used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading BOWLED OVER Not a man of the American and French forces that were to attack the Germans had yet left the protecting trench.
something done (usually as opposed to something said)
From this reading Waiting in a trench slightly behind the troops that were soon to go into action, Blake Stewart and his chums talked, taking no care to keep down their voices.
in actual fact
From this reading This curtain actually advanced, for the guns belching out the rain of steel and lead were slowly elevated, and with the elevation a longer range was obtained.
farther along in physical or mental development
From this reading This curtain actually advanced, for the guns belching out the rain of steel and lead were slowly elevated, and with the elevation a longer range was obtained.
at or in the front
From this reading The barrage was really a "curtain of fire" moving ahead of the attacking troops to protect them.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading The object of the artillery fire, which always preceded an attack unless it was a surprise one with tanks, was to blow away the barbed-wire entanglements, and, if possible, dispose of some of the enemy guns as well as the fighting men.
a native or inhabitant of the United States
From this reading BOWLED OVER Not a man of the American and French forces that were to attack the Germans had yet left the protecting trench.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The object of the artillery fire, which always preceded an attack unless it was a surprise one with tanks, was to blow away the barbed-wire entanglements, and, if possible, dispose of some of the enemy guns as well as the fighting men.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading BOWLED OVER Not a man of the American and French forces that were to attack the Germans had yet left the protecting trench.
artillerynounUS /ɑːrˈtɪləri/
large but transportable armament
From this reading The object of the artillery fire, which always preceded an attack unless it was a surprise one with tanks, was to blow away the barbed-wire entanglements, and, if possible, dispose of some of the enemy guns as well as the fighting men.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The object of the artillery fire, which always preceded an attack unless it was a surprise one with tanks, was to blow away the barbed-wire entanglements, and, if possible, dispose of some of the enemy guns as well as the fighting men.
(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
From this reading BOWLED OVER Not a man of the American and French forces that were to attack the Germans had yet left the protecting trench.
attackingadjectiveUS /əˈtækɪŋ/
disposed to attack
From this reading The barrage was really a "curtain of fire" moving ahead of the attacking troops to protect them.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The object of the artillery fire, which always preceded an attack unless it was a surprise one with tanks, was to blow away the barbed-wire entanglements, and, if possible, dispose of some of the enemy guns as well as the fighting men.
barbed-wire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The object of the artillery fire, which always preceded an attack unless it was a surprise one with tanks, was to blow away the barbed-wire entanglements, and, if possible, dispose of some of the enemy guns as well as the fighting men.
barragenounUS /bərˈɑːʒ/
the rapid and continuous delivery of linguistic communication (spoken or written)
From this reading The barrage was really a "curtain of fire" moving ahead of the attacking troops to protect them.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Waiting in a trench slightly behind the troops that were soon to go into action, Blake Stewart and his chums talked, taking no care to keep down their voices.
belchingnounUS /ˈbeltʃɪŋ/
the forceful expulsion of something from inside
From this reading This curtain actually advanced, for the guns belching out the rain of steel and lead were slowly elevated, and with the elevation a longer range was obtained.
BlakenounUS /bleɪk/
visionary British poet and painter (1757-1827)
From this reading Waiting in a trench slightly behind the troops that were soon to go into action, Blake Stewart and his chums talked, taking no care to keep down their voices.
exhale hard
From this reading The object of the artillery fire, which always preceded an attack unless it was a surprise one with tanks, was to blow away the barbed-wire entanglements, and, if possible, dispose of some of the enemy guns as well as the fighting men.
BOWLEDverbUS /boʊld/
past form of “bowl” — roll (a ball)
From this reading BOWLED OVER Not a man of the American and French forces that were to attack the Germans had yet left the protecting trench.
the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
From this reading Waiting in a trench slightly behind the troops that were soon to go into action, Blake Stewart and his chums talked, taking no care to keep down their voices.
chumsnounUS /tʃʌmz/
plural of “chum” — a close friend who accompanies his buddies in their activities
From this reading Waiting in a trench slightly behind the troops that were soon to go into action, Blake Stewart and his chums talked, taking no care to keep down their voices.
hanging cloth used as a blind (especially for a window)
From this reading The barrage was really a "curtain of fire" moving ahead of the attacking troops to protect them.
disposeverbUS /dɪˈspoʊz/
give, sell, or transfer to another
From this reading The object of the artillery fire, which always preceded an attack unless it was a surprise one with tanks, was to blow away the barbed-wire entanglements, and, if possible, dispose of some of the enemy guns as well as the fighting men.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Waiting in a trench slightly behind the troops that were soon to go into action, Blake Stewart and his chums talked, taking no care to keep down their voices.
elevatedadjectiveUS /ˈeləveɪtɪd/
raised above the ground
From this reading This curtain actually advanced, for the guns belching out the rain of steel and lead were slowly elevated, and with the elevation a longer range was obtained.
elevationnounUS /ˌeləˈveɪʃən/
the event of something being raised upward
From this reading This curtain actually advanced, for the guns belching out the rain of steel and lead were slowly elevated, and with the elevation a longer range was obtained.
an opposing military force
From this reading The object of the artillery fire, which always preceded an attack unless it was a surprise one with tanks, was to blow away the barbed-wire entanglements, and, if possible, dispose of some of the enemy guns as well as the fighting men.
entanglementsnounUS /enˈtæŋɡəlmənts/
plural of “entanglement” — an intricate trap that entangles or ensnares its victim
From this reading The object of the artillery fire, which always preceded an attack unless it was a surprise one with tanks, was to blow away the barbed-wire entanglements, and, if possible, dispose of some of the enemy guns as well as the fighting men.
the act of fighting; any contest or struggle
From this reading The object of the artillery fire, which always preceded an attack unless it was a surprise one with tanks, was to blow away the barbed-wire entanglements, and, if possible, dispose of some of the enemy guns as well as the fighting men.
start firing a weapon
From this reading The object of the artillery fire, which always preceded an attack unless it was a surprise one with tanks, was to blow away the barbed-wire entanglements, and, if possible, dispose of some of the enemy guns as well as the fighting men.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading This curtain actually advanced, for the guns belching out the rain of steel and lead were slowly elevated, and with the elevation a longer range was obtained.
plural of “force” — a powerful effect or influence
From this reading BOWLED OVER Not a man of the American and French forces that were to attack the Germans had yet left the protecting trench.
the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France
From this reading BOWLED OVER Not a man of the American and French forces that were to attack the Germans had yet left the protecting trench.
GermansnounUS /ˈdʒɜːrmənz/
plural of “german” — a person of German nationality
From this reading BOWLED OVER Not a man of the American and French forces that were to attack the Germans had yet left the protecting trench.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Waiting in a trench slightly behind the troops that were soon to go into action, Blake Stewart and his chums talked, taking no care to keep down their voices.
plural of “gun” — a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)
From this reading The object of the artillery fire, which always preceded an attack unless it was a surprise one with tanks, was to blow away the barbed-wire entanglements, and, if possible, dispose of some of the enemy guns as well as the fighting men.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading BOWLED OVER Not a man of the American and French forces that were to attack the Germans had yet left the protecting trench.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Waiting in a trench slightly behind the troops that were soon to go into action, Blake Stewart and his chums talked, taking no care to keep down their voices.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The object of the artillery fire, which always preceded an attack unless it was a surprise one with tanks, was to blow away the barbed-wire entanglements, and, if possible, dispose of some of the enemy guns as well as the fighting men.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Waiting in a trench slightly behind the troops that were soon to go into action, Blake Stewart and his chums talked, taking no care to keep down their voices.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Waiting in a trench slightly behind the troops that were soon to go into action, Blake Stewart and his chums talked, taking no care to keep down their voices.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The object of the artillery fire, which always preceded an attack unless it was a surprise one with tanks, was to blow away the barbed-wire entanglements, and, if possible, dispose of some of the enemy guns as well as the fighting men.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading Waiting in a trench slightly behind the troops that were soon to go into action, Blake Stewart and his chums talked, taking no care to keep down their voices.
take somebody somewhere
From this reading This curtain actually advanced, for the guns belching out the rain of steel and lead were slowly elevated, and with the elevation a longer range was obtained.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading BOWLED OVER Not a man of the American and French forces that were to attack the Germans had yet left the protecting trench.
for more time
From this reading This curtain actually advanced, for the guns belching out the rain of steel and lead were slowly elevated, and with the elevation a longer range was obtained.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading BOWLED OVER Not a man of the American and French forces that were to attack the Germans had yet left the protecting trench.
the force of workers available
From this reading The object of the artillery fire, which always preceded an attack unless it was a surprise one with tanks, was to blow away the barbed-wire entanglements, and, if possible, dispose of some of the enemy guns as well as the fighting men.
in motion
From this reading The barrage was really a "curtain of fire" moving ahead of the attacking troops to protect them.
not any; not one
From this reading Waiting in a trench slightly behind the troops that were soon to go into action, Blake Stewart and his chums talked, taking no care to keep down their voices.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading BOWLED OVER Not a man of the American and French forces that were to attack the Germans had yet left the protecting trench.
a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow
From this reading The object of the artillery fire, which always preceded an attack unless it was a surprise one with tanks, was to blow away the barbed-wire entanglements, and, if possible, dispose of some of the enemy guns as well as the fighting men.
past form of “obtain” — come into possession of
From this reading This curtain actually advanced, for the guns belching out the rain of steel and lead were slowly elevated, and with the elevation a longer range was obtained.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading BOWLED OVER Not a man of the American and French forces that were to attack the Germans had yet left the protecting trench.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The object of the artillery fire, which always preceded an attack unless it was a surprise one with tanks, was to blow away the barbed-wire entanglements, and, if possible, dispose of some of the enemy guns as well as the fighting men.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading This curtain actually advanced, for the guns belching out the rain of steel and lead were slowly elevated, and with the elevation a longer range was obtained.
OVERprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading BOWLED OVER Not a man of the American and French forces that were to attack the Germans had yet left the protecting trench.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading The object of the artillery fire, which always preceded an attack unless it was a surprise one with tanks, was to blow away the barbed-wire entanglements, and, if possible, dispose of some of the enemy guns as well as the fighting men.
precededverbUS /prɪˈsiːdɪd/
past form of “precede” — be earlier in time; go back further
From this reading The object of the artillery fire, which always preceded an attack unless it was a surprise one with tanks, was to blow away the barbed-wire entanglements, and, if possible, dispose of some of the enemy guns as well as the fighting men.
shield from danger, injury, destruction, or damage
From this reading The barrage was really a "curtain of fire" moving ahead of the attacking troops to protect them.
protectingadjectiveUS /prəˈtektɪŋ/
shielding (or designed to shield) against harm or discomfort
From this reading BOWLED OVER Not a man of the American and French forces that were to attack the Germans had yet left the protecting trench.
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading This curtain actually advanced, for the guns belching out the rain of steel and lead were slowly elevated, and with the elevation a longer range was obtained.
an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control: "the range of a supersonic jet"
From this reading This curtain actually advanced, for the guns belching out the rain of steel and lead were slowly elevated, and with the elevation a longer range was obtained.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading The barrage was really a "curtain of fire" moving ahead of the attacking troops to protect them.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading Waiting in a trench slightly behind the troops that were soon to go into action, Blake Stewart and his chums talked, taking no care to keep down their voices.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading This curtain actually advanced, for the guns belching out the rain of steel and lead were slowly elevated, and with the elevation a longer range was obtained.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading The object of the artillery fire, which always preceded an attack unless it was a surprise one with tanks, was to blow away the barbed-wire entanglements, and, if possible, dispose of some of the enemy guns as well as the fighting men.
in the near future
From this reading Waiting in a trench slightly behind the troops that were soon to go into action, Blake Stewart and his chums talked, taking no care to keep down their voices.
an alloy of iron with small amounts of carbon; widely used in construction; mechanical properties can be varied over a wide range
From this reading This curtain actually advanced, for the guns belching out the rain of steel and lead were slowly elevated, and with the elevation a longer range was obtained.
StewartnounUS /ˈstuːərt/
United States film actor who portrayed incorruptible but modest heros (1908-1997)
From this reading Waiting in a trench slightly behind the troops that were soon to go into action, Blake Stewart and his chums talked, taking no care to keep down their voices.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading The object of the artillery fire, which always preceded an attack unless it was a surprise one with tanks, was to blow away the barbed-wire entanglements, and, if possible, dispose of some of the enemy guns as well as the fighting men.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading Waiting in a trench slightly behind the troops that were soon to go into action, Blake Stewart and his chums talked, taking no care to keep down their voices.
past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading Waiting in a trench slightly behind the troops that were soon to go into action, Blake Stewart and his chums talked, taking no care to keep down their voices.
tanksnounUS /tæŋks/
plural of “tank” — an enclosed armored military vehicle; has a cannon and moves on caterpillar treads
From this reading The object of the artillery fire, which always preceded an attack unless it was a surprise one with tanks, was to blow away the barbed-wire entanglements, and, if possible, dispose of some of the enemy guns as well as the fighting men.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading BOWLED OVER Not a man of the American and French forces that were to attack the Germans had yet left the protecting trench.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading BOWLED OVER Not a man of the American and French forces that were to attack the Germans had yet left the protecting trench.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Waiting in a trench slightly behind the troops that were soon to go into action, Blake Stewart and his chums talked, taking no care to keep down their voices.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The barrage was really a "curtain of fire" moving ahead of the attacking troops to protect them.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This curtain actually advanced, for the guns belching out the rain of steel and lead were slowly elevated, and with the elevation a longer range was obtained.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading BOWLED OVER Not a man of the American and French forces that were to attack the Germans had yet left the protecting trench.
trenchnounUS /trentʃ/
a ditch dug as a fortification having a parapet of the excavated earth
From this reading BOWLED OVER Not a man of the American and French forces that were to attack the Germans had yet left the protecting trench.
soldiers collectively
From this reading The barrage was really a "curtain of fire" moving ahead of the attacking troops to protect them.
except if; if not
From this reading The object of the artillery fire, which always preceded an attack unless it was a surprise one with tanks, was to blow away the barbed-wire entanglements, and, if possible, dispose of some of the enemy guns as well as the fighting men.
plural of “voice” — the distinctive quality or pitch or condition of a person's speech
From this reading Waiting in a trench slightly behind the troops that were soon to go into action, Blake Stewart and his chums talked, taking no care to keep down their voices.
the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)
From this reading Waiting in a trench slightly behind the troops that were soon to go into action, Blake Stewart and his chums talked, taking no care to keep down their voices.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The object of the artillery fire, which always preceded an attack unless it was a surprise one with tanks, was to blow away the barbed-wire entanglements, and, if possible, dispose of some of the enemy guns as well as the fighting men.
(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 The object of the artillery fire, which always preceded an attack unless it was a surprise one with tanks, was to blow away the barbed-wire entanglements, and, if possible, dispose of some of the enemy guns as well as the fighting men.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading BOWLED OVER Not a man of the American and French forces that were to attack the Germans had yet left the protecting trench.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The object of the artillery fire, which always preceded an attack unless it was a surprise one with tanks, was to blow away the barbed-wire entanglements, and, if possible, dispose of some of the enemy guns as well as the fighting men.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The object of the artillery fire, which always preceded an attack unless it was a surprise one with tanks, was to blow away the barbed-wire entanglements, and, if possible, dispose of some of the enemy guns as well as the fighting men.
but in spite of that
From this reading BOWLED OVER Not a man of the American and French forces that were to attack the Germans had yet left the protecting trench.
