Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
The Prussian Terror
The Prussian Terror

Chapter XXXII

Cover illustration for The Prussian Terror
Context Illustration Reading 1/18 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE BURGOMASTER Two things had principally struck Sturm in Frederic's short will.
First; the legacy to Benedict of vengeance; but we must do him the justice to say that this was a minor consideration.
There is an unfortunate error amongst military men that courage is only to be found under a uniform, and that one must have seen death at close quarters in order not to fear it.
Now we know that Benedict in this respect was on a level with the bravest soldier.
Under whatever aspect he encountered death, whether it might be at the point of the bayonet, by the talons of a tiger, the trunk of an elephant, or the poisonous fang of a serpent; still it was death--the farewell to sunshine, life, love; to all that is glorious and all that makes the breast beat high; and in its place, that dark mystery which we call the grave.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
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 Prussian Terror

Chapter XXXII

Reading 1/18 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE BURGOMASTER Two things had principally struck Sturm in Frederic's short will.
Line 2
First; the legacy to Benedict of vengeance; but we must do him the justice to say that this was a minor consideration.
Line 3
There is an unfortunate error amongst military men that courage is only to be found under a uniform, and that one must have seen death at close quarters in order not to fear it.
Line 4
Now we know that Benedict in this respect was on a level with the bravest soldier.
Line 5
Under whatever aspect he encountered death, whether it might be at the point of the bayonet, by the talons of a tiger, the trunk of an elephant, or the poisonous fang of a serpent; still it was death--the farewell to sunshine, life, love; to all that is glorious and all that makes the breast beat high; and in its place, that dark mystery which we call the grave.

Learner Dictionary

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

Amongst preposition US /əˈmʌŋst/

surrounded by; in the company of

From this reading “There is an unfortunate error amongst military men that courage is only to be found under a uniform, and that one must have seen death at close quarters in order not to fear it.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “First; the legacy to Benedict of vengeance; but we must do him the justice to say that this was a minor consideration.”

Found noun US /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “There is an unfortunate error amongst military men that courage is only to be found under a uniform, and that one must have seen death at close quarters in order not to fear it.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “There is an unfortunate error amongst military men that courage is only to be found under a uniform, and that one must have seen death at close quarters in order not to fear it.”

Know noun US /know/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Now we know that Benedict in this respect was on a level with the bravest soldier.”

Life noun US /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Under whatever aspect he encountered death, whether it might be at the point of the bayonet, by the talons of a tiger, the trunk of an elephant, or the poisonous fang of a serpent; still it was death--the farewell to sunshine, life, love; to all that is glorious and all that makes the breast beat high; and in its place, that dark mystery which we call the grave.”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “Under whatever aspect he encountered death, whether it might be at the point of the bayonet, by the talons of a tiger, the trunk of an elephant, or the poisonous fang of a serpent; still it was death--the farewell to sunshine, life, love; to all that is glorious and all that makes the breast beat high; and in its place, that dark mystery which we call the grave.”

Must modal verb US /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading “First; the legacy to Benedict of vengeance; but we must do him the justice to say that this was a minor consideration.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “There is an unfortunate error amongst military men that courage is only to be found under a uniform, and that one must have seen death at close quarters in order not to fear it.”

Order noun US /order/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “There is an unfortunate error amongst military men that courage is only to be found under a uniform, and that one must have seen death at close quarters in order not to fear it.”

Point noun US /pɔɪnt/

the main matter or purpose being discussed

From this reading “Under whatever aspect he encountered death, whether it might be at the point of the bayonet, by the talons of a tiger, the trunk of an elephant, or the poisonous fang of a serpent; still it was death--the farewell to sunshine, life, love; to all that is glorious and all that makes the breast beat high; and in its place, that dark mystery which we call the grave.”

Short adjective US /ʃɔrt/

brief or direct in expression

From this reading “THE BURGOMASTER Two things had principally struck Sturm in Frederic's short will.”

Still noun US /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Under whatever aspect he encountered death, whether it might be at the point of the bayonet, by the talons of a tiger, the trunk of an elephant, or the poisonous fang of a serpent; still it was death--the farewell to sunshine, life, love; to all that is glorious and all that makes the breast beat high; and in its place, that dark mystery which we call the grave.”

Struck noun US /struck/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “THE BURGOMASTER Two things had principally struck Sturm in Frederic's short will.”

Under preposition US /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading “There is an unfortunate error amongst military men that courage is only to be found under a uniform, and that one must have seen death at close quarters in order not to fear it.”

Whatever determiner US /ˌwʌˈtevər/

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

From this reading “Under whatever aspect he encountered death, whether it might be at the point of the bayonet, by the talons of a tiger, the trunk of an elephant, or the poisonous fang of a serpent; still it was death--the farewell to sunshine, life, love; to all that is glorious and all that makes the breast beat high; and in its place, that dark mystery which we call the grave.”

Whether conjunction US /ˈweðər/

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading “Under whatever aspect he encountered death, whether it might be at the point of the bayonet, by the talons of a tiger, the trunk of an elephant, or the poisonous fang of a serpent; still it was death--the farewell to sunshine, life, love; to all that is glorious and all that makes the breast beat high; and in its place, that dark mystery which we call the grave.”

All words in this reading · 100

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 First; the legacy to Benedict of vengeance; but we must do him the justice to say that this was a minor consideration.

all

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

From this reading Under whatever aspect he encountered death, whether it might be at the point of the bayonet, by the talons of a tiger, the trunk of an elephant, or the poisonous fang of a serpent; still it was death--the farewell to sunshine, life, love; to all that is glorious and all that makes the breast beat high; and in its place, that dark mystery which we call the grave.

amongstprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋst/

surrounded by; in the company of

From this reading There is an unfortunate error amongst military men that courage is only to be found under a uniform, and that one must have seen death at close quarters in order not to fear it.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading There is an unfortunate error amongst military men that courage is only to be found under a uniform, and that one must have seen death at close quarters in order not to fear it.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading There is an unfortunate error amongst military men that courage is only to be found under a uniform, and that one must have seen death at close quarters in order not to fear it.

aspect

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

From this reading Under whatever aspect he encountered death, whether it might be at the point of the bayonet, by the talons of a tiger, the trunk of an elephant, or the poisonous fang of a serpent; still it was death--the farewell to sunshine, life, love; to all that is glorious and all that makes the breast beat high; and in its place, that dark mystery which we call the grave.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading There is an unfortunate error amongst military men that courage is only to be found under a uniform, and that one must have seen death at close quarters in order not to fear it.

bayonet

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

From this reading Under whatever aspect he encountered death, whether it might be at the point of the bayonet, by the talons of a tiger, the trunk of an elephant, or the poisonous fang of a serpent; still it was death--the farewell to sunshine, life, love; to all that is glorious and all that makes the breast beat high; and in its place, that dark mystery which we call the grave.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading There is an unfortunate error amongst military men that courage is only to be found under a uniform, and that one must have seen death at close quarters in order not to fear it.

beat

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

From this reading Under whatever aspect he encountered death, whether it might be at the point of the bayonet, by the talons of a tiger, the trunk of an elephant, or the poisonous fang of a serpent; still it was death--the farewell to sunshine, life, love; to all that is glorious and all that makes the breast beat high; and in its place, that dark mystery which we call the grave.

Benedict

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

From this reading First; the legacy to Benedict of vengeance; but we must do him the justice to say that this was a minor consideration.

bravest

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

From this reading Now we know that Benedict in this respect was on a level with the bravest soldier.

breast

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

From this reading Under whatever aspect he encountered death, whether it might be at the point of the bayonet, by the talons of a tiger, the trunk of an elephant, or the poisonous fang of a serpent; still it was death--the farewell to sunshine, life, love; to all that is glorious and all that makes the breast beat high; and in its place, that dark mystery which we call the grave.

BURGOMASTER

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

From this reading THE BURGOMASTER Two things had principally struck Sturm in Frederic's short will.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading First; the legacy to Benedict of vengeance; but we must do him the justice to say that this was a minor consideration.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Under whatever aspect he encountered death, whether it might be at the point of the bayonet, by the talons of a tiger, the trunk of an elephant, or the poisonous fang of a serpent; still it was death--the farewell to sunshine, life, love; to all that is glorious and all that makes the breast beat high; and in its place, that dark mystery which we call the grave.

call

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

From this reading Under whatever aspect he encountered death, whether it might be at the point of the bayonet, by the talons of a tiger, the trunk of an elephant, or the poisonous fang of a serpent; still it was death--the farewell to sunshine, life, love; to all that is glorious and all that makes the breast beat high; and in its place, that dark mystery which we call the grave.

close

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

From this reading There is an unfortunate error amongst military men that courage is only to be found under a uniform, and that one must have seen death at close quarters in order not to fear it.

consideration

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

From this reading First; the legacy to Benedict of vengeance; but we must do him the justice to say that this was a minor consideration.

courage

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

From this reading There is an unfortunate error amongst military men that courage is only to be found under a uniform, and that one must have seen death at close quarters in order not to fear it.

dark

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

From this reading Under whatever aspect he encountered death, whether it might be at the point of the bayonet, by the talons of a tiger, the trunk of an elephant, or the poisonous fang of a serpent; still it was death--the farewell to sunshine, life, love; to all that is glorious and all that makes the breast beat high; and in its place, that dark mystery which we call the grave.

death

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

From this reading There is an unfortunate error amongst military men that courage is only to be found under a uniform, and that one must have seen death at close quarters in order not to fear it.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading First; the legacy to Benedict of vengeance; but we must do him the justice to say that this was a minor consideration.

elephant

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

From this reading Under whatever aspect he encountered death, whether it might be at the point of the bayonet, by the talons of a tiger, the trunk of an elephant, or the poisonous fang of a serpent; still it was death--the farewell to sunshine, life, love; to all that is glorious and all that makes the breast beat high; and in its place, that dark mystery which we call the grave.

encountered

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

From this reading Under whatever aspect he encountered death, whether it might be at the point of the bayonet, by the talons of a tiger, the trunk of an elephant, or the poisonous fang of a serpent; still it was death--the farewell to sunshine, life, love; to all that is glorious and all that makes the breast beat high; and in its place, that dark mystery which we call the grave.

error

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

From this reading There is an unfortunate error amongst military men that courage is only to be found under a uniform, and that one must have seen death at close quarters in order not to fear it.

fang

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

From this reading Under whatever aspect he encountered death, whether it might be at the point of the bayonet, by the talons of a tiger, the trunk of an elephant, or the poisonous fang of a serpent; still it was death--the farewell to sunshine, life, love; to all that is glorious and all that makes the breast beat high; and in its place, that dark mystery which we call the grave.

farewell

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

From this reading Under whatever aspect he encountered death, whether it might be at the point of the bayonet, by the talons of a tiger, the trunk of an elephant, or the poisonous fang of a serpent; still it was death--the farewell to sunshine, life, love; to all that is glorious and all that makes the breast beat high; and in its place, that dark mystery which we call the grave.

fear

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

From this reading There is an unfortunate error amongst military men that courage is only to be found under a uniform, and that one must have seen death at close quarters in order not to fear it.

FirstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading First; the legacy to Benedict of vengeance; but we must do him the justice to say that this was a minor consideration.

foundnounUS /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading There is an unfortunate error amongst military men that courage is only to be found under a uniform, and that one must have seen death at close quarters in order not to fear it.

Frederic's

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

From this reading THE BURGOMASTER Two things had principally struck Sturm in Frederic's short will.

glorious

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

From this reading Under whatever aspect he encountered death, whether it might be at the point of the bayonet, by the talons of a tiger, the trunk of an elephant, or the poisonous fang of a serpent; still it was death--the farewell to sunshine, life, love; to all that is glorious and all that makes the breast beat high; and in its place, that dark mystery which we call the grave.

grave

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

From this reading Under whatever aspect he encountered death, whether it might be at the point of the bayonet, by the talons of a tiger, the trunk of an elephant, or the poisonous fang of a serpent; still it was death--the farewell to sunshine, life, love; to all that is glorious and all that makes the breast beat high; and in its place, that dark mystery which we call the grave.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading THE BURGOMASTER Two things had principally struck Sturm in Frederic's short will.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading There is an unfortunate error amongst military men that courage is only to be found under a uniform, and that one must have seen death at close quarters in order not to fear it.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading Under whatever aspect he encountered death, whether it might be at the point of the bayonet, by the talons of a tiger, the trunk of an elephant, or the poisonous fang of a serpent; still it was death--the farewell to sunshine, life, love; to all that is glorious and all that makes the breast beat high; and in its place, that dark mystery which we call the grave.

high

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

From this reading Under whatever aspect he encountered death, whether it might be at the point of the bayonet, by the talons of a tiger, the trunk of an elephant, or the poisonous fang of a serpent; still it was death--the farewell to sunshine, life, love; to all that is glorious and all that makes the breast beat high; and in its place, that dark mystery which we call the grave.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading First; the legacy to Benedict of vengeance; but we must do him the justice to say that this was a minor consideration.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading THE BURGOMASTER Two things had principally struck Sturm in Frederic's short will.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading There is an unfortunate error amongst military men that courage is only to be found under a uniform, and that one must have seen death at close quarters in order not to fear it.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading There is an unfortunate error amongst military men that courage is only to be found under a uniform, and that one must have seen death at close quarters in order not to fear it.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Under whatever aspect he encountered death, whether it might be at the point of the bayonet, by the talons of a tiger, the trunk of an elephant, or the poisonous fang of a serpent; still it was death--the farewell to sunshine, life, love; to all that is glorious and all that makes the breast beat high; and in its place, that dark mystery which we call the grave.

justice

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

From this reading First; the legacy to Benedict of vengeance; but we must do him the justice to say that this was a minor consideration.

knownounUS /know/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Now we know that Benedict in this respect was on a level with the bravest soldier.

legacy

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

From this reading First; the legacy to Benedict of vengeance; but we must do him the justice to say that this was a minor consideration.

level

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

From this reading Now we know that Benedict in this respect was on a level with the bravest soldier.

lifenounUS /life/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Under whatever aspect he encountered death, whether it might be at the point of the bayonet, by the talons of a tiger, the trunk of an elephant, or the poisonous fang of a serpent; still it was death--the farewell to sunshine, life, love; to all that is glorious and all that makes the breast beat high; and in its place, that dark mystery which we call the grave.

love

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

From this reading Under whatever aspect he encountered death, whether it might be at the point of the bayonet, by the talons of a tiger, the trunk of an elephant, or the poisonous fang of a serpent; still it was death--the farewell to sunshine, life, love; to all that is glorious and all that makes the breast beat high; and in its place, that dark mystery which we call the grave.

makes

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

From this reading Under whatever aspect he encountered death, whether it might be at the point of the bayonet, by the talons of a tiger, the trunk of an elephant, or the poisonous fang of a serpent; still it was death--the farewell to sunshine, life, love; to all that is glorious and all that makes the breast beat high; and in its place, that dark mystery which we call the grave.

men

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

From this reading There is an unfortunate error amongst military men that courage is only to be found under a uniform, and that one must have seen death at close quarters in order not to fear it.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading Under whatever aspect he encountered death, whether it might be at the point of the bayonet, by the talons of a tiger, the trunk of an elephant, or the poisonous fang of a serpent; still it was death--the farewell to sunshine, life, love; to all that is glorious and all that makes the breast beat high; and in its place, that dark mystery which we call the grave.

military

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

From this reading There is an unfortunate error amongst military men that courage is only to be found under a uniform, and that one must have seen death at close quarters in order not to fear it.

minor

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

From this reading First; the legacy to Benedict of vengeance; but we must do him the justice to say that this was a minor consideration.

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading First; the legacy to Benedict of vengeance; but we must do him the justice to say that this was a minor consideration.

mystery

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

From this reading Under whatever aspect he encountered death, whether it might be at the point of the bayonet, by the talons of a tiger, the trunk of an elephant, or the poisonous fang of a serpent; still it was death--the farewell to sunshine, life, love; to all that is glorious and all that makes the breast beat high; and in its place, that dark mystery which we call the grave.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading There is an unfortunate error amongst military men that courage is only to be found under a uniform, and that one must have seen death at close quarters in order not to fear it.

Now

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

From this reading Now we know that Benedict in this respect was on a level with the bravest soldier.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading First; the legacy to Benedict of vengeance; but we must do him the justice to say that this was a minor consideration.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Now we know that Benedict in this respect was on a level with the bravest soldier.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading There is an unfortunate error amongst military men that courage is only to be found under a uniform, and that one must have seen death at close quarters in order not to fear it.

only

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

From this reading There is an unfortunate error amongst military men that courage is only to be found under a uniform, and that one must have seen death at close quarters in order not to fear it.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Under whatever aspect he encountered death, whether it might be at the point of the bayonet, by the talons of a tiger, the trunk of an elephant, or the poisonous fang of a serpent; still it was death--the farewell to sunshine, life, love; to all that is glorious and all that makes the breast beat high; and in its place, that dark mystery which we call the grave.

ordernounUS /order/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading There is an unfortunate error amongst military men that courage is only to be found under a uniform, and that one must have seen death at close quarters in order not to fear it.

place

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

From this reading Under whatever aspect he encountered death, whether it might be at the point of the bayonet, by the talons of a tiger, the trunk of an elephant, or the poisonous fang of a serpent; still it was death--the farewell to sunshine, life, love; to all that is glorious and all that makes the breast beat high; and in its place, that dark mystery which we call the grave.

pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/

the main matter or purpose being discussed

From this reading Under whatever aspect he encountered death, whether it might be at the point of the bayonet, by the talons of a tiger, the trunk of an elephant, or the poisonous fang of a serpent; still it was death--the farewell to sunshine, life, love; to all that is glorious and all that makes the breast beat high; and in its place, that dark mystery which we call the grave.

poisonous

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

From this reading Under whatever aspect he encountered death, whether it might be at the point of the bayonet, by the talons of a tiger, the trunk of an elephant, or the poisonous fang of a serpent; still it was death--the farewell to sunshine, life, love; to all that is glorious and all that makes the breast beat high; and in its place, that dark mystery which we call the grave.

principally

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

From this reading THE BURGOMASTER Two things had principally struck Sturm in Frederic's short will.

quarters

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

From this reading There is an unfortunate error amongst military men that courage is only to be found under a uniform, and that one must have seen death at close quarters in order not to fear it.

respect

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

From this reading Now we know that Benedict in this respect was on a level with the bravest soldier.

say

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

From this reading First; the legacy to Benedict of vengeance; but we must do him the justice to say that this was a minor consideration.

seen

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

From this reading There is an unfortunate error amongst military men that courage is only to be found under a uniform, and that one must have seen death at close quarters in order not to fear it.

serpent

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

From this reading Under whatever aspect he encountered death, whether it might be at the point of the bayonet, by the talons of a tiger, the trunk of an elephant, or the poisonous fang of a serpent; still it was death--the farewell to sunshine, life, love; to all that is glorious and all that makes the breast beat high; and in its place, that dark mystery which we call the grave.

shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/

brief or direct in expression

From this reading THE BURGOMASTER Two things had principally struck Sturm in Frederic's short will.

soldier

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

From this reading Now we know that Benedict in this respect was on a level with the bravest soldier.

stillnounUS /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Under whatever aspect he encountered death, whether it might be at the point of the bayonet, by the talons of a tiger, the trunk of an elephant, or the poisonous fang of a serpent; still it was death--the farewell to sunshine, life, love; to all that is glorious and all that makes the breast beat high; and in its place, that dark mystery which we call the grave.

strucknounUS /struck/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading THE BURGOMASTER Two things had principally struck Sturm in Frederic's short will.

Sturm

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

From this reading THE BURGOMASTER Two things had principally struck Sturm in Frederic's short will.

sunshine

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

From this reading Under whatever aspect he encountered death, whether it might be at the point of the bayonet, by the talons of a tiger, the trunk of an elephant, or the poisonous fang of a serpent; still it was death--the farewell to sunshine, life, love; to all that is glorious and all that makes the breast beat high; and in its place, that dark mystery which we call the grave.

talons

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

From this reading Under whatever aspect he encountered death, whether it might be at the point of the bayonet, by the talons of a tiger, the trunk of an elephant, or the poisonous fang of a serpent; still it was death--the farewell to sunshine, life, love; to all that is glorious and all that makes the breast beat high; and in its place, that dark mystery which we call the grave.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading First; the legacy to Benedict of vengeance; but we must do him the justice to say that this was a minor consideration.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE BURGOMASTER Two things had principally struck Sturm in Frederic's short will.

There

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

From this reading There is an unfortunate error amongst military men that courage is only to be found under a uniform, and that one must have seen death at close quarters in order not to fear it.

things

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

From this reading THE BURGOMASTER Two things had principally struck Sturm in Frederic's short will.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading First; the legacy to Benedict of vengeance; but we must do him the justice to say that this was a minor consideration.

tiger

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

From this reading Under whatever aspect he encountered death, whether it might be at the point of the bayonet, by the talons of a tiger, the trunk of an elephant, or the poisonous fang of a serpent; still it was death--the farewell to sunshine, life, love; to all that is glorious and all that makes the breast beat high; and in its place, that dark mystery which we call the grave.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading First; the legacy to Benedict of vengeance; but we must do him the justice to say that this was a minor consideration.

trunk

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

From this reading Under whatever aspect he encountered death, whether it might be at the point of the bayonet, by the talons of a tiger, the trunk of an elephant, or the poisonous fang of a serpent; still it was death--the farewell to sunshine, life, love; to all that is glorious and all that makes the breast beat high; and in its place, that dark mystery which we call the grave.

Two

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

From this reading THE BURGOMASTER Two things had principally struck Sturm in Frederic's short will.

underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading There is an unfortunate error amongst military men that courage is only to be found under a uniform, and that one must have seen death at close quarters in order not to fear it.

unfortunate

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

From this reading There is an unfortunate error amongst military men that courage is only to be found under a uniform, and that one must have seen death at close quarters in order not to fear it.

uniform

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

From this reading There is an unfortunate error amongst military men that courage is only to be found under a uniform, and that one must have seen death at close quarters in order not to fear it.

vengeance

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

From this reading First; the legacy to Benedict of vengeance; but we must do him the justice to say that this was a minor consideration.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading First; the legacy to Benedict of vengeance; but we must do him the justice to say that this was a minor consideration.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading First; the legacy to Benedict of vengeance; but we must do him the justice to say that this was a minor consideration.

whateverdeterminerUS /ˌwʌˈtevər/

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

From this reading Under whatever aspect he encountered death, whether it might be at the point of the bayonet, by the talons of a tiger, the trunk of an elephant, or the poisonous fang of a serpent; still it was death--the farewell to sunshine, life, love; to all that is glorious and all that makes the breast beat high; and in its place, that dark mystery which we call the grave.

whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading Under whatever aspect he encountered death, whether it might be at the point of the bayonet, by the talons of a tiger, the trunk of an elephant, or the poisonous fang of a serpent; still it was death--the farewell to sunshine, life, love; to all that is glorious and all that makes the breast beat high; and in its place, that dark mystery which we call the grave.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Under whatever aspect he encountered death, whether it might be at the point of the bayonet, by the talons of a tiger, the trunk of an elephant, or the poisonous fang of a serpent; still it was death--the farewell to sunshine, life, love; to all that is glorious and all that makes the breast beat high; and in its place, that dark mystery which we call the grave.

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading THE BURGOMASTER Two things had principally struck Sturm in Frederic's short will.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Now we know that Benedict in this respect was on a level with the bravest soldier.