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 FIFTY-FIFTY Vail began: Tyranny was purely a matter of business with this little moral shrimp about whom I’m going to tell you.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading FIFTY-FIFTY Vail began: Tyranny was purely a matter of business with this little moral shrimp about whom I’m going to tell you.
All
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All around me soldiers of the third line swarmed and clambered over the débris, digging, hammering, shifting planks and sandbags from south to north, lugging new timbers, reels of barbed wire, ladders, cases of ammunition, machine guns, trench mortars.
ammunition
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All around me soldiers of the third line swarmed and clambered over the débris, digging, hammering, shifting planks and sandbags from south to north, lugging new timbers, reels of barbed wire, ladders, cases of ammunition, machine guns, trench mortars.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I was standing between a communication trench and a crater left by a mine which was being "consolidated," as they have it in these days....
arms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Stretchers and bearers from my section had not yet returned from the emergency dressing station; the crater was now cleared up except of enemy dead, whose partly buried arms and legs still stuck out here and there.
aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading All around me soldiers of the third line swarmed and clambered over the débris, digging, hammering, shifting planks and sandbags from south to north, lugging new timbers, reels of barbed wire, ladders, cases of ammunition, machine guns, trench mortars.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading I was standing between a communication trench and a crater left by a mine which was being "consolidated," as they have it in these days....
barbed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All around me soldiers of the third line swarmed and clambered over the débris, digging, hammering, shifting planks and sandbags from south to north, lugging new timbers, reels of barbed wire, ladders, cases of ammunition, machine guns, trench mortars.
bearers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Stretchers and bearers from my section had not yet returned from the emergency dressing station; the crater was now cleared up except of enemy dead, whose partly buried arms and legs still stuck out here and there.
begannounUS /began/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading FIFTY-FIFTY Vail began: Tyranny was purely a matter of business with this little moral shrimp about whom I’m going to tell you.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading I was standing between a communication trench and a crater left by a mine which was being "consolidated," as they have it in these days....
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading I was standing between a communication trench and a crater left by a mine which was being "consolidated," as they have it in these days....
buried
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Stretchers and bearers from my section had not yet returned from the emergency dressing station; the crater was now cleared up except of enemy dead, whose partly buried arms and legs still stuck out here and there.
business
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FIFTY-FIFTY Vail began: Tyranny was purely a matter of business with this little moral shrimp about whom I’m going to tell you.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading I was standing between a communication trench and a crater left by a mine which was being "consolidated," as they have it in these days....
cases
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All around me soldiers of the third line swarmed and clambered over the débris, digging, hammering, shifting planks and sandbags from south to north, lugging new timbers, reels of barbed wire, ladders, cases of ammunition, machine guns, trench mortars.
clambered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All around me soldiers of the third line swarmed and clambered over the débris, digging, hammering, shifting planks and sandbags from south to north, lugging new timbers, reels of barbed wire, ladders, cases of ammunition, machine guns, trench mortars.
clattering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The din of the guns was terrific; overhead our own shells passed with a deafening, clattering roar; the Huns continued to shell the town in front of us where our first and second lines were still fighting in the streets and houses while the third line were reconstructing a few yards of trenches and a few craters won.
cleared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Stretchers and bearers from my section had not yet returned from the emergency dressing station; the crater was now cleared up except of enemy dead, whose partly buried arms and legs still stuck out here and there.
communication
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was standing between a communication trench and a crater left by a mine which was being "consolidated," as they have it in these days....
consolidated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was standing between a communication trench and a crater left by a mine which was being "consolidated," as they have it in these days....
continuednounUS /ˈcontinued/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The din of the guns was terrific; overhead our own shells passed with a deafening, clattering roar; the Huns continued to shell the town in front of us where our first and second lines were still fighting in the streets and houses while the third line were reconstructing a few yards of trenches and a few craters won.
crater
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was standing between a communication trench and a crater left by a mine which was being "consolidated," as they have it in these days....
craters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The din of the guns was terrific; overhead our own shells passed with a deafening, clattering roar; the Huns continued to shell the town in front of us where our first and second lines were still fighting in the streets and houses while the third line were reconstructing a few yards of trenches and a few craters won.
days
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was standing between a communication trench and a crater left by a mine which was being "consolidated," as they have it in these days....
deadnounUS /dead/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Stretchers and bearers from my section had not yet returned from the emergency dressing station; the crater was now cleared up except of enemy dead, whose partly buried arms and legs still stuck out here and there.
deafening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The din of the guns was terrific; overhead our own shells passed with a deafening, clattering roar; the Huns continued to shell the town in front of us where our first and second lines were still fighting in the streets and houses while the third line were reconstructing a few yards of trenches and a few craters won.
digging
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All around me soldiers of the third line swarmed and clambered over the débris, digging, hammering, shifting planks and sandbags from south to north, lugging new timbers, reels of barbed wire, ladders, cases of ammunition, machine guns, trench mortars.
din
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The din of the guns was terrific; overhead our own shells passed with a deafening, clattering roar; the Huns continued to shell the town in front of us where our first and second lines were still fighting in the streets and houses while the third line were reconstructing a few yards of trenches and a few craters won.
dressing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Stretchers and bearers from my section had not yet returned from the emergency dressing station; the crater was now cleared up except of enemy dead, whose partly buried arms and legs still stuck out here and there.
débris
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All around me soldiers of the third line swarmed and clambered over the débris, digging, hammering, shifting planks and sandbags from south to north, lugging new timbers, reels of barbed wire, ladders, cases of ammunition, machine guns, trench mortars.
emergency
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Stretchers and bearers from my section had not yet returned from the emergency dressing station; the crater was now cleared up except of enemy dead, whose partly buried arms and legs still stuck out here and there.
enemy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Stretchers and bearers from my section had not yet returned from the emergency dressing station; the crater was now cleared up except of enemy dead, whose partly buried arms and legs still stuck out here and there.
exceptprepositionUS /ɪkˈsept/
apart from; not including
From this reading Stretchers and bearers from my section had not yet returned from the emergency dressing station; the crater was now cleared up except of enemy dead, whose partly buried arms and legs still stuck out here and there.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The din of the guns was terrific; overhead our own shells passed with a deafening, clattering roar; the Huns continued to shell the town in front of us where our first and second lines were still fighting in the streets and houses while the third line were reconstructing a few yards of trenches and a few craters won.
FIFTY-FIFTY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FIFTY-FIFTY Vail began: Tyranny was purely a matter of business with this little moral shrimp about whom I’m going to tell you.
fighting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The din of the guns was terrific; overhead our own shells passed with a deafening, clattering roar; the Huns continued to shell the town in front of us where our first and second lines were still fighting in the streets and houses while the third line were reconstructing a few yards of trenches and a few craters won.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The din of the guns was terrific; overhead our own shells passed with a deafening, clattering roar; the Huns continued to shell the town in front of us where our first and second lines were still fighting in the streets and houses while the third line were reconstructing a few yards of trenches and a few craters won.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading All around me soldiers of the third line swarmed and clambered over the débris, digging, hammering, shifting planks and sandbags from south to north, lugging new timbers, reels of barbed wire, ladders, cases of ammunition, machine guns, trench mortars.
front
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The din of the guns was terrific; overhead our own shells passed with a deafening, clattering roar; the Huns continued to shell the town in front of us where our first and second lines were still fighting in the streets and houses while the third line were reconstructing a few yards of trenches and a few craters won.
going
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FIFTY-FIFTY Vail began: Tyranny was purely a matter of business with this little moral shrimp about whom I’m going to tell you.
guns
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All around me soldiers of the third line swarmed and clambered over the débris, digging, hammering, shifting planks and sandbags from south to north, lugging new timbers, reels of barbed wire, ladders, cases of ammunition, machine guns, trench mortars.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Stretchers and bearers from my section had not yet returned from the emergency dressing station; the crater was now cleared up except of enemy dead, whose partly buried arms and legs still stuck out here and there.
hammering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All around me soldiers of the third line swarmed and clambered over the débris, digging, hammering, shifting planks and sandbags from south to north, lugging new timbers, reels of barbed wire, ladders, cases of ammunition, machine guns, trench mortars.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading I was standing between a communication trench and a crater left by a mine which was being "consolidated," as they have it in these days....
herenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Stretchers and bearers from my section had not yet returned from the emergency dressing station; the crater was now cleared up except of enemy dead, whose partly buried arms and legs still stuck out here and there.
houses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The din of the guns was terrific; overhead our own shells passed with a deafening, clattering roar; the Huns continued to shell the town in front of us where our first and second lines were still fighting in the streets and houses while the third line were reconstructing a few yards of trenches and a few craters won.
Huns
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The din of the guns was terrific; overhead our own shells passed with a deafening, clattering roar; the Huns continued to shell the town in front of us where our first and second lines were still fighting in the streets and houses while the third line were reconstructing a few yards of trenches and a few craters won.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I was standing between a communication trench and a crater left by a mine which was being "consolidated," as they have it in these days....
I'm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FIFTY-FIFTY Vail began: Tyranny was purely a matter of business with this little moral shrimp about whom I’m going to tell you.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I was standing between a communication trench and a crater left by a mine which was being "consolidated," as they have it in these days....
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I was standing between a communication trench and a crater left by a mine which was being "consolidated," as they have it in these days....
ladders
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All around me soldiers of the third line swarmed and clambered over the débris, digging, hammering, shifting planks and sandbags from south to north, lugging new timbers, reels of barbed wire, ladders, cases of ammunition, machine guns, trench mortars.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I was standing between a communication trench and a crater left by a mine which was being "consolidated," as they have it in these days....
legs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Stretchers and bearers from my section had not yet returned from the emergency dressing station; the crater was now cleared up except of enemy dead, whose partly buried arms and legs still stuck out here and there.
line
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All around me soldiers of the third line swarmed and clambered over the débris, digging, hammering, shifting planks and sandbags from south to north, lugging new timbers, reels of barbed wire, ladders, cases of ammunition, machine guns, trench mortars.
lines
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The din of the guns was terrific; overhead our own shells passed with a deafening, clattering roar; the Huns continued to shell the town in front of us where our first and second lines were still fighting in the streets and houses while the third line were reconstructing a few yards of trenches and a few craters won.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading FIFTY-FIFTY Vail began: Tyranny was purely a matter of business with this little moral shrimp about whom I’m going to tell you.
lugging
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All around me soldiers of the third line swarmed and clambered over the débris, digging, hammering, shifting planks and sandbags from south to north, lugging new timbers, reels of barbed wire, ladders, cases of ammunition, machine guns, trench mortars.
machine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All around me soldiers of the third line swarmed and clambered over the débris, digging, hammering, shifting planks and sandbags from south to north, lugging new timbers, reels of barbed wire, ladders, cases of ammunition, machine guns, trench mortars.
matter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FIFTY-FIFTY Vail began: Tyranny was purely a matter of business with this little moral shrimp about whom I’m going to tell you.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading All around me soldiers of the third line swarmed and clambered over the débris, digging, hammering, shifting planks and sandbags from south to north, lugging new timbers, reels of barbed wire, ladders, cases of ammunition, machine guns, trench mortars.
minepronounUS /maɪn/
the one or ones belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I was standing between a communication trench and a crater left by a mine which was being "consolidated," as they have it in these days....
moral
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FIFTY-FIFTY Vail began: Tyranny was purely a matter of business with this little moral shrimp about whom I’m going to tell you.
mortars
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All around me soldiers of the third line swarmed and clambered over the débris, digging, hammering, shifting planks and sandbags from south to north, lugging new timbers, reels of barbed wire, ladders, cases of ammunition, machine guns, trench mortars.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Stretchers and bearers from my section had not yet returned from the emergency dressing station; the crater was now cleared up except of enemy dead, whose partly buried arms and legs still stuck out here and there.
new
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All around me soldiers of the third line swarmed and clambered over the débris, digging, hammering, shifting planks and sandbags from south to north, lugging new timbers, reels of barbed wire, ladders, cases of ammunition, machine guns, trench mortars.
north
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All around me soldiers of the third line swarmed and clambered over the débris, digging, hammering, shifting planks and sandbags from south to north, lugging new timbers, reels of barbed wire, ladders, cases of ammunition, machine guns, trench mortars.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Stretchers and bearers from my section had not yet returned from the emergency dressing station; the crater was now cleared up except of enemy dead, whose partly buried arms and legs still stuck out here and there.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Stretchers and bearers from my section had not yet returned from the emergency dressing station; the crater was now cleared up except of enemy dead, whose partly buried arms and legs still stuck out here and there.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading FIFTY-FIFTY Vail began: Tyranny was purely a matter of business with this little moral shrimp about whom I’m going to tell you.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading The din of the guns was terrific; overhead our own shells passed with a deafening, clattering roar; the Huns continued to shell the town in front of us where our first and second lines were still fighting in the streets and houses while the third line were reconstructing a few yards of trenches and a few craters won.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Stretchers and bearers from my section had not yet returned from the emergency dressing station; the crater was now cleared up except of enemy dead, whose partly buried arms and legs still stuck out here and there.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading All around me soldiers of the third line swarmed and clambered over the débris, digging, hammering, shifting planks and sandbags from south to north, lugging new timbers, reels of barbed wire, ladders, cases of ammunition, machine guns, trench mortars.
overhead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The din of the guns was terrific; overhead our own shells passed with a deafening, clattering roar; the Huns continued to shell the town in front of us where our first and second lines were still fighting in the streets and houses while the third line were reconstructing a few yards of trenches and a few craters won.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The din of the guns was terrific; overhead our own shells passed with a deafening, clattering roar; the Huns continued to shell the town in front of us where our first and second lines were still fighting in the streets and houses while the third line were reconstructing a few yards of trenches and a few craters won.
partly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Stretchers and bearers from my section had not yet returned from the emergency dressing station; the crater was now cleared up except of enemy dead, whose partly buried arms and legs still stuck out here and there.
passednounUS /passed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The din of the guns was terrific; overhead our own shells passed with a deafening, clattering roar; the Huns continued to shell the town in front of us where our first and second lines were still fighting in the streets and houses while the third line were reconstructing a few yards of trenches and a few craters won.
planks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All around me soldiers of the third line swarmed and clambered over the débris, digging, hammering, shifting planks and sandbags from south to north, lugging new timbers, reels of barbed wire, ladders, cases of ammunition, machine guns, trench mortars.
purely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FIFTY-FIFTY Vail began: Tyranny was purely a matter of business with this little moral shrimp about whom I’m going to tell you.
reconstructing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The din of the guns was terrific; overhead our own shells passed with a deafening, clattering roar; the Huns continued to shell the town in front of us where our first and second lines were still fighting in the streets and houses while the third line were reconstructing a few yards of trenches and a few craters won.
reels
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All around me soldiers of the third line swarmed and clambered over the débris, digging, hammering, shifting planks and sandbags from south to north, lugging new timbers, reels of barbed wire, ladders, cases of ammunition, machine guns, trench mortars.
returnednounUS /ˈreturned/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Stretchers and bearers from my section had not yet returned from the emergency dressing station; the crater was now cleared up except of enemy dead, whose partly buried arms and legs still stuck out here and there.
roar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The din of the guns was terrific; overhead our own shells passed with a deafening, clattering roar; the Huns continued to shell the town in front of us where our first and second lines were still fighting in the streets and houses while the third line were reconstructing a few yards of trenches and a few craters won.
sandbags
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All around me soldiers of the third line swarmed and clambered over the débris, digging, hammering, shifting planks and sandbags from south to north, lugging new timbers, reels of barbed wire, ladders, cases of ammunition, machine guns, trench mortars.
second
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The din of the guns was terrific; overhead our own shells passed with a deafening, clattering roar; the Huns continued to shell the town in front of us where our first and second lines were still fighting in the streets and houses while the third line were reconstructing a few yards of trenches and a few craters won.
section
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Stretchers and bearers from my section had not yet returned from the emergency dressing station; the crater was now cleared up except of enemy dead, whose partly buried arms and legs still stuck out here and there.
shell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The din of the guns was terrific; overhead our own shells passed with a deafening, clattering roar; the Huns continued to shell the town in front of us where our first and second lines were still fighting in the streets and houses while the third line were reconstructing a few yards of trenches and a few craters won.
shells
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The din of the guns was terrific; overhead our own shells passed with a deafening, clattering roar; the Huns continued to shell the town in front of us where our first and second lines were still fighting in the streets and houses while the third line were reconstructing a few yards of trenches and a few craters won.
shifting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All around me soldiers of the third line swarmed and clambered over the débris, digging, hammering, shifting planks and sandbags from south to north, lugging new timbers, reels of barbed wire, ladders, cases of ammunition, machine guns, trench mortars.
shrimp
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FIFTY-FIFTY Vail began: Tyranny was purely a matter of business with this little moral shrimp about whom I’m going to tell you.
soldiers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All around me soldiers of the third line swarmed and clambered over the débris, digging, hammering, shifting planks and sandbags from south to north, lugging new timbers, reels of barbed wire, ladders, cases of ammunition, machine guns, trench mortars.
south
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All around me soldiers of the third line swarmed and clambered over the débris, digging, hammering, shifting planks and sandbags from south to north, lugging new timbers, reels of barbed wire, ladders, cases of ammunition, machine guns, trench mortars.
standingnounUS /ˈstanding/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading I was standing between a communication trench and a crater left by a mine which was being "consolidated," as they have it in these days....
station
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Stretchers and bearers from my section had not yet returned from the emergency dressing station; the crater was now cleared up except of enemy dead, whose partly buried arms and legs still stuck out here and there.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The din of the guns was terrific; overhead our own shells passed with a deafening, clattering roar; the Huns continued to shell the town in front of us where our first and second lines were still fighting in the streets and houses while the third line were reconstructing a few yards of trenches and a few craters won.
streets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The din of the guns was terrific; overhead our own shells passed with a deafening, clattering roar; the Huns continued to shell the town in front of us where our first and second lines were still fighting in the streets and houses while the third line were reconstructing a few yards of trenches and a few craters won.
Stretchers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Stretchers and bearers from my section had not yet returned from the emergency dressing station; the crater was now cleared up except of enemy dead, whose partly buried arms and legs still stuck out here and there.
stuck
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Stretchers and bearers from my section had not yet returned from the emergency dressing station; the crater was now cleared up except of enemy dead, whose partly buried arms and legs still stuck out here and there.
swarmed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All around me soldiers of the third line swarmed and clambered over the débris, digging, hammering, shifting planks and sandbags from south to north, lugging new timbers, reels of barbed wire, ladders, cases of ammunition, machine guns, trench mortars.
tellnounUS /tell/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading FIFTY-FIFTY Vail began: Tyranny was purely a matter of business with this little moral shrimp about whom I’m going to tell you.
terrific
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The din of the guns was terrific; overhead our own shells passed with a deafening, clattering roar; the Huns continued to shell the town in front of us where our first and second lines were still fighting in the streets and houses while the third line were reconstructing a few yards of trenches and a few craters won.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading All around me soldiers of the third line swarmed and clambered over the débris, digging, hammering, shifting planks and sandbags from south to north, lugging new timbers, reels of barbed wire, ladders, cases of ammunition, machine guns, trench mortars.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Stretchers and bearers from my section had not yet returned from the emergency dressing station; the crater was now cleared up except of enemy dead, whose partly buried arms and legs still stuck out here and there.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading I was standing between a communication trench and a crater left by a mine which was being "consolidated," as they have it in these days....
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I was standing between a communication trench and a crater left by a mine which was being "consolidated," as they have it in these days....
thirdnounUS /third/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading All around me soldiers of the third line swarmed and clambered over the débris, digging, hammering, shifting planks and sandbags from south to north, lugging new timbers, reels of barbed wire, ladders, cases of ammunition, machine guns, trench mortars.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading FIFTY-FIFTY Vail began: Tyranny was purely a matter of business with this little moral shrimp about whom I’m going to tell you.
timbers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All around me soldiers of the third line swarmed and clambered over the débris, digging, hammering, shifting planks and sandbags from south to north, lugging new timbers, reels of barbed wire, ladders, cases of ammunition, machine guns, trench mortars.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading FIFTY-FIFTY Vail began: Tyranny was purely a matter of business with this little moral shrimp about whom I’m going to tell you.
town
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The din of the guns was terrific; overhead our own shells passed with a deafening, clattering roar; the Huns continued to shell the town in front of us where our first and second lines were still fighting in the streets and houses while the third line were reconstructing a few yards of trenches and a few craters won.
trench
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was standing between a communication trench and a crater left by a mine which was being "consolidated," as they have it in these days....
trenches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The din of the guns was terrific; overhead our own shells passed with a deafening, clattering roar; the Huns continued to shell the town in front of us where our first and second lines were still fighting in the streets and houses while the third line were reconstructing a few yards of trenches and a few craters won.
Tyranny
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FIFTY-FIFTY Vail began: Tyranny was purely a matter of business with this little moral shrimp about whom I’m going to tell you.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Stretchers and bearers from my section had not yet returned from the emergency dressing station; the crater was now cleared up except of enemy dead, whose partly buried arms and legs still stuck out here and there.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The din of the guns was terrific; overhead our own shells passed with a deafening, clattering roar; the Huns continued to shell the town in front of us where our first and second lines were still fighting in the streets and houses while the third line were reconstructing a few yards of trenches and a few craters won.
Vail
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FIFTY-FIFTY Vail began: Tyranny was purely a matter of business with this little moral shrimp about whom I’m going to tell you.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading FIFTY-FIFTY Vail began: Tyranny was purely a matter of business with this little moral shrimp about whom I’m going to tell you.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The din of the guns was terrific; overhead our own shells passed with a deafening, clattering roar; the Huns continued to shell the town in front of us where our first and second lines were still fighting in the streets and houses while the third line were reconstructing a few yards of trenches and a few craters won.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading The din of the guns was terrific; overhead our own shells passed with a deafening, clattering roar; the Huns continued to shell the town in front of us where our first and second lines were still fighting in the streets and houses while the third line were reconstructing a few yards of trenches and a few craters won.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading I was standing between a communication trench and a crater left by a mine which was being "consolidated," as they have it in these days....
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading The din of the guns was terrific; overhead our own shells passed with a deafening, clattering roar; the Huns continued to shell the town in front of us where our first and second lines were still fighting in the streets and houses while the third line were reconstructing a few yards of trenches and a few craters won.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading FIFTY-FIFTY Vail began: Tyranny was purely a matter of business with this little moral shrimp about whom I’m going to tell you.
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/
belonging to which person
From this reading Stretchers and bearers from my section had not yet returned from the emergency dressing station; the crater was now cleared up except of enemy dead, whose partly buried arms and legs still stuck out here and there.
wire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All around me soldiers of the third line swarmed and clambered over the débris, digging, hammering, shifting planks and sandbags from south to north, lugging new timbers, reels of barbed wire, ladders, cases of ammunition, machine guns, trench mortars.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading FIFTY-FIFTY Vail began: Tyranny was purely a matter of business with this little moral shrimp about whom I’m going to tell you.
won
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The din of the guns was terrific; overhead our own shells passed with a deafening, clattering roar; the Huns continued to shell the town in front of us where our first and second lines were still fighting in the streets and houses while the third line were reconstructing a few yards of trenches and a few craters won.
yards
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The din of the guns was terrific; overhead our own shells passed with a deafening, clattering roar; the Huns continued to shell the town in front of us where our first and second lines were still fighting in the streets and houses while the third line were reconstructing a few yards of trenches and a few craters won.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading Stretchers and bearers from my section had not yet returned from the emergency dressing station; the crater was now cleared up except of enemy dead, whose partly buried arms and legs still stuck out here and there.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading FIFTY-FIFTY Vail began: Tyranny was purely a matter of business with this little moral shrimp about whom I’m going to tell you.
