used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Every shell hole was now a miniature lake, covered with a thin coating of ice.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Although the distance was not far every foot of the way was beset with perils, for in spite of the heavier fire from the British guns the Germans were systematically searching the ground that had been wrested from them during the day.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN INTERVIEW WITH THE C.O.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading IT was close on midnight when Setley and his two companions rejoined their battalion.
battalionnounUS /bəˈtæljən/
an army unit usually consisting of a headquarters and three or more companies
From this reading IT was close on midnight when Setley and his two companions rejoined their battalion.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Although the distance was not far every foot of the way was beset with perils, for in spite of the heavier fire from the British guns the Germans were systematically searching the ground that had been wrested from them during the day.
besetverbUS /bɪˈset/
annoy continually or chronically
From this reading Although the distance was not far every foot of the way was beset with perils, for in spite of the heavier fire from the British guns the Germans were systematically searching the ground that had been wrested from them during the day.
the people of Great Britain
From this reading Although the distance was not far every foot of the way was beset with perils, for in spite of the heavier fire from the British guns the Germans were systematically searching the ground that had been wrested from them during the day.
a degree on the centigrade scale of temperature
From this reading AN INTERVIEW WITH THE C.O.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading IT was close on midnight when Setley and his two companions rejoined their battalion.
coatingnounUS /ˈkoʊtɪŋ/
a thin layer covering something
From this reading Every shell hole was now a miniature lake, covered with a thin coating of ice.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading A slip on the steeply sloping edge and the incautious wight would find himself out of his depth in icy cold water.
plural of “companion” — a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading IT was close on midnight when Setley and his two companions rejoined their battalion.
overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form
From this reading Every shell hole was now a miniature lake, covered with a thin coating of ice.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Although the distance was not far every foot of the way was beset with perils, for in spite of the heavier fire from the British guns the Germans were systematically searching the ground that had been wrested from them during the day.
depthnounUS /depθ/
the extent downward or backward or inward
From this reading A slip on the steeply sloping edge and the incautious wight would find himself out of his depth in icy cold water.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading Although the distance was not far every foot of the way was beset with perils, for in spite of the heavier fire from the British guns the Germans were systematically searching the ground that had been wrested from them during the day.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading Although the distance was not far every foot of the way was beset with perils, for in spite of the heavier fire from the British guns the Germans were systematically searching the ground that had been wrested from them during the day.
the boundary of a surface
From this reading A slip on the steeply sloping edge and the incautious wight would find himself out of his depth in icy cold water.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Although the distance was not far every foot of the way was beset with perils, for in spite of the heavier fire from the British guns the Germans were systematically searching the ground that had been wrested from them during the day.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading Although the distance was not far every foot of the way was beset with perils, for in spite of the heavier fire from the British guns the Germans were systematically searching the ground that had been wrested from them during the day.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading A slip on the steeply sloping edge and the incautious wight would find himself out of his depth in icy cold water.
start firing a weapon
From this reading Although the distance was not far every foot of the way was beset with perils, for in spite of the heavier fire from the British guns the Germans were systematically searching the ground that had been wrested from them during the day.
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Although the distance was not far every foot of the way was beset with perils, for in spite of the heavier fire from the British guns the Germans were systematically searching the ground that had been wrested from them during the day.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Although the distance was not far every foot of the way was beset with perils, for in spite of the heavier fire from the British guns the Germans were systematically searching the ground that had been wrested from them during the day.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Although the distance was not far every foot of the way was beset with perils, for in spite of the heavier fire from the British guns the Germans were systematically searching the ground that had been wrested from them during the day.
GermansnounUS /ˈdʒɜːrmənz/
plural of “german” — a person of German nationality
From this reading Although the distance was not far every foot of the way was beset with perils, for in spite of the heavier fire from the British guns the Germans were systematically searching the ground that had been wrested from them during the day.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading Although the distance was not far every foot of the way was beset with perils, for in spite of the heavier fire from the British guns the Germans were systematically searching the ground that had been wrested from them during the day.
plural of “gun” — a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)
From this reading Although the distance was not far every foot of the way was beset with perils, for in spite of the heavier fire from the British guns the Germans were systematically searching the ground that had been wrested from them during the day.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Although the distance was not far every foot of the way was beset with perils, for in spite of the heavier fire from the British guns the Germans were systematically searching the ground that had been wrested from them during the day.
heavieradjectiveUS /ˈheviər/
comparative of “heavy” — of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading Although the distance was not far every foot of the way was beset with perils, for in spite of the heavier fire from the British guns the Germans were systematically searching the ground that had been wrested from them during the day.
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading A slip on the steeply sloping edge and the incautious wight would find himself out of his depth in icy cold water.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading IT was close on midnight when Setley and his two companions rejoined their battalion.
an opening into or through something
From this reading Every shell hole was now a miniature lake, covered with a thin coating of ice.
water frozen in the solid state
From this reading Every shell hole was now a miniature lake, covered with a thin coating of ice.
icyadjectiveUS /ˈaɪsi/
devoid of warmth and cordiality; expressive of unfriendliness or disdain
From this reading A slip on the steeply sloping edge and the incautious wight would find himself out of his depth in icy cold water.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Although the distance was not far every foot of the way was beset with perils, for in spite of the heavier fire from the British guns the Germans were systematically searching the ground that had been wrested from them during the day.
incautiousadjective
lacking in caution
From this reading A slip on the steeply sloping edge and the incautious wight would find himself out of his depth in icy cold water.
conduct an interview in television, newspaper, and radio reporting
From this reading AN INTERVIEW WITH THE C.O.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading IT was close on midnight when Setley and his two companions rejoined their battalion.
a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land
From this reading Every shell hole was now a miniature lake, covered with a thin coating of ice.
12 o'clock at night; the middle of the night
From this reading IT was close on midnight when Setley and his two companions rejoined their battalion.
miniaturenounUS /ˈmɪniətʃʊr/
painting or drawing included in a book (especially in illuminated medieval manuscripts)
From this reading Every shell hole was now a miniature lake, covered with a thin coating of ice.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Although the distance was not far every foot of the way was beset with perils, for in spite of the heavier fire from the British guns the Germans were systematically searching the ground that had been wrested from them during the day.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Every shell hole was now a miniature lake, covered with a thin coating of ice.
a nonmetallic bivalent element that is normally a colorless odorless tasteless nonflammable diatomic gas; constitutes 21 percent of the atmosphere by volume; the most abundant element in the earth's crust
From this reading AN INTERVIEW WITH THE C.O.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Although the distance was not far every foot of the way was beset with perils, for in spite of the heavier fire from the British guns the Germans were systematically searching the ground that had been wrested from them during the day.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading IT was close on midnight when Setley and his two companions rejoined their battalion.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading A slip on the steeply sloping edge and the incautious wight would find himself out of his depth in icy cold water.
perilsnounUS /ˈperəlz/
plural of “peril” — a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
From this reading Although the distance was not far every foot of the way was beset with perils, for in spite of the heavier fire from the British guns the Germans were systematically searching the ground that had been wrested from them during the day.
past form of “rejoin” — join again
From this reading IT was close on midnight when Setley and his two companions rejoined their battalion.
diligent and thorough in inquiry or investigation
From this reading Although the distance was not far every foot of the way was beset with perils, for in spite of the heavier fire from the British guns the Germans were systematically searching the ground that had been wrested from them during the day.
Setley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IT was close on midnight when Setley and his two companions rejoined their battalion.
shellnounUS /ʃel/
ammunition consisting of a cylindrical metal casing containing an explosive charge and a projectile; fired from a large gun
From this reading Every shell hole was now a miniature lake, covered with a thin coating of ice.
move stealthily
From this reading A slip on the steeply sloping edge and the incautious wight would find himself out of his depth in icy cold water.
slopingadjectiveUS /ˈsloʊpɪŋ/
having an oblique or slanted direction
From this reading A slip on the steeply sloping edge and the incautious wight would find himself out of his depth in icy cold water.
feeling a need to see others suffer
From this reading Although the distance was not far every foot of the way was beset with perils, for in spite of the heavier fire from the British guns the Germans were systematically searching the ground that had been wrested from them during the day.
steeplyadverbUS /ˈstiːpli/
in a steep manner
From this reading A slip on the steeply sloping edge and the incautious wight would find himself out of his depth in icy cold water.
systematicallyadverbUS /ˌsɪstəˈmætɪkli/
in a systematic or consistent manner
From this reading Although the distance was not far every foot of the way was beset with perils, for in spite of the heavier fire from the British guns the Germans were systematically searching the ground that had been wrested from them during the day.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Although the distance was not far every foot of the way was beset with perils, for in spite of the heavier fire from the British guns the Germans were systematically searching the ground that had been wrested from them during the day.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AN INTERVIEW WITH THE C.O.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading IT was close on midnight when Setley and his two companions rejoined their battalion.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Although the distance was not far every foot of the way was beset with perils, for in spite of the heavier fire from the British guns the Germans were systematically searching the ground that had been wrested from them during the day.
Having little thickness or extent.
From this reading Every shell hole was now a miniature lake, covered with a thin coating of ice.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading IT was close on midnight when Setley and his two companions rejoined their battalion.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading IT was close on midnight when Setley and his two companions rejoined their battalion.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading A slip on the steeply sloping edge and the incautious wight would find himself out of his depth in icy cold water.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Although the distance was not far every foot of the way was beset with perils, for in spite of the heavier fire from the British guns the Germans were systematically searching the ground that had been wrested from them during the day.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Although the distance was not far every foot of the way was beset with perils, for in spite of the heavier fire from the British guns the Germans were systematically searching the ground that had been wrested from them during the day.
at the time that
From this reading IT was close on midnight when Setley and his two companions rejoined their battalion.
wightnounUS /waɪt/
a human being; “wight” is an archaic term
From this reading A slip on the steeply sloping edge and the incautious wight would find himself out of his depth in icy cold water.
in the company of; together with
From this reading AN INTERVIEW WITH THE C.O.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading A slip on the steeply sloping edge and the incautious wight would find himself out of his depth in icy cold water.
wrestedverbUS /ˈrestɪd/
past form of “wrest” — obtain by seizing forcibly or violently, also metaphorically
From this reading Although the distance was not far every foot of the way was beset with perils, for in spite of the heavier fire from the British guns the Germans were systematically searching the ground that had been wrested from them during the day.
