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 UNDER THE GUN They had left him for dead in a dreadful circle of mangled gunners who had fallen back to cover in a donga, from a fire so stark that it seemed the hillside itself was discharging myriad bolts of death, as a waterwheel throws off its spray.
air
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hideous sounds tortured the air--crackling, snapping, spitting sounds like the laughter of animals with steel throats.
Alamachtig
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From this reading "Alamachtig," said a Rustenburg dopper who, at the end of the day, fell into the hands of the English, "it was like cutting alfalfa with a sickle!
alfalfa
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Alamachtig," said a Rustenburg dopper who, at the end of the day, fell into the hands of the English, "it was like cutting alfalfa with a sickle!
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Never was ill work better done than when, on that radiant veld, the sky one vast turquoise vault, beneath which quivered a shimmer of quicksilver light, the pom-poms, the maulers, and the shrapnel of Kruger's men mowed down Stafford and his battery, showered them, drowned them in a storm of lead.
animals
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hideous sounds tortured the air--crackling, snapping, spitting sounds like the laughter of animals with steel throats.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading UNDER THE GUN They had left him for dead in a dreadful circle of mangled gunners who had fallen back to cover in a donga, from a fire so stark that it seemed the hillside itself was discharging myriad bolts of death, as a waterwheel throws off its spray.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "Alamachtig," said a Rustenburg dopper who, at the end of the day, fell into the hands of the English, "it was like cutting alfalfa with a sickle!
away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No enemy had been visible, but far away in front--that front which must be taken--there hung over the ridge of the hills veils of smoke like lace.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading UNDER THE GUN They had left him for dead in a dreadful circle of mangled gunners who had fallen back to cover in a donga, from a fire so stark that it seemed the hillside itself was discharging myriad bolts of death, as a waterwheel throws off its spray.
battery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Never was ill work better done than when, on that radiant veld, the sky one vast turquoise vault, beneath which quivered a shimmer of quicksilver light, the pom-poms, the maulers, and the shrapnel of Kruger's men mowed down Stafford and his battery, showered them, drowned them in a storm of lead.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading No enemy had been visible, but far away in front--that front which must be taken--there hung over the ridge of the hills veils of smoke like lace.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading No enemy had been visible, but far away in front--that front which must be taken--there hung over the ridge of the hills veils of smoke like lace.
beneathprepositionUS /bɪˈniːθ/
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading Never was ill work better done than when, on that radiant veld, the sky one vast turquoise vault, beneath which quivered a shimmer of quicksilver light, the pom-poms, the maulers, and the shrapnel of Kruger's men mowed down Stafford and his battery, showered them, drowned them in a storm of lead.
better
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Never was ill work better done than when, on that radiant veld, the sky one vast turquoise vault, beneath which quivered a shimmer of quicksilver light, the pom-poms, the maulers, and the shrapnel of Kruger's men mowed down Stafford and his battery, showered them, drowned them in a storm of lead.
bolts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading UNDER THE GUN They had left him for dead in a dreadful circle of mangled gunners who had fallen back to cover in a donga, from a fire so stark that it seemed the hillside itself was discharging myriad bolts of death, as a waterwheel throws off its spray.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading No enemy had been visible, but far away in front--that front which must be taken--there hung over the ridge of the hills veils of smoke like lace.
circle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading UNDER THE GUN They had left him for dead in a dreadful circle of mangled gunners who had fallen back to cover in a donga, from a fire so stark that it seemed the hillside itself was discharging myriad bolts of death, as a waterwheel throws off its spray.
cover
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading UNDER THE GUN They had left him for dead in a dreadful circle of mangled gunners who had fallen back to cover in a donga, from a fire so stark that it seemed the hillside itself was discharging myriad bolts of death, as a waterwheel throws off its spray.
crackling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hideous sounds tortured the air--crackling, snapping, spitting sounds like the laughter of animals with steel throats.
cutting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Alamachtig," said a Rustenburg dopper who, at the end of the day, fell into the hands of the English, "it was like cutting alfalfa with a sickle!
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Alamachtig," said a Rustenburg dopper who, at the end of the day, fell into the hands of the English, "it was like cutting alfalfa with a sickle!
deadnounUS /dead/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading UNDER THE GUN They had left him for dead in a dreadful circle of mangled gunners who had fallen back to cover in a donga, from a fire so stark that it seemed the hillside itself was discharging myriad bolts of death, as a waterwheel throws off its spray.
death
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading UNDER THE GUN They had left him for dead in a dreadful circle of mangled gunners who had fallen back to cover in a donga, from a fire so stark that it seemed the hillside itself was discharging myriad bolts of death, as a waterwheel throws off its spray.
discharging
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading UNDER THE GUN They had left him for dead in a dreadful circle of mangled gunners who had fallen back to cover in a donga, from a fire so stark that it seemed the hillside itself was discharging myriad bolts of death, as a waterwheel throws off its spray.
donenounUS /done/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Never was ill work better done than when, on that radiant veld, the sky one vast turquoise vault, beneath which quivered a shimmer of quicksilver light, the pom-poms, the maulers, and the shrapnel of Kruger's men mowed down Stafford and his battery, showered them, drowned them in a storm of lead.
donga
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading UNDER THE GUN They had left him for dead in a dreadful circle of mangled gunners who had fallen back to cover in a donga, from a fire so stark that it seemed the hillside itself was discharging myriad bolts of death, as a waterwheel throws off its spray.
dopper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Alamachtig," said a Rustenburg dopper who, at the end of the day, fell into the hands of the English, "it was like cutting alfalfa with a sickle!
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Never was ill work better done than when, on that radiant veld, the sky one vast turquoise vault, beneath which quivered a shimmer of quicksilver light, the pom-poms, the maulers, and the shrapnel of Kruger's men mowed down Stafford and his battery, showered them, drowned them in a storm of lead.
dreadfuladjectiveUS /ˈdrɛdfəl/
extremely frightening or unpleasant
From this reading UNDER THE GUN They had left him for dead in a dreadful circle of mangled gunners who had fallen back to cover in a donga, from a fire so stark that it seemed the hillside itself was discharging myriad bolts of death, as a waterwheel throws off its spray.
drowned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Never was ill work better done than when, on that radiant veld, the sky one vast turquoise vault, beneath which quivered a shimmer of quicksilver light, the pom-poms, the maulers, and the shrapnel of Kruger's men mowed down Stafford and his battery, showered them, drowned them in a storm of lead.
end
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Alamachtig," said a Rustenburg dopper who, at the end of the day, fell into the hands of the English, "it was like cutting alfalfa with a sickle!
enemy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No enemy had been visible, but far away in front--that front which must be taken--there hung over the ridge of the hills veils of smoke like lace.
English
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Alamachtig," said a Rustenburg dopper who, at the end of the day, fell into the hands of the English, "it was like cutting alfalfa with a sickle!
fallen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading UNDER THE GUN They had left him for dead in a dreadful circle of mangled gunners who had fallen back to cover in a donga, from a fire so stark that it seemed the hillside itself was discharging myriad bolts of death, as a waterwheel throws off its spray.
far
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No enemy had been visible, but far away in front--that front which must be taken--there hung over the ridge of the hills veils of smoke like lace.
fell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Alamachtig," said a Rustenburg dopper who, at the end of the day, fell into the hands of the English, "it was like cutting alfalfa with a sickle!
fire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading UNDER THE GUN They had left him for dead in a dreadful circle of mangled gunners who had fallen back to cover in a donga, from a fire so stark that it seemed the hillside itself was discharging myriad bolts of death, as a waterwheel throws off its spray.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading UNDER THE GUN They had left him for dead in a dreadful circle of mangled gunners who had fallen back to cover in a donga, from a fire so stark that it seemed the hillside itself was discharging myriad bolts of death, as a waterwheel throws off its spray.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading UNDER THE GUN They had left him for dead in a dreadful circle of mangled gunners who had fallen back to cover in a donga, from a fire so stark that it seemed the hillside itself was discharging myriad bolts of death, as a waterwheel throws off its spray.
front
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No enemy had been visible, but far away in front--that front which must be taken--there hung over the ridge of the hills veils of smoke like lace.
GUN
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading UNDER THE GUN They had left him for dead in a dreadful circle of mangled gunners who had fallen back to cover in a donga, from a fire so stark that it seemed the hillside itself was discharging myriad bolts of death, as a waterwheel throws off its spray.
gunners
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading UNDER THE GUN They had left him for dead in a dreadful circle of mangled gunners who had fallen back to cover in a donga, from a fire so stark that it seemed the hillside itself was discharging myriad bolts of death, as a waterwheel throws off its spray.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading UNDER THE GUN They had left him for dead in a dreadful circle of mangled gunners who had fallen back to cover in a donga, from a fire so stark that it seemed the hillside itself was discharging myriad bolts of death, as a waterwheel throws off its spray.
handsplural nounUS /hændz/
members of a ship’s crew
From this reading "Alamachtig," said a Rustenburg dopper who, at the end of the day, fell into the hands of the English, "it was like cutting alfalfa with a sickle!
Hideous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hideous sounds tortured the air--crackling, snapping, spitting sounds like the laughter of animals with steel throats.
hills
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No enemy had been visible, but far away in front--that front which must be taken--there hung over the ridge of the hills veils of smoke like lace.
hillside
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading UNDER THE GUN They had left him for dead in a dreadful circle of mangled gunners who had fallen back to cover in a donga, from a fire so stark that it seemed the hillside itself was discharging myriad bolts of death, as a waterwheel throws off its spray.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading UNDER THE GUN They had left him for dead in a dreadful circle of mangled gunners who had fallen back to cover in a donga, from a fire so stark that it seemed the hillside itself was discharging myriad bolts of death, as a waterwheel throws off its spray.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Never was ill work better done than when, on that radiant veld, the sky one vast turquoise vault, beneath which quivered a shimmer of quicksilver light, the pom-poms, the maulers, and the shrapnel of Kruger's men mowed down Stafford and his battery, showered them, drowned them in a storm of lead.
hung
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No enemy had been visible, but far away in front--that front which must be taken--there hung over the ridge of the hills veils of smoke like lace.
ill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Never was ill work better done than when, on that radiant veld, the sky one vast turquoise vault, beneath which quivered a shimmer of quicksilver light, the pom-poms, the maulers, and the shrapnel of Kruger's men mowed down Stafford and his battery, showered them, drowned them in a storm of lead.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading UNDER THE GUN They had left him for dead in a dreadful circle of mangled gunners who had fallen back to cover in a donga, from a fire so stark that it seemed the hillside itself was discharging myriad bolts of death, as a waterwheel throws off its spray.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading "Alamachtig," said a Rustenburg dopper who, at the end of the day, fell into the hands of the English, "it was like cutting alfalfa with a sickle!
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading UNDER THE GUN They had left him for dead in a dreadful circle of mangled gunners who had fallen back to cover in a donga, from a fire so stark that it seemed the hillside itself was discharging myriad bolts of death, as a waterwheel throws off its spray.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading UNDER THE GUN They had left him for dead in a dreadful circle of mangled gunners who had fallen back to cover in a donga, from a fire so stark that it seemed the hillside itself was discharging myriad bolts of death, as a waterwheel throws off its spray.
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading UNDER THE GUN They had left him for dead in a dreadful circle of mangled gunners who had fallen back to cover in a donga, from a fire so stark that it seemed the hillside itself was discharging myriad bolts of death, as a waterwheel throws off its spray.
Kruger's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Never was ill work better done than when, on that radiant veld, the sky one vast turquoise vault, beneath which quivered a shimmer of quicksilver light, the pom-poms, the maulers, and the shrapnel of Kruger's men mowed down Stafford and his battery, showered them, drowned them in a storm of lead.
lace
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No enemy had been visible, but far away in front--that front which must be taken--there hung over the ridge of the hills veils of smoke like lace.
laughter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hideous sounds tortured the air--crackling, snapping, spitting sounds like the laughter of animals with steel throats.
lead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Never was ill work better done than when, on that radiant veld, the sky one vast turquoise vault, beneath which quivered a shimmer of quicksilver light, the pom-poms, the maulers, and the shrapnel of Kruger's men mowed down Stafford and his battery, showered them, drowned them in a storm of lead.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading UNDER THE GUN They had left him for dead in a dreadful circle of mangled gunners who had fallen back to cover in a donga, from a fire so stark that it seemed the hillside itself was discharging myriad bolts of death, as a waterwheel throws off its spray.
light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Never was ill work better done than when, on that radiant veld, the sky one vast turquoise vault, beneath which quivered a shimmer of quicksilver light, the pom-poms, the maulers, and the shrapnel of Kruger's men mowed down Stafford and his battery, showered them, drowned them in a storm of lead.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No enemy had been visible, but far away in front--that front which must be taken--there hung over the ridge of the hills veils of smoke like lace.
mangled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading UNDER THE GUN They had left him for dead in a dreadful circle of mangled gunners who had fallen back to cover in a donga, from a fire so stark that it seemed the hillside itself was discharging myriad bolts of death, as a waterwheel throws off its spray.
maulers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Never was ill work better done than when, on that radiant veld, the sky one vast turquoise vault, beneath which quivered a shimmer of quicksilver light, the pom-poms, the maulers, and the shrapnel of Kruger's men mowed down Stafford and his battery, showered them, drowned them in a storm of lead.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Never was ill work better done than when, on that radiant veld, the sky one vast turquoise vault, beneath which quivered a shimmer of quicksilver light, the pom-poms, the maulers, and the shrapnel of Kruger's men mowed down Stafford and his battery, showered them, drowned them in a storm of lead.
mowed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Never was ill work better done than when, on that radiant veld, the sky one vast turquoise vault, beneath which quivered a shimmer of quicksilver light, the pom-poms, the maulers, and the shrapnel of Kruger's men mowed down Stafford and his battery, showered them, drowned them in a storm of lead.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading No enemy had been visible, but far away in front--that front which must be taken--there hung over the ridge of the hills veils of smoke like lace.
myriad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading UNDER THE GUN They had left him for dead in a dreadful circle of mangled gunners who had fallen back to cover in a donga, from a fire so stark that it seemed the hillside itself was discharging myriad bolts of death, as a waterwheel throws off its spray.
NevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Never was ill work better done than when, on that radiant veld, the sky one vast turquoise vault, beneath which quivered a shimmer of quicksilver light, the pom-poms, the maulers, and the shrapnel of Kruger's men mowed down Stafford and his battery, showered them, drowned them in a storm of lead.
NodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading No enemy had been visible, but far away in front--that front which must be taken--there hung over the ridge of the hills veils of smoke like lace.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading UNDER THE GUN They had left him for dead in a dreadful circle of mangled gunners who had fallen back to cover in a donga, from a fire so stark that it seemed the hillside itself was discharging myriad bolts of death, as a waterwheel throws off its spray.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading UNDER THE GUN They had left him for dead in a dreadful circle of mangled gunners who had fallen back to cover in a donga, from a fire so stark that it seemed the hillside itself was discharging myriad bolts of death, as a waterwheel throws off its spray.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Never was ill work better done than when, on that radiant veld, the sky one vast turquoise vault, beneath which quivered a shimmer of quicksilver light, the pom-poms, the maulers, and the shrapnel of Kruger's men mowed down Stafford and his battery, showered them, drowned them in a storm of lead.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Never was ill work better done than when, on that radiant veld, the sky one vast turquoise vault, beneath which quivered a shimmer of quicksilver light, the pom-poms, the maulers, and the shrapnel of Kruger's men mowed down Stafford and his battery, showered them, drowned them in a storm of lead.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading No enemy had been visible, but far away in front--that front which must be taken--there hung over the ridge of the hills veils of smoke like lace.
pom-poms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Never was ill work better done than when, on that radiant veld, the sky one vast turquoise vault, beneath which quivered a shimmer of quicksilver light, the pom-poms, the maulers, and the shrapnel of Kruger's men mowed down Stafford and his battery, showered them, drowned them in a storm of lead.
quicksilver
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Never was ill work better done than when, on that radiant veld, the sky one vast turquoise vault, beneath which quivered a shimmer of quicksilver light, the pom-poms, the maulers, and the shrapnel of Kruger's men mowed down Stafford and his battery, showered them, drowned them in a storm of lead.
quivered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Never was ill work better done than when, on that radiant veld, the sky one vast turquoise vault, beneath which quivered a shimmer of quicksilver light, the pom-poms, the maulers, and the shrapnel of Kruger's men mowed down Stafford and his battery, showered them, drowned them in a storm of lead.
radiantadjectiveUS /ˈreɪdiənt/
shining brightly
From this reading Never was ill work better done than when, on that radiant veld, the sky one vast turquoise vault, beneath which quivered a shimmer of quicksilver light, the pom-poms, the maulers, and the shrapnel of Kruger's men mowed down Stafford and his battery, showered them, drowned them in a storm of lead.
ridge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No enemy had been visible, but far away in front--that front which must be taken--there hung over the ridge of the hills veils of smoke like lace.
Rustenburg
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Alamachtig," said a Rustenburg dopper who, at the end of the day, fell into the hands of the English, "it was like cutting alfalfa with a sickle!
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Alamachtig," said a Rustenburg dopper who, at the end of the day, fell into the hands of the English, "it was like cutting alfalfa with a sickle!
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading UNDER THE GUN They had left him for dead in a dreadful circle of mangled gunners who had fallen back to cover in a donga, from a fire so stark that it seemed the hillside itself was discharging myriad bolts of death, as a waterwheel throws off its spray.
shimmer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Never was ill work better done than when, on that radiant veld, the sky one vast turquoise vault, beneath which quivered a shimmer of quicksilver light, the pom-poms, the maulers, and the shrapnel of Kruger's men mowed down Stafford and his battery, showered them, drowned them in a storm of lead.
showered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Never was ill work better done than when, on that radiant veld, the sky one vast turquoise vault, beneath which quivered a shimmer of quicksilver light, the pom-poms, the maulers, and the shrapnel of Kruger's men mowed down Stafford and his battery, showered them, drowned them in a storm of lead.
shrapnel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Never was ill work better done than when, on that radiant veld, the sky one vast turquoise vault, beneath which quivered a shimmer of quicksilver light, the pom-poms, the maulers, and the shrapnel of Kruger's men mowed down Stafford and his battery, showered them, drowned them in a storm of lead.
sicklenounUS /ˈsɪkəl/
a hand tool with a curved blade for cutting grass
From this reading "Alamachtig," said a Rustenburg dopper who, at the end of the day, fell into the hands of the English, "it was like cutting alfalfa with a sickle!
sky
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Never was ill work better done than when, on that radiant veld, the sky one vast turquoise vault, beneath which quivered a shimmer of quicksilver light, the pom-poms, the maulers, and the shrapnel of Kruger's men mowed down Stafford and his battery, showered them, drowned them in a storm of lead.
smoke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No enemy had been visible, but far away in front--that front which must be taken--there hung over the ridge of the hills veils of smoke like lace.
snapping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hideous sounds tortured the air--crackling, snapping, spitting sounds like the laughter of animals with steel throats.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading UNDER THE GUN They had left him for dead in a dreadful circle of mangled gunners who had fallen back to cover in a donga, from a fire so stark that it seemed the hillside itself was discharging myriad bolts of death, as a waterwheel throws off its spray.
sounds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hideous sounds tortured the air--crackling, snapping, spitting sounds like the laughter of animals with steel throats.
spitting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hideous sounds tortured the air--crackling, snapping, spitting sounds like the laughter of animals with steel throats.
spray
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading UNDER THE GUN They had left him for dead in a dreadful circle of mangled gunners who had fallen back to cover in a donga, from a fire so stark that it seemed the hillside itself was discharging myriad bolts of death, as a waterwheel throws off its spray.
Stafford
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Never was ill work better done than when, on that radiant veld, the sky one vast turquoise vault, beneath which quivered a shimmer of quicksilver light, the pom-poms, the maulers, and the shrapnel of Kruger's men mowed down Stafford and his battery, showered them, drowned them in a storm of lead.
stark
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading UNDER THE GUN They had left him for dead in a dreadful circle of mangled gunners who had fallen back to cover in a donga, from a fire so stark that it seemed the hillside itself was discharging myriad bolts of death, as a waterwheel throws off its spray.
steel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hideous sounds tortured the air--crackling, snapping, spitting sounds like the laughter of animals with steel throats.
storm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Never was ill work better done than when, on that radiant veld, the sky one vast turquoise vault, beneath which quivered a shimmer of quicksilver light, the pom-poms, the maulers, and the shrapnel of Kruger's men mowed down Stafford and his battery, showered them, drowned them in a storm of lead.
taken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No enemy had been visible, but far away in front--that front which must be taken--there hung over the ridge of the hills veils of smoke like lace.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Never was ill work better done than when, on that radiant veld, the sky one vast turquoise vault, beneath which quivered a shimmer of quicksilver light, the pom-poms, the maulers, and the shrapnel of Kruger's men mowed down Stafford and his battery, showered them, drowned them in a storm of lead.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading UNDER THE GUN They had left him for dead in a dreadful circle of mangled gunners who had fallen back to cover in a donga, from a fire so stark that it seemed the hillside itself was discharging myriad bolts of death, as a waterwheel throws off its spray.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading UNDER THE GUN They had left him for dead in a dreadful circle of mangled gunners who had fallen back to cover in a donga, from a fire so stark that it seemed the hillside itself was discharging myriad bolts of death, as a waterwheel throws off its spray.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Never was ill work better done than when, on that radiant veld, the sky one vast turquoise vault, beneath which quivered a shimmer of quicksilver light, the pom-poms, the maulers, and the shrapnel of Kruger's men mowed down Stafford and his battery, showered them, drowned them in a storm of lead.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No enemy had been visible, but far away in front--that front which must be taken--there hung over the ridge of the hills veils of smoke like lace.
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading UNDER THE GUN They had left him for dead in a dreadful circle of mangled gunners who had fallen back to cover in a donga, from a fire so stark that it seemed the hillside itself was discharging myriad bolts of death, as a waterwheel throws off its spray.
throats
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hideous sounds tortured the air--crackling, snapping, spitting sounds like the laughter of animals with steel throats.
throws
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading UNDER THE GUN They had left him for dead in a dreadful circle of mangled gunners who had fallen back to cover in a donga, from a fire so stark that it seemed the hillside itself was discharging myriad bolts of death, as a waterwheel throws off its spray.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading UNDER THE GUN They had left him for dead in a dreadful circle of mangled gunners who had fallen back to cover in a donga, from a fire so stark that it seemed the hillside itself was discharging myriad bolts of death, as a waterwheel throws off its spray.
tortured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hideous sounds tortured the air--crackling, snapping, spitting sounds like the laughter of animals with steel throats.
turquoise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Never was ill work better done than when, on that radiant veld, the sky one vast turquoise vault, beneath which quivered a shimmer of quicksilver light, the pom-poms, the maulers, and the shrapnel of Kruger's men mowed down Stafford and his battery, showered them, drowned them in a storm of lead.
UNDERprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading UNDER THE GUN They had left him for dead in a dreadful circle of mangled gunners who had fallen back to cover in a donga, from a fire so stark that it seemed the hillside itself was discharging myriad bolts of death, as a waterwheel throws off its spray.
vast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Never was ill work better done than when, on that radiant veld, the sky one vast turquoise vault, beneath which quivered a shimmer of quicksilver light, the pom-poms, the maulers, and the shrapnel of Kruger's men mowed down Stafford and his battery, showered them, drowned them in a storm of lead.
vaultnounUS /vɔːlt/
a stone room, often below a church, used for burial
From this reading Never was ill work better done than when, on that radiant veld, the sky one vast turquoise vault, beneath which quivered a shimmer of quicksilver light, the pom-poms, the maulers, and the shrapnel of Kruger's men mowed down Stafford and his battery, showered them, drowned them in a storm of lead.
veils
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No enemy had been visible, but far away in front--that front which must be taken--there hung over the ridge of the hills veils of smoke like lace.
veld
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Never was ill work better done than when, on that radiant veld, the sky one vast turquoise vault, beneath which quivered a shimmer of quicksilver light, the pom-poms, the maulers, and the shrapnel of Kruger's men mowed down Stafford and his battery, showered them, drowned them in a storm of lead.
visible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading No enemy had been visible, but far away in front--that front which must be taken--there hung over the ridge of the hills veils of smoke like lace.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading UNDER THE GUN They had left him for dead in a dreadful circle of mangled gunners who had fallen back to cover in a donga, from a fire so stark that it seemed the hillside itself was discharging myriad bolts of death, as a waterwheel throws off its spray.
waterwheel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading UNDER THE GUN They had left him for dead in a dreadful circle of mangled gunners who had fallen back to cover in a donga, from a fire so stark that it seemed the hillside itself was discharging myriad bolts of death, as a waterwheel throws off its spray.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Never was ill work better done than when, on that radiant veld, the sky one vast turquoise vault, beneath which quivered a shimmer of quicksilver light, the pom-poms, the maulers, and the shrapnel of Kruger's men mowed down Stafford and his battery, showered them, drowned them in a storm of lead.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading No enemy had been visible, but far away in front--that front which must be taken--there hung over the ridge of the hills veils of smoke like lace.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading UNDER THE GUN They had left him for dead in a dreadful circle of mangled gunners who had fallen back to cover in a donga, from a fire so stark that it seemed the hillside itself was discharging myriad bolts of death, as a waterwheel throws off its spray.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Hideous sounds tortured the air--crackling, snapping, spitting sounds like the laughter of animals with steel throats.
work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Never was ill work better done than when, on that radiant veld, the sky one vast turquoise vault, beneath which quivered a shimmer of quicksilver light, the pom-poms, the maulers, and the shrapnel of Kruger's men mowed down Stafford and his battery, showered them, drowned them in a storm of lead.
