used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading We had slept about four or five hours, and the short hours of the morning were beginning to be lengthened, when our slumbers were disturbed by the arrival of a messenger from the advanced pickets, who came to inform us that the enemy were moving.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading We had slept about four or five hours, and the short hours of the morning were beginning to be lengthened, when our slumbers were disturbed by the arrival of a messenger from the advanced pickets, who came to inform us that the enemy were moving.
accoutrementsnounUS /əˈkuːtərmənts/
plural of “accoutrement” — clothing that is worn or carried, but not part of your main clothing
From this reading As we had lain down in our clothes, with all our accoutrements on, we were under arms and in column in five seconds.
move forward, also in the metaphorical sense
From this reading It was not, however, deemed necessary that any immediate advance on our part should be attempted.
farther along in physical or mental development
From this reading We had slept about four or five hours, and the short hours of the morning were beginning to be lengthened, when our slumbers were disturbed by the arrival of a messenger from the advanced pickets, who came to inform us that the enemy were moving.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading As we had lain down in our clothes, with all our accoutrements on, we were under arms and in column in five seconds.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading We had stood thus about half an hour, when a second messenger from the outposts came in, from whom we learned that a blue-light had been thrown up within the enemy's lines, and that their fires were all freshly trimmed.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading We had slept about four or five hours, and the short hours of the morning were beginning to be lengthened, when our slumbers were disturbed by the arrival of a messenger from the advanced pickets, who came to inform us that the enemy were moving.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading It was not, however, deemed necessary that any immediate advance on our part should be attempted.
weapons considered collectively
From this reading As we had lain down in our clothes, with all our accoutrements on, we were under arms and in column in five seconds.
accomplishment of an objective
From this reading We had slept about four or five hours, and the short hours of the morning were beginning to be lengthened, when our slumbers were disturbed by the arrival of a messenger from the advanced pickets, who came to inform us that the enemy were moving.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As we had lain down in our clothes, with all our accoutrements on, we were under arms and in column in five seconds.
tried unsuccessfully
From this reading It was not, however, deemed necessary that any immediate advance on our part should be attempted.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading We had slept about four or five hours, and the short hours of the morning were beginning to be lengthened, when our slumbers were disturbed by the arrival of a messenger from the advanced pickets, who came to inform us that the enemy were moving.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading We had stood thus about half an hour, when a second messenger from the outposts came in, from whom we learned that a blue-light had been thrown up within the enemy's lines, and that their fires were all freshly trimmed.
the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading We had slept about four or five hours, and the short hours of the morning were beginning to be lengthened, when our slumbers were disturbed by the arrival of a messenger from the advanced pickets, who came to inform us that the enemy were moving.
bespeakverbUS /bɪˈspiːk/
be a signal for or a symptom of
From this reading We remained, on the contrary, quiet in the church; but, standing in our ranks, we were perfectly ready to march to any quarter where the sound of firing might bespeak our presence necessary.
blue-light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We had stood thus about half an hour, when a second messenger from the outposts came in, from whom we learned that a blue-light had been thrown up within the enemy's lines, and that their fires were all freshly trimmed.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading We remained, on the contrary, quiet in the church; but, standing in our ranks, we were perfectly ready to march to any quarter where the sound of firing might bespeak our presence necessary.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading We had slept about four or five hours, and the short hours of the morning were beginning to be lengthened, when our slumbers were disturbed by the arrival of a messenger from the advanced pickets, who came to inform us that the enemy were moving.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading We had slept about four or five hours, and the short hours of the morning were beginning to be lengthened, when our slumbers were disturbed by the arrival of a messenger from the advanced pickets, who came to inform us that the enemy were moving.
one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of worship
From this reading We remained, on the contrary, quiet in the church; but, standing in our ranks, we were perfectly ready to march to any quarter where the sound of firing might bespeak our presence necessary.
clothing in general
From this reading As we had lain down in our clothes, with all our accoutrements on, we were under arms and in column in five seconds.
columnnounUS /ˈkɑːləm/
a line of units following one after another
From this reading As we had lain down in our clothes, with all our accoutrements on, we were under arms and in column in five seconds.
very opposed in nature or character or purpose
From this reading We remained, on the contrary, quiet in the church; but, standing in our ranks, we were perfectly ready to march to any quarter where the sound of firing might bespeak our presence necessary.
deemedverbUS /diːmd/
past form of “deem” — keep in mind or convey as a conviction or view
From this reading It was not, however, deemed necessary that any immediate advance on our part should be attempted.
having the place or position changed
From this reading We had slept about four or five hours, and the short hours of the morning were beginning to be lengthened, when our slumbers were disturbed by the arrival of a messenger from the advanced pickets, who came to inform us that the enemy were moving.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading As we had lain down in our clothes, with all our accoutrements on, we were under arms and in column in five seconds.
an opposing military force
From this reading We had slept about four or five hours, and the short hours of the morning were beginning to be lengthened, when our slumbers were disturbed by the arrival of a messenger from the advanced pickets, who came to inform us that the enemy were moving.
enemy'snounUS /ˈenəmiz/
possessive form of “enemy” — an opposing military force
From this reading We had stood thus about half an hour, when a second messenger from the outposts came in, from whom we learned that a blue-light had been thrown up within the enemy's lines, and that their fires were all freshly trimmed.
plural of “fire” — the event of something burning (often destructive)
From this reading We had stood thus about half an hour, when a second messenger from the outposts came in, from whom we learned that a blue-light had been thrown up within the enemy's lines, and that their fires were all freshly trimmed.
firingnounUS /ˈfaɪrɪŋ/
the act of firing weapons or artillery at an enemy
From this reading We remained, on the contrary, quiet in the church; but, standing in our ranks, we were perfectly ready to march to any quarter where the sound of firing might bespeak our presence necessary.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading We had slept about four or five hours, and the short hours of the morning were beginning to be lengthened, when our slumbers were disturbed by the arrival of a messenger from the advanced pickets, who came to inform us that the enemy were moving.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading We had slept about four or five hours, and the short hours of the morning were beginning to be lengthened, when our slumbers were disturbed by the arrival of a messenger from the advanced pickets, who came to inform us that the enemy were moving.
freshlyadverbUS /ˈfreʃli/
very recently
From this reading We had stood thus about half an hour, when a second messenger from the outposts came in, from whom we learned that a blue-light had been thrown up within the enemy's lines, and that their fires were all freshly trimmed.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading We had slept about four or five hours, and the short hours of the morning were beginning to be lengthened, when our slumbers were disturbed by the arrival of a messenger from the advanced pickets, who came to inform us that the enemy were moving.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading We had slept about four or five hours, and the short hours of the morning were beginning to be lengthened, when our slumbers were disturbed by the arrival of a messenger from the advanced pickets, who came to inform us that the enemy were moving.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading We had stood thus about half an hour, when a second messenger from the outposts came in, from whom we learned that a blue-light had been thrown up within the enemy's lines, and that their fires were all freshly trimmed.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading We had stood thus about half an hour, when a second messenger from the outposts came in, from whom we learned that a blue-light had been thrown up within the enemy's lines, and that their fires were all freshly trimmed.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading We had slept about four or five hours, and the short hours of the morning were beginning to be lengthened, when our slumbers were disturbed by the arrival of a messenger from the advanced pickets, who came to inform us that the enemy were moving.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading It was not, however, deemed necessary that any immediate advance on our part should be attempted.
of the present time and place
From this reading It was not, however, deemed necessary that any immediate advance on our part should be attempted.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading As we had lain down in our clothes, with all our accoutrements on, we were under arms and in column in five seconds.
informverbUS /ˌɪnˈfɔːrm/
impart knowledge of some fact, state of affairs, or event to
From this reading We had slept about four or five hours, and the short hours of the morning were beginning to be lengthened, when our slumbers were disturbed by the arrival of a messenger from the advanced pickets, who came to inform us that the enemy were moving.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was not, however, deemed necessary that any immediate advance on our part should be attempted.
lainverbUS /leɪn/
inflected form of “lie” — be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position
From this reading As we had lain down in our clothes, with all our accoutrements on, we were under arms and in column in five seconds.
having or showing profound knowledge
From this reading We had stood thus about half an hour, when a second messenger from the outposts came in, from whom we learned that a blue-light had been thrown up within the enemy's lines, and that their fires were all freshly trimmed.
lengthenedadjectiveUS /ˈleŋθənd/
drawn out or made longer spatially
From this reading We had slept about four or five hours, and the short hours of the morning were beginning to be lengthened, when our slumbers were disturbed by the arrival of a messenger from the advanced pickets, who came to inform us that the enemy were moving.
plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading We had stood thus about half an hour, when a second messenger from the outposts came in, from whom we learned that a blue-light had been thrown up within the enemy's lines, and that their fires were all freshly trimmed.
march in a procession
From this reading We remained, on the contrary, quiet in the church; but, standing in our ranks, we were perfectly ready to march to any quarter where the sound of firing might bespeak our presence necessary.
a person who carries a message
From this reading We had slept about four or five hours, and the short hours of the morning were beginning to be lengthened, when our slumbers were disturbed by the arrival of a messenger from the advanced pickets, who came to inform us that the enemy were moving.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading We remained, on the contrary, quiet in the church; but, standing in our ranks, we were perfectly ready to march to any quarter where the sound of firing might bespeak our presence necessary.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading We had slept about four or five hours, and the short hours of the morning were beginning to be lengthened, when our slumbers were disturbed by the arrival of a messenger from the advanced pickets, who came to inform us that the enemy were moving.
in motion
From this reading We had slept about four or five hours, and the short hours of the morning were beginning to be lengthened, when our slumbers were disturbed by the arrival of a messenger from the advanced pickets, who came to inform us that the enemy were moving.
absolutely essential
From this reading It was not, however, deemed necessary that any immediate advance on our part should be attempted.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It was not, however, deemed necessary that any immediate advance on our part should be attempted.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading We had slept about four or five hours, and the short hours of the morning were beginning to be lengthened, when our slumbers were disturbed by the arrival of a messenger from the advanced pickets, who came to inform us that the enemy were moving.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading As we had lain down in our clothes, with all our accoutrements on, we were under arms and in column in five seconds.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading We had slept about four or five hours, and the short hours of the morning were beginning to be lengthened, when our slumbers were disturbed by the arrival of a messenger from the advanced pickets, who came to inform us that the enemy were moving.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading We had slept about four or five hours, and the short hours of the morning were beginning to be lengthened, when our slumbers were disturbed by the arrival of a messenger from the advanced pickets, who came to inform us that the enemy were moving.
outpostsnounUS /ˈaʊtpoʊsts/
plural of “outpost” — a station in a remote or sparsely populated location
From this reading We had stood thus about half an hour, when a second messenger from the outposts came in, from whom we learned that a blue-light had been thrown up within the enemy's lines, and that their fires were all freshly trimmed.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading It was not, however, deemed necessary that any immediate advance on our part should be attempted.
completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers
From this reading We remained, on the contrary, quiet in the church; but, standing in our ranks, we were perfectly ready to march to any quarter where the sound of firing might bespeak our presence necessary.
picketsnounUS /ˈpɪkəts/
plural of “picket” — a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
From this reading We had slept about four or five hours, and the short hours of the morning were beginning to be lengthened, when our slumbers were disturbed by the arrival of a messenger from the advanced pickets, who came to inform us that the enemy were moving.
the state of being present; current existence
From this reading We remained, on the contrary, quiet in the church; but, standing in our ranks, we were perfectly ready to march to any quarter where the sound of firing might bespeak our presence necessary.
one of four equal parts
From this reading We remained, on the contrary, quiet in the church; but, standing in our ranks, we were perfectly ready to march to any quarter where the sound of firing might bespeak our presence necessary.
quietadjectiveUS /ˈkwaɪət/
characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity
From this reading We remained, on the contrary, quiet in the church; but, standing in our ranks, we were perfectly ready to march to any quarter where the sound of firing might bespeak our presence necessary.
ranksnounUS /ræŋks/
plural of “rank” — a row or line of people (especially soldiers or police) standing abreast of one another
From this reading We remained, on the contrary, quiet in the church; but, standing in our ranks, we were perfectly ready to march to any quarter where the sound of firing might bespeak our presence necessary.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading We remained, on the contrary, quiet in the church; but, standing in our ranks, we were perfectly ready to march to any quarter where the sound of firing might bespeak our presence necessary.
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading We remained, on the contrary, quiet in the church; but, standing in our ranks, we were perfectly ready to march to any quarter where the sound of firing might bespeak our presence necessary.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading We had stood thus about half an hour, when a second messenger from the outposts came in, from whom we learned that a blue-light had been thrown up within the enemy's lines, and that their fires were all freshly trimmed.
plural of “second” — 1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading As we had lain down in our clothes, with all our accoutrements on, we were under arms and in column in five seconds.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading We had slept about four or five hours, and the short hours of the morning were beginning to be lengthened, when our slumbers were disturbed by the arrival of a messenger from the advanced pickets, who came to inform us that the enemy were moving.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading It was not, however, deemed necessary that any immediate advance on our part should be attempted.
inflected form of “sleep” — be asleep
From this reading We had slept about four or five hours, and the short hours of the morning were beginning to be lengthened, when our slumbers were disturbed by the arrival of a messenger from the advanced pickets, who came to inform us that the enemy were moving.
slumbers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We had slept about four or five hours, and the short hours of the morning were beginning to be lengthened, when our slumbers were disturbed by the arrival of a messenger from the advanced pickets, who came to inform us that the enemy were moving.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading We remained, on the contrary, quiet in the church; but, standing in our ranks, we were perfectly ready to march to any quarter where the sound of firing might bespeak our presence necessary.
having a supporting base
From this reading We remained, on the contrary, quiet in the church; but, standing in our ranks, we were perfectly ready to march to any quarter where the sound of firing might bespeak our presence necessary.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading We had stood thus about half an hour, when a second messenger from the outposts came in, from whom we learned that a blue-light had been thrown up within the enemy's lines, and that their fires were all freshly trimmed.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading We had slept about four or five hours, and the short hours of the morning were beginning to be lengthened, when our slumbers were disturbed by the arrival of a messenger from the advanced pickets, who came to inform us that the enemy were moving.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading We had slept about four or five hours, and the short hours of the morning were beginning to be lengthened, when our slumbers were disturbed by the arrival of a messenger from the advanced pickets, who came to inform us that the enemy were moving.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading We had stood thus about half an hour, when a second messenger from the outposts came in, from whom we learned that a blue-light had been thrown up within the enemy's lines, and that their fires were all freshly trimmed.
caused to fall to the ground
From this reading We had stood thus about half an hour, when a second messenger from the outposts came in, from whom we learned that a blue-light had been thrown up within the enemy's lines, and that their fires were all freshly trimmed.
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading We had stood thus about half an hour, when a second messenger from the outposts came in, from whom we learned that a blue-light had been thrown up within the enemy's lines, and that their fires were all freshly trimmed.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading We had slept about four or five hours, and the short hours of the morning were beginning to be lengthened, when our slumbers were disturbed by the arrival of a messenger from the advanced pickets, who came to inform us that the enemy were moving.
trimmedadjectiveUS /trɪmd/
made neat and tidy by trimming
From this reading We had stood thus about half an hour, when a second messenger from the outposts came in, from whom we learned that a blue-light had been thrown up within the enemy's lines, and that their fires were all freshly trimmed.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading As we had lain down in our clothes, with all our accoutrements on, we were under arms and in column in five seconds.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading We had stood thus about half an hour, when a second messenger from the outposts came in, from whom we learned that a blue-light had been thrown up within the enemy's lines, and that their fires were all freshly trimmed.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading We had slept about four or five hours, and the short hours of the morning were beginning to be lengthened, when our slumbers were disturbed by the arrival of a messenger from the advanced pickets, who came to inform us that the enemy were moving.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was not, however, deemed necessary that any immediate advance on our part should be attempted.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We had slept about four or five hours, and the short hours of the morning were beginning to be lengthened, when our slumbers were disturbed by the arrival of a messenger from the advanced pickets, who came to inform us that the enemy were moving.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading We had slept about four or five hours, and the short hours of the morning were beginning to be lengthened, when our slumbers were disturbed by the arrival of a messenger from the advanced pickets, who came to inform us that the enemy were moving.
at the time that
From this reading We had slept about four or five hours, and the short hours of the morning were beginning to be lengthened, when our slumbers were disturbed by the arrival of a messenger from the advanced pickets, who came to inform us that the enemy were moving.
in or at the place that
From this reading We remained, on the contrary, quiet in the church; but, standing in our ranks, we were perfectly ready to march to any quarter where the sound of firing might bespeak our presence necessary.
which person or people
From this reading We had slept about four or five hours, and the short hours of the morning were beginning to be lengthened, when our slumbers were disturbed by the arrival of a messenger from the advanced pickets, who came to inform us that the enemy were moving.
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading We had stood thus about half an hour, when a second messenger from the outposts came in, from whom we learned that a blue-light had been thrown up within the enemy's lines, and that their fires were all freshly trimmed.
in the company of; together with
From this reading As we had lain down in our clothes, with all our accoutrements on, we were under arms and in column in five seconds.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading We had stood thus about half an hour, when a second messenger from the outposts came in, from whom we learned that a blue-light had been thrown up within the enemy's lines, and that their fires were all freshly trimmed.
