used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading 'Twixt U-Boat and Arabs HAD the discovery of the petrol store been made a few hours earlier, steps would have been taken to cope with the peril from the sea that menaced the castaways.
a record or narrative description of past events
From this reading The defences that had been hurriedly thrown up had been constructed against attack from the landward side; the possibility of being shelled from a German submarine had not previously been taken into account.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading The defences that had been hurriedly thrown up had been constructed against attack from the landward side; the possibility of being shelled from a German submarine had not previously been taken into account.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Hastily the British seamen set to work to strengthen the parados of the trenches, in order to convert it into an earthwork sufficiently strong to resist the comparatively light shells fired from the hostile submarine.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading 'Twixt U-Boat and Arabs HAD the discovery of the petrol store been made a few hours earlier, steps would have been taken to cope with the peril from the sea that menaced the castaways.
ArabsnounUS /ˈærəbz/
plural of “arab” — a member of a Semitic people originally from the Arabian peninsula and surrounding territories who speaks Arabic and who inhabits much of the Middle East and northern Africa
From this reading 'Twixt U-Boat and Arabs HAD the discovery of the petrol store been made a few hours earlier, steps would have been taken to cope with the peril from the sea that menaced the castaways.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Well it was that the Arabs were very indifferent shots at long range, otherwise they would have taken a heavy toll of the seamen who were obliged to present a fair target as they toiled in the open.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Well it was that the Arabs were very indifferent shots at long range, otherwise they would have taken a heavy toll of the seamen who were obliged to present a fair target as they toiled in the open.
(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
From this reading The defences that had been hurriedly thrown up had been constructed against attack from the landward side; the possibility of being shelled from a German submarine had not previously been taken into account.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading 'Twixt U-Boat and Arabs HAD the discovery of the petrol store been made a few hours earlier, steps would have been taken to cope with the peril from the sea that menaced the castaways.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Bullets from the Senussi now began to sing over the heads of the defenders.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading The defences that had been hurriedly thrown up had been constructed against attack from the landward side; the possibility of being shelled from a German submarine had not previously been taken into account.
the people of Great Britain
From this reading Hastily the British seamen set to work to strengthen the parados of the trenches, in order to convert it into an earthwork sufficiently strong to resist the comparatively light shells fired from the hostile submarine.
BulletsnounUS /ˈbʊləts/
plural of “bullet” — a projectile that is fired from a gun
From this reading Bullets from the Senussi now began to sing over the heads of the defenders.
castawaysnounUS /ˈkæstəweɪz/
plural of “castaway” — a person who is rejected (from society or home)
From this reading 'Twixt U-Boat and Arabs HAD the discovery of the petrol store been made a few hours earlier, steps would have been taken to cope with the peril from the sea that menaced the castaways.
comparativelyadverbUS /kəmˈperətɪvli/
in a relative manner; by comparison to something else
From this reading Hastily the British seamen set to work to strengthen the parados of the trenches, in order to convert it into an earthwork sufficiently strong to resist the comparatively light shells fired from the hostile submarine.
constructedverbUS /kənˈstrʌktəd/
past form of “construct” — make by combining materials and parts
From this reading The defences that had been hurriedly thrown up had been constructed against attack from the landward side; the possibility of being shelled from a German submarine had not previously been taken into account.
convertverbUS /ˈkɑːnvərt/
change from one system to another or to a new plan or policy
From this reading Hastily the British seamen set to work to strengthen the parados of the trenches, in order to convert it into an earthwork sufficiently strong to resist the comparatively light shells fired from the hostile submarine.
copeverbUS /koʊp/
succeed in doing, achieving, or producing (something) with the limited or inadequate means available
From this reading 'Twixt U-Boat and Arabs HAD the discovery of the petrol store been made a few hours earlier, steps would have been taken to cope with the peril from the sea that menaced the castaways.
defences
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The defences that had been hurriedly thrown up had been constructed against attack from the landward side; the possibility of being shelled from a German submarine had not previously been taken into account.
defendersnounUS /dɪˈfendərz/
plural of “defender” — a person who cares for persons or property
From this reading Bullets from the Senussi now began to sing over the heads of the defenders.
the act of discovering something
From this reading 'Twixt U-Boat and Arabs HAD the discovery of the petrol store been made a few hours earlier, steps would have been taken to cope with the peril from the sea that menaced the castaways.
earlier in time; previously
From this reading 'Twixt U-Boat and Arabs HAD the discovery of the petrol store been made a few hours earlier, steps would have been taken to cope with the peril from the sea that menaced the castaways.
earthworknounUS /ˈɜːrθwɜːrk/
an earthen rampart
From this reading Hastily the British seamen set to work to strengthen the parados of the trenches, in order to convert it into an earthwork sufficiently strong to resist the comparatively light shells fired from the hostile submarine.
free from favoritism or self-interest or bias or deception; conforming with established standards or rules
From this reading Well it was that the Arabs were very indifferent shots at long range, otherwise they would have taken a heavy toll of the seamen who were obliged to present a fair target as they toiled in the open.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading 'Twixt U-Boat and Arabs HAD the discovery of the petrol store been made a few hours earlier, steps would have been taken to cope with the peril from the sea that menaced the castaways.
firedadjectiveUS /ˈfaɪərd/
having lost your job
From this reading Hastily the British seamen set to work to strengthen the parados of the trenches, in order to convert it into an earthwork sufficiently strong to resist the comparatively light shells fired from the hostile submarine.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading 'Twixt U-Boat and Arabs HAD the discovery of the petrol store been made a few hours earlier, steps would have been taken to cope with the peril from the sea that menaced the castaways.
a person of German nationality
From this reading The defences that had been hurriedly thrown up had been constructed against attack from the landward side; the possibility of being shelled from a German submarine had not previously been taken into account.
HADauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading 'Twixt U-Boat and Arabs HAD the discovery of the petrol store been made a few hours earlier, steps would have been taken to cope with the peril from the sea that menaced the castaways.
in a hurried or hasty manner
From this reading Hastily the British seamen set to work to strengthen the parados of the trenches, in order to convert it into an earthwork sufficiently strong to resist the comparatively light shells fired from the hostile submarine.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading 'Twixt U-Boat and Arabs HAD the discovery of the petrol store been made a few hours earlier, steps would have been taken to cope with the peril from the sea that menaced the castaways.
plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Bullets from the Senussi now began to sing over the heads of the defenders.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading Well it was that the Arabs were very indifferent shots at long range, otherwise they would have taken a heavy toll of the seamen who were obliged to present a fair target as they toiled in the open.
hostileadjectiveUS /ˈhɑːstəl/
characterized by enmity or ill will
From this reading Hastily the British seamen set to work to strengthen the parados of the trenches, in order to convert it into an earthwork sufficiently strong to resist the comparatively light shells fired from the hostile submarine.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading 'Twixt U-Boat and Arabs HAD the discovery of the petrol store been made a few hours earlier, steps would have been taken to cope with the peril from the sea that menaced the castaways.
hurriedlyadverbUS /ˈhɜːridli/
in a hurried or hasty manner
From this reading The defences that had been hurriedly thrown up had been constructed against attack from the landward side; the possibility of being shelled from a German submarine had not previously been taken into account.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Hastily the British seamen set to work to strengthen the parados of the trenches, in order to convert it into an earthwork sufficiently strong to resist the comparatively light shells fired from the hostile submarine.
indifferentadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈdɪfrənt/
marked by a lack of interest
From this reading Well it was that the Arabs were very indifferent shots at long range, otherwise they would have taken a heavy toll of the seamen who were obliged to present a fair target as they toiled in the open.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The defences that had been hurriedly thrown up had been constructed against attack from the landward side; the possibility of being shelled from a German submarine had not previously been taken into account.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Hastily the British seamen set to work to strengthen the parados of the trenches, in order to convert it into an earthwork sufficiently strong to resist the comparatively light shells fired from the hostile submarine.
landwardadverbUS /ˈlændwərd/
toward land
From this reading The defences that had been hurriedly thrown up had been constructed against attack from the landward side; the possibility of being shelled from a German submarine had not previously been taken into account.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Hastily the British seamen set to work to strengthen the parados of the trenches, in order to convert it into an earthwork sufficiently strong to resist the comparatively light shells fired from the hostile submarine.
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 Well it was that the Arabs were very indifferent shots at long range, otherwise they would have taken a heavy toll of the seamen who were obliged to present a fair target as they toiled in the open.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading 'Twixt U-Boat and Arabs HAD the discovery of the petrol store been made a few hours earlier, steps would have been taken to cope with the peril from the sea that menaced the castaways.
menacedverbUS /ˈmenəst/
past form of “menace” — pose a threat to; present a danger to
From this reading 'Twixt U-Boat and Arabs HAD the discovery of the petrol store been made a few hours earlier, steps would have been taken to cope with the peril from the sea that menaced the castaways.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The defences that had been hurriedly thrown up had been constructed against attack from the landward side; the possibility of being shelled from a German submarine had not previously been taken into account.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Bullets from the Senussi now began to sing over the heads of the defenders.
under a moral obligation to do something
From this reading Well it was that the Arabs were very indifferent shots at long range, otherwise they would have taken a heavy toll of the seamen who were obliged to present a fair target as they toiled in the open.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading 'Twixt U-Boat and Arabs HAD the discovery of the petrol store been made a few hours earlier, steps would have been taken to cope with the peril from the sea that menaced the castaways.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Well it was that the Arabs were very indifferent shots at long range, otherwise they would have taken a heavy toll of the seamen who were obliged to present a fair target as they toiled in the open.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading Hastily the British seamen set to work to strengthen the parados of the trenches, in order to convert it into an earthwork sufficiently strong to resist the comparatively light shells fired from the hostile submarine.
in other respects or ways
From this reading Well it was that the Arabs were very indifferent shots at long range, otherwise they would have taken a heavy toll of the seamen who were obliged to present a fair target as they toiled in the open.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Bullets from the Senussi now began to sing over the heads of the defenders.
parados
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hastily the British seamen set to work to strengthen the parados of the trenches, in order to convert it into an earthwork sufficiently strong to resist the comparatively light shells fired from the hostile submarine.
perilnounUS /ˈperəl/
a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
From this reading 'Twixt U-Boat and Arabs HAD the discovery of the petrol store been made a few hours earlier, steps would have been taken to cope with the peril from the sea that menaced the castaways.
petrolnounUS /ˈpetroʊl/
a volatile flammable mixture of hydrocarbons (hexane and heptane and octane etc.) derived from petroleum; used mainly as a fuel in internal-combustion engines
From this reading 'Twixt U-Boat and Arabs HAD the discovery of the petrol store been made a few hours earlier, steps would have been taken to cope with the peril from the sea that menaced the castaways.
a future prospect or potential
From this reading The defences that had been hurriedly thrown up had been constructed against attack from the landward side; the possibility of being shelled from a German submarine had not previously been taken into account.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Well it was that the Arabs were very indifferent shots at long range, otherwise they would have taken a heavy toll of the seamen who were obliged to present a fair target as they toiled in the open.
previouslyadverbUS /ˈpriːviəsli/
at an earlier time or formerly
From this reading The defences that had been hurriedly thrown up had been constructed against attack from the landward side; the possibility of being shelled from a German submarine had not previously been taken into account.
an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control: "the range of a supersonic jet"
From this reading Well it was that the Arabs were very indifferent shots at long range, otherwise they would have taken a heavy toll of the seamen who were obliged to present a fair target as they toiled in the open.
resistverbUS /rɪˈzɪst/
elude, especially in a baffling way
From this reading Hastily the British seamen set to work to strengthen the parados of the trenches, in order to convert it into an earthwork sufficiently strong to resist the comparatively light shells fired from the hostile submarine.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading 'Twixt U-Boat and Arabs HAD the discovery of the petrol store been made a few hours earlier, steps would have been taken to cope with the peril from the sea that menaced the castaways.
seamennounUS /ˈsiːmən/
plural of “seaman” — a man who serves as a sailor
From this reading Hastily the British seamen set to work to strengthen the parados of the trenches, in order to convert it into an earthwork sufficiently strong to resist the comparatively light shells fired from the hostile submarine.
Senussi
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bullets from the Senussi now began to sing over the heads of the defenders.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Hastily the British seamen set to work to strengthen the parados of the trenches, in order to convert it into an earthwork sufficiently strong to resist the comparatively light shells fired from the hostile submarine.
shelledadjectiveUS /ʃeld/
of animals or fruits that have a shell
From this reading The defences that had been hurriedly thrown up had been constructed against attack from the landward side; the possibility of being shelled from a German submarine had not previously been taken into account.
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 Hastily the British seamen set to work to strengthen the parados of the trenches, in order to convert it into an earthwork sufficiently strong to resist the comparatively light shells fired from the hostile submarine.
shotsnounUS /ʃɑːts/
plural of “shot” — the act of firing a projectile
From this reading Well it was that the Arabs were very indifferent shots at long range, otherwise they would have taken a heavy toll of the seamen who were obliged to present a fair target as they toiled in the open.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading The defences that had been hurriedly thrown up had been constructed against attack from the landward side; the possibility of being shelled from a German submarine had not previously been taken into account.
deliver by singing
From this reading Bullets from the Senussi now began to sing over the heads of the defenders.
a flight of stairs or a flight of steps
From this reading 'Twixt U-Boat and Arabs HAD the discovery of the petrol store been made a few hours earlier, steps would have been taken to cope with the peril from the sea that menaced the castaways.
a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services
From this reading 'Twixt U-Boat and Arabs HAD the discovery of the petrol store been made a few hours earlier, steps would have been taken to cope with the peril from the sea that menaced the castaways.
strengthenverbUS /ˈstreŋθən/
make strong or stronger
From this reading Hastily the British seamen set to work to strengthen the parados of the trenches, in order to convert it into an earthwork sufficiently strong to resist the comparatively light shells fired from the hostile submarine.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading Hastily the British seamen set to work to strengthen the parados of the trenches, in order to convert it into an earthwork sufficiently strong to resist the comparatively light shells fired from the hostile submarine.
submarinenounUS /ˈsʌbməriːn/
a submersible warship usually armed with torpedoes
From this reading The defences that had been hurriedly thrown up had been constructed against attack from the landward side; the possibility of being shelled from a German submarine had not previously been taken into account.
to a sufficient degree
From this reading Hastily the British seamen set to work to strengthen the parados of the trenches, in order to convert it into an earthwork sufficiently strong to resist the comparatively light shells fired from the hostile submarine.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading 'Twixt U-Boat and Arabs HAD the discovery of the petrol store been made a few hours earlier, steps would have been taken to cope with the peril from the sea that menaced the castaways.
targetnounUS /ˈtɑːrɡət/
a reference point to shoot at
From this reading Well it was that the Arabs were very indifferent shots at long range, otherwise they would have taken a heavy toll of the seamen who were obliged to present a fair target as they toiled in the open.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading 'Twixt U-Boat and Arabs HAD the discovery of the petrol store been made a few hours earlier, steps would have been taken to cope with the peril from the sea that menaced the castaways.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading 'Twixt U-Boat and Arabs HAD the discovery of the petrol store been made a few hours earlier, steps would have been taken to cope with the peril from the sea that menaced the castaways.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Well it was that the Arabs were very indifferent shots at long range, otherwise they would have taken a heavy toll of the seamen who were obliged to present a fair target as they toiled in the open.
caused to fall to the ground
From this reading The defences that had been hurriedly thrown up had been constructed against attack from the landward side; the possibility of being shelled from a German submarine had not previously been taken into account.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading 'Twixt U-Boat and Arabs HAD the discovery of the petrol store been made a few hours earlier, steps would have been taken to cope with the peril from the sea that menaced the castaways.
toiledverbUS /tɔɪld/
past form of “toil” — work hard
From this reading Well it was that the Arabs were very indifferent shots at long range, otherwise they would have taken a heavy toll of the seamen who were obliged to present a fair target as they toiled in the open.
tollnounUS /toʊl/
a fee levied for the use of roads or bridges (used for maintenance)
From this reading Well it was that the Arabs were very indifferent shots at long range, otherwise they would have taken a heavy toll of the seamen who were obliged to present a fair target as they toiled in the open.
trenchesnounUS /ˈtrentʃɪz/
plural of “trench” — a ditch dug as a fortification having a parapet of the excavated earth
From this reading Hastily the British seamen set to work to strengthen the parados of the trenches, in order to convert it into an earthwork sufficiently strong to resist the comparatively light shells fired from the hostile submarine.
Twixt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading 'Twixt U-Boat and Arabs HAD the discovery of the petrol store been made a few hours earlier, steps would have been taken to cope with the peril from the sea that menaced the castaways.
U-Boatnoun
a submersible warship usually armed with torpedoes
From this reading 'Twixt U-Boat and Arabs HAD the discovery of the petrol store been made a few hours earlier, steps would have been taken to cope with the peril from the sea that menaced the castaways.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The defences that had been hurriedly thrown up had been constructed against attack from the landward side; the possibility of being shelled from a German submarine had not previously been taken into account.
precisely as stated
From this reading Well it was that the Arabs were very indifferent shots at long range, otherwise they would have taken a heavy toll of the seamen who were obliged to present a fair target as they toiled in the open.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Well it was that the Arabs were very indifferent shots at long range, otherwise they would have taken a heavy toll of the seamen who were obliged to present a fair target as they toiled in the open.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading Well it was that the Arabs were very indifferent shots at long range, otherwise they would have taken a heavy toll of the seamen who were obliged to present a fair target as they toiled in the open.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Well it was that the Arabs were very indifferent shots at long range, otherwise they would have taken a heavy toll of the seamen who were obliged to present a fair target as they toiled in the open.
which person or people
From this reading Well it was that the Arabs were very indifferent shots at long range, otherwise they would have taken a heavy toll of the seamen who were obliged to present a fair target as they toiled in the open.
in the company of; together with
From this reading 'Twixt U-Boat and Arabs HAD the discovery of the petrol store been made a few hours earlier, steps would have been taken to cope with the peril from the sea that menaced the castaways.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading Hastily the British seamen set to work to strengthen the parados of the trenches, in order to convert it into an earthwork sufficiently strong to resist the comparatively light shells fired from the hostile submarine.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading 'Twixt U-Boat and Arabs HAD the discovery of the petrol store been made a few hours earlier, steps would have been taken to cope with the peril from the sea that menaced the castaways.
