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The Coil of Carne
The Coil of Carne

Chapter XXXVII · The Long Slow Siege

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Context Illustration Reading 1/35 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
It was the most trying time Jim had ever spent.
He had had no experience whatever of sick-beds, beyond his own short spell after Balaclava, and even that was as different from this deadly monotony as well could be.
But he stuck to it valiantly, and was only saved from physical and mental collapse himself by Tatia's arbitrary oversight.
If there had been anything going on outside he might have found the change from the sick-room bracing, but both besieged and besiegers were too busy girding their loins for another struggle to waste time or powder on useless display.
The Allies had found the nut too hard to crack, and were working hard on preparation for the next blow; and those inside, fully informed of everything that went on in the camps, were straining every nerve to resist it.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Coil of Carne

Chapter XXXVII · The Long Slow Siege

Reading 1/35 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
It was the most trying time Jim had ever spent.
Line 2
He had had no experience whatever of sick-beds, beyond his own short spell after Balaclava, and even that was as different from this deadly monotony as well could be.
Line 3
But he stuck to it valiantly, and was only saved from physical and mental collapse himself by Tatia's arbitrary oversight.
Line 4
If there had been anything going on outside he might have found the change from the sick-room bracing, but both besieged and besiegers were too busy girding their loins for another struggle to waste time or powder on useless display.
Line 5
The Allies had found the nut too hard to crack, and were working hard on preparation for the next blow; and those inside, fully informed of everything that went on in the camps, were straining every nerve to resist it.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “He had had no experience whatever of sick-beds, beyond his own short spell after Balaclava, and even that was as different from this deadly monotony as well could be.”

Another noun US /ˈanother/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “If there had been anything going on outside he might have found the change from the sick-room bracing, but both besieged and besiegers were too busy girding their loins for another struggle to waste time or powder on useless display.”

Anything pronoun US /ˈeniθɪŋ/

any thing at all

From this reading “If there had been anything going on outside he might have found the change from the sick-room bracing, but both besieged and besiegers were too busy girding their loins for another struggle to waste time or powder on useless display.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “If there had been anything going on outside he might have found the change from the sick-room bracing, but both besieged and besiegers were too busy girding their loins for another struggle to waste time or powder on useless display.”

Beyond preposition US /bɪˈɑːnd/

on the far side of; further than

From this reading “He had had no experience whatever of sick-beds, beyond his own short spell after Balaclava, and even that was as different from this deadly monotony as well could be.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading “He had had no experience whatever of sick-beds, beyond his own short spell after Balaclava, and even that was as different from this deadly monotony as well could be.”

Different noun US /ˈdifferent/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “He had had no experience whatever of sick-beds, beyond his own short spell after Balaclava, and even that was as different from this deadly monotony as well could be.”

Even noun US /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He had had no experience whatever of sick-beds, beyond his own short spell after Balaclava, and even that was as different from this deadly monotony as well could be.”

Ever noun US /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was the most trying time Jim had ever spent.”

Every determiner US /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading “The Allies had found the nut too hard to crack, and were working hard on preparation for the next blow; and those inside, fully informed of everything that went on in the camps, were straining every nerve to resist it.”

Everything pronoun US /ˈevriθɪŋ/

all things; all of a situation

From this reading “The Allies had found the nut too hard to crack, and were working hard on preparation for the next blow; and those inside, fully informed of everything that went on in the camps, were straining every nerve to resist it.”

Found noun US /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “If there had been anything going on outside he might have found the change from the sick-room bracing, but both besieged and besiegers were too busy girding their loins for another struggle to waste time or powder on useless display.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “If there had been anything going on outside he might have found the change from the sick-room bracing, but both besieged and besiegers were too busy girding their loins for another struggle to waste time or powder on useless display.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading “But he stuck to it valiantly, and was only saved from physical and mental collapse himself by Tatia's arbitrary oversight.”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “If there had been anything going on outside he might have found the change from the sick-room bracing, but both besieged and besiegers were too busy girding their loins for another struggle to waste time or powder on useless display.”

Next noun US /next/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The Allies had found the nut too hard to crack, and were working hard on preparation for the next blow; and those inside, fully informed of everything that went on in the camps, were straining every nerve to resist it.”

Outside noun US /ˈoutside/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “If there had been anything going on outside he might have found the change from the sick-room bracing, but both besieged and besiegers were too busy girding their loins for another struggle to waste time or powder on useless display.”

Saved noun US /saved/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But he stuck to it valiantly, and was only saved from physical and mental collapse himself by Tatia's arbitrary oversight.”

Short adjective US /ʃɔrt/

brief or direct in expression

From this reading “He had had no experience whatever of sick-beds, beyond his own short spell after Balaclava, and even that was as different from this deadly monotony as well could be.”

Those determiner US /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading “The Allies had found the nut too hard to crack, and were working hard on preparation for the next blow; and those inside, fully informed of everything that went on in the camps, were straining every nerve to resist it.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was the most trying time Jim had ever spent.”

Waste noun US /weɪst/

an empty, uncultivated area of land

From this reading “If there had been anything going on outside he might have found the change from the sick-room bracing, but both besieged and besiegers were too busy girding their loins for another struggle to waste time or powder on useless display.”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He had had no experience whatever of sick-beds, beyond his own short spell after Balaclava, and even that was as different from this deadly monotony as well could be.”

Went noun US /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The Allies had found the nut too hard to crack, and were working hard on preparation for the next blow; and those inside, fully informed of everything that went on in the camps, were straining every nerve to resist it.”

Whatever determiner US /ˌwʌˈtevər/

any or all of a kind, it does not matter which

From this reading “He had had no experience whatever of sick-beds, beyond his own short spell after Balaclava, and even that was as different from this deadly monotony as well could be.”

All words in this reading · 99

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading He had had no experience whatever of sick-beds, beyond his own short spell after Balaclava, and even that was as different from this deadly monotony as well could be.

Allies

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The Allies had found the nut too hard to crack, and were working hard on preparation for the next blow; and those inside, fully informed of everything that went on in the camps, were straining every nerve to resist it.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading He had had no experience whatever of sick-beds, beyond his own short spell after Balaclava, and even that was as different from this deadly monotony as well could be.

anothernounUS /ˈanother/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading If there had been anything going on outside he might have found the change from the sick-room bracing, but both besieged and besiegers were too busy girding their loins for another struggle to waste time or powder on useless display.

anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/

any thing at all

From this reading If there had been anything going on outside he might have found the change from the sick-room bracing, but both besieged and besiegers were too busy girding their loins for another struggle to waste time or powder on useless display.

arbitrary

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But he stuck to it valiantly, and was only saved from physical and mental collapse himself by Tatia's arbitrary oversight.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading He had had no experience whatever of sick-beds, beyond his own short spell after Balaclava, and even that was as different from this deadly monotony as well could be.

Balaclava

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He had had no experience whatever of sick-beds, beyond his own short spell after Balaclava, and even that was as different from this deadly monotony as well could be.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading He had had no experience whatever of sick-beds, beyond his own short spell after Balaclava, and even that was as different from this deadly monotony as well could be.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading If there had been anything going on outside he might have found the change from the sick-room bracing, but both besieged and besiegers were too busy girding their loins for another struggle to waste time or powder on useless display.

besieged

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading If there had been anything going on outside he might have found the change from the sick-room bracing, but both besieged and besiegers were too busy girding their loins for another struggle to waste time or powder on useless display.

besiegers

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading If there had been anything going on outside he might have found the change from the sick-room bracing, but both besieged and besiegers were too busy girding their loins for another struggle to waste time or powder on useless display.

beyondprepositionUS /bɪˈɑːnd/

on the far side of; further than

From this reading He had had no experience whatever of sick-beds, beyond his own short spell after Balaclava, and even that was as different from this deadly monotony as well could be.

blow

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The Allies had found the nut too hard to crack, and were working hard on preparation for the next blow; and those inside, fully informed of everything that went on in the camps, were straining every nerve to resist it.

bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/

the two together, not just one

From this reading If there had been anything going on outside he might have found the change from the sick-room bracing, but both besieged and besiegers were too busy girding their loins for another struggle to waste time or powder on useless display.

bracing

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading If there had been anything going on outside he might have found the change from the sick-room bracing, but both besieged and besiegers were too busy girding their loins for another struggle to waste time or powder on useless display.

busy

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading If there had been anything going on outside he might have found the change from the sick-room bracing, but both besieged and besiegers were too busy girding their loins for another struggle to waste time or powder on useless display.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But he stuck to it valiantly, and was only saved from physical and mental collapse himself by Tatia's arbitrary oversight.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading But he stuck to it valiantly, and was only saved from physical and mental collapse himself by Tatia's arbitrary oversight.

camps

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The Allies had found the nut too hard to crack, and were working hard on preparation for the next blow; and those inside, fully informed of everything that went on in the camps, were straining every nerve to resist it.

change

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading If there had been anything going on outside he might have found the change from the sick-room bracing, but both besieged and besiegers were too busy girding their loins for another struggle to waste time or powder on useless display.

collapse

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But he stuck to it valiantly, and was only saved from physical and mental collapse himself by Tatia's arbitrary oversight.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading He had had no experience whatever of sick-beds, beyond his own short spell after Balaclava, and even that was as different from this deadly monotony as well could be.

crack

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The Allies had found the nut too hard to crack, and were working hard on preparation for the next blow; and those inside, fully informed of everything that went on in the camps, were straining every nerve to resist it.

deadly

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He had had no experience whatever of sick-beds, beyond his own short spell after Balaclava, and even that was as different from this deadly monotony as well could be.

differentnounUS /ˈdifferent/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading He had had no experience whatever of sick-beds, beyond his own short spell after Balaclava, and even that was as different from this deadly monotony as well could be.

display

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading If there had been anything going on outside he might have found the change from the sick-room bracing, but both besieged and besiegers were too busy girding their loins for another struggle to waste time or powder on useless display.

evennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He had had no experience whatever of sick-beds, beyond his own short spell after Balaclava, and even that was as different from this deadly monotony as well could be.

evernounUS /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was the most trying time Jim had ever spent.

everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading The Allies had found the nut too hard to crack, and were working hard on preparation for the next blow; and those inside, fully informed of everything that went on in the camps, were straining every nerve to resist it.

everythingpronounUS /ˈevriθɪŋ/

all things; all of a situation

From this reading The Allies had found the nut too hard to crack, and were working hard on preparation for the next blow; and those inside, fully informed of everything that went on in the camps, were straining every nerve to resist it.

experience

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He had had no experience whatever of sick-beds, beyond his own short spell after Balaclava, and even that was as different from this deadly monotony as well could be.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading If there had been anything going on outside he might have found the change from the sick-room bracing, but both besieged and besiegers were too busy girding their loins for another struggle to waste time or powder on useless display.

foundnounUS /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading If there had been anything going on outside he might have found the change from the sick-room bracing, but both besieged and besiegers were too busy girding their loins for another struggle to waste time or powder on useless display.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading He had had no experience whatever of sick-beds, beyond his own short spell after Balaclava, and even that was as different from this deadly monotony as well could be.

fully

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The Allies had found the nut too hard to crack, and were working hard on preparation for the next blow; and those inside, fully informed of everything that went on in the camps, were straining every nerve to resist it.

girding

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading If there had been anything going on outside he might have found the change from the sick-room bracing, but both besieged and besiegers were too busy girding their loins for another struggle to waste time or powder on useless display.

going

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading If there had been anything going on outside he might have found the change from the sick-room bracing, but both besieged and besiegers were too busy girding their loins for another struggle to waste time or powder on useless display.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading It was the most trying time Jim had ever spent.

hard

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The Allies had found the nut too hard to crack, and were working hard on preparation for the next blow; and those inside, fully informed of everything that went on in the camps, were straining every nerve to resist it.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading If there had been anything going on outside he might have found the change from the sick-room bracing, but both besieged and besiegers were too busy girding their loins for another struggle to waste time or powder on useless display.

HepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading He had had no experience whatever of sick-beds, beyond his own short spell after Balaclava, and even that was as different from this deadly monotony as well could be.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading But he stuck to it valiantly, and was only saved from physical and mental collapse himself by Tatia's arbitrary oversight.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading He had had no experience whatever of sick-beds, beyond his own short spell after Balaclava, and even that was as different from this deadly monotony as well could be.

IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading If there had been anything going on outside he might have found the change from the sick-room bracing, but both besieged and besiegers were too busy girding their loins for another struggle to waste time or powder on useless display.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading The Allies had found the nut too hard to crack, and were working hard on preparation for the next blow; and those inside, fully informed of everything that went on in the camps, were straining every nerve to resist it.

informed

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The Allies had found the nut too hard to crack, and were working hard on preparation for the next blow; and those inside, fully informed of everything that went on in the camps, were straining every nerve to resist it.

inside

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The Allies had found the nut too hard to crack, and were working hard on preparation for the next blow; and those inside, fully informed of everything that went on in the camps, were straining every nerve to resist it.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was the most trying time Jim had ever spent.

Jim

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was the most trying time Jim had ever spent.

loins

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading If there had been anything going on outside he might have found the change from the sick-room bracing, but both besieged and besiegers were too busy girding their loins for another struggle to waste time or powder on useless display.

mental

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But he stuck to it valiantly, and was only saved from physical and mental collapse himself by Tatia's arbitrary oversight.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading If there had been anything going on outside he might have found the change from the sick-room bracing, but both besieged and besiegers were too busy girding their loins for another struggle to waste time or powder on useless display.

monotony

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He had had no experience whatever of sick-beds, beyond his own short spell after Balaclava, and even that was as different from this deadly monotony as well could be.

most

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was the most trying time Jim had ever spent.

nerve

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The Allies had found the nut too hard to crack, and were working hard on preparation for the next blow; and those inside, fully informed of everything that went on in the camps, were straining every nerve to resist it.

nextnounUS /next/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The Allies had found the nut too hard to crack, and were working hard on preparation for the next blow; and those inside, fully informed of everything that went on in the camps, were straining every nerve to resist it.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading He had had no experience whatever of sick-beds, beyond his own short spell after Balaclava, and even that was as different from this deadly monotony as well could be.

nut

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The Allies had found the nut too hard to crack, and were working hard on preparation for the next blow; and those inside, fully informed of everything that went on in the camps, were straining every nerve to resist it.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He had had no experience whatever of sick-beds, beyond his own short spell after Balaclava, and even that was as different from this deadly monotony as well could be.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading If there had been anything going on outside he might have found the change from the sick-room bracing, but both besieged and besiegers were too busy girding their loins for another struggle to waste time or powder on useless display.

only

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But he stuck to it valiantly, and was only saved from physical and mental collapse himself by Tatia's arbitrary oversight.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading If there had been anything going on outside he might have found the change from the sick-room bracing, but both besieged and besiegers were too busy girding their loins for another struggle to waste time or powder on useless display.

outsidenounUS /ˈoutside/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading If there had been anything going on outside he might have found the change from the sick-room bracing, but both besieged and besiegers were too busy girding their loins for another struggle to waste time or powder on useless display.

oversight

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But he stuck to it valiantly, and was only saved from physical and mental collapse himself by Tatia's arbitrary oversight.

own

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He had had no experience whatever of sick-beds, beyond his own short spell after Balaclava, and even that was as different from this deadly monotony as well could be.

physical

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But he stuck to it valiantly, and was only saved from physical and mental collapse himself by Tatia's arbitrary oversight.

powder

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading If there had been anything going on outside he might have found the change from the sick-room bracing, but both besieged and besiegers were too busy girding their loins for another struggle to waste time or powder on useless display.

preparation

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The Allies had found the nut too hard to crack, and were working hard on preparation for the next blow; and those inside, fully informed of everything that went on in the camps, were straining every nerve to resist it.

resist

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The Allies had found the nut too hard to crack, and were working hard on preparation for the next blow; and those inside, fully informed of everything that went on in the camps, were straining every nerve to resist it.

savednounUS /saved/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But he stuck to it valiantly, and was only saved from physical and mental collapse himself by Tatia's arbitrary oversight.

shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/

brief or direct in expression

From this reading He had had no experience whatever of sick-beds, beyond his own short spell after Balaclava, and even that was as different from this deadly monotony as well could be.

sick-beds

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He had had no experience whatever of sick-beds, beyond his own short spell after Balaclava, and even that was as different from this deadly monotony as well could be.

sick-room

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading If there had been anything going on outside he might have found the change from the sick-room bracing, but both besieged and besiegers were too busy girding their loins for another struggle to waste time or powder on useless display.

spell

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He had had no experience whatever of sick-beds, beyond his own short spell after Balaclava, and even that was as different from this deadly monotony as well could be.

spent

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was the most trying time Jim had ever spent.

straining

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The Allies had found the nut too hard to crack, and were working hard on preparation for the next blow; and those inside, fully informed of everything that went on in the camps, were straining every nerve to resist it.

struggle

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading If there had been anything going on outside he might have found the change from the sick-room bracing, but both besieged and besiegers were too busy girding their loins for another struggle to waste time or powder on useless display.

stuck

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But he stuck to it valiantly, and was only saved from physical and mental collapse himself by Tatia's arbitrary oversight.

Tatia's

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But he stuck to it valiantly, and was only saved from physical and mental collapse himself by Tatia's arbitrary oversight.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He had had no experience whatever of sick-beds, beyond his own short spell after Balaclava, and even that was as different from this deadly monotony as well could be.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading It was the most trying time Jim had ever spent.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading If there had been anything going on outside he might have found the change from the sick-room bracing, but both besieged and besiegers were too busy girding their loins for another struggle to waste time or powder on useless display.

there

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading If there had been anything going on outside he might have found the change from the sick-room bracing, but both besieged and besiegers were too busy girding their loins for another struggle to waste time or powder on useless display.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading He had had no experience whatever of sick-beds, beyond his own short spell after Balaclava, and even that was as different from this deadly monotony as well could be.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading The Allies had found the nut too hard to crack, and were working hard on preparation for the next blow; and those inside, fully informed of everything that went on in the camps, were straining every nerve to resist it.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was the most trying time Jim had ever spent.

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading But he stuck to it valiantly, and was only saved from physical and mental collapse himself by Tatia's arbitrary oversight.

too

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading If there had been anything going on outside he might have found the change from the sick-room bracing, but both besieged and besiegers were too busy girding their loins for another struggle to waste time or powder on useless display.

trying

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was the most trying time Jim had ever spent.

useless

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading If there had been anything going on outside he might have found the change from the sick-room bracing, but both besieged and besiegers were too busy girding their loins for another struggle to waste time or powder on useless display.

valiantly

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But he stuck to it valiantly, and was only saved from physical and mental collapse himself by Tatia's arbitrary oversight.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading It was the most trying time Jim had ever spent.

wastenounUS /weɪst/

an empty, uncultivated area of land

From this reading If there had been anything going on outside he might have found the change from the sick-room bracing, but both besieged and besiegers were too busy girding their loins for another struggle to waste time or powder on useless display.

well

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He had had no experience whatever of sick-beds, beyond his own short spell after Balaclava, and even that was as different from this deadly monotony as well could be.

wentnounUS /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The Allies had found the nut too hard to crack, and were working hard on preparation for the next blow; and those inside, fully informed of everything that went on in the camps, were straining every nerve to resist it.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading If there had been anything going on outside he might have found the change from the sick-room bracing, but both besieged and besiegers were too busy girding their loins for another struggle to waste time or powder on useless display.

whateverdeterminerUS /ˌwʌˈtevər/

any or all of a kind, it does not matter which

From this reading He had had no experience whatever of sick-beds, beyond his own short spell after Balaclava, and even that was as different from this deadly monotony as well could be.

working

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The Allies had found the nut too hard to crack, and were working hard on preparation for the next blow; and those inside, fully informed of everything that went on in the camps, were straining every nerve to resist it.