used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading With a big blackboard behind him, and chalk in hand, the lecturer talked simply and convincingly upon a subject at that time unfamiliar to his audience, a subject vital to any understanding of military movements.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading RECRUITING The Squire's lecture was an immense success.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading With a big blackboard behind him, and chalk in hand, the lecturer talked simply and convincingly upon a subject at that time unfamiliar to his audience, a subject vital to any understanding of military movements.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading With a big blackboard behind him, and chalk in hand, the lecturer talked simply and convincingly upon a subject at that time unfamiliar to his audience, a subject vital to any understanding of military movements.
a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state
From this reading He explained the nature of platoons, companies, battalions, brigades, divisions and army corps.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading With a big blackboard behind him, and chalk in hand, the lecturer talked simply and convincingly upon a subject at that time unfamiliar to his audience, a subject vital to any understanding of military movements.
a gathering of spectators or listeners at a (usually public) performance
From this reading With a big blackboard behind him, and chalk in hand, the lecturer talked simply and convincingly upon a subject at that time unfamiliar to his audience, a subject vital to any understanding of military movements.
battalionsnounUS /bəˈtæljənz/
plural of “battalion” — an army unit usually consisting of a headquarters and three or more companies
From this reading He explained the nature of platoons, companies, battalions, brigades, divisions and army corps.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading With a big blackboard behind him, and chalk in hand, the lecturer talked simply and convincingly upon a subject at that time unfamiliar to his audience, a subject vital to any understanding of military movements.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading He presented, in short, an army in being.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading With a big blackboard behind him, and chalk in hand, the lecturer talked simply and convincingly upon a subject at that time unfamiliar to his audience, a subject vital to any understanding of military movements.
blackboardnounUS /ˈblækbɔːrd/
sheet of slate; for writing with chalk
From this reading With a big blackboard behind him, and chalk in hand, the lecturer talked simply and convincingly upon a subject at that time unfamiliar to his audience, a subject vital to any understanding of military movements.
brigadesnounUS /brɪˈɡeɪdz/
plural of “brigade” — army unit smaller than a division
From this reading He explained the nature of platoons, companies, battalions, brigades, divisions and army corps.
chalknounUS /tʃɔːk/
A soft white limestone used for marking doors, stone walls, and slate.
From this reading With a big blackboard behind him, and chalk in hand, the lecturer talked simply and convincingly upon a subject at that time unfamiliar to his audience, a subject vital to any understanding of military movements.
companiesnounUS /ˈkʌmpəniːz/
plural of “company” — an institution created to conduct business
From this reading He explained the nature of platoons, companies, battalions, brigades, divisions and army corps.
convincinglyadverbUS /kənˈvɪnsɪŋli/
in a convincing manner
From this reading With a big blackboard behind him, and chalk in hand, the lecturer talked simply and convincingly upon a subject at that time unfamiliar to his audience, a subject vital to any understanding of military movements.
corpsnounUS /kɔːr/
an army unit usually consisting of two or more divisions and their support
From this reading He explained the nature of platoons, companies, battalions, brigades, divisions and army corps.
divisionsnounUS /dɪˈvɪʒənz/
plural of “division” — an army unit large enough to sustain combat
From this reading He explained the nature of platoons, companies, battalions, brigades, divisions and army corps.
past form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible
From this reading He explained the nature of platoons, companies, battalions, brigades, divisions and army corps.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading With a big blackboard behind him, and chalk in hand, the lecturer talked simply and convincingly upon a subject at that time unfamiliar to his audience, a subject vital to any understanding of military movements.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He explained the nature of platoons, companies, battalions, brigades, divisions and army corps.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading With a big blackboard behind him, and chalk in hand, the lecturer talked simply and convincingly upon a subject at that time unfamiliar to his audience, a subject vital to any understanding of military movements.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The village school-house overbrimmed with his "people."
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading RECRUITING The Squire's lecture was an immense success.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading With a big blackboard behind him, and chalk in hand, the lecturer talked simply and convincingly upon a subject at that time unfamiliar to his audience, a subject vital to any understanding of military movements.
lectureverbUS /ˈlektʃər/
deliver a lecture or talk
From this reading RECRUITING The Squire's lecture was an immense success.
lecturernounUS /ˈlektʃərər/
a public lecturer at certain universities
From this reading With a big blackboard behind him, and chalk in hand, the lecturer talked simply and convincingly upon a subject at that time unfamiliar to his audience, a subject vital to any understanding of military movements.
of or relating to the study of the principles of warfare
From this reading With a big blackboard behind him, and chalk in hand, the lecturer talked simply and convincingly upon a subject at that time unfamiliar to his audience, a subject vital to any understanding of military movements.
plural of “movement” — a change of position that does not entail a change of location
From this reading With a big blackboard behind him, and chalk in hand, the lecturer talked simply and convincingly upon a subject at that time unfamiliar to his audience, a subject vital to any understanding of military movements.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading He explained the nature of platoons, companies, battalions, brigades, divisions and army corps.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading With a big blackboard behind him, and chalk in hand, the lecturer talked simply and convincingly upon a subject at that time unfamiliar to his audience, a subject vital to any understanding of military movements.
overbrimmed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The village school-house overbrimmed with his "people."
(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively
From this reading The village school-house overbrimmed with his "people."
platoonsnounUS /pləˈtuːnz/
plural of “platoon” — a military unit that is a subdivision of a company; usually has a headquarters and two or more squads; usually commanded by a lieutenant
From this reading He explained the nature of platoons, companies, battalions, brigades, divisions and army corps.
past form of “present” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading He presented, in short, an army in being.
RECRUITINGverbUS /rəˈkruːtɪŋ/
-ing form of “recruit” — register formally as a participant or member
From this reading RECRUITING The Squire's lecture was an immense success.
school-house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The village school-house overbrimmed with his "people."
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading He presented, in short, an army in being.
and nothing more
From this reading With a big blackboard behind him, and chalk in hand, the lecturer talked simply and convincingly upon a subject at that time unfamiliar to his audience, a subject vital to any understanding of military movements.
Squire's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading RECRUITING The Squire's lecture was an immense success.
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
From this reading With a big blackboard behind him, and chalk in hand, the lecturer talked simply and convincingly upon a subject at that time unfamiliar to his audience, a subject vital to any understanding of military movements.
an event that accomplishes its intended purpose
From this reading RECRUITING The Squire's lecture was an immense success.
past form of “talk” — exchange thoughts; talk with
From this reading With a big blackboard behind him, and chalk in hand, the lecturer talked simply and convincingly upon a subject at that time unfamiliar to his audience, a subject vital to any understanding of military movements.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading With a big blackboard behind him, and chalk in hand, the lecturer talked simply and convincingly upon a subject at that time unfamiliar to his audience, a subject vital to any understanding of military movements.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading RECRUITING The Squire's lecture was an immense success.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading With a big blackboard behind him, and chalk in hand, the lecturer talked simply and convincingly upon a subject at that time unfamiliar to his audience, a subject vital to any understanding of military movements.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading With a big blackboard behind him, and chalk in hand, the lecturer talked simply and convincingly upon a subject at that time unfamiliar to his audience, a subject vital to any understanding of military movements.
the cognitive condition of someone who understands
From this reading With a big blackboard behind him, and chalk in hand, the lecturer talked simply and convincingly upon a subject at that time unfamiliar to his audience, a subject vital to any understanding of military movements.
unfamiliaradjectiveUS /ˌʌnfəˈmɪljər/
not known or well known
From this reading With a big blackboard behind him, and chalk in hand, the lecturer talked simply and convincingly upon a subject at that time unfamiliar to his audience, a subject vital to any understanding of military movements.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading With a big blackboard behind him, and chalk in hand, the lecturer talked simply and convincingly upon a subject at that time unfamiliar to his audience, a subject vital to any understanding of military movements.
a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading The village school-house overbrimmed with his "people."
vitaladjectiveUS /ˈvaɪtəl/
urgently needed; absolutely necessary
From this reading With a big blackboard behind him, and chalk in hand, the lecturer talked simply and convincingly upon a subject at that time unfamiliar to his audience, a subject vital to any understanding of military movements.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading RECRUITING The Squire's lecture was an immense success.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The village school-house overbrimmed with his "people."
