Chapter XV · Chapter 15

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

From this reading A COLONIST'S ADVENTURE In the morning after the battle orders were issued for the greater part of the troops to return to Chieveley, and among the first to leave were the Maritzburg Scouts.

move forward, also in the metaphorical sense

From this reading They had seen nothing of the fighting, being kept down at Potgieter's Drift in readiness to advance the moment that orders came.

take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome

From this reading A COLONIST'S ADVENTURE In the morning after the battle orders were issued for the greater part of the troops to return to Chieveley, and among the first to leave were the Maritzburg Scouts.

later than; following

From this reading A COLONIST'S ADVENTURE In the morning after the battle orders were issued for the greater part of the troops to return to Chieveley, and among the first to leave were the Maritzburg Scouts.

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading A COLONIST'S ADVENTURE In the morning after the battle orders were issued for the greater part of the troops to return to Chieveley, and among the first to leave were the Maritzburg Scouts.

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

From this reading A COLONIST'S ADVENTURE In the morning after the battle orders were issued for the greater part of the troops to return to Chieveley, and among the first to leave were the Maritzburg Scouts.

large but transportable armament

From this reading They had nothing to do but to stand or sit down near their horses, watching the fire from the enemy's batteries on the hills, and the bursting of our lyddite shells among them, the outburst of brownish-yellow smoke rendering them easily distinguishable from the sudden puffs of white vapour caused by the explosion of the shrapnel shells of the artillery.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading They had seen nothing of the fighting, being kept down at Potgieter's Drift in readiness to advance the moment that orders came.

plural of “battery” — group of guns or missile launchers operated together at one place

From this reading They had nothing to do but to stand or sit down near their horses, watching the fire from the enemy's batteries on the hills, and the bursting of our lyddite shells among them, the outburst of brownish-yellow smoke rendering them easily distinguishable from the sudden puffs of white vapour caused by the explosion of the shrapnel shells of the artillery.

a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war

From this reading A COLONIST'S ADVENTURE In the morning after the battle orders were issued for the greater part of the troops to return to Chieveley, and among the first to leave were the Maritzburg Scouts.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading They were heartily glad to be off.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading During the three preceding days the position of the cavalry had been a galling one.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading They had seen nothing of the fighting, being kept down at Potgieter's Drift in readiness to advance the moment that orders came.

of a medium to dark brownish yellow color

From this reading They had nothing to do but to stand or sit down near their horses, watching the fire from the enemy's batteries on the hills, and the bursting of our lyddite shells among them, the outburst of brownish-yellow smoke rendering them easily distinguishable from the sudden puffs of white vapour caused by the explosion of the shrapnel shells of the artillery.

-ing form of “burst” — come open suddenly and violently, as if from internal pressure

From this reading They had nothing to do but to stand or sit down near their horses, watching the fire from the enemy's batteries on the hills, and the bursting of our lyddite shells among them, the outburst of brownish-yellow smoke rendering them easily distinguishable from the sudden puffs of white vapour caused by the explosion of the shrapnel shells of the artillery.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading They had nothing to do but to stand or sit down near their horses, watching the fire from the enemy's batteries on the hills, and the bursting of our lyddite shells among them, the outburst of brownish-yellow smoke rendering them easily distinguishable from the sudden puffs of white vapour caused by the explosion of the shrapnel shells of the artillery.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading They had nothing to do but to stand or sit down near their horses, watching the fire from the enemy's batteries on the hills, and the bursting of our lyddite shells among them, the outburst of brownish-yellow smoke rendering them easily distinguishable from the sudden puffs of white vapour caused by the explosion of the shrapnel shells of the artillery.

inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading They had seen nothing of the fighting, being kept down at Potgieter's Drift in readiness to advance the moment that orders came.

past form of “cause” — give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally

From this reading They had nothing to do but to stand or sit down near their horses, watching the fire from the enemy's batteries on the hills, and the bursting of our lyddite shells among them, the outburst of brownish-yellow smoke rendering them easily distinguishable from the sudden puffs of white vapour caused by the explosion of the shrapnel shells of the artillery.

troops trained to fight on horseback

From this reading During the three preceding days the position of the cavalry had been a galling one.

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

From this reading A COLONIST'S ADVENTURE In the morning after the battle orders were issued for the greater part of the troops to return to Chieveley, and among the first to leave were the Maritzburg Scouts.

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

From this reading A COLONIST'S ADVENTURE In the morning after the battle orders were issued for the greater part of the troops to return to Chieveley, and among the first to leave were the Maritzburg Scouts.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading During the three preceding days the position of the cavalry had been a galling one.

capable of being perceived as different or distinct

From this reading They had nothing to do but to stand or sit down near their horses, watching the fire from the enemy's batteries on the hills, and the bursting of our lyddite shells among them, the outburst of brownish-yellow smoke rendering them easily distinguishable from the sudden puffs of white vapour caused by the explosion of the shrapnel shells of the artillery.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading They had nothing to do but to stand or sit down near their horses, watching the fire from the enemy's batteries on the hills, and the bursting of our lyddite shells among them, the outburst of brownish-yellow smoke rendering them easily distinguishable from the sudden puffs of white vapour caused by the explosion of the shrapnel shells of the artillery.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading They had seen nothing of the fighting, being kept down at Potgieter's Drift in readiness to advance the moment that orders came.

be in motion due to some air or water current

From this reading They had seen nothing of the fighting, being kept down at Potgieter's Drift in readiness to advance the moment that orders came.

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading During the three preceding days the position of the cavalry had been a galling one.

with ease (“easy” is sometimes used informally for “easily”)

From this reading They had nothing to do but to stand or sit down near their horses, watching the fire from the enemy's batteries on the hills, and the bursting of our lyddite shells among them, the outburst of brownish-yellow smoke rendering them easily distinguishable from the sudden puffs of white vapour caused by the explosion of the shrapnel shells of the artillery.

possessive form of “enemy” — an opposing military force

From this reading They had nothing to do but to stand or sit down near their horses, watching the fire from the enemy's batteries on the hills, and the bursting of our lyddite shells among them, the outburst of brownish-yellow smoke rendering them easily distinguishable from the sudden puffs of white vapour caused by the explosion of the shrapnel shells of the artillery.

a violent release of energy caused by a chemical or nuclear reaction

From this reading They had nothing to do but to stand or sit down near their horses, watching the fire from the enemy's batteries on the hills, and the bursting of our lyddite shells among them, the outburst of brownish-yellow smoke rendering them easily distinguishable from the sudden puffs of white vapour caused by the explosion of the shrapnel shells of the artillery.

the act of fighting; any contest or struggle

From this reading They had seen nothing of the fighting, being kept down at Potgieter's Drift in readiness to advance the moment that orders came.

start firing a weapon

From this reading They had nothing to do but to stand or sit down near their horses, watching the fire from the enemy's batteries on the hills, and the bursting of our lyddite shells among them, the outburst of brownish-yellow smoke rendering them easily distinguishable from the sudden puffs of white vapour caused by the explosion of the shrapnel shells of the artillery.

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading A COLONIST'S ADVENTURE In the morning after the battle orders were issued for the greater part of the troops to return to Chieveley, and among the first to leave were the Maritzburg Scouts.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading A COLONIST'S ADVENTURE In the morning after the battle orders were issued for the greater part of the troops to return to Chieveley, and among the first to leave were the Maritzburg Scouts.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading They had nothing to do but to stand or sit down near their horses, watching the fire from the enemy's batteries on the hills, and the bursting of our lyddite shells among them, the outburst of brownish-yellow smoke rendering them easily distinguishable from the sudden puffs of white vapour caused by the explosion of the shrapnel shells of the artillery.

causing irritation or annoyance

From this reading During the three preceding days the position of the cavalry had been a galling one.

showing or causing joy and pleasure; especially made happy

From this reading They were heartily glad to be off.

greater in size or importance or degree

From this reading A COLONIST'S ADVENTURE In the morning after the battle orders were issued for the greater part of the troops to return to Chieveley, and among the first to leave were the Maritzburg Scouts.

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

From this reading During the three preceding days the position of the cavalry had been a galling one.

with gusto and without reservation

From this reading They were heartily glad to be off.

plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land

From this reading They had nothing to do but to stand or sit down near their horses, watching the fire from the enemy's batteries on the hills, and the bursting of our lyddite shells among them, the outburst of brownish-yellow smoke rendering them easily distinguishable from the sudden puffs of white vapour caused by the explosion of the shrapnel shells of the artillery.

plural of “horse” — solid-hoofed herbivorous quadruped domesticated since prehistoric times

From this reading They had nothing to do but to stand or sit down near their horses, watching the fire from the enemy's batteries on the hills, and the bursting of our lyddite shells among them, the outburst of brownish-yellow smoke rendering them easily distinguishable from the sudden puffs of white vapour caused by the explosion of the shrapnel shells of the artillery.

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

From this reading A COLONIST'S ADVENTURE In the morning after the battle orders were issued for the greater part of the troops to return to Chieveley, and among the first to leave were the Maritzburg Scouts.

past form of “issue” — prepare and issue for public distribution or sale

From this reading A COLONIST'S ADVENTURE In the morning after the battle orders were issued for the greater part of the troops to return to Chieveley, and among the first to leave were the Maritzburg Scouts.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading They had seen nothing of the fighting, being kept down at Potgieter's Drift in readiness to advance the moment that orders came.

go away from a place

From this reading A COLONIST'S ADVENTURE In the morning after the battle orders were issued for the greater part of the troops to return to Chieveley, and among the first to leave were the Maritzburg Scouts.

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

From this reading They had nothing to do but to stand or sit down near their horses, watching the fire from the enemy's batteries on the hills, and the bursting of our lyddite shells among them, the outburst of brownish-yellow smoke rendering them easily distinguishable from the sudden puffs of white vapour caused by the explosion of the shrapnel shells of the artillery.

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

From this reading A COLONIST'S ADVENTURE In the morning after the battle orders were issued for the greater part of the troops to return to Chieveley, and among the first to leave were the Maritzburg Scouts.

a particular point in time

From this reading They had seen nothing of the fighting, being kept down at Potgieter's Drift in readiness to advance the moment that orders came.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading A COLONIST'S ADVENTURE In the morning after the battle orders were issued for the greater part of the troops to return to Chieveley, and among the first to leave were the Maritzburg Scouts.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading They had nothing to do but to stand or sit down near their horses, watching the fire from the enemy's batteries on the hills, and the bursting of our lyddite shells among them, the outburst of brownish-yellow smoke rendering them easily distinguishable from the sudden puffs of white vapour caused by the explosion of the shrapnel shells of the artillery.

not one thing; not anything

From this reading They had seen nothing of the fighting, being kept down at Potgieter's Drift in readiness to advance the moment that orders came.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading A COLONIST'S ADVENTURE In the morning after the battle orders were issued for the greater part of the troops to return to Chieveley, and among the first to leave were the Maritzburg Scouts.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading They were heartily glad to be off.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading They had nothing to do but to stand or sit down near their horses, watching the fire from the enemy's batteries on the hills, and the bursting of our lyddite shells among them, the outburst of brownish-yellow smoke rendering them easily distinguishable from the sudden puffs of white vapour caused by the explosion of the shrapnel shells of the artillery.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading During the three preceding days the position of the cavalry had been a galling one.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading They had nothing to do but to stand or sit down near their horses, watching the fire from the enemy's batteries on the hills, and the bursting of our lyddite shells among them, the outburst of brownish-yellow smoke rendering them easily distinguishable from the sudden puffs of white vapour caused by the explosion of the shrapnel shells of the artillery.

plural of “order” — (often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading A COLONIST'S ADVENTURE In the morning after the battle orders were issued for the greater part of the troops to return to Chieveley, and among the first to leave were the Maritzburg Scouts.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading They had nothing to do but to stand or sit down near their horses, watching the fire from the enemy's batteries on the hills, and the bursting of our lyddite shells among them, the outburst of brownish-yellow smoke rendering them easily distinguishable from the sudden puffs of white vapour caused by the explosion of the shrapnel shells of the artillery.

an unrestrained expression of emotion

From this reading They had nothing to do but to stand or sit down near their horses, watching the fire from the enemy's batteries on the hills, and the bursting of our lyddite shells among them, the outburst of brownish-yellow smoke rendering them easily distinguishable from the sudden puffs of white vapour caused by the explosion of the shrapnel shells of the artillery.

something determined in relation to something that includes it

From this reading A COLONIST'S ADVENTURE In the morning after the battle orders were issued for the greater part of the troops to return to Chieveley, and among the first to leave were the Maritzburg Scouts.

the particular portion of space occupied by something

From this reading During the three preceding days the position of the cavalry had been a galling one.

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

From this reading They had seen nothing of the fighting, being kept down at Potgieter's Drift in readiness to advance the moment that orders came.

existing or coming before

From this reading During the three preceding days the position of the cavalry had been a galling one.

plural of “puff” — a short light gust of air

From this reading They had nothing to do but to stand or sit down near their horses, watching the fire from the enemy's batteries on the hills, and the bursting of our lyddite shells among them, the outburst of brownish-yellow smoke rendering them easily distinguishable from the sudden puffs of white vapour caused by the explosion of the shrapnel shells of the artillery.

the state of having been made ready or prepared for use or action (especially military action)

From this reading They had seen nothing of the fighting, being kept down at Potgieter's Drift in readiness to advance the moment that orders came.

a performance of a musical composition or a dramatic role etc.

From this reading They had nothing to do but to stand or sit down near their horses, watching the fire from the enemy's batteries on the hills, and the bursting of our lyddite shells among them, the outburst of brownish-yellow smoke rendering them easily distinguishable from the sudden puffs of white vapour caused by the explosion of the shrapnel shells of the artillery.

go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading A COLONIST'S ADVENTURE In the morning after the battle orders were issued for the greater part of the troops to return to Chieveley, and among the first to leave were the Maritzburg Scouts.

plural of “scout” — a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event

From this reading A COLONIST'S ADVENTURE In the morning after the battle orders were issued for the greater part of the troops to return to Chieveley, and among the first to leave were the Maritzburg Scouts.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading They had seen nothing of the fighting, being kept down at Potgieter's Drift in readiness to advance the moment that orders came.

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 They had nothing to do but to stand or sit down near their horses, watching the fire from the enemy's batteries on the hills, and the bursting of our lyddite shells among them, the outburst of brownish-yellow smoke rendering them easily distinguishable from the sudden puffs of white vapour caused by the explosion of the shrapnel shells of the artillery.

shell containing lead pellets that explodes in flight

From this reading They had nothing to do but to stand or sit down near their horses, watching the fire from the enemy's batteries on the hills, and the bursting of our lyddite shells among them, the outburst of brownish-yellow smoke rendering them easily distinguishable from the sudden puffs of white vapour caused by the explosion of the shrapnel shells of the artillery.

be seated

From this reading They had nothing to do but to stand or sit down near their horses, watching the fire from the enemy's batteries on the hills, and the bursting of our lyddite shells among them, the outburst of brownish-yellow smoke rendering them easily distinguishable from the sudden puffs of white vapour caused by the explosion of the shrapnel shells of the artillery.

a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas

From this reading They had nothing to do but to stand or sit down near their horses, watching the fire from the enemy's batteries on the hills, and the bursting of our lyddite shells among them, the outburst of brownish-yellow smoke rendering them easily distinguishable from the sudden puffs of white vapour caused by the explosion of the shrapnel shells of the artillery.

be standing; be upright

From this reading They had nothing to do but to stand or sit down near their horses, watching the fire from the enemy's batteries on the hills, and the bursting of our lyddite shells among them, the outburst of brownish-yellow smoke rendering them easily distinguishable from the sudden puffs of white vapour caused by the explosion of the shrapnel shells of the artillery.

happening without warning or in a short space of time

From this reading They had nothing to do but to stand or sit down near their horses, watching the fire from the enemy's batteries on the hills, and the bursting of our lyddite shells among them, the outburst of brownish-yellow smoke rendering them easily distinguishable from the sudden puffs of white vapour caused by the explosion of the shrapnel shells of the artillery.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading They had seen nothing of the fighting, being kept down at Potgieter's Drift in readiness to advance the moment that orders came.

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

From this reading A COLONIST'S ADVENTURE In the morning after the battle orders were issued for the greater part of the troops to return to Chieveley, and among the first to leave were the Maritzburg Scouts.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading They had nothing to do but to stand or sit down near their horses, watching the fire from the enemy's batteries on the hills, and the bursting of our lyddite shells among them, the outburst of brownish-yellow smoke rendering them easily distinguishable from the sudden puffs of white vapour caused by the explosion of the shrapnel shells of the artillery.

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading They had nothing to do but to stand or sit down near their horses, watching the fire from the enemy's batteries on the hills, and the bursting of our lyddite shells among them, the outburst of brownish-yellow smoke rendering them easily distinguishable from the sudden puffs of white vapour caused by the explosion of the shrapnel shells of the artillery.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading They were heartily glad to be off.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading During the three preceding days the position of the cavalry had been a galling one.

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

From this reading A COLONIST'S ADVENTURE In the morning after the battle orders were issued for the greater part of the troops to return to Chieveley, and among the first to leave were the Maritzburg Scouts.

soldiers collectively

From this reading A COLONIST'S ADVENTURE In the morning after the battle orders were issued for the greater part of the troops to return to Chieveley, and among the first to leave were the Maritzburg Scouts.

a visible suspension in the air of particles of some substance

From this reading They had nothing to do but to stand or sit down near their horses, watching the fire from the enemy's batteries on the hills, and the bursting of our lyddite shells among them, the outburst of brownish-yellow smoke rendering them easily distinguishable from the sudden puffs of white vapour caused by the explosion of the shrapnel shells of the artillery.

the act of observing; taking a patient look

From this reading They had nothing to do but to stand or sit down near their horses, watching the fire from the enemy's batteries on the hills, and the bursting of our lyddite shells among them, the outburst of brownish-yellow smoke rendering them easily distinguishable from the sudden puffs of white vapour caused by the explosion of the shrapnel shells of the artillery.

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

From this reading A COLONIST'S ADVENTURE In the morning after the battle orders were issued for the greater part of the troops to return to Chieveley, and among the first to leave were the Maritzburg Scouts.

a Caucasian

From this reading They had nothing to do but to stand or sit down near their horses, watching the fire from the enemy's batteries on the hills, and the bursting of our lyddite shells among them, the outburst of brownish-yellow smoke rendering them easily distinguishable from the sudden puffs of white vapour caused by the explosion of the shrapnel shells of the artillery.