used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A shell from a distant German gun burst close alongside one of the steel mammoths, converting the "invisible" colour-scheme into a hideous daub of greenish yellow, but beyond that the H.E. missiles had no effect upon the mobile fortress.
move forward, also in the metaphorical sense
From this reading THE ADVANCE OF THE TANKS SLOWLY the mechanical mastodons advanced, reeling from side to side as they skirted the edges of the largest shell-craters.
farther along in physical or mental development
From this reading THE ADVANCE OF THE TANKS SLOWLY the mechanical mastodons advanced, reeling from side to side as they skirted the edges of the largest shell-craters.
alongsideadverbUS /əˈlɔːŋˈsaɪd/
side by side
From this reading A shell from a distant German gun burst close alongside one of the steel mammoths, converting the "invisible" colour-scheme into a hideous daub of greenish yellow, but beyond that the H.E. missiles had no effect upon the mobile fortress.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading THE ADVANCE OF THE TANKS SLOWLY the mechanical mastodons advanced, reeling from side to side as they skirted the edges of the largest shell-craters.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading The weapons, moving easily on their mountings, began to search for their objectives.
beltsnounUS /belts/
plural of “belt” — endless loop of flexible material between two rotating shafts or pulleys
From this reading Through the waist-deep slime the Tanks floundered, displacing tons of mud under the resistless pressure of the broad-flanged endless belts.
on the far side of; further than
From this reading A shell from a distant German gun burst close alongside one of the steel mammoths, converting the "invisible" colour-scheme into a hideous daub of greenish yellow, but beyond that the H.E. missiles had no effect upon the mobile fortress.
broad-flanged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Through the waist-deep slime the Tanks floundered, displacing tons of mud under the resistless pressure of the broad-flanged endless belts.
come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure
From this reading A shell from a distant German gun burst close alongside one of the steel mammoths, converting the "invisible" colour-scheme into a hideous daub of greenish yellow, but beyond that the H.E. missiles had no effect upon the mobile fortress.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading A shell from a distant German gun burst close alongside one of the steel mammoths, converting the "invisible" colour-scheme into a hideous daub of greenish yellow, but beyond that the H.E. missiles had no effect upon the mobile fortress.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading A shell from a distant German gun burst close alongside one of the steel mammoths, converting the "invisible" colour-scheme into a hideous daub of greenish yellow, but beyond that the H.E. missiles had no effect upon the mobile fortress.
colour-scheme
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A shell from a distant German gun burst close alongside one of the steel mammoths, converting the "invisible" colour-scheme into a hideous daub of greenish yellow, but beyond that the H.E. missiles had no effect upon the mobile fortress.
convertingverbUS /kənˈvɜːrtɪŋ/
-ing form of “convert” — change from one system to another or to a new plan or policy
From this reading A shell from a distant German gun burst close alongside one of the steel mammoths, converting the "invisible" colour-scheme into a hideous daub of greenish yellow, but beyond that the H.E. missiles had no effect upon the mobile fortress.
daubnounUS /dɔːb/
material used to daub walls
From this reading A shell from a distant German gun burst close alongside one of the steel mammoths, converting the "invisible" colour-scheme into a hideous daub of greenish yellow, but beyond that the H.E. missiles had no effect upon the mobile fortress.
displacingverbUS /dɪˈspleɪsɪŋ/
-ing form of “displace” — cause to move, usually with force or pressure
From this reading Through the waist-deep slime the Tanks floundered, displacing tons of mud under the resistless pressure of the broad-flanged endless belts.
separated in space or coming from or going to a distance
From this reading A shell from a distant German gun burst close alongside one of the steel mammoths, converting the "invisible" colour-scheme into a hideous daub of greenish yellow, but beyond that the H.E. missiles had no effect upon the mobile fortress.
a fat-soluble vitamin that is essential for normal reproduction; an important antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals in the body
From this reading A shell from a distant German gun burst close alongside one of the steel mammoths, converting the "invisible" colour-scheme into a hideous daub of greenish yellow, but beyond that the H.E. missiles had no effect upon the mobile fortress.
with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)
From this reading The weapons, moving easily on their mountings, began to search for their objectives.
edgesnounUS /ˈedʒəz/
plural of “edge” — the boundary of a surface
From this reading THE ADVANCE OF THE TANKS SLOWLY the mechanical mastodons advanced, reeling from side to side as they skirted the edges of the largest shell-craters.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading A shell from a distant German gun burst close alongside one of the steel mammoths, converting the "invisible" colour-scheme into a hideous daub of greenish yellow, but beyond that the H.E. missiles had no effect upon the mobile fortress.
endlessadjectiveUS /ˈendləs/
tiresomely long; seemingly without end
From this reading Through the waist-deep slime the Tanks floundered, displacing tons of mud under the resistless pressure of the broad-flanged endless belts.
flounderedverbUS /ˈflaʊndərd/
past form of “flounder” — walk with great difficulty
From this reading Through the waist-deep slime the Tanks floundered, displacing tons of mud under the resistless pressure of the broad-flanged endless belts.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The weapons, moving easily on their mountings, began to search for their objectives.
fortressnounUS /ˈfɔːrtrəs/
a fortified defensive structure
From this reading A shell from a distant German gun burst close alongside one of the steel mammoths, converting the "invisible" colour-scheme into a hideous daub of greenish yellow, but beyond that the H.E. missiles had no effect upon the mobile fortress.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading THE ADVANCE OF THE TANKS SLOWLY the mechanical mastodons advanced, reeling from side to side as they skirted the edges of the largest shell-craters.
a person of German nationality
From this reading A shell from a distant German gun burst close alongside one of the steel mammoths, converting the "invisible" colour-scheme into a hideous daub of greenish yellow, but beyond that the H.E. missiles had no effect upon the mobile fortress.
greenishadjectiveUS /ˈɡriːnɪʃ/
of the color between blue and yellow in the color spectrum; similar to the color of fresh grass
From this reading A shell from a distant German gun burst close alongside one of the steel mammoths, converting the "invisible" colour-scheme into a hideous daub of greenish yellow, but beyond that the H.E. missiles had no effect upon the mobile fortress.
grinnedverbUS /ɡrɪnd/
inflected form of “grin” — to draw back the lips and reveal the teeth, in a smile, grimace, or snarl
From this reading Through their multi-coloured sides guns, as yet ominously silent, grinned menacingly.
a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)
From this reading A shell from a distant German gun burst close alongside one of the steel mammoths, converting the "invisible" colour-scheme into a hideous daub of greenish yellow, but beyond that the H.E. missiles had no effect upon the mobile fortress.
plural of “gun” — a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)
From this reading Through their multi-coloured sides guns, as yet ominously silent, grinned menacingly.
a nonmetallic univalent element that is normally a colorless and odorless highly flammable diatomic gas; the simplest and lightest and most abundant element in the universe
From this reading A shell from a distant German gun burst close alongside one of the steel mammoths, converting the "invisible" colour-scheme into a hideous daub of greenish yellow, but beyond that the H.E. missiles had no effect upon the mobile fortress.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A shell from a distant German gun burst close alongside one of the steel mammoths, converting the "invisible" colour-scheme into a hideous daub of greenish yellow, but beyond that the H.E. missiles had no effect upon the mobile fortress.
hideousadjectiveUS /ˈhɪdiəs/
grossly offensive to decency or morality; causing horror
From this reading A shell from a distant German gun burst close alongside one of the steel mammoths, converting the "invisible" colour-scheme into a hideous daub of greenish yellow, but beyond that the H.E. missiles had no effect upon the mobile fortress.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading A shell from a distant German gun burst close alongside one of the steel mammoths, converting the "invisible" colour-scheme into a hideous daub of greenish yellow, but beyond that the H.E. missiles had no effect upon the mobile fortress.
invisibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈvɪzəbəl/
impossible or nearly impossible to see; imperceptible by the eye
From this reading A shell from a distant German gun burst close alongside one of the steel mammoths, converting the "invisible" colour-scheme into a hideous daub of greenish yellow, but beyond that the H.E. missiles had no effect upon the mobile fortress.
largestadjectiveUS /ˈlɑːrdʒəst/
superlative of “large” — above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading THE ADVANCE OF THE TANKS SLOWLY the mechanical mastodons advanced, reeling from side to side as they skirted the edges of the largest shell-craters.
mammothsnounUS /ˈmæməθs/
plural of “mammoth” — any of numerous extinct elephants widely distributed in the Pleistocene; extremely large with hairy coats and long upcurved tusks
From this reading A shell from a distant German gun burst close alongside one of the steel mammoths, converting the "invisible" colour-scheme into a hideous daub of greenish yellow, but beyond that the H.E. missiles had no effect upon the mobile fortress.
mastodons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE ADVANCE OF THE TANKS SLOWLY the mechanical mastodons advanced, reeling from side to side as they skirted the edges of the largest shell-craters.
mechanicaladjectiveUS /məˈkænɪkəl/
using (or as if using) mechanisms or tools or devices
From this reading THE ADVANCE OF THE TANKS SLOWLY the mechanical mastodons advanced, reeling from side to side as they skirted the edges of the largest shell-craters.
menacinglyadverbUS /ˈmenəsɪŋli/
in a menacing manner
From this reading Through their multi-coloured sides guns, as yet ominously silent, grinned menacingly.
missilesnounUS /ˈmɪsəlz/
plural of “missile” — a rocket carrying a warhead of conventional or nuclear explosives; may be ballistic or directed by remote control
From this reading A shell from a distant German gun burst close alongside one of the steel mammoths, converting the "invisible" colour-scheme into a hideous daub of greenish yellow, but beyond that the H.E. missiles had no effect upon the mobile fortress.
mobileadjectiveUS /ˈmoʊbəl/
migratory
From this reading A shell from a distant German gun burst close alongside one of the steel mammoths, converting the "invisible" colour-scheme into a hideous daub of greenish yellow, but beyond that the H.E. missiles had no effect upon the mobile fortress.
mountings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The weapons, moving easily on their mountings, began to search for their objectives.
in motion
From this reading The weapons, moving easily on their mountings, began to search for their objectives.
water soaked soil; soft wet earth
From this reading Through the waist-deep slime the Tanks floundered, displacing tons of mud under the resistless pressure of the broad-flanged endless belts.
multi-colouredadjective
having sections or patches colored differently and usually brightly
From this reading Through their multi-coloured sides guns, as yet ominously silent, grinned menacingly.
not any; not one
From this reading A shell from a distant German gun burst close alongside one of the steel mammoths, converting the "invisible" colour-scheme into a hideous daub of greenish yellow, but beyond that the H.E. missiles had no effect upon the mobile fortress.
objectivesnounUS /əbˈdʒektɪvz/
plural of “objective” — the goal intended to be attained (and which is believed to be attainable)
From this reading The weapons, moving easily on their mountings, began to search for their objectives.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE ADVANCE OF THE TANKS SLOWLY the mechanical mastodons advanced, reeling from side to side as they skirted the edges of the largest shell-craters.
ominouslyadverbUS /ˈɑːmənəsli/
in an ominous manner
From this reading Through their multi-coloured sides guns, as yet ominously silent, grinned menacingly.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The weapons, moving easily on their mountings, began to search for their objectives.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading A shell from a distant German gun burst close alongside one of the steel mammoths, converting the "invisible" colour-scheme into a hideous daub of greenish yellow, but beyond that the H.E. missiles had no effect upon the mobile fortress.
pressurenounUS /ˈpreʃər/
the force applied to a unit area of surface; measured in pascals (SI unit) or in dynes (cgs unit)
From this reading Through the waist-deep slime the Tanks floundered, displacing tons of mud under the resistless pressure of the broad-flanged endless belts.
reelingverbUS /ˈriːlɪŋ/
-ing form of “reel” — walk as if unable to control one's movements
From this reading THE ADVANCE OF THE TANKS SLOWLY the mechanical mastodons advanced, reeling from side to side as they skirted the edges of the largest shell-craters.
resistlessadjective
impossible to resist; overpowering
From this reading Through the waist-deep slime the Tanks floundered, displacing tons of mud under the resistless pressure of the broad-flanged endless belts.
try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of
From this reading The weapons, moving easily on their mountings, began to search for their objectives.
shellnounUS /ʃel/
ammunition consisting of a cylindrical metal casing containing an explosive charge and a projectile; fired from a large gun
From this reading A shell from a distant German gun burst close alongside one of the steel mammoths, converting the "invisible" colour-scheme into a hideous daub of greenish yellow, but beyond that the H.E. missiles had no effect upon the mobile fortress.
shell-craters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE ADVANCE OF THE TANKS SLOWLY the mechanical mastodons advanced, reeling from side to side as they skirted the edges of the largest shell-craters.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading THE ADVANCE OF THE TANKS SLOWLY the mechanical mastodons advanced, reeling from side to side as they skirted the edges of the largest shell-craters.
plural of “side” — a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading Through their multi-coloured sides guns, as yet ominously silent, grinned menacingly.
marked by absence of sound
From this reading Through their multi-coloured sides guns, as yet ominously silent, grinned menacingly.
skirtedverbUS /ˈskɜːrtɪd/
past form of “skirt” — avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues)
From this reading THE ADVANCE OF THE TANKS SLOWLY the mechanical mastodons advanced, reeling from side to side as they skirted the edges of the largest shell-craters.
slimeverbUS /slaɪm/
cover or stain with slime
From this reading Through the waist-deep slime the Tanks floundered, displacing tons of mud under the resistless pressure of the broad-flanged endless belts.
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading THE ADVANCE OF THE TANKS SLOWLY the mechanical mastodons advanced, reeling from side to side as they skirted the edges of the largest shell-craters.
an alloy of iron with small amounts of carbon; widely used in construction; mechanical properties can be varied over a wide range
From this reading A shell from a distant German gun burst close alongside one of the steel mammoths, converting the "invisible" colour-scheme into a hideous daub of greenish yellow, but beyond that the H.E. missiles had no effect upon the mobile fortress.
TANKSnounUS /tæŋks/
plural of “tank” — an enclosed armored military vehicle; has a cannon and moves on caterpillar treads
From this reading THE ADVANCE OF THE TANKS SLOWLY the mechanical mastodons advanced, reeling from side to side as they skirted the edges of the largest shell-craters.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A shell from a distant German gun burst close alongside one of the steel mammoths, converting the "invisible" colour-scheme into a hideous daub of greenish yellow, but beyond that the H.E. missiles had no effect upon the mobile fortress.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE ADVANCE OF THE TANKS SLOWLY the mechanical mastodons advanced, reeling from side to side as they skirted the edges of the largest shell-craters.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Through their multi-coloured sides guns, as yet ominously silent, grinned menacingly.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE ADVANCE OF THE TANKS SLOWLY the mechanical mastodons advanced, reeling from side to side as they skirted the edges of the largest shell-craters.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Through their multi-coloured sides guns, as yet ominously silent, grinned menacingly.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE ADVANCE OF THE TANKS SLOWLY the mechanical mastodons advanced, reeling from side to side as they skirted the edges of the largest shell-craters.
tonsnounUS /tʌnz/
a large number or amount
From this reading Through the waist-deep slime the Tanks floundered, displacing tons of mud under the resistless pressure of the broad-flanged endless belts.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Through the waist-deep slime the Tanks floundered, displacing tons of mud under the resistless pressure of the broad-flanged endless belts.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading A shell from a distant German gun burst close alongside one of the steel mammoths, converting the "invisible" colour-scheme into a hideous daub of greenish yellow, but beyond that the H.E. missiles had no effect upon the mobile fortress.
waist-deepadverb
up to the waist
From this reading Through the waist-deep slime the Tanks floundered, displacing tons of mud under the resistless pressure of the broad-flanged endless belts.
weaponsnounUS /ˈwepənz/
plural of “weapon” — any instrument or instrumentality used in fighting or hunting
From this reading The weapons, moving easily on their mountings, began to search for their objectives.
of the color intermediate between green and orange in the color spectrum; of something resembling the color of an egg yolk
From this reading A shell from a distant German gun burst close alongside one of the steel mammoths, converting the "invisible" colour-scheme into a hideous daub of greenish yellow, but beyond that the H.E. missiles had no effect upon the mobile fortress.
but in spite of that
From this reading Through their multi-coloured sides guns, as yet ominously silent, grinned menacingly.
