used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading They guessed that there would soon be a great deal of recruiting for various corps, and so set to work at once to secure the best men.
aimedverbUS /eɪmd/
past form of “aim” — point or cause to go (blows, weapons, or objects such as photographic equipment) towards
From this reading The stamp of men they aimed at getting was the colonial-born Englishman, both because such men have more self-respect, independence of character, and “gumption,” than the ordinary drifting sediment from the fields and seaports, and also because they were practically ready-made soldiers.
in addition
From this reading The stamp of men they aimed at getting was the colonial-born Englishman, both because such men have more self-respect, independence of character, and “gumption,” than the ordinary drifting sediment from the fields and seaports, and also because they were practically ready-made soldiers.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Ernest and Jeremy did not let the grass grow under their feet.
artauxiliary verbUS /ɑːrt/
an old form of “are”, used with “thou”
From this reading They could ride as well as they could walk, they were splendid rifle-shots, and they had, too, from childhood, been trained in the art of travelling without baggage, and very rapidly.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading They could ride as well as they could walk, they were splendid rifle-shots, and they had, too, from childhood, been trained in the art of travelling without baggage, and very rapidly.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading They guessed that there would soon be a great deal of recruiting for various corps, and so set to work at once to secure the best men.
baggagenounUS /ˈbæɡədʒ/
cases used to carry belongings when traveling
From this reading They could ride as well as they could walk, they were splendid rifle-shots, and they had, too, from childhood, been trained in the art of travelling without baggage, and very rapidly.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading They guessed that there would soon be a great deal of recruiting for various corps, and so set to work at once to secure the best men.
for the reason that
From this reading The stamp of men they aimed at getting was the colonial-born Englishman, both because such men have more self-respect, independence of character, and “gumption,” than the ordinary drifting sediment from the fields and seaports, and also because they were practically ready-made soldiers.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading They could ride as well as they could walk, they were splendid rifle-shots, and they had, too, from childhood, been trained in the art of travelling without baggage, and very rapidly.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading They guessed that there would soon be a great deal of recruiting for various corps, and so set to work at once to secure the best men.
the two together, not just one
From this reading The stamp of men they aimed at getting was the colonial-born Englishman, both because such men have more self-respect, independence of character, and “gumption,” than the ordinary drifting sediment from the fields and seaports, and also because they were practically ready-made soldiers.
an imaginary person represented in a work of fiction (play or film or story)
From this reading The stamp of men they aimed at getting was the colonial-born Englishman, both because such men have more self-respect, independence of character, and “gumption,” than the ordinary drifting sediment from the fields and seaports, and also because they were practically ready-made soldiers.
childhoodnounUS /ˈtʃaɪldhʊd/
the time of person's life when they are a child
From this reading They could ride as well as they could walk, they were splendid rifle-shots, and they had, too, from childhood, been trained in the art of travelling without baggage, and very rapidly.
colonial-born
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stamp of men they aimed at getting was the colonial-born Englishman, both because such men have more self-respect, independence of character, and “gumption,” than the ordinary drifting sediment from the fields and seaports, and also because they were practically ready-made soldiers.
corpsnounUS /kɔːr/
an army unit usually consisting of two or more divisions and their support
From this reading They guessed that there would soon be a great deal of recruiting for various corps, and so set to work at once to secure the best men.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading They could ride as well as they could walk, they were splendid rifle-shots, and they had, too, from childhood, been trained in the art of travelling without baggage, and very rapidly.
act on verbally or in some form of artistic expression
From this reading They guessed that there would soon be a great deal of recruiting for various corps, and so set to work at once to secure the best men.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Ernest and Jeremy did not let the grass grow under their feet.
an effort that is inconvenient
From this reading Ernest did not find much difficulty in the task.
driftingnounUS /ˈdrɪftɪŋ/
aimless wandering from place to place
From this reading The stamp of men they aimed at getting was the colonial-born Englishman, both because such men have more self-respect, independence of character, and “gumption,” than the ordinary drifting sediment from the fields and seaports, and also because they were practically ready-made soldiers.
EnglishmannounUS /ˈɪŋɡlɪʃmən/
a man who is a native or inhabitant of England
From this reading The stamp of men they aimed at getting was the colonial-born Englishman, both because such men have more self-respect, independence of character, and “gumption,” than the ordinary drifting sediment from the fields and seaports, and also because they were practically ready-made soldiers.
Ernest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ernest and Jeremy did not let the grass grow under their feet.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Ernest and Jeremy did not let the grass grow under their feet.
United States comedian and film actor (1880-1946)
From this reading The stamp of men they aimed at getting was the colonial-born Englishman, both because such men have more self-respect, independence of character, and “gumption,” than the ordinary drifting sediment from the fields and seaports, and also because they were practically ready-made soldiers.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading Ernest did not find much difficulty in the task.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading They guessed that there would soon be a great deal of recruiting for various corps, and so set to work at once to secure the best men.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The stamp of men they aimed at getting was the colonial-born Englishman, both because such men have more self-respect, independence of character, and “gumption,” than the ordinary drifting sediment from the fields and seaports, and also because they were practically ready-made soldiers.
the act of acquiring something
From this reading The stamp of men they aimed at getting was the colonial-born Englishman, both because such men have more self-respect, independence of character, and “gumption,” than the ordinary drifting sediment from the fields and seaports, and also because they were practically ready-made soldiers.
shoot down, of birds
From this reading Ernest and Jeremy did not let the grass grow under their feet.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading They guessed that there would soon be a great deal of recruiting for various corps, and so set to work at once to secure the best men.
pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading Ernest and Jeremy did not let the grass grow under their feet.
past form of “guess” — expect, believe, or suppose
From this reading They guessed that there would soon be a great deal of recruiting for various corps, and so set to work at once to secure the best men.
gumptionnounUS /ˈɡʌmpʃən/
sound practical judgment
From this reading The stamp of men they aimed at getting was the colonial-born Englishman, both because such men have more self-respect, independence of character, and “gumption,” than the ordinary drifting sediment from the fields and seaports, and also because they were practically ready-made soldiers.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading They could ride as well as they could walk, they were splendid rifle-shots, and they had, too, from childhood, been trained in the art of travelling without baggage, and very rapidly.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The stamp of men they aimed at getting was the colonial-born Englishman, both because such men have more self-respect, independence of character, and “gumption,” than the ordinary drifting sediment from the fields and seaports, and also because they were practically ready-made soldiers.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading They could ride as well as they could walk, they were splendid rifle-shots, and they had, too, from childhood, been trained in the art of travelling without baggage, and very rapidly.
independencenounUS /ˌɪndɪˈpendəns/
freedom from control or influence of another or others
From this reading The stamp of men they aimed at getting was the colonial-born Englishman, both because such men have more self-respect, independence of character, and “gumption,” than the ordinary drifting sediment from the fields and seaports, and also because they were practically ready-made soldiers.
Jeremy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ernest and Jeremy did not let the grass grow under their feet.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading Ernest and Jeremy did not let the grass grow under their feet.
the force of workers available
From this reading They guessed that there would soon be a great deal of recruiting for various corps, and so set to work at once to secure the best men.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The stamp of men they aimed at getting was the colonial-born Englishman, both because such men have more self-respect, independence of character, and “gumption,” than the ordinary drifting sediment from the fields and seaports, and also because they were practically ready-made soldiers.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading Ernest did not find much difficulty in the task.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Ernest and Jeremy did not let the grass grow under their feet.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading They guessed that there would soon be a great deal of recruiting for various corps, and so set to work at once to secure the best men.
on one occasion
From this reading They guessed that there would soon be a great deal of recruiting for various corps, and so set to work at once to secure the best men.
a judge of a probate court
From this reading The stamp of men they aimed at getting was the colonial-born Englishman, both because such men have more self-respect, independence of character, and “gumption,” than the ordinary drifting sediment from the fields and seaports, and also because they were practically ready-made soldiers.
practicallyadverbUS /ˈpræktɪkli/
almost; nearly
From this reading The stamp of men they aimed at getting was the colonial-born Englishman, both because such men have more self-respect, independence of character, and “gumption,” than the ordinary drifting sediment from the fields and seaports, and also because they were practically ready-made soldiers.
with speed
From this reading They could ride as well as they could walk, they were splendid rifle-shots, and they had, too, from childhood, been trained in the art of travelling without baggage, and very rapidly.
ready-madeadjective
made for purchase and immediate use
From this reading The stamp of men they aimed at getting was the colonial-born Englishman, both because such men have more self-respect, independence of character, and “gumption,” than the ordinary drifting sediment from the fields and seaports, and also because they were practically ready-made soldiers.
recruitingverbUS /rəˈkruːtɪŋ/
-ing form of “recruit” — register formally as a participant or member
From this reading They guessed that there would soon be a great deal of recruiting for various corps, and so set to work at once to secure the best men.
sit and travel on the back of animal, usually while controlling its motions
From this reading They could ride as well as they could walk, they were splendid rifle-shots, and they had, too, from childhood, been trained in the art of travelling without baggage, and very rapidly.
rifle-shots
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They could ride as well as they could walk, they were splendid rifle-shots, and they had, too, from childhood, been trained in the art of travelling without baggage, and very rapidly.
seaportsnounUS /ˈsiːpɔːrts/
plural of “seaport” — a sheltered port where ships can take on or discharge cargo
From this reading The stamp of men they aimed at getting was the colonial-born Englishman, both because such men have more self-respect, independence of character, and “gumption,” than the ordinary drifting sediment from the fields and seaports, and also because they were practically ready-made soldiers.
get by special effort
From this reading They guessed that there would soon be a great deal of recruiting for various corps, and so set to work at once to secure the best men.
sedimentnounUS /ˈsedəmənt/
matter that has been deposited by some natural process
From this reading The stamp of men they aimed at getting was the colonial-born Englishman, both because such men have more self-respect, independence of character, and “gumption,” than the ordinary drifting sediment from the fields and seaports, and also because they were practically ready-made soldiers.
self-respectnounUS /ˌselfrɪˈspekt/
the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect
From this reading The stamp of men they aimed at getting was the colonial-born Englishman, both because such men have more self-respect, independence of character, and “gumption,” than the ordinary drifting sediment from the fields and seaports, and also because they were practically ready-made soldiers.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading They guessed that there would soon be a great deal of recruiting for various corps, and so set to work at once to secure the best men.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading They guessed that there would soon be a great deal of recruiting for various corps, and so set to work at once to secure the best men.
plural of “soldier” — an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army
From this reading The stamp of men they aimed at getting was the colonial-born Englishman, both because such men have more self-respect, independence of character, and “gumption,” than the ordinary drifting sediment from the fields and seaports, and also because they were practically ready-made soldiers.
in the near future
From this reading They guessed that there would soon be a great deal of recruiting for various corps, and so set to work at once to secure the best men.
having great beauty and splendor
From this reading They could ride as well as they could walk, they were splendid rifle-shots, and they had, too, from childhood, been trained in the art of travelling without baggage, and very rapidly.
stampverbUS /stæmp/
walk heavily
From this reading The stamp of men they aimed at getting was the colonial-born Englishman, both because such men have more self-respect, independence of character, and “gumption,” than the ordinary drifting sediment from the fields and seaports, and also because they were practically ready-made soldiers.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading The stamp of men they aimed at getting was the colonial-born Englishman, both because such men have more self-respect, independence of character, and “gumption,” than the ordinary drifting sediment from the fields and seaports, and also because they were practically ready-made soldiers.
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading Ernest did not find much difficulty in the task.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The stamp of men they aimed at getting was the colonial-born Englishman, both because such men have more self-respect, independence of character, and “gumption,” than the ordinary drifting sediment from the fields and seaports, and also because they were practically ready-made soldiers.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading They guessed that there would soon be a great deal of recruiting for various corps, and so set to work at once to secure the best men.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Ernest and Jeremy did not let the grass grow under their feet.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Ernest and Jeremy did not let the grass grow under their feet.
in or at that place or location
From this reading They guessed that there would soon be a great deal of recruiting for various corps, and so set to work at once to secure the best men.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They guessed that there would soon be a great deal of recruiting for various corps, and so set to work at once to secure the best men.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They guessed that there would soon be a great deal of recruiting for various corps, and so set to work at once to secure the best men.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading They could ride as well as they could walk, they were splendid rifle-shots, and they had, too, from childhood, been trained in the art of travelling without baggage, and very rapidly.
trainedadjectiveUS /treɪnd/
shaped or conditioned or disciplined by training; often used as a combining form
From this reading They could ride as well as they could walk, they were splendid rifle-shots, and they had, too, from childhood, been trained in the art of travelling without baggage, and very rapidly.
the act of going from one place to another
From this reading They could ride as well as they could walk, they were splendid rifle-shots, and they had, too, from childhood, been trained in the art of travelling without baggage, and very rapidly.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Ernest and Jeremy did not let the grass grow under their feet.
of many different kinds purposefully arranged but lacking any uniformity
From this reading They guessed that there would soon be a great deal of recruiting for various corps, and so set to work at once to secure the best men.
precisely as stated
From this reading They could ride as well as they could walk, they were splendid rifle-shots, and they had, too, from childhood, been trained in the art of travelling without baggage, and very rapidly.
the act of traveling by foot
From this reading They could ride as well as they could walk, they were splendid rifle-shots, and they had, too, from childhood, been trained in the art of travelling without baggage, and very rapidly.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The stamp of men they aimed at getting was the colonial-born Englishman, both because such men have more self-respect, independence of character, and “gumption,” than the ordinary drifting sediment from the fields and seaports, and also because they were practically ready-made soldiers.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading They could ride as well as they could walk, they were splendid rifle-shots, and they had, too, from childhood, been trained in the art of travelling without baggage, and very rapidly.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The stamp of men they aimed at getting was the colonial-born Englishman, both because such men have more self-respect, independence of character, and “gumption,” than the ordinary drifting sediment from the fields and seaports, and also because they were practically ready-made soldiers.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading They could ride as well as they could walk, they were splendid rifle-shots, and they had, too, from childhood, been trained in the art of travelling without baggage, and very rapidly.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading They guessed that there would soon be a great deal of recruiting for various corps, and so set to work at once to secure the best men.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading They guessed that there would soon be a great deal of recruiting for various corps, and so set to work at once to secure the best men.
