Chapter IX · Chapter 9

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading This delay had not been without advantages, perhaps the chief of which was a fluency in French that many of his men were able to acquire.

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading This delay had not been without advantages, perhaps the chief of which was a fluency in French that many of his men were able to acquire.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading This delay had not been without advantages, perhaps the chief of which was a fluency in French that many of his men were able to acquire.

plural of “advantage” — the quality of having a superior or more favorable position

From this reading This delay had not been without advantages, perhaps the chief of which was a fluency in French that many of his men were able to acquire.

take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome

From this reading As the train now proceeded slowly, switching here and there to let other strings of cars pass toward the front with more important freight, Jeb felt that he was at last nearing the great adventure.

in addition

From this reading It had also given Jeb an opportunity to acquire an entirely new viewpoint regarding the purposes of this war, which had not penetrated to Hillsdale.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading It had also given Jeb an opportunity to acquire an entirely new viewpoint regarding the purposes of this war, which had not penetrated to Hillsdale.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading Barrow's unit had suffered sorely, but its gaps were filled from other sources and fresh supplies received from home.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading As the train now proceeded slowly, switching here and there to let other strings of cars pass toward the front with more important freight, Jeb felt that he was at last nearing the great adventure.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading As the train now proceeded slowly, switching here and there to let other strings of cars pass toward the front with more important freight, Jeb felt that he was at last nearing the great adventure.

the month following July and preceding September

From this reading Close upon the middle of August it moved to take the field.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Barrow's unit had suffered sorely, but its gaps were filled from other sources and fresh supplies received from home.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading This delay had not been without advantages, perhaps the chief of which was a fluency in French that many of his men were able to acquire.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Barrow's unit had suffered sorely, but its gaps were filled from other sources and fresh supplies received from home.

plural of “car” — a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine

From this reading As the train now proceeded slowly, switching here and there to let other strings of cars pass toward the front with more important freight, Jeb felt that he was at last nearing the great adventure.

a person who is in charge

From this reading This delay had not been without advantages, perhaps the chief of which was a fluency in French that many of his men were able to acquire.

at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other

From this reading Close upon the middle of August it moved to take the field.

cause to be slowed down or delayed

From this reading This delay had not been without advantages, perhaps the chief of which was a fluency in French that many of his men were able to acquire.

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading It had also given Jeb an opportunity to acquire an entirely new viewpoint regarding the purposes of this war, which had not penetrated to Hillsdale.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading As the train now proceeded slowly, switching here and there to let other strings of cars pass toward the front with more important freight, Jeb felt that he was at last nearing the great adventure.

a piece of land cleared of trees and usually enclosed

From this reading Close upon the middle of August it moved to take the field.

(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with

From this reading Barrow's unit had suffered sorely, but its gaps were filled from other sources and fresh supplies received from home.

powerful and effective language

From this reading This delay had not been without advantages, perhaps the chief of which was a fluency in French that many of his men were able to acquire.

goods carried by a large vehicle

From this reading As the train now proceeded slowly, switching here and there to let other strings of cars pass toward the front with more important freight, Jeb felt that he was at last nearing the great adventure.

the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France

From this reading This delay had not been without advantages, perhaps the chief of which was a fluency in French that many of his men were able to acquire.

recently made, produced, or harvested

From this reading Barrow's unit had suffered sorely, but its gaps were filled from other sources and fresh supplies received from home.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Barrow's unit had suffered sorely, but its gaps were filled from other sources and fresh supplies received from home.

the side that is forward or prominent

From this reading As the train now proceeded slowly, switching here and there to let other strings of cars pass toward the front with more important freight, Jeb felt that he was at last nearing the great adventure.

plural of “gap” — a conspicuous disparity or difference as between two figures

From this reading Barrow's unit had suffered sorely, but its gaps were filled from other sources and fresh supplies received from home.

acknowledged as a supposition

From this reading It had also given Jeb an opportunity to acquire an entirely new viewpoint regarding the purposes of this war, which had not penetrated to Hillsdale.

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading As the train now proceeded slowly, switching here and there to let other strings of cars pass toward the front with more important freight, Jeb felt that he was at last nearing the great adventure.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Barrow's unit had suffered sorely, but its gaps were filled from other sources and fresh supplies received from home.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading As the train now proceeded slowly, switching here and there to let other strings of cars pass toward the front with more important freight, Jeb felt that he was at last nearing the great adventure.

in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is

From this reading As the train now proceeded slowly, switching here and there to let other strings of cars pass toward the front with more important freight, Jeb felt that he was at last nearing the great adventure.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It had also given Jeb an opportunity to acquire an entirely new viewpoint regarding the purposes of this war, which had not penetrated to Hillsdale.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading This delay had not been without advantages, perhaps the chief of which was a fluency in French that many of his men were able to acquire.

where you live at a particular time

From this reading Barrow's unit had suffered sorely, but its gaps were filled from other sources and fresh supplies received from home.

of great significance or value

From this reading As the train now proceeded slowly, switching here and there to let other strings of cars pass toward the front with more important freight, Jeb felt that he was at last nearing the great adventure.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading This delay had not been without advantages, perhaps the chief of which was a fluency in French that many of his men were able to acquire.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Close upon the middle of August it moved to take the field.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Barrow's unit had suffered sorely, but its gaps were filled from other sources and fresh supplies received from home.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It had also given Jeb an opportunity to acquire an entirely new viewpoint regarding the purposes of this war, which had not penetrated to Hillsdale.

immediately past

From this reading As the train now proceeded slowly, switching here and there to let other strings of cars pass toward the front with more important freight, Jeb felt that he was at last nearing the great adventure.

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading As the train now proceeded slowly, switching here and there to let other strings of cars pass toward the front with more important freight, Jeb felt that he was at last nearing the great adventure.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading This delay had not been without advantages, perhaps the chief of which was a fluency in French that many of his men were able to acquire.

the force of workers available

From this reading This delay had not been without advantages, perhaps the chief of which was a fluency in French that many of his men were able to acquire.

an area that is approximately central within some larger region

From this reading Close upon the middle of August it moved to take the field.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading As the train now proceeded slowly, switching here and there to let other strings of cars pass toward the front with more important freight, Jeb felt that he was at last nearing the great adventure.

being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion

From this reading Close upon the middle of August it moved to take the field.

-ing form of “near” — move towards

From this reading As the train now proceeded slowly, switching here and there to let other strings of cars pass toward the front with more important freight, Jeb felt that he was at last nearing the great adventure.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading It had also given Jeb an opportunity to acquire an entirely new viewpoint regarding the purposes of this war, which had not penetrated to Hillsdale.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading This delay had not been without advantages, perhaps the chief of which was a fluency in French that many of his men were able to acquire.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading As the train now proceeded slowly, switching here and there to let other strings of cars pass toward the front with more important freight, Jeb felt that he was at last nearing the great adventure.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Close upon the middle of August it moved to take the field.

a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances

From this reading It had also given Jeb an opportunity to acquire an entirely new viewpoint regarding the purposes of this war, which had not penetrated to Hillsdale.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Barrow's unit had suffered sorely, but its gaps were filled from other sources and fresh supplies received from home.

go across or through

From this reading As the train now proceeded slowly, switching here and there to let other strings of cars pass toward the front with more important freight, Jeb felt that he was at last nearing the great adventure.

past form of “penetrate” — pass into or through, often by overcoming resistance

From this reading It had also given Jeb an opportunity to acquire an entirely new viewpoint regarding the purposes of this war, which had not penetrated to Hillsdale.

by chance

From this reading This delay had not been without advantages, perhaps the chief of which was a fluency in French that many of his men were able to acquire.

past form of “proceed” — continue talking

From this reading As the train now proceeded slowly, switching here and there to let other strings of cars pass toward the front with more important freight, Jeb felt that he was at last nearing the great adventure.

plural of “purpose” — an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

From this reading It had also given Jeb an opportunity to acquire an entirely new viewpoint regarding the purposes of this war, which had not penetrated to Hillsdale.

conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers

From this reading Barrow's unit had suffered sorely, but its gaps were filled from other sources and fresh supplies received from home.

-ing form of “regard” — deem to be

From this reading It had also given Jeb an opportunity to acquire an entirely new viewpoint regarding the purposes of this war, which had not penetrated to Hillsdale.

without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)

From this reading As the train now proceeded slowly, switching here and there to let other strings of cars pass toward the front with more important freight, Jeb felt that he was at last nearing the great adventure.

to a great degree

From this reading Barrow's unit had suffered sorely, but its gaps were filled from other sources and fresh supplies received from home.

plural of “source” — the place where something begins, where it springs into being

From this reading Barrow's unit had suffered sorely, but its gaps were filled from other sources and fresh supplies received from home.

the section of an orchestra that plays stringed instruments

From this reading As the train now proceeded slowly, switching here and there to let other strings of cars pass toward the front with more important freight, Jeb felt that he was at last nearing the great adventure.

past form of “suffer” — undergo or be subjected to

From this reading Barrow's unit had suffered sorely, but its gaps were filled from other sources and fresh supplies received from home.

plural of “supply” — an amount of something available for use

From this reading Barrow's unit had suffered sorely, but its gaps were filled from other sources and fresh supplies received from home.

the act of changing one thing or position for another

From this reading As the train now proceeded slowly, switching here and there to let other strings of cars pass toward the front with more important freight, Jeb felt that he was at last nearing the great adventure.

carry out

From this reading Close upon the middle of August it moved to take the field.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading This delay had not been without advantages, perhaps the chief of which was a fluency in French that many of his men were able to acquire.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading Close upon the middle of August it moved to take the field.

in or at that place or location

From this reading As the train now proceeded slowly, switching here and there to let other strings of cars pass toward the front with more important freight, Jeb felt that he was at last nearing the great adventure.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading This delay had not been without advantages, perhaps the chief of which was a fluency in French that many of his men were able to acquire.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading Close upon the middle of August it moved to take the field.

in the direction of

From this reading As the train now proceeded slowly, switching here and there to let other strings of cars pass toward the front with more important freight, Jeb felt that he was at last nearing the great adventure.

create by training and teaching

From this reading As the train now proceeded slowly, switching here and there to let other strings of cars pass toward the front with more important freight, Jeb felt that he was at last nearing the great adventure.

any division of quantity accepted as a standard of measurement or exchange

From this reading Barrow's unit had suffered sorely, but its gaps were filled from other sources and fresh supplies received from home.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Close upon the middle of August it moved to take the field.

a mental position from which things are viewed

From this reading It had also given Jeb an opportunity to acquire an entirely new viewpoint regarding the purposes of this war, which had not penetrated to Hillsdale.

the waging of armed conflict against an enemy

From this reading It had also given Jeb an opportunity to acquire an entirely new viewpoint regarding the purposes of this war, which had not penetrated to Hillsdale.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading This delay had not been without advantages, perhaps the chief of which was a fluency in French that many of his men were able to acquire.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Barrow's unit had suffered sorely, but its gaps were filled from other sources and fresh supplies received from home.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading This delay had not been without advantages, perhaps the chief of which was a fluency in French that many of his men were able to acquire.

in the company of; together with

From this reading As the train now proceeded slowly, switching here and there to let other strings of cars pass toward the front with more important freight, Jeb felt that he was at last nearing the great adventure.

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading This delay had not been without advantages, perhaps the chief of which was a fluency in French that many of his men were able to acquire.