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The Great War in England in 1897
The Great War in England in 1897

Chapter XXXII

Cover illustration for The Great War in England in 1897
Context Illustration Reading 1/17 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
MARCH OF THE FRENCH ON LONDON.
South of the Thames, where the gigantic force of French and Russians, numbering nearly two hundred thousand of all arms, had been prevented from attacking London by our Volunteers and Regulars massed along the Surrey Hills, the slaughter on both sides had been frightful.
The struggle was indeed not for a dynasty, but for the very existence of Britain as an independent nation.
Sussex had been devastated, but Kent still held out, and Chatham remained in the possession of the defenders.
The rout of the British at Horsham prior to the march of the left column of invaders to Birmingham was succeeded by defeat after defeat, the engagements each day illustrating painfully that by force of overwhelming numbers the invaders were gradually nearing their goal--the mighty Capital of our Empire.
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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 Great War in England in 1897

Chapter XXXII

Reading 1/17 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
MARCH OF THE FRENCH ON LONDON.
Line 2
South of the Thames, where the gigantic force of French and Russians, numbering nearly two hundred thousand of all arms, had been prevented from attacking London by our Volunteers and Regulars massed along the Surrey Hills, the slaughter on both sides had been frightful.
Line 3
The struggle was indeed not for a dynasty, but for the very existence of Britain as an independent nation.
Line 4
Sussex had been devastated, but Kent still held out, and Chatham remained in the possession of the defenders.
Line 5
The rout of the British at Horsham prior to the march of the left column of invaders to Birmingham was succeeded by defeat after defeat, the engagements each day illustrating painfully that by force of overwhelming numbers the invaders were gradually nearing their goal--the mighty Capital of our Empire.

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 “The rout of the British at Horsham prior to the march of the left column of invaders to Birmingham was succeeded by defeat after defeat, the engagements each day illustrating painfully that by force of overwhelming numbers the invaders were gradually nearing their goal--the mighty Capital of our Empire.”

Along preposition US /əˈlɔːŋ/

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading “South of the Thames, where the gigantic force of French and Russians, numbering nearly two hundred thousand of all arms, had been prevented from attacking London by our Volunteers and Regulars massed along the Surrey Hills, the slaughter on both sides had been frightful.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “South of the Thames, where the gigantic force of French and Russians, numbering nearly two hundred thousand of all arms, had been prevented from attacking London by our Volunteers and Regulars massed along the Surrey Hills, the slaughter on both sides had been frightful.”

Left noun US /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The rout of the British at Horsham prior to the march of the left column of invaders to Birmingham was succeeded by defeat after defeat, the engagements each day illustrating painfully that by force of overwhelming numbers the invaders were gradually nearing their goal--the mighty Capital of our Empire.”

Remained noun US /ˈremained/

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

From this reading “Sussex had been devastated, but Kent still held out, and Chatham remained in the possession of the defenders.”

Still noun US /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Sussex had been devastated, but Kent still held out, and Chatham remained in the possession of the defenders.”

All words in this reading · 92

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 The struggle was indeed not for a dynasty, but for the very existence of Britain as an independent nation.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading The rout of the British at Horsham prior to the march of the left column of invaders to Birmingham was succeeded by defeat after defeat, the engagements each day illustrating painfully that by force of overwhelming numbers the invaders were gradually nearing their goal--the mighty Capital of our Empire.

all

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

From this reading South of the Thames, where the gigantic force of French and Russians, numbering nearly two hundred thousand of all arms, had been prevented from attacking London by our Volunteers and Regulars massed along the Surrey Hills, the slaughter on both sides had been frightful.

alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading South of the Thames, where the gigantic force of French and Russians, numbering nearly two hundred thousand of all arms, had been prevented from attacking London by our Volunteers and Regulars massed along the Surrey Hills, the slaughter on both sides had been frightful.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading The struggle was indeed not for a dynasty, but for the very existence of Britain as an independent nation.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading South of the Thames, where the gigantic force of French and Russians, numbering nearly two hundred thousand of all arms, had been prevented from attacking London by our Volunteers and Regulars massed along the Surrey Hills, the slaughter on both sides had been frightful.

arms

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

From this reading South of the Thames, where the gigantic force of French and Russians, numbering nearly two hundred thousand of all arms, had been prevented from attacking London by our Volunteers and Regulars massed along the Surrey Hills, the slaughter on both sides had been frightful.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading The struggle was indeed not for a dynasty, but for the very existence of Britain as an independent nation.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The rout of the British at Horsham prior to the march of the left column of invaders to Birmingham was succeeded by defeat after defeat, the engagements each day illustrating painfully that by force of overwhelming numbers the invaders were gradually nearing their goal--the mighty Capital of our Empire.

attacking

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

From this reading South of the Thames, where the gigantic force of French and Russians, numbering nearly two hundred thousand of all arms, had been prevented from attacking London by our Volunteers and Regulars massed along the Surrey Hills, the slaughter on both sides had been frightful.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading South of the Thames, where the gigantic force of French and Russians, numbering nearly two hundred thousand of all arms, had been prevented from attacking London by our Volunteers and Regulars massed along the Surrey Hills, the slaughter on both sides had been frightful.

Birmingham

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

From this reading The rout of the British at Horsham prior to the march of the left column of invaders to Birmingham was succeeded by defeat after defeat, the engagements each day illustrating painfully that by force of overwhelming numbers the invaders were gradually nearing their goal--the mighty Capital of our Empire.

bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/

the two together, not just one

From this reading South of the Thames, where the gigantic force of French and Russians, numbering nearly two hundred thousand of all arms, had been prevented from attacking London by our Volunteers and Regulars massed along the Surrey Hills, the slaughter on both sides had been frightful.

Britain

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

From this reading The struggle was indeed not for a dynasty, but for the very existence of Britain as an independent nation.

British

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

From this reading The rout of the British at Horsham prior to the march of the left column of invaders to Birmingham was succeeded by defeat after defeat, the engagements each day illustrating painfully that by force of overwhelming numbers the invaders were gradually nearing their goal--the mighty Capital of our Empire.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The struggle was indeed not for a dynasty, but for the very existence of Britain as an independent nation.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading South of the Thames, where the gigantic force of French and Russians, numbering nearly two hundred thousand of all arms, had been prevented from attacking London by our Volunteers and Regulars massed along the Surrey Hills, the slaughter on both sides had been frightful.

Capital

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

From this reading The rout of the British at Horsham prior to the march of the left column of invaders to Birmingham was succeeded by defeat after defeat, the engagements each day illustrating painfully that by force of overwhelming numbers the invaders were gradually nearing their goal--the mighty Capital of our Empire.

Chatham

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

From this reading Sussex had been devastated, but Kent still held out, and Chatham remained in the possession of the defenders.

column

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

From this reading The rout of the British at Horsham prior to the march of the left column of invaders to Birmingham was succeeded by defeat after defeat, the engagements each day illustrating painfully that by force of overwhelming numbers the invaders were gradually nearing their goal--the mighty Capital of our Empire.

day

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

From this reading The rout of the British at Horsham prior to the march of the left column of invaders to Birmingham was succeeded by defeat after defeat, the engagements each day illustrating painfully that by force of overwhelming numbers the invaders were gradually nearing their goal--the mighty Capital of our Empire.

defeat

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

From this reading The rout of the British at Horsham prior to the march of the left column of invaders to Birmingham was succeeded by defeat after defeat, the engagements each day illustrating painfully that by force of overwhelming numbers the invaders were gradually nearing their goal--the mighty Capital of our Empire.

defenders

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

From this reading Sussex had been devastated, but Kent still held out, and Chatham remained in the possession of the defenders.

devastated

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

From this reading Sussex had been devastated, but Kent still held out, and Chatham remained in the possession of the defenders.

dynasty

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

From this reading The struggle was indeed not for a dynasty, but for the very existence of Britain as an independent nation.

eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading The rout of the British at Horsham prior to the march of the left column of invaders to Birmingham was succeeded by defeat after defeat, the engagements each day illustrating painfully that by force of overwhelming numbers the invaders were gradually nearing their goal--the mighty Capital of our Empire.

Empire

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

From this reading The rout of the British at Horsham prior to the march of the left column of invaders to Birmingham was succeeded by defeat after defeat, the engagements each day illustrating painfully that by force of overwhelming numbers the invaders were gradually nearing their goal--the mighty Capital of our Empire.

engagements

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

From this reading The rout of the British at Horsham prior to the march of the left column of invaders to Birmingham was succeeded by defeat after defeat, the engagements each day illustrating painfully that by force of overwhelming numbers the invaders were gradually nearing their goal--the mighty Capital of our Empire.

existence

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

From this reading The struggle was indeed not for a dynasty, but for the very existence of Britain as an independent nation.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The struggle was indeed not for a dynasty, but for the very existence of Britain as an independent nation.

force

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

From this reading South of the Thames, where the gigantic force of French and Russians, numbering nearly two hundred thousand of all arms, had been prevented from attacking London by our Volunteers and Regulars massed along the Surrey Hills, the slaughter on both sides had been frightful.

FRENCH

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

From this reading MARCH OF THE FRENCH ON LONDON.

frightful

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

From this reading South of the Thames, where the gigantic force of French and Russians, numbering nearly two hundred thousand of all arms, had been prevented from attacking London by our Volunteers and Regulars massed along the Surrey Hills, the slaughter on both sides had been frightful.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading South of the Thames, where the gigantic force of French and Russians, numbering nearly two hundred thousand of all arms, had been prevented from attacking London by our Volunteers and Regulars massed along the Surrey Hills, the slaughter on both sides had been frightful.

gigantic

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

From this reading South of the Thames, where the gigantic force of French and Russians, numbering nearly two hundred thousand of all arms, had been prevented from attacking London by our Volunteers and Regulars massed along the Surrey Hills, the slaughter on both sides had been frightful.

goal

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

From this reading The rout of the British at Horsham prior to the march of the left column of invaders to Birmingham was succeeded by defeat after defeat, the engagements each day illustrating painfully that by force of overwhelming numbers the invaders were gradually nearing their goal--the mighty Capital of our Empire.

gradually

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

From this reading The rout of the British at Horsham prior to the march of the left column of invaders to Birmingham was succeeded by defeat after defeat, the engagements each day illustrating painfully that by force of overwhelming numbers the invaders were gradually nearing their goal--the mighty Capital of our Empire.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading South of the Thames, where the gigantic force of French and Russians, numbering nearly two hundred thousand of all arms, had been prevented from attacking London by our Volunteers and Regulars massed along the Surrey Hills, the slaughter on both sides had been frightful.

held

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

From this reading Sussex had been devastated, but Kent still held out, and Chatham remained in the possession of the defenders.

Hills

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

From this reading South of the Thames, where the gigantic force of French and Russians, numbering nearly two hundred thousand of all arms, had been prevented from attacking London by our Volunteers and Regulars massed along the Surrey Hills, the slaughter on both sides had been frightful.

Horsham

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

From this reading The rout of the British at Horsham prior to the march of the left column of invaders to Birmingham was succeeded by defeat after defeat, the engagements each day illustrating painfully that by force of overwhelming numbers the invaders were gradually nearing their goal--the mighty Capital of our Empire.

hundred

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

From this reading South of the Thames, where the gigantic force of French and Russians, numbering nearly two hundred thousand of all arms, had been prevented from attacking London by our Volunteers and Regulars massed along the Surrey Hills, the slaughter on both sides had been frightful.

illustrating

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

From this reading The rout of the British at Horsham prior to the march of the left column of invaders to Birmingham was succeeded by defeat after defeat, the engagements each day illustrating painfully that by force of overwhelming numbers the invaders were gradually nearing their goal--the mighty Capital of our Empire.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Sussex had been devastated, but Kent still held out, and Chatham remained in the possession of the defenders.

indeed

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

From this reading The struggle was indeed not for a dynasty, but for the very existence of Britain as an independent nation.

independent

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

From this reading The struggle was indeed not for a dynasty, but for the very existence of Britain as an independent nation.

invaders

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

From this reading The rout of the British at Horsham prior to the march of the left column of invaders to Birmingham was succeeded by defeat after defeat, the engagements each day illustrating painfully that by force of overwhelming numbers the invaders were gradually nearing their goal--the mighty Capital of our Empire.

Kent

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

From this reading Sussex had been devastated, but Kent still held out, and Chatham remained in the possession of the defenders.

leftnounUS /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The rout of the British at Horsham prior to the march of the left column of invaders to Birmingham was succeeded by defeat after defeat, the engagements each day illustrating painfully that by force of overwhelming numbers the invaders were gradually nearing their goal--the mighty Capital of our Empire.

LONDON

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

From this reading MARCH OF THE FRENCH ON LONDON.

MARCH

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

From this reading MARCH OF THE FRENCH ON LONDON.

massed

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

From this reading South of the Thames, where the gigantic force of French and Russians, numbering nearly two hundred thousand of all arms, had been prevented from attacking London by our Volunteers and Regulars massed along the Surrey Hills, the slaughter on both sides had been frightful.

mighty

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

From this reading The rout of the British at Horsham prior to the march of the left column of invaders to Birmingham was succeeded by defeat after defeat, the engagements each day illustrating painfully that by force of overwhelming numbers the invaders were gradually nearing their goal--the mighty Capital of our Empire.

nation

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

From this reading The struggle was indeed not for a dynasty, but for the very existence of Britain as an independent nation.

nearing

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

From this reading The rout of the British at Horsham prior to the march of the left column of invaders to Birmingham was succeeded by defeat after defeat, the engagements each day illustrating painfully that by force of overwhelming numbers the invaders were gradually nearing their goal--the mighty Capital of our Empire.

nearly

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

From this reading South of the Thames, where the gigantic force of French and Russians, numbering nearly two hundred thousand of all arms, had been prevented from attacking London by our Volunteers and Regulars massed along the Surrey Hills, the slaughter on both sides had been frightful.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The struggle was indeed not for a dynasty, but for the very existence of Britain as an independent nation.

numbering

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

From this reading South of the Thames, where the gigantic force of French and Russians, numbering nearly two hundred thousand of all arms, had been prevented from attacking London by our Volunteers and Regulars massed along the Surrey Hills, the slaughter on both sides had been frightful.

numbers

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

From this reading The rout of the British at Horsham prior to the march of the left column of invaders to Birmingham was succeeded by defeat after defeat, the engagements each day illustrating painfully that by force of overwhelming numbers the invaders were gradually nearing their goal--the mighty Capital of our Empire.

OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading MARCH OF THE FRENCH ON LONDON.

ONprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading MARCH OF THE FRENCH ON LONDON.

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading South of the Thames, where the gigantic force of French and Russians, numbering nearly two hundred thousand of all arms, had been prevented from attacking London by our Volunteers and Regulars massed along the Surrey Hills, the slaughter on both sides had been frightful.

out

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

From this reading Sussex had been devastated, but Kent still held out, and Chatham remained in the possession of the defenders.

overwhelming

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

From this reading The rout of the British at Horsham prior to the march of the left column of invaders to Birmingham was succeeded by defeat after defeat, the engagements each day illustrating painfully that by force of overwhelming numbers the invaders were gradually nearing their goal--the mighty Capital of our Empire.

painfully

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

From this reading The rout of the British at Horsham prior to the march of the left column of invaders to Birmingham was succeeded by defeat after defeat, the engagements each day illustrating painfully that by force of overwhelming numbers the invaders were gradually nearing their goal--the mighty Capital of our Empire.

possession

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

From this reading Sussex had been devastated, but Kent still held out, and Chatham remained in the possession of the defenders.

prevented

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

From this reading South of the Thames, where the gigantic force of French and Russians, numbering nearly two hundred thousand of all arms, had been prevented from attacking London by our Volunteers and Regulars massed along the Surrey Hills, the slaughter on both sides had been frightful.

prior

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

From this reading The rout of the British at Horsham prior to the march of the left column of invaders to Birmingham was succeeded by defeat after defeat, the engagements each day illustrating painfully that by force of overwhelming numbers the invaders were gradually nearing their goal--the mighty Capital of our Empire.

Regulars

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

From this reading South of the Thames, where the gigantic force of French and Russians, numbering nearly two hundred thousand of all arms, had been prevented from attacking London by our Volunteers and Regulars massed along the Surrey Hills, the slaughter on both sides had been frightful.

remainednounUS /ˈremained/

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

From this reading Sussex had been devastated, but Kent still held out, and Chatham remained in the possession of the defenders.

rout

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

From this reading The rout of the British at Horsham prior to the march of the left column of invaders to Birmingham was succeeded by defeat after defeat, the engagements each day illustrating painfully that by force of overwhelming numbers the invaders were gradually nearing their goal--the mighty Capital of our Empire.

Russians

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

From this reading South of the Thames, where the gigantic force of French and Russians, numbering nearly two hundred thousand of all arms, had been prevented from attacking London by our Volunteers and Regulars massed along the Surrey Hills, the slaughter on both sides had been frightful.

sides

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

From this reading South of the Thames, where the gigantic force of French and Russians, numbering nearly two hundred thousand of all arms, had been prevented from attacking London by our Volunteers and Regulars massed along the Surrey Hills, the slaughter on both sides had been frightful.

slaughter

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

From this reading South of the Thames, where the gigantic force of French and Russians, numbering nearly two hundred thousand of all arms, had been prevented from attacking London by our Volunteers and Regulars massed along the Surrey Hills, the slaughter on both sides had been frightful.

South

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

From this reading South of the Thames, where the gigantic force of French and Russians, numbering nearly two hundred thousand of all arms, had been prevented from attacking London by our Volunteers and Regulars massed along the Surrey Hills, the slaughter on both sides had been frightful.

stillnounUS /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Sussex had been devastated, but Kent still held out, and Chatham remained in the possession of the defenders.

struggle

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

From this reading The struggle was indeed not for a dynasty, but for the very existence of Britain as an independent nation.

succeeded

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

From this reading The rout of the British at Horsham prior to the march of the left column of invaders to Birmingham was succeeded by defeat after defeat, the engagements each day illustrating painfully that by force of overwhelming numbers the invaders were gradually nearing their goal--the mighty Capital of our Empire.

Surrey

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

From this reading South of the Thames, where the gigantic force of French and Russians, numbering nearly two hundred thousand of all arms, had been prevented from attacking London by our Volunteers and Regulars massed along the Surrey Hills, the slaughter on both sides had been frightful.

Sussex

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

From this reading Sussex had been devastated, but Kent still held out, and Chatham remained in the possession of the defenders.

Thames

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

From this reading South of the Thames, where the gigantic force of French and Russians, numbering nearly two hundred thousand of all arms, had been prevented from attacking London by our Volunteers and Regulars massed along the Surrey Hills, the slaughter on both sides had been frightful.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The rout of the British at Horsham prior to the march of the left column of invaders to Birmingham was succeeded by defeat after defeat, the engagements each day illustrating painfully that by force of overwhelming numbers the invaders were gradually nearing their goal--the mighty Capital of our Empire.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading MARCH OF THE FRENCH ON LONDON.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading The rout of the British at Horsham prior to the march of the left column of invaders to Birmingham was succeeded by defeat after defeat, the engagements each day illustrating painfully that by force of overwhelming numbers the invaders were gradually nearing their goal--the mighty Capital of our Empire.

thousand

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

From this reading South of the Thames, where the gigantic force of French and Russians, numbering nearly two hundred thousand of all arms, had been prevented from attacking London by our Volunteers and Regulars massed along the Surrey Hills, the slaughter on both sides had been frightful.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The rout of the British at Horsham prior to the march of the left column of invaders to Birmingham was succeeded by defeat after defeat, the engagements each day illustrating painfully that by force of overwhelming numbers the invaders were gradually nearing their goal--the mighty Capital of our Empire.

two

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

From this reading South of the Thames, where the gigantic force of French and Russians, numbering nearly two hundred thousand of all arms, had been prevented from attacking London by our Volunteers and Regulars massed along the Surrey Hills, the slaughter on both sides had been frightful.

very

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

From this reading The struggle was indeed not for a dynasty, but for the very existence of Britain as an independent nation.

Volunteers

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

From this reading South of the Thames, where the gigantic force of French and Russians, numbering nearly two hundred thousand of all arms, had been prevented from attacking London by our Volunteers and Regulars massed along the Surrey Hills, the slaughter on both sides had been frightful.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The struggle was indeed not for a dynasty, but for the very existence of Britain as an independent nation.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading The rout of the British at Horsham prior to the march of the left column of invaders to Birmingham was succeeded by defeat after defeat, the engagements each day illustrating painfully that by force of overwhelming numbers the invaders were gradually nearing their goal--the mighty Capital of our Empire.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading South of the Thames, where the gigantic force of French and Russians, numbering nearly two hundred thousand of all arms, had been prevented from attacking London by our Volunteers and Regulars massed along the Surrey Hills, the slaughter on both sides had been frightful.