used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A.B.C.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading Particularly to one who, like the writer, has never been able to think in initials, any more than in dates or figures.
abracadabranounUS /ˌæbrəkəˈdæbrə/
gibberish and nonsense
From this reading To them the string of letters they reel off is no meaningless form, no mere abracadabra to impress the supplicant, but each is a living thing, coloured, definitely patterned, standing for something in flesh and blood, or stone and mortar; something concrete and present to the mind's eye at the mere mention.
(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 The members of the B.E.F.--and that at least is a set of letters that conveys something to all of us--not only live amidst initials, but are themselves embodied initials.
amidstprepositionUS /əˈmɪdst/
in the middle of; surrounded by
From this reading The members of the B.E.F.--and that at least is a set of letters that conveys something to all of us--not only live amidst initials, but are themselves embodied initials.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading This world of initials ... in which the members of the British Expeditionary Force live and move--it is a bewildering place for the outsider.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Particularly to one who, like the writer, has never been able to think in initials, any more than in dates or figures.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The members of the B.E.F.--and that at least is a set of letters that conveys something to all of us--not only live amidst initials, but are themselves embodied initials.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The members of the B.E.F.--and that at least is a set of letters that conveys something to all of us--not only live amidst initials, but are themselves embodied initials.
aerobic rod-shaped spore-producing bacterium; often occurring in chainlike formations; found primarily in soil
From this reading A.B.C.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Particularly to one who, like the writer, has never been able to think in initials, any more than in dates or figures.
bewilderingverbUS /bɪˈwɪldərɪŋ/
-ing form of “bewilder” — be a mystery or bewildering to
From this reading This world of initials ... in which the members of the British Expeditionary Force live and move--it is a bewildering place for the outsider.
The red fluid that circulates in the heart and blood vessels.
From this reading To them the string of letters they reel off is no meaningless form, no mere abracadabra to impress the supplicant, but each is a living thing, coloured, definitely patterned, standing for something in flesh and blood, or stone and mortar; something concrete and present to the mind's eye at the mere mention.
the people of Great Britain
From this reading This world of initials ... in which the members of the British Expeditionary Force live and move--it is a bewildering place for the outsider.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The members of the B.E.F.--and that at least is a set of letters that conveys something to all of us--not only live amidst initials, but are themselves embodied initials.
a degree on the centigrade scale of temperature
From this reading A.B.C.
colouredadjectiveUS /ˈkʌlərd/
having color or a certain color; sometimes used in combination
From this reading To them the string of letters they reel off is no meaningless form, no mere abracadabra to impress the supplicant, but each is a living thing, coloured, definitely patterned, standing for something in flesh and blood, or stone and mortar; something concrete and present to the mind's eye at the mere mention.
concreteadjectiveUS /kənˈkriːt/
capable of being perceived by the senses; not abstract or imaginary
From this reading To them the string of letters they reel off is no meaningless form, no mere abracadabra to impress the supplicant, but each is a living thing, coloured, definitely patterned, standing for something in flesh and blood, or stone and mortar; something concrete and present to the mind's eye at the mere mention.
conveysverbUS /kənˈveɪz/
third-person singular of “convey” — (of information) make known; pass on
From this reading The members of the B.E.F.--and that at least is a set of letters that conveys something to all of us--not only live amidst initials, but are themselves embodied initials.
datesnounUS /deɪts/
plural of “date” — the specified day of the month
From this reading Particularly to one who, like the writer, has never been able to think in initials, any more than in dates or figures.
definitelyadverbUS /ˈdefənətli/
without question and beyond doubt
From this reading To them the string of letters they reel off is no meaningless form, no mere abracadabra to impress the supplicant, but each is a living thing, coloured, definitely patterned, standing for something in flesh and blood, or stone and mortar; something concrete and present to the mind's eye at the mere mention.
a fat-soluble vitamin that is essential for normal reproduction; an important antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals in the body
From this reading The members of the B.E.F.--and that at least is a set of letters that conveys something to all of us--not only live amidst initials, but are themselves embodied initials.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading To them the string of letters they reel off is no meaningless form, no mere abracadabra to impress the supplicant, but each is a living thing, coloured, definitely patterned, standing for something in flesh and blood, or stone and mortar; something concrete and present to the mind's eye at the mere mention.
embodiedadjectiveUS /ɪmˈbɑːdid/
possessing or existing in bodily form
From this reading The members of the B.E.F.--and that at least is a set of letters that conveys something to all of us--not only live amidst initials, but are themselves embodied initials.
ExpeditionaryadjectiveUS /ˌekspəˈdɪʃəneri/
(used of military forces) designed for military operations abroad
From this reading This world of initials ... in which the members of the British Expeditionary Force live and move--it is a bewildering place for the outsider.
the organ of sight
From this reading To them the string of letters they reel off is no meaningless form, no mere abracadabra to impress the supplicant, but each is a living thing, coloured, definitely patterned, standing for something in flesh and blood, or stone and mortar; something concrete and present to the mind's eye at the mere mention.
a degree on the Fahrenheit scale of temperature
From this reading The members of the B.E.F.--and that at least is a set of letters that conveys something to all of us--not only live amidst initials, but are themselves embodied initials.
plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading Particularly to one who, like the writer, has never been able to think in initials, any more than in dates or figures.
the soft tissue of the body of a vertebrate: mainly muscle tissue and fat
From this reading To them the string of letters they reel off is no meaningless form, no mere abracadabra to impress the supplicant, but each is a living thing, coloured, definitely patterned, standing for something in flesh and blood, or stone and mortar; something concrete and present to the mind's eye at the mere mention.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading This world of initials ... in which the members of the British Expeditionary Force live and move--it is a bewildering place for the outsider.
a powerful effect or influence
From this reading This world of initials ... in which the members of the British Expeditionary Force live and move--it is a bewildering place for the outsider.
the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading To them the string of letters they reel off is no meaningless form, no mere abracadabra to impress the supplicant, but each is a living thing, coloured, definitely patterned, standing for something in flesh and blood, or stone and mortar; something concrete and present to the mind's eye at the mere mention.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Particularly to one who, like the writer, has never been able to think in initials, any more than in dates or figures.
impressverbUS /ˌɪmˈpres/
have an emotional or cognitive impact upon
From this reading To them the string of letters they reel off is no meaningless form, no mere abracadabra to impress the supplicant, but each is a living thing, coloured, definitely patterned, standing for something in flesh and blood, or stone and mortar; something concrete and present to the mind's eye at the mere mention.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading This world of initials ... in which the members of the British Expeditionary Force live and move--it is a bewildering place for the outsider.
initialsnounUS /ˌɪˈnɪʃəlz/
plural of “initial” — the first letter of a word (especially a person's name)
From this reading This world of initials ... in which the members of the British Expeditionary Force live and move--it is a bewildering place for the outsider.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This world of initials ... in which the members of the British Expeditionary Force live and move--it is a bewildering place for the outsider.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading This world of initials ... in which the members of the British Expeditionary Force live and move--it is a bewildering place for the outsider.
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 The members of the B.E.F.--and that at least is a set of letters that conveys something to all of us--not only live amidst initials, but are themselves embodied initials.
the literary culture
From this reading The members of the B.E.F.--and that at least is a set of letters that conveys something to all of us--not only live amidst initials, but are themselves embodied initials.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Particularly to one who, like the writer, has never been able to think in initials, any more than in dates or figures.
be an inhabitant of or reside in
From this reading This world of initials ... in which the members of the British Expeditionary Force live and move--it is a bewildering place for the outsider.
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading To them the string of letters they reel off is no meaningless form, no mere abracadabra to impress the supplicant, but each is a living thing, coloured, definitely patterned, standing for something in flesh and blood, or stone and mortar; something concrete and present to the mind's eye at the mere mention.
meaninglessadjectiveUS /ˈmiːnɪŋləs/
having no meaning or direction or purpose
From this reading To them the string of letters they reel off is no meaningless form, no mere abracadabra to impress the supplicant, but each is a living thing, coloured, definitely patterned, standing for something in flesh and blood, or stone and mortar; something concrete and present to the mind's eye at the mere mention.
plural of “member” — one of the persons who compose a social group (especially individuals who have joined and participate in a group organization)
From this reading This world of initials ... in which the members of the British Expeditionary Force live and move--it is a bewildering place for the outsider.
make reference to
From this reading To them the string of letters they reel off is no meaningless form, no mere abracadabra to impress the supplicant, but each is a living thing, coloured, definitely patterned, standing for something in flesh and blood, or stone and mortar; something concrete and present to the mind's eye at the mere mention.
being nothing more than specified
From this reading To them the string of letters they reel off is no meaningless form, no mere abracadabra to impress the supplicant, but each is a living thing, coloured, definitely patterned, standing for something in flesh and blood, or stone and mortar; something concrete and present to the mind's eye at the mere mention.
mind'snounUS /maɪndz/
possessive form of “mind” — that which is responsible for one's thoughts, feelings, and conscious brain functions; the seat of the faculty of reason
From this reading To them the string of letters they reel off is no meaningless form, no mere abracadabra to impress the supplicant, but each is a living thing, coloured, definitely patterned, standing for something in flesh and blood, or stone and mortar; something concrete and present to the mind's eye at the mere mention.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Particularly to one who, like the writer, has never been able to think in initials, any more than in dates or figures.
mortarnounUS /ˈmɔːrtər/
a muzzle-loading high-angle gun with a short barrel that fires shells at high elevations for a short range
From this reading To them the string of letters they reel off is no meaningless form, no mere abracadabra to impress the supplicant, but each is a living thing, coloured, definitely patterned, standing for something in flesh and blood, or stone and mortar; something concrete and present to the mind's eye at the mere mention.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading This world of initials ... in which the members of the British Expeditionary Force live and move--it is a bewildering place for the outsider.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading Particularly to one who, like the writer, has never been able to think in initials, any more than in dates or figures.
not any; not one
From this reading To them the string of letters they reel off is no meaningless form, no mere abracadabra to impress the supplicant, but each is a living thing, coloured, definitely patterned, standing for something in flesh and blood, or stone and mortar; something concrete and present to the mind's eye at the mere mention.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The members of the B.E.F.--and that at least is a set of letters that conveys something to all of us--not only live amidst initials, but are themselves embodied initials.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading This world of initials ... in which the members of the British Expeditionary Force live and move--it is a bewildering place for the outsider.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading To them the string of letters they reel off is no meaningless form, no mere abracadabra to impress the supplicant, but each is a living thing, coloured, definitely patterned, standing for something in flesh and blood, or stone and mortar; something concrete and present to the mind's eye at the mere mention.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Particularly to one who, like the writer, has never been able to think in initials, any more than in dates or figures.
and nothing more
From this reading The members of the B.E.F.--and that at least is a set of letters that conveys something to all of us--not only live amidst initials, but are themselves embodied initials.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Particularly to one who, like the writer, has never been able to think in initials, any more than in dates or figures.
outsidernounUS /ˌaʊtˈsaɪ.dər/
A person who does not belong to a particular group or community; a stranger.
From this reading This world of initials ... in which the members of the British Expeditionary Force live and move--it is a bewildering place for the outsider.
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
From this reading Particularly to one who, like the writer, has never been able to think in initials, any more than in dates or figures.
patternedadjectiveUS /ˈpætərnd/
having patterns (especially colorful patterns)
From this reading To them the string of letters they reel off is no meaningless form, no mere abracadabra to impress the supplicant, but each is a living thing, coloured, definitely patterned, standing for something in flesh and blood, or stone and mortar; something concrete and present to the mind's eye at the mere mention.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading This world of initials ... in which the members of the British Expeditionary Force live and move--it is a bewildering place for the outsider.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading To them the string of letters they reel off is no meaningless form, no mere abracadabra to impress the supplicant, but each is a living thing, coloured, definitely patterned, standing for something in flesh and blood, or stone and mortar; something concrete and present to the mind's eye at the mere mention.
reelverbUS /riːl/
walk as if unable to control one's movements
From this reading To them the string of letters they reel off is no meaningless form, no mere abracadabra to impress the supplicant, but each is a living thing, coloured, definitely patterned, standing for something in flesh and blood, or stone and mortar; something concrete and present to the mind's eye at the mere mention.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The members of the B.E.F.--and that at least is a set of letters that conveys something to all of us--not only live amidst initials, but are themselves embodied initials.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading The members of the B.E.F.--and that at least is a set of letters that conveys something to all of us--not only live amidst initials, but are themselves embodied initials.
having a supporting base
From this reading To them the string of letters they reel off is no meaningless form, no mere abracadabra to impress the supplicant, but each is a living thing, coloured, definitely patterned, standing for something in flesh and blood, or stone and mortar; something concrete and present to the mind's eye at the mere mention.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading To them the string of letters they reel off is no meaningless form, no mere abracadabra to impress the supplicant, but each is a living thing, coloured, definitely patterned, standing for something in flesh and blood, or stone and mortar; something concrete and present to the mind's eye at the mere mention.
a lightweight cord
From this reading To them the string of letters they reel off is no meaningless form, no mere abracadabra to impress the supplicant, but each is a living thing, coloured, definitely patterned, standing for something in flesh and blood, or stone and mortar; something concrete and present to the mind's eye at the mere mention.
supplicantnounUS /ˈsʌpləkənt/
someone who prays to God
From this reading To them the string of letters they reel off is no meaningless form, no mere abracadabra to impress the supplicant, but each is a living thing, coloured, definitely patterned, standing for something in flesh and blood, or stone and mortar; something concrete and present to the mind's eye at the mere mention.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Particularly to one who, like the writer, has never been able to think in initials, any more than in dates or figures.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The members of the B.E.F.--and that at least is a set of letters that conveys something to all of us--not only live amidst initials, but are themselves embodied initials.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading This world of initials ... in which the members of the British Expeditionary Force live and move--it is a bewildering place for the outsider.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading To them the string of letters they reel off is no meaningless form, no mere abracadabra to impress the supplicant, but each is a living thing, coloured, definitely patterned, standing for something in flesh and blood, or stone and mortar; something concrete and present to the mind's eye at the mere mention.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading The members of the B.E.F.--and that at least is a set of letters that conveys something to all of us--not only live amidst initials, but are themselves embodied initials.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading To them the string of letters they reel off is no meaningless form, no mere abracadabra to impress the supplicant, but each is a living thing, coloured, definitely patterned, standing for something in flesh and blood, or stone and mortar; something concrete and present to the mind's eye at the mere mention.
a special situation
From this reading To them the string of letters they reel off is no meaningless form, no mere abracadabra to impress the supplicant, but each is a living thing, coloured, definitely patterned, standing for something in flesh and blood, or stone and mortar; something concrete and present to the mind's eye at the mere mention.
judge or regard; look upon; judge
From this reading Particularly to one who, like the writer, has never been able to think in initials, any more than in dates or figures.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This world of initials ... in which the members of the British Expeditionary Force live and move--it is a bewildering place for the outsider.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Particularly to one who, like the writer, has never been able to think in initials, any more than in dates or figures.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The members of the B.E.F.--and that at least is a set of letters that conveys something to all of us--not only live amidst initials, but are themselves embodied initials.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading This world of initials ... in which the members of the British Expeditionary Force live and move--it is a bewildering place for the outsider.
which person or people
From this reading Particularly to one who, like the writer, has never been able to think in initials, any more than in dates or figures.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading This world of initials ... in which the members of the British Expeditionary Force live and move--it is a bewildering place for the outsider.
writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading Particularly to one who, like the writer, has never been able to think in initials, any more than in dates or figures.
