Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading At the time I tried to put down in words the picture of that scene when, after four years’ slaughter of men, the city, which had seemed a world away, was open to us a few miles beyond the trench-lines; the riven trees, the shell-holes, and the stench of death, and we walked across the canal, over a broken bridge, into that large town where--how wonderful it seemed I--there were roofs on the houses and glass in the windows, and crowds of civilian people waiting for the first glimpse of British khaki.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading At the time I tried to put down in words the picture of that scene when, after four years’ slaughter of men, the city, which had seemed a world away, was open to us a few miles beyond the trench-lines; the riven trees, the shell-holes, and the stench of death, and we walked across the canal, over a broken bridge, into that large town where--how wonderful it seemed I--there were roofs on the houses and glass in the windows, and crowds of civilian people waiting for the first glimpse of British khaki.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading At the time I tried to put down in words the picture of that scene when, after four years’ slaughter of men, the city, which had seemed a world away, was open to us a few miles beyond the trench-lines; the riven trees, the shell-holes, and the stench of death, and we walked across the canal, over a broken bridge, into that large town where--how wonderful it seemed I--there were roofs on the houses and glass in the windows, and crowds of civilian people waiting for the first glimpse of British khaki.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading At the time I tried to put down in words the picture of that scene when, after four years’ slaughter of men, the city, which had seemed a world away, was open to us a few miles beyond the trench-lines; the riven trees, the shell-holes, and the stench of death, and we walked across the canal, over a broken bridge, into that large town where--how wonderful it seemed I--there were roofs on the houses and glass in the windows, and crowds of civilian people waiting for the first glimpse of British khaki.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At the time I tried to put down in words the picture of that scene when, after four years’ slaughter of men, the city, which had seemed a world away, was open to us a few miles beyond the trench-lines; the riven trees, the shell-holes, and the stench of death, and we walked across the canal, over a broken bridge, into that large town where--how wonderful it seemed I--there were roofs on the houses and glass in the windows, and crowds of civilian people waiting for the first glimpse of British khaki.
away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the time I tried to put down in words the picture of that scene when, after four years’ slaughter of men, the city, which had seemed a world away, was open to us a few miles beyond the trench-lines; the riven trees, the shell-holes, and the stench of death, and we walked across the canal, over a broken bridge, into that large town where--how wonderful it seemed I--there were roofs on the houses and glass in the windows, and crowds of civilian people waiting for the first glimpse of British khaki.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even now remembrance brings back to me figures that I saw only for a moment or two, but remain sharply etched in my mind, and people I met in the streets who told me the story of four years in less than four minutes and enough to let me know their bitterness, hatred, humiliations, terrors, in the time of the German occupation....
beyondprepositionUS /bɪˈɑːnd/
on the far side of; further than
From this reading At the time I tried to put down in words the picture of that scene when, after four years’ slaughter of men, the city, which had seemed a world away, was open to us a few miles beyond the trench-lines; the riven trees, the shell-holes, and the stench of death, and we walked across the canal, over a broken bridge, into that large town where--how wonderful it seemed I--there were roofs on the houses and glass in the windows, and crowds of civilian people waiting for the first glimpse of British khaki.
bitterness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even now remembrance brings back to me figures that I saw only for a moment or two, but remain sharply etched in my mind, and people I met in the streets who told me the story of four years in less than four minutes and enough to let me know their bitterness, hatred, humiliations, terrors, in the time of the German occupation....
blurred
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From this reading Other things since have blurred its fine images.
bridge
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From this reading At the time I tried to put down in words the picture of that scene when, after four years’ slaughter of men, the city, which had seemed a world away, was open to us a few miles beyond the trench-lines; the riven trees, the shell-holes, and the stench of death, and we walked across the canal, over a broken bridge, into that large town where--how wonderful it seemed I--there were roofs on the houses and glass in the windows, and crowds of civilian people waiting for the first glimpse of British khaki.
brings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even now remembrance brings back to me figures that I saw only for a moment or two, but remain sharply etched in my mind, and people I met in the streets who told me the story of four years in less than four minutes and enough to let me know their bitterness, hatred, humiliations, terrors, in the time of the German occupation....
British
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the time I tried to put down in words the picture of that scene when, after four years’ slaughter of men, the city, which had seemed a world away, was open to us a few miles beyond the trench-lines; the riven trees, the shell-holes, and the stench of death, and we walked across the canal, over a broken bridge, into that large town where--how wonderful it seemed I--there were roofs on the houses and glass in the windows, and crowds of civilian people waiting for the first glimpse of British khaki.
brokennounUS /broken/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At the time I tried to put down in words the picture of that scene when, after four years’ slaughter of men, the city, which had seemed a world away, was open to us a few miles beyond the trench-lines; the riven trees, the shell-holes, and the stench of death, and we walked across the canal, over a broken bridge, into that large town where--how wonderful it seemed I--there were roofs on the houses and glass in the windows, and crowds of civilian people waiting for the first glimpse of British khaki.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Even now remembrance brings back to me figures that I saw only for a moment or two, but remain sharply etched in my mind, and people I met in the streets who told me the story of four years in less than four minutes and enough to let me know their bitterness, hatred, humiliations, terrors, in the time of the German occupation....
canal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the time I tried to put down in words the picture of that scene when, after four years’ slaughter of men, the city, which had seemed a world away, was open to us a few miles beyond the trench-lines; the riven trees, the shell-holes, and the stench of death, and we walked across the canal, over a broken bridge, into that large town where--how wonderful it seemed I--there were roofs on the houses and glass in the windows, and crowds of civilian people waiting for the first glimpse of British khaki.
city
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the time I tried to put down in words the picture of that scene when, after four years’ slaughter of men, the city, which had seemed a world away, was open to us a few miles beyond the trench-lines; the riven trees, the shell-holes, and the stench of death, and we walked across the canal, over a broken bridge, into that large town where--how wonderful it seemed I--there were roofs on the houses and glass in the windows, and crowds of civilian people waiting for the first glimpse of British khaki.
civilian
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the time I tried to put down in words the picture of that scene when, after four years’ slaughter of men, the city, which had seemed a world away, was open to us a few miles beyond the trench-lines; the riven trees, the shell-holes, and the stench of death, and we walked across the canal, over a broken bridge, into that large town where--how wonderful it seemed I--there were roofs on the houses and glass in the windows, and crowds of civilian people waiting for the first glimpse of British khaki.
crowds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the time I tried to put down in words the picture of that scene when, after four years’ slaughter of men, the city, which had seemed a world away, was open to us a few miles beyond the trench-lines; the riven trees, the shell-holes, and the stench of death, and we walked across the canal, over a broken bridge, into that large town where--how wonderful it seemed I--there were roofs on the houses and glass in the windows, and crowds of civilian people waiting for the first glimpse of British khaki.
cursed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have re-read the words I wrote, hastily, on a truculent typewriter which I cursed for its twisted ribbon, while the vision of the day was in my eyes.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is hard to recapture the spirit of that day we entered Lille.
death
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the time I tried to put down in words the picture of that scene when, after four years’ slaughter of men, the city, which had seemed a world away, was open to us a few miles beyond the trench-lines; the riven trees, the shell-holes, and the stench of death, and we walked across the canal, over a broken bridge, into that large town where--how wonderful it seemed I--there were roofs on the houses and glass in the windows, and crowds of civilian people waiting for the first glimpse of British khaki.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the time I tried to put down in words the picture of that scene when, after four years’ slaughter of men, the city, which had seemed a world away, was open to us a few miles beyond the trench-lines; the riven trees, the shell-holes, and the stench of death, and we walked across the canal, over a broken bridge, into that large town where--how wonderful it seemed I--there were roofs on the houses and glass in the windows, and crowds of civilian people waiting for the first glimpse of British khaki.
enough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even now remembrance brings back to me figures that I saw only for a moment or two, but remain sharply etched in my mind, and people I met in the streets who told me the story of four years in less than four minutes and enough to let me know their bitterness, hatred, humiliations, terrors, in the time of the German occupation....
entered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is hard to recapture the spirit of that day we entered Lille.
etched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even now remembrance brings back to me figures that I saw only for a moment or two, but remain sharply etched in my mind, and people I met in the streets who told me the story of four years in less than four minutes and enough to let me know their bitterness, hatred, humiliations, terrors, in the time of the German occupation....
EvennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Even now remembrance brings back to me figures that I saw only for a moment or two, but remain sharply etched in my mind, and people I met in the streets who told me the story of four years in less than four minutes and enough to let me know their bitterness, hatred, humiliations, terrors, in the time of the German occupation....
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have re-read the words I wrote, hastily, on a truculent typewriter which I cursed for its twisted ribbon, while the vision of the day was in my eyes.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the time I tried to put down in words the picture of that scene when, after four years’ slaughter of men, the city, which had seemed a world away, was open to us a few miles beyond the trench-lines; the riven trees, the shell-holes, and the stench of death, and we walked across the canal, over a broken bridge, into that large town where--how wonderful it seemed I--there were roofs on the houses and glass in the windows, and crowds of civilian people waiting for the first glimpse of British khaki.
figures
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even now remembrance brings back to me figures that I saw only for a moment or two, but remain sharply etched in my mind, and people I met in the streets who told me the story of four years in less than four minutes and enough to let me know their bitterness, hatred, humiliations, terrors, in the time of the German occupation....
finenounUS /fine/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Other things since have blurred its fine images.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At the time I tried to put down in words the picture of that scene when, after four years’ slaughter of men, the city, which had seemed a world away, was open to us a few miles beyond the trench-lines; the riven trees, the shell-holes, and the stench of death, and we walked across the canal, over a broken bridge, into that large town where--how wonderful it seemed I--there were roofs on the houses and glass in the windows, and crowds of civilian people waiting for the first glimpse of British khaki.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading At the time I tried to put down in words the picture of that scene when, after four years’ slaughter of men, the city, which had seemed a world away, was open to us a few miles beyond the trench-lines; the riven trees, the shell-holes, and the stench of death, and we walked across the canal, over a broken bridge, into that large town where--how wonderful it seemed I--there were roofs on the houses and glass in the windows, and crowds of civilian people waiting for the first glimpse of British khaki.
four
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the time I tried to put down in words the picture of that scene when, after four years’ slaughter of men, the city, which had seemed a world away, was open to us a few miles beyond the trench-lines; the riven trees, the shell-holes, and the stench of death, and we walked across the canal, over a broken bridge, into that large town where--how wonderful it seemed I--there were roofs on the houses and glass in the windows, and crowds of civilian people waiting for the first glimpse of British khaki.
German
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even now remembrance brings back to me figures that I saw only for a moment or two, but remain sharply etched in my mind, and people I met in the streets who told me the story of four years in less than four minutes and enough to let me know their bitterness, hatred, humiliations, terrors, in the time of the German occupation....
glass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the time I tried to put down in words the picture of that scene when, after four years’ slaughter of men, the city, which had seemed a world away, was open to us a few miles beyond the trench-lines; the riven trees, the shell-holes, and the stench of death, and we walked across the canal, over a broken bridge, into that large town where--how wonderful it seemed I--there were roofs on the houses and glass in the windows, and crowds of civilian people waiting for the first glimpse of British khaki.
glimpse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the time I tried to put down in words the picture of that scene when, after four years’ slaughter of men, the city, which had seemed a world away, was open to us a few miles beyond the trench-lines; the riven trees, the shell-holes, and the stench of death, and we walked across the canal, over a broken bridge, into that large town where--how wonderful it seemed I--there were roofs on the houses and glass in the windows, and crowds of civilian people waiting for the first glimpse of British khaki.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading At the time I tried to put down in words the picture of that scene when, after four years’ slaughter of men, the city, which had seemed a world away, was open to us a few miles beyond the trench-lines; the riven trees, the shell-holes, and the stench of death, and we walked across the canal, over a broken bridge, into that large town where--how wonderful it seemed I--there were roofs on the houses and glass in the windows, and crowds of civilian people waiting for the first glimpse of British khaki.
hard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is hard to recapture the spirit of that day we entered Lille.
hastily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have re-read the words I wrote, hastily, on a truculent typewriter which I cursed for its twisted ribbon, while the vision of the day was in my eyes.
hatred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even now remembrance brings back to me figures that I saw only for a moment or two, but remain sharply etched in my mind, and people I met in the streets who told me the story of four years in less than four minutes and enough to let me know their bitterness, hatred, humiliations, terrors, in the time of the German occupation....
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Other things since have blurred its fine images.
houses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the time I tried to put down in words the picture of that scene when, after four years’ slaughter of men, the city, which had seemed a world away, was open to us a few miles beyond the trench-lines; the riven trees, the shell-holes, and the stench of death, and we walked across the canal, over a broken bridge, into that large town where--how wonderful it seemed I--there were roofs on the houses and glass in the windows, and crowds of civilian people waiting for the first glimpse of British khaki.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the time I tried to put down in words the picture of that scene when, after four years’ slaughter of men, the city, which had seemed a world away, was open to us a few miles beyond the trench-lines; the riven trees, the shell-holes, and the stench of death, and we walked across the canal, over a broken bridge, into that large town where--how wonderful it seemed I--there were roofs on the houses and glass in the windows, and crowds of civilian people waiting for the first glimpse of British khaki.
humiliations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even now remembrance brings back to me figures that I saw only for a moment or two, but remain sharply etched in my mind, and people I met in the streets who told me the story of four years in less than four minutes and enough to let me know their bitterness, hatred, humiliations, terrors, in the time of the German occupation....
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading At the time I tried to put down in words the picture of that scene when, after four years’ slaughter of men, the city, which had seemed a world away, was open to us a few miles beyond the trench-lines; the riven trees, the shell-holes, and the stench of death, and we walked across the canal, over a broken bridge, into that large town where--how wonderful it seemed I--there were roofs on the houses and glass in the windows, and crowds of civilian people waiting for the first glimpse of British khaki.
images
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Other things since have blurred its fine images.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading At the time I tried to put down in words the picture of that scene when, after four years’ slaughter of men, the city, which had seemed a world away, was open to us a few miles beyond the trench-lines; the riven trees, the shell-holes, and the stench of death, and we walked across the canal, over a broken bridge, into that large town where--how wonderful it seemed I--there were roofs on the houses and glass in the windows, and crowds of civilian people waiting for the first glimpse of British khaki.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading At the time I tried to put down in words the picture of that scene when, after four years’ slaughter of men, the city, which had seemed a world away, was open to us a few miles beyond the trench-lines; the riven trees, the shell-holes, and the stench of death, and we walked across the canal, over a broken bridge, into that large town where--how wonderful it seemed I--there were roofs on the houses and glass in the windows, and crowds of civilian people waiting for the first glimpse of British khaki.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is hard to recapture the spirit of that day we entered Lille.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is hard to recapture the spirit of that day we entered Lille.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Other things since have blurred its fine images.
khaki
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the time I tried to put down in words the picture of that scene when, after four years’ slaughter of men, the city, which had seemed a world away, was open to us a few miles beyond the trench-lines; the riven trees, the shell-holes, and the stench of death, and we walked across the canal, over a broken bridge, into that large town where--how wonderful it seemed I--there were roofs on the houses and glass in the windows, and crowds of civilian people waiting for the first glimpse of British khaki.
knownounUS /know/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Even now remembrance brings back to me figures that I saw only for a moment or two, but remain sharply etched in my mind, and people I met in the streets who told me the story of four years in less than four minutes and enough to let me know their bitterness, hatred, humiliations, terrors, in the time of the German occupation....
large
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the time I tried to put down in words the picture of that scene when, after four years’ slaughter of men, the city, which had seemed a world away, was open to us a few miles beyond the trench-lines; the riven trees, the shell-holes, and the stench of death, and we walked across the canal, over a broken bridge, into that large town where--how wonderful it seemed I--there were roofs on the houses and glass in the windows, and crowds of civilian people waiting for the first glimpse of British khaki.
less
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even now remembrance brings back to me figures that I saw only for a moment or two, but remain sharply etched in my mind, and people I met in the streets who told me the story of four years in less than four minutes and enough to let me know their bitterness, hatred, humiliations, terrors, in the time of the German occupation....
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading Even now remembrance brings back to me figures that I saw only for a moment or two, but remain sharply etched in my mind, and people I met in the streets who told me the story of four years in less than four minutes and enough to let me know their bitterness, hatred, humiliations, terrors, in the time of the German occupation....
Lille
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is hard to recapture the spirit of that day we entered Lille.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Even now remembrance brings back to me figures that I saw only for a moment or two, but remain sharply etched in my mind, and people I met in the streets who told me the story of four years in less than four minutes and enough to let me know their bitterness, hatred, humiliations, terrors, in the time of the German occupation....
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the time I tried to put down in words the picture of that scene when, after four years’ slaughter of men, the city, which had seemed a world away, was open to us a few miles beyond the trench-lines; the riven trees, the shell-holes, and the stench of death, and we walked across the canal, over a broken bridge, into that large town where--how wonderful it seemed I--there were roofs on the houses and glass in the windows, and crowds of civilian people waiting for the first glimpse of British khaki.
met
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even now remembrance brings back to me figures that I saw only for a moment or two, but remain sharply etched in my mind, and people I met in the streets who told me the story of four years in less than four minutes and enough to let me know their bitterness, hatred, humiliations, terrors, in the time of the German occupation....
miles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the time I tried to put down in words the picture of that scene when, after four years’ slaughter of men, the city, which had seemed a world away, was open to us a few miles beyond the trench-lines; the riven trees, the shell-holes, and the stench of death, and we walked across the canal, over a broken bridge, into that large town where--how wonderful it seemed I--there were roofs on the houses and glass in the windows, and crowds of civilian people waiting for the first glimpse of British khaki.
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Even now remembrance brings back to me figures that I saw only for a moment or two, but remain sharply etched in my mind, and people I met in the streets who told me the story of four years in less than four minutes and enough to let me know their bitterness, hatred, humiliations, terrors, in the time of the German occupation....
minutes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even now remembrance brings back to me figures that I saw only for a moment or two, but remain sharply etched in my mind, and people I met in the streets who told me the story of four years in less than four minutes and enough to let me know their bitterness, hatred, humiliations, terrors, in the time of the German occupation....
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even now remembrance brings back to me figures that I saw only for a moment or two, but remain sharply etched in my mind, and people I met in the streets who told me the story of four years in less than four minutes and enough to let me know their bitterness, hatred, humiliations, terrors, in the time of the German occupation....
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Even now remembrance brings back to me figures that I saw only for a moment or two, but remain sharply etched in my mind, and people I met in the streets who told me the story of four years in less than four minutes and enough to let me know their bitterness, hatred, humiliations, terrors, in the time of the German occupation....
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even now remembrance brings back to me figures that I saw only for a moment or two, but remain sharply etched in my mind, and people I met in the streets who told me the story of four years in less than four minutes and enough to let me know their bitterness, hatred, humiliations, terrors, in the time of the German occupation....
occupation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even now remembrance brings back to me figures that I saw only for a moment or two, but remain sharply etched in my mind, and people I met in the streets who told me the story of four years in less than four minutes and enough to let me know their bitterness, hatred, humiliations, terrors, in the time of the German occupation....
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It is hard to recapture the spirit of that day we entered Lille.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading At the time I tried to put down in words the picture of that scene when, after four years’ slaughter of men, the city, which had seemed a world away, was open to us a few miles beyond the trench-lines; the riven trees, the shell-holes, and the stench of death, and we walked across the canal, over a broken bridge, into that large town where--how wonderful it seemed I--there were roofs on the houses and glass in the windows, and crowds of civilian people waiting for the first glimpse of British khaki.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even now remembrance brings back to me figures that I saw only for a moment or two, but remain sharply etched in my mind, and people I met in the streets who told me the story of four years in less than four minutes and enough to let me know their bitterness, hatred, humiliations, terrors, in the time of the German occupation....
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading At the time I tried to put down in words the picture of that scene when, after four years’ slaughter of men, the city, which had seemed a world away, was open to us a few miles beyond the trench-lines; the riven trees, the shell-holes, and the stench of death, and we walked across the canal, over a broken bridge, into that large town where--how wonderful it seemed I--there were roofs on the houses and glass in the windows, and crowds of civilian people waiting for the first glimpse of British khaki.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Even now remembrance brings back to me figures that I saw only for a moment or two, but remain sharply etched in my mind, and people I met in the streets who told me the story of four years in less than four minutes and enough to let me know their bitterness, hatred, humiliations, terrors, in the time of the German occupation....
Other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Other things since have blurred its fine images.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading At the time I tried to put down in words the picture of that scene when, after four years’ slaughter of men, the city, which had seemed a world away, was open to us a few miles beyond the trench-lines; the riven trees, the shell-holes, and the stench of death, and we walked across the canal, over a broken bridge, into that large town where--how wonderful it seemed I--there were roofs on the houses and glass in the windows, and crowds of civilian people waiting for the first glimpse of British khaki.
people
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the time I tried to put down in words the picture of that scene when, after four years’ slaughter of men, the city, which had seemed a world away, was open to us a few miles beyond the trench-lines; the riven trees, the shell-holes, and the stench of death, and we walked across the canal, over a broken bridge, into that large town where--how wonderful it seemed I--there were roofs on the houses and glass in the windows, and crowds of civilian people waiting for the first glimpse of British khaki.
picture
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the time I tried to put down in words the picture of that scene when, after four years’ slaughter of men, the city, which had seemed a world away, was open to us a few miles beyond the trench-lines; the riven trees, the shell-holes, and the stench of death, and we walked across the canal, over a broken bridge, into that large town where--how wonderful it seemed I--there were roofs on the houses and glass in the windows, and crowds of civilian people waiting for the first glimpse of British khaki.
put
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the time I tried to put down in words the picture of that scene when, after four years’ slaughter of men, the city, which had seemed a world away, was open to us a few miles beyond the trench-lines; the riven trees, the shell-holes, and the stench of death, and we walked across the canal, over a broken bridge, into that large town where--how wonderful it seemed I--there were roofs on the houses and glass in the windows, and crowds of civilian people waiting for the first glimpse of British khaki.
re-read
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have re-read the words I wrote, hastily, on a truculent typewriter which I cursed for its twisted ribbon, while the vision of the day was in my eyes.
recapture
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is hard to recapture the spirit of that day we entered Lille.
remain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even now remembrance brings back to me figures that I saw only for a moment or two, but remain sharply etched in my mind, and people I met in the streets who told me the story of four years in less than four minutes and enough to let me know their bitterness, hatred, humiliations, terrors, in the time of the German occupation....
remembrance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even now remembrance brings back to me figures that I saw only for a moment or two, but remain sharply etched in my mind, and people I met in the streets who told me the story of four years in less than four minutes and enough to let me know their bitterness, hatred, humiliations, terrors, in the time of the German occupation....
ribbon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have re-read the words I wrote, hastily, on a truculent typewriter which I cursed for its twisted ribbon, while the vision of the day was in my eyes.
riven
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the time I tried to put down in words the picture of that scene when, after four years’ slaughter of men, the city, which had seemed a world away, was open to us a few miles beyond the trench-lines; the riven trees, the shell-holes, and the stench of death, and we walked across the canal, over a broken bridge, into that large town where--how wonderful it seemed I--there were roofs on the houses and glass in the windows, and crowds of civilian people waiting for the first glimpse of British khaki.
roofs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the time I tried to put down in words the picture of that scene when, after four years’ slaughter of men, the city, which had seemed a world away, was open to us a few miles beyond the trench-lines; the riven trees, the shell-holes, and the stench of death, and we walked across the canal, over a broken bridge, into that large town where--how wonderful it seemed I--there were roofs on the houses and glass in the windows, and crowds of civilian people waiting for the first glimpse of British khaki.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even now remembrance brings back to me figures that I saw only for a moment or two, but remain sharply etched in my mind, and people I met in the streets who told me the story of four years in less than four minutes and enough to let me know their bitterness, hatred, humiliations, terrors, in the time of the German occupation....
scene
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the time I tried to put down in words the picture of that scene when, after four years’ slaughter of men, the city, which had seemed a world away, was open to us a few miles beyond the trench-lines; the riven trees, the shell-holes, and the stench of death, and we walked across the canal, over a broken bridge, into that large town where--how wonderful it seemed I--there were roofs on the houses and glass in the windows, and crowds of civilian people waiting for the first glimpse of British khaki.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At the time I tried to put down in words the picture of that scene when, after four years’ slaughter of men, the city, which had seemed a world away, was open to us a few miles beyond the trench-lines; the riven trees, the shell-holes, and the stench of death, and we walked across the canal, over a broken bridge, into that large town where--how wonderful it seemed I--there were roofs on the houses and glass in the windows, and crowds of civilian people waiting for the first glimpse of British khaki.
sharplynounUS /ˈsharply/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Even now remembrance brings back to me figures that I saw only for a moment or two, but remain sharply etched in my mind, and people I met in the streets who told me the story of four years in less than four minutes and enough to let me know their bitterness, hatred, humiliations, terrors, in the time of the German occupation....
shell-holes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the time I tried to put down in words the picture of that scene when, after four years’ slaughter of men, the city, which had seemed a world away, was open to us a few miles beyond the trench-lines; the riven trees, the shell-holes, and the stench of death, and we walked across the canal, over a broken bridge, into that large town where--how wonderful it seemed I--there were roofs on the houses and glass in the windows, and crowds of civilian people waiting for the first glimpse of British khaki.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Other things since have blurred its fine images.
slaughter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the time I tried to put down in words the picture of that scene when, after four years’ slaughter of men, the city, which had seemed a world away, was open to us a few miles beyond the trench-lines; the riven trees, the shell-holes, and the stench of death, and we walked across the canal, over a broken bridge, into that large town where--how wonderful it seemed I--there were roofs on the houses and glass in the windows, and crowds of civilian people waiting for the first glimpse of British khaki.
spirit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is hard to recapture the spirit of that day we entered Lille.
stench
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the time I tried to put down in words the picture of that scene when, after four years’ slaughter of men, the city, which had seemed a world away, was open to us a few miles beyond the trench-lines; the riven trees, the shell-holes, and the stench of death, and we walked across the canal, over a broken bridge, into that large town where--how wonderful it seemed I--there were roofs on the houses and glass in the windows, and crowds of civilian people waiting for the first glimpse of British khaki.
story
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even now remembrance brings back to me figures that I saw only for a moment or two, but remain sharply etched in my mind, and people I met in the streets who told me the story of four years in less than four minutes and enough to let me know their bitterness, hatred, humiliations, terrors, in the time of the German occupation....
streets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even now remembrance brings back to me figures that I saw only for a moment or two, but remain sharply etched in my mind, and people I met in the streets who told me the story of four years in less than four minutes and enough to let me know their bitterness, hatred, humiliations, terrors, in the time of the German occupation....
terrors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even now remembrance brings back to me figures that I saw only for a moment or two, but remain sharply etched in my mind, and people I met in the streets who told me the story of four years in less than four minutes and enough to let me know their bitterness, hatred, humiliations, terrors, in the time of the German occupation....
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Even now remembrance brings back to me figures that I saw only for a moment or two, but remain sharply etched in my mind, and people I met in the streets who told me the story of four years in less than four minutes and enough to let me know their bitterness, hatred, humiliations, terrors, in the time of the German occupation....
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It is hard to recapture the spirit of that day we entered Lille.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It is hard to recapture the spirit of that day we entered Lille.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Even now remembrance brings back to me figures that I saw only for a moment or two, but remain sharply etched in my mind, and people I met in the streets who told me the story of four years in less than four minutes and enough to let me know their bitterness, hatred, humiliations, terrors, in the time of the German occupation....
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the time I tried to put down in words the picture of that scene when, after four years’ slaughter of men, the city, which had seemed a world away, was open to us a few miles beyond the trench-lines; the riven trees, the shell-holes, and the stench of death, and we walked across the canal, over a broken bridge, into that large town where--how wonderful it seemed I--there were roofs on the houses and glass in the windows, and crowds of civilian people waiting for the first glimpse of British khaki.
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Other things since have blurred its fine images.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At the time I tried to put down in words the picture of that scene when, after four years’ slaughter of men, the city, which had seemed a world away, was open to us a few miles beyond the trench-lines; the riven trees, the shell-holes, and the stench of death, and we walked across the canal, over a broken bridge, into that large town where--how wonderful it seemed I--there were roofs on the houses and glass in the windows, and crowds of civilian people waiting for the first glimpse of British khaki.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It is hard to recapture the spirit of that day we entered Lille.
toldnounUS /told/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Even now remembrance brings back to me figures that I saw only for a moment or two, but remain sharply etched in my mind, and people I met in the streets who told me the story of four years in less than four minutes and enough to let me know their bitterness, hatred, humiliations, terrors, in the time of the German occupation....
town
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the time I tried to put down in words the picture of that scene when, after four years’ slaughter of men, the city, which had seemed a world away, was open to us a few miles beyond the trench-lines; the riven trees, the shell-holes, and the stench of death, and we walked across the canal, over a broken bridge, into that large town where--how wonderful it seemed I--there were roofs on the houses and glass in the windows, and crowds of civilian people waiting for the first glimpse of British khaki.
trees
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the time I tried to put down in words the picture of that scene when, after four years’ slaughter of men, the city, which had seemed a world away, was open to us a few miles beyond the trench-lines; the riven trees, the shell-holes, and the stench of death, and we walked across the canal, over a broken bridge, into that large town where--how wonderful it seemed I--there were roofs on the houses and glass in the windows, and crowds of civilian people waiting for the first glimpse of British khaki.
trench-lines
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the time I tried to put down in words the picture of that scene when, after four years’ slaughter of men, the city, which had seemed a world away, was open to us a few miles beyond the trench-lines; the riven trees, the shell-holes, and the stench of death, and we walked across the canal, over a broken bridge, into that large town where--how wonderful it seemed I--there were roofs on the houses and glass in the windows, and crowds of civilian people waiting for the first glimpse of British khaki.
tried
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the time I tried to put down in words the picture of that scene when, after four years’ slaughter of men, the city, which had seemed a world away, was open to us a few miles beyond the trench-lines; the riven trees, the shell-holes, and the stench of death, and we walked across the canal, over a broken bridge, into that large town where--how wonderful it seemed I--there were roofs on the houses and glass in the windows, and crowds of civilian people waiting for the first glimpse of British khaki.
truculent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have re-read the words I wrote, hastily, on a truculent typewriter which I cursed for its twisted ribbon, while the vision of the day was in my eyes.
twisted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have re-read the words I wrote, hastily, on a truculent typewriter which I cursed for its twisted ribbon, while the vision of the day was in my eyes.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even now remembrance brings back to me figures that I saw only for a moment or two, but remain sharply etched in my mind, and people I met in the streets who told me the story of four years in less than four minutes and enough to let me know their bitterness, hatred, humiliations, terrors, in the time of the German occupation....
typewriter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have re-read the words I wrote, hastily, on a truculent typewriter which I cursed for its twisted ribbon, while the vision of the day was in my eyes.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading At the time I tried to put down in words the picture of that scene when, after four years’ slaughter of men, the city, which had seemed a world away, was open to us a few miles beyond the trench-lines; the riven trees, the shell-holes, and the stench of death, and we walked across the canal, over a broken bridge, into that large town where--how wonderful it seemed I--there were roofs on the houses and glass in the windows, and crowds of civilian people waiting for the first glimpse of British khaki.
vision
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have re-read the words I wrote, hastily, on a truculent typewriter which I cursed for its twisted ribbon, while the vision of the day was in my eyes.
waiting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the time I tried to put down in words the picture of that scene when, after four years’ slaughter of men, the city, which had seemed a world away, was open to us a few miles beyond the trench-lines; the riven trees, the shell-holes, and the stench of death, and we walked across the canal, over a broken bridge, into that large town where--how wonderful it seemed I--there were roofs on the houses and glass in the windows, and crowds of civilian people waiting for the first glimpse of British khaki.
walked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the time I tried to put down in words the picture of that scene when, after four years’ slaughter of men, the city, which had seemed a world away, was open to us a few miles beyond the trench-lines; the riven trees, the shell-holes, and the stench of death, and we walked across the canal, over a broken bridge, into that large town where--how wonderful it seemed I--there were roofs on the houses and glass in the windows, and crowds of civilian people waiting for the first glimpse of British khaki.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading At the time I tried to put down in words the picture of that scene when, after four years’ slaughter of men, the city, which had seemed a world away, was open to us a few miles beyond the trench-lines; the riven trees, the shell-holes, and the stench of death, and we walked across the canal, over a broken bridge, into that large town where--how wonderful it seemed I--there were roofs on the houses and glass in the windows, and crowds of civilian people waiting for the first glimpse of British khaki.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading It is hard to recapture the spirit of that day we entered Lille.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading At the time I tried to put down in words the picture of that scene when, after four years’ slaughter of men, the city, which had seemed a world away, was open to us a few miles beyond the trench-lines; the riven trees, the shell-holes, and the stench of death, and we walked across the canal, over a broken bridge, into that large town where--how wonderful it seemed I--there were roofs on the houses and glass in the windows, and crowds of civilian people waiting for the first glimpse of British khaki.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading At the time I tried to put down in words the picture of that scene when, after four years’ slaughter of men, the city, which had seemed a world away, was open to us a few miles beyond the trench-lines; the riven trees, the shell-holes, and the stench of death, and we walked across the canal, over a broken bridge, into that large town where--how wonderful it seemed I--there were roofs on the houses and glass in the windows, and crowds of civilian people waiting for the first glimpse of British khaki.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading At the time I tried to put down in words the picture of that scene when, after four years’ slaughter of men, the city, which had seemed a world away, was open to us a few miles beyond the trench-lines; the riven trees, the shell-holes, and the stench of death, and we walked across the canal, over a broken bridge, into that large town where--how wonderful it seemed I--there were roofs on the houses and glass in the windows, and crowds of civilian people waiting for the first glimpse of British khaki.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading At the time I tried to put down in words the picture of that scene when, after four years’ slaughter of men, the city, which had seemed a world away, was open to us a few miles beyond the trench-lines; the riven trees, the shell-holes, and the stench of death, and we walked across the canal, over a broken bridge, into that large town where--how wonderful it seemed I--there were roofs on the houses and glass in the windows, and crowds of civilian people waiting for the first glimpse of British khaki.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading I have re-read the words I wrote, hastily, on a truculent typewriter which I cursed for its twisted ribbon, while the vision of the day was in my eyes.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Even now remembrance brings back to me figures that I saw only for a moment or two, but remain sharply etched in my mind, and people I met in the streets who told me the story of four years in less than four minutes and enough to let me know their bitterness, hatred, humiliations, terrors, in the time of the German occupation....
windows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the time I tried to put down in words the picture of that scene when, after four years’ slaughter of men, the city, which had seemed a world away, was open to us a few miles beyond the trench-lines; the riven trees, the shell-holes, and the stench of death, and we walked across the canal, over a broken bridge, into that large town where--how wonderful it seemed I--there were roofs on the houses and glass in the windows, and crowds of civilian people waiting for the first glimpse of British khaki.
wonderfulnounUS /ˈwonderful/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading At the time I tried to put down in words the picture of that scene when, after four years’ slaughter of men, the city, which had seemed a world away, was open to us a few miles beyond the trench-lines; the riven trees, the shell-holes, and the stench of death, and we walked across the canal, over a broken bridge, into that large town where--how wonderful it seemed I--there were roofs on the houses and glass in the windows, and crowds of civilian people waiting for the first glimpse of British khaki.
words
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the time I tried to put down in words the picture of that scene when, after four years’ slaughter of men, the city, which had seemed a world away, was open to us a few miles beyond the trench-lines; the riven trees, the shell-holes, and the stench of death, and we walked across the canal, over a broken bridge, into that large town where--how wonderful it seemed I--there were roofs on the houses and glass in the windows, and crowds of civilian people waiting for the first glimpse of British khaki.
world
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the time I tried to put down in words the picture of that scene when, after four years’ slaughter of men, the city, which had seemed a world away, was open to us a few miles beyond the trench-lines; the riven trees, the shell-holes, and the stench of death, and we walked across the canal, over a broken bridge, into that large town where--how wonderful it seemed I--there were roofs on the houses and glass in the windows, and crowds of civilian people waiting for the first glimpse of British khaki.
wrote
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have re-read the words I wrote, hastily, on a truculent typewriter which I cursed for its twisted ribbon, while the vision of the day was in my eyes.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the time I tried to put down in words the picture of that scene when, after four years’ slaughter of men, the city, which had seemed a world away, was open to us a few miles beyond the trench-lines; the riven trees, the shell-holes, and the stench of death, and we walked across the canal, over a broken bridge, into that large town where--how wonderful it seemed I--there were roofs on the houses and glass in the windows, and crowds of civilian people waiting for the first glimpse of British khaki.
