used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE TRIP THROUGH A GERMAN TRENCH It was the sergeant who led the way.
at or in the front
From this reading He and his detail moved, except at special times, in a fan-shaped formation with the noncommissioned officer ahead, three men on either side of him formed lines obliquely back.
(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 It was a compact formation, useful in keeping all hands together and in instant touch, yet likely to prove highly dangerous should the enemy open on them with rifle or machine-gun fire.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He and his detail moved, except at special times, in a fan-shaped formation with the noncommissioned officer ahead, three men on either side of him formed lines obliquely back.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He and his detail moved, except at special times, in a fan-shaped formation with the noncommissioned officer ahead, three men on either side of him formed lines obliquely back.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading He and his detail moved, except at special times, in a fan-shaped formation with the noncommissioned officer ahead, three men on either side of him formed lines obliquely back.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading In the center of No Man's Land was a wide, deep shell crater, caused by the explosion at that point of one of the largest shells used by the Germans.
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading In the center, within these oblique flanks were the French lieutenant and Captain Prescott.
past form of “cause” — give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally
From this reading In the center of No Man's Land was a wide, deep shell crater, caused by the explosion at that point of one of the largest shells used by the Germans.
centernounUS /ˈsɛn.tər/
The middle point or core of an area.
From this reading In the center, within these oblique flanks were the French lieutenant and Captain Prescott.
compactnounUS /ˈkɑːmpækt/
a small cosmetics case with a mirror; to be carried in a woman's purse
From this reading It was a compact formation, useful in keeping all hands together and in instant touch, yet likely to prove highly dangerous should the enemy open on them with rifle or machine-gun fire.
craternounUS /ˈkreɪtər/
a bowl-shaped geological formation at the top of a volcano
From this reading In the center of No Man's Land was a wide, deep shell crater, caused by the explosion at that point of one of the largest shells used by the Germans.
involving or causing danger or risk; liable to hurt or harm
From this reading It was a compact formation, useful in keeping all hands together and in instant touch, yet likely to prove highly dangerous should the enemy open on them with rifle or machine-gun fire.
relatively deep or strong; affecting one deeply
From this reading In the center of No Man's Land was a wide, deep shell crater, caused by the explosion at that point of one of the largest shells used by the Germans.
detailnounUS /dɪˈteɪl/
an isolated fact that is considered separately from the whole
From this reading He and his detail moved, except at special times, in a fan-shaped formation with the noncommissioned officer ahead, three men on either side of him formed lines obliquely back.
one or the other of two
From this reading He and his detail moved, except at special times, in a fan-shaped formation with the noncommissioned officer ahead, three men on either side of him formed lines obliquely back.
an opposing military force
From this reading It was a compact formation, useful in keeping all hands together and in instant touch, yet likely to prove highly dangerous should the enemy open on them with rifle or machine-gun fire.
apart from; not including
From this reading He and his detail moved, except at special times, in a fan-shaped formation with the noncommissioned officer ahead, three men on either side of him formed lines obliquely back.
explosionnounUS /ɪkˈsploʊʒən/
a violent release of energy caused by a chemical or nuclear reaction
From this reading In the center of No Man's Land was a wide, deep shell crater, caused by the explosion at that point of one of the largest shells used by the Germans.
fan-shapedadjective
shaped in the form of a fan
From this reading He and his detail moved, except at special times, in a fan-shaped formation with the noncommissioned officer ahead, three men on either side of him formed lines obliquely back.
start firing a weapon
From this reading It was a compact formation, useful in keeping all hands together and in instant touch, yet likely to prove highly dangerous should the enemy open on them with rifle or machine-gun fire.
flanksnounUS /flæŋks/
plural of “flank” — the side of military or naval formation
From this reading In the center, within these oblique flanks were the French lieutenant and Captain Prescott.
formationnounUS /fɔːrˈmeɪʃən/
an arrangement of people or things acting as a unit
From this reading He and his detail moved, except at special times, in a fan-shaped formation with the noncommissioned officer ahead, three men on either side of him formed lines obliquely back.
having or given a form or shape
From this reading He and his detail moved, except at special times, in a fan-shaped formation with the noncommissioned officer ahead, three men on either side of him formed lines obliquely back.
the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France
From this reading In the center, within these oblique flanks were the French lieutenant and Captain Prescott.
a person of German nationality
From this reading THE TRIP THROUGH A GERMAN TRENCH It was the sergeant who led the way.
GermansnounUS /ˈdʒɜːrmənz/
plural of “german” — a person of German nationality
From this reading In the center of No Man's Land was a wide, deep shell crater, caused by the explosion at that point of one of the largest shells used by the Germans.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading It was a compact formation, useful in keeping all hands together and in instant touch, yet likely to prove highly dangerous should the enemy open on them with rifle or machine-gun fire.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He and his detail moved, except at special times, in a fan-shaped formation with the noncommissioned officer ahead, three men on either side of him formed lines obliquely back.
to a high degree or extent; favorably or with much respect
From this reading It was a compact formation, useful in keeping all hands together and in instant touch, yet likely to prove highly dangerous should the enemy open on them with rifle or machine-gun fire.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He and his detail moved, except at special times, in a fan-shaped formation with the noncommissioned officer ahead, three men on either side of him formed lines obliquely back.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He and his detail moved, except at special times, in a fan-shaped formation with the noncommissioned officer ahead, three men on either side of him formed lines obliquely back.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He and his detail moved, except at special times, in a fan-shaped formation with the noncommissioned officer ahead, three men on either side of him formed lines obliquely back.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading It was a compact formation, useful in keeping all hands together and in instant touch, yet likely to prove highly dangerous should the enemy open on them with rifle or machine-gun fire.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE TRIP THROUGH A GERMAN TRENCH It was the sergeant who led the way.
conformity or harmony
From this reading It was a compact formation, useful in keeping all hands together and in instant touch, yet likely to prove highly dangerous should the enemy open on them with rifle or machine-gun fire.
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading In the center of No Man's Land was a wide, deep shell crater, caused by the explosion at that point of one of the largest shells used by the Germans.
largestadjectiveUS /ˈlɑːrdʒəst/
superlative of “large” — above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading In the center of No Man's Land was a wide, deep shell crater, caused by the explosion at that point of one of the largest shells used by the Germans.
diode such that light emitted at a p-n junction is proportional to the bias current; color depends on the material used
From this reading THE TRIP THROUGH A GERMAN TRENCH It was the sergeant who led the way.
a commissioned military officer
From this reading In the center, within these oblique flanks were the French lieutenant and Captain Prescott.
has a good chance of being the case or of coming about
From this reading It was a compact formation, useful in keeping all hands together and in instant touch, yet likely to prove highly dangerous should the enemy open on them with rifle or machine-gun fire.
plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading He and his detail moved, except at special times, in a fan-shaped formation with the noncommissioned officer ahead, three men on either side of him formed lines obliquely back.
machine-gun
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a compact formation, useful in keeping all hands together and in instant touch, yet likely to prove highly dangerous should the enemy open on them with rifle or machine-gun fire.
Man'snounUS /mænz/
possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading In the center of No Man's Land was a wide, deep shell crater, caused by the explosion at that point of one of the largest shells used by the Germans.
the force of workers available
From this reading He and his detail moved, except at special times, in a fan-shaped formation with the noncommissioned officer ahead, three men on either side of him formed lines obliquely back.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading He and his detail moved, except at special times, in a fan-shaped formation with the noncommissioned officer ahead, three men on either side of him formed lines obliquely back.
not any; not one
From this reading In the center of No Man's Land was a wide, deep shell crater, caused by the explosion at that point of one of the largest shells used by the Germans.
noncommissionedadjective
(of military officers) appointed from enlisted personnel
From this reading He and his detail moved, except at special times, in a fan-shaped formation with the noncommissioned officer ahead, three men on either side of him formed lines obliquely back.
obliqueadjectiveUS /əˈbliːk/
slanting or inclined in direction or course or position--neither parallel nor perpendicular nor right-angled
From this reading In the center, within these oblique flanks were the French lieutenant and Captain Prescott.
obliquelyadverbUS /əˈbliːkli/
to, toward or at one side
From this reading He and his detail moved, except at special times, in a fan-shaped formation with the noncommissioned officer ahead, three men on either side of him formed lines obliquely back.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He and his detail moved, except at special times, in a fan-shaped formation with the noncommissioned officer ahead, three men on either side of him formed lines obliquely back.
any person in the armed services who holds a position of authority or command
From this reading He and his detail moved, except at special times, in a fan-shaped formation with the noncommissioned officer ahead, three men on either side of him formed lines obliquely back.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He and his detail moved, except at special times, in a fan-shaped formation with the noncommissioned officer ahead, three men on either side of him formed lines obliquely back.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading In the center of No Man's Land was a wide, deep shell crater, caused by the explosion at that point of one of the largest shells used by the Germans.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading It was a compact formation, useful in keeping all hands together and in instant touch, yet likely to prove highly dangerous should the enemy open on them with rifle or machine-gun fire.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It was a compact formation, useful in keeping all hands together and in instant touch, yet likely to prove highly dangerous should the enemy open on them with rifle or machine-gun fire.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading In the center of No Man's Land was a wide, deep shell crater, caused by the explosion at that point of one of the largest shells used by the Germans.
PrescottnounUS /ˈpreskɑːt/
a town in central Arizona
From this reading In the center, within these oblique flanks were the French lieutenant and Captain Prescott.
be shown or be found to be
From this reading It was a compact formation, useful in keeping all hands together and in instant touch, yet likely to prove highly dangerous should the enemy open on them with rifle or machine-gun fire.
steal goods; take as spoils
From this reading It was a compact formation, useful in keeping all hands together and in instant touch, yet likely to prove highly dangerous should the enemy open on them with rifle or machine-gun fire.
sergeantnounUS /ˈsɑːrdʒənt/
any of several noncommissioned officer ranks in the Army or Air Force or Marines ranking above a corporal
From this reading THE TRIP THROUGH A GERMAN TRENCH It was the sergeant who led the way.
shellnounUS /ʃel/
ammunition consisting of a cylindrical metal casing containing an explosive charge and a projectile; fired from a large gun
From this reading In the center of No Man's Land was a wide, deep shell crater, caused by the explosion at that point of one of the largest shells used by the Germans.
shellsnounUS /ʃelz/
plural of “shell” — ammunition consisting of a cylindrical metal casing containing an explosive charge and a projectile; fired from a large gun
From this reading In the center of No Man's Land was a wide, deep shell crater, caused by the explosion at that point of one of the largest shells used by the Germans.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading It was a compact formation, useful in keeping all hands together and in instant touch, yet likely to prove highly dangerous should the enemy open on them with rifle or machine-gun fire.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading He and his detail moved, except at special times, in a fan-shaped formation with the noncommissioned officer ahead, three men on either side of him formed lines obliquely back.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading He and his detail moved, except at special times, in a fan-shaped formation with the noncommissioned officer ahead, three men on either side of him formed lines obliquely back.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading In the center of No Man's Land was a wide, deep shell crater, caused by the explosion at that point of one of the largest shells used by the Germans.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE TRIP THROUGH A GERMAN TRENCH It was the sergeant who led the way.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading It was a compact formation, useful in keeping all hands together and in instant touch, yet likely to prove highly dangerous should the enemy open on them with rifle or machine-gun fire.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading In the center, within these oblique flanks were the French lieutenant and Captain Prescott.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading He and his detail moved, except at special times, in a fan-shaped formation with the noncommissioned officer ahead, three men on either side of him formed lines obliquely back.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading THE TRIP THROUGH A GERMAN TRENCH It was the sergeant who led the way.
a more or less definite period of time now or previously present
From this reading He and his detail moved, except at special times, in a fan-shaped formation with the noncommissioned officer ahead, three men on either side of him formed lines obliquely back.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was a compact formation, useful in keeping all hands together and in instant touch, yet likely to prove highly dangerous should the enemy open on them with rifle or machine-gun fire.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading It was a compact formation, useful in keeping all hands together and in instant touch, yet likely to prove highly dangerous should the enemy open on them with rifle or machine-gun fire.
make physical contact with, come in contact with
From this reading It was a compact formation, useful in keeping all hands together and in instant touch, yet likely to prove highly dangerous should the enemy open on them with rifle or machine-gun fire.
TRENCHnounUS /trentʃ/
a ditch dug as a fortification having a parapet of the excavated earth
From this reading THE TRIP THROUGH A GERMAN TRENCH It was the sergeant who led the way.
a journey for some purpose (usually including the return)
From this reading THE TRIP THROUGH A GERMAN TRENCH It was the sergeant who led the way.
employed in accomplishing something
From this reading In the center of No Man's Land was a wide, deep shell crater, caused by the explosion at that point of one of the largest shells used by the Germans.
being of use or service
From this reading It was a compact formation, useful in keeping all hands together and in instant touch, yet likely to prove highly dangerous should the enemy open on them with rifle or machine-gun fire.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE TRIP THROUGH A GERMAN TRENCH It was the sergeant who led the way.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading THE TRIP THROUGH A GERMAN TRENCH It was the sergeant who led the way.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading In the center, within these oblique flanks were the French lieutenant and Captain Prescott.
which person or people
From this reading THE TRIP THROUGH A GERMAN TRENCH It was the sergeant who led the way.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading In the center of No Man's Land was a wide, deep shell crater, caused by the explosion at that point of one of the largest shells used by the Germans.
in the company of; together with
From this reading He and his detail moved, except at special times, in a fan-shaped formation with the noncommissioned officer ahead, three men on either side of him formed lines obliquely back.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading In the center, within these oblique flanks were the French lieutenant and Captain Prescott.
but in spite of that
From this reading It was a compact formation, useful in keeping all hands together and in instant touch, yet likely to prove highly dangerous should the enemy open on them with rifle or machine-gun fire.
