound itself, like a great serpent, and turned its head toward the enemy.
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading Every officer and man wore in his helmet a sprig of green, according to an ancient custom of the Austrian army when beginning a campaign.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading They were mostly new recruits, with a sprinkling of seasoned soldiers, but they had had several months of breaking in at the cantonments, and being originally of stout fibre--honest peasantry, used to an outdoor life of toil--they were already fair soldiers.
enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure
From this reading Gavin felt triumphantly happy as his troop, well horsed and clad, fell in line.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Vast crowds assembled at every point of vantage along the highway to applaud these favourite troops; while, afar off, the steeples, towers, and belfries of Vienna were black with people watching as this splendid body of men unwound itself, like a great serpent, and turned its head toward the enemy.
helmetnounUS /ˈhelmət/
armor plate that protects the head
From this reading Every officer and man wore in his helmet a sprig of green, according to an ancient custom of the Austrian army when beginning a campaign.
highwaynounUS /ˈhaɪweɪ/
a major road for any form of motor transport
From this reading Vast crowds assembled at every point of vantage along the highway to applaud these favourite troops; while, afar off, the steeples, towers, and belfries of Vienna were black with people watching as this splendid body of men unwound itself, like a great serpent, and turned its head toward the enemy.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Every officer and man wore in his helmet a sprig of green, according to an ancient custom of the Austrian army when beginning a campaign.
not disposed to cheat or defraud; not deceptive or fraudulent
From this reading They were mostly new recruits, with a sprinkling of seasoned soldiers, but they had had several months of breaking in at the cantonments, and being originally of stout fibre--honest peasantry, used to an outdoor life of toil--they were already fair soldiers.
horsedverbUS /hɔːrst/
past form of “horse” — provide with a horse or horses
From this reading Gavin felt triumphantly happy as his troop, well horsed and clad, fell in line.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Every officer and man wore in his helmet a sprig of green, according to an ancient custom of the Austrian army when beginning a campaign.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Vast crowds assembled at every point of vantage along the highway to applaud these favourite troops; while, afar off, the steeples, towers, and belfries of Vienna were black with people watching as this splendid body of men unwound itself, like a great serpent, and turned its head toward the enemy.
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading Vast crowds assembled at every point of vantage along the highway to applaud these favourite troops; while, afar off, the steeples, towers, and belfries of Vienna were black with people watching as this splendid body of men unwound itself, like a great serpent, and turned its head toward the enemy.
become part of; become a member of a group or organization
From this reading AT sunrise, on a beautiful April morning, the last detachment of General Loudon’s light troops, five thousand strong, took up their march to join the army of Marshal Daun.
immediately past
From this reading AT sunrise, on a beautiful April morning, the last detachment of General Loudon’s light troops, five thousand strong, took up their march to join the army of Marshal Daun.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading They were mostly new recruits, with a sprinkling of seasoned soldiers, but they had had several months of breaking in at the cantonments, and being originally of stout fibre--honest peasantry, used to an outdoor life of toil--they were already fair soldiers.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading AT sunrise, on a beautiful April morning, the last detachment of General Loudon’s light troops, five thousand strong, took up their march to join the army of Marshal Daun.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Vast crowds assembled at every point of vantage along the highway to applaud these favourite troops; while, afar off, the steeples, towers, and belfries of Vienna were black with people watching as this splendid body of men unwound itself, like a great serpent, and turned its head toward the enemy.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading Gavin felt triumphantly happy as his troop, well horsed and clad, fell in line.
Loudon's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AT sunrise, on a beautiful April morning, the last detachment of General Loudon’s light troops, five thousand strong, took up their march to join the army of Marshal Daun.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading Every officer and man wore in his helmet a sprig of green, according to an ancient custom of the Austrian army when beginning a campaign.
march in a procession
From this reading AT sunrise, on a beautiful April morning, the last detachment of General Loudon’s light troops, five thousand strong, took up their march to join the army of Marshal Daun.
MarshalverbUS /ˈmɑːrʃəl/
place in proper rank
From this reading AT sunrise, on a beautiful April morning, the last detachment of General Loudon’s light troops, five thousand strong, took up their march to join the army of Marshal Daun.
the force of workers available
From this reading Vast crowds assembled at every point of vantage along the highway to applaud these favourite troops; while, afar off, the steeples, towers, and belfries of Vienna were black with people watching as this splendid body of men unwound itself, like a great serpent, and turned its head toward the enemy.
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading They were mostly new recruits, with a sprinkling of seasoned soldiers, but they had had several months of breaking in at the cantonments, and being originally of stout fibre--honest peasantry, used to an outdoor life of toil--they were already fair soldiers.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading AT sunrise, on a beautiful April morning, the last detachment of General Loudon’s light troops, five thousand strong, took up their march to join the army of Marshal Daun.
mostlyadverbUS /ˈmoʊstli/
in large part; mainly or chiefly
From this reading They were mostly new recruits, with a sprinkling of seasoned soldiers, but they had had several months of breaking in at the cantonments, and being originally of stout fibre--honest peasantry, used to an outdoor life of toil--they were already fair soldiers.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading They were mostly new recruits, with a sprinkling of seasoned soldiers, but they had had several months of breaking in at the cantonments, and being originally of stout fibre--honest peasantry, used to an outdoor life of toil--they were already fair soldiers.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading AT sunrise, on a beautiful April morning, the last detachment of General Loudon’s light troops, five thousand strong, took up their march to join the army of Marshal Daun.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Vast crowds assembled at every point of vantage along the highway to applaud these favourite troops; while, afar off, the steeples, towers, and belfries of Vienna were black with people watching as this splendid body of men unwound itself, like a great serpent, and turned its head toward the enemy.
any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading Every officer and man wore in his helmet a sprig of green, according to an ancient custom of the Austrian army when beginning a campaign.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading AT sunrise, on a beautiful April morning, the last detachment of General Loudon’s light troops, five thousand strong, took up their march to join the army of Marshal Daun.
originallyadverbUS /ərˈɪdʒənəli/
in an original manner
From this reading They were mostly new recruits, with a sprinkling of seasoned soldiers, but they had had several months of breaking in at the cantonments, and being originally of stout fibre--honest peasantry, used to an outdoor life of toil--they were already fair soldiers.
outdooradjectiveUS /ˈaʊtdɔːr/
located, suited for, or taking place in the open air
From this reading They were mostly new recruits, with a sprinkling of seasoned soldiers, but they had had several months of breaking in at the cantonments, and being originally of stout fibre--honest peasantry, used to an outdoor life of toil--they were already fair soldiers.
peasantrynounUS /ˈpezəntri/
the class of peasants
From this reading They were mostly new recruits, with a sprinkling of seasoned soldiers, but they had had several months of breaking in at the cantonments, and being originally of stout fibre--honest peasantry, used to an outdoor life of toil--they were already fair soldiers.
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading Vast crowds assembled at every point of vantage along the highway to applaud these favourite troops; while, afar off, the steeples, towers, and belfries of Vienna were black with people watching as this splendid body of men unwound itself, like a great serpent, and turned its head toward the enemy.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading Vast crowds assembled at every point of vantage along the highway to applaud these favourite troops; while, afar off, the steeples, towers, and belfries of Vienna were black with people watching as this splendid body of men unwound itself, like a great serpent, and turned its head toward the enemy.
recruitsnounUS /rəˈkruːts/
plural of “recruit” — a recently enlisted soldier
From this reading They were mostly new recruits, with a sprinkling of seasoned soldiers, but they had had several months of breaking in at the cantonments, and being originally of stout fibre--honest peasantry, used to an outdoor life of toil--they were already fair soldiers.
seasonedadjectiveUS /ˈsiːzənd/
aged or processed
From this reading They were mostly new recruits, with a sprinkling of seasoned soldiers, but they had had several months of breaking in at the cantonments, and being originally of stout fibre--honest peasantry, used to an outdoor life of toil--they were already fair soldiers.
serpentnounUS /ˈsɜːrpənt/
limbless scaly elongate reptile; some are venomous
From this reading Vast crowds assembled at every point of vantage along the highway to applaud these favourite troops; while, afar off, the steeples, towers, and belfries of Vienna were black with people watching as this splendid body of men unwound itself, like a great serpent, and turned its head toward the enemy.
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading They were mostly new recruits, with a sprinkling of seasoned soldiers, but they had had several months of breaking in at the cantonments, and being originally of stout fibre--honest peasantry, used to an outdoor life of toil--they were already fair soldiers.
plural of “soldier” — an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army
From this reading They were mostly new recruits, with a sprinkling of seasoned soldiers, but they had had several months of breaking in at the cantonments, and being originally of stout fibre--honest peasantry, used to an outdoor life of toil--they were already fair soldiers.
having great beauty and splendor
From this reading Vast crowds assembled at every point of vantage along the highway to applaud these favourite troops; while, afar off, the steeples, towers, and belfries of Vienna were black with people watching as this splendid body of men unwound itself, like a great serpent, and turned its head toward the enemy.
sprignoun
a small branch or division of a branch (especially a terminal division); usually applied to branches of the current or preceding year
From this reading Every officer and man wore in his helmet a sprig of green, according to an ancient custom of the Austrian army when beginning a campaign.
sprinklingnounUS /ˈsprɪŋklɪŋ/
a small number (of something) dispersed haphazardly
From this reading They were mostly new recruits, with a sprinkling of seasoned soldiers, but they had had several months of breaking in at the cantonments, and being originally of stout fibre--honest peasantry, used to an outdoor life of toil--they were already fair soldiers.
steeplesnounUS /ˈstiːpəlz/
plural of “steeple” — a tall tower that forms the superstructure of a building (usually a church or temple) and that tapers to a point at the top
From this reading Vast crowds assembled at every point of vantage along the highway to applaud these favourite troops; while, afar off, the steeples, towers, and belfries of Vienna were black with people watching as this splendid body of men unwound itself, like a great serpent, and turned its head toward the enemy.
dependable
From this reading They were mostly new recruits, with a sprinkling of seasoned soldiers, but they had had several months of breaking in at the cantonments, and being originally of stout fibre--honest peasantry, used to an outdoor life of toil--they were already fair soldiers.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading AT sunrise, on a beautiful April morning, the last detachment of General Loudon’s light troops, five thousand strong, took up their march to join the army of Marshal Daun.
sunrisenounUS /ˈsʌnraɪz/
the first light of day
From this reading AT sunrise, on a beautiful April morning, the last detachment of General Loudon’s light troops, five thousand strong, took up their march to join the army of Marshal Daun.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AT sunrise, on a beautiful April morning, the last detachment of General Loudon’s light troops, five thousand strong, took up their march to join the army of Marshal Daun.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading AT sunrise, on a beautiful April morning, the last detachment of General Loudon’s light troops, five thousand strong, took up their march to join the army of Marshal Daun.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Vast crowds assembled at every point of vantage along the highway to applaud these favourite troops; while, afar off, the steeples, towers, and belfries of Vienna were black with people watching as this splendid body of men unwound itself, like a great serpent, and turned its head toward the enemy.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were mostly new recruits, with a sprinkling of seasoned soldiers, but they had had several months of breaking in at the cantonments, and being originally of stout fibre--honest peasantry, used to an outdoor life of toil--they were already fair soldiers.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Vast crowds assembled at every point of vantage along the highway to applaud these favourite troops; while, afar off, the steeples, towers, and belfries of Vienna were black with people watching as this splendid body of men unwound itself, like a great serpent, and turned its head toward the enemy.
the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100
From this reading AT sunrise, on a beautiful April morning, the last detachment of General Loudon’s light troops, five thousand strong, took up their march to join the army of Marshal Daun.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading AT sunrise, on a beautiful April morning, the last detachment of General Loudon’s light troops, five thousand strong, took up their march to join the army of Marshal Daun.
toilverbUS /tɔɪl/
work hard
From this reading They were mostly new recruits, with a sprinkling of seasoned soldiers, but they had had several months of breaking in at the cantonments, and being originally of stout fibre--honest peasantry, used to an outdoor life of toil--they were already fair soldiers.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading AT sunrise, on a beautiful April morning, the last detachment of General Loudon’s light troops, five thousand strong, took up their march to join the army of Marshal Daun.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading Vast crowds assembled at every point of vantage along the highway to applaud these favourite troops; while, afar off, the steeples, towers, and belfries of Vienna were black with people watching as this splendid body of men unwound itself, like a great serpent, and turned its head toward the enemy.
towersnounUS /ˈtaʊərz/
plural of “tower” — a structure taller than its diameter; can stand alone or be attached to a larger building
From this reading Vast crowds assembled at every point of vantage along the highway to applaud these favourite troops; while, afar off, the steeples, towers, and belfries of Vienna were black with people watching as this splendid body of men unwound itself, like a great serpent, and turned its head toward the enemy.
triumphantlyadverbUS /traɪˈʌmfəntli/
in a triumphant manner
From this reading Gavin felt triumphantly happy as his troop, well horsed and clad, fell in line.
troopnounUS /truːp/
a group of soldiers
From this reading Gavin felt triumphantly happy as his troop, well horsed and clad, fell in line.
soldiers collectively
From this reading AT sunrise, on a beautiful April morning, the last detachment of General Loudon’s light troops, five thousand strong, took up their march to join the army of Marshal Daun.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading Vast crowds assembled at every point of vantage along the highway to applaud these favourite troops; while, afar off, the steeples, towers, and belfries of Vienna were black with people watching as this splendid body of men unwound itself, like a great serpent, and turned its head toward the enemy.
unwoundverbUS /ənˈwaʊnd/
inflected form of “unwind” — reverse the winding or twisting of
From this reading Vast crowds assembled at every point of vantage along the highway to applaud these favourite troops; while, afar off, the steeples, towers, and belfries of Vienna were black with people watching as this splendid body of men unwound itself, like a great serpent, and turned its head toward the enemy.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading AT sunrise, on a beautiful April morning, the last detachment of General Loudon’s light troops, five thousand strong, took up their march to join the army of Marshal Daun.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading They were mostly new recruits, with a sprinkling of seasoned soldiers, but they had had several months of breaking in at the cantonments, and being originally of stout fibre--honest peasantry, used to an outdoor life of toil--they were already fair soldiers.
vantagenounUS /ˈvæntədʒ/
place or situation affording some advantage (especially a comprehensive view or commanding perspective)
From this reading Vast crowds assembled at every point of vantage along the highway to applaud these favourite troops; while, afar off, the steeples, towers, and belfries of Vienna were black with people watching as this splendid body of men unwound itself, like a great serpent, and turned its head toward the enemy.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading Vast crowds assembled at every point of vantage along the highway to applaud these favourite troops; while, afar off, the steeples, towers, and belfries of Vienna were black with people watching as this splendid body of men unwound itself, like a great serpent, and turned its head toward the enemy.
ViennanounUS /viˈenə/
the capital and largest city of Austria; located on the Danube in northeastern Austria; was the home of Beethoven and Brahms and Haydn and Mozart and Schubert and Strauss
From this reading Vast crowds assembled at every point of vantage along the highway to applaud these favourite troops; while, afar off, the steeples, towers, and belfries of Vienna were black with people watching as this splendid body of men unwound itself, like a great serpent, and turned its head toward the enemy.
the act of observing; taking a patient look
From this reading Vast crowds assembled at every point of vantage along the highway to applaud these favourite troops; while, afar off, the steeples, towers, and belfries of Vienna were black with people watching as this splendid body of men unwound itself, like a great serpent, and turned its head toward the enemy.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading Gavin felt triumphantly happy as his troop, well horsed and clad, fell in line.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Vast crowds assembled at every point of vantage along the highway to applaud these favourite troops; while, afar off, the steeples, towers, and belfries of Vienna were black with people watching as this splendid body of men unwound itself, like a great serpent, and turned its head toward the enemy.
at the time that
From this reading Every officer and man wore in his helmet a sprig of green, according to an ancient custom of the Austrian army when beginning a campaign.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Vast crowds assembled at every point of vantage along the highway to applaud these favourite troops; while, afar off, the steeples, towers, and belfries of Vienna were black with people watching as this splendid body of men unwound itself, like a great serpent, and turned its head toward the enemy.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Vast crowds assembled at every point of vantage along the highway to applaud these favourite troops; while, afar off, the steeples, towers, and belfries of Vienna were black with people watching as this splendid body of men unwound itself, like a great serpent, and turned its head toward the enemy.
inflected form of “wear” — be dressed in
From this reading Every officer and man wore in his helmet a sprig of green, according to an ancient custom of the Austrian army when beginning a campaign.
