military rank: in the U.S. Army or Marine Corps, the rank immediately above corporal, or any of various ranks above that, or any of various equivalent ranks in the U.S. Air Force

clear to somebody: clearly seen or understood

calculate: to determine the amount, quantity, size, or extent of something

rum cocktail: an iced cocktail made from rum, lemon or lime juice, and sugar or syrup

pattern of beats in music: the regular pattern of beats and emphasis in a piece of music

odd: strange or unusual

weight for exercising: an exercise weight in the form of a metal bar with a metal disk or ball at each end

feeling thanks: having the desire or reason to thank somebody

of the Middle Ages: relating to, involving, belonging to, or typical of the Middle Ages in Europe

coordination: the exchange of information or the planning of joint efforts by separate groups or individuals, often of military units

agreeable activity: an interest or activity that somebody pursues in his or her spare time

extremely small: extremely small or completely insignificant

flash of light in the sky: flashes of light seen in the sky when there is a discharge of atmospheric electricity in the clouds or between clouds and the earth, usually occurring during a thunderstorm

be greater than: to be greater than something in quantity, degree, or scope

1,000 years: a period of 1,000 years, especially a period that begins or ends in a year that is a multiple of 1,000