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Chapter XII
Things seemed black indeed, and the Captains' wives peered under their eyebrows at the Senior Subaltern, and the Colonel's face set like the Day of Judgment framed in gray bristles, and no one spoke for a while. Next the Colonel said, very shortly:--“Well, Sir?” and the woman sobbed afresh. The Senior Subaltern was half choked with the arms round his neck, but he gasped out:--“It's a d----d lie! I never had a wife in my life!” “Don't swear,” said the Colonel.
Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “The Senior Subaltern was half choked with the arms round his neck, but he gasped out:--“It's a d----d lie!”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “I never had a wife in my life!””
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “I never had a wife in my life!””
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Next the Colonel said, very shortly:--“Well, Sir?” and the woman sobbed afresh.”
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading “Things seemed black indeed, and the Captains' wives peered under their eyebrows at the Senior Subaltern, and the Colonel's face set like the Day of Judgment framed in gray bristles, and no one spoke for a while.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Things seemed black indeed, and the Captains' wives peered under their eyebrows at the Senior Subaltern, and the Colonel's face set like the Day of Judgment framed in gray bristles, and no one spoke for a while.”
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading “Things seemed black indeed, and the Captains' wives peered under their eyebrows at the Senior Subaltern, and the Colonel's face set like the Day of Judgment framed in gray bristles, and no one spoke for a while.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Next the Colonel said, very shortly:--“Well, Sir?” and the woman sobbed afresh.”
during the time that
From this reading “Things seemed black indeed, and the Captains' wives peered under their eyebrows at the Senior Subaltern, and the Colonel's face set like the Day of Judgment framed in gray bristles, and no one spoke for a while.”
Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Things seemed black indeed, and the Captains' wives peered under their eyebrows at the Senior Subaltern, and the Colonel's face set like the Day of Judgment framed in gray bristles, and no one spoke for a while.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Next the Colonel said, very shortly:--“Well, Sir?” and the woman sobbed afresh.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Things seemed black indeed, and the Captains' wives peered under their eyebrows at the Senior Subaltern, and the Colonel's face set like the Day of Judgment framed in gray bristles, and no one spoke for a while.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Senior Subaltern was half choked with the arms round his neck, but he gasped out:--“It's a d----d lie!
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Things seemed black indeed, and the Captains' wives peered under their eyebrows at the Senior Subaltern, and the Colonel's face set like the Day of Judgment framed in gray bristles, and no one spoke for a while.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Things seemed black indeed, and the Captains' wives peered under their eyebrows at the Senior Subaltern, and the Colonel's face set like the Day of Judgment framed in gray bristles, and no one spoke for a while.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Things seemed black indeed, and the Captains' wives peered under their eyebrows at the Senior Subaltern, and the Colonel's face set like the Day of Judgment framed in gray bristles, and no one spoke for a while.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The Senior Subaltern was half choked with the arms round his neck, but he gasped out:--“It's a d----d lie!
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Things seemed black indeed, and the Captains' wives peered under their eyebrows at the Senior Subaltern, and the Colonel's face set like the Day of Judgment framed in gray bristles, and no one spoke for a while.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Senior Subaltern was half choked with the arms round his neck, but he gasped out:--“It's a d----d lie!
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Next the Colonel said, very shortly:--“Well, Sir?” and the woman sobbed afresh.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Things seemed black indeed, and the Captains' wives peered under their eyebrows at the Senior Subaltern, and the Colonel's face set like the Day of Judgment framed in gray bristles, and no one spoke for a while.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Senior Subaltern was half choked with the arms round his neck, but he gasped out:--“It's a d----d lie!
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Things seemed black indeed, and the Captains' wives peered under their eyebrows at the Senior Subaltern, and the Colonel's face set like the Day of Judgment framed in gray bristles, and no one spoke for a while.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Don't swear,” said the Colonel.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Things seemed black indeed, and the Captains' wives peered under their eyebrows at the Senior Subaltern, and the Colonel's face set like the Day of Judgment framed in gray bristles, and no one spoke for a while.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Things seemed black indeed, and the Captains' wives peered under their eyebrows at the Senior Subaltern, and the Colonel's face set like the Day of Judgment framed in gray bristles, and no one spoke for a while.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Things seemed black indeed, and the Captains' wives peered under their eyebrows at the Senior Subaltern, and the Colonel's face set like the Day of Judgment framed in gray bristles, and no one spoke for a while.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Things seemed black indeed, and the Captains' wives peered under their eyebrows at the Senior Subaltern, and the Colonel's face set like the Day of Judgment framed in gray bristles, and no one spoke for a while.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Senior Subaltern was half choked with the arms round his neck, but he gasped out:--“It's a d----d lie!
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Things seemed black indeed, and the Captains' wives peered under their eyebrows at the Senior Subaltern, and the Colonel's face set like the Day of Judgment framed in gray bristles, and no one spoke for a while.
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading I never had a wife in my life!”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The Senior Subaltern was half choked with the arms round his neck, but he gasped out:--“It's a d----d lie!
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The Senior Subaltern was half choked with the arms round his neck, but he gasped out:--“It's a d----d lie!
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The Senior Subaltern was half choked with the arms round his neck, but he gasped out:--“It's a d----d lie!
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I never had a wife in my life!”
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Things seemed black indeed, and the Captains' wives peered under their eyebrows at the Senior Subaltern, and the Colonel's face set like the Day of Judgment framed in gray bristles, and no one spoke for a while.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Things seemed black indeed, and the Captains' wives peered under their eyebrows at the Senior Subaltern, and the Colonel's face set like the Day of Judgment framed in gray bristles, and no one spoke for a while.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Senior Subaltern was half choked with the arms round his neck, but he gasped out:--“It's a d----d lie!
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Things seemed black indeed, and the Captains' wives peered under their eyebrows at the Senior Subaltern, and the Colonel's face set like the Day of Judgment framed in gray bristles, and no one spoke for a while.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Senior Subaltern was half choked with the arms round his neck, but he gasped out:--“It's a d----d lie!
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I never had a wife in my life!”
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Things seemed black indeed, and the Captains' wives peered under their eyebrows at the Senior Subaltern, and the Colonel's face set like the Day of Judgment framed in gray bristles, and no one spoke for a while.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I never had a wife in my life!”
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Senior Subaltern was half choked with the arms round his neck, but he gasped out:--“It's a d----d lie!
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I never had a wife in my life!”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Next the Colonel said, very shortly:--“Well, Sir?” and the woman sobbed afresh.
not any; not one
From this reading Things seemed black indeed, and the Captains' wives peered under their eyebrows at the Senior Subaltern, and the Colonel's face set like the Day of Judgment framed in gray bristles, and no one spoke for a while.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Things seemed black indeed, and the Captains' wives peered under their eyebrows at the Senior Subaltern, and the Colonel's face set like the Day of Judgment framed in gray bristles, and no one spoke for a while.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Things seemed black indeed, and the Captains' wives peered under their eyebrows at the Senior Subaltern, and the Colonel's face set like the Day of Judgment framed in gray bristles, and no one spoke for a while.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Senior Subaltern was half choked with the arms round his neck, but he gasped out:--“It's a d----d lie!
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Things seemed black indeed, and the Captains' wives peered under their eyebrows at the Senior Subaltern, and the Colonel's face set like the Day of Judgment framed in gray bristles, and no one spoke for a while.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Senior Subaltern was half choked with the arms round his neck, but he gasped out:--“It's a d----d lie!
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Next the Colonel said, very shortly:--“Well, Sir?” and the woman sobbed afresh.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Things seemed black indeed, and the Captains' wives peered under their eyebrows at the Senior Subaltern, and the Colonel's face set like the Day of Judgment framed in gray bristles, and no one spoke for a while.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Things seemed black indeed, and the Captains' wives peered under their eyebrows at the Senior Subaltern, and the Colonel's face set like the Day of Judgment framed in gray bristles, and no one spoke for a while.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Things seemed black indeed, and the Captains' wives peered under their eyebrows at the Senior Subaltern, and the Colonel's face set like the Day of Judgment framed in gray bristles, and no one spoke for a while.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Next the Colonel said, very shortly:--“Well, Sir?” and the woman sobbed afresh.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Next the Colonel said, very shortly:--“Well, Sir?” and the woman sobbed afresh.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Next the Colonel said, very shortly:--“Well, Sir?” and the woman sobbed afresh.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Things seemed black indeed, and the Captains' wives peered under their eyebrows at the Senior Subaltern, and the Colonel's face set like the Day of Judgment framed in gray bristles, and no one spoke for a while.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Things seemed black indeed, and the Captains' wives peered under their eyebrows at the Senior Subaltern, and the Colonel's face set like the Day of Judgment framed in gray bristles, and no one spoke for a while.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Don't swear,” said the Colonel.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Things seemed black indeed, and the Captains' wives peered under their eyebrows at the Senior Subaltern, and the Colonel's face set like the Day of Judgment framed in gray bristles, and no one spoke for a while.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Things seemed black indeed, and the Captains' wives peered under their eyebrows at the Senior Subaltern, and the Colonel's face set like the Day of Judgment framed in gray bristles, and no one spoke for a while.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Things seemed black indeed, and the Captains' wives peered under their eyebrows at the Senior Subaltern, and the Colonel's face set like the Day of Judgment framed in gray bristles, and no one spoke for a while.
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Things seemed black indeed, and the Captains' wives peered under their eyebrows at the Senior Subaltern, and the Colonel's face set like the Day of Judgment framed in gray bristles, and no one spoke for a while.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Next the Colonel said, very shortly:--“Well, Sir?” and the woman sobbed afresh.
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The Senior Subaltern was half choked with the arms round his neck, but he gasped out:--“It's a d----d lie!
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Next the Colonel said, very shortly:--“Well, Sir?” and the woman sobbed afresh.
during the time that
From this reading Things seemed black indeed, and the Captains' wives peered under their eyebrows at the Senior Subaltern, and the Colonel's face set like the Day of Judgment framed in gray bristles, and no one spoke for a while.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I never had a wife in my life!”
in the company of; together with
From this reading The Senior Subaltern was half choked with the arms round his neck, but he gasped out:--“It's a d----d lie!
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Things seemed black indeed, and the Captains' wives peered under their eyebrows at the Senior Subaltern, and the Colonel's face set like the Day of Judgment framed in gray bristles, and no one spoke for a while.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Next the Colonel said, very shortly:--“Well, Sir?” and the woman sobbed afresh.
