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adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Although the hour was close upon midnight, and no moon showed, Corporal Sam needed no lantern to light him through San Sebastian; for a great part of the upper town still burned fiercely, and from time to time a shell, soaring aloft from the mortar batteries across the river, burst over the citadel or against the rocks where the French yet clung, and each explosion flung a glare across the heavens.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The fatigue parties, hunting by twos and threes among the ruins of the river-front for corpses to burn or bury, doubtless supposed him to be about the same business.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading Although the hour was close upon midnight, and no moon showed, Corporal Sam needed no lantern to light him through San Sebastian; for a great part of the upper town still burned fiercely, and from time to time a shell, soaring aloft from the mortar batteries across the river, burst over the citadel or against the rocks where the French yet clung, and each explosion flung a glare across the heavens.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Although the hour was close upon midnight, and no moon showed, Corporal Sam needed no lantern to light him through San Sebastian; for a great part of the upper town still burned fiercely, and from time to time a shell, soaring aloft from the mortar batteries across the river, burst over the citadel or against the rocks where the French yet clung, and each explosion flung a glare across the heavens.
aloft
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although the hour was close upon midnight, and no moon showed, Corporal Sam needed no lantern to light him through San Sebastian; for a great part of the upper town still burned fiercely, and from time to time a shell, soaring aloft from the mortar batteries across the river, burst over the citadel or against the rocks where the French yet clung, and each explosion flung a glare across the heavens.
AlthoughnounUS /ˈalthough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Although the hour was close upon midnight, and no moon showed, Corporal Sam needed no lantern to light him through San Sebastian; for a great part of the upper town still burned fiercely, and from time to time a shell, soaring aloft from the mortar batteries across the river, burst over the citadel or against the rocks where the French yet clung, and each explosion flung a glare across the heavens.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading The fatigue parties, hunting by twos and threes among the ruins of the river-front for corpses to burn or bury, doubtless supposed him to be about the same business.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Although the hour was close upon midnight, and no moon showed, Corporal Sam needed no lantern to light him through San Sebastian; for a great part of the upper town still burned fiercely, and from time to time a shell, soaring aloft from the mortar batteries across the river, burst over the citadel or against the rocks where the French yet clung, and each explosion flung a glare across the heavens.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At any rate, they paid him no attention.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At any rate, they paid him no attention.
attention
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From this reading At any rate, they paid him no attention.
batteries
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From this reading Although the hour was close upon midnight, and no moon showed, Corporal Sam needed no lantern to light him through San Sebastian; for a great part of the upper town still burned fiercely, and from time to time a shell, soaring aloft from the mortar batteries across the river, burst over the citadel or against the rocks where the French yet clung, and each explosion flung a glare across the heavens.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The fatigue parties, hunting by twos and threes among the ruins of the river-front for corpses to burn or bury, doubtless supposed him to be about the same business.
black
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From this reading Just within the walls, where the conflagration had burnt itself out, there were patches of black shadow to be crossed carefully.
burnverbUS /bɜːrn/
To consume or be consumed by fire.
From this reading The fatigue parties, hunting by twos and threes among the ruins of the river-front for corpses to burn or bury, doubtless supposed him to be about the same business.
burned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although the hour was close upon midnight, and no moon showed, Corporal Sam needed no lantern to light him through San Sebastian; for a great part of the upper town still burned fiercely, and from time to time a shell, soaring aloft from the mortar batteries across the river, burst over the citadel or against the rocks where the French yet clung, and each explosion flung a glare across the heavens.
burnt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just within the walls, where the conflagration had burnt itself out, there were patches of black shadow to be crossed carefully.
burst
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From this reading Although the hour was close upon midnight, and no moon showed, Corporal Sam needed no lantern to light him through San Sebastian; for a great part of the upper town still burned fiercely, and from time to time a shell, soaring aloft from the mortar batteries across the river, burst over the citadel or against the rocks where the French yet clung, and each explosion flung a glare across the heavens.
bury
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fatigue parties, hunting by twos and threes among the ruins of the river-front for corpses to burn or bury, doubtless supposed him to be about the same business.
business
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fatigue parties, hunting by twos and threes among the ruins of the river-front for corpses to burn or bury, doubtless supposed him to be about the same business.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The fatigue parties, hunting by twos and threes among the ruins of the river-front for corpses to burn or bury, doubtless supposed him to be about the same business.
carefully
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just within the walls, where the conflagration had burnt itself out, there were patches of black shadow to be crossed carefully.
citadelnounUS /ˈsɪt.ə.del/
A fortress protecting a city, metaphorically representing the invincible inner sanctuary of the rational mind.
From this reading Although the hour was close upon midnight, and no moon showed, Corporal Sam needed no lantern to light him through San Sebastian; for a great part of the upper town still burned fiercely, and from time to time a shell, soaring aloft from the mortar batteries across the river, burst over the citadel or against the rocks where the French yet clung, and each explosion flung a glare across the heavens.
close
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although the hour was close upon midnight, and no moon showed, Corporal Sam needed no lantern to light him through San Sebastian; for a great part of the upper town still burned fiercely, and from time to time a shell, soaring aloft from the mortar batteries across the river, burst over the citadel or against the rocks where the French yet clung, and each explosion flung a glare across the heavens.
clungnounUS /clung/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Although the hour was close upon midnight, and no moon showed, Corporal Sam needed no lantern to light him through San Sebastian; for a great part of the upper town still burned fiercely, and from time to time a shell, soaring aloft from the mortar batteries across the river, burst over the citadel or against the rocks where the French yet clung, and each explosion flung a glare across the heavens.
conflagration
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just within the walls, where the conflagration had burnt itself out, there were patches of black shadow to be crossed carefully.
Corporal
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From this reading Although the hour was close upon midnight, and no moon showed, Corporal Sam needed no lantern to light him through San Sebastian; for a great part of the upper town still burned fiercely, and from time to time a shell, soaring aloft from the mortar batteries across the river, burst over the citadel or against the rocks where the French yet clung, and each explosion flung a glare across the heavens.
corpses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fatigue parties, hunting by twos and threes among the ruins of the river-front for corpses to burn or bury, doubtless supposed him to be about the same business.
crossed
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From this reading Just within the walls, where the conflagration had burnt itself out, there were patches of black shadow to be crossed carefully.
doubtless
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From this reading The fatigue parties, hunting by twos and threes among the ruins of the river-front for corpses to burn or bury, doubtless supposed him to be about the same business.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Although the hour was close upon midnight, and no moon showed, Corporal Sam needed no lantern to light him through San Sebastian; for a great part of the upper town still burned fiercely, and from time to time a shell, soaring aloft from the mortar batteries across the river, burst over the citadel or against the rocks where the French yet clung, and each explosion flung a glare across the heavens.
explosionnounUS /ɪkˈsploʊʒən/
a sudden violent burst of sound or force
From this reading Although the hour was close upon midnight, and no moon showed, Corporal Sam needed no lantern to light him through San Sebastian; for a great part of the upper town still burned fiercely, and from time to time a shell, soaring aloft from the mortar batteries across the river, burst over the citadel or against the rocks where the French yet clung, and each explosion flung a glare across the heavens.
fatigue
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fatigue parties, hunting by twos and threes among the ruins of the river-front for corpses to burn or bury, doubtless supposed him to be about the same business.
fiercely
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From this reading Although the hour was close upon midnight, and no moon showed, Corporal Sam needed no lantern to light him through San Sebastian; for a great part of the upper town still burned fiercely, and from time to time a shell, soaring aloft from the mortar batteries across the river, burst over the citadel or against the rocks where the French yet clung, and each explosion flung a glare across the heavens.
flung
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although the hour was close upon midnight, and no moon showed, Corporal Sam needed no lantern to light him through San Sebastian; for a great part of the upper town still burned fiercely, and from time to time a shell, soaring aloft from the mortar batteries across the river, burst over the citadel or against the rocks where the French yet clung, and each explosion flung a glare across the heavens.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Although the hour was close upon midnight, and no moon showed, Corporal Sam needed no lantern to light him through San Sebastian; for a great part of the upper town still burned fiercely, and from time to time a shell, soaring aloft from the mortar batteries across the river, burst over the citadel or against the rocks where the French yet clung, and each explosion flung a glare across the heavens.
French
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although the hour was close upon midnight, and no moon showed, Corporal Sam needed no lantern to light him through San Sebastian; for a great part of the upper town still burned fiercely, and from time to time a shell, soaring aloft from the mortar batteries across the river, burst over the citadel or against the rocks where the French yet clung, and each explosion flung a glare across the heavens.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Although the hour was close upon midnight, and no moon showed, Corporal Sam needed no lantern to light him through San Sebastian; for a great part of the upper town still burned fiercely, and from time to time a shell, soaring aloft from the mortar batteries across the river, burst over the citadel or against the rocks where the French yet clung, and each explosion flung a glare across the heavens.
glarenounUS /glare/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Although the hour was close upon midnight, and no moon showed, Corporal Sam needed no lantern to light him through San Sebastian; for a great part of the upper town still burned fiercely, and from time to time a shell, soaring aloft from the mortar batteries across the river, burst over the citadel or against the rocks where the French yet clung, and each explosion flung a glare across the heavens.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Although the hour was close upon midnight, and no moon showed, Corporal Sam needed no lantern to light him through San Sebastian; for a great part of the upper town still burned fiercely, and from time to time a shell, soaring aloft from the mortar batteries across the river, burst over the citadel or against the rocks where the French yet clung, and each explosion flung a glare across the heavens.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had passed into the town unchallenged.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had passed into the town unchallenged.
heavens
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although the hour was close upon midnight, and no moon showed, Corporal Sam needed no lantern to light him through San Sebastian; for a great part of the upper town still burned fiercely, and from time to time a shell, soaring aloft from the mortar batteries across the river, burst over the citadel or against the rocks where the French yet clung, and each explosion flung a glare across the heavens.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Although the hour was close upon midnight, and no moon showed, Corporal Sam needed no lantern to light him through San Sebastian; for a great part of the upper town still burned fiercely, and from time to time a shell, soaring aloft from the mortar batteries across the river, burst over the citadel or against the rocks where the French yet clung, and each explosion flung a glare across the heavens.
hour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although the hour was close upon midnight, and no moon showed, Corporal Sam needed no lantern to light him through San Sebastian; for a great part of the upper town still burned fiercely, and from time to time a shell, soaring aloft from the mortar batteries across the river, burst over the citadel or against the rocks where the French yet clung, and each explosion flung a glare across the heavens.
hunting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fatigue parties, hunting by twos and threes among the ruins of the river-front for corpses to burn or bury, doubtless supposed him to be about the same business.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He had passed into the town unchallenged.
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading Just within the walls, where the conflagration had burnt itself out, there were patches of black shadow to be crossed carefully.
Just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just within the walls, where the conflagration had burnt itself out, there were patches of black shadow to be crossed carefully.
lantern
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although the hour was close upon midnight, and no moon showed, Corporal Sam needed no lantern to light him through San Sebastian; for a great part of the upper town still burned fiercely, and from time to time a shell, soaring aloft from the mortar batteries across the river, burst over the citadel or against the rocks where the French yet clung, and each explosion flung a glare across the heavens.
light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although the hour was close upon midnight, and no moon showed, Corporal Sam needed no lantern to light him through San Sebastian; for a great part of the upper town still burned fiercely, and from time to time a shell, soaring aloft from the mortar batteries across the river, burst over the citadel or against the rocks where the French yet clung, and each explosion flung a glare across the heavens.
midnight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although the hour was close upon midnight, and no moon showed, Corporal Sam needed no lantern to light him through San Sebastian; for a great part of the upper town still burned fiercely, and from time to time a shell, soaring aloft from the mortar batteries across the river, burst over the citadel or against the rocks where the French yet clung, and each explosion flung a glare across the heavens.
moon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although the hour was close upon midnight, and no moon showed, Corporal Sam needed no lantern to light him through San Sebastian; for a great part of the upper town still burned fiercely, and from time to time a shell, soaring aloft from the mortar batteries across the river, burst over the citadel or against the rocks where the French yet clung, and each explosion flung a glare across the heavens.
mortar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although the hour was close upon midnight, and no moon showed, Corporal Sam needed no lantern to light him through San Sebastian; for a great part of the upper town still burned fiercely, and from time to time a shell, soaring aloft from the mortar batteries across the river, burst over the citadel or against the rocks where the French yet clung, and each explosion flung a glare across the heavens.
needed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although the hour was close upon midnight, and no moon showed, Corporal Sam needed no lantern to light him through San Sebastian; for a great part of the upper town still burned fiercely, and from time to time a shell, soaring aloft from the mortar batteries across the river, burst over the citadel or against the rocks where the French yet clung, and each explosion flung a glare across the heavens.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Although the hour was close upon midnight, and no moon showed, Corporal Sam needed no lantern to light him through San Sebastian; for a great part of the upper town still burned fiercely, and from time to time a shell, soaring aloft from the mortar batteries across the river, burst over the citadel or against the rocks where the French yet clung, and each explosion flung a glare across the heavens.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Although the hour was close upon midnight, and no moon showed, Corporal Sam needed no lantern to light him through San Sebastian; for a great part of the upper town still burned fiercely, and from time to time a shell, soaring aloft from the mortar batteries across the river, burst over the citadel or against the rocks where the French yet clung, and each explosion flung a glare across the heavens.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Although the hour was close upon midnight, and no moon showed, Corporal Sam needed no lantern to light him through San Sebastian; for a great part of the upper town still burned fiercely, and from time to time a shell, soaring aloft from the mortar batteries across the river, burst over the citadel or against the rocks where the French yet clung, and each explosion flung a glare across the heavens.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just within the walls, where the conflagration had burnt itself out, there were patches of black shadow to be crossed carefully.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Although the hour was close upon midnight, and no moon showed, Corporal Sam needed no lantern to light him through San Sebastian; for a great part of the upper town still burned fiercely, and from time to time a shell, soaring aloft from the mortar batteries across the river, burst over the citadel or against the rocks where the French yet clung, and each explosion flung a glare across the heavens.
paid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At any rate, they paid him no attention.
partnounUS /part/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Although the hour was close upon midnight, and no moon showed, Corporal Sam needed no lantern to light him through San Sebastian; for a great part of the upper town still burned fiercely, and from time to time a shell, soaring aloft from the mortar batteries across the river, burst over the citadel or against the rocks where the French yet clung, and each explosion flung a glare across the heavens.
parties
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fatigue parties, hunting by twos and threes among the ruins of the river-front for corpses to burn or bury, doubtless supposed him to be about the same business.
passednounUS /passed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had passed into the town unchallenged.
patches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just within the walls, where the conflagration had burnt itself out, there were patches of black shadow to be crossed carefully.
rate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At any rate, they paid him no attention.
river
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although the hour was close upon midnight, and no moon showed, Corporal Sam needed no lantern to light him through San Sebastian; for a great part of the upper town still burned fiercely, and from time to time a shell, soaring aloft from the mortar batteries across the river, burst over the citadel or against the rocks where the French yet clung, and each explosion flung a glare across the heavens.
river-front
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fatigue parties, hunting by twos and threes among the ruins of the river-front for corpses to burn or bury, doubtless supposed him to be about the same business.
rocks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although the hour was close upon midnight, and no moon showed, Corporal Sam needed no lantern to light him through San Sebastian; for a great part of the upper town still burned fiercely, and from time to time a shell, soaring aloft from the mortar batteries across the river, burst over the citadel or against the rocks where the French yet clung, and each explosion flung a glare across the heavens.
ruins
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fatigue parties, hunting by twos and threes among the ruins of the river-front for corpses to burn or bury, doubtless supposed him to be about the same business.
Sam
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although the hour was close upon midnight, and no moon showed, Corporal Sam needed no lantern to light him through San Sebastian; for a great part of the upper town still burned fiercely, and from time to time a shell, soaring aloft from the mortar batteries across the river, burst over the citadel or against the rocks where the French yet clung, and each explosion flung a glare across the heavens.
samenounUS /same/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The fatigue parties, hunting by twos and threes among the ruins of the river-front for corpses to burn or bury, doubtless supposed him to be about the same business.
San
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although the hour was close upon midnight, and no moon showed, Corporal Sam needed no lantern to light him through San Sebastian; for a great part of the upper town still burned fiercely, and from time to time a shell, soaring aloft from the mortar batteries across the river, burst over the citadel or against the rocks where the French yet clung, and each explosion flung a glare across the heavens.
Sebastian
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although the hour was close upon midnight, and no moon showed, Corporal Sam needed no lantern to light him through San Sebastian; for a great part of the upper town still burned fiercely, and from time to time a shell, soaring aloft from the mortar batteries across the river, burst over the citadel or against the rocks where the French yet clung, and each explosion flung a glare across the heavens.
shadownounUS /ˈʃæd.oʊ/
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading Just within the walls, where the conflagration had burnt itself out, there were patches of black shadow to be crossed carefully.
shell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although the hour was close upon midnight, and no moon showed, Corporal Sam needed no lantern to light him through San Sebastian; for a great part of the upper town still burned fiercely, and from time to time a shell, soaring aloft from the mortar batteries across the river, burst over the citadel or against the rocks where the French yet clung, and each explosion flung a glare across the heavens.
showed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although the hour was close upon midnight, and no moon showed, Corporal Sam needed no lantern to light him through San Sebastian; for a great part of the upper town still burned fiercely, and from time to time a shell, soaring aloft from the mortar batteries across the river, burst over the citadel or against the rocks where the French yet clung, and each explosion flung a glare across the heavens.
soaring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although the hour was close upon midnight, and no moon showed, Corporal Sam needed no lantern to light him through San Sebastian; for a great part of the upper town still burned fiercely, and from time to time a shell, soaring aloft from the mortar batteries across the river, burst over the citadel or against the rocks where the French yet clung, and each explosion flung a glare across the heavens.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Although the hour was close upon midnight, and no moon showed, Corporal Sam needed no lantern to light him through San Sebastian; for a great part of the upper town still burned fiercely, and from time to time a shell, soaring aloft from the mortar batteries across the river, burst over the citadel or against the rocks where the French yet clung, and each explosion flung a glare across the heavens.
supposed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fatigue parties, hunting by twos and threes among the ruins of the river-front for corpses to burn or bury, doubtless supposed him to be about the same business.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Although the hour was close upon midnight, and no moon showed, Corporal Sam needed no lantern to light him through San Sebastian; for a great part of the upper town still burned fiercely, and from time to time a shell, soaring aloft from the mortar batteries across the river, burst over the citadel or against the rocks where the French yet clung, and each explosion flung a glare across the heavens.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just within the walls, where the conflagration had burnt itself out, there were patches of black shadow to be crossed carefully.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading At any rate, they paid him no attention.
threes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fatigue parties, hunting by twos and threes among the ruins of the river-front for corpses to burn or bury, doubtless supposed him to be about the same business.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Although the hour was close upon midnight, and no moon showed, Corporal Sam needed no lantern to light him through San Sebastian; for a great part of the upper town still burned fiercely, and from time to time a shell, soaring aloft from the mortar batteries across the river, burst over the citadel or against the rocks where the French yet clung, and each explosion flung a glare across the heavens.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Although the hour was close upon midnight, and no moon showed, Corporal Sam needed no lantern to light him through San Sebastian; for a great part of the upper town still burned fiercely, and from time to time a shell, soaring aloft from the mortar batteries across the river, burst over the citadel or against the rocks where the French yet clung, and each explosion flung a glare across the heavens.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Although the hour was close upon midnight, and no moon showed, Corporal Sam needed no lantern to light him through San Sebastian; for a great part of the upper town still burned fiercely, and from time to time a shell, soaring aloft from the mortar batteries across the river, burst over the citadel or against the rocks where the French yet clung, and each explosion flung a glare across the heavens.
town
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although the hour was close upon midnight, and no moon showed, Corporal Sam needed no lantern to light him through San Sebastian; for a great part of the upper town still burned fiercely, and from time to time a shell, soaring aloft from the mortar batteries across the river, burst over the citadel or against the rocks where the French yet clung, and each explosion flung a glare across the heavens.
twos
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fatigue parties, hunting by twos and threes among the ruins of the river-front for corpses to burn or bury, doubtless supposed him to be about the same business.
unchallenged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had passed into the town unchallenged.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Although the hour was close upon midnight, and no moon showed, Corporal Sam needed no lantern to light him through San Sebastian; for a great part of the upper town still burned fiercely, and from time to time a shell, soaring aloft from the mortar batteries across the river, burst over the citadel or against the rocks where the French yet clung, and each explosion flung a glare across the heavens.
upper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although the hour was close upon midnight, and no moon showed, Corporal Sam needed no lantern to light him through San Sebastian; for a great part of the upper town still burned fiercely, and from time to time a shell, soaring aloft from the mortar batteries across the river, burst over the citadel or against the rocks where the French yet clung, and each explosion flung a glare across the heavens.
walls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just within the walls, where the conflagration had burnt itself out, there were patches of black shadow to be crossed carefully.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Although the hour was close upon midnight, and no moon showed, Corporal Sam needed no lantern to light him through San Sebastian; for a great part of the upper town still burned fiercely, and from time to time a shell, soaring aloft from the mortar batteries across the river, burst over the citadel or against the rocks where the French yet clung, and each explosion flung a glare across the heavens.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Just within the walls, where the conflagration had burnt itself out, there were patches of black shadow to be crossed carefully.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading Although the hour was close upon midnight, and no moon showed, Corporal Sam needed no lantern to light him through San Sebastian; for a great part of the upper town still burned fiercely, and from time to time a shell, soaring aloft from the mortar batteries across the river, burst over the citadel or against the rocks where the French yet clung, and each explosion flung a glare across the heavens.
withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading Just within the walls, where the conflagration had burnt itself out, there were patches of black shadow to be crossed carefully.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading Although the hour was close upon midnight, and no moon showed, Corporal Sam needed no lantern to light him through San Sebastian; for a great part of the upper town still burned fiercely, and from time to time a shell, soaring aloft from the mortar batteries across the river, burst over the citadel or against the rocks where the French yet clung, and each explosion flung a glare across the heavens.
