used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A STRAFE AND A QUARTET My room was a partitioned off portion at the end of the cellar in which was headquarters: there was no fire in it and the month was December.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Through cracks in the portion of the building that was above ground, blew the cold, wintry wind.
adjoiningverbUS /əˈdʒɔɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “adjoin” — lie adjacent to another or share a boundary
From this reading That night at dinner in “the mess,” which was in the portion of the cellar adjoining my billet, I met a number of the officers--though the majority were still in the line--and they were among the finest men I had ever met.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading That night at dinner in “the mess,” which was in the portion of the cellar adjoining my billet, I met a number of the officers--though the majority were still in the line--and they were among the finest men I had ever met.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A STRAFE AND A QUARTET My room was a partitioned off portion at the end of the cellar in which was headquarters: there was no fire in it and the month was December.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading The commanding officer, Colonel Peck, one of the best-loved men on the Western Front, was a huge man with a black drooping mustache which gave him a rather fierce appearance, but there was a look of real kindness in his eyes.
a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state
From this reading He possessed the Distinguished Service Order Medal, and later he won the highest decoration of the British army, the Victoria Cross.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A STRAFE AND A QUARTET My room was a partitioned off portion at the end of the cellar in which was headquarters: there was no fire in it and the month was December.
best-lovedadjective
preferred above all others and treated with partiality
From this reading The commanding officer, Colonel Peck, one of the best-loved men on the Western Front, was a huge man with a black drooping mustache which gave him a rather fierce appearance, but there was a look of real kindness in his eyes.
billetnounUS /ˈbɪlət/
a short personal letter
From this reading That night at dinner in “the mess,” which was in the portion of the cellar adjoining my billet, I met a number of the officers--though the majority were still in the line--and they were among the finest men I had ever met.
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading The commanding officer, Colonel Peck, one of the best-loved men on the Western Front, was a huge man with a black drooping mustache which gave him a rather fierce appearance, but there was a look of real kindness in his eyes.
inflected form of “blow” — exhale hard
From this reading Through cracks in the portion of the building that was above ground, blew the cold, wintry wind.
the people of Great Britain
From this reading He possessed the Distinguished Service Order Medal, and later he won the highest decoration of the British army, the Victoria Cross.
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading Through cracks in the portion of the building that was above ground, blew the cold, wintry wind.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The commanding officer, Colonel Peck, one of the best-loved men on the Western Front, was a huge man with a black drooping mustache which gave him a rather fierce appearance, but there was a look of real kindness in his eyes.
cellarnounUS /ˈselər/
the lowermost portion of a structure partly or wholly below ground level; often used for storage
From this reading A STRAFE AND A QUARTET My room was a partitioned off portion at the end of the cellar in which was headquarters: there was no fire in it and the month was December.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading Through cracks in the portion of the building that was above ground, blew the cold, wintry wind.
a commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines who ranks above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general
From this reading The commanding officer, Colonel Peck, one of the best-loved men on the Western Front, was a huge man with a black drooping mustache which gave him a rather fierce appearance, but there was a look of real kindness in his eyes.
commandingadjectiveUS /kəˈmændɪŋ/
used of a height or viewpoint
From this reading The commanding officer, Colonel Peck, one of the best-loved men on the Western Front, was a huge man with a black drooping mustache which gave him a rather fierce appearance, but there was a look of real kindness in his eyes.
cracksnounUS /kræks/
plural of “crack” — a long narrow opening
From this reading Through cracks in the portion of the building that was above ground, blew the cold, wintry wind.
travel across or pass over
From this reading He possessed the Distinguished Service Order Medal, and later he won the highest decoration of the British army, the Victoria Cross.
DecembernounUS /dɪˈsembər/
the last (12th) month of the year
From this reading A STRAFE AND A QUARTET My room was a partitioned off portion at the end of the cellar in which was headquarters: there was no fire in it and the month was December.
decorationnounUS /ˌdekərˈeɪʃən/
something used to beautify
From this reading He possessed the Distinguished Service Order Medal, and later he won the highest decoration of the British army, the Victoria Cross.
the main meal of the day served in the evening or at midday
From this reading That night at dinner in “the mess,” which was in the portion of the cellar adjoining my billet, I met a number of the officers--though the majority were still in the line--and they were among the finest men I had ever met.
(used of persons) standing above others in character or attainment or reputation
From this reading He possessed the Distinguished Service Order Medal, and later he won the highest decoration of the British army, the Victoria Cross.
droopingadjectiveUS /ˈdruːpɪŋ/
weak from exhaustion
From this reading The commanding officer, Colonel Peck, one of the best-loved men on the Western Front, was a huge man with a black drooping mustache which gave him a rather fierce appearance, but there was a look of real kindness in his eyes.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading A STRAFE AND A QUARTET My room was a partitioned off portion at the end of the cellar in which was headquarters: there was no fire in it and the month was December.
at any time
From this reading That night at dinner in “the mess,” which was in the portion of the cellar adjoining my billet, I met a number of the officers--though the majority were still in the line--and they were among the finest men I had ever met.
opinion or judgment
From this reading The commanding officer, Colonel Peck, one of the best-loved men on the Western Front, was a huge man with a black drooping mustache which gave him a rather fierce appearance, but there was a look of real kindness in his eyes.
marked by extreme and violent energy
From this reading The commanding officer, Colonel Peck, one of the best-loved men on the Western Front, was a huge man with a black drooping mustache which gave him a rather fierce appearance, but there was a look of real kindness in his eyes.
finestadjectiveUS /ˈfaɪnəst/
superlative of “fine” — being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading That night at dinner in “the mess,” which was in the portion of the cellar adjoining my billet, I met a number of the officers--though the majority were still in the line--and they were among the finest men I had ever met.
start firing a weapon
From this reading A STRAFE AND A QUARTET My room was a partitioned off portion at the end of the cellar in which was headquarters: there was no fire in it and the month was December.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading The commanding officer, Colonel Peck, one of the best-loved men on the Western Front, was a huge man with a black drooping mustache which gave him a rather fierce appearance, but there was a look of real kindness in his eyes.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading The commanding officer, Colonel Peck, one of the best-loved men on the Western Front, was a huge man with a black drooping mustache which gave him a rather fierce appearance, but there was a look of real kindness in his eyes.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading Through cracks in the portion of the building that was above ground, blew the cold, wintry wind.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading That night at dinner in “the mess,” which was in the portion of the cellar adjoining my billet, I met a number of the officers--though the majority were still in the line--and they were among the finest men I had ever met.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He possessed the Distinguished Service Order Medal, and later he won the highest decoration of the British army, the Victoria Cross.
headquartersnounUS /ˈhedkwɔːrtərz/
(usually plural) the office that serves as the administrative center of an enterprise
From this reading A STRAFE AND A QUARTET My room was a partitioned off portion at the end of the cellar in which was headquarters: there was no fire in it and the month was December.
superlative of “high” — greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading He possessed the Distinguished Service Order Medal, and later he won the highest decoration of the British army, the Victoria Cross.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The commanding officer, Colonel Peck, one of the best-loved men on the Western Front, was a huge man with a black drooping mustache which gave him a rather fierce appearance, but there was a look of real kindness in his eyes.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The commanding officer, Colonel Peck, one of the best-loved men on the Western Front, was a huge man with a black drooping mustache which gave him a rather fierce appearance, but there was a look of real kindness in his eyes.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading The commanding officer, Colonel Peck, one of the best-loved men on the Western Front, was a huge man with a black drooping mustache which gave him a rather fierce appearance, but there was a look of real kindness in his eyes.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading That night at dinner in “the mess,” which was in the portion of the cellar adjoining my billet, I met a number of the officers--though the majority were still in the line--and they were among the finest men I had ever met.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A STRAFE AND A QUARTET My room was a partitioned off portion at the end of the cellar in which was headquarters: there was no fire in it and the month was December.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A STRAFE AND A QUARTET My room was a partitioned off portion at the end of the cellar in which was headquarters: there was no fire in it and the month was December.
the quality of being warmhearted and considerate and humane and sympathetic
From this reading The commanding officer, Colonel Peck, one of the best-loved men on the Western Front, was a huge man with a black drooping mustache which gave him a rather fierce appearance, but there was a look of real kindness in his eyes.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading He possessed the Distinguished Service Order Medal, and later he won the highest decoration of the British army, the Victoria Cross.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading That night at dinner in “the mess,” which was in the portion of the cellar adjoining my billet, I met a number of the officers--though the majority were still in the line--and they were among the finest men I had ever met.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading The commanding officer, Colonel Peck, one of the best-loved men on the Western Front, was a huge man with a black drooping mustache which gave him a rather fierce appearance, but there was a look of real kindness in his eyes.
majoritynounUS /məˈdʒɔːrəti/
the property resulting from being or relating to the greater in number of two parts; the main part
From this reading That night at dinner in “the mess,” which was in the portion of the cellar adjoining my billet, I met a number of the officers--though the majority were still in the line--and they were among the finest men I had ever met.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading The commanding officer, Colonel Peck, one of the best-loved men on the Western Front, was a huge man with a black drooping mustache which gave him a rather fierce appearance, but there was a look of real kindness in his eyes.
MedalnounUS /ˈmedəl/
an award for winning a championship or commemorating some other event
From this reading He possessed the Distinguished Service Order Medal, and later he won the highest decoration of the British army, the Victoria Cross.
the force of workers available
From this reading That night at dinner in “the mess,” which was in the portion of the cellar adjoining my billet, I met a number of the officers--though the majority were still in the line--and they were among the finest men I had ever met.
messnounUS /mes/
a state of confusion and disorderliness
From this reading That night at dinner in “the mess,” which was in the portion of the cellar adjoining my billet, I met a number of the officers--though the majority were still in the line--and they were among the finest men I had ever met.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading That night at dinner in “the mess,” which was in the portion of the cellar adjoining my billet, I met a number of the officers--though the majority were still in the line--and they were among the finest men I had ever met.
one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading A STRAFE AND A QUARTET My room was a partitioned off portion at the end of the cellar in which was headquarters: there was no fire in it and the month was December.
mustachenounUS /ˈmʌstæʃ/
an unshaved growth of hair on the upper lip
From this reading The commanding officer, Colonel Peck, one of the best-loved men on the Western Front, was a huge man with a black drooping mustache which gave him a rather fierce appearance, but there was a look of real kindness in his eyes.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading A STRAFE AND A QUARTET My room was a partitioned off portion at the end of the cellar in which was headquarters: there was no fire in it and the month was December.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading That night at dinner in “the mess,” which was in the portion of the cellar adjoining my billet, I met a number of the officers--though the majority were still in the line--and they were among the finest men I had ever met.
not any; not one
From this reading A STRAFE AND A QUARTET My room was a partitioned off portion at the end of the cellar in which was headquarters: there was no fire in it and the month was December.
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading That night at dinner in “the mess,” which was in the portion of the cellar adjoining my billet, I met a number of the officers--though the majority were still in the line--and they were among the finest men I had ever met.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A STRAFE AND A QUARTET My room was a partitioned off portion at the end of the cellar in which was headquarters: there was no fire in it and the month was December.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading A STRAFE AND A QUARTET My room was a partitioned off portion at the end of the cellar in which was headquarters: there was no fire in it and the month was December.
any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading The commanding officer, Colonel Peck, one of the best-loved men on the Western Front, was a huge man with a black drooping mustache which gave him a rather fierce appearance, but there was a look of real kindness in his eyes.
plural of “officer” — any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading That night at dinner in “the mess,” which was in the portion of the cellar adjoining my billet, I met a number of the officers--though the majority were still in the line--and they were among the finest men I had ever met.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The commanding officer, Colonel Peck, one of the best-loved men on the Western Front, was a huge man with a black drooping mustache which gave him a rather fierce appearance, but there was a look of real kindness in his eyes.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The commanding officer, Colonel Peck, one of the best-loved men on the Western Front, was a huge man with a black drooping mustache which gave him a rather fierce appearance, but there was a look of real kindness in his eyes.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading He possessed the Distinguished Service Order Medal, and later he won the highest decoration of the British army, the Victoria Cross.
partitionedverbUS /pɑːrˈtɪʃənd/
past form of “partition” — divide into parts, pieces, or sections
From this reading A STRAFE AND A QUARTET My room was a partitioned off portion at the end of the cellar in which was headquarters: there was no fire in it and the month was December.
PeckverbUS /pek/
hit lightly with a picking motion
From this reading The commanding officer, Colonel Peck, one of the best-loved men on the Western Front, was a huge man with a black drooping mustache which gave him a rather fierce appearance, but there was a look of real kindness in his eyes.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading A STRAFE AND A QUARTET My room was a partitioned off portion at the end of the cellar in which was headquarters: there was no fire in it and the month was December.
influenced or controlled by a powerful force such as a strong emotion
From this reading He possessed the Distinguished Service Order Medal, and later he won the highest decoration of the British army, the Victoria Cross.
QUARTETnounUS /kwɔːrˈtet/
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading A STRAFE AND A QUARTET My room was a partitioned off portion at the end of the cellar in which was headquarters: there was no fire in it and the month was December.
on the contrary
From this reading The commanding officer, Colonel Peck, one of the best-loved men on the Western Front, was a huge man with a black drooping mustache which gave him a rather fierce appearance, but there was a look of real kindness in his eyes.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading The commanding officer, Colonel Peck, one of the best-loved men on the Western Front, was a huge man with a black drooping mustache which gave him a rather fierce appearance, but there was a look of real kindness in his eyes.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading A STRAFE AND A QUARTET My room was a partitioned off portion at the end of the cellar in which was headquarters: there was no fire in it and the month was December.
work done by one person or group that benefits another
From this reading He possessed the Distinguished Service Order Medal, and later he won the highest decoration of the British army, the Victoria Cross.
not in physical motion
From this reading That night at dinner in “the mess,” which was in the portion of the cellar adjoining my billet, I met a number of the officers--though the majority were still in the line--and they were among the finest men I had ever met.
STRAFEverbUS /streɪf/
attack with machine guns or cannon fire from a low-flying plane
From this reading A STRAFE AND A QUARTET My room was a partitioned off portion at the end of the cellar in which was headquarters: there was no fire in it and the month was December.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Through cracks in the portion of the building that was above ground, blew the cold, wintry wind.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A STRAFE AND A QUARTET My room was a partitioned off portion at the end of the cellar in which was headquarters: there was no fire in it and the month was December.
in or at that place or location
From this reading A STRAFE AND A QUARTET My room was a partitioned off portion at the end of the cellar in which was headquarters: there was no fire in it and the month was December.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading That night at dinner in “the mess,” which was in the portion of the cellar adjoining my billet, I met a number of the officers--though the majority were still in the line--and they were among the finest men I had ever met.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading That night at dinner in “the mess,” which was in the portion of the cellar adjoining my billet, I met a number of the officers--though the majority were still in the line--and they were among the finest men I had ever met.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Through cracks in the portion of the building that was above ground, blew the cold, wintry wind.
VictorianounUS /vɪkˈtɔːriə/
queen of Great Britain and Ireland and empress of India from 1837 to 1901; the last Hanoverian ruler of England (1819-1901)
From this reading He possessed the Distinguished Service Order Medal, and later he won the highest decoration of the British army, the Victoria Cross.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A STRAFE AND A QUARTET My room was a partitioned off portion at the end of the cellar in which was headquarters: there was no fire in it and the month was December.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading That night at dinner in “the mess,” which was in the portion of the cellar adjoining my billet, I met a number of the officers--though the majority were still in the line--and they were among the finest men I had ever met.
relating to or characteristic of the western parts of the world or the West as opposed to the eastern or oriental parts
From this reading The commanding officer, Colonel Peck, one of the best-loved men on the Western Front, was a huge man with a black drooping mustache which gave him a rather fierce appearance, but there was a look of real kindness in his eyes.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A STRAFE AND A QUARTET My room was a partitioned off portion at the end of the cellar in which was headquarters: there was no fire in it and the month was December.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading Through cracks in the portion of the building that was above ground, blew the cold, wintry wind.
wintryadjectiveUS /ˈwɪntri/
characteristic of or occurring in winter
From this reading Through cracks in the portion of the building that was above ground, blew the cold, wintry wind.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The commanding officer, Colonel Peck, one of the best-loved men on the Western Front, was a huge man with a black drooping mustache which gave him a rather fierce appearance, but there was a look of real kindness in his eyes.
the basic unit of money in South Korea
From this reading He possessed the Distinguished Service Order Medal, and later he won the highest decoration of the British army, the Victoria Cross.
