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At Aboukir and Acre
At Aboukir and Acre

Chapter XII · Chapter 12

Chapter 12 of At Aboukir and Acre is here in full — 194 sentences across 39 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

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Context Illustration Reading 1/38 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
A DESPERATE SIEGE.
Just as day began to break, the gates were opened, and the columns moved out one after the other.
The order that the strictest silence was to be observed was obeyed by the sailors and marines; but the Turks, who were wrought up to a pitch of enthusiasm, made so great a noise that the moment they issued from the gate shots were fired by the advanced pickets, and a few seconds later the roll of drums in the French lines broke out, and it was clear that the whole camp was alarmed.
Sir Sidney Smith uttered an exclamation of anger.
As concealment was useless, he then sent the two midshipmen to order all the batteries to open fire upon the French trenches, and as the first gun boomed out the ships and gun-boats on both flanks also opened fire, and the trenches by which the French must advance from the village were swept by a storm of shot.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

At Aboukir and Acre

Chapter XII · Chapter 12

Chapter 12 of At Aboukir and Acre is here in full — 194 sentences across 39 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/38 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
A DESPERATE SIEGE.
/ə ˈdesprɪt siːdʒ/
Line 2
Just as day began to break, the gates were opened, and the columns moved out one after the other.
/dʒʌst æz deɪ bɪˈɡæn tuː breɪk ðə ɡeɪts wɜːr ˈoʊpənd ənd ðə ˈkɑːləmz muːvd aʊt wʌn ˈæftər ðə ˈʌðər/
Line 3
The order that the strictest silence was to be observed was obeyed by the sailors and marines; but the Turks, who were wrought up to a pitch of enthusiasm, made so great a noise that the moment they issued from the gate shots were fired by the advanced pickets, and a few seconds later the roll of drums in the French lines broke out, and it was clear that the whole camp was alarmed.
/ðə ˈɔːrdər ðæt ðə ˈstrɪktəst ˈsaɪ.ləns wɑːz tuː biː əbˈzɜːrvd wɑːz oʊˈbeɪd baɪ ðə ˈseɪlərz ənd mərˈiːnz bʌt ðə tɜːrks huː wɜːr rɔːt ʌp tuː ə pɪtʃ ʌv ɪnˈθuːziæzəm meɪd soʊ ɡreɪt ə nɔɪz ðæt ðə ˈmoʊmənt ðeɪ ˈɪʃuːd frʌm ðə ɡeɪt ʃɑːts wɜːr ˈfaɪərd baɪ ðə ədˈvænst ˈpɪkəts ənd ə fjuː ˈsekəndz ˈleɪtər ðə roʊl ʌv drʌmz ɪn ðə frentʃ laɪnz broʊk aʊt ənd ɪt wɑːz klɪr ðæt ðə hoʊl kæmp wɑːz əˈlɑːrmd/
Line 4
Sir Sidney Smith uttered an exclamation of anger.
/sɜːr ˈsɪdni smɪθ ˈʌtərd æn ˌekskləˈmeɪʃən ʌv ˈæŋɡər/
Line 5
As concealment was useless, he then sent the two midshipmen to order all the batteries to open fire upon the French trenches, and as the first gun boomed out the ships and gun-boats on both flanks also opened fire, and the trenches by which the French must advance from the village were swept by a storm of shot.

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

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

batteries noun US /ˈbætəriz/

plural of “battery” — group of guns or missile launchers operated together at one place

From this reading “As concealment was useless, he then sent the two midshipmen to order all the batteries to open fire upon the French trenches, and as the first gun boomed out the ships and gun-boats on both flanks also opened fire, and the trenches by which the French must advance from the village were swept by a storm of shot.”

boomed verb US /buːmd/

past form of “boom” — make a resonant sound, like artillery

From this reading “As concealment was useless, he then sent the two midshipmen to order all the batteries to open fire upon the French trenches, and as the first gun boomed out the ships and gun-boats on both flanks also opened fire, and the trenches by which the French must advance from the village were swept by a storm of shot.”

flanks noun US /flæŋks/

plural of “flank” — the side of military or naval formation

From this reading “As concealment was useless, he then sent the two midshipmen to order all the batteries to open fire upon the French trenches, and as the first gun boomed out the ships and gun-boats on both flanks also opened fire, and the trenches by which the French must advance from the village were swept by a storm of shot.”

marines noun US /mərˈiːnz/

an amphibious division of the United States Navy

From this reading “The order that the strictest silence was to be observed was obeyed by the sailors and marines; but the Turks, who were wrought up to a pitch of enthusiasm, made so great a noise that the moment they issued from the gate shots were fired by the advanced pickets, and a few seconds later the roll of drums in the French lines broke out, and it was clear that the whole camp was alarmed.”

midshipmen noun US /ˈmɪdˈʃɪpmen/

plural of “midshipman” — a temporary rank held by young naval officers in training

From this reading “As concealment was useless, he then sent the two midshipmen to order all the batteries to open fire upon the French trenches, and as the first gun boomed out the ships and gun-boats on both flanks also opened fire, and the trenches by which the French must advance from the village were swept by a storm of shot.”

pickets noun US /ˈpɪkəts/

plural of “picket” — a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event

From this reading “The order that the strictest silence was to be observed was obeyed by the sailors and marines; but the Turks, who were wrought up to a pitch of enthusiasm, made so great a noise that the moment they issued from the gate shots were fired by the advanced pickets, and a few seconds later the roll of drums in the French lines broke out, and it was clear that the whole camp was alarmed.”

Sidney noun US /ˈsɪdni/

English poet (1554-1586)

From this reading “Sir Sidney Smith uttered an exclamation of anger.”

strictest adjective US /ˈstrɪktəst/

superlative of “strict” — rigidly accurate; allowing no deviation from a standard

From this reading “The order that the strictest silence was to be observed was obeyed by the sailors and marines; but the Turks, who were wrought up to a pitch of enthusiasm, made so great a noise that the moment they issued from the gate shots were fired by the advanced pickets, and a few seconds later the roll of drums in the French lines broke out, and it was clear that the whole camp was alarmed.”

All words in this reading · 102

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

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 A DESPERATE SIEGE.

advanceverbUS /ədˈvæns/

move forward, also in the metaphorical sense

From this reading As concealment was useless, he then sent the two midshipmen to order all the batteries to open fire upon the French trenches, and as the first gun boomed out the ships and gun-boats on both flanks also opened fire, and the trenches by which the French must advance from the village were swept by a storm of shot.

advancedadjectiveUS /ədˈvænst/

farther along in physical or mental development

From this reading The order that the strictest silence was to be observed was obeyed by the sailors and marines; but the Turks, who were wrought up to a pitch of enthusiasm, made so great a noise that the moment they issued from the gate shots were fired by the advanced pickets, and a few seconds later the roll of drums in the French lines broke out, and it was clear that the whole camp was alarmed.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading Just as day began to break, the gates were opened, and the columns moved out one after the other.

alarmedadjectiveUS /əˈlɑːrmd/

experiencing a sudden sense of danger

From this reading The order that the strictest silence was to be observed was obeyed by the sailors and marines; but the Turks, who were wrought up to a pitch of enthusiasm, made so great a noise that the moment they issued from the gate shots were fired by the advanced pickets, and a few seconds later the roll of drums in the French lines broke out, and it was clear that the whole camp was alarmed.

alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading As concealment was useless, he then sent the two midshipmen to order all the batteries to open fire upon the French trenches, and as the first gun boomed out the ships and gun-boats on both flanks also opened fire, and the trenches by which the French must advance from the village were swept by a storm of shot.

alsoadverbUS /ˈɔːlsoʊ/

in addition

From this reading As concealment was useless, he then sent the two midshipmen to order all the batteries to open fire upon the French trenches, and as the first gun boomed out the ships and gun-boats on both flanks also opened fire, and the trenches by which the French must advance from the village were swept by a storm of shot.

andeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading Sir Sidney Smith uttered an exclamation of anger.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Just as day began to break, the gates were opened, and the columns moved out one after the other.

angernounUS /ˈæŋɡər/

a strong emotion; a feeling that is oriented toward some real or supposed grievance

From this reading Sir Sidney Smith uttered an exclamation of anger.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Just as day began to break, the gates were opened, and the columns moved out one after the other.

batteriesnounUS /ˈbætəriz/

plural of “battery” — group of guns or missile launchers operated together at one place

From this reading As concealment was useless, he then sent the two midshipmen to order all the batteries to open fire upon the French trenches, and as the first gun boomed out the ships and gun-boats on both flanks also opened fire, and the trenches by which the French must advance from the village were swept by a storm of shot.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading The order that the strictest silence was to be observed was obeyed by the sailors and marines; but the Turks, who were wrought up to a pitch of enthusiasm, made so great a noise that the moment they issued from the gate shots were fired by the advanced pickets, and a few seconds later the roll of drums in the French lines broke out, and it was clear that the whole camp was alarmed.

beganverbUS /bɪˈɡæn/

inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action

From this reading Just as day began to break, the gates were opened, and the columns moved out one after the other.

boomedverbUS /buːmd/

past form of “boom” — make a resonant sound, like artillery

From this reading As concealment was useless, he then sent the two midshipmen to order all the batteries to open fire upon the French trenches, and as the first gun boomed out the ships and gun-boats on both flanks also opened fire, and the trenches by which the French must advance from the village were swept by a storm of shot.

bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/

the two together, not just one

From this reading As concealment was useless, he then sent the two midshipmen to order all the batteries to open fire upon the French trenches, and as the first gun boomed out the ships and gun-boats on both flanks also opened fire, and the trenches by which the French must advance from the village were swept by a storm of shot.

breakverbUS /breɪk/

terminate

From this reading Just as day began to break, the gates were opened, and the columns moved out one after the other.

brokeadjectiveUS /broʊk/

lacking funds

From this reading The order that the strictest silence was to be observed was obeyed by the sailors and marines; but the Turks, who were wrought up to a pitch of enthusiasm, made so great a noise that the moment they issued from the gate shots were fired by the advanced pickets, and a few seconds later the roll of drums in the French lines broke out, and it was clear that the whole camp was alarmed.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The order that the strictest silence was to be observed was obeyed by the sailors and marines; but the Turks, who were wrought up to a pitch of enthusiasm, made so great a noise that the moment they issued from the gate shots were fired by the advanced pickets, and a few seconds later the roll of drums in the French lines broke out, and it was clear that the whole camp was alarmed.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The order that the strictest silence was to be observed was obeyed by the sailors and marines; but the Turks, who were wrought up to a pitch of enthusiasm, made so great a noise that the moment they issued from the gate shots were fired by the advanced pickets, and a few seconds later the roll of drums in the French lines broke out, and it was clear that the whole camp was alarmed.

campnounUS /kæmp/

temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers

From this reading The order that the strictest silence was to be observed was obeyed by the sailors and marines; but the Turks, who were wrought up to a pitch of enthusiasm, made so great a noise that the moment they issued from the gate shots were fired by the advanced pickets, and a few seconds later the roll of drums in the French lines broke out, and it was clear that the whole camp was alarmed.

clearverbUS /klɪr/

rid of obstructions

From this reading The order that the strictest silence was to be observed was obeyed by the sailors and marines; but the Turks, who were wrought up to a pitch of enthusiasm, made so great a noise that the moment they issued from the gate shots were fired by the advanced pickets, and a few seconds later the roll of drums in the French lines broke out, and it was clear that the whole camp was alarmed.

columnsnounUS /ˈkɑːləmz/

plural of “column” — a line of units following one after another

From this reading Just as day began to break, the gates were opened, and the columns moved out one after the other.

concealmentnounUS /kənˈsiːlmənt/

the condition of being concealed or hidden

From this reading As concealment was useless, he then sent the two midshipmen to order all the batteries to open fire upon the French trenches, and as the first gun boomed out the ships and gun-boats on both flanks also opened fire, and the trenches by which the French must advance from the village were swept by a storm of shot.

daynounUS /deɪ/

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading Just as day began to break, the gates were opened, and the columns moved out one after the other.

DESPERATEadjectiveUS /ˈdesprɪt/

arising from or marked by despair or loss of hope

From this reading A DESPERATE SIEGE.

drumsnounUS /drʌmz/

plural of “drum” — a musical percussion instrument; usually consists of a hollow cylinder with a membrane stretched across each end

From this reading The order that the strictest silence was to be observed was obeyed by the sailors and marines; but the Turks, who were wrought up to a pitch of enthusiasm, made so great a noise that the moment they issued from the gate shots were fired by the advanced pickets, and a few seconds later the roll of drums in the French lines broke out, and it was clear that the whole camp was alarmed.

enthusiasmnounUS /ɪnˈθuːziæzəm/

a feeling of excitement

From this reading The order that the strictest silence was to be observed was obeyed by the sailors and marines; but the Turks, who were wrought up to a pitch of enthusiasm, made so great a noise that the moment they issued from the gate shots were fired by the advanced pickets, and a few seconds later the roll of drums in the French lines broke out, and it was clear that the whole camp was alarmed.

exclamationnounUS /ˌekskləˈmeɪʃən/

an abrupt excited utterance

From this reading Sir Sidney Smith uttered an exclamation of anger.

fewadjectiveUS /fjuː/

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading The order that the strictest silence was to be observed was obeyed by the sailors and marines; but the Turks, who were wrought up to a pitch of enthusiasm, made so great a noise that the moment they issued from the gate shots were fired by the advanced pickets, and a few seconds later the roll of drums in the French lines broke out, and it was clear that the whole camp was alarmed.

fireverbUS /ˈfaɪər/

start firing a weapon

From this reading As concealment was useless, he then sent the two midshipmen to order all the batteries to open fire upon the French trenches, and as the first gun boomed out the ships and gun-boats on both flanks also opened fire, and the trenches by which the French must advance from the village were swept by a storm of shot.

firedadjectiveUS /ˈfaɪərd/

having lost your job

From this reading The order that the strictest silence was to be observed was obeyed by the sailors and marines; but the Turks, who were wrought up to a pitch of enthusiasm, made so great a noise that the moment they issued from the gate shots were fired by the advanced pickets, and a few seconds later the roll of drums in the French lines broke out, and it was clear that the whole camp was alarmed.

firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading As concealment was useless, he then sent the two midshipmen to order all the batteries to open fire upon the French trenches, and as the first gun boomed out the ships and gun-boats on both flanks also opened fire, and the trenches by which the French must advance from the village were swept by a storm of shot.

flanksnounUS /flæŋks/

plural of “flank” — the side of military or naval formation

From this reading As concealment was useless, he then sent the two midshipmen to order all the batteries to open fire upon the French trenches, and as the first gun boomed out the ships and gun-boats on both flanks also opened fire, and the trenches by which the French must advance from the village were swept by a storm of shot.

FrenchnounUS /frentʃ/

the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France

From this reading The order that the strictest silence was to be observed was obeyed by the sailors and marines; but the Turks, who were wrought up to a pitch of enthusiasm, made so great a noise that the moment they issued from the gate shots were fired by the advanced pickets, and a few seconds later the roll of drums in the French lines broke out, and it was clear that the whole camp was alarmed.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The order that the strictest silence was to be observed was obeyed by the sailors and marines; but the Turks, who were wrought up to a pitch of enthusiasm, made so great a noise that the moment they issued from the gate shots were fired by the advanced pickets, and a few seconds later the roll of drums in the French lines broke out, and it was clear that the whole camp was alarmed.

gatenounUS /ɡeɪt/

a movable barrier in a fence or wall

From this reading The order that the strictest silence was to be observed was obeyed by the sailors and marines; but the Turks, who were wrought up to a pitch of enthusiasm, made so great a noise that the moment they issued from the gate shots were fired by the advanced pickets, and a few seconds later the roll of drums in the French lines broke out, and it was clear that the whole camp was alarmed.

gatesnounUS /ɡeɪts/

United States computer entrepreneur whose software company made him the youngest multi-billionaire in the history of the United States (born in 1955)

From this reading Just as day began to break, the gates were opened, and the columns moved out one after the other.

greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading The order that the strictest silence was to be observed was obeyed by the sailors and marines; but the Turks, who were wrought up to a pitch of enthusiasm, made so great a noise that the moment they issued from the gate shots were fired by the advanced pickets, and a few seconds later the roll of drums in the French lines broke out, and it was clear that the whole camp was alarmed.

gunnounUS /ɡʌn/

a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)

From this reading As concealment was useless, he then sent the two midshipmen to order all the batteries to open fire upon the French trenches, and as the first gun boomed out the ships and gun-boats on both flanks also opened fire, and the trenches by which the French must advance from the village were swept by a storm of shot.

gun-boats

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

From this reading As concealment was useless, he then sent the two midshipmen to order all the batteries to open fire upon the French trenches, and as the first gun boomed out the ships and gun-boats on both flanks also opened fire, and the trenches by which the French must advance from the village were swept by a storm of shot.

hepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading As concealment was useless, he then sent the two midshipmen to order all the batteries to open fire upon the French trenches, and as the first gun boomed out the ships and gun-boats on both flanks also opened fire, and the trenches by which the French must advance from the village were swept by a storm of shot.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The order that the strictest silence was to be observed was obeyed by the sailors and marines; but the Turks, who were wrought up to a pitch of enthusiasm, made so great a noise that the moment they issued from the gate shots were fired by the advanced pickets, and a few seconds later the roll of drums in the French lines broke out, and it was clear that the whole camp was alarmed.

issuedverbUS /ˈɪʃuːd/

past form of “issue” — prepare and issue for public distribution or sale

From this reading The order that the strictest silence was to be observed was obeyed by the sailors and marines; but the Turks, who were wrought up to a pitch of enthusiasm, made so great a noise that the moment they issued from the gate shots were fired by the advanced pickets, and a few seconds later the roll of drums in the French lines broke out, and it was clear that the whole camp was alarmed.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The order that the strictest silence was to be observed was obeyed by the sailors and marines; but the Turks, who were wrought up to a pitch of enthusiasm, made so great a noise that the moment they issued from the gate shots were fired by the advanced pickets, and a few seconds later the roll of drums in the French lines broke out, and it was clear that the whole camp was alarmed.

JustadverbUS /dʒʌst/

and nothing more

From this reading Just as day began to break, the gates were opened, and the columns moved out one after the other.

lateradverbUS /ˈleɪtər/

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading The order that the strictest silence was to be observed was obeyed by the sailors and marines; but the Turks, who were wrought up to a pitch of enthusiasm, made so great a noise that the moment they issued from the gate shots were fired by the advanced pickets, and a few seconds later the roll of drums in the French lines broke out, and it was clear that the whole camp was alarmed.

linesnounUS /laɪnz/

plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading The order that the strictest silence was to be observed was obeyed by the sailors and marines; but the Turks, who were wrought up to a pitch of enthusiasm, made so great a noise that the moment they issued from the gate shots were fired by the advanced pickets, and a few seconds later the roll of drums in the French lines broke out, and it was clear that the whole camp was alarmed.

madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading The order that the strictest silence was to be observed was obeyed by the sailors and marines; but the Turks, who were wrought up to a pitch of enthusiasm, made so great a noise that the moment they issued from the gate shots were fired by the advanced pickets, and a few seconds later the roll of drums in the French lines broke out, and it was clear that the whole camp was alarmed.

marinesnounUS /mərˈiːnz/

an amphibious division of the United States Navy

From this reading The order that the strictest silence was to be observed was obeyed by the sailors and marines; but the Turks, who were wrought up to a pitch of enthusiasm, made so great a noise that the moment they issued from the gate shots were fired by the advanced pickets, and a few seconds later the roll of drums in the French lines broke out, and it was clear that the whole camp was alarmed.

midshipmennounUS /ˈmɪdˈʃɪpmen/

plural of “midshipman” — a temporary rank held by young naval officers in training

From this reading As concealment was useless, he then sent the two midshipmen to order all the batteries to open fire upon the French trenches, and as the first gun boomed out the ships and gun-boats on both flanks also opened fire, and the trenches by which the French must advance from the village were swept by a storm of shot.

momentnounUS /ˈmoʊmənt/

a particular point in time

From this reading The order that the strictest silence was to be observed was obeyed by the sailors and marines; but the Turks, who were wrought up to a pitch of enthusiasm, made so great a noise that the moment they issued from the gate shots were fired by the advanced pickets, and a few seconds later the roll of drums in the French lines broke out, and it was clear that the whole camp was alarmed.

movedadjectiveUS /muːvd/

being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion

From this reading Just as day began to break, the gates were opened, and the columns moved out one after the other.

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading As concealment was useless, he then sent the two midshipmen to order all the batteries to open fire upon the French trenches, and as the first gun boomed out the ships and gun-boats on both flanks also opened fire, and the trenches by which the French must advance from the village were swept by a storm of shot.

noisenounUS /nɔɪz/

sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)

From this reading The order that the strictest silence was to be observed was obeyed by the sailors and marines; but the Turks, who were wrought up to a pitch of enthusiasm, made so great a noise that the moment they issued from the gate shots were fired by the advanced pickets, and a few seconds later the roll of drums in the French lines broke out, and it was clear that the whole camp was alarmed.

obeyedverbUS /oʊˈbeɪd/

past form of “obey” — be obedient to

From this reading The order that the strictest silence was to be observed was obeyed by the sailors and marines; but the Turks, who were wrought up to a pitch of enthusiasm, made so great a noise that the moment they issued from the gate shots were fired by the advanced pickets, and a few seconds later the roll of drums in the French lines broke out, and it was clear that the whole camp was alarmed.

observedadjectiveUS /əbˈzɜːrvd/

discovered or determined by scientific observation

From this reading The order that the strictest silence was to be observed was obeyed by the sailors and marines; but the Turks, who were wrought up to a pitch of enthusiasm, made so great a noise that the moment they issued from the gate shots were fired by the advanced pickets, and a few seconds later the roll of drums in the French lines broke out, and it was clear that the whole camp was alarmed.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The order that the strictest silence was to be observed was obeyed by the sailors and marines; but the Turks, who were wrought up to a pitch of enthusiasm, made so great a noise that the moment they issued from the gate shots were fired by the advanced pickets, and a few seconds later the roll of drums in the French lines broke out, and it was clear that the whole camp was alarmed.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading As concealment was useless, he then sent the two midshipmen to order all the batteries to open fire upon the French trenches, and as the first gun boomed out the ships and gun-boats on both flanks also opened fire, and the trenches by which the French must advance from the village were swept by a storm of shot.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Just as day began to break, the gates were opened, and the columns moved out one after the other.

openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading As concealment was useless, he then sent the two midshipmen to order all the batteries to open fire upon the French trenches, and as the first gun boomed out the ships and gun-boats on both flanks also opened fire, and the trenches by which the French must advance from the village were swept by a storm of shot.

openedadjectiveUS /ˈoʊpənd/

used of mouth or eyes

From this reading Just as day began to break, the gates were opened, and the columns moved out one after the other.

ordernounUS /ˈɔːrdər/

(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed

From this reading The order that the strictest silence was to be observed was obeyed by the sailors and marines; but the Turks, who were wrought up to a pitch of enthusiasm, made so great a noise that the moment they issued from the gate shots were fired by the advanced pickets, and a few seconds later the roll of drums in the French lines broke out, and it was clear that the whole camp was alarmed.

otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Just as day began to break, the gates were opened, and the columns moved out one after the other.

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Just as day began to break, the gates were opened, and the columns moved out one after the other.

picketsnounUS /ˈpɪkəts/

plural of “picket” — a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event

From this reading The order that the strictest silence was to be observed was obeyed by the sailors and marines; but the Turks, who were wrought up to a pitch of enthusiasm, made so great a noise that the moment they issued from the gate shots were fired by the advanced pickets, and a few seconds later the roll of drums in the French lines broke out, and it was clear that the whole camp was alarmed.

pitchnounUS /pɪtʃ/

the property of sound that varies with variation in the frequency of vibration

From this reading The order that the strictest silence was to be observed was obeyed by the sailors and marines; but the Turks, who were wrought up to a pitch of enthusiasm, made so great a noise that the moment they issued from the gate shots were fired by the advanced pickets, and a few seconds later the roll of drums in the French lines broke out, and it was clear that the whole camp was alarmed.

rollverbUS /roʊl/

move by turning over or rotating

From this reading The order that the strictest silence was to be observed was obeyed by the sailors and marines; but the Turks, who were wrought up to a pitch of enthusiasm, made so great a noise that the moment they issued from the gate shots were fired by the advanced pickets, and a few seconds later the roll of drums in the French lines broke out, and it was clear that the whole camp was alarmed.

sailorsnounUS /ˈseɪlərz/

plural of “sailor” — any member of a ship's crew

From this reading The order that the strictest silence was to be observed was obeyed by the sailors and marines; but the Turks, who were wrought up to a pitch of enthusiasm, made so great a noise that the moment they issued from the gate shots were fired by the advanced pickets, and a few seconds later the roll of drums in the French lines broke out, and it was clear that the whole camp was alarmed.

secondsnounUS /ˈsekəndz/

plural of “second” — 1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading The order that the strictest silence was to be observed was obeyed by the sailors and marines; but the Turks, who were wrought up to a pitch of enthusiasm, made so great a noise that the moment they issued from the gate shots were fired by the advanced pickets, and a few seconds later the roll of drums in the French lines broke out, and it was clear that the whole camp was alarmed.

sentnounUS /sent/

100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia

From this reading As concealment was useless, he then sent the two midshipmen to order all the batteries to open fire upon the French trenches, and as the first gun boomed out the ships and gun-boats on both flanks also opened fire, and the trenches by which the French must advance from the village were swept by a storm of shot.

shipsnounUS /ʃɪps/

plural of “ship” — a vessel that carries passengers or freight

From this reading As concealment was useless, he then sent the two midshipmen to order all the batteries to open fire upon the French trenches, and as the first gun boomed out the ships and gun-boats on both flanks also opened fire, and the trenches by which the French must advance from the village were swept by a storm of shot.

shotnounUS /ʃɑːt/

the act of firing a projectile

From this reading As concealment was useless, he then sent the two midshipmen to order all the batteries to open fire upon the French trenches, and as the first gun boomed out the ships and gun-boats on both flanks also opened fire, and the trenches by which the French must advance from the village were swept by a storm of shot.

shotsnounUS /ʃɑːts/

plural of “shot” — the act of firing a projectile

From this reading The order that the strictest silence was to be observed was obeyed by the sailors and marines; but the Turks, who were wrought up to a pitch of enthusiasm, made so great a noise that the moment they issued from the gate shots were fired by the advanced pickets, and a few seconds later the roll of drums in the French lines broke out, and it was clear that the whole camp was alarmed.

SidneynounUS /ˈsɪdni/

English poet (1554-1586)

From this reading Sir Sidney Smith uttered an exclamation of anger.

SIEGEnounUS /siːdʒ/

the action of an armed force that surrounds a fortified place and isolates it while continuing to attack

From this reading A DESPERATE SIEGE.

silencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/

Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.

From this reading The order that the strictest silence was to be observed was obeyed by the sailors and marines; but the Turks, who were wrought up to a pitch of enthusiasm, made so great a noise that the moment they issued from the gate shots were fired by the advanced pickets, and a few seconds later the roll of drums in the French lines broke out, and it was clear that the whole camp was alarmed.

SirnounUS /sɜːr/

term of address for a man

From this reading Sir Sidney Smith uttered an exclamation of anger.

SmithnounUS /smɪθ/

Rhodesian statesman who declared independence of Zimbabwe from Great Britain (born in 1919)

From this reading Sir Sidney Smith uttered an exclamation of anger.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The order that the strictest silence was to be observed was obeyed by the sailors and marines; but the Turks, who were wrought up to a pitch of enthusiasm, made so great a noise that the moment they issued from the gate shots were fired by the advanced pickets, and a few seconds later the roll of drums in the French lines broke out, and it was clear that the whole camp was alarmed.

stormverbUS /stɔːrm/

behave violently, as if in state of a great anger

From this reading As concealment was useless, he then sent the two midshipmen to order all the batteries to open fire upon the French trenches, and as the first gun boomed out the ships and gun-boats on both flanks also opened fire, and the trenches by which the French must advance from the village were swept by a storm of shot.

strictestadjectiveUS /ˈstrɪktəst/

superlative of “strict” — rigidly accurate; allowing no deviation from a standard

From this reading The order that the strictest silence was to be observed was obeyed by the sailors and marines; but the Turks, who were wrought up to a pitch of enthusiasm, made so great a noise that the moment they issued from the gate shots were fired by the advanced pickets, and a few seconds later the roll of drums in the French lines broke out, and it was clear that the whole camp was alarmed.

sweptadjectiveUS /swept/

possessing sweep

From this reading As concealment was useless, he then sent the two midshipmen to order all the batteries to open fire upon the French trenches, and as the first gun boomed out the ships and gun-boats on both flanks also opened fire, and the trenches by which the French must advance from the village were swept by a storm of shot.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The order that the strictest silence was to be observed was obeyed by the sailors and marines; but the Turks, who were wrought up to a pitch of enthusiasm, made so great a noise that the moment they issued from the gate shots were fired by the advanced pickets, and a few seconds later the roll of drums in the French lines broke out, and it was clear that the whole camp was alarmed.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Just as day began to break, the gates were opened, and the columns moved out one after the other.

thenadverbUS /ðen/

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading As concealment was useless, he then sent the two midshipmen to order all the batteries to open fire upon the French trenches, and as the first gun boomed out the ships and gun-boats on both flanks also opened fire, and the trenches by which the French must advance from the village were swept by a storm of shot.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The order that the strictest silence was to be observed was obeyed by the sailors and marines; but the Turks, who were wrought up to a pitch of enthusiasm, made so great a noise that the moment they issued from the gate shots were fired by the advanced pickets, and a few seconds later the roll of drums in the French lines broke out, and it was clear that the whole camp was alarmed.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Just as day began to break, the gates were opened, and the columns moved out one after the other.

trenchesnounUS /ˈtrentʃɪz/

plural of “trench” — a ditch dug as a fortification having a parapet of the excavated earth

From this reading As concealment was useless, he then sent the two midshipmen to order all the batteries to open fire upon the French trenches, and as the first gun boomed out the ships and gun-boats on both flanks also opened fire, and the trenches by which the French must advance from the village were swept by a storm of shot.

TurksnounUS /tɜːrks/

plural of “turk” — a native or inhabitant of Turkey

From this reading The order that the strictest silence was to be observed was obeyed by the sailors and marines; but the Turks, who were wrought up to a pitch of enthusiasm, made so great a noise that the moment they issued from the gate shots were fired by the advanced pickets, and a few seconds later the roll of drums in the French lines broke out, and it was clear that the whole camp was alarmed.

twonounUS /tuː/

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading As concealment was useless, he then sent the two midshipmen to order all the batteries to open fire upon the French trenches, and as the first gun boomed out the ships and gun-boats on both flanks also opened fire, and the trenches by which the French must advance from the village were swept by a storm of shot.

upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading The order that the strictest silence was to be observed was obeyed by the sailors and marines; but the Turks, who were wrought up to a pitch of enthusiasm, made so great a noise that the moment they issued from the gate shots were fired by the advanced pickets, and a few seconds later the roll of drums in the French lines broke out, and it was clear that the whole camp was alarmed.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading As concealment was useless, he then sent the two midshipmen to order all the batteries to open fire upon the French trenches, and as the first gun boomed out the ships and gun-boats on both flanks also opened fire, and the trenches by which the French must advance from the village were swept by a storm of shot.

uselessadjectiveUS /ˈjuːsləs/

having no beneficial use or incapable of functioning usefully

From this reading As concealment was useless, he then sent the two midshipmen to order all the batteries to open fire upon the French trenches, and as the first gun boomed out the ships and gun-boats on both flanks also opened fire, and the trenches by which the French must advance from the village were swept by a storm of shot.

utteredadjectiveUS /ˈʌtərd/

communicated in words

From this reading Sir Sidney Smith uttered an exclamation of anger.

villagenounUS /ˈvɪlədʒ/

a community of people smaller than a town

From this reading As concealment was useless, he then sent the two midshipmen to order all the batteries to open fire upon the French trenches, and as the first gun boomed out the ships and gun-boats on both flanks also opened fire, and the trenches by which the French must advance from the village were swept by a storm of shot.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The order that the strictest silence was to be observed was obeyed by the sailors and marines; but the Turks, who were wrought up to a pitch of enthusiasm, made so great a noise that the moment they issued from the gate shots were fired by the advanced pickets, and a few seconds later the roll of drums in the French lines broke out, and it was clear that the whole camp was alarmed.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading Just as day began to break, the gates were opened, and the columns moved out one after the other.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading As concealment was useless, he then sent the two midshipmen to order all the batteries to open fire upon the French trenches, and as the first gun boomed out the ships and gun-boats on both flanks also opened fire, and the trenches by which the French must advance from the village were swept by a storm of shot.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading The order that the strictest silence was to be observed was obeyed by the sailors and marines; but the Turks, who were wrought up to a pitch of enthusiasm, made so great a noise that the moment they issued from the gate shots were fired by the advanced pickets, and a few seconds later the roll of drums in the French lines broke out, and it was clear that the whole camp was alarmed.

wholeadjectiveUS /hoʊl/

including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete

From this reading The order that the strictest silence was to be observed was obeyed by the sailors and marines; but the Turks, who were wrought up to a pitch of enthusiasm, made so great a noise that the moment they issued from the gate shots were fired by the advanced pickets, and a few seconds later the roll of drums in the French lines broke out, and it was clear that the whole camp was alarmed.

wroughtadjectiveUS /rɔːt/

shaped to fit by or as if by altering the contours of a pliable mass (as by work or effort)

From this reading The order that the strictest silence was to be observed was obeyed by the sailors and marines; but the Turks, who were wrought up to a pitch of enthusiasm, made so great a noise that the moment they issued from the gate shots were fired by the advanced pickets, and a few seconds later the roll of drums in the French lines broke out, and it was clear that the whole camp was alarmed.

Chapter 12 of At Aboukir and Acre by G. A. (George Alfred) Henty holds 194 sentences, grouped into 39 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 12 of At Aboukir and Acre contain?

Chapter 12 holds 194 sentences of At Aboukir and Acre, unabridged, divided into 39 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 12 of At Aboukir and Acre by G. A. (George Alfred) Henty exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 194 sentences, grouped into 39 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 12 of At Aboukir and Acre?

Work through the 39 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 39 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 12 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 12 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading At Aboukir and Acre

Common questions about reading At Aboukir and Acre by G. A. (George Alfred) Henty on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of At Aboukir and Acre?

Yes. All 4800 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #22224 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of At Aboukir and Acre is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #22224, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does At Aboukir and Acre take to read?

About 400 minutes of reading across 960 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

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Vocabulary met early in At Aboukir and Acre

Words and structures a reader meets early in At Aboukir and Acre, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Making
A word that appears in the opening chapter of At Aboukir and Acre; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Friend
A word that appears in the opening chapter of At Aboukir and Acre; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Standing
A word that appears in the opening chapter of At Aboukir and Acre; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Bastions
A word that appears in the opening chapter of At Aboukir and Acre; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.