used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It had been shown that by concentrating effort the boys could check the fire for a comparatively few yards; but it was just as clear that such a break in the line of its advance would figure little in the general result.
move forward, also in the metaphorical sense
From this reading It had been shown that by concentrating effort the boys could check the fire for a comparatively few yards; but it was just as clear that such a break in the line of its advance would figure little in the general result.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading How far it already had extended Sam did not know.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It had been shown that by concentrating effort the boys could check the fire for a comparatively few yards; but it was just as clear that such a break in the line of its advance would figure little in the general result.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Sam’s generalship had the virtue, at least, of not attempting impossibilities.
attemptingverbUS /əˈtemptɪŋ/
-ing form of “attempt” — make an effort or attempt
From this reading Sam’s generalship had the virtue, at least, of not attempting impossibilities.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It had been shown that by concentrating effort the boys could check the fire for a comparatively few yards; but it was just as clear that such a break in the line of its advance would figure little in the general result.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading It had been shown that by concentrating effort the boys could check the fire for a comparatively few yards; but it was just as clear that such a break in the line of its advance would figure little in the general result.
terminate
From this reading It had been shown that by concentrating effort the boys could check the fire for a comparatively few yards; but it was just as clear that such a break in the line of its advance would figure little in the general result.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It had been shown that by concentrating effort the boys could check the fire for a comparatively few yards; but it was just as clear that such a break in the line of its advance would figure little in the general result.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It had been shown that by concentrating effort the boys could check the fire for a comparatively few yards; but it was just as clear that such a break in the line of its advance would figure little in the general result.
examine so as to determine accuracy, quality, or condition
From this reading It had been shown that by concentrating effort the boys could check the fire for a comparatively few yards; but it was just as clear that such a break in the line of its advance would figure little in the general result.
rid of obstructions
From this reading It had been shown that by concentrating effort the boys could check the fire for a comparatively few yards; but it was just as clear that such a break in the line of its advance would figure little in the general result.
a team of professional baseball players who play and travel together
From this reading In short, so far as the club was concerned, the fire was out of control.
comparativelyadverbUS /kəmˈperətɪvli/
in a relative manner; by comparison to something else
From this reading It had been shown that by concentrating effort the boys could check the fire for a comparatively few yards; but it was just as clear that such a break in the line of its advance would figure little in the general result.
concentratingverbUS /ˈkɑːnsəntreɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “concentrate” — make denser, stronger, or purer
From this reading It had been shown that by concentrating effort the boys could check the fire for a comparatively few yards; but it was just as clear that such a break in the line of its advance would figure little in the general result.
feeling or showing worry or solicitude
From this reading In short, so far as the club was concerned, the fire was out of control.
power to direct or determine
From this reading In short, so far as the club was concerned, the fire was out of control.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading It had been shown that by concentrating effort the boys could check the fire for a comparatively few yards; but it was just as clear that such a break in the line of its advance would figure little in the general result.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading How far it already had extended Sam did not know.
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading It had been shown that by concentrating effort the boys could check the fire for a comparatively few yards; but it was just as clear that such a break in the line of its advance would figure little in the general result.
relatively long in duration; tediously protracted
From this reading How far it already had extended Sam did not know.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading In short, so far as the club was concerned, the fire was out of control.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading It had been shown that by concentrating effort the boys could check the fire for a comparatively few yards; but it was just as clear that such a break in the line of its advance would figure little in the general result.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading It had been shown that by concentrating effort the boys could check the fire for a comparatively few yards; but it was just as clear that such a break in the line of its advance would figure little in the general result.
start firing a weapon
From this reading It had been shown that by concentrating effort the boys could check the fire for a comparatively few yards; but it was just as clear that such a break in the line of its advance would figure little in the general result.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It had been shown that by concentrating effort the boys could check the fire for a comparatively few yards; but it was just as clear that such a break in the line of its advance would figure little in the general result.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading It had been shown that by concentrating effort the boys could check the fire for a comparatively few yards; but it was just as clear that such a break in the line of its advance would figure little in the general result.
generalshipnounUS /ˈdʒenərəlʃɪp/
the leadership ability of a military general
From this reading Sam’s generalship had the virtue, at least, of not attempting impossibilities.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Sam’s generalship had the virtue, at least, of not attempting impossibilities.
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading How far it already had extended Sam did not know.
impossibilities
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Sam’s generalship had the virtue, at least, of not attempting impossibilities.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It had been shown that by concentrating effort the boys could check the fire for a comparatively few yards; but it was just as clear that such a break in the line of its advance would figure little in the general result.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It had been shown that by concentrating effort the boys could check the fire for a comparatively few yards; but it was just as clear that such a break in the line of its advance would figure little in the general result.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading It had been shown that by concentrating effort the boys could check the fire for a comparatively few yards; but it was just as clear that such a break in the line of its advance would figure little in the general result.
and nothing more
From this reading It had been shown that by concentrating effort the boys could check the fire for a comparatively few yards; but it was just as clear that such a break in the line of its advance would figure little in the general result.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading How far it already had extended Sam did not know.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading Sam’s generalship had the virtue, at least, of not attempting impossibilities.
a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading It had been shown that by concentrating effort the boys could check the fire for a comparatively few yards; but it was just as clear that such a break in the line of its advance would figure little in the general result.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading It had been shown that by concentrating effort the boys could check the fire for a comparatively few yards; but it was just as clear that such a break in the line of its advance would figure little in the general result.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Sam’s generalship had the virtue, at least, of not attempting impossibilities.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Sam’s generalship had the virtue, at least, of not attempting impossibilities.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading In short, so far as the club was concerned, the fire was out of control.
with speed
From this reading It was spreading rapidly.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading It had been shown that by concentrating effort the boys could check the fire for a comparatively few yards; but it was just as clear that such a break in the line of its advance would figure little in the general result.
a guided missile fired from land or shipboard against an airborne target
From this reading How far it already had extended Sam did not know.
Sam'snounUS /sæmz/
possessive form of “sam” — a guided missile fired from land or shipboard against an airborne target
From this reading Sam’s generalship had the virtue, at least, of not attempting impossibilities.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading In short, so far as the club was concerned, the fire was out of control.
inflected form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading It had been shown that by concentrating effort the boys could check the fire for a comparatively few yards; but it was just as clear that such a break in the line of its advance would figure little in the general result.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading In short, so far as the club was concerned, the fire was out of control.
spreadingnounUS /ˈspredɪŋ/
process or result of distributing or extending over a wide expanse of space
From this reading It was spreading rapidly.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading It had been shown that by concentrating effort the boys could check the fire for a comparatively few yards; but it was just as clear that such a break in the line of its advance would figure little in the general result.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It had been shown that by concentrating effort the boys could check the fire for a comparatively few yards; but it was just as clear that such a break in the line of its advance would figure little in the general result.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Sam’s generalship had the virtue, at least, of not attempting impossibilities.
Moral excellence and goodness of character; the highest human attainment in Stoic philosophy.
From this reading Sam’s generalship had the virtue, at least, of not attempting impossibilities.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It had been shown that by concentrating effort the boys could check the fire for a comparatively few yards; but it was just as clear that such a break in the line of its advance would figure little in the general result.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It had been shown that by concentrating effort the boys could check the fire for a comparatively few yards; but it was just as clear that such a break in the line of its advance would figure little in the general result.
plural of “yard” — a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading It had been shown that by concentrating effort the boys could check the fire for a comparatively few yards; but it was just as clear that such a break in the line of its advance would figure little in the general result.
