Chapter XII · Chapter 12

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

From this reading Massena, however, entrenched himself in a very strong position, and Wellington could no more attack him than he could attack the lines of Torres Vedras; so that both armies faced each other in inactivity until the beginning of March, when Massena broke up his camp and began to retreat.

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

From this reading ALBUERA.

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

From this reading Massena, however, entrenched himself in a very strong position, and Wellington could no more attack him than he could attack the lines of Torres Vedras; so that both armies faced each other in inactivity until the beginning of March, when Massena broke up his camp and began to retreat.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading When, in the beginning of November, Massena fell back to Sautarem, the greater portion of the army followed him in readiness for attack should any openings be found.

plural of “army” — a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state

From this reading Massena, however, entrenched himself in a very strong position, and Wellington could no more attack him than he could attack the lines of Torres Vedras; so that both armies faced each other in inactivity until the beginning of March, when Massena broke up his camp and began to retreat.

a permanent organization of the military land forces of a nation or state

From this reading When, in the beginning of November, Massena fell back to Sautarem, the greater portion of the army followed him in readiness for attack should any openings be found.

(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)

From this reading When, in the beginning of November, Massena fell back to Sautarem, the greater portion of the army followed him in readiness for attack should any openings be found.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading When, in the beginning of November, Massena fell back to Sautarem, the greater portion of the army followed him in readiness for attack should any openings be found.

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

From this reading When, in the beginning of November, Massena fell back to Sautarem, the greater portion of the army followed him in readiness for attack should any openings be found.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The Norfolk Rangers had been one of the regiments which had remained in their quarters on Torres Vedras throughout the winter, and great was the joy with which they received orders to strike their tents and push on in pursuit.

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading Massena, however, entrenched himself in a very strong position, and Wellington could no more attack him than he could attack the lines of Torres Vedras; so that both armies faced each other in inactivity until the beginning of March, when Massena broke up his camp and began to retreat.

the event consisting of the start of something

From this reading When, in the beginning of November, Massena fell back to Sautarem, the greater portion of the army followed him in readiness for attack should any openings be found.

the two together, not just one

From this reading Massena, however, entrenched himself in a very strong position, and Wellington could no more attack him than he could attack the lines of Torres Vedras; so that both armies faced each other in inactivity until the beginning of March, when Massena broke up his camp and began to retreat.

lacking funds

From this reading Massena, however, entrenched himself in a very strong position, and Wellington could no more attack him than he could attack the lines of Torres Vedras; so that both armies faced each other in inactivity until the beginning of March, when Massena broke up his camp and began to retreat.

temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers

From this reading Massena, however, entrenched himself in a very strong position, and Wellington could no more attack him than he could attack the lines of Torres Vedras; so that both armies faced each other in inactivity until the beginning of March, when Massena broke up his camp and began to retreat.

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

From this reading Massena, however, entrenched himself in a very strong position, and Wellington could no more attack him than he could attack the lines of Torres Vedras; so that both armies faced each other in inactivity until the beginning of March, when Massena broke up his camp and began to retreat.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading Very heavily did five months in the lines of Torres Vedras pass to the Norfolk Rangers.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading Massena, however, entrenched himself in a very strong position, and Wellington could no more attack him than he could attack the lines of Torres Vedras; so that both armies faced each other in inactivity until the beginning of March, when Massena broke up his camp and began to retreat.

dug in

From this reading Massena, however, entrenched himself in a very strong position, and Wellington could no more attack him than he could attack the lines of Torres Vedras; so that both armies faced each other in inactivity until the beginning of March, when Massena broke up his camp and began to retreat.

having a face or facing especially of a specified kind or number; often used in combination

From this reading Massena, however, entrenched himself in a very strong position, and Wellington could no more attack him than he could attack the lines of Torres Vedras; so that both armies faced each other in inactivity until the beginning of March, when Massena broke up his camp and began to retreat.

cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow

From this reading When, in the beginning of November, Massena fell back to Sautarem, the greater portion of the army followed him in readiness for attack should any openings be found.

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading Very heavily did five months in the lines of Torres Vedras pass to the Norfolk Rangers.

past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after

From this reading When, in the beginning of November, Massena fell back to Sautarem, the greater portion of the army followed him in readiness for attack should any openings be found.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading When, in the beginning of November, Massena fell back to Sautarem, the greater portion of the army followed him in readiness for attack should any openings be found.

set up or found

From this reading When, in the beginning of November, Massena fell back to Sautarem, the greater portion of the army followed him in readiness for attack should any openings be found.

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

From this reading The Norfolk Rangers had been one of the regiments which had remained in their quarters on Torres Vedras throughout the winter, and great was the joy with which they received orders to strike their tents and push on in pursuit.

greater in size or importance or degree

From this reading When, in the beginning of November, Massena fell back to Sautarem, the greater portion of the army followed him in readiness for attack should any openings be found.

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

From this reading The Norfolk Rangers had been one of the regiments which had remained in their quarters on Torres Vedras throughout the winter, and great was the joy with which they received orders to strike their tents and push on in pursuit.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Massena, however, entrenched himself in a very strong position, and Wellington could no more attack him than he could attack the lines of Torres Vedras; so that both armies faced each other in inactivity until the beginning of March, when Massena broke up his camp and began to retreat.

to a considerable degree

From this reading Very heavily did five months in the lines of Torres Vedras pass to the Norfolk Rangers.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading When, in the beginning of November, Massena fell back to Sautarem, the greater portion of the army followed him in readiness for attack should any openings be found.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading Massena, however, entrenched himself in a very strong position, and Wellington could no more attack him than he could attack the lines of Torres Vedras; so that both armies faced each other in inactivity until the beginning of March, when Massena broke up his camp and began to retreat.

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

From this reading Massena, however, entrenched himself in a very strong position, and Wellington could no more attack him than he could attack the lines of Torres Vedras; so that both armies faced each other in inactivity until the beginning of March, when Massena broke up his camp and began to retreat.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading Massena, however, entrenched himself in a very strong position, and Wellington could no more attack him than he could attack the lines of Torres Vedras; so that both armies faced each other in inactivity until the beginning of March, when Massena broke up his camp and began to retreat.

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

From this reading Very heavily did five months in the lines of Torres Vedras pass to the Norfolk Rangers.

the state of being inactive

From this reading Massena, however, entrenched himself in a very strong position, and Wellington could no more attack him than he could attack the lines of Torres Vedras; so that both armies faced each other in inactivity until the beginning of March, when Massena broke up his camp and began to retreat.

the emotion of great happiness

From this reading The Norfolk Rangers had been one of the regiments which had remained in their quarters on Torres Vedras throughout the winter, and great was the joy with which they received orders to strike their tents and push on in pursuit.

plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading Very heavily did five months in the lines of Torres Vedras pass to the Norfolk Rangers.

march in a procession

From this reading Massena, however, entrenched himself in a very strong position, and Wellington could no more attack him than he could attack the lines of Torres Vedras; so that both armies faced each other in inactivity until the beginning of March, when Massena broke up his camp and began to retreat.

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

From this reading When, in the beginning of November, Massena fell back to Sautarem, the greater portion of the army followed him in readiness for attack should any openings be found.

plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year

From this reading Very heavily did five months in the lines of Torres Vedras pass to the Norfolk Rangers.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading Massena, however, entrenched himself in a very strong position, and Wellington could no more attack him than he could attack the lines of Torres Vedras; so that both armies faced each other in inactivity until the beginning of March, when Massena broke up his camp and began to retreat.

not any; not one

From this reading Massena, however, entrenched himself in a very strong position, and Wellington could no more attack him than he could attack the lines of Torres Vedras; so that both armies faced each other in inactivity until the beginning of March, when Massena broke up his camp and began to retreat.

port city located in southeastern Virginia on the Elizabeth River at the mouth of Chesapeake Bay; headquarters of the Atlantic fleet of the United States Navy

From this reading Very heavily did five months in the lines of Torres Vedras pass to the Norfolk Rangers.

the month following October and preceding December

From this reading When, in the beginning of November, Massena fell back to Sautarem, the greater portion of the army followed him in readiness for attack should any openings be found.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Very heavily did five months in the lines of Torres Vedras pass to the Norfolk Rangers.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The Norfolk Rangers had been one of the regiments which had remained in their quarters on Torres Vedras throughout the winter, and great was the joy with which they received orders to strike their tents and push on in pursuit.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading The Norfolk Rangers had been one of the regiments which had remained in their quarters on Torres Vedras throughout the winter, and great was the joy with which they received orders to strike their tents and push on in pursuit.

plural of “opening” — an open or empty space in or between things

From this reading When, in the beginning of November, Massena fell back to Sautarem, the greater portion of the army followed him in readiness for attack should any openings be found.

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 Norfolk Rangers had been one of the regiments which had remained in their quarters on Torres Vedras throughout the winter, and great was the joy with which they received orders to strike their tents and push on in pursuit.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Massena, however, entrenched himself in a very strong position, and Wellington could no more attack him than he could attack the lines of Torres Vedras; so that both armies faced each other in inactivity until the beginning of March, when Massena broke up his camp and began to retreat.

go across or through

From this reading Very heavily did five months in the lines of Torres Vedras pass to the Norfolk Rangers.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading When, in the beginning of November, Massena fell back to Sautarem, the greater portion of the army followed him in readiness for attack should any openings be found.

the particular portion of space occupied by something

From this reading Massena, however, entrenched himself in a very strong position, and Wellington could no more attack him than he could attack the lines of Torres Vedras; so that both armies faced each other in inactivity until the beginning of March, when Massena broke up his camp and began to retreat.

the act of pursuing in an effort to overtake or capture

From this reading The Norfolk Rangers had been one of the regiments which had remained in their quarters on Torres Vedras throughout the winter, and great was the joy with which they received orders to strike their tents and push on in pursuit.

move with force

From this reading The Norfolk Rangers had been one of the regiments which had remained in their quarters on Torres Vedras throughout the winter, and great was the joy with which they received orders to strike their tents and push on in pursuit.

housing available for people to live in

From this reading The Norfolk Rangers had been one of the regiments which had remained in their quarters on Torres Vedras throughout the winter, and great was the joy with which they received orders to strike their tents and push on in pursuit.

plural of “ranger” — a member of the Texas state highway patrol; formerly a mounted lawman who maintained order on the frontier

From this reading Very heavily did five months in the lines of Torres Vedras pass to the Norfolk Rangers.

the state of having been made ready or prepared for use or action (especially military action)

From this reading When, in the beginning of November, Massena fell back to Sautarem, the greater portion of the army followed him in readiness for attack should any openings be found.

conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers

From this reading The Norfolk Rangers had been one of the regiments which had remained in their quarters on Torres Vedras throughout the winter, and great was the joy with which they received orders to strike their tents and push on in pursuit.

plural of “regiment” — army unit smaller than a division

From this reading The Norfolk Rangers had been one of the regiments which had remained in their quarters on Torres Vedras throughout the winter, and great was the joy with which they received orders to strike their tents and push on in pursuit.

past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading The Norfolk Rangers had been one of the regiments which had remained in their quarters on Torres Vedras throughout the winter, and great was the joy with which they received orders to strike their tents and push on in pursuit.

(military) withdrawal of troops to a more favorable position to escape the enemy's superior forces or after a defeat

From this reading Massena, however, entrenched himself in a very strong position, and Wellington could no more attack him than he could attack the lines of Torres Vedras; so that both armies faced each other in inactivity until the beginning of March, when Massena broke up his camp and began to retreat.

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

From this reading When, in the beginning of November, Massena fell back to Sautarem, the greater portion of the army followed him in readiness for attack should any openings be found.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading When, in the beginning of November, Massena fell back to Sautarem, the greater portion of the army followed him in readiness for attack should any openings be found.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Massena, however, entrenched himself in a very strong position, and Wellington could no more attack him than he could attack the lines of Torres Vedras; so that both armies faced each other in inactivity until the beginning of March, when Massena broke up his camp and began to retreat.

deliver a sharp blow, as with the hand, fist, or weapon

From this reading The Norfolk Rangers had been one of the regiments which had remained in their quarters on Torres Vedras throughout the winter, and great was the joy with which they received orders to strike their tents and push on in pursuit.

having strength or power greater than average or expected

From this reading Massena, however, entrenched himself in a very strong position, and Wellington could no more attack him than he could attack the lines of Torres Vedras; so that both armies faced each other in inactivity until the beginning of March, when Massena broke up his camp and began to retreat.

plural of “tent” — a portable shelter (usually of canvas stretched over supporting poles and fastened to the ground with ropes and pegs)

From this reading The Norfolk Rangers had been one of the regiments which had remained in their quarters on Torres Vedras throughout the winter, and great was the joy with which they received orders to strike their tents and push on in pursuit.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Massena, however, entrenched himself in a very strong position, and Wellington could no more attack him than he could attack the lines of Torres Vedras; so that both armies faced each other in inactivity until the beginning of March, when Massena broke up his camp and began to retreat.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Massena, however, entrenched himself in a very strong position, and Wellington could no more attack him than he could attack the lines of Torres Vedras; so that both armies faced each other in inactivity until the beginning of March, when Massena broke up his camp and began to retreat.

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

From this reading Very heavily did five months in the lines of Torres Vedras pass to the Norfolk Rangers.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The Norfolk Rangers had been one of the regiments which had remained in their quarters on Torres Vedras throughout the winter, and great was the joy with which they received orders to strike their tents and push on in pursuit.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The Norfolk Rangers had been one of the regiments which had remained in their quarters on Torres Vedras throughout the winter, and great was the joy with which they received orders to strike their tents and push on in pursuit.

in every part of a place, or for the whole of a period

From this reading The Norfolk Rangers had been one of the regiments which had remained in their quarters on Torres Vedras throughout the winter, and great was the joy with which they received orders to strike their tents and push on in pursuit.

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

From this reading Very heavily did five months in the lines of Torres Vedras pass to the Norfolk Rangers.

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

From this reading Very heavily did five months in the lines of Torres Vedras pass to the Norfolk Rangers.

up to a particular time

From this reading Massena, however, entrenched himself in a very strong position, and Wellington could no more attack him than he could attack the lines of Torres Vedras; so that both armies faced each other in inactivity until the beginning of March, when Massena broke up his camp and began to retreat.

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

From this reading Massena, however, entrenched himself in a very strong position, and Wellington could no more attack him than he could attack the lines of Torres Vedras; so that both armies faced each other in inactivity until the beginning of March, when Massena broke up his camp and began to retreat.

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

From this reading Very heavily did five months in the lines of Torres Vedras pass to the Norfolk Rangers.

precisely as stated

From this reading Very heavily did five months in the lines of Torres Vedras pass to the Norfolk Rangers.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading The Norfolk Rangers had been one of the regiments which had remained in their quarters on Torres Vedras throughout the winter, and great was the joy with which they received orders to strike their tents and push on in pursuit.

British general and statesman; he defeated Napoleon at Waterloo; subsequently served as Prime Minister (1769-1852)

From this reading Massena, however, entrenched himself in a very strong position, and Wellington could no more attack him than he could attack the lines of Torres Vedras; so that both armies faced each other in inactivity until the beginning of March, when Massena broke up his camp and began to retreat.

at the time that

From this reading When, in the beginning of November, Massena fell back to Sautarem, the greater portion of the army followed him in readiness for attack should any openings be found.

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

From this reading The Norfolk Rangers had been one of the regiments which had remained in their quarters on Torres Vedras throughout the winter, and great was the joy with which they received orders to strike their tents and push on in pursuit.

the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox

From this reading The Norfolk Rangers had been one of the regiments which had remained in their quarters on Torres Vedras throughout the winter, and great was the joy with which they received orders to strike their tents and push on in pursuit.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The Norfolk Rangers had been one of the regiments which had remained in their quarters on Torres Vedras throughout the winter, and great was the joy with which they received orders to strike their tents and push on in pursuit.