Chapter XX

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading A SOLDIER’S ERRAND The capture of Colonel Gratiot, following upon Isabey’s narrow escape, made an immense stir in the county.

(followed by “to”) in agreement with or accordant with

From this reading The greatest braggart in the county had died like a hero, cheering on his men; the softest spoken university-bred men had become hard swearers and iron disciplinarians; the most shiftless of idlers had made admirable soldiers; and all seemed to go according to the law of contrary.

a formal charge of wrongdoing brought against a person; the act of imputing blame or guilt

From this reading From a little spark of suspicion grew a great flame of accusation against Angela.

deserving of the highest esteem or admiration

From this reading The greatest braggart in the county had died like a hero, cheering on his men; the softest spoken university-bred men had become hard swearers and iron disciplinarians; the most shiftless of idlers had made admirable soldiers; and all seemed to go according to the law of contrary.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading From a little spark of suspicion grew a great flame of accusation against Angela.

(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 greatest braggart in the county had died like a hero, cheering on his men; the softest spoken university-bred men had become hard swearers and iron disciplinarians; the most shiftless of idlers had made admirable soldiers; and all seemed to go according to the law of contrary.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading A SOLDIER’S ERRAND The capture of Colonel Gratiot, following upon Isabey’s narrow escape, made an immense stir in the county.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading There had been other descents by night and day upon places, and a few Confederate private soldiers had been picked up, but there had been nothing like the concerted design which had resulted in the capture of officers.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading From a little spark of suspicion grew a great flame of accusation against Angela.

any person at all

From this reading The minds of men and women were so unbalanced, so tortured, so driven hither by calamity, that anything could be believed of anyone.

any thing at all

From this reading The minds of men and women were so unbalanced, so tortured, so driven hither by calamity, that anything could be believed of anyone.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading The minds of men and women were so unbalanced, so tortured, so driven hither by calamity, that anything could be believed of anyone.

enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading The greatest braggart in the county had died like a hero, cheering on his men; the softest spoken university-bred men had become hard swearers and iron disciplinarians; the most shiftless of idlers had made admirable soldiers; and all seemed to go according to the law of contrary.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading There had been other descents by night and day upon places, and a few Confederate private soldiers had been picked up, but there had been nothing like the concerted design which had resulted in the capture of officers.

past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true

From this reading The minds of men and women were so unbalanced, so tortured, so driven hither by calamity, that anything could be believed of anyone.

a very boastful and talkative person

From this reading The greatest braggart in the county had died like a hero, cheering on his men; the softest spoken university-bred men had become hard swearers and iron disciplinarians; the most shiftless of idlers had made admirable soldiers; and all seemed to go according to the law of contrary.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading There had been other descents by night and day upon places, and a few Confederate private soldiers had been picked up, but there had been nothing like the concerted design which had resulted in the capture of officers.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading There had been other descents by night and day upon places, and a few Confederate private soldiers had been picked up, but there had been nothing like the concerted design which had resulted in the capture of officers.

an event resulting in great loss and misfortune

From this reading The minds of men and women were so unbalanced, so tortured, so driven hither by calamity, that anything could be believed of anyone.

succeed in representing or expressing something intangible

From this reading A SOLDIER’S ERRAND The capture of Colonel Gratiot, following upon Isabey’s narrow escape, made an immense stir in the county.

encouragement in the form of cheers from spectators

From this reading The greatest braggart in the county had died like a hero, cheering on his men; the softest spoken university-bred men had become hard swearers and iron disciplinarians; the most shiftless of idlers had made admirable soldiers; and all seemed to go according to the law of contrary.

a commissioned military officer in the United States Army or Air Force or Marines who ranks above a lieutenant colonel and below a brigadier general

From this reading A SOLDIER’S ERRAND The capture of Colonel Gratiot, following upon Isabey’s narrow escape, made an immense stir in the county.

involving the joint activity of two or more

From this reading There had been other descents by night and day upon places, and a few Confederate private soldiers had been picked up, but there had been nothing like the concerted design which had resulted in the capture of officers.

a supporter of the Confederate States of America

From this reading There had been other descents by night and day upon places, and a few Confederate private soldiers had been picked up, but there had been nothing like the concerted design which had resulted in the capture of officers.

very opposed in nature or character or purpose

From this reading The greatest braggart in the county had died like a hero, cheering on his men; the softest spoken university-bred men had become hard swearers and iron disciplinarians; the most shiftless of idlers had made admirable soldiers; and all seemed to go according to the law of contrary.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading The minds of men and women were so unbalanced, so tortured, so driven hither by calamity, that anything could be believed of anyone.

(United Kingdom) a region created by territorial division for the purpose of local government

From this reading A SOLDIER’S ERRAND The capture of Colonel Gratiot, following upon Isabey’s narrow escape, made an immense stir in the county.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading There had been other descents by night and day upon places, and a few Confederate private soldiers had been picked up, but there had been nothing like the concerted design which had resulted in the capture of officers.

plural of “descent” — a movement downward

From this reading There had been other descents by night and day upon places, and a few Confederate private soldiers had been picked up, but there had been nothing like the concerted design which had resulted in the capture of officers.

the act of working out the form of something (as by making a sketch or outline or plan)

From this reading There had been other descents by night and day upon places, and a few Confederate private soldiers had been picked up, but there had been nothing like the concerted design which had resulted in the capture of officers.

past form of “die” — pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life

From this reading The greatest braggart in the county had died like a hero, cheering on his men; the softest spoken university-bred men had become hard swearers and iron disciplinarians; the most shiftless of idlers had made admirable soldiers; and all seemed to go according to the law of contrary.

plural of “disciplinarian” — someone who demands exact conformity to rules and forms

From this reading The greatest braggart in the county had died like a hero, cheering on his men; the softest spoken university-bred men had become hard swearers and iron disciplinarians; the most shiftless of idlers had made admirable soldiers; and all seemed to go according to the law of contrary.

compelled forcibly by an outside agency

From this reading The minds of men and women were so unbalanced, so tortured, so driven hither by calamity, that anything could be believed of anyone.

a short trip that is taken in the performance of a necessary task or mission

From this reading A SOLDIER’S ERRAND The capture of Colonel Gratiot, following upon Isabey’s narrow escape, made an immense stir in the county.

the act of escaping physically

From this reading A SOLDIER’S ERRAND The capture of Colonel Gratiot, following upon Isabey’s narrow escape, made an immense stir in the county.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading There had been other descents by night and day upon places, and a few Confederate private soldiers had been picked up, but there had been nothing like the concerted design which had resulted in the capture of officers.

A hot glowing body of ignited gas produced by fire.

From this reading From a little spark of suspicion grew a great flame of accusation against Angela.

about to be mentioned or specified

From this reading A SOLDIER’S ERRAND The capture of Colonel Gratiot, following upon Isabey’s narrow escape, made an immense stir in the county.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading From a little spark of suspicion grew a great flame of accusation against Angela.

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading The greatest braggart in the county had died like a hero, cheering on his men; the softest spoken university-bred men had become hard swearers and iron disciplinarians; the most shiftless of idlers had made admirable soldiers; and all seemed to go according to the law of contrary.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A SOLDIER’S ERRAND The capture of Colonel Gratiot, following upon Isabey’s narrow escape, made an immense stir in the county.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading From a little spark of suspicion grew a great flame of accusation against Angela.

highest in quality

From this reading The greatest braggart in the county had died like a hero, cheering on his men; the softest spoken university-bred men had become hard swearers and iron disciplinarians; the most shiftless of idlers had made admirable soldiers; and all seemed to go according to the law of contrary.

inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become

From this reading From a little spark of suspicion grew a great flame of accusation against Angela.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading There had been other descents by night and day upon places, and a few Confederate private soldiers had been picked up, but there had been nothing like the concerted design which had resulted in the capture of officers.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading The greatest braggart in the county had died like a hero, cheering on his men; the softest spoken university-bred men had become hard swearers and iron disciplinarians; the most shiftless of idlers had made admirable soldiers; and all seemed to go according to the law of contrary.

a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength

From this reading The greatest braggart in the county had died like a hero, cheering on his men; the softest spoken university-bred men had become hard swearers and iron disciplinarians; the most shiftless of idlers had made admirable soldiers; and all seemed to go according to the law of contrary.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading The greatest braggart in the county had died like a hero, cheering on his men; the softest spoken university-bred men had become hard swearers and iron disciplinarians; the most shiftless of idlers had made admirable soldiers; and all seemed to go according to the law of contrary.

an old word meaning “to this place”

From this reading The minds of men and women were so unbalanced, so tortured, so driven hither by calamity, that anything could be believed of anyone.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The greatest braggart in the county had died like a hero, cheering on his men; the softest spoken university-bred men had become hard swearers and iron disciplinarians; the most shiftless of idlers had made admirable soldiers; and all seemed to go according to the law of contrary.

unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope

From this reading A SOLDIER’S ERRAND The capture of Colonel Gratiot, following upon Isabey’s narrow escape, made an immense stir in the county.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading A SOLDIER’S ERRAND The capture of Colonel Gratiot, following upon Isabey’s narrow escape, made an immense stir in the county.

a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood

From this reading The greatest braggart in the county had died like a hero, cheering on his men; the softest spoken university-bred men had become hard swearers and iron disciplinarians; the most shiftless of idlers had made admirable soldiers; and all seemed to go according to the law of contrary.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A SOLDIER’S ERRAND The capture of Colonel Gratiot, following upon Isabey’s narrow escape, made an immense stir in the county.

the collection of rules imposed by authority

From this reading The greatest braggart in the county had died like a hero, cheering on his men; the softest spoken university-bred men had become hard swearers and iron disciplinarians; the most shiftless of idlers had made admirable soldiers; and all seemed to go according to the law of contrary.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading There had been other descents by night and day upon places, and a few Confederate private soldiers had been picked up, but there had been nothing like the concerted design which had resulted in the capture of officers.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading From a little spark of suspicion grew a great flame of accusation against Angela.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading A SOLDIER’S ERRAND The capture of Colonel Gratiot, following upon Isabey’s narrow escape, made an immense stir in the county.

the force of workers available

From this reading The minds of men and women were so unbalanced, so tortured, so driven hither by calamity, that anything could be believed of anyone.

plural 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 The minds of men and women were so unbalanced, so tortured, so driven hither by calamity, that anything could be believed of anyone.

used to form the superlative

From this reading The greatest braggart in the county had died like a hero, cheering on his men; the softest spoken university-bred men had become hard swearers and iron disciplinarians; the most shiftless of idlers had made admirable soldiers; and all seemed to go according to the law of contrary.

make or become more narrow or restricted

From this reading A SOLDIER’S ERRAND The capture of Colonel Gratiot, following upon Isabey’s narrow escape, made an immense stir in the county.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading There had been other descents by night and day upon places, and a few Confederate private soldiers had been picked up, but there had been nothing like the concerted design which had resulted in the capture of officers.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading There had been other descents by night and day upon places, and a few Confederate private soldiers had been picked up, but there had been nothing like the concerted design which had resulted in the capture of officers.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A SOLDIER’S ERRAND The capture of Colonel Gratiot, following upon Isabey’s narrow escape, made an immense stir in the county.

plural of “officer” — any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command

From this reading There had been other descents by night and day upon places, and a few Confederate private soldiers had been picked up, but there had been nothing like the concerted design which had resulted in the capture of officers.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The greatest braggart in the county had died like a hero, cheering on his men; the softest spoken university-bred men had become hard swearers and iron disciplinarians; the most shiftless of idlers had made admirable soldiers; and all seemed to go according to the law of contrary.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading There had been other descents by night and day upon places, and a few Confederate private soldiers had been picked up, but there had been nothing like the concerted design which had resulted in the capture of officers.

past form of “pick” — select carefully from a group

From this reading There had been other descents by night and day upon places, and a few Confederate private soldiers had been picked up, but there had been nothing like the concerted design which had resulted in the capture of officers.

plural of “place” — a point located with respect to surface features of some region

From this reading There had been other descents by night and day upon places, and a few Confederate private soldiers had been picked up, but there had been nothing like the concerted design which had resulted in the capture of officers.

confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy

From this reading There had been other descents by night and day upon places, and a few Confederate private soldiers had been picked up, but there had been nothing like the concerted design which had resulted in the capture of officers.

past form of “result” — issue or terminate (in a specified way, state, etc.); end

From this reading There had been other descents by night and day upon places, and a few Confederate private soldiers had been picked up, but there had been nothing like the concerted design which had resulted in the capture of officers.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading The greatest braggart in the county had died like a hero, cheering on his men; the softest spoken university-bred men had become hard swearers and iron disciplinarians; the most shiftless of idlers had made admirable soldiers; and all seemed to go according to the law of contrary.

lacking or characterized by lack of ambition or initiative; lazy

From this reading The greatest braggart in the county had died like a hero, cheering on his men; the softest spoken university-bred men had become hard swearers and iron disciplinarians; the most shiftless of idlers had made admirable soldiers; and all seemed to go according to the law of contrary.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The minds of men and women were so unbalanced, so tortured, so driven hither by calamity, that anything could be believed of anyone.

superlative of “soft” — yielding readily to pressure or weight

From this reading The greatest braggart in the county had died like a hero, cheering on his men; the softest spoken university-bred men had become hard swearers and iron disciplinarians; the most shiftless of idlers had made admirable soldiers; and all seemed to go according to the law of contrary.

possessive form of “soldier” — an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army

From this reading A SOLDIER’S ERRAND The capture of Colonel Gratiot, following upon Isabey’s narrow escape, made an immense stir in the county.

plural of “soldier” — an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army

From this reading There had been other descents by night and day upon places, and a few Confederate private soldiers had been picked up, but there had been nothing like the concerted design which had resulted in the capture of officers.

a momentary flash of light

From this reading From a little spark of suspicion grew a great flame of accusation against Angela.

uttered through the medium of speech or characterized by speech; sometimes used in combination

From this reading The greatest braggart in the county had died like a hero, cheering on his men; the softest spoken university-bred men had become hard swearers and iron disciplinarians; the most shiftless of idlers had made admirable soldiers; and all seemed to go according to the law of contrary.

move an implement through

From this reading A SOLDIER’S ERRAND The capture of Colonel Gratiot, following upon Isabey’s narrow escape, made an immense stir in the county.

an impression that something might be the case

From this reading From a little spark of suspicion grew a great flame of accusation against Angela.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The greatest braggart in the county had died like a hero, cheering on his men; the softest spoken university-bred men had become hard swearers and iron disciplinarians; the most shiftless of idlers had made admirable soldiers; and all seemed to go according to the law of contrary.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The minds of men and women were so unbalanced, so tortured, so driven hither by calamity, that anything could be believed of anyone.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading A SOLDIER’S ERRAND The capture of Colonel Gratiot, following upon Isabey’s narrow escape, made an immense stir in the county.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There had been other descents by night and day upon places, and a few Confederate private soldiers had been picked up, but there had been nothing like the concerted design which had resulted in the capture of officers.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading The greatest braggart in the county had died like a hero, cheering on his men; the softest spoken university-bred men had become hard swearers and iron disciplinarians; the most shiftless of idlers had made admirable soldiers; and all seemed to go according to the law of contrary.

experiencing intense pain especially mental pain

From this reading The minds of men and women were so unbalanced, so tortured, so driven hither by calamity, that anything could be believed of anyone.

being or thrown out of equilibrium

From this reading The minds of men and women were so unbalanced, so tortured, so driven hither by calamity, that anything could be believed of anyone.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The greatest braggart in the county had died like a hero, cheering on his men; the softest spoken university-bred men had become hard swearers and iron disciplinarians; the most shiftless of idlers had made admirable soldiers; and all seemed to go according to the law of contrary.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading There had been other descents by night and day upon places, and a few Confederate private soldiers had been picked up, but there had been nothing like the concerted design which had resulted in the capture of officers.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading A SOLDIER’S ERRAND The capture of Colonel Gratiot, following upon Isabey’s narrow escape, made an immense stir in the county.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading The minds of men and women were so unbalanced, so tortured, so driven hither by calamity, that anything could be believed of anyone.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading There had been other descents by night and day upon places, and a few Confederate private soldiers had been picked up, but there had been nothing like the concerted design which had resulted in the capture of officers.

plural of “woman” — an adult female person (as opposed to a man)

From this reading The minds of men and women were so unbalanced, so tortured, so driven hither by calamity, that anything could be believed of anyone.