used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading To all it meant a day when most of the duties were suspended, and to the “plebes” it marked the time when some of them, for the first time, would be chosen to go on guard.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading ACROSS THE RIVER The Fourth of July was looked forward to by all the cadets, the plebes no less than the upper classmen.
(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 ACROSS THE RIVER The Fourth of July was looked forward to by all the cadets, the plebes no less than the upper classmen.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading On the morning of Independence Day, following an old-time custom, the West Point band marched through the streets of tents at reveille.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading To all it meant a day when most of the duties were suspended, and to the “plebes” it marked the time when some of them, for the first time, would be chosen to go on guard.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading On the morning of Independence Day, following an old-time custom, the West Point band marched through the streets of tents at reveille.
an unofficial association of people or groups
From this reading On the morning of Independence Day, following an old-time custom, the West Point band marched through the streets of tents at reveille.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading To all it meant a day when most of the duties were suspended, and to the “plebes” it marked the time when some of them, for the first time, would be chosen to go on guard.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Not all the plebes would be selected for this, but Tom learned that he and Sam would be.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading ACROSS THE RIVER The Fourth of July was looked forward to by all the cadets, the plebes no less than the upper classmen.
cadetsnounUS /kəˈdets/
plural of “cadet” — a military trainee (as at a military academy)
From this reading ACROSS THE RIVER The Fourth of July was looked forward to by all the cadets, the plebes no less than the upper classmen.
ChadnounUS /tʃæd/
a small piece of paper that is supposed to be removed when a hole is punched in a card or paper tape
From this reading Harry and Chad had to wait a while for the coveted honor.
one who is the object of choice; who is given preference
From this reading To all it meant a day when most of the duties were suspended, and to the “plebes” it marked the time when some of them, for the first time, would be chosen to go on guard.
classmen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ACROSS THE RIVER The Fourth of July was looked forward to by all the cadets, the plebes no less than the upper classmen.
covetedadjectiveUS /ˈkʌvətɪd/
greatly desired
From this reading Harry and Chad had to wait a while for the coveted honor.
accepted or habitual practice
From this reading On the morning of Independence Day, following an old-time custom, the West Point band marched through the streets of tents at reveille.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading To all it meant a day when most of the duties were suspended, and to the “plebes” it marked the time when some of them, for the first time, would be chosen to go on guard.
plural of “duty” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading To all it meant a day when most of the duties were suspended, and to the “plebes” it marked the time when some of them, for the first time, would be chosen to go on guard.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading To all it meant a day when most of the duties were suspended, and to the “plebes” it marked the time when some of them, for the first time, would be chosen to go on guard.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading On the morning of Independence Day, following an old-time custom, the West Point band marched through the streets of tents at reveille.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading To all it meant a day when most of the duties were suspended, and to the “plebes” it marked the time when some of them, for the first time, would be chosen to go on guard.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading ACROSS THE RIVER The Fourth of July was looked forward to by all the cadets, the plebes no less than the upper classmen.
following the third position; number four in a countable series
From this reading ACROSS THE RIVER The Fourth of July was looked forward to by all the cadets, the plebes no less than the upper classmen.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading To all it meant a day when most of the duties were suspended, and to the “plebes” it marked the time when some of them, for the first time, would be chosen to go on guard.
a person who keeps watch over something or someone
From this reading To all it meant a day when most of the duties were suspended, and to the “plebes” it marked the time when some of them, for the first time, would be chosen to go on guard.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Harry and Chad had to wait a while for the coveted honor.
annoy continually or chronically
From this reading Harry and Chad had to wait a while for the coveted honor.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Not all the plebes would be selected for this, but Tom learned that he and Sam would be.
a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction
From this reading Harry and Chad had to wait a while for the coveted honor.
IndependencenounUS /ˌɪndɪˈpendəns/
freedom from control or influence of another or others
From this reading On the morning of Independence Day, following an old-time custom, the West Point band marched through the streets of tents at reveille.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading To all it meant a day when most of the duties were suspended, and to the “plebes” it marked the time when some of them, for the first time, would be chosen to go on guard.
the month following June and preceding August
From this reading ACROSS THE RIVER The Fourth of July was looked forward to by all the cadets, the plebes no less than the upper classmen.
having or showing profound knowledge
From this reading Not all the plebes would be selected for this, but Tom learned that he and Sam would be.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading ACROSS THE RIVER The Fourth of July was looked forward to by all the cadets, the plebes no less than the upper classmen.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading ACROSS THE RIVER The Fourth of July was looked forward to by all the cadets, the plebes no less than the upper classmen.
past form of “march” — march in a procession
From this reading On the morning of Independence Day, following an old-time custom, the West Point band marched through the streets of tents at reveille.
strongly marked; easily noticeable
From this reading To all it meant a day when most of the duties were suspended, and to the “plebes” it marked the time when some of them, for the first time, would be chosen to go on guard.
inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading To all it meant a day when most of the duties were suspended, and to the “plebes” it marked the time when some of them, for the first time, would be chosen to go on guard.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading On the morning of Independence Day, following an old-time custom, the West Point band marched through the streets of tents at reveille.
used to form the superlative
From this reading To all it meant a day when most of the duties were suspended, and to the “plebes” it marked the time when some of them, for the first time, would be chosen to go on guard.
not any; not one
From this reading ACROSS THE RIVER The Fourth of July was looked forward to by all the cadets, the plebes no less than the upper classmen.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Not all the plebes would be selected for this, but Tom learned that he and Sam would be.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading ACROSS THE RIVER The Fourth of July was looked forward to by all the cadets, the plebes no less than the upper classmen.
old-timeadjective
attractively old-fashioned (but not necessarily authentic)
From this reading On the morning of Independence Day, following an old-time custom, the West Point band marched through the streets of tents at reveille.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading To all it meant a day when most of the duties were suspended, and to the “plebes” it marked the time when some of them, for the first time, would be chosen to go on guard.
plebes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ACROSS THE RIVER The Fourth of July was looked forward to by all the cadets, the plebes no less than the upper classmen.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading On the morning of Independence Day, following an old-time custom, the West Point band marched through the streets of tents at reveille.
reveillenounUS /ˈrevəliː/
(military) signal to wake up
From this reading On the morning of Independence Day, following an old-time custom, the West Point band marched through the streets of tents at reveille.
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading ACROSS THE RIVER The Fourth of July was looked forward to by all the cadets, the plebes no less than the upper classmen.
a guided missile fired from land or shipboard against an airborne target
From this reading Not all the plebes would be selected for this, but Tom learned that he and Sam would be.
selectedadjectiveUS /səˈlektɪd/
chosen in preference to another
From this reading Not all the plebes would be selected for this, but Tom learned that he and Sam would be.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading To all it meant a day when most of the duties were suspended, and to the “plebes” it marked the time when some of them, for the first time, would be chosen to go on guard.
plural of “street” — a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading On the morning of Independence Day, following an old-time custom, the West Point band marched through the streets of tents at reveille.
suspendedadjectiveUS /səˈspendɪd/
(of undissolved particles in a fluid) supported or kept from sinking or falling by buoyancy and without apparent attachment
From this reading To all it meant a day when most of the duties were suspended, and to the “plebes” it marked the time when some of them, for the first time, would be chosen to go on guard.
tentsnounUS /tents/
plural of “tent” — a portable shelter (usually of canvas stretched over supporting poles and fastened to the ground with ropes and pegs)
From this reading On the morning of Independence Day, following an old-time custom, the West Point band marched through the streets of tents at reveille.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading ACROSS THE RIVER The Fourth of July was looked forward to by all the cadets, the plebes no less than the upper classmen.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Not all the plebes would be selected for this, but Tom learned that he and Sam would be.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ACROSS THE RIVER The Fourth of July was looked forward to by all the cadets, the plebes no less than the upper classmen.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading To all it meant a day when most of the duties were suspended, and to the “plebes” it marked the time when some of them, for the first time, would be chosen to go on guard.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Not all the plebes would be selected for this, but Tom learned that he and Sam would be.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading On the morning of Independence Day, following an old-time custom, the West Point band marched through the streets of tents at reveille.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading To all it meant a day when most of the duties were suspended, and to the “plebes” it marked the time when some of them, for the first time, would be chosen to go on guard.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading ACROSS THE RIVER The Fourth of July was looked forward to by all the cadets, the plebes no less than the upper classmen.
male cat
From this reading Not all the plebes would be selected for this, but Tom learned that he and Sam would be.
the topmost one of two
From this reading ACROSS THE RIVER The Fourth of July was looked forward to by all the cadets, the plebes no less than the upper classmen.
stay in one place and anticipate or expect something
From this reading Harry and Chad had to wait a while for the coveted honor.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading ACROSS THE RIVER The Fourth of July was looked forward to by all the cadets, the plebes no less than the upper classmen.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading To all it meant a day when most of the duties were suspended, and to the “plebes” it marked the time when some of them, for the first time, would be chosen to go on guard.
the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
From this reading On the morning of Independence Day, following an old-time custom, the West Point band marched through the streets of tents at reveille.
at the time that
From this reading To all it meant a day when most of the duties were suspended, and to the “plebes” it marked the time when some of them, for the first time, would be chosen to go on guard.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Harry and Chad had to wait a while for the coveted honor.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading To all it meant a day when most of the duties were suspended, and to the “plebes” it marked the time when some of them, for the first time, would be chosen to go on guard.
