4.4 Words and Phrases

Vocabulary

Word Meaning Example sentence
valour great courage, especially in battle His valour at Badgam is legendary.
infiltrators people who secretly enter to attack The infiltrators slipped in through the mountain passes.
annex to take possession of a territory The enemy hoped to annex the valley.
combat fighting; a battle He insisted on being with his men in combat.
outnumbered fewer than the opposing side They were heavily outnumbered, seven to one.
resolute firmly determined He stayed resolute despite the odds.
tenacity great determination; not giving up The soldiers fought with tenacity.
ammunition bullets, shells, and explosives They were running low on ammunition.
conspicuous very noticeable; outstanding He showed conspicuous bravery.
posthumously after one’s death He was awarded the PVC posthumously.
legacy what one leaves behind for others His legacy inspires soldiers even today.
reinforcements extra troops sent to help His stand gave reinforcements time to arrive.
etched permanently fixed (in memory) His name is etched on the war memorial.
poignant deeply moving and sad His story has a poignant ending.

Phrases and expressions

Expression What it means
a beacon of courage a shining source of inspiration
hold one’s ground to refuse to retreat; to stand firm
to the last man and the last round until no soldier or bullet is left
lay down one’s life to die for a cause
etched in history permanently remembered

Exam Tip This chapter is rich in military vocabulary (combat, ammunition, reinforcements, infiltrators). Group such theme-words together while revising — exams often ask you to use them in sentences or match them with meanings.

Use what you’ve learnt

Fill each blank: valour, outnumbered, posthumously, reinforcements, resolute.

  1. Though badly ___, the company did not retreat.
  2. He remained ___ even when ammunition ran low.
  3. His act of ___ earned him the nation’s highest award.
  4. The award was given ___, after his death.
  5. His stand gave ___ time to reach Srinagar.
  1. outnumbered   2. resolute   3. valour   4. posthumously   5. reinforcements