used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In the uncertain light one and two story buildings set along the crooked street showed crisply, bearing a resemblance to false teeth in an ash-old face.
the performance of a part or role in a drama
From this reading For nine interminable months William Hicks had been in France, shunted from one place to another, acting out the odious office of the military police, working as a stevedore beside evil-odored blacks, helping to build cantonments and reservoirs for new soldiers ever arriving from the United States.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading To young Hicks, disconsolate as he leaned against the outer wall of the French canteen, upon whose smooth white surface his body made an unseemly blot, life was worth very little.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading Dusk, like soft blue smoke, fell with the dying spring air and settled upon the northern French village.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading In the uncertain light one and two story buildings set along the crooked street showed crisply, bearing a resemblance to false teeth in an ash-old face.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading In the uncertain light one and two story buildings set along the crooked street showed crisply, bearing a resemblance to false teeth in an ash-old face.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Dusk, like soft blue smoke, fell with the dying spring air and settled upon the northern French village.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading For nine interminable months William Hicks had been in France, shunted from one place to another, acting out the odious office of the military police, working as a stevedore beside evil-odored blacks, helping to build cantonments and reservoirs for new soldiers ever arriving from the United States.
arrivingverbUS /ərˈaɪvɪŋ/
-ing form of “arrive” — reach a destination; arrive by movement or progress
From this reading For nine interminable months William Hicks had been in France, shunted from one place to another, acting out the odious office of the military police, working as a stevedore beside evil-odored blacks, helping to build cantonments and reservoirs for new soldiers ever arriving from the United States.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading To young Hicks, disconsolate as he leaned against the outer wall of the French canteen, upon whose smooth white surface his body made an unseemly blot, life was worth very little.
ash-old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the uncertain light one and two story buildings set along the crooked street showed crisply, bearing a resemblance to false teeth in an ash-old face.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading And he was supposed to be a soldier.
relevant relation or interconnection
From this reading In the uncertain light one and two story buildings set along the crooked street showed crisply, bearing a resemblance to false teeth in an ash-old face.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading For nine interminable months William Hicks had been in France, shunted from one place to another, acting out the odious office of the military police, working as a stevedore beside evil-odored blacks, helping to build cantonments and reservoirs for new soldiers ever arriving from the United States.
next to; at the side of
From this reading For nine interminable months William Hicks had been in France, shunted from one place to another, acting out the odious office of the military police, working as a stevedore beside evil-odored blacks, helping to build cantonments and reservoirs for new soldiers ever arriving from the United States.
blacksnounUS /blæks/
plural of “black” — the quality or state of the achromatic color of least lightness (bearing the least resemblance to white)
From this reading For nine interminable months William Hicks had been in France, shunted from one place to another, acting out the odious office of the military police, working as a stevedore beside evil-odored blacks, helping to build cantonments and reservoirs for new soldiers ever arriving from the United States.
blotnounUS /blɑːt/
a blemish made by dirt
From this reading To young Hicks, disconsolate as he leaned against the outer wall of the French canteen, upon whose smooth white surface his body made an unseemly blot, life was worth very little.
of the color intermediate between green and violet; having a color similar to that of a clear unclouded sky
From this reading Dusk, like soft blue smoke, fell with the dying spring air and settled upon the northern French village.
the entire physical structure of an organism (an animal, plant, or human being)
From this reading To young Hicks, disconsolate as he leaned against the outer wall of the French canteen, upon whose smooth white surface his body made an unseemly blot, life was worth very little.
make by combining materials and parts
From this reading For nine interminable months William Hicks had been in France, shunted from one place to another, acting out the odious office of the military police, working as a stevedore beside evil-odored blacks, helping to build cantonments and reservoirs for new soldiers ever arriving from the United States.
plural of “building” — a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading In the uncertain light one and two story buildings set along the crooked street showed crisply, bearing a resemblance to false teeth in an ash-old face.
canteennounUS /kænˈtiːn/
a flask for carrying water; used by soldiers or travelers
From this reading To young Hicks, disconsolate as he leaned against the outer wall of the French canteen, upon whose smooth white surface his body made an unseemly blot, life was worth very little.
cantonments
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For nine interminable months William Hicks had been in France, shunted from one place to another, acting out the odious office of the military police, working as a stevedore beside evil-odored blacks, helping to build cantonments and reservoirs for new soldiers ever arriving from the United States.
crisplyadverbUS /ˈkrɪspli/
in a well delineated manner
From this reading In the uncertain light one and two story buildings set along the crooked street showed crisply, bearing a resemblance to false teeth in an ash-old face.
crookedadjectiveUS /ˈkrʊkəd/
having or marked by bends or angles; not straight or aligned
From this reading In the uncertain light one and two story buildings set along the crooked street showed crisply, bearing a resemblance to false teeth in an ash-old face.
disconsolateadjective
sad beyond comforting; incapable of being consoled
From this reading To young Hicks, disconsolate as he leaned against the outer wall of the French canteen, upon whose smooth white surface his body made an unseemly blot, life was worth very little.
DusknounUS /dʌsk/
the time of day immediately following sunset
From this reading Dusk, like soft blue smoke, fell with the dying spring air and settled upon the northern French village.
dyingadjectiveUS /ˈdaɪɪŋ/
in or associated with the process of passing from life or ceasing to be
From this reading Dusk, like soft blue smoke, fell with the dying spring air and settled upon the northern French village.
at any time
From this reading For nine interminable months William Hicks had been in France, shunted from one place to another, acting out the odious office of the military police, working as a stevedore beside evil-odored blacks, helping to build cantonments and reservoirs for new soldiers ever arriving from the United States.
evil-odored
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For nine interminable months William Hicks had been in France, shunted from one place to another, acting out the odious office of the military police, working as a stevedore beside evil-odored blacks, helping to build cantonments and reservoirs for new soldiers ever arriving from the United States.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading In the uncertain light one and two story buildings set along the crooked street showed crisply, bearing a resemblance to false teeth in an ash-old face.
not in accordance with the fact or reality or actuality
From this reading In the uncertain light one and two story buildings set along the crooked street showed crisply, bearing a resemblance to false teeth in an ash-old face.
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
From this reading Dusk, like soft blue smoke, fell with the dying spring air and settled upon the northern French village.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For nine interminable months William Hicks had been in France, shunted from one place to another, acting out the odious office of the military police, working as a stevedore beside evil-odored blacks, helping to build cantonments and reservoirs for new soldiers ever arriving from the United States.
a republic in western Europe; the largest country wholly in Europe
From this reading For nine interminable months William Hicks had been in France, shunted from one place to another, acting out the odious office of the military police, working as a stevedore beside evil-odored blacks, helping to build cantonments and reservoirs for new soldiers ever arriving from the United States.
the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France
From this reading Dusk, like soft blue smoke, fell with the dying spring air and settled upon the northern French village.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading For nine interminable months William Hicks had been in France, shunted from one place to another, acting out the odious office of the military police, working as a stevedore beside evil-odored blacks, helping to build cantonments and reservoirs for new soldiers ever arriving from the United States.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading For nine interminable months William Hicks had been in France, shunted from one place to another, acting out the odious office of the military police, working as a stevedore beside evil-odored blacks, helping to build cantonments and reservoirs for new soldiers ever arriving from the United States.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading To young Hicks, disconsolate as he leaned against the outer wall of the French canteen, upon whose smooth white surface his body made an unseemly blot, life was worth very little.
helpingnounUS /ˈhelpɪŋ/
an individual quantity of food or drink taken as part of a meal
From this reading For nine interminable months William Hicks had been in France, shunted from one place to another, acting out the odious office of the military police, working as a stevedore beside evil-odored blacks, helping to build cantonments and reservoirs for new soldiers ever arriving from the United States.
HicksnounUS /hɪks/
plural of “hick” — a person who is not very intelligent or interested in culture
From this reading To young Hicks, disconsolate as he leaned against the outer wall of the French canteen, upon whose smooth white surface his body made an unseemly blot, life was worth very little.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading To young Hicks, disconsolate as he leaned against the outer wall of the French canteen, upon whose smooth white surface his body made an unseemly blot, life was worth very little.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the uncertain light one and two story buildings set along the crooked street showed crisply, bearing a resemblance to false teeth in an ash-old face.
interminableadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtɜːrmənəbəl/
tiresomely long; seemingly without end
From this reading For nine interminable months William Hicks had been in France, shunted from one place to another, acting out the odious office of the military police, working as a stevedore beside evil-odored blacks, helping to build cantonments and reservoirs for new soldiers ever arriving from the United States.
past form of “lean” — to incline or bend from a vertical position
From this reading To young Hicks, disconsolate as he leaned against the outer wall of the French canteen, upon whose smooth white surface his body made an unseemly blot, life was worth very little.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading To young Hicks, disconsolate as he leaned against the outer wall of the French canteen, upon whose smooth white surface his body made an unseemly blot, life was worth very little.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading In the uncertain light one and two story buildings set along the crooked street showed crisply, bearing a resemblance to false teeth in an ash-old face.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Dusk, like soft blue smoke, fell with the dying spring air and settled upon the northern French village.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading To young Hicks, disconsolate as he leaned against the outer wall of the French canteen, upon whose smooth white surface his body made an unseemly blot, life was worth very little.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading To young Hicks, disconsolate as he leaned against the outer wall of the French canteen, upon whose smooth white surface his body made an unseemly blot, life was worth very little.
of or relating to the study of the principles of warfare
From this reading For nine interminable months William Hicks had been in France, shunted from one place to another, acting out the odious office of the military police, working as a stevedore beside evil-odored blacks, helping to build cantonments and reservoirs for new soldiers ever arriving from the United States.
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading For nine interminable months William Hicks had been in France, shunted from one place to another, acting out the odious office of the military police, working as a stevedore beside evil-odored blacks, helping to build cantonments and reservoirs for new soldiers ever arriving from the United States.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading For nine interminable months William Hicks had been in France, shunted from one place to another, acting out the odious office of the military police, working as a stevedore beside evil-odored blacks, helping to build cantonments and reservoirs for new soldiers ever arriving from the United States.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eight and one
From this reading For nine interminable months William Hicks had been in France, shunted from one place to another, acting out the odious office of the military police, working as a stevedore beside evil-odored blacks, helping to build cantonments and reservoirs for new soldiers ever arriving from the United States.
in or characteristic of a region of the United States north of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading Dusk, like soft blue smoke, fell with the dying spring air and settled upon the northern French village.
odiousadjectiveUS /ˈoʊdiəs/
unequivocally detestable
From this reading For nine interminable months William Hicks had been in France, shunted from one place to another, acting out the odious office of the military police, working as a stevedore beside evil-odored blacks, helping to build cantonments and reservoirs for new soldiers ever arriving from the United States.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading To young Hicks, disconsolate as he leaned against the outer wall of the French canteen, upon whose smooth white surface his body made an unseemly blot, life was worth very little.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading For nine interminable months William Hicks had been in France, shunted from one place to another, acting out the odious office of the military police, working as a stevedore beside evil-odored blacks, helping to build cantonments and reservoirs for new soldiers ever arriving from the United States.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading In the uncertain light one and two story buildings set along the crooked street showed crisply, bearing a resemblance to false teeth in an ash-old face.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading For nine interminable months William Hicks had been in France, shunted from one place to another, acting out the odious office of the military police, working as a stevedore beside evil-odored blacks, helping to build cantonments and reservoirs for new soldiers ever arriving from the United States.
outeradjectiveUS /ˈaʊtər/
being on the outside or further from a center
From this reading To young Hicks, disconsolate as he leaned against the outer wall of the French canteen, upon whose smooth white surface his body made an unseemly blot, life was worth very little.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading For nine interminable months William Hicks had been in France, shunted from one place to another, acting out the odious office of the military police, working as a stevedore beside evil-odored blacks, helping to build cantonments and reservoirs for new soldiers ever arriving from the United States.
the force of policemen and officers
From this reading For nine interminable months William Hicks had been in France, shunted from one place to another, acting out the odious office of the military police, working as a stevedore beside evil-odored blacks, helping to build cantonments and reservoirs for new soldiers ever arriving from the United States.
resemblancenounUS /rɪˈzembləns/
similarity in appearance or external or superficial details
From this reading In the uncertain light one and two story buildings set along the crooked street showed crisply, bearing a resemblance to false teeth in an ash-old face.
reservoirsnounUS /ˈrezərvwɑːrz/
plural of “reservoir” — a large or extra supply of something
From this reading For nine interminable months William Hicks had been in France, shunted from one place to another, acting out the odious office of the military police, working as a stevedore beside evil-odored blacks, helping to build cantonments and reservoirs for new soldiers ever arriving from the United States.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading In the uncertain light one and two story buildings set along the crooked street showed crisply, bearing a resemblance to false teeth in an ash-old face.
established or decided beyond dispute or doubt
From this reading Dusk, like soft blue smoke, fell with the dying spring air and settled upon the northern French village.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading In the uncertain light one and two story buildings set along the crooked street showed crisply, bearing a resemblance to false teeth in an ash-old face.
shuntedverbUS /ˈʃʌntɪd/
past form of “shunt” — transfer to another track, of trains
From this reading For nine interminable months William Hicks had been in France, shunted from one place to another, acting out the odious office of the military police, working as a stevedore beside evil-odored blacks, helping to build cantonments and reservoirs for new soldiers ever arriving from the United States.
a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas
From this reading Dusk, like soft blue smoke, fell with the dying spring air and settled upon the northern French village.
having a surface free from roughness or bumps or ridges or irregularities
From this reading To young Hicks, disconsolate as he leaned against the outer wall of the French canteen, upon whose smooth white surface his body made an unseemly blot, life was worth very little.
yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading Dusk, like soft blue smoke, fell with the dying spring air and settled upon the northern French village.
an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army
From this reading And he was supposed to be a soldier.
plural of “soldier” — an enlisted man or woman who serves in an army
From this reading For nine interminable months William Hicks had been in France, shunted from one place to another, acting out the odious office of the military police, working as a stevedore beside evil-odored blacks, helping to build cantonments and reservoirs for new soldiers ever arriving from the United States.
the season of growth
From this reading Dusk, like soft blue smoke, fell with the dying spring air and settled upon the northern French village.
plural of “state” — the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading For nine interminable months William Hicks had been in France, shunted from one place to another, acting out the odious office of the military police, working as a stevedore beside evil-odored blacks, helping to build cantonments and reservoirs for new soldiers ever arriving from the United States.
stevedorenounUS /ˈstiːvədɔːr/
a laborer who loads and unloads vessels in a port
From this reading For nine interminable months William Hicks had been in France, shunted from one place to another, acting out the odious office of the military police, working as a stevedore beside evil-odored blacks, helping to build cantonments and reservoirs for new soldiers ever arriving from the United States.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading In the uncertain light one and two story buildings set along the crooked street showed crisply, bearing a resemblance to false teeth in an ash-old face.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading In the uncertain light one and two story buildings set along the crooked street showed crisply, bearing a resemblance to false teeth in an ash-old face.
required or under orders
From this reading And he was supposed to be a soldier.
the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary
From this reading To young Hicks, disconsolate as he leaned against the outer wall of the French canteen, upon whose smooth white surface his body made an unseemly blot, life was worth very little.
the kind and number and arrangement of teeth (collectively) in a person or animal
From this reading In the uncertain light one and two story buildings set along the crooked street showed crisply, bearing a resemblance to false teeth in an ash-old face.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Dusk, like soft blue smoke, fell with the dying spring air and settled upon the northern French village.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In the uncertain light one and two story buildings set along the crooked street showed crisply, bearing a resemblance to false teeth in an ash-old face.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading In the uncertain light one and two story buildings set along the crooked street showed crisply, bearing a resemblance to false teeth in an ash-old face.
uncertainadjectiveUS /ənˈsɜːrtən/
lacking or indicating lack of confidence or assurance
From this reading In the uncertain light one and two story buildings set along the crooked street showed crisply, bearing a resemblance to false teeth in an ash-old face.
UnitedadjectiveUS /juːˈnaɪtɪd/
characterized by unity; being or joined into a single entity
From this reading For nine interminable months William Hicks had been in France, shunted from one place to another, acting out the odious office of the military police, working as a stevedore beside evil-odored blacks, helping to build cantonments and reservoirs for new soldiers ever arriving from the United States.
unseemlyadjectiveUS /ənˈsiːmli/
not in keeping with accepted standards of what is right or proper in polite society
From this reading To young Hicks, disconsolate as he leaned against the outer wall of the French canteen, upon whose smooth white surface his body made an unseemly blot, life was worth very little.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Dusk, like soft blue smoke, fell with the dying spring air and settled upon the northern French village.
precisely as stated
From this reading To young Hicks, disconsolate as he leaned against the outer wall of the French canteen, upon whose smooth white surface his body made an unseemly blot, life was worth very little.
a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading Dusk, like soft blue smoke, fell with the dying spring air and settled upon the northern French village.
an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure
From this reading To young Hicks, disconsolate as he leaned against the outer wall of the French canteen, upon whose smooth white surface his body made an unseemly blot, life was worth very little.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading To young Hicks, disconsolate as he leaned against the outer wall of the French canteen, upon whose smooth white surface his body made an unseemly blot, life was worth very little.
a Caucasian
From this reading To young Hicks, disconsolate as he leaned against the outer wall of the French canteen, upon whose smooth white surface his body made an unseemly blot, life was worth very little.
belonging to which person
From this reading To young Hicks, disconsolate as he leaned against the outer wall of the French canteen, upon whose smooth white surface his body made an unseemly blot, life was worth very little.
William
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For nine interminable months William Hicks had been in France, shunted from one place to another, acting out the odious office of the military police, working as a stevedore beside evil-odored blacks, helping to build cantonments and reservoirs for new soldiers ever arriving from the United States.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Dusk, like soft blue smoke, fell with the dying spring air and settled upon the northern French village.
actively engaged in paid work
From this reading For nine interminable months William Hicks had been in France, shunted from one place to another, acting out the odious office of the military police, working as a stevedore beside evil-odored blacks, helping to build cantonments and reservoirs for new soldiers ever arriving from the United States.
an indefinite quantity of something having a specified value
From this reading To young Hicks, disconsolate as he leaned against the outer wall of the French canteen, upon whose smooth white surface his body made an unseemly blot, life was worth very little.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading To young Hicks, disconsolate as he leaned against the outer wall of the French canteen, upon whose smooth white surface his body made an unseemly blot, life was worth very little.
