used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading DISCOVERING A PLOT.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Cadets when they leave West Point after their four years of drill and study are supposed to be fully competent officers, ready to do their share of handling Uncle Sam’s army.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading This, of course, includes the building of bridges upon which an army may cross a river or stream; it was that the corps was practicing that day.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The cadets of the first class were the “engineering corps” and they were giving the orders; the plebes, quite naturally, were doing the work, carrying out the heavy logs and fastening them in place under the watchful eyes of their superiors.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Cadets when they leave West Point after their four years of drill and study are supposed to be fully competent officers, ready to do their share of handling Uncle Sam’s army.
a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state
From this reading Cadets when they leave West Point after their four years of drill and study are supposed to be fully competent officers, ready to do their share of handling Uncle Sam’s army.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Cadets when they leave West Point after their four years of drill and study are supposed to be fully competent officers, ready to do their share of handling Uncle Sam’s army.
a structure that allows people or vehicles to cross an obstacle such as a river or canal or railway etc.
From this reading The cadets were building a pontoon bridge, the second one that summer.
bridgesnounUS /ˈbrɪdʒəz/
United States labor leader who organized the longshoremen (1901-1990)
From this reading This, of course, includes the building of bridges upon which an army may cross a river or stream; it was that the corps was practicing that day.
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading The cadets were building a pontoon bridge, the second one that summer.
cadetsnounUS /kəˈdets/
plural of “cadet” — a military trainee (as at a military academy)
From this reading The cadets were building a pontoon bridge, the second one that summer.
-ing form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading The cadets of the first class were the “engineering corps” and they were giving the orders; the plebes, quite naturally, were doing the work, carrying out the heavy logs and fastening them in place under the watchful eyes of their superiors.
a collection of things sharing a common attribute
From this reading The cadets of the first class were the “engineering corps” and they were giving the orders; the plebes, quite naturally, were doing the work, carrying out the heavy logs and fastening them in place under the watchful eyes of their superiors.
competentadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːmpətɪnt/
properly or sufficiently qualified or capable or efficient
From this reading Cadets when they leave West Point after their four years of drill and study are supposed to be fully competent officers, ready to do their share of handling Uncle Sam’s army.
corpsnounUS /kɔːr/
an army unit usually consisting of two or more divisions and their support
From this reading The cadets of the first class were the “engineering corps” and they were giving the orders; the plebes, quite naturally, were doing the work, carrying out the heavy logs and fastening them in place under the watchful eyes of their superiors.
education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings
From this reading This, of course, includes the building of bridges upon which an army may cross a river or stream; it was that the corps was practicing that day.
travel across or pass over
From this reading This, of course, includes the building of bridges upon which an army may cross a river or stream; it was that the corps was practicing that day.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading This, of course, includes the building of bridges upon which an army may cross a river or stream; it was that the corps was practicing that day.
DISCOVERINGverbUS /dɪˈskʌvərɪŋ/
-ing form of “discover” — discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of
From this reading DISCOVERING A PLOT.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading Cadets when they leave West Point after their four years of drill and study are supposed to be fully competent officers, ready to do their share of handling Uncle Sam’s army.
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading The cadets of the first class were the “engineering corps” and they were giving the orders; the plebes, quite naturally, were doing the work, carrying out the heavy logs and fastening them in place under the watchful eyes of their superiors.
drillverbUS /drɪl/
make a hole, especially with a pointed power or hand tool
From this reading Cadets when they leave West Point after their four years of drill and study are supposed to be fully competent officers, ready to do their share of handling Uncle Sam’s army.
engineeringnounUS /ˈendʒəˈnɪrɪŋ/
the practical application of technical and scientific knowledge to commerce or industry
From this reading The cadets of the first class were the “engineering corps” and they were giving the orders; the plebes, quite naturally, were doing the work, carrying out the heavy logs and fastening them in place under the watchful eyes of their superiors.
opinion or judgment
From this reading The cadets of the first class were the “engineering corps” and they were giving the orders; the plebes, quite naturally, were doing the work, carrying out the heavy logs and fastening them in place under the watchful eyes of their superiors.
fasteningnounUS /ˈfæsənɪŋ/
restraint that attaches to something or holds something in place
From this reading The cadets of the first class were the “engineering corps” and they were giving the orders; the plebes, quite naturally, were doing the work, carrying out the heavy logs and fastening them in place under the watchful eyes of their superiors.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The cadets of the first class were the “engineering corps” and they were giving the orders; the plebes, quite naturally, were doing the work, carrying out the heavy logs and fastening them in place under the watchful eyes of their superiors.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading Cadets when they leave West Point after their four years of drill and study are supposed to be fully competent officers, ready to do their share of handling Uncle Sam’s army.
to the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (“full” in this sense is used as a combining form)
From this reading Cadets when they leave West Point after their four years of drill and study are supposed to be fully competent officers, ready to do their share of handling Uncle Sam’s army.
the act of giving
From this reading The cadets of the first class were the “engineering corps” and they were giving the orders; the plebes, quite naturally, were doing the work, carrying out the heavy logs and fastening them in place under the watchful eyes of their superiors.
handlingnounUS /ˈhændlɪŋ/
manual (or mechanical) carrying or moving or delivering or working with something
From this reading Cadets when they leave West Point after their four years of drill and study are supposed to be fully competent officers, ready to do their share of handling Uncle Sam’s army.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading The cadets of the first class were the “engineering corps” and they were giving the orders; the plebes, quite naturally, were doing the work, carrying out the heavy logs and fastening them in place under the watchful eyes of their superiors.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The cadets of the first class were the “engineering corps” and they were giving the orders; the plebes, quite naturally, were doing the work, carrying out the heavy logs and fastening them in place under the watchful eyes of their superiors.
includesverbUS /ˌɪnˈkluːdz/
third-person singular of “include” — have as a part, be made up out of
From this reading This, of course, includes the building of bridges upon which an army may cross a river or stream; it was that the corps was practicing that day.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading This, of course, includes the building of bridges upon which an army may cross a river or stream; it was that the corps was practicing that day.
go away from a place
From this reading Cadets when they leave West Point after their four years of drill and study are supposed to be fully competent officers, ready to do their share of handling Uncle Sam’s army.
logsnounUS /lɔːɡz/
plural of “log” — a segment of the trunk of a tree when stripped of branches
From this reading The cadets of the first class were the “engineering corps” and they were giving the orders; the plebes, quite naturally, were doing the work, carrying out the heavy logs and fastening them in place under the watchful eyes of their superiors.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading This, of course, includes the building of bridges upon which an army may cross a river or stream; it was that the corps was practicing that day.
as might be expected
From this reading The cadets of the first class were the “engineering corps” and they were giving the orders; the plebes, quite naturally, were doing the work, carrying out the heavy logs and fastening them in place under the watchful eyes of their superiors.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The cadets of the first class were the “engineering corps” and they were giving the orders; the plebes, quite naturally, were doing the work, carrying out the heavy logs and fastening them in place under the watchful eyes of their superiors.
plural of “officer” — any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading Cadets when they leave West Point after their four years of drill and study are supposed to be fully competent officers, ready to do their share of handling Uncle Sam’s army.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The cadets were building a pontoon bridge, the second one that summer.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading This, of course, includes the building of bridges upon which an army may cross a river or stream; it was that the corps was practicing that day.
plural of “order” — (often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading The cadets of the first class were the “engineering corps” and they were giving the orders; the plebes, quite naturally, were doing the work, carrying out the heavy logs and fastening them in place under the watchful eyes of their superiors.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The cadets of the first class were the “engineering corps” and they were giving the orders; the plebes, quite naturally, were doing the work, carrying out the heavy logs and fastening them in place under the watchful eyes of their superiors.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading The cadets of the first class were the “engineering corps” and they were giving the orders; the plebes, quite naturally, were doing the work, carrying out the heavy logs and fastening them in place under the watchful eyes of their superiors.
plebes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The cadets of the first class were the “engineering corps” and they were giving the orders; the plebes, quite naturally, were doing the work, carrying out the heavy logs and fastening them in place under the watchful eyes of their superiors.
PLOTnounUS /plɑːt/
a secret scheme to do something (especially something underhand or illegal)
From this reading DISCOVERING A PLOT.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading Cadets when they leave West Point after their four years of drill and study are supposed to be fully competent officers, ready to do their share of handling Uncle Sam’s army.
pontoonnounUS /pɑːnˈtuːn/
(nautical) a floating structure (as a flat-bottomed boat) that serves as a dock or to support a bridge
From this reading The cadets were building a pontoon bridge, the second one that summer.
practicingverbUS /ˈpræktəsɪŋ/
-ing form of “practice” — carry out or practice; as of jobs and professions
From this reading This, of course, includes the building of bridges upon which an army may cross a river or stream; it was that the corps was practicing that day.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading The cadets of the first class were the “engineering corps” and they were giving the orders; the plebes, quite naturally, were doing the work, carrying out the heavy logs and fastening them in place under the watchful eyes of their superiors.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading Cadets when they leave West Point after their four years of drill and study are supposed to be fully competent officers, ready to do their share of handling Uncle Sam’s army.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading This, of course, includes the building of bridges upon which an army may cross a river or stream; it was that the corps was practicing that day.
Sam'snounUS /sæmz/
possessive form of “sam” — a guided missile fired from land or shipboard against an airborne target
From this reading Cadets when they leave West Point after their four years of drill and study are supposed to be fully competent officers, ready to do their share of handling Uncle Sam’s army.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading The cadets were building a pontoon bridge, the second one that summer.
have in common
From this reading Cadets when they leave West Point after their four years of drill and study are supposed to be fully competent officers, ready to do their share of handling Uncle Sam’s army.
a natural body of running water flowing on or under the earth
From this reading This, of course, includes the building of bridges upon which an army may cross a river or stream; it was that the corps was practicing that day.
a detailed critical inspection
From this reading Cadets when they leave West Point after their four years of drill and study are supposed to be fully competent officers, ready to do their share of handling Uncle Sam’s army.
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading The cadets were building a pontoon bridge, the second one that summer.
superiorsnounUS /suːˈpɪriərz/
plural of “superior” — one of greater rank or station or quality
From this reading The cadets of the first class were the “engineering corps” and they were giving the orders; the plebes, quite naturally, were doing the work, carrying out the heavy logs and fastening them in place under the watchful eyes of their superiors.
required or under orders
From this reading Cadets when they leave West Point after their four years of drill and study are supposed to be fully competent officers, ready to do their share of handling Uncle Sam’s army.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The cadets were building a pontoon bridge, the second one that summer.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The cadets were building a pontoon bridge, the second one that summer.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The cadets of the first class were the “engineering corps” and they were giving the orders; the plebes, quite naturally, were doing the work, carrying out the heavy logs and fastening them in place under the watchful eyes of their superiors.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The cadets of the first class were the “engineering corps” and they were giving the orders; the plebes, quite naturally, were doing the work, carrying out the heavy logs and fastening them in place under the watchful eyes of their superiors.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The cadets of the first class were the “engineering corps” and they were giving the orders; the plebes, quite naturally, were doing the work, carrying out the heavy logs and fastening them in place under the watchful eyes of their superiors.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This, of course, includes the building of bridges upon which an army may cross a river or stream; it was that the corps was practicing that day.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Cadets when they leave West Point after their four years of drill and study are supposed to be fully competent officers, ready to do their share of handling Uncle Sam’s army.
the brother of your father or mother; the husband of your aunt
From this reading Cadets when they leave West Point after their four years of drill and study are supposed to be fully competent officers, ready to do their share of handling Uncle Sam’s army.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading The cadets of the first class were the “engineering corps” and they were giving the orders; the plebes, quite naturally, were doing the work, carrying out the heavy logs and fastening them in place under the watchful eyes of their superiors.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading This, of course, includes the building of bridges upon which an army may cross a river or stream; it was that the corps was practicing that day.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This, of course, includes the building of bridges upon which an army may cross a river or stream; it was that the corps was practicing that day.
watchfuladjectiveUS /ˈwɑːtʃfəl/
engaged in or accustomed to close observation
From this reading The cadets of the first class were the “engineering corps” and they were giving the orders; the plebes, quite naturally, were doing the work, carrying out the heavy logs and fastening them in place under the watchful eyes of their superiors.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The cadets were building a pontoon bridge, the second one that summer.
the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
From this reading Cadets when they leave West Point after their four years of drill and study are supposed to be fully competent officers, ready to do their share of handling Uncle Sam’s army.
at the time that
From this reading Cadets when they leave West Point after their four years of drill and study are supposed to be fully competent officers, ready to do their share of handling Uncle Sam’s army.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading This, of course, includes the building of bridges upon which an army may cross a river or stream; it was that the corps was practicing that day.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading The cadets of the first class were the “engineering corps” and they were giving the orders; the plebes, quite naturally, were doing the work, carrying out the heavy logs and fastening them in place under the watchful eyes of their superiors.
a late time of life
From this reading Cadets when they leave West Point after their four years of drill and study are supposed to be fully competent officers, ready to do their share of handling Uncle Sam’s army.
