Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- A city of northeast France on the Meuse River west of Metz. Dating to Roman times and an important Carolingian commercial center, it was the site of a prolonged World War I battle (February–December 1916) in which French forces repelled a massive German offensive. The total casualties have been estimated at more than 700,000. The city was rebuilt after the war.
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun A long straight sword with a narrow-blade, used in the sixteenth century: a variety of the rapier of that period, carried rather in civil life than in war. The blade was 3 feet 6 inches or more in length. This weapon was considered as especially suitable for the duel.
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- noun a battle in World War I (1916); in some of the bloodiest fighting in World War I the German offensive was stopped
Etymologies
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Examples
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Referee Marc Joanette and linesman Pierre Racicot, who grew up a block apart in Verdun, Quebec, will be part of the four-man officiating crew for the game.
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When I was a kid, we were stationed in Verdun, France.
The good, the bad and the puffy tacos | Homesick Texan Homesick Texan 2007
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In the centre of the Douaumont battlefield six miles from Verdun is an Ossuary and Shrine transcendent in solemn grandeur and majestic dignity; indeed a lament in stone and marble, shaped like a gigantic vault four hundred and seventeen feet long with a tower one hundred and fifty feet high at the top of which is a bell weighing two and a half tons, which tolls three times a day.
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But the struggle at Verdun is still in its first intensity, and when I have read all that the evening newspapers contain about it, there stirs in me a fresh realisation of the meaning of what I have been seeing.
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The desolation of Verdun is as impressive as the feverish activity of Châlons.
Fighting France 1915
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"Ah!" chuckled the old man, pointing to the distinguished mark painted in black on the Aviatik's side, "they gave my son the Iron Cross for bravery at a place they call Verdun, but I am sorry he did not win it for killing Englishmen."
With Haig on the Somme D. H. Parry 1915
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_The G.E. _ I wonder you dare to mention the word Verdun in my presence.
Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 150, June 7, 1916 Various 1898
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After this came "Verdun" -- that conflict in which France won immortal glory and the German's attack upon the French fortress town of Verdun was successfully repulsed.
Kelly Miller's History of the World War for Human Rights Kelly Miller 1901
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ONE DAY, I happened to turn on the TV and watched a documentary about a World War I battle at city in northeastern France called Verdun.
Dancing with the Devil Louis Diaz 2010
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ONE DAY, I happened to turn on the TV and watched a documentary about a World War I battle at city in northeastern France called Verdun.
Dancing with the Devil Louis Diaz 2010
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