used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A BOLD CIVILIAN Colonel Landcraft was a slight man, and short of stature for a soldierly figure when out of the saddle.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading His gray hair was thinning in front, and his sharp querulous face was seamed in frowning pattern about the eyes.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading This air of superior brusqueness was sharpened by the small fierceness of his visage, in which his large iron-gray mustache branched like horns.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading His forehead was fashioned on an intention of massiveness out of keeping with his tapering face, which ran out in a disappointing chin, and under the shadow of that projecting brow his cold blue eyes seemed as unfriendly as a winter sky.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A BOLD CIVILIAN Colonel Landcraft was a slight man, and short of stature for a soldierly figure when out of the saddle.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading His forehead was fashioned on an intention of massiveness out of keeping with his tapering face, which ran out in a disappointing chin, and under the shadow of that projecting brow his cold blue eyes seemed as unfriendly as a winter sky.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading Early in his soldiering days the colonel had felt the want of inches and pounds, a shortage which he tried to overcome by carrying himself pulled up stiffly, giving him a strutting effect that had fastened upon him and become inseparable from his mien.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading His forehead was fashioned on an intention of massiveness out of keeping with his tapering face, which ran out in a disappointing chin, and under the shadow of that projecting brow his cold blue eyes seemed as unfriendly as a winter sky.
fearless and daring
From this reading A BOLD CIVILIAN Colonel Landcraft was a slight man, and short of stature for a soldierly figure when out of the saddle.
branchedadjectiveUS /bræntʃt/
resembling a fork; divided or separated into two branches
From this reading This air of superior brusqueness was sharpened by the small fierceness of his visage, in which his large iron-gray mustache branched like horns.
the part of the face above the eyes
From this reading His forehead was fashioned on an intention of massiveness out of keeping with his tapering face, which ran out in a disappointing chin, and under the shadow of that projecting brow his cold blue eyes seemed as unfriendly as a winter sky.
brusquenessnoun
an abrupt discourteous manner
From this reading This air of superior brusqueness was sharpened by the small fierceness of his visage, in which his large iron-gray mustache branched like horns.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Early in his soldiering days the colonel had felt the want of inches and pounds, a shortage which he tried to overcome by carrying himself pulled up stiffly, giving him a strutting effect that had fastened upon him and become inseparable from his mien.
-ing form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading Early in his soldiering days the colonel had felt the want of inches and pounds, a shortage which he tried to overcome by carrying himself pulled up stiffly, giving him a strutting effect that had fastened upon him and become inseparable from his mien.
the protruding part of the lower jaw
From this reading His forehead was fashioned on an intention of massiveness out of keeping with his tapering face, which ran out in a disappointing chin, and under the shadow of that projecting brow his cold blue eyes seemed as unfriendly as a winter sky.
CIVILIANnounUS /səˈvɪljən/
a nonmilitary citizen
From this reading A BOLD CIVILIAN Colonel Landcraft was a slight man, and short of stature for a soldierly figure when out of the saddle.
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 His forehead was fashioned on an intention of massiveness out of keeping with his tapering face, which ran out in a disappointing chin, and under the shadow of that projecting brow his cold blue eyes seemed as unfriendly as a winter sky.
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 A BOLD CIVILIAN Colonel Landcraft was a slight man, and short of stature for a soldierly figure when out of the saddle.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading Early in his soldiering days the colonel had felt the want of inches and pounds, a shortage which he tried to overcome by carrying himself pulled up stiffly, giving him a strutting effect that had fastened upon him and become inseparable from his mien.
disappointingadjectiveUS /ˌdɪsəˈpɔɪntɪŋ/
not up to expectations
From this reading His forehead was fashioned on an intention of massiveness out of keeping with his tapering face, which ran out in a disappointing chin, and under the shadow of that projecting brow his cold blue eyes seemed as unfriendly as a winter sky.
EarlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading Early in his soldiering days the colonel had felt the want of inches and pounds, a shortage which he tried to overcome by carrying himself pulled up stiffly, giving him a strutting effect that had fastened upon him and become inseparable from his mien.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading Early in his soldiering days the colonel had felt the want of inches and pounds, a shortage which he tried to overcome by carrying himself pulled up stiffly, giving him a strutting effect that had fastened upon him and become inseparable from his mien.
opinion or judgment
From this reading His gray hair was thinning in front, and his sharp querulous face was seamed in frowning pattern about the eyes.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading His gray hair was thinning in front, and his sharp querulous face was seamed in frowning pattern about the eyes.
fashionedadjectiveUS /ˈfæʃənd/
planned and made or fashioned artistically
From this reading His forehead was fashioned on an intention of massiveness out of keeping with his tapering face, which ran out in a disappointing chin, and under the shadow of that projecting brow his cold blue eyes seemed as unfriendly as a winter sky.
firmly closed or secured
From this reading Early in his soldiering days the colonel had felt the want of inches and pounds, a shortage which he tried to overcome by carrying himself pulled up stiffly, giving him a strutting effect that had fastened upon him and become inseparable from his mien.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading Early in his soldiering days the colonel had felt the want of inches and pounds, a shortage which he tried to overcome by carrying himself pulled up stiffly, giving him a strutting effect that had fastened upon him and become inseparable from his mien.
fiercenessnoun
the property of being wild or turbulent
From this reading This air of superior brusqueness was sharpened by the small fierceness of his visage, in which his large iron-gray mustache branched like horns.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading A BOLD CIVILIAN Colonel Landcraft was a slight man, and short of stature for a soldierly figure when out of the saddle.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A BOLD CIVILIAN Colonel Landcraft was a slight man, and short of stature for a soldierly figure when out of the saddle.
the part of the face above the eyes
From this reading His forehead was fashioned on an intention of massiveness out of keeping with his tapering face, which ran out in a disappointing chin, and under the shadow of that projecting brow his cold blue eyes seemed as unfriendly as a winter sky.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Early in his soldiering days the colonel had felt the want of inches and pounds, a shortage which he tried to overcome by carrying himself pulled up stiffly, giving him a strutting effect that had fastened upon him and become inseparable from his mien.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading His gray hair was thinning in front, and his sharp querulous face was seamed in frowning pattern about the eyes.
frowningadjectiveUS /ˈfraʊnɪŋ/
showing displeasure or anger
From this reading His gray hair was thinning in front, and his sharp querulous face was seamed in frowning pattern about the eyes.
the act of giving
From this reading Early in his soldiering days the colonel had felt the want of inches and pounds, a shortage which he tried to overcome by carrying himself pulled up stiffly, giving him a strutting effect that had fastened upon him and become inseparable from his mien.
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading His gray hair was thinning in front, and his sharp querulous face was seamed in frowning pattern about the eyes.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Early in his soldiering days the colonel had felt the want of inches and pounds, a shortage which he tried to overcome by carrying himself pulled up stiffly, giving him a strutting effect that had fastened upon him and become inseparable from his mien.
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading His gray hair was thinning in front, and his sharp querulous face was seamed in frowning pattern about the eyes.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Early in his soldiering days the colonel had felt the want of inches and pounds, a shortage which he tried to overcome by carrying himself pulled up stiffly, giving him a strutting effect that had fastened upon him and become inseparable from his mien.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Early in his soldiering days the colonel had felt the want of inches and pounds, a shortage which he tried to overcome by carrying himself pulled up stiffly, giving him a strutting effect that had fastened upon him and become inseparable from his mien.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Early in his soldiering days the colonel had felt the want of inches and pounds, a shortage which he tried to overcome by carrying himself pulled up stiffly, giving him a strutting effect that had fastened upon him and become inseparable from his mien.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His gray hair was thinning in front, and his sharp querulous face was seamed in frowning pattern about the eyes.
hornsnounUS /hɔːrnz/
plural of “horn” — a noisemaker (as at parties or games) that makes a loud noise when you blow through it
From this reading This air of superior brusqueness was sharpened by the small fierceness of his visage, in which his large iron-gray mustache branched like horns.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading His gray hair was thinning in front, and his sharp querulous face was seamed in frowning pattern about the eyes.
plural of “inch” — a unit of length equal to one twelfth of a foot
From this reading Early in his soldiering days the colonel had felt the want of inches and pounds, a shortage which he tried to overcome by carrying himself pulled up stiffly, giving him a strutting effect that had fastened upon him and become inseparable from his mien.
inseparableadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈsepərəbəl/
not capable of being separated
From this reading Early in his soldiering days the colonel had felt the want of inches and pounds, a shortage which he tried to overcome by carrying himself pulled up stiffly, giving him a strutting effect that had fastened upon him and become inseparable from his mien.
an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions
From this reading His forehead was fashioned on an intention of massiveness out of keeping with his tapering face, which ran out in a disappointing chin, and under the shadow of that projecting brow his cold blue eyes seemed as unfriendly as a winter sky.
iron-graynoun
the color of freshly broken cast iron
From this reading This air of superior brusqueness was sharpened by the small fierceness of his visage, in which his large iron-gray mustache branched like horns.
conformity or harmony
From this reading His forehead was fashioned on an intention of massiveness out of keeping with his tapering face, which ran out in a disappointing chin, and under the shadow of that projecting brow his cold blue eyes seemed as unfriendly as a winter sky.
Landcraft
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A BOLD CIVILIAN Colonel Landcraft was a slight man, and short of stature for a soldierly figure when out of the saddle.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading This air of superior brusqueness was sharpened by the small fierceness of his visage, in which his large iron-gray mustache branched like horns.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading This air of superior brusqueness was sharpened by the small fierceness of his visage, in which his large iron-gray mustache branched like horns.
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading A BOLD CIVILIAN Colonel Landcraft was a slight man, and short of stature for a soldierly figure when out of the saddle.
massivenessnoun
an unwieldy largeness
From this reading His forehead was fashioned on an intention of massiveness out of keeping with his tapering face, which ran out in a disappointing chin, and under the shadow of that projecting brow his cold blue eyes seemed as unfriendly as a winter sky.
miennounUS /miːn/
dignified manner or conduct
From this reading Early in his soldiering days the colonel had felt the want of inches and pounds, a shortage which he tried to overcome by carrying himself pulled up stiffly, giving him a strutting effect that had fastened upon him and become inseparable from his mien.
mustachenounUS /ˈmʌstæʃ/
an unshaved growth of hair on the upper lip
From this reading This air of superior brusqueness was sharpened by the small fierceness of his visage, in which his large iron-gray mustache branched like horns.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A BOLD CIVILIAN Colonel Landcraft was a slight man, and short of stature for a soldierly figure when out of the saddle.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading His forehead was fashioned on an intention of massiveness out of keeping with his tapering face, which ran out in a disappointing chin, and under the shadow of that projecting brow his cold blue eyes seemed as unfriendly as a winter sky.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading A BOLD CIVILIAN Colonel Landcraft was a slight man, and short of stature for a soldierly figure when out of the saddle.
win a victory over
From this reading Early in his soldiering days the colonel had felt the want of inches and pounds, a shortage which he tried to overcome by carrying himself pulled up stiffly, giving him a strutting effect that had fastened upon him and become inseparable from his mien.
patternnounUS /ˈpætərn/
a perceptual structure
From this reading His gray hair was thinning in front, and his sharp querulous face was seamed in frowning pattern about the eyes.
plural of “pound” — 16 ounces avoirdupois
From this reading Early in his soldiering days the colonel had felt the want of inches and pounds, a shortage which he tried to overcome by carrying himself pulled up stiffly, giving him a strutting effect that had fastened upon him and become inseparable from his mien.
projectingadjectiveUS /prəˈdʒektɪŋ/
extending out above or beyond a surface or boundary
From this reading His forehead was fashioned on an intention of massiveness out of keeping with his tapering face, which ran out in a disappointing chin, and under the shadow of that projecting brow his cold blue eyes seemed as unfriendly as a winter sky.
past form of “pull” — cause to move by pulling
From this reading Early in his soldiering days the colonel had felt the want of inches and pounds, a shortage which he tried to overcome by carrying himself pulled up stiffly, giving him a strutting effect that had fastened upon him and become inseparable from his mien.
querulousadjectiveUS /ˈkwerələs/
habitually complaining
From this reading His gray hair was thinning in front, and his sharp querulous face was seamed in frowning pattern about the eyes.
inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading His forehead was fashioned on an intention of massiveness out of keeping with his tapering face, which ran out in a disappointing chin, and under the shadow of that projecting brow his cold blue eyes seemed as unfriendly as a winter sky.
put a saddle on
From this reading A BOLD CIVILIAN Colonel Landcraft was a slight man, and short of stature for a soldierly figure when out of the saddle.
seamedadjective
having or joined by a seam or seams
From this reading His gray hair was thinning in front, and his sharp querulous face was seamed in frowning pattern about the eyes.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading His forehead was fashioned on an intention of massiveness out of keeping with his tapering face, which ran out in a disappointing chin, and under the shadow of that projecting brow his cold blue eyes seemed as unfriendly as a winter sky.
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading His forehead was fashioned on an intention of massiveness out of keeping with his tapering face, which ran out in a disappointing chin, and under the shadow of that projecting brow his cold blue eyes seemed as unfriendly as a winter sky.
(of something seen or heard) clearly defined
From this reading His gray hair was thinning in front, and his sharp querulous face was seamed in frowning pattern about the eyes.
sharpenedadjectiveUS /ˈʃɑːrpənd/
having the point made sharp
From this reading This air of superior brusqueness was sharpened by the small fierceness of his visage, in which his large iron-gray mustache branched like horns.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading A BOLD CIVILIAN Colonel Landcraft was a slight man, and short of stature for a soldierly figure when out of the saddle.
shortagenounUS /ˈʃɔːrtədʒ/
the property of being an amount by which something is less than expected or required
From this reading Early in his soldiering days the colonel had felt the want of inches and pounds, a shortage which he tried to overcome by carrying himself pulled up stiffly, giving him a strutting effect that had fastened upon him and become inseparable from his mien.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading His forehead was fashioned on an intention of massiveness out of keeping with his tapering face, which ran out in a disappointing chin, and under the shadow of that projecting brow his cold blue eyes seemed as unfriendly as a winter sky.
a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)
From this reading A BOLD CIVILIAN Colonel Landcraft was a slight man, and short of stature for a soldierly figure when out of the saddle.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading This air of superior brusqueness was sharpened by the small fierceness of his visage, in which his large iron-gray mustache branched like horns.
soldieringnounUS /ˈsoʊldʒərɪŋ/
skills that are required for the life of soldier
From this reading Early in his soldiering days the colonel had felt the want of inches and pounds, a shortage which he tried to overcome by carrying himself pulled up stiffly, giving him a strutting effect that had fastened upon him and become inseparable from his mien.
soldierlyadjective
(of persons) befitting a warrior
From this reading A BOLD CIVILIAN Colonel Landcraft was a slight man, and short of stature for a soldierly figure when out of the saddle.
staturenounUS /ˈstætʃər/
high level of respect gained by impressive development or achievement
From this reading A BOLD CIVILIAN Colonel Landcraft was a slight man, and short of stature for a soldierly figure when out of the saddle.
stifflyadverbUS /ˈstɪfli/
in a stiff manner
From this reading Early in his soldiering days the colonel had felt the want of inches and pounds, a shortage which he tried to overcome by carrying himself pulled up stiffly, giving him a strutting effect that had fastened upon him and become inseparable from his mien.
struttingverbUS /ˈstrʌtɪŋ/
inflected form of “strut” — to walk with a lofty proud gait, often in an attempt to impress others
From this reading Early in his soldiering days the colonel had felt the want of inches and pounds, a shortage which he tried to overcome by carrying himself pulled up stiffly, giving him a strutting effect that had fastened upon him and become inseparable from his mien.
of high or superior quality or performance
From this reading This air of superior brusqueness was sharpened by the small fierceness of his visage, in which his large iron-gray mustache branched like horns.
taperingadjectiveUS /ˈteɪpərɪŋ/
becoming gradually narrower
From this reading His forehead was fashioned on an intention of massiveness out of keeping with his tapering face, which ran out in a disappointing chin, and under the shadow of that projecting brow his cold blue eyes seemed as unfriendly as a winter sky.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading His forehead was fashioned on an intention of massiveness out of keeping with his tapering face, which ran out in a disappointing chin, and under the shadow of that projecting brow his cold blue eyes seemed as unfriendly as a winter sky.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A BOLD CIVILIAN Colonel Landcraft was a slight man, and short of stature for a soldierly figure when out of the saddle.
thinningnounUS /ˈθɪnɪŋ/
the act of diluting something
From this reading His gray hair was thinning in front, and his sharp querulous face was seamed in frowning pattern about the eyes.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This air of superior brusqueness was sharpened by the small fierceness of his visage, in which his large iron-gray mustache branched like horns.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Early in his soldiering days the colonel had felt the want of inches and pounds, a shortage which he tried to overcome by carrying himself pulled up stiffly, giving him a strutting effect that had fastened upon him and become inseparable from his mien.
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading Early in his soldiering days the colonel had felt the want of inches and pounds, a shortage which he tried to overcome by carrying himself pulled up stiffly, giving him a strutting effect that had fastened upon him and become inseparable from his mien.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading His forehead was fashioned on an intention of massiveness out of keeping with his tapering face, which ran out in a disappointing chin, and under the shadow of that projecting brow his cold blue eyes seemed as unfriendly as a winter sky.
unfriendlyadjectiveUS /ənˈfrendli/
not easy to understand or use
From this reading His forehead was fashioned on an intention of massiveness out of keeping with his tapering face, which ran out in a disappointing chin, and under the shadow of that projecting brow his cold blue eyes seemed as unfriendly as a winter sky.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Early in his soldiering days the colonel had felt the want of inches and pounds, a shortage which he tried to overcome by carrying himself pulled up stiffly, giving him a strutting effect that had fastened upon him and become inseparable from his mien.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Early in his soldiering days the colonel had felt the want of inches and pounds, a shortage which he tried to overcome by carrying himself pulled up stiffly, giving him a strutting effect that had fastened upon him and become inseparable from his mien.
visagenounUS /ˈvɪzədʒ/
the human face (“kisser” and “smiler” and “mug” are informal terms for “face” and “phiz” is British)
From this reading This air of superior brusqueness was sharpened by the small fierceness of his visage, in which his large iron-gray mustache branched like horns.
feel or have a desire for; want strongly
From this reading Early in his soldiering days the colonel had felt the want of inches and pounds, a shortage which he tried to overcome by carrying himself pulled up stiffly, giving him a strutting effect that had fastened upon him and become inseparable from his mien.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A BOLD CIVILIAN Colonel Landcraft was a slight man, and short of stature for a soldierly figure when out of the saddle.
at the time that
From this reading A BOLD CIVILIAN Colonel Landcraft was a slight man, and short of stature for a soldierly figure when out of the saddle.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading His forehead was fashioned on an intention of massiveness out of keeping with his tapering face, which ran out in a disappointing chin, and under the shadow of that projecting brow his cold blue eyes seemed as unfriendly as a winter sky.
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading His forehead was fashioned on an intention of massiveness out of keeping with his tapering face, which ran out in a disappointing chin, and under the shadow of that projecting brow his cold blue eyes seemed as unfriendly as a winter sky.
in the company of; together with
From this reading His forehead was fashioned on an intention of massiveness out of keeping with his tapering face, which ran out in a disappointing chin, and under the shadow of that projecting brow his cold blue eyes seemed as unfriendly as a winter sky.
