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 Just at this moment (it mayn't be much more) Rheims is resting, like a brave victim on the rack who has tired his torturers by an obstinate silence.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Almost any place on earth would be an anti-climax the day after Verdun--but not Rheims!
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Any instant the torturing may begin again, when the Boches have bombs to spare for what they call "target practice"; for think, how near is Laon!--and we'd been warned that, even at the portals of the town, we might be turned back.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only a few people are allowed to enter the town, save those who have lived there all along, and learned to think no more of German bombs than German sausages; and those favoured few must slip in and out almost between breaths.
allowed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only a few people are allowed to enter the town, save those who have lived there all along, and learned to think no more of German bombs than German sausages; and those favoured few must slip in and out almost between breaths.
Almost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Almost any place on earth would be an anti-climax the day after Verdun--but not Rheims!
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading Only a few people are allowed to enter the town, save those who have lived there all along, and learned to think no more of German bombs than German sausages; and those favoured few must slip in and out almost between breaths.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Almost any place on earth would be an anti-climax the day after Verdun--but not Rheims!
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Only a few people are allowed to enter the town, save those who have lived there all along, and learned to think no more of German bombs than German sausages; and those favoured few must slip in and out almost between breaths.
anothernounUS /ˈanother/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading We had still another new French officer to take us to Rheims.
anti-climax
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Almost any place on earth would be an anti-climax the day after Verdun--but not Rheims!
any
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From this reading Almost any place on earth would be an anti-climax the day after Verdun--but not Rheims!
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Only a few people are allowed to enter the town, save those who have lived there all along, and learned to think no more of German bombs than German sausages; and those favoured few must slip in and out almost between breaths.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Just at this moment (it mayn't be much more) Rheims is resting, like a brave victim on the rack who has tired his torturers by an obstinate silence.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Any instant the torturing may begin again, when the Boches have bombs to spare for what they call "target practice"; for think, how near is Laon!--and we'd been warned that, even at the portals of the town, we might be turned back.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Almost any place on earth would be an anti-climax the day after Verdun--but not Rheims!
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Any instant the torturing may begin again, when the Boches have bombs to spare for what they call "target practice"; for think, how near is Laon!--and we'd been warned that, even at the portals of the town, we might be turned back.
begin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Any instant the torturing may begin again, when the Boches have bombs to spare for what they call "target practice"; for think, how near is Laon!--and we'd been warned that, even at the portals of the town, we might be turned back.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Only a few people are allowed to enter the town, save those who have lived there all along, and learned to think no more of German bombs than German sausages; and those favoured few must slip in and out almost between breaths.
Boches
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From this reading Any instant the torturing may begin again, when the Boches have bombs to spare for what they call "target practice"; for think, how near is Laon!--and we'd been warned that, even at the portals of the town, we might be turned back.
bombs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only a few people are allowed to enter the town, save those who have lived there all along, and learned to think no more of German bombs than German sausages; and those favoured few must slip in and out almost between breaths.
brave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just at this moment (it mayn't be much more) Rheims is resting, like a brave victim on the rack who has tired his torturers by an obstinate silence.
breaths
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only a few people are allowed to enter the town, save those who have lived there all along, and learned to think no more of German bombs than German sausages; and those favoured few must slip in and out almost between breaths.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Almost any place on earth would be an anti-climax the day after Verdun--but not Rheims!
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Just at this moment (it mayn't be much more) Rheims is resting, like a brave victim on the rack who has tired his torturers by an obstinate silence.
call
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Any instant the torturing may begin again, when the Boches have bombs to spare for what they call "target practice"; for think, how near is Laon!--and we'd been warned that, even at the portals of the town, we might be turned back.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Almost any place on earth would be an anti-climax the day after Verdun--but not Rheims!
earth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Almost any place on earth would be an anti-climax the day after Verdun--but not Rheims!
enter
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From this reading Only a few people are allowed to enter the town, save those who have lived there all along, and learned to think no more of German bombs than German sausages; and those favoured few must slip in and out almost between breaths.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Any instant the torturing may begin again, when the Boches have bombs to spare for what they call "target practice"; for think, how near is Laon!--and we'd been warned that, even at the portals of the town, we might be turned back.
favoured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only a few people are allowed to enter the town, save those who have lived there all along, and learned to think no more of German bombs than German sausages; and those favoured few must slip in and out almost between breaths.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only a few people are allowed to enter the town, save those who have lived there all along, and learned to think no more of German bombs than German sausages; and those favoured few must slip in and out almost between breaths.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Any instant the torturing may begin again, when the Boches have bombs to spare for what they call "target practice"; for think, how near is Laon!--and we'd been warned that, even at the portals of the town, we might be turned back.
French
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From this reading We had still another new French officer to take us to Rheims.
German
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From this reading Only a few people are allowed to enter the town, save those who have lived there all along, and learned to think no more of German bombs than German sausages; and those favoured few must slip in and out almost between breaths.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading We had still another new French officer to take us to Rheims.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Just at this moment (it mayn't be much more) Rheims is resting, like a brave victim on the rack who has tired his torturers by an obstinate silence.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Only a few people are allowed to enter the town, save those who have lived there all along, and learned to think no more of German bombs than German sausages; and those favoured few must slip in and out almost between breaths.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Just at this moment (it mayn't be much more) Rheims is resting, like a brave victim on the rack who has tired his torturers by an obstinate silence.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Any instant the torturing may begin again, when the Boches have bombs to spare for what they call "target practice"; for think, how near is Laon!--and we'd been warned that, even at the portals of the town, we might be turned back.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Only a few people are allowed to enter the town, save those who have lived there all along, and learned to think no more of German bombs than German sausages; and those favoured few must slip in and out almost between breaths.
instant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Any instant the torturing may begin again, when the Boches have bombs to spare for what they call "target practice"; for think, how near is Laon!--and we'd been warned that, even at the portals of the town, we might be turned back.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Just at this moment (it mayn't be much more) Rheims is resting, like a brave victim on the rack who has tired his torturers by an obstinate silence.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Just at this moment (it mayn't be much more) Rheims is resting, like a brave victim on the rack who has tired his torturers by an obstinate silence.
Just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just at this moment (it mayn't be much more) Rheims is resting, like a brave victim on the rack who has tired his torturers by an obstinate silence.
Laon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Any instant the torturing may begin again, when the Boches have bombs to spare for what they call "target practice"; for think, how near is Laon!--and we'd been warned that, even at the portals of the town, we might be turned back.
learned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only a few people are allowed to enter the town, save those who have lived there all along, and learned to think no more of German bombs than German sausages; and those favoured few must slip in and out almost between breaths.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just at this moment (it mayn't be much more) Rheims is resting, like a brave victim on the rack who has tired his torturers by an obstinate silence.
lived
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only a few people are allowed to enter the town, save those who have lived there all along, and learned to think no more of German bombs than German sausages; and those favoured few must slip in and out almost between breaths.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading Any instant the torturing may begin again, when the Boches have bombs to spare for what they call "target practice"; for think, how near is Laon!--and we'd been warned that, even at the portals of the town, we might be turned back.
mayn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just at this moment (it mayn't be much more) Rheims is resting, like a brave victim on the rack who has tired his torturers by an obstinate silence.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Any instant the torturing may begin again, when the Boches have bombs to spare for what they call "target practice"; for think, how near is Laon!--and we'd been warned that, even at the portals of the town, we might be turned back.
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just at this moment (it mayn't be much more) Rheims is resting, like a brave victim on the rack who has tired his torturers by an obstinate silence.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just at this moment (it mayn't be much more) Rheims is resting, like a brave victim on the rack who has tired his torturers by an obstinate silence.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just at this moment (it mayn't be much more) Rheims is resting, like a brave victim on the rack who has tired his torturers by an obstinate silence.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Only a few people are allowed to enter the town, save those who have lived there all along, and learned to think no more of German bombs than German sausages; and those favoured few must slip in and out almost between breaths.
near
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Any instant the torturing may begin again, when the Boches have bombs to spare for what they call "target practice"; for think, how near is Laon!--and we'd been warned that, even at the portals of the town, we might be turned back.
new
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We had still another new French officer to take us to Rheims.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Only a few people are allowed to enter the town, save those who have lived there all along, and learned to think no more of German bombs than German sausages; and those favoured few must slip in and out almost between breaths.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Almost any place on earth would be an anti-climax the day after Verdun--but not Rheims!
obstinate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just at this moment (it mayn't be much more) Rheims is resting, like a brave victim on the rack who has tired his torturers by an obstinate silence.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Only a few people are allowed to enter the town, save those who have lived there all along, and learned to think no more of German bombs than German sausages; and those favoured few must slip in and out almost between breaths.
officer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We had still another new French officer to take us to Rheims.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Almost any place on earth would be an anti-climax the day after Verdun--but not Rheims!
Only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only a few people are allowed to enter the town, save those who have lived there all along, and learned to think no more of German bombs than German sausages; and those favoured few must slip in and out almost between breaths.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only a few people are allowed to enter the town, save those who have lived there all along, and learned to think no more of German bombs than German sausages; and those favoured few must slip in and out almost between breaths.
people
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only a few people are allowed to enter the town, save those who have lived there all along, and learned to think no more of German bombs than German sausages; and those favoured few must slip in and out almost between breaths.
place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Almost any place on earth would be an anti-climax the day after Verdun--but not Rheims!
portals
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Any instant the torturing may begin again, when the Boches have bombs to spare for what they call "target practice"; for think, how near is Laon!--and we'd been warned that, even at the portals of the town, we might be turned back.
practice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Any instant the torturing may begin again, when the Boches have bombs to spare for what they call "target practice"; for think, how near is Laon!--and we'd been warned that, even at the portals of the town, we might be turned back.
rack
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just at this moment (it mayn't be much more) Rheims is resting, like a brave victim on the rack who has tired his torturers by an obstinate silence.
restingnounUS /ˈresting/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Just at this moment (it mayn't be much more) Rheims is resting, like a brave victim on the rack who has tired his torturers by an obstinate silence.
Rheims
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Almost any place on earth would be an anti-climax the day after Verdun--but not Rheims!
sausages
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only a few people are allowed to enter the town, save those who have lived there all along, and learned to think no more of German bombs than German sausages; and those favoured few must slip in and out almost between breaths.
saveprepositionUS /seɪv/
except for; apart from
From this reading Only a few people are allowed to enter the town, save those who have lived there all along, and learned to think no more of German bombs than German sausages; and those favoured few must slip in and out almost between breaths.
silencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading Just at this moment (it mayn't be much more) Rheims is resting, like a brave victim on the rack who has tired his torturers by an obstinate silence.
slip
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only a few people are allowed to enter the town, save those who have lived there all along, and learned to think no more of German bombs than German sausages; and those favoured few must slip in and out almost between breaths.
spare
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Any instant the torturing may begin again, when the Boches have bombs to spare for what they call "target practice"; for think, how near is Laon!--and we'd been warned that, even at the portals of the town, we might be turned back.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading We had still another new French officer to take us to Rheims.
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading We had still another new French officer to take us to Rheims.
target
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Any instant the torturing may begin again, when the Boches have bombs to spare for what they call "target practice"; for think, how near is Laon!--and we'd been warned that, even at the portals of the town, we might be turned back.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Only a few people are allowed to enter the town, save those who have lived there all along, and learned to think no more of German bombs than German sausages; and those favoured few must slip in and out almost between breaths.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Any instant the torturing may begin again, when the Boches have bombs to spare for what they call "target practice"; for think, how near is Laon!--and we'd been warned that, even at the portals of the town, we might be turned back.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Almost any place on earth would be an anti-climax the day after Verdun--but not Rheims!
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only a few people are allowed to enter the town, save those who have lived there all along, and learned to think no more of German bombs than German sausages; and those favoured few must slip in and out almost between breaths.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Any instant the torturing may begin again, when the Boches have bombs to spare for what they call "target practice"; for think, how near is Laon!--and we'd been warned that, even at the portals of the town, we might be turned back.
thinknounUS /think/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Only a few people are allowed to enter the town, save those who have lived there all along, and learned to think no more of German bombs than German sausages; and those favoured few must slip in and out almost between breaths.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Just at this moment (it mayn't be much more) Rheims is resting, like a brave victim on the rack who has tired his torturers by an obstinate silence.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Only a few people are allowed to enter the town, save those who have lived there all along, and learned to think no more of German bombs than German sausages; and those favoured few must slip in and out almost between breaths.
tired
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just at this moment (it mayn't be much more) Rheims is resting, like a brave victim on the rack who has tired his torturers by an obstinate silence.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Only a few people are allowed to enter the town, save those who have lived there all along, and learned to think no more of German bombs than German sausages; and those favoured few must slip in and out almost between breaths.
torturers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just at this moment (it mayn't be much more) Rheims is resting, like a brave victim on the rack who has tired his torturers by an obstinate silence.
torturing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Any instant the torturing may begin again, when the Boches have bombs to spare for what they call "target practice"; for think, how near is Laon!--and we'd been warned that, even at the portals of the town, we might be turned back.
town
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only a few people are allowed to enter the town, save those who have lived there all along, and learned to think no more of German bombs than German sausages; and those favoured few must slip in and out almost between breaths.
turned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Any instant the torturing may begin again, when the Boches have bombs to spare for what they call "target practice"; for think, how near is Laon!--and we'd been warned that, even at the portals of the town, we might be turned back.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading We had still another new French officer to take us to Rheims.
Verdun
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Almost any place on earth would be an anti-climax the day after Verdun--but not Rheims!
victim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just at this moment (it mayn't be much more) Rheims is resting, like a brave victim on the rack who has tired his torturers by an obstinate silence.
warned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Any instant the torturing may begin again, when the Boches have bombs to spare for what they call "target practice"; for think, how near is Laon!--and we'd been warned that, even at the portals of the town, we might be turned back.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Any instant the torturing may begin again, when the Boches have bombs to spare for what they call "target practice"; for think, how near is Laon!--and we'd been warned that, even at the portals of the town, we might be turned back.
we'd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Any instant the torturing may begin again, when the Boches have bombs to spare for what they call "target practice"; for think, how near is Laon!--and we'd been warned that, even at the portals of the town, we might be turned back.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Any instant the torturing may begin again, when the Boches have bombs to spare for what they call "target practice"; for think, how near is Laon!--and we'd been warned that, even at the portals of the town, we might be turned back.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Any instant the torturing may begin again, when the Boches have bombs to spare for what they call "target practice"; for think, how near is Laon!--and we'd been warned that, even at the portals of the town, we might be turned back.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Just at this moment (it mayn't be much more) Rheims is resting, like a brave victim on the rack who has tired his torturers by an obstinate silence.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Almost any place on earth would be an anti-climax the day after Verdun--but not Rheims!
