used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading They were broken lines at the very best, and whenever Noel and Dennis glanced about them each felt a pang when he saw how many of the regiments, now gathered about the torn and bullet-riddled colors, were thin.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading They were broken lines at the very best, and whenever Noel and Dennis glanced about them each felt a pang when he saw how many of the regiments, now gathered about the torn and bullet-riddled colors, were thin.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They were broken lines at the very best, and whenever Noel and Dennis glanced about them each felt a pang when he saw how many of the regiments, now gathered about the torn and bullet-riddled colors, were thin.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading They were broken lines at the very best, and whenever Noel and Dennis glanced about them each felt a pang when he saw how many of the regiments, now gathered about the torn and bullet-riddled colors, were thin.
(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
From this reading CONCLUSION Meanwhile the infantry, expecting the attack, rested on the ground in long lines.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading They were broken lines at the very best, and whenever Noel and Dennis glanced about them each felt a pang when he saw how many of the regiments, now gathered about the torn and bullet-riddled colors, were thin.
bordersnounUS /ˈbɔːrdərz/
plural of “border” — a line that indicates a boundary
From this reading At times, squads of men on the borders of the woods were seen, who were doubtless rebel pickets or persons who were curious, like some of the Yankee soldiers.
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading They were broken lines at the very best, and whenever Noel and Dennis glanced about them each felt a pang when he saw how many of the regiments, now gathered about the torn and bullet-riddled colors, were thin.
bullet-riddled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were broken lines at the very best, and whenever Noel and Dennis glanced about them each felt a pang when he saw how many of the regiments, now gathered about the torn and bullet-riddled colors, were thin.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading The captain walked down the lines in which Noel and Dennis were numbered.
colorsnounUS /ˈkʌlərz/
a flag that shows its nationality
From this reading They were broken lines at the very best, and whenever Noel and Dennis glanced about them each felt a pang when he saw how many of the regiments, now gathered about the torn and bullet-riddled colors, were thin.
a position or opinion or judgment reached after consideration
From this reading CONCLUSION Meanwhile the infantry, expecting the attack, rested on the ground in long lines.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading At times, squads of men on the borders of the woods were seen, who were doubtless rebel pickets or persons who were curious, like some of the Yankee soldiers.
Dennis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were broken lines at the very best, and whenever Noel and Dennis glanced about them each felt a pang when he saw how many of the regiments, now gathered about the torn and bullet-riddled colors, were thin.
without doubt; certainly
From this reading At times, squads of men on the borders of the woods were seen, who were doubtless rebel pickets or persons who were curious, like some of the Yankee soldiers.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The captain walked down the lines in which Noel and Dennis were numbered.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading They were broken lines at the very best, and whenever Noel and Dennis glanced about them each felt a pang when he saw how many of the regiments, now gathered about the torn and bullet-riddled colors, were thin.
-ing form of “expect” — regard something as probable or likely
From this reading CONCLUSION Meanwhile the infantry, expecting the attack, rested on the ground in long lines.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading They were broken lines at the very best, and whenever Noel and Dennis glanced about them each felt a pang when he saw how many of the regiments, now gathered about the torn and bullet-riddled colors, were thin.
brought together in one place
From this reading They were broken lines at the very best, and whenever Noel and Dennis glanced about them each felt a pang when he saw how many of the regiments, now gathered about the torn and bullet-riddled colors, were thin.
past form of “glance” — throw a glance at; take a brief look at
From this reading They were broken lines at the very best, and whenever Noel and Dennis glanced about them each felt a pang when he saw how many of the regiments, now gathered about the torn and bullet-riddled colors, were thin.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading CONCLUSION Meanwhile the infantry, expecting the attack, rested on the ground in long lines.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were broken lines at the very best, and whenever Noel and Dennis glanced about them each felt a pang when he saw how many of the regiments, now gathered about the torn and bullet-riddled colors, were thin.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading One of the men, holding up a large piece of pork on his sword, said, "Look here, captain!
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading One of the men, holding up a large piece of pork on his sword, said, "Look here, captain!
the act of retaining something
From this reading One of the men, holding up a large piece of pork on his sword, said, "Look here, captain!
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They were broken lines at the very best, and whenever Noel and Dennis glanced about them each felt a pang when he saw how many of the regiments, now gathered about the torn and bullet-riddled colors, were thin.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading CONCLUSION Meanwhile the infantry, expecting the attack, rested on the ground in long lines.
infantrynounUS /ˈɪnfəntri/
an army unit consisting of soldiers who fight on foot
From this reading CONCLUSION Meanwhile the infantry, expecting the attack, rested on the ground in long lines.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading One of the men, holding up a large piece of pork on his sword, said, "Look here, captain!
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading At times, squads of men on the borders of the woods were seen, who were doubtless rebel pickets or persons who were curious, like some of the Yankee soldiers.
plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading CONCLUSION Meanwhile the infantry, expecting the attack, rested on the ground in long lines.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading CONCLUSION Meanwhile the infantry, expecting the attack, rested on the ground in long lines.
perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading One of the men, holding up a large piece of pork on his sword, said, "Look here, captain!
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading They were broken lines at the very best, and whenever Noel and Dennis glanced about them each felt a pang when he saw how many of the regiments, now gathered about the torn and bullet-riddled colors, were thin.
at the same time but in another place
From this reading CONCLUSION Meanwhile the infantry, expecting the attack, rested on the ground in long lines.
the force of workers available
From this reading At times, squads of men on the borders of the woods were seen, who were doubtless rebel pickets or persons who were curious, like some of the Yankee soldiers.
NoelnounUS /noʊˈel/
period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6
From this reading They were broken lines at the very best, and whenever Noel and Dennis glanced about them each felt a pang when he saw how many of the regiments, now gathered about the torn and bullet-riddled colors, were thin.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading They were broken lines at the very best, and whenever Noel and Dennis glanced about them each felt a pang when he saw how many of the regiments, now gathered about the torn and bullet-riddled colors, were thin.
numberedverbUS /ˈnʌmbərd/
past form of “number” — add up in number or quantity
From this reading The captain walked down the lines in which Noel and Dennis were numbered.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading They were broken lines at the very best, and whenever Noel and Dennis glanced about them each felt a pang when he saw how many of the regiments, now gathered about the torn and bullet-riddled colors, were thin.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading CONCLUSION Meanwhile the infantry, expecting the attack, rested on the ground in long lines.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One of the men, holding up a large piece of pork on his sword, said, "Look here, captain!
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading At times, squads of men on the borders of the woods were seen, who were doubtless rebel pickets or persons who were curious, like some of the Yankee soldiers.
pangnounUS /pæŋ/
a sudden sharp feeling
From this reading They were broken lines at the very best, and whenever Noel and Dennis glanced about them each felt a pang when he saw how many of the regiments, now gathered about the torn and bullet-riddled colors, were thin.
plural of “person” — a human being
From this reading At times, squads of men on the borders of the woods were seen, who were doubtless rebel pickets or persons who were curious, like some of the Yankee soldiers.
picketsnounUS /ˈpɪkəts/
plural of “picket” — a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
From this reading At times, squads of men on the borders of the woods were seen, who were doubtless rebel pickets or persons who were curious, like some of the Yankee soldiers.
a separate part of a whole
From this reading One of the men, holding up a large piece of pork on his sword, said, "Look here, captain!
porknounUS /pɔːrk/
meat from a domestic hog or pig
From this reading One of the men, holding up a large piece of pork on his sword, said, "Look here, captain!
rebelnounUS /ˈrebəl/
“Johnny” was applied as a nickname for Confederate soldiers by the Federal soldiers in the American Civil War; “greyback” derived from their grey Confederate uniforms
From this reading At times, squads of men on the borders of the woods were seen, who were doubtless rebel pickets or persons who were curious, like some of the Yankee soldiers.
regimentsnounUS /ˈredʒəmənts/
plural of “regiment” — army unit smaller than a division
From this reading They were broken lines at the very best, and whenever Noel and Dennis glanced about them each felt a pang when he saw how many of the regiments, now gathered about the torn and bullet-riddled colors, were thin.
not tired; refreshed as by sleeping or relaxing
From this reading CONCLUSION Meanwhile the infantry, expecting the attack, rested on the ground in long lines.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading One of the men, holding up a large piece of pork on his sword, said, "Look here, captain!
cut with a saw
From this reading They were broken lines at the very best, and whenever Noel and Dennis glanced about them each felt a pang when he saw how many of the regiments, now gathered about the torn and bullet-riddled colors, were thin.
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading At times, squads of men on the borders of the woods were seen, who were doubtless rebel pickets or persons who were curious, like some of the Yankee soldiers.
plural of “soldier” — an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army
From this reading At times, squads of men on the borders of the woods were seen, who were doubtless rebel pickets or persons who were curious, like some of the Yankee soldiers.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading At times, squads of men on the borders of the woods were seen, who were doubtless rebel pickets or persons who were curious, like some of the Yankee soldiers.
squadsnounUS /skwɑːdz/
plural of “squad” — a smallest army unit
From this reading At times, squads of men on the borders of the woods were seen, who were doubtless rebel pickets or persons who were curious, like some of the Yankee soldiers.
a cutting or thrusting weapon that has a long metal blade and a hilt with a hand guard
From this reading One of the men, holding up a large piece of pork on his sword, said, "Look here, captain!
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading CONCLUSION Meanwhile the infantry, expecting the attack, rested on the ground in long lines.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading They were broken lines at the very best, and whenever Noel and Dennis glanced about them each felt a pang when he saw how many of the regiments, now gathered about the torn and bullet-riddled colors, were thin.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They were broken lines at the very best, and whenever Noel and Dennis glanced about them each felt a pang when he saw how many of the regiments, now gathered about the torn and bullet-riddled colors, were thin.
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading They were broken lines at the very best, and whenever Noel and Dennis glanced about them each felt a pang when he saw how many of the regiments, now gathered about the torn and bullet-riddled colors, were thin.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading At times, squads of men on the borders of the woods were seen, who were doubtless rebel pickets or persons who were curious, like some of the Yankee soldiers.
having edges that are jagged from injury
From this reading They were broken lines at the very best, and whenever Noel and Dennis glanced about them each felt a pang when he saw how many of the regiments, now gathered about the torn and bullet-riddled colors, were thin.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading One of the men, holding up a large piece of pork on his sword, said, "Look here, captain!
precisely as stated
From this reading They were broken lines at the very best, and whenever Noel and Dennis glanced about them each felt a pang when he saw how many of the regiments, now gathered about the torn and bullet-riddled colors, were thin.
past form of “walk” — use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
From this reading The captain walked down the lines in which Noel and Dennis were numbered.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They were broken lines at the very best, and whenever Noel and Dennis glanced about them each felt a pang when he saw how many of the regiments, now gathered about the torn and bullet-riddled colors, were thin.
at the time that
From this reading They were broken lines at the very best, and whenever Noel and Dennis glanced about them each felt a pang when he saw how many of the regiments, now gathered about the torn and bullet-riddled colors, were thin.
at any time that; every time that
From this reading They were broken lines at the very best, and whenever Noel and Dennis glanced about them each felt a pang when he saw how many of the regiments, now gathered about the torn and bullet-riddled colors, were thin.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The captain walked down the lines in which Noel and Dennis were numbered.
which person or people
From this reading At times, squads of men on the borders of the woods were seen, who were doubtless rebel pickets or persons who were curious, like some of the Yankee soldiers.
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading At times, squads of men on the borders of the woods were seen, who were doubtless rebel pickets or persons who were curious, like some of the Yankee soldiers.
YankeenounUS /ˈjæŋki/
an American who lives in the North (especially during the American Civil War)
From this reading At times, squads of men on the borders of the woods were seen, who were doubtless rebel pickets or persons who were curious, like some of the Yankee soldiers.
