1891
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "A fine instance of defence," one of the junior captains said, "was that of Thobal in 1891.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "A fine instance of defence," one of the junior captains said, "was that of Thobal in 1891.
Afridis
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as it became evident that the Afridis were up, and that there would be stern fighting, the conversation in the mess room naturally turned on past expeditions against the wild tribesmen.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading As soon as it became evident that the Afridis were up, and that there would be stern fighting, the conversation in the mess room naturally turned on past expeditions against the wild tribesmen.
(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 Having been two or three years on the frontier, they had many tales of hill fighting to tell; and these were eagerly listened to by all the younger officers, as they felt certain that they too would, ere long, be taking part in such struggles.
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading As you all know, I am a ranker, and I received my commission for that business.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading As soon as it became evident that the Afridis were up, and that there would be stern fighting, the conversation in the mess room naturally turned on past expeditions against the wild tribesmen.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As soon as it became evident that the Afridis were up, and that there would be stern fighting, the conversation in the mess room naturally turned on past expeditions against the wild tribesmen.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading As soon as it became evident that the Afridis were up, and that there would be stern fighting, the conversation in the mess room naturally turned on past expeditions against the wild tribesmen.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading As soon as it became evident that the Afridis were up, and that there would be stern fighting, the conversation in the mess room naturally turned on past expeditions against the wild tribesmen.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Having been two or three years on the frontier, they had many tales of hill fighting to tell; and these were eagerly listened to by all the younger officers, as they felt certain that they too would, ere long, be taking part in such struggles.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading As you all know, I am a ranker, and I received my commission for that business.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Having been two or three years on the frontier, they had many tales of hill fighting to tell; and these were eagerly listened to by all the younger officers, as they felt certain that they too would, ere long, be taking part in such struggles.
captainsnounUS /ˈkæptənz/
plural of “captain” — an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading "A fine instance of defence," one of the junior captains said, "was that of Thobal in 1891.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading Having been two or three years on the frontier, they had many tales of hill fighting to tell; and these were eagerly listened to by all the younger officers, as they felt certain that they too would, ere long, be taking part in such struggles.
commissionnounUS /kəˈmɪʃən/
a special group delegated to consider some matter
From this reading As you all know, I am a ranker, and I received my commission for that business.
the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.
From this reading As soon as it became evident that the Afridis were up, and that there would be stern fighting, the conversation in the mess room naturally turned on past expeditions against the wild tribesmen.
defencenounUS /dɪˈfens/
(psychiatry) an unconscious process that tries to reduce the anxiety associated with instinctive desires
From this reading "A fine instance of defence," one of the junior captains said, "was that of Thobal in 1891.
with eagerness; in an eager manner
From this reading Having been two or three years on the frontier, they had many tales of hill fighting to tell; and these were eagerly listened to by all the younger officers, as they felt certain that they too would, ere long, be taking part in such struggles.
an old word for “before”
From this reading Having been two or three years on the frontier, they had many tales of hill fighting to tell; and these were eagerly listened to by all the younger officers, as they felt certain that they too would, ere long, be taking part in such struggles.
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
From this reading As soon as it became evident that the Afridis were up, and that there would be stern fighting, the conversation in the mess room naturally turned on past expeditions against the wild tribesmen.
exchangedadjectiveUS /ɪksˈtʃeɪndʒd/
changed for (replaced by) something different
From this reading Two or three of the officers had exchanged into the regiment, when their own went home.
expeditionsnounUS /ˌekspəˈdɪʃənz/
plural of “expedition” — a military campaign designed to achieve a specific objective in a foreign country
From this reading As soon as it became evident that the Afridis were up, and that there would be stern fighting, the conversation in the mess room naturally turned on past expeditions against the wild tribesmen.
mat together and make felt-like
From this reading Having been two or three years on the frontier, they had many tales of hill fighting to tell; and these were eagerly listened to by all the younger officers, as they felt certain that they too would, ere long, be taking part in such struggles.
the act of fighting; any contest or struggle
From this reading As soon as it became evident that the Afridis were up, and that there would be stern fighting, the conversation in the mess room naturally turned on past expeditions against the wild tribesmen.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading "A fine instance of defence," one of the junior captains said, "was that of Thobal in 1891.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading As you all know, I am a ranker, and I received my commission for that business.
frontiernounUS /frənˈtɪr/
a wilderness at the edge of a settled area of a country
From this reading Having been two or three years on the frontier, they had many tales of hill fighting to tell; and these were eagerly listened to by all the younger officers, as they felt certain that they too would, ere long, be taking part in such struggles.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Two or three of the officers had exchanged into the regiment, when their own went home.
Havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Having been two or three years on the frontier, they had many tales of hill fighting to tell; and these were eagerly listened to by all the younger officers, as they felt certain that they too would, ere long, be taking part in such struggles.
a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading Having been two or three years on the frontier, they had many tales of hill fighting to tell; and these were eagerly listened to by all the younger officers, as they felt certain that they too would, ere long, be taking part in such struggles.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading Two or three of the officers had exchanged into the regiment, when their own went home.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading As you all know, I am a ranker, and I received my commission for that business.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading As soon as it became evident that the Afridis were up, and that there would be stern fighting, the conversation in the mess room naturally turned on past expeditions against the wild tribesmen.
an occurrence of something
From this reading "A fine instance of defence," one of the junior captains said, "was that of Thobal in 1891.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Two or three of the officers had exchanged into the regiment, when their own went home.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading As soon as it became evident that the Afridis were up, and that there would be stern fighting, the conversation in the mess room naturally turned on past expeditions against the wild tribesmen.
juniornounUS /ˈdʒuːnjər/
term of address for a disrespectful and annoying male
From this reading "A fine instance of defence," one of the junior captains said, "was that of Thobal in 1891.
be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading As you all know, I am a ranker, and I received my commission for that business.
past form of “listen” — hear with intention
From this reading Having been two or three years on the frontier, they had many tales of hill fighting to tell; and these were eagerly listened to by all the younger officers, as they felt certain that they too would, ere long, be taking part in such struggles.
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 Having been two or three years on the frontier, they had many tales of hill fighting to tell; and these were eagerly listened to by all the younger officers, as they felt certain that they too would, ere long, be taking part in such struggles.
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 Having been two or three years on the frontier, they had many tales of hill fighting to tell; and these were eagerly listened to by all the younger officers, as they felt certain that they too would, ere long, be taking part in such struggles.
messnounUS /mes/
a state of confusion and disorderliness
From this reading As soon as it became evident that the Afridis were up, and that there would be stern fighting, the conversation in the mess room naturally turned on past expeditions against the wild tribesmen.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading As you all know, I am a ranker, and I received my commission for that business.
as might be expected
From this reading As soon as it became evident that the Afridis were up, and that there would be stern fighting, the conversation in the mess room naturally turned on past expeditions against the wild tribesmen.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Two or three of the officers had exchanged into the regiment, when their own went home.
plural of “officer” — any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading Two or three of the officers had exchanged into the regiment, when their own went home.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading As soon as it became evident that the Afridis were up, and that there would be stern fighting, the conversation in the mess room naturally turned on past expeditions against the wild tribesmen.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading "A fine instance of defence," one of the junior captains said, "was that of Thobal in 1891.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Two or three of the officers had exchanged into the regiment, when their own went home.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading Two or three of the officers had exchanged into the regiment, when their own went home.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading Having been two or three years on the frontier, they had many tales of hill fighting to tell; and these were eagerly listened to by all the younger officers, as they felt certain that they too would, ere long, be taking part in such struggles.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading As soon as it became evident that the Afridis were up, and that there would be stern fighting, the conversation in the mess room naturally turned on past expeditions against the wild tribesmen.
rankernounUS /ˈræŋkər/
a commissioned officer who has been promoted from enlisted status
From this reading As you all know, I am a ranker, and I received my commission for that business.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading As you all know, I am a ranker, and I received my commission for that business.
regimentverbUS /ˈredʒəmənt/
subject to rigid discipline, order, and systematization
From this reading Two or three of the officers had exchanged into the regiment, when their own went home.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading As soon as it became evident that the Afridis were up, and that there would be stern fighting, the conversation in the mess room naturally turned on past expeditions against the wild tribesmen.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading "A fine instance of defence," one of the junior captains said, "was that of Thobal in 1891.
in the near future
From this reading As soon as it became evident that the Afridis were up, and that there would be stern fighting, the conversation in the mess room naturally turned on past expeditions against the wild tribesmen.
sternadjectiveUS /stɜːrn/
of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect
From this reading As soon as it became evident that the Afridis were up, and that there would be stern fighting, the conversation in the mess room naturally turned on past expeditions against the wild tribesmen.
strugglesnounUS /ˈstrʌɡəlz/
plural of “struggle” — an energetic attempt to achieve something
From this reading Having been two or three years on the frontier, they had many tales of hill fighting to tell; and these were eagerly listened to by all the younger officers, as they felt certain that they too would, ere long, be taking part in such struggles.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Having been two or three years on the frontier, they had many tales of hill fighting to tell; and these were eagerly listened to by all the younger officers, as they felt certain that they too would, ere long, be taking part in such struggles.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading Having been two or three years on the frontier, they had many tales of hill fighting to tell; and these were eagerly listened to by all the younger officers, as they felt certain that they too would, ere long, be taking part in such struggles.
plural of “tale” — 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 Having been two or three years on the frontier, they had many tales of hill fighting to tell; and these were eagerly listened to by all the younger officers, as they felt certain that they too would, ere long, be taking part in such struggles.
express in words
From this reading Having been two or three years on the frontier, they had many tales of hill fighting to tell; and these were eagerly listened to by all the younger officers, as they felt certain that they too would, ere long, be taking part in such struggles.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading As soon as it became evident that the Afridis were up, and that there would be stern fighting, the conversation in the mess room naturally turned on past expeditions against the wild tribesmen.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading As soon as it became evident that the Afridis were up, and that there would be stern fighting, the conversation in the mess room naturally turned on past expeditions against the wild tribesmen.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Two or three of the officers had exchanged into the regiment, when their own went home.
in or at that place or location
From this reading As soon as it became evident that the Afridis were up, and that there would be stern fighting, the conversation in the mess room naturally turned on past expeditions against the wild tribesmen.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Having been two or three years on the frontier, they had many tales of hill fighting to tell; and these were eagerly listened to by all the younger officers, as they felt certain that they too would, ere long, be taking part in such struggles.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Having been two or three years on the frontier, they had many tales of hill fighting to tell; and these were eagerly listened to by all the younger officers, as they felt certain that they too would, ere long, be taking part in such struggles.
Thobal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "A fine instance of defence," one of the junior captains said, "was that of Thobal in 1891.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading Two or three of the officers had exchanged into the regiment, when their own went home.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Having been two or three years on the frontier, they had many tales of hill fighting to tell; and these were eagerly listened to by all the younger officers, as they felt certain that they too would, ere long, be taking part in such struggles.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading Having been two or three years on the frontier, they had many tales of hill fighting to tell; and these were eagerly listened to by all the younger officers, as they felt certain that they too would, ere long, be taking part in such struggles.
tribesmennounUS /ˈtraɪbzmɪn/
plural of “tribesman” — someone who lives in a tribe
From this reading As soon as it became evident that the Afridis were up, and that there would be stern fighting, the conversation in the mess room naturally turned on past expeditions against the wild tribesmen.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading As soon as it became evident that the Afridis were up, and that there would be stern fighting, the conversation in the mess room naturally turned on past expeditions against the wild tribesmen.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Two or three of the officers had exchanged into the regiment, when their own went home.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading As soon as it became evident that the Afridis were up, and that there would be stern fighting, the conversation in the mess room naturally turned on past expeditions against the wild tribesmen.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "A fine instance of defence," one of the junior captains said, "was that of Thobal in 1891.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Two or three of the officers had exchanged into the regiment, when their own went home.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading As soon as it became evident that the Afridis were up, and that there would be stern fighting, the conversation in the mess room naturally turned on past expeditions against the wild tribesmen.
at the time that
From this reading Two or three of the officers had exchanged into the regiment, when their own went home.
marked by extreme lack of restraint or control
From this reading As soon as it became evident that the Afridis were up, and that there would be stern fighting, the conversation in the mess room naturally turned on past expeditions against the wild tribesmen.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading As soon as it became evident that the Afridis were up, and that there would be stern fighting, the conversation in the mess room naturally turned on past expeditions against the wild tribesmen.
a late time of life
From this reading Having been two or three years on the frontier, they had many tales of hill fighting to tell; and these were eagerly listened to by all the younger officers, as they felt certain that they too would, ere long, be taking part in such struggles.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading As you all know, I am a ranker, and I received my commission for that business.
used of the younger of two persons of the same name especially used to distinguish a son from his father
From this reading Having been two or three years on the frontier, they had many tales of hill fighting to tell; and these were eagerly listened to by all the younger officers, as they felt certain that they too would, ere long, be taking part in such struggles.
