Chapter VIII · Chapter 8

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

From this reading AN ORDER FROM HEADQUARTERS While Captain de Banyan and Lieutenant Somers were asleep, the commanding general received the intelligence of a movement on our right by the famous Stonewall Jackson.

forsaken by owner or inhabitants

From this reading The position which had been gained by the advance at Oak Grove was abandoned, and the troops returned to their old line.

move forward, also in the metaphorical sense

From this reading The position which had been gained by the advance at Oak Grove was abandoned, and the troops returned to their old line.

(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 troops fought all day, and ran all night, till they reached the James River, where they were protected by the all-powerful gunboats.

having unlimited power

From this reading The troops fought all day, and ran all night, till they reached the James River, where they were protected by the all-powerful gunboats.

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

From this reading AN ORDER FROM HEADQUARTERS While Captain de Banyan and Lieutenant Somers were asleep, the commanding general received the intelligence of a movement on our right by the famous Stonewall Jackson.

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

From this reading AN ORDER FROM HEADQUARTERS While Captain de Banyan and Lieutenant Somers were asleep, the commanding general received the intelligence of a movement on our right by the famous Stonewall Jackson.

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

From this reading The next day was heard the roar of the guns at Mechanicsville; and on that succeeding was fought the battle of Gaines's Mills--the only defeat in the field sustained by the Union army during that battle-week.

in a state of sleep

From this reading AN ORDER FROM HEADQUARTERS While Captain de Banyan and Lieutenant Somers were asleep, the commanding general received the intelligence of a movement on our right by the famous Stonewall Jackson.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The position which had been gained by the advance at Oak Grove was abandoned, and the troops returned to their old line.

East Indian tree that puts out aerial shoots that grow down into the soil forming additional trunks

From this reading AN ORDER FROM HEADQUARTERS While Captain de Banyan and Lieutenant Somers were asleep, the commanding general received the intelligence of a movement on our right by the famous Stonewall Jackson.

installation from which a military force initiates operations

From this reading General McClellan then decided to change his base of operations; which, rendered into plain English, meant that he had been flanked, and was obliged to make the best move he could to save his army and material.

a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war

From this reading The next day was heard the roar of the guns at Mechanicsville; and on that succeeding was fought the battle of Gaines's Mills--the only defeat in the field sustained by the Union army during that battle-week.

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

From this reading The next day was heard the roar of the guns at Mechanicsville; and on that succeeding was fought the battle of Gaines's Mills--the only defeat in the field sustained by the Union army during that battle-week.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The position which had been gained by the advance at Oak Grove was abandoned, and the troops returned to their old line.

the supreme effort one can make

From this reading General McClellan then decided to change his base of operations; which, rendered into plain English, meant that he had been flanked, and was obliged to make the best move he could to save his army and material.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading AN ORDER FROM HEADQUARTERS While Captain de Banyan and Lieutenant Somers were asleep, the commanding general received the intelligence of a movement on our right by the famous Stonewall Jackson.

an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant

From this reading AN ORDER FROM HEADQUARTERS While Captain de Banyan and Lieutenant Somers were asleep, the commanding general received the intelligence of a movement on our right by the famous Stonewall Jackson.

cause to change; make different; cause a transformation

From this reading General McClellan then decided to change his base of operations; which, rendered into plain English, meant that he had been flanked, and was obliged to make the best move he could to save his army and material.

used of a height or viewpoint

From this reading AN ORDER FROM HEADQUARTERS While Captain de Banyan and Lieutenant Somers were asleep, the commanding general received the intelligence of a movement on our right by the famous Stonewall Jackson.

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

From this reading General McClellan then decided to change his base of operations; which, rendered into plain English, meant that he had been flanked, and was obliged to make the best move he could to save his army and material.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading The next day was heard the roar of the guns at Mechanicsville; and on that succeeding was fought the battle of Gaines's Mills--the only defeat in the field sustained by the Union army during that battle-week.

a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies

From this reading AN ORDER FROM HEADQUARTERS While Captain de Banyan and Lieutenant Somers were asleep, the commanding general received the intelligence of a movement on our right by the famous Stonewall Jackson.

recognizable; marked

From this reading General McClellan then decided to change his base of operations; which, rendered into plain English, meant that he had been flanked, and was obliged to make the best move he could to save his army and material.

an unsuccessful ending to a struggle or contest

From this reading The next day was heard the roar of the guns at Mechanicsville; and on that succeeding was fought the battle of Gaines's Mills--the only defeat in the field sustained by the Union army during that battle-week.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading The next day was heard the roar of the guns at Mechanicsville; and on that succeeding was fought the battle of Gaines's Mills--the only defeat in the field sustained by the Union army during that battle-week.

an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries

From this reading General McClellan then decided to change his base of operations; which, rendered into plain English, meant that he had been flanked, and was obliged to make the best move he could to save his army and material.

widely known and esteemed

From this reading AN ORDER FROM HEADQUARTERS While Captain de Banyan and Lieutenant Somers were asleep, the commanding general received the intelligence of a movement on our right by the famous Stonewall Jackson.

a piece of land cleared of trees and usually enclosed

From this reading The next day was heard the roar of the guns at Mechanicsville; and on that succeeding was fought the battle of Gaines's Mills--the only defeat in the field sustained by the Union army during that battle-week.

past form of “flank” — be located at the sides of something or somebody

From this reading General McClellan then decided to change his base of operations; which, rendered into plain English, meant that he had been flanked, and was obliged to make the best move he could to save his army and material.

inflected form of “fight” — be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight

From this reading The next day was heard the roar of the guns at Mechanicsville; and on that succeeding was fought the battle of Gaines's Mills--the only defeat in the field sustained by the Union army during that battle-week.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading AN ORDER FROM HEADQUARTERS While Captain de Banyan and Lieutenant Somers were asleep, the commanding general received the intelligence of a movement on our right by the famous Stonewall Jackson.

past form of “gain” — obtain

From this reading The position which had been gained by the advance at Oak Grove was abandoned, and the troops returned to their old line.

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

From this reading The next day was heard the roar of the guns at Mechanicsville; and on that succeeding was fought the battle of Gaines's Mills--the only defeat in the field sustained by the Union army during that battle-week.

applying to all or most members of a category or group

From this reading AN ORDER FROM HEADQUARTERS While Captain de Banyan and Lieutenant Somers were asleep, the commanding general received the intelligence of a movement on our right by the famous Stonewall Jackson.

a small growth of trees without underbrush

From this reading The position which had been gained by the advance at Oak Grove was abandoned, and the troops returned to their old line.

plural of “gunboat” — a small shallow-draft boat carrying mounted guns; used by costal patrols

From this reading The troops fought all day, and ran all night, till they reached the James River, where they were protected by the all-powerful gunboats.

plural of “gun” — a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)

From this reading The next day was heard the roar of the guns at Mechanicsville; and on that succeeding was fought the battle of Gaines's Mills--the only defeat in the field sustained by the Union army during that battle-week.

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

From this reading The position which had been gained by the advance at Oak Grove was abandoned, and the troops returned to their old line.

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

From this reading General McClellan then decided to change his base of operations; which, rendered into plain English, meant that he had been flanked, and was obliged to make the best move he could to save his army and material.

(usually plural) the office that serves as the administrative center of an enterprise

From this reading AN ORDER FROM HEADQUARTERS While Captain de Banyan and Lieutenant Somers were asleep, the commanding general received the intelligence of a movement on our right by the famous Stonewall Jackson.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading The next day was heard the roar of the guns at Mechanicsville; and on that succeeding was fought the battle of Gaines's Mills--the only defeat in the field sustained by the Union army during that battle-week.

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

From this reading General McClellan then decided to change his base of operations; which, rendered into plain English, meant that he had been flanked, and was obliged to make the best move he could to save his army and material.

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

From this reading The next day was heard the roar of the guns at Mechanicsville; and on that succeeding was fought the battle of Gaines's Mills--the only defeat in the field sustained by the Union army during that battle-week.

the ability to comprehend; to understand and profit from experience

From this reading AN ORDER FROM HEADQUARTERS While Captain de Banyan and Lieutenant Somers were asleep, the commanding general received the intelligence of a movement on our right by the famous Stonewall Jackson.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading General McClellan then decided to change his base of operations; which, rendered into plain English, meant that he had been flanked, and was obliged to make the best move he could to save his army and material.

English film actress who later became a member of British Parliament (born in 1936)

From this reading AN ORDER FROM HEADQUARTERS While Captain de Banyan and Lieutenant Somers were asleep, the commanding general received the intelligence of a movement on our right by the famous Stonewall Jackson.

a Stuart king of Scotland who married a daughter of Henry VII; when England and France went to war in 1513 he invaded England and died in defeat at Flodden (1473-1513)

From this reading The troops fought all day, and ran all night, till they reached the James River, where they were protected by the all-powerful gunboats.

a commissioned military officer

From this reading AN ORDER FROM HEADQUARTERS While Captain de Banyan and Lieutenant Somers were asleep, the commanding general received the intelligence of a movement on our right by the famous Stonewall Jackson.

a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading The position which had been gained by the advance at Oak Grove was abandoned, and the troops returned to their old line.

engage in

From this reading General McClellan then decided to change his base of operations; which, rendered into plain English, meant that he had been flanked, and was obliged to make the best move he could to save his army and material.

concerned with worldly rather than spiritual interests

From this reading General McClellan then decided to change his base of operations; which, rendered into plain English, meant that he had been flanked, and was obliged to make the best move he could to save his army and material.

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

From this reading General McClellan then decided to change his base of operations; which, rendered into plain English, meant that he had been flanked, and was obliged to make the best move he could to save his army and material.

inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey

From this reading General McClellan then decided to change his base of operations; which, rendered into plain English, meant that he had been flanked, and was obliged to make the best move he could to save his army and material.

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

From this reading The next day was heard the roar of the guns at Mechanicsville; and on that succeeding was fought the battle of Gaines's Mills--the only defeat in the field sustained by the Union army during that battle-week.

United States architect who was the presidentially appointed architect of Washington D.C. (1781-1855)

From this reading The next day was heard the roar of the guns at Mechanicsville; and on that succeeding was fought the battle of Gaines's Mills--the only defeat in the field sustained by the Union army during that battle-week.

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

From this reading General McClellan then decided to change his base of operations; which, rendered into plain English, meant that he had been flanked, and was obliged to make the best move he could to save his army and material.

a change of position that does not entail a change of location

From this reading AN ORDER FROM HEADQUARTERS While Captain de Banyan and Lieutenant Somers were asleep, the commanding general received the intelligence of a movement on our right by the famous Stonewall Jackson.

immediately following in time or order

From this reading The next day was heard the roar of the guns at Mechanicsville; and on that succeeding was fought the battle of Gaines's Mills--the only defeat in the field sustained by the Union army during that battle-week.

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

From this reading The troops fought all day, and ran all night, till they reached the James River, where they were protected by the all-powerful gunboats.

the hard durable wood of any oak; used especially for furniture and flooring

From this reading The position which had been gained by the advance at Oak Grove was abandoned, and the troops returned to their old line.

under a moral obligation to do something

From this reading General McClellan then decided to change his base of operations; which, rendered into plain English, meant that he had been flanked, and was obliged to make the best move he could to save his army and material.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading AN ORDER FROM HEADQUARTERS While Captain de Banyan and Lieutenant Somers were asleep, the commanding general received the intelligence of a movement on our right by the famous Stonewall Jackson.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading The position which had been gained by the advance at Oak Grove was abandoned, and the troops returned to their old line.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading AN ORDER FROM HEADQUARTERS While Captain de Banyan and Lieutenant Somers were asleep, the commanding general received the intelligence of a movement on our right by the famous Stonewall Jackson.

and nothing more

From this reading The next day was heard the roar of the guns at Mechanicsville; and on that succeeding was fought the battle of Gaines's Mills--the only defeat in the field sustained by the Union army during that battle-week.

financial transactions at a brokerage; having to do with the execution of trades and keeping customer records

From this reading General McClellan then decided to change his base of operations; which, rendered into plain English, meant that he had been flanked, and was obliged to make the best move he could to save his army and material.

(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading AN ORDER FROM HEADQUARTERS While Captain de Banyan and Lieutenant Somers were asleep, the commanding general received the intelligence of a movement on our right by the famous Stonewall Jackson.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading AN ORDER FROM HEADQUARTERS While Captain de Banyan and Lieutenant Somers were asleep, the commanding general received the intelligence of a movement on our right by the famous Stonewall Jackson.

clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment

From this reading General McClellan then decided to change his base of operations; which, rendered into plain English, meant that he had been flanked, and was obliged to make the best move he could to save his army and material.

the particular portion of space occupied by something

From this reading The position which had been gained by the advance at Oak Grove was abandoned, and the troops returned to their old line.

kept safe or defended from danger or injury or loss

From this reading The troops fought all day, and ran all night, till they reached the James River, where they were protected by the all-powerful gunboats.

inflected form of “run” — move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time

From this reading The troops fought all day, and ran all night, till they reached the James River, where they were protected by the all-powerful gunboats.

past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading The troops fought all day, and ran all night, till they reached the James River, where they were protected by the all-powerful gunboats.

conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers

From this reading AN ORDER FROM HEADQUARTERS While Captain de Banyan and Lieutenant Somers were asleep, the commanding general received the intelligence of a movement on our right by the famous Stonewall Jackson.

past form of “render” — cause to become

From this reading General McClellan then decided to change his base of operations; which, rendered into plain English, meant that he had been flanked, and was obliged to make the best move he could to save his army and material.

past form of “return” — go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading The position which had been gained by the advance at Oak Grove was abandoned, and the troops returned to their old line.

precisely, exactly

From this reading AN ORDER FROM HEADQUARTERS While Captain de Banyan and Lieutenant Somers were asleep, the commanding general received the intelligence of a movement on our right by the famous Stonewall Jackson.

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading The troops fought all day, and ran all night, till they reached the James River, where they were protected by the all-powerful gunboats.

make a loud noise, as of wind, water, or vehicles

From this reading The next day was heard the roar of the guns at Mechanicsville; and on that succeeding was fought the battle of Gaines's Mills--the only defeat in the field sustained by the Union army during that battle-week.

except for; apart from

From this reading General McClellan then decided to change his base of operations; which, rendered into plain English, meant that he had been flanked, and was obliged to make the best move he could to save his army and material.

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

From this reading AN ORDER FROM HEADQUARTERS While Captain de Banyan and Lieutenant Somers were asleep, the commanding general received the intelligence of a movement on our right by the famous Stonewall Jackson.

obstruct or hinder any discussion

From this reading AN ORDER FROM HEADQUARTERS While Captain de Banyan and Lieutenant Somers were asleep, the commanding general received the intelligence of a movement on our right by the famous Stonewall Jackson.

coming after or following

From this reading The next day was heard the roar of the guns at Mechanicsville; and on that succeeding was fought the battle of Gaines's Mills--the only defeat in the field sustained by the Union army during that battle-week.

maintained at length without interruption or weakening

From this reading The next day was heard the roar of the guns at Mechanicsville; and on that succeeding was fought the battle of Gaines's Mills--the only defeat in the field sustained by the Union army during that battle-week.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The next day was heard the roar of the guns at Mechanicsville; and on that succeeding was fought the battle of Gaines's Mills--the only defeat in the field sustained by the Union army during that battle-week.

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

From this reading AN ORDER FROM HEADQUARTERS While Captain de Banyan and Lieutenant Somers were asleep, the commanding general received the intelligence of a movement on our right by the famous Stonewall Jackson.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The position which had been gained by the advance at Oak Grove was abandoned, and the troops returned to their old line.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading General McClellan then decided to change his base of operations; which, rendered into plain English, meant that he had been flanked, and was obliged to make the best move he could to save his army and material.

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

From this reading The troops fought all day, and ran all night, till they reached the James River, where they were protected by the all-powerful gunboats.

up to a particular time

From this reading The troops fought all day, and ran all night, till they reached the James River, where they were protected by the all-powerful gunboats.

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

From this reading The position which had been gained by the advance at Oak Grove was abandoned, and the troops returned to their old line.

soldiers collectively

From this reading The position which had been gained by the advance at Oak Grove was abandoned, and the troops returned to their old line.

an organization of employees formed to bargain with the employer

From this reading The next day was heard the roar of the guns at Mechanicsville; and on that succeeding was fought the battle of Gaines's Mills--the only defeat in the field sustained by the Union army during that battle-week.

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

From this reading The position which had been gained by the advance at Oak Grove was abandoned, and the troops returned to their old line.

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

From this reading AN ORDER FROM HEADQUARTERS While Captain de Banyan and Lieutenant Somers were asleep, the commanding general received the intelligence of a movement on our right by the famous Stonewall Jackson.

in or at the place that

From this reading The troops fought all day, and ran all night, till they reached the James River, where they were protected by the all-powerful gunboats.

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

From this reading The position which had been gained by the advance at Oak Grove was abandoned, and the troops returned to their old line.

during the time that

From this reading AN ORDER FROM HEADQUARTERS While Captain de Banyan and Lieutenant Somers were asleep, the commanding general received the intelligence of a movement on our right by the famous Stonewall Jackson.