used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A miracle had been wrought for him which changed everything.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading His heart was light as air as he went back to the barracks for retreat.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Maybe there would be fellows who would think there wasn't much in just a friendly letter to a lonely soldier, and a sweater or two more or less.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading His heart was light as air as he went back to the barracks for retreat.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading His heart was light as air as he went back to the barracks for retreat.
barracksnounUS /ˈbærəks/
plural of “barrack” — a building or group of buildings used to house military personnel
From this reading His heart was light as air as he went back to the barracks for retreat.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Maybe there would be fellows who would think there wasn't much in just a friendly letter to a lonely soldier, and a sweater or two more or less.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading A miracle had been wrought for him which changed everything.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But then they would never have known what it was to be so lonely for friendship, real friendship, as he was.
made or become different in nature or form
From this reading A miracle had been wrought for him which changed everything.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading A miracle had been wrought for him which changed everything.
plural of “fellow” — a boy or man
From this reading Maybe there would be fellows who would think there wasn't much in just a friendly letter to a lonely soldier, and a sweater or two more or less.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading His heart was light as air as he went back to the barracks for retreat.
characteristic of or befitting a friend
From this reading No, he was not presuming on a friendly letter.
the state of being friends (or friendly)
From this reading But then they would never have known what it was to be so lonely for friendship, real friendship, as he was.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A miracle had been wrought for him which changed everything.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading But then they would never have known what it was to be so lonely for friendship, real friendship, as he was.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading His heart was light as air as he went back to the barracks for retreat.
the locus of feelings and intuitions
From this reading His heart was light as air as he went back to the barracks for retreat.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading A miracle had been wrought for him which changed everything.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His heart was light as air as he went back to the barracks for retreat.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Maybe there would be fellows who would think there wasn't much in just a friendly letter to a lonely soldier, and a sweater or two more or less.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But then they would never have known what it was to be so lonely for friendship, real friendship, as he was.
and nothing more
From this reading Maybe there would be fellows who would think there wasn't much in just a friendly letter to a lonely soldier, and a sweater or two more or less.
apprehended with certainty
From this reading But then they would never have known what it was to be so lonely for friendship, real friendship, as he was.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading Maybe there would be fellows who would think there wasn't much in just a friendly letter to a lonely soldier, and a sweater or two more or less.
a written message addressed to a person or organization
From this reading No, he was not presuming on a friendly letter.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading His heart was light as air as he went back to the barracks for retreat.
lacking companions or companionship
From this reading Maybe there would be fellows who would think there wasn't much in just a friendly letter to a lonely soldier, and a sweater or two more or less.
by chance
From this reading Maybe there would be fellows who would think there wasn't much in just a friendly letter to a lonely soldier, and a sweater or two more or less.
miraclenounUS /ˈmɪrəkəl/
any amazing or wonderful occurrence
From this reading A miracle had been wrought for him which changed everything.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Maybe there would be fellows who would think there wasn't much in just a friendly letter to a lonely soldier, and a sweater or two more or less.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Maybe there would be fellows who would think there wasn't much in just a friendly letter to a lonely soldier, and a sweater or two more or less.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading But then they would never have known what it was to be so lonely for friendship, real friendship, as he was.
not any; not one
From this reading No, he was not presuming on a friendly letter.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading No, he was not presuming on a friendly letter.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading No, he was not presuming on a friendly letter.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Maybe there would be fellows who would think there wasn't much in just a friendly letter to a lonely soldier, and a sweater or two more or less.
presumingverbUS /prɪˈzuːmɪŋ/
-ing form of “presume” — take to be the case or to be true; accept without verification or proof
From this reading No, he was not presuming on a friendly letter.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading But then they would never have known what it was to be so lonely for friendship, real friendship, as he was.
(military) withdrawal of troops to a more favorable position to escape the enemy's superior forces or after a defeat
From this reading His heart was light as air as he went back to the barracks for retreat.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading But then they would never have known what it was to be so lonely for friendship, real friendship, as he was.
an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army
From this reading Maybe there would be fellows who would think there wasn't much in just a friendly letter to a lonely soldier, and a sweater or two more or less.
sweaternounUS /ˈswetər/
a crocheted or knitted garment covering the upper part of the body
From this reading Maybe there would be fellows who would think there wasn't much in just a friendly letter to a lonely soldier, and a sweater or two more or less.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading His heart was light as air as he went back to the barracks for retreat.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading But then they would never have known what it was to be so lonely for friendship, real friendship, as he was.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Maybe there would be fellows who would think there wasn't much in just a friendly letter to a lonely soldier, and a sweater or two more or less.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But then they would never have known what it was to be so lonely for friendship, real friendship, as he was.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading Maybe there would be fellows who would think there wasn't much in just a friendly letter to a lonely soldier, and a sweater or two more or less.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading His heart was light as air as he went back to the barracks for retreat.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Maybe there would be fellows who would think there wasn't much in just a friendly letter to a lonely soldier, and a sweater or two more or less.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading His heart was light as air as he went back to the barracks for retreat.
wasn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Maybe there would be fellows who would think there wasn't much in just a friendly letter to a lonely soldier, and a sweater or two more or less.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading His heart was light as air as he went back to the barracks for retreat.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading But then they would never have known what it was to be so lonely for friendship, real friendship, as he was.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A miracle had been wrought for him which changed everything.
which person or people
From this reading Maybe there would be fellows who would think there wasn't much in just a friendly letter to a lonely soldier, and a sweater or two more or less.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Maybe there would be fellows who would think there wasn't much in just a friendly letter to a lonely soldier, and a sweater or two more or less.
shaped to fit by or as if by altering the contours of a pliable mass (as by work or effort)
From this reading A miracle had been wrought for him which changed everything.
