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

Chapter XIII

Cover illustration for Barbarians
Context Illustration Reading 1/11 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
MULETEERS Lying far to the southwest of the battle line, only when a strong northwest wind blew could Sainte Lesse hear the thudding of cannon beyond the horizon.
And once, when the northeast wind had blown steadily for a week, on the wings of the driving drizzle had come a faint but dreadful odour which hung among the streets and lanes until the wind changed.
Except for the carillon, nothing louder than the call of a cuckoo, the lowing of cattle or a goatherd’s piping ever broke the summer silence in the little town.
Birds sang; a shallow river rippled; breezes ruffled green grain into long, silvery waves across the valley; sunshine fell on quiet streets, on scented gardens unsoiled by war, on groves and meadows, and on the stone-edged brink of brimming pools where washerwomen knelt among the wild flowers, splashing amid floating pyramids of snowy suds.
And into the exquisite peace of this little paradise rode John Burley with a thousand American mules.
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.

Barbarians

Chapter XIII

Reading 1/11 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
MULETEERS Lying far to the southwest of the battle line, only when a strong northwest wind blew could Sainte Lesse hear the thudding of cannon beyond the horizon.
Line 2
And once, when the northeast wind had blown steadily for a week, on the wings of the driving drizzle had come a faint but dreadful odour which hung among the streets and lanes until the wind changed.
Line 3
Except for the carillon, nothing louder than the call of a cuckoo, the lowing of cattle or a goatherd’s piping ever broke the summer silence in the little town.
Line 4
Birds sang; a shallow river rippled; breezes ruffled green grain into long, silvery waves across the valley; sunshine fell on quiet streets, on scented gardens unsoiled by war, on groves and meadows, and on the stone-edged brink of brimming pools where washerwomen knelt among the wild flowers, splashing amid floating pyramids of snowy suds.
Line 5
And into the exquisite peace of this little paradise rode John Burley with a thousand American mules.

Learner Dictionary

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

Across preposition US /əˈkrɔːs/

from one side of something to the other

From this reading “Birds sang; a shallow river rippled; breezes ruffled green grain into long, silvery waves across the valley; sunshine fell on quiet streets, on scented gardens unsoiled by war, on groves and meadows, and on the stone-edged brink of brimming pools where washerwomen knelt among the wild flowers, splashing amid floating pyramids of snowy suds.”

Amid preposition US /əˈmɪd/

in the middle of; surrounded by

From this reading “Birds sang; a shallow river rippled; breezes ruffled green grain into long, silvery waves across the valley; sunshine fell on quiet streets, on scented gardens unsoiled by war, on groves and meadows, and on the stone-edged brink of brimming pools where washerwomen knelt among the wild flowers, splashing amid floating pyramids of snowy suds.”

Among preposition US /əˈmʌŋ/

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading “And once, when the northeast wind had blown steadily for a week, on the wings of the driving drizzle had come a faint but dreadful odour which hung among the streets and lanes until the wind changed.”

Beyond preposition US /bɪˈɑːnd/

on the far side of; further than

From this reading “MULETEERS Lying far to the southwest of the battle line, only when a strong northwest wind blew could Sainte Lesse hear the thudding of cannon beyond the horizon.”

Come noun US /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “And once, when the northeast wind had blown steadily for a week, on the wings of the driving drizzle had come a faint but dreadful odour which hung among the streets and lanes until the wind changed.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “MULETEERS Lying far to the southwest of the battle line, only when a strong northwest wind blew could Sainte Lesse hear the thudding of cannon beyond the horizon.”

Dreadful adjective US /ˈdrɛdfəl/

extremely frightening or unpleasant

From this reading “And once, when the northeast wind had blown steadily for a week, on the wings of the driving drizzle had come a faint but dreadful odour which hung among the streets and lanes until the wind changed.”

Ever noun US /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Except for the carillon, nothing louder than the call of a cuckoo, the lowing of cattle or a goatherd’s piping ever broke the summer silence in the little town.”

Except preposition US /ɪkˈsept/

apart from; not including

From this reading “Except for the carillon, nothing louder than the call of a cuckoo, the lowing of cattle or a goatherd’s piping ever broke the summer silence in the little town.”

Hear noun US /hear/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “MULETEERS Lying far to the southwest of the battle line, only when a strong northwest wind blew could Sainte Lesse hear the thudding of cannon beyond the horizon.”

John noun US /john/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “And into the exquisite peace of this little paradise rode John Burley with a thousand American mules.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Except for the carillon, nothing louder than the call of a cuckoo, the lowing of cattle or a goatherd’s piping ever broke the summer silence in the little town.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Birds sang; a shallow river rippled; breezes ruffled green grain into long, silvery waves across the valley; sunshine fell on quiet streets, on scented gardens unsoiled by war, on groves and meadows, and on the stone-edged brink of brimming pools where washerwomen knelt among the wild flowers, splashing amid floating pyramids of snowy suds.”

Nothing pronoun US /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading “Except for the carillon, nothing louder than the call of a cuckoo, the lowing of cattle or a goatherd’s piping ever broke the summer silence in the little town.”

Once noun US /once/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “And once, when the northeast wind had blown steadily for a week, on the wings of the driving drizzle had come a faint but dreadful odour which hung among the streets and lanes until the wind changed.”

Silence noun US /ˈsaɪ.ləns/

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

From this reading “Except for the carillon, nothing louder than the call of a cuckoo, the lowing of cattle or a goatherd’s piping ever broke the summer silence in the little town.”

Until preposition US /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading “And once, when the northeast wind had blown steadily for a week, on the wings of the driving drizzle had come a faint but dreadful odour which hung among the streets and lanes until the wind changed.”

Wind noun US /wind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “MULETEERS Lying far to the southwest of the battle line, only when a strong northwest wind blew could Sainte Lesse hear the thudding of cannon beyond the horizon.”

All words in this reading · 118

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 MULETEERS Lying far to the southwest of the battle line, only when a strong northwest wind blew could Sainte Lesse hear the thudding of cannon beyond the horizon.

acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/

from one side of something to the other

From this reading Birds sang; a shallow river rippled; breezes ruffled green grain into long, silvery waves across the valley; sunshine fell on quiet streets, on scented gardens unsoiled by war, on groves and meadows, and on the stone-edged brink of brimming pools where washerwomen knelt among the wild flowers, splashing amid floating pyramids of snowy suds.

American

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

From this reading And into the exquisite peace of this little paradise rode John Burley with a thousand American mules.

amidprepositionUS /əˈmɪd/

in the middle of; surrounded by

From this reading Birds sang; a shallow river rippled; breezes ruffled green grain into long, silvery waves across the valley; sunshine fell on quiet streets, on scented gardens unsoiled by war, on groves and meadows, and on the stone-edged brink of brimming pools where washerwomen knelt among the wild flowers, splashing amid floating pyramids of snowy suds.

amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading And once, when the northeast wind had blown steadily for a week, on the wings of the driving drizzle had come a faint but dreadful odour which hung among the streets and lanes until the wind changed.

AndconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading And once, when the northeast wind had blown steadily for a week, on the wings of the driving drizzle had come a faint but dreadful odour which hung among the streets and lanes until the wind changed.

battle

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

From this reading MULETEERS Lying far to the southwest of the battle line, only when a strong northwest wind blew could Sainte Lesse hear the thudding of cannon beyond the horizon.

beyondprepositionUS /bɪˈɑːnd/

on the far side of; further than

From this reading MULETEERS Lying far to the southwest of the battle line, only when a strong northwest wind blew could Sainte Lesse hear the thudding of cannon beyond the horizon.

Birds

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

From this reading Birds sang; a shallow river rippled; breezes ruffled green grain into long, silvery waves across the valley; sunshine fell on quiet streets, on scented gardens unsoiled by war, on groves and meadows, and on the stone-edged brink of brimming pools where washerwomen knelt among the wild flowers, splashing amid floating pyramids of snowy suds.

blew

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

From this reading MULETEERS Lying far to the southwest of the battle line, only when a strong northwest wind blew could Sainte Lesse hear the thudding of cannon beyond the horizon.

blown

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

From this reading And once, when the northeast wind had blown steadily for a week, on the wings of the driving drizzle had come a faint but dreadful odour which hung among the streets and lanes until the wind changed.

breezes

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

From this reading Birds sang; a shallow river rippled; breezes ruffled green grain into long, silvery waves across the valley; sunshine fell on quiet streets, on scented gardens unsoiled by war, on groves and meadows, and on the stone-edged brink of brimming pools where washerwomen knelt among the wild flowers, splashing amid floating pyramids of snowy suds.

brimming

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

From this reading Birds sang; a shallow river rippled; breezes ruffled green grain into long, silvery waves across the valley; sunshine fell on quiet streets, on scented gardens unsoiled by war, on groves and meadows, and on the stone-edged brink of brimming pools where washerwomen knelt among the wild flowers, splashing amid floating pyramids of snowy suds.

brink

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

From this reading Birds sang; a shallow river rippled; breezes ruffled green grain into long, silvery waves across the valley; sunshine fell on quiet streets, on scented gardens unsoiled by war, on groves and meadows, and on the stone-edged brink of brimming pools where washerwomen knelt among the wild flowers, splashing amid floating pyramids of snowy suds.

broke

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

From this reading Except for the carillon, nothing louder than the call of a cuckoo, the lowing of cattle or a goatherd’s piping ever broke the summer silence in the little town.

Burley

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

From this reading And into the exquisite peace of this little paradise rode John Burley with a thousand American mules.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading And once, when the northeast wind had blown steadily for a week, on the wings of the driving drizzle had come a faint but dreadful odour which hung among the streets and lanes until the wind changed.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Birds sang; a shallow river rippled; breezes ruffled green grain into long, silvery waves across the valley; sunshine fell on quiet streets, on scented gardens unsoiled by war, on groves and meadows, and on the stone-edged brink of brimming pools where washerwomen knelt among the wild flowers, splashing amid floating pyramids of snowy suds.

call

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

From this reading Except for the carillon, nothing louder than the call of a cuckoo, the lowing of cattle or a goatherd’s piping ever broke the summer silence in the little town.

cannon

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

From this reading MULETEERS Lying far to the southwest of the battle line, only when a strong northwest wind blew could Sainte Lesse hear the thudding of cannon beyond the horizon.

carillon

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

From this reading Except for the carillon, nothing louder than the call of a cuckoo, the lowing of cattle or a goatherd’s piping ever broke the summer silence in the little town.

cattle

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

From this reading Except for the carillon, nothing louder than the call of a cuckoo, the lowing of cattle or a goatherd’s piping ever broke the summer silence in the little town.

changed

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

From this reading And once, when the northeast wind had blown steadily for a week, on the wings of the driving drizzle had come a faint but dreadful odour which hung among the streets and lanes until the wind changed.

comenounUS /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading And once, when the northeast wind had blown steadily for a week, on the wings of the driving drizzle had come a faint but dreadful odour which hung among the streets and lanes until the wind changed.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading MULETEERS Lying far to the southwest of the battle line, only when a strong northwest wind blew could Sainte Lesse hear the thudding of cannon beyond the horizon.

cuckoo

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

From this reading Except for the carillon, nothing louder than the call of a cuckoo, the lowing of cattle or a goatherd’s piping ever broke the summer silence in the little town.

dreadfuladjectiveUS /ˈdrɛdfəl/

extremely frightening or unpleasant

From this reading And once, when the northeast wind had blown steadily for a week, on the wings of the driving drizzle had come a faint but dreadful odour which hung among the streets and lanes until the wind changed.

driving

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

From this reading And once, when the northeast wind had blown steadily for a week, on the wings of the driving drizzle had come a faint but dreadful odour which hung among the streets and lanes until the wind changed.

drizzle

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

From this reading And once, when the northeast wind had blown steadily for a week, on the wings of the driving drizzle had come a faint but dreadful odour which hung among the streets and lanes until the wind changed.

evernounUS /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Except for the carillon, nothing louder than the call of a cuckoo, the lowing of cattle or a goatherd’s piping ever broke the summer silence in the little town.

ExceptprepositionUS /ɪkˈsept/

apart from; not including

From this reading Except for the carillon, nothing louder than the call of a cuckoo, the lowing of cattle or a goatherd’s piping ever broke the summer silence in the little town.

exquisite

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

From this reading And into the exquisite peace of this little paradise rode John Burley with a thousand American mules.

faint

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

From this reading And once, when the northeast wind had blown steadily for a week, on the wings of the driving drizzle had come a faint but dreadful odour which hung among the streets and lanes until the wind changed.

far

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

From this reading MULETEERS Lying far to the southwest of the battle line, only when a strong northwest wind blew could Sainte Lesse hear the thudding of cannon beyond the horizon.

fell

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

From this reading Birds sang; a shallow river rippled; breezes ruffled green grain into long, silvery waves across the valley; sunshine fell on quiet streets, on scented gardens unsoiled by war, on groves and meadows, and on the stone-edged brink of brimming pools where washerwomen knelt among the wild flowers, splashing amid floating pyramids of snowy suds.

floating

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

From this reading Birds sang; a shallow river rippled; breezes ruffled green grain into long, silvery waves across the valley; sunshine fell on quiet streets, on scented gardens unsoiled by war, on groves and meadows, and on the stone-edged brink of brimming pools where washerwomen knelt among the wild flowers, splashing amid floating pyramids of snowy suds.

flowers

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

From this reading Birds sang; a shallow river rippled; breezes ruffled green grain into long, silvery waves across the valley; sunshine fell on quiet streets, on scented gardens unsoiled by war, on groves and meadows, and on the stone-edged brink of brimming pools where washerwomen knelt among the wild flowers, splashing amid floating pyramids of snowy suds.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading And once, when the northeast wind had blown steadily for a week, on the wings of the driving drizzle had come a faint but dreadful odour which hung among the streets and lanes until the wind changed.

gardens

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

From this reading Birds sang; a shallow river rippled; breezes ruffled green grain into long, silvery waves across the valley; sunshine fell on quiet streets, on scented gardens unsoiled by war, on groves and meadows, and on the stone-edged brink of brimming pools where washerwomen knelt among the wild flowers, splashing amid floating pyramids of snowy suds.

goatherd's

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

From this reading Except for the carillon, nothing louder than the call of a cuckoo, the lowing of cattle or a goatherd’s piping ever broke the summer silence in the little town.

grain

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

From this reading Birds sang; a shallow river rippled; breezes ruffled green grain into long, silvery waves across the valley; sunshine fell on quiet streets, on scented gardens unsoiled by war, on groves and meadows, and on the stone-edged brink of brimming pools where washerwomen knelt among the wild flowers, splashing amid floating pyramids of snowy suds.

green

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

From this reading Birds sang; a shallow river rippled; breezes ruffled green grain into long, silvery waves across the valley; sunshine fell on quiet streets, on scented gardens unsoiled by war, on groves and meadows, and on the stone-edged brink of brimming pools where washerwomen knelt among the wild flowers, splashing amid floating pyramids of snowy suds.

groves

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

From this reading Birds sang; a shallow river rippled; breezes ruffled green grain into long, silvery waves across the valley; sunshine fell on quiet streets, on scented gardens unsoiled by war, on groves and meadows, and on the stone-edged brink of brimming pools where washerwomen knelt among the wild flowers, splashing amid floating pyramids of snowy suds.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading And once, when the northeast wind had blown steadily for a week, on the wings of the driving drizzle had come a faint but dreadful odour which hung among the streets and lanes until the wind changed.

hearnounUS /hear/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading MULETEERS Lying far to the southwest of the battle line, only when a strong northwest wind blew could Sainte Lesse hear the thudding of cannon beyond the horizon.

horizon

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

From this reading MULETEERS Lying far to the southwest of the battle line, only when a strong northwest wind blew could Sainte Lesse hear the thudding of cannon beyond the horizon.

hung

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

From this reading And once, when the northeast wind had blown steadily for a week, on the wings of the driving drizzle had come a faint but dreadful odour which hung among the streets and lanes until the wind changed.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Except for the carillon, nothing louder than the call of a cuckoo, the lowing of cattle or a goatherd’s piping ever broke the summer silence in the little town.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Birds sang; a shallow river rippled; breezes ruffled green grain into long, silvery waves across the valley; sunshine fell on quiet streets, on scented gardens unsoiled by war, on groves and meadows, and on the stone-edged brink of brimming pools where washerwomen knelt among the wild flowers, splashing amid floating pyramids of snowy suds.

John

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

From this reading And into the exquisite peace of this little paradise rode John Burley with a thousand American mules.

knelt

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

From this reading Birds sang; a shallow river rippled; breezes ruffled green grain into long, silvery waves across the valley; sunshine fell on quiet streets, on scented gardens unsoiled by war, on groves and meadows, and on the stone-edged brink of brimming pools where washerwomen knelt among the wild flowers, splashing amid floating pyramids of snowy suds.

lanes

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

From this reading And once, when the northeast wind had blown steadily for a week, on the wings of the driving drizzle had come a faint but dreadful odour which hung among the streets and lanes until the wind changed.

Lesse

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

From this reading MULETEERS Lying far to the southwest of the battle line, only when a strong northwest wind blew could Sainte Lesse hear the thudding of cannon beyond the horizon.

line

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

From this reading MULETEERS Lying far to the southwest of the battle line, only when a strong northwest wind blew could Sainte Lesse hear the thudding of cannon beyond the horizon.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Except for the carillon, nothing louder than the call of a cuckoo, the lowing of cattle or a goatherd’s piping ever broke the summer silence in the little town.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Birds sang; a shallow river rippled; breezes ruffled green grain into long, silvery waves across the valley; sunshine fell on quiet streets, on scented gardens unsoiled by war, on groves and meadows, and on the stone-edged brink of brimming pools where washerwomen knelt among the wild flowers, splashing amid floating pyramids of snowy suds.

louder

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

From this reading Except for the carillon, nothing louder than the call of a cuckoo, the lowing of cattle or a goatherd’s piping ever broke the summer silence in the little town.

lowing

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

From this reading Except for the carillon, nothing louder than the call of a cuckoo, the lowing of cattle or a goatherd’s piping ever broke the summer silence in the little town.

Lying

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

From this reading MULETEERS Lying far to the southwest of the battle line, only when a strong northwest wind blew could Sainte Lesse hear the thudding of cannon beyond the horizon.

meadows

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

From this reading Birds sang; a shallow river rippled; breezes ruffled green grain into long, silvery waves across the valley; sunshine fell on quiet streets, on scented gardens unsoiled by war, on groves and meadows, and on the stone-edged brink of brimming pools where washerwomen knelt among the wild flowers, splashing amid floating pyramids of snowy suds.

mules

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

From this reading And into the exquisite peace of this little paradise rode John Burley with a thousand American mules.

MULETEERS

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

From this reading MULETEERS Lying far to the southwest of the battle line, only when a strong northwest wind blew could Sainte Lesse hear the thudding of cannon beyond the horizon.

northeast

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

From this reading And once, when the northeast wind had blown steadily for a week, on the wings of the driving drizzle had come a faint but dreadful odour which hung among the streets and lanes until the wind changed.

northwest

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

From this reading MULETEERS Lying far to the southwest of the battle line, only when a strong northwest wind blew could Sainte Lesse hear the thudding of cannon beyond the horizon.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading Except for the carillon, nothing louder than the call of a cuckoo, the lowing of cattle or a goatherd’s piping ever broke the summer silence in the little town.

odour

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

From this reading And once, when the northeast wind had blown steadily for a week, on the wings of the driving drizzle had come a faint but dreadful odour which hung among the streets and lanes until the wind changed.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading MULETEERS Lying far to the southwest of the battle line, only when a strong northwest wind blew could Sainte Lesse hear the thudding of cannon beyond the horizon.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading And once, when the northeast wind had blown steadily for a week, on the wings of the driving drizzle had come a faint but dreadful odour which hung among the streets and lanes until the wind changed.

once

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

From this reading And once, when the northeast wind had blown steadily for a week, on the wings of the driving drizzle had come a faint but dreadful odour which hung among the streets and lanes until the wind changed.

only

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

From this reading MULETEERS Lying far to the southwest of the battle line, only when a strong northwest wind blew could Sainte Lesse hear the thudding of cannon beyond the horizon.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Except for the carillon, nothing louder than the call of a cuckoo, the lowing of cattle or a goatherd’s piping ever broke the summer silence in the little town.

paradise

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

From this reading And into the exquisite peace of this little paradise rode John Burley with a thousand American mules.

peace

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

From this reading And into the exquisite peace of this little paradise rode John Burley with a thousand American mules.

piping

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

From this reading Except for the carillon, nothing louder than the call of a cuckoo, the lowing of cattle or a goatherd’s piping ever broke the summer silence in the little town.

pools

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

From this reading Birds sang; a shallow river rippled; breezes ruffled green grain into long, silvery waves across the valley; sunshine fell on quiet streets, on scented gardens unsoiled by war, on groves and meadows, and on the stone-edged brink of brimming pools where washerwomen knelt among the wild flowers, splashing amid floating pyramids of snowy suds.

pyramids

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

From this reading Birds sang; a shallow river rippled; breezes ruffled green grain into long, silvery waves across the valley; sunshine fell on quiet streets, on scented gardens unsoiled by war, on groves and meadows, and on the stone-edged brink of brimming pools where washerwomen knelt among the wild flowers, splashing amid floating pyramids of snowy suds.

quiet

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

From this reading Birds sang; a shallow river rippled; breezes ruffled green grain into long, silvery waves across the valley; sunshine fell on quiet streets, on scented gardens unsoiled by war, on groves and meadows, and on the stone-edged brink of brimming pools where washerwomen knelt among the wild flowers, splashing amid floating pyramids of snowy suds.

rippled

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

From this reading Birds sang; a shallow river rippled; breezes ruffled green grain into long, silvery waves across the valley; sunshine fell on quiet streets, on scented gardens unsoiled by war, on groves and meadows, and on the stone-edged brink of brimming pools where washerwomen knelt among the wild flowers, splashing amid floating pyramids of snowy suds.

river

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

From this reading Birds sang; a shallow river rippled; breezes ruffled green grain into long, silvery waves across the valley; sunshine fell on quiet streets, on scented gardens unsoiled by war, on groves and meadows, and on the stone-edged brink of brimming pools where washerwomen knelt among the wild flowers, splashing amid floating pyramids of snowy suds.

rode

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

From this reading And into the exquisite peace of this little paradise rode John Burley with a thousand American mules.

ruffled

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

From this reading Birds sang; a shallow river rippled; breezes ruffled green grain into long, silvery waves across the valley; sunshine fell on quiet streets, on scented gardens unsoiled by war, on groves and meadows, and on the stone-edged brink of brimming pools where washerwomen knelt among the wild flowers, splashing amid floating pyramids of snowy suds.

Sainte

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

From this reading MULETEERS Lying far to the southwest of the battle line, only when a strong northwest wind blew could Sainte Lesse hear the thudding of cannon beyond the horizon.

sang

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

From this reading Birds sang; a shallow river rippled; breezes ruffled green grain into long, silvery waves across the valley; sunshine fell on quiet streets, on scented gardens unsoiled by war, on groves and meadows, and on the stone-edged brink of brimming pools where washerwomen knelt among the wild flowers, splashing amid floating pyramids of snowy suds.

scented

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

From this reading Birds sang; a shallow river rippled; breezes ruffled green grain into long, silvery waves across the valley; sunshine fell on quiet streets, on scented gardens unsoiled by war, on groves and meadows, and on the stone-edged brink of brimming pools where washerwomen knelt among the wild flowers, splashing amid floating pyramids of snowy suds.

shallow

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

From this reading Birds sang; a shallow river rippled; breezes ruffled green grain into long, silvery waves across the valley; sunshine fell on quiet streets, on scented gardens unsoiled by war, on groves and meadows, and on the stone-edged brink of brimming pools where washerwomen knelt among the wild flowers, splashing amid floating pyramids of snowy suds.

silencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/

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

From this reading Except for the carillon, nothing louder than the call of a cuckoo, the lowing of cattle or a goatherd’s piping ever broke the summer silence in the little town.

silvery

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

From this reading Birds sang; a shallow river rippled; breezes ruffled green grain into long, silvery waves across the valley; sunshine fell on quiet streets, on scented gardens unsoiled by war, on groves and meadows, and on the stone-edged brink of brimming pools where washerwomen knelt among the wild flowers, splashing amid floating pyramids of snowy suds.

snowy

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

From this reading Birds sang; a shallow river rippled; breezes ruffled green grain into long, silvery waves across the valley; sunshine fell on quiet streets, on scented gardens unsoiled by war, on groves and meadows, and on the stone-edged brink of brimming pools where washerwomen knelt among the wild flowers, splashing amid floating pyramids of snowy suds.

southwest

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

From this reading MULETEERS Lying far to the southwest of the battle line, only when a strong northwest wind blew could Sainte Lesse hear the thudding of cannon beyond the horizon.

splashing

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

From this reading Birds sang; a shallow river rippled; breezes ruffled green grain into long, silvery waves across the valley; sunshine fell on quiet streets, on scented gardens unsoiled by war, on groves and meadows, and on the stone-edged brink of brimming pools where washerwomen knelt among the wild flowers, splashing amid floating pyramids of snowy suds.

steadily

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

From this reading And once, when the northeast wind had blown steadily for a week, on the wings of the driving drizzle had come a faint but dreadful odour which hung among the streets and lanes until the wind changed.

stone-edged

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

From this reading Birds sang; a shallow river rippled; breezes ruffled green grain into long, silvery waves across the valley; sunshine fell on quiet streets, on scented gardens unsoiled by war, on groves and meadows, and on the stone-edged brink of brimming pools where washerwomen knelt among the wild flowers, splashing amid floating pyramids of snowy suds.

streets

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

From this reading And once, when the northeast wind had blown steadily for a week, on the wings of the driving drizzle had come a faint but dreadful odour which hung among the streets and lanes until the wind changed.

strong

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

From this reading MULETEERS Lying far to the southwest of the battle line, only when a strong northwest wind blew could Sainte Lesse hear the thudding of cannon beyond the horizon.

suds

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

From this reading Birds sang; a shallow river rippled; breezes ruffled green grain into long, silvery waves across the valley; sunshine fell on quiet streets, on scented gardens unsoiled by war, on groves and meadows, and on the stone-edged brink of brimming pools where washerwomen knelt among the wild flowers, splashing amid floating pyramids of snowy suds.

summer

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

From this reading Except for the carillon, nothing louder than the call of a cuckoo, the lowing of cattle or a goatherd’s piping ever broke the summer silence in the little town.

sunshine

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

From this reading Birds sang; a shallow river rippled; breezes ruffled green grain into long, silvery waves across the valley; sunshine fell on quiet streets, on scented gardens unsoiled by war, on groves and meadows, and on the stone-edged brink of brimming pools where washerwomen knelt among the wild flowers, splashing amid floating pyramids of snowy suds.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Except for the carillon, nothing louder than the call of a cuckoo, the lowing of cattle or a goatherd’s piping ever broke the summer silence in the little town.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading MULETEERS Lying far to the southwest of the battle line, only when a strong northwest wind blew could Sainte Lesse hear the thudding of cannon beyond the horizon.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading And into the exquisite peace of this little paradise rode John Burley with a thousand American mules.

thousand

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

From this reading And into the exquisite peace of this little paradise rode John Burley with a thousand American mules.

thudding

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

From this reading MULETEERS Lying far to the southwest of the battle line, only when a strong northwest wind blew could Sainte Lesse hear the thudding of cannon beyond the horizon.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading MULETEERS Lying far to the southwest of the battle line, only when a strong northwest wind blew could Sainte Lesse hear the thudding of cannon beyond the horizon.

town

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

From this reading Except for the carillon, nothing louder than the call of a cuckoo, the lowing of cattle or a goatherd’s piping ever broke the summer silence in the little town.

unsoiled

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

From this reading Birds sang; a shallow river rippled; breezes ruffled green grain into long, silvery waves across the valley; sunshine fell on quiet streets, on scented gardens unsoiled by war, on groves and meadows, and on the stone-edged brink of brimming pools where washerwomen knelt among the wild flowers, splashing amid floating pyramids of snowy suds.

untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading And once, when the northeast wind had blown steadily for a week, on the wings of the driving drizzle had come a faint but dreadful odour which hung among the streets and lanes until the wind changed.

valley

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

From this reading Birds sang; a shallow river rippled; breezes ruffled green grain into long, silvery waves across the valley; sunshine fell on quiet streets, on scented gardens unsoiled by war, on groves and meadows, and on the stone-edged brink of brimming pools where washerwomen knelt among the wild flowers, splashing amid floating pyramids of snowy suds.

war

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

From this reading Birds sang; a shallow river rippled; breezes ruffled green grain into long, silvery waves across the valley; sunshine fell on quiet streets, on scented gardens unsoiled by war, on groves and meadows, and on the stone-edged brink of brimming pools where washerwomen knelt among the wild flowers, splashing amid floating pyramids of snowy suds.

washerwomen

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

From this reading Birds sang; a shallow river rippled; breezes ruffled green grain into long, silvery waves across the valley; sunshine fell on quiet streets, on scented gardens unsoiled by war, on groves and meadows, and on the stone-edged brink of brimming pools where washerwomen knelt among the wild flowers, splashing amid floating pyramids of snowy suds.

waves

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

From this reading Birds sang; a shallow river rippled; breezes ruffled green grain into long, silvery waves across the valley; sunshine fell on quiet streets, on scented gardens unsoiled by war, on groves and meadows, and on the stone-edged brink of brimming pools where washerwomen knelt among the wild flowers, splashing amid floating pyramids of snowy suds.

week

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

From this reading And once, when the northeast wind had blown steadily for a week, on the wings of the driving drizzle had come a faint but dreadful odour which hung among the streets and lanes until the wind changed.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading MULETEERS Lying far to the southwest of the battle line, only when a strong northwest wind blew could Sainte Lesse hear the thudding of cannon beyond the horizon.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading Birds sang; a shallow river rippled; breezes ruffled green grain into long, silvery waves across the valley; sunshine fell on quiet streets, on scented gardens unsoiled by war, on groves and meadows, and on the stone-edged brink of brimming pools where washerwomen knelt among the wild flowers, splashing amid floating pyramids of snowy suds.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading And once, when the northeast wind had blown steadily for a week, on the wings of the driving drizzle had come a faint but dreadful odour which hung among the streets and lanes until the wind changed.

wild

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

From this reading Birds sang; a shallow river rippled; breezes ruffled green grain into long, silvery waves across the valley; sunshine fell on quiet streets, on scented gardens unsoiled by war, on groves and meadows, and on the stone-edged brink of brimming pools where washerwomen knelt among the wild flowers, splashing amid floating pyramids of snowy suds.

windnounUS /wind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading MULETEERS Lying far to the southwest of the battle line, only when a strong northwest wind blew could Sainte Lesse hear the thudding of cannon beyond the horizon.

wings

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

From this reading And once, when the northeast wind had blown steadily for a week, on the wings of the driving drizzle had come a faint but dreadful odour which hung among the streets and lanes until the wind changed.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading And into the exquisite peace of this little paradise rode John Burley with a thousand American mules.