Chapter XVIII · Chapter 18

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

From this reading THE VALLEY PIKE As he moved away from the stone house, the vicinity of Ashby and the line of Tigers behind the fence, he became aware that not a small portion of Wheat's Battalion had broken ranks and was looting the wagons.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading There were soldiers like grey ants about a sutler's wagon.

Having no one else present.

From this reading Not the Tigers alone, but a number of Ashby's men as well engaged in the general business.

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

From this reading THE VALLEY PIKE As he moved away from the stone house, the vicinity of Ashby and the line of Tigers behind the fence, he became aware that not a small portion of Wheat's Battalion had broken ranks and was looting the wagons.

plural of “ant” — social insect living in organized colonies; characteristically the males and fertile queen have wings during breeding season; wingless sterile females are the workers

From this reading There were soldiers like grey ants about a sutler's wagon.

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

From this reading THE VALLEY PIKE As he moved away from the stone house, the vicinity of Ashby and the line of Tigers behind the fence, he became aware that not a small portion of Wheat's Battalion had broken ranks and was looting the wagons.

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

From this reading THE VALLEY PIKE As he moved away from the stone house, the vicinity of Ashby and the line of Tigers behind the fence, he became aware that not a small portion of Wheat's Battalion had broken ranks and was looting the wagons.

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

From this reading Not the Tigers alone, but a number of Ashby's men as well engaged in the general business.

(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)

From this reading Men were standing on the wheels, drawing out boxes and barrels and throwing them down into the road, where the ants swarmed to the attack.

(sometimes followed by “of”) having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization or perception

From this reading THE VALLEY PIKE As he moved away from the stone house, the vicinity of Ashby and the line of Tigers behind the fence, he became aware that not a small portion of Wheat's Battalion had broken ranks and was looting the wagons.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading THE VALLEY PIKE As he moved away from the stone house, the vicinity of Ashby and the line of Tigers behind the fence, he became aware that not a small portion of Wheat's Battalion had broken ranks and was looting the wagons.

the amount that many barrels might hold

From this reading Men were standing on the wheels, drawing out boxes and barrels and throwing them down into the road, where the ants swarmed to the attack.

an army unit usually consisting of a headquarters and three or more companies

From this reading THE VALLEY PIKE As he moved away from the stone house, the vicinity of Ashby and the line of Tigers behind the fence, he became aware that not a small portion of Wheat's Battalion had broken ranks and was looting the wagons.

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

From this reading THE VALLEY PIKE As he moved away from the stone house, the vicinity of Ashby and the line of Tigers behind the fence, he became aware that not a small portion of Wheat's Battalion had broken ranks and was looting the wagons.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading THE VALLEY PIKE As he moved away from the stone house, the vicinity of Ashby and the line of Tigers behind the fence, he became aware that not a small portion of Wheat's Battalion had broken ranks and was looting the wagons.

with boldness, in a bold manner

From this reading Steve, struggling and shouldering boldly enough now, managed to get within hailing distance.

plural of “box” — a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid

From this reading Men were standing on the wheels, drawing out boxes and barrels and throwing them down into the road, where the ants swarmed to the attack.

physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split

From this reading THE VALLEY PIKE As he moved away from the stone house, the vicinity of Ashby and the line of Tigers behind the fence, he became aware that not a small portion of Wheat's Battalion had broken ranks and was looting the wagons.

a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it

From this reading Not the Tigers alone, but a number of Ashby's men as well engaged in the general business.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Not the Tigers alone, but a number of Ashby's men as well engaged in the general business.

the property created by the space between two objects or points

From this reading Steve, struggling and shouldering boldly enough now, managed to get within hailing distance.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Men were standing on the wheels, drawing out boxes and barrels and throwing them down into the road, where the ants swarmed to the attack.

an illustration that is drawn by hand and published in a book, magazine, or newspaper

From this reading Men were standing on the wheels, drawing out boxes and barrels and throwing them down into the road, where the ants swarmed to the attack.

having ones attention or mind or energy engaged

From this reading Not the Tigers alone, but a number of Ashby's men as well engaged in the general business.

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

From this reading Steve, struggling and shouldering boldly enough now, managed to get within hailing distance.

enclose with a fence

From this reading THE VALLEY PIKE As he moved away from the stone house, the vicinity of Ashby and the line of Tigers behind the fence, he became aware that not a small portion of Wheat's Battalion had broken ranks and was looting the wagons.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading THE VALLEY PIKE As he moved away from the stone house, the vicinity of Ashby and the line of Tigers behind the fence, he became aware that not a small portion of Wheat's Battalion had broken ranks and was looting the wagons.

applying to all or most members of a category or group

From this reading Not the Tigers alone, but a number of Ashby's men as well engaged in the general business.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading Steve, struggling and shouldering boldly enough now, managed to get within hailing distance.

of an achromatic color of any lightness intermediate between the extremes of white and black

From this reading There were soldiers like grey ants about a sutler's wagon.

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

From this reading THE VALLEY PIKE As he moved away from the stone house, the vicinity of Ashby and the line of Tigers behind the fence, he became aware that not a small portion of Wheat's Battalion had broken ranks and was looting the wagons.

-ing form of “hail” — praise vociferously

From this reading Steve, struggling and shouldering boldly enough now, managed to get within hailing distance.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading THE VALLEY PIKE As he moved away from the stone house, the vicinity of Ashby and the line of Tigers behind the fence, he became aware that not a small portion of Wheat's Battalion had broken ranks and was looting the wagons.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading THE VALLEY PIKE As he moved away from the stone house, the vicinity of Ashby and the line of Tigers behind the fence, he became aware that not a small portion of Wheat's Battalion had broken ranks and was looting the wagons.

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

From this reading Not the Tigers alone, but a number of Ashby's men as well engaged in the general business.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Men were standing on the wheels, drawing out boxes and barrels and throwing them down into the road, where the ants swarmed to the attack.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading There were soldiers like grey ants about a sutler's wagon.

a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading THE VALLEY PIKE As he moved away from the stone house, the vicinity of Ashby and the line of Tigers behind the fence, he became aware that not a small portion of Wheat's Battalion had broken ranks and was looting the wagons.

plundering during riots or in wartime

From this reading THE VALLEY PIKE As he moved away from the stone house, the vicinity of Ashby and the line of Tigers behind the fence, he became aware that not a small portion of Wheat's Battalion had broken ranks and was looting the wagons.

past form of “manage” — be successful; achieve a goal

From this reading Steve, struggling and shouldering boldly enough now, managed to get within hailing distance.

the force of workers available

From this reading Men were standing on the wheels, drawing out boxes and barrels and throwing them down into the road, where the ants swarmed to the attack.

being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion

From this reading THE VALLEY PIKE As he moved away from the stone house, the vicinity of Ashby and the line of Tigers behind the fence, he became aware that not a small portion of Wheat's Battalion had broken ranks and was looting the wagons.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading THE VALLEY PIKE As he moved away from the stone house, the vicinity of Ashby and the line of Tigers behind the fence, he became aware that not a small portion of Wheat's Battalion had broken ranks and was looting the wagons.

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

From this reading Steve, struggling and shouldering boldly enough now, managed to get within hailing distance.

the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals

From this reading Not the Tigers alone, but a number of Ashby's men as well engaged in the general business.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE VALLEY PIKE As he moved away from the stone house, the vicinity of Ashby and the line of Tigers behind the fence, he became aware that not a small portion of Wheat's Battalion had broken ranks and was looting the wagons.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Men were standing on the wheels, drawing out boxes and barrels and throwing them down into the road, where the ants swarmed to the attack.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Men were standing on the wheels, drawing out boxes and barrels and throwing them down into the road, where the ants swarmed to the attack.

a broad highway designed for high-speed traffic

From this reading THE VALLEY PIKE As he moved away from the stone house, the vicinity of Ashby and the line of Tigers behind the fence, he became aware that not a small portion of Wheat's Battalion had broken ranks and was looting the wagons.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading THE VALLEY PIKE As he moved away from the stone house, the vicinity of Ashby and the line of Tigers behind the fence, he became aware that not a small portion of Wheat's Battalion had broken ranks and was looting the wagons.

plural of “rank” — a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another

From this reading THE VALLEY PIKE As he moved away from the stone house, the vicinity of Ashby and the line of Tigers behind the fence, he became aware that not a small portion of Wheat's Battalion had broken ranks and was looting the wagons.

an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation

From this reading Men were standing on the wheels, drawing out boxes and barrels and throwing them down into the road, where the ants swarmed to the attack.

-ing form of “shoulder” — lift onto one's shoulders

From this reading Steve, struggling and shouldering boldly enough now, managed to get within hailing distance.

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

From this reading THE VALLEY PIKE As he moved away from the stone house, the vicinity of Ashby and the line of Tigers behind the fence, he became aware that not a small portion of Wheat's Battalion had broken ranks and was looting the wagons.

plural of “soldier” — an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army

From this reading There were soldiers like grey ants about a sutler's wagon.

having a supporting base

From this reading Men were standing on the wheels, drawing out boxes and barrels and throwing them down into the road, where the ants swarmed to the attack.

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

From this reading Steve, struggling and shouldering boldly enough now, managed to get within hailing distance.

a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter

From this reading THE VALLEY PIKE As he moved away from the stone house, the vicinity of Ashby and the line of Tigers behind the fence, he became aware that not a small portion of Wheat's Battalion had broken ranks and was looting the wagons.

engaged in a struggle to overcome especially poverty or obscurity

From this reading Steve, struggling and shouldering boldly enough now, managed to get within hailing distance.

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

From this reading There were soldiers like grey ants about a sutler's wagon.

past form of “swarm” — be teeming, be abuzz

From this reading Men were standing on the wheels, drawing out boxes and barrels and throwing them down into the road, where the ants swarmed to the attack.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading THE VALLEY PIKE As he moved away from the stone house, the vicinity of Ashby and the line of Tigers behind the fence, he became aware that not a small portion of Wheat's Battalion had broken ranks and was looting the wagons.

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

From this reading THE VALLEY PIKE As he moved away from the stone house, the vicinity of Ashby and the line of Tigers behind the fence, he became aware that not a small portion of Wheat's Battalion had broken ranks and was looting the wagons.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading Men were standing on the wheels, drawing out boxes and barrels and throwing them down into the road, where the ants swarmed to the attack.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There were soldiers like grey ants about a sutler's wagon.

-ing form of “throw” — propel through the air

From this reading Men were standing on the wheels, drawing out boxes and barrels and throwing them down into the road, where the ants swarmed to the attack.

a terrorist organization in Sri Lanka that began in 1970 as a student protest over the limited university access for Tamil students

From this reading THE VALLEY PIKE As he moved away from the stone house, the vicinity of Ashby and the line of Tigers behind the fence, he became aware that not a small portion of Wheat's Battalion had broken ranks and was looting the wagons.

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

From this reading Steve, struggling and shouldering boldly enough now, managed to get within hailing distance.

a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river

From this reading THE VALLEY PIKE As he moved away from the stone house, the vicinity of Ashby and the line of Tigers behind the fence, he became aware that not a small portion of Wheat's Battalion had broken ranks and was looting the wagons.

a surrounding or nearby region

From this reading THE VALLEY PIKE As he moved away from the stone house, the vicinity of Ashby and the line of Tigers behind the fence, he became aware that not a small portion of Wheat's Battalion had broken ranks and was looting the wagons.

any of various kinds of wheeled vehicles drawn by an animal or a tractor

From this reading There were soldiers like grey ants about a sutler's wagon.

plural of “wagon” — any of various kinds of wheeled vehicles drawn by an animal or a tractor

From this reading THE VALLEY PIKE As he moved away from the stone house, the vicinity of Ashby and the line of Tigers behind the fence, he became aware that not a small portion of Wheat's Battalion had broken ranks and was looting the wagons.

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

From this reading THE VALLEY PIKE As he moved away from the stone house, the vicinity of Ashby and the line of Tigers behind the fence, he became aware that not a small portion of Wheat's Battalion had broken ranks and was looting the wagons.

(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 Not the Tigers alone, but a number of Ashby's men as well engaged in the general business.

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

From this reading There were soldiers like grey ants about a sutler's wagon.

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

From this reading THE VALLEY PIKE As he moved away from the stone house, the vicinity of Ashby and the line of Tigers behind the fence, he became aware that not a small portion of Wheat's Battalion had broken ranks and was looting the wagons.

plural of “wheel” — a simple machine consisting of a circular frame with spokes (or a solid disc) that can rotate on a shaft or axle (as in vehicles or other machines)

From this reading Men were standing on the wheels, drawing out boxes and barrels and throwing them down into the road, where the ants swarmed to the attack.

in or at the place that

From this reading Men were standing on the wheels, drawing out boxes and barrels and throwing them down into the road, where the ants swarmed to the attack.

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading Steve, struggling and shouldering boldly enough now, managed to get within hailing distance.