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 Yet we were already so well intrenched that this required but a few moments, and, confident I could shift my force quickly so as to meet any attack, I returned to the front rooms to observe the enemy.
advance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chambers had swung his infantry forward through gaps in the line of battle, and was now confronting the Federal advance, not only holding his ground, but it seemed to me, slightly pushing his opponent.
alreadynounUS /already/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Yet we were already so well intrenched that this required but a few moments, and, confident I could shift my force quickly so as to meet any attack, I returned to the front rooms to observe the enemy.
althoughnounUS /ˈalthough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading To my surprise there was no evidence of any movement in our direction, although there had been a noticeable shifting of troops.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading WE REPULSE THE ENEMY I naturally anticipated an immediate attack, and began preparations.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading WE REPULSE THE ENEMY I naturally anticipated an immediate attack, and began preparations.
anticipated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WE REPULSE THE ENEMY I naturally anticipated an immediate attack, and began preparations.
any
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From this reading Yet we were already so well intrenched that this required but a few moments, and, confident I could shift my force quickly so as to meet any attack, I returned to the front rooms to observe the enemy.
arms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Glass was broken from the small windows through which the men were to fire, and the sergeants and myself made inspection of men and arms, and gave orders for vigorous defence.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Yet we were already so well intrenched that this required but a few moments, and, confident I could shift my force quickly so as to meet any attack, I returned to the front rooms to observe the enemy.
attack
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WE REPULSE THE ENEMY I naturally anticipated an immediate attack, and began preparations.
battle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chambers had swung his infantry forward through gaps in the line of battle, and was now confronting the Federal advance, not only holding his ground, but it seemed to me, slightly pushing his opponent.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading To my surprise there was no evidence of any movement in our direction, although there had been a noticeable shifting of troops.
begannounUS /began/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading WE REPULSE THE ENEMY I naturally anticipated an immediate attack, and began preparations.
brokennounUS /broken/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Glass was broken from the small windows through which the men were to fire, and the sergeants and myself made inspection of men and arms, and gave orders for vigorous defence.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Yet we were already so well intrenched that this required but a few moments, and, confident I could shift my force quickly so as to meet any attack, I returned to the front rooms to observe the enemy.
Chambers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chambers had swung his infantry forward through gaps in the line of battle, and was now confronting the Federal advance, not only holding his ground, but it seemed to me, slightly pushing his opponent.
confident
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From this reading Yet we were already so well intrenched that this required but a few moments, and, confident I could shift my force quickly so as to meet any attack, I returned to the front rooms to observe the enemy.
confronting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chambers had swung his infantry forward through gaps in the line of battle, and was now confronting the Federal advance, not only holding his ground, but it seemed to me, slightly pushing his opponent.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Yet we were already so well intrenched that this required but a few moments, and, confident I could shift my force quickly so as to meet any attack, I returned to the front rooms to observe the enemy.
defence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Glass was broken from the small windows through which the men were to fire, and the sergeants and myself made inspection of men and arms, and gave orders for vigorous defence.
direction
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To my surprise there was no evidence of any movement in our direction, although there had been a noticeable shifting of troops.
ENEMY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WE REPULSE THE ENEMY I naturally anticipated an immediate attack, and began preparations.
evidence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To my surprise there was no evidence of any movement in our direction, although there had been a noticeable shifting of troops.
Federal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chambers had swung his infantry forward through gaps in the line of battle, and was now confronting the Federal advance, not only holding his ground, but it seemed to me, slightly pushing his opponent.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet we were already so well intrenched that this required but a few moments, and, confident I could shift my force quickly so as to meet any attack, I returned to the front rooms to observe the enemy.
fire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Glass was broken from the small windows through which the men were to fire, and the sergeants and myself made inspection of men and arms, and gave orders for vigorous defence.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Glass was broken from the small windows through which the men were to fire, and the sergeants and myself made inspection of men and arms, and gave orders for vigorous defence.
force
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet we were already so well intrenched that this required but a few moments, and, confident I could shift my force quickly so as to meet any attack, I returned to the front rooms to observe the enemy.
forwardnounUS /forward/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Chambers had swung his infantry forward through gaps in the line of battle, and was now confronting the Federal advance, not only holding his ground, but it seemed to me, slightly pushing his opponent.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Glass was broken from the small windows through which the men were to fire, and the sergeants and myself made inspection of men and arms, and gave orders for vigorous defence.
front
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet we were already so well intrenched that this required but a few moments, and, confident I could shift my force quickly so as to meet any attack, I returned to the front rooms to observe the enemy.
gaps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chambers had swung his infantry forward through gaps in the line of battle, and was now confronting the Federal advance, not only holding his ground, but it seemed to me, slightly pushing his opponent.
gave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Glass was broken from the small windows through which the men were to fire, and the sergeants and myself made inspection of men and arms, and gave orders for vigorous defence.
Glass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Glass was broken from the small windows through which the men were to fire, and the sergeants and myself made inspection of men and arms, and gave orders for vigorous defence.
ground
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chambers had swung his infantry forward through gaps in the line of battle, and was now confronting the Federal advance, not only holding his ground, but it seemed to me, slightly pushing his opponent.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading To my surprise there was no evidence of any movement in our direction, although there had been a noticeable shifting of troops.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Chambers had swung his infantry forward through gaps in the line of battle, and was now confronting the Federal advance, not only holding his ground, but it seemed to me, slightly pushing his opponent.
holding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chambers had swung his infantry forward through gaps in the line of battle, and was now confronting the Federal advance, not only holding his ground, but it seemed to me, slightly pushing his opponent.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading WE REPULSE THE ENEMY I naturally anticipated an immediate attack, and began preparations.
immediate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WE REPULSE THE ENEMY I naturally anticipated an immediate attack, and began preparations.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading To my surprise there was no evidence of any movement in our direction, although there had been a noticeable shifting of troops.
infantry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chambers had swung his infantry forward through gaps in the line of battle, and was now confronting the Federal advance, not only holding his ground, but it seemed to me, slightly pushing his opponent.
inspection
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Glass was broken from the small windows through which the men were to fire, and the sergeants and myself made inspection of men and arms, and gave orders for vigorous defence.
intrenched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet we were already so well intrenched that this required but a few moments, and, confident I could shift my force quickly so as to meet any attack, I returned to the front rooms to observe the enemy.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Chambers had swung his infantry forward through gaps in the line of battle, and was now confronting the Federal advance, not only holding his ground, but it seemed to me, slightly pushing his opponent.
line
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chambers had swung his infantry forward through gaps in the line of battle, and was now confronting the Federal advance, not only holding his ground, but it seemed to me, slightly pushing his opponent.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Glass was broken from the small windows through which the men were to fire, and the sergeants and myself made inspection of men and arms, and gave orders for vigorous defence.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Chambers had swung his infantry forward through gaps in the line of battle, and was now confronting the Federal advance, not only holding his ground, but it seemed to me, slightly pushing his opponent.
meet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet we were already so well intrenched that this required but a few moments, and, confident I could shift my force quickly so as to meet any attack, I returned to the front rooms to observe the enemy.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Glass was broken from the small windows through which the men were to fire, and the sergeants and myself made inspection of men and arms, and gave orders for vigorous defence.
moments
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet we were already so well intrenched that this required but a few moments, and, confident I could shift my force quickly so as to meet any attack, I returned to the front rooms to observe the enemy.
movement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To my surprise there was no evidence of any movement in our direction, although there had been a noticeable shifting of troops.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Yet we were already so well intrenched that this required but a few moments, and, confident I could shift my force quickly so as to meet any attack, I returned to the front rooms to observe the enemy.
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading Glass was broken from the small windows through which the men were to fire, and the sergeants and myself made inspection of men and arms, and gave orders for vigorous defence.
naturally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WE REPULSE THE ENEMY I naturally anticipated an immediate attack, and began preparations.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading To my surprise there was no evidence of any movement in our direction, although there had been a noticeable shifting of troops.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Chambers had swung his infantry forward through gaps in the line of battle, and was now confronting the Federal advance, not only holding his ground, but it seemed to me, slightly pushing his opponent.
noticeable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To my surprise there was no evidence of any movement in our direction, although there had been a noticeable shifting of troops.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chambers had swung his infantry forward through gaps in the line of battle, and was now confronting the Federal advance, not only holding his ground, but it seemed to me, slightly pushing his opponent.
observe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet we were already so well intrenched that this required but a few moments, and, confident I could shift my force quickly so as to meet any attack, I returned to the front rooms to observe the enemy.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Glass was broken from the small windows through which the men were to fire, and the sergeants and myself made inspection of men and arms, and gave orders for vigorous defence.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chambers had swung his infantry forward through gaps in the line of battle, and was now confronting the Federal advance, not only holding his ground, but it seemed to me, slightly pushing his opponent.
opponent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chambers had swung his infantry forward through gaps in the line of battle, and was now confronting the Federal advance, not only holding his ground, but it seemed to me, slightly pushing his opponent.
orders
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Glass was broken from the small windows through which the men were to fire, and the sergeants and myself made inspection of men and arms, and gave orders for vigorous defence.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading To my surprise there was no evidence of any movement in our direction, although there had been a noticeable shifting of troops.
preparations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WE REPULSE THE ENEMY I naturally anticipated an immediate attack, and began preparations.
pushing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chambers had swung his infantry forward through gaps in the line of battle, and was now confronting the Federal advance, not only holding his ground, but it seemed to me, slightly pushing his opponent.
quickly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet we were already so well intrenched that this required but a few moments, and, confident I could shift my force quickly so as to meet any attack, I returned to the front rooms to observe the enemy.
REPULSE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading WE REPULSE THE ENEMY I naturally anticipated an immediate attack, and began preparations.
requirednounUS /required/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Yet we were already so well intrenched that this required but a few moments, and, confident I could shift my force quickly so as to meet any attack, I returned to the front rooms to observe the enemy.
returnednounUS /ˈreturned/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Yet we were already so well intrenched that this required but a few moments, and, confident I could shift my force quickly so as to meet any attack, I returned to the front rooms to observe the enemy.
rooms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet we were already so well intrenched that this required but a few moments, and, confident I could shift my force quickly so as to meet any attack, I returned to the front rooms to observe the enemy.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Chambers had swung his infantry forward through gaps in the line of battle, and was now confronting the Federal advance, not only holding his ground, but it seemed to me, slightly pushing his opponent.
sergeants
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Glass was broken from the small windows through which the men were to fire, and the sergeants and myself made inspection of men and arms, and gave orders for vigorous defence.
shift
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet we were already so well intrenched that this required but a few moments, and, confident I could shift my force quickly so as to meet any attack, I returned to the front rooms to observe the enemy.
shifting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To my surprise there was no evidence of any movement in our direction, although there had been a noticeable shifting of troops.
slightly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chambers had swung his infantry forward through gaps in the line of battle, and was now confronting the Federal advance, not only holding his ground, but it seemed to me, slightly pushing his opponent.
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Glass was broken from the small windows through which the men were to fire, and the sergeants and myself made inspection of men and arms, and gave orders for vigorous defence.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Yet we were already so well intrenched that this required but a few moments, and, confident I could shift my force quickly so as to meet any attack, I returned to the front rooms to observe the enemy.
surprise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To my surprise there was no evidence of any movement in our direction, although there had been a noticeable shifting of troops.
swung
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Chambers had swung his infantry forward through gaps in the line of battle, and was now confronting the Federal advance, not only holding his ground, but it seemed to me, slightly pushing his opponent.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Yet we were already so well intrenched that this required but a few moments, and, confident I could shift my force quickly so as to meet any attack, I returned to the front rooms to observe the enemy.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading WE REPULSE THE ENEMY I naturally anticipated an immediate attack, and began preparations.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To my surprise there was no evidence of any movement in our direction, although there had been a noticeable shifting of troops.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Yet we were already so well intrenched that this required but a few moments, and, confident I could shift my force quickly so as to meet any attack, I returned to the front rooms to observe the enemy.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Glass was broken from the small windows through which the men were to fire, and the sergeants and myself made inspection of men and arms, and gave orders for vigorous defence.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Glass was broken from the small windows through which the men were to fire, and the sergeants and myself made inspection of men and arms, and gave orders for vigorous defence.
troops
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To my surprise there was no evidence of any movement in our direction, although there had been a noticeable shifting of troops.
vigorous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Glass was broken from the small windows through which the men were to fire, and the sergeants and myself made inspection of men and arms, and gave orders for vigorous defence.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Glass was broken from the small windows through which the men were to fire, and the sergeants and myself made inspection of men and arms, and gave orders for vigorous defence.
WEpronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading WE REPULSE THE ENEMY I naturally anticipated an immediate attack, and began preparations.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Yet we were already so well intrenched that this required but a few moments, and, confident I could shift my force quickly so as to meet any attack, I returned to the front rooms to observe the enemy.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Glass was broken from the small windows through which the men were to fire, and the sergeants and myself made inspection of men and arms, and gave orders for vigorous defence.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Glass was broken from the small windows through which the men were to fire, and the sergeants and myself made inspection of men and arms, and gave orders for vigorous defence.
windows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Glass was broken from the small windows through which the men were to fire, and the sergeants and myself made inspection of men and arms, and gave orders for vigorous defence.
YetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading Yet we were already so well intrenched that this required but a few moments, and, confident I could shift my force quickly so as to meet any attack, I returned to the front rooms to observe the enemy.
