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.
airnounUS /er/
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading Hideous sounds tortured the air--crackling, snapping, spitting sounds like the laughter of animals with steel throats.
Alamachtig
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!
alfalfanounUS /ˌælˈfælfə/
important European leguminous forage plant with trifoliate leaves and blue-violet flowers grown widely as a pasture and hay crop
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.
animalsnounUS /ˈænəməlz/
plural of “animal” — a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
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!
awayadverbUS /əˈweɪ/
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
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.
backadverbUS /bæk/
in or to or toward a former location
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.
batterynounUS /ˈbætəri/
group of guns or missile launchers operated together at one place
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.
betteradjectiveUS /ˈbetər/
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
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.
boltsnounUS /boʊlts/
plural of “bolt” — a discharge of lightning accompanied by thunder
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.
circlenounUS /ˈsɜːrkəl/
ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point
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.
coververbUS /ˈkʌvər/
provide with a covering or cause to be covered
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.
cracklingnounUS /ˈkræklɪŋ/
the residue that remains after animal fat has been rendered
From this reading Hideous sounds tortured the air--crackling, snapping, spitting sounds like the laughter of animals with steel throats.
cuttingnounUS /ˈkʌtɪŋ/
the activity of selecting the scenes to be shown and putting them together to create a film
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!
daynounUS /deɪ/
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
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!
deadadjectiveUS /ded/
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
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.
deathnounUS /deθ/
the event of dying or departure from life
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.
dischargingverbUS /dɪsˈtʃɑːrdʒɪŋ/
-ing form of “discharge” — complete or carry out
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.
doneadjectiveUS /dʌn/
having finished or arrived at completion
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!
downadjectiveUS /daʊn/
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
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 /ˈdredfəl/
causing fear or dread or terror
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.
drownedverbUS /draʊnd/
past form of “drown” — cover completely or make imperceptible
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.
endnounUS /end/
either extremity of something that has length
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!
enemynounUS /ˈenəmi/
an opposing military force
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.
EnglishnounUS /ˈɪŋɡlɪʃ/
an Indo-European language belonging to the West Germanic branch; the official language of Britain and the United States and most of the commonwealth countries
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!
fallenadjectiveUS /ˈfɑːlən/
having dropped by the force of gravity
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.
faradverbUS /fɑːr/
to a considerable degree; very much
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.
fellverbUS /fel/
cause to fall by or as if by delivering a blow
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!
fireverbUS /ˈfaɪər/
start firing a weapon
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.
frontnounUS /frʌnt/
the side that is forward or prominent
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.
GUNnounUS /ɡʌn/
a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)
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.
gunnersnounUS /ˈɡʌnərz/
plural of “gunner” — a serviceman in the artillery
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.
handsnounUS /hændz/
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
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!
HideousadjectiveUS /ˈhɪdiəs/
grossly offensive to decency or morality; causing horror
From this reading Hideous sounds tortured the air--crackling, snapping, spitting sounds like the laughter of animals with steel throats.
hillsnounUS /hɪlz/
plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land
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.
hillsidenounUS /ˈhɪlsaɪd/
the side or slope of a hill
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.
hungverbUS /hʌŋ/
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
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.
illadjectiveUS /ɪl/
affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function
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.
laceverbUS /leɪs/
spin, wind, or twist together
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.
laughternounUS /ˈlæftər/
the sound of laughing
From this reading Hideous sounds tortured the air--crackling, snapping, spitting sounds like the laughter of animals with steel throats.
leadverbUS /led/
take somebody somewhere
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/
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
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.
lightadjectiveUS /laɪt/
of comparatively little physical weight or density
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.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
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.
mangledadjectiveUS /ˈmæŋɡəld/
having edges that are jagged from injury
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.
maulersnoun
large strong hand (as of a fighter)
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.
mennounUS /men/
the force of workers available
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.
mowedverbUS /moʊd/
past form of “mow” — cut with a blade or mower
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.
myriadnounUS /ˈmɪriəd/
a large indefinite number
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.
NeveradverbUS /ˈnevər/
not ever; at no time in the past or future
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.
offadverbUS /ɔːf/
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
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.
quicksilveradjectiveUS /ˈkwɪkˈsɪlvər/
liable to sudden unpredictable change
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 /ˈreɪdiːənt/
radiating or as if radiating light
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.
ridgenounUS /rɪdʒ/
a long narrow natural elevation or striation
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!
saidadjectiveUS /sed/
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
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!
seemedverbUS /siːmd/
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
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.
shimmerverbUS /ˈʃɪmər/
shine with a weak or fitful light
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.
showeredverbUS /ˈʃaʊərd/
past form of “shower” — expend profusely; also used with abstract nouns
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.
shrapnelnounUS /ˈʃræpnəl/
shell containing lead pellets that explodes in flight
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/
an edge tool for cutting grass or crops; has a curved blade and a short handle
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!
skynounUS /skaɪ/
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
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.
smokenounUS /smoʊk/
a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas
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.
snappingverbUS /ˈsnæpɪŋ/
inflected form of “snap” — utter in an angry, sharp, or abrupt tone
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.
soundsnounUS /saʊndz/
plural of “sound” — the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading Hideous sounds tortured the air--crackling, snapping, spitting sounds like the laughter of animals with steel throats.
spittingnounUS /ˈspɪtɪŋ/
the act of spitting (forcefully expelling saliva)
From this reading Hideous sounds tortured the air--crackling, snapping, spitting sounds like the laughter of animals with steel throats.
spraynounUS /spreɪ/
a pesticide in suspension or solution; intended for spraying
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.
starkadjectiveUS /stɑːrk/
devoid of any qualifications or disguise or adornment
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.
steelnounUS /stiːl/
an alloy of iron with small amounts of carbon; widely used in construction; mechanical properties can be varied over a wide range
From this reading Hideous sounds tortured the air--crackling, snapping, spitting sounds like the laughter of animals with steel throats.
stormverbUS /stɔːrm/
behave violently, as if in state of a great anger
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.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
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.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
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.
throatsnounUS /θroʊts/
plural of “throat” — the passage to the stomach and lungs; in the front part of the neck below the chin and above the collarbone
From this reading Hideous sounds tortured the air--crackling, snapping, spitting sounds like the laughter of animals with steel throats.
throwsnounUS /θroʊz/
plural of “throw” — the act of throwing (propelling something with a rapid movement of the arm and wrist)
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.
torturedadjectiveUS /ˈtɔːrtʃərd/
experiencing intense pain especially mental pain
From this reading Hideous sounds tortured the air--crackling, snapping, spitting sounds like the laughter of animals with steel throats.
turquoisenounUS /ˈtɜːrkwɔɪz/
a blue to grey green mineral consisting of copper aluminum phosphate
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.
vastadjectiveUS /væst/
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
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 /vɒlt/
An arched structure of masonry forming a ceiling, or a secure subterranean storage room.
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.
veilsnounUS /veɪlz/
plural of “veil” — a garment that covers the head and face
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.
veldnoun
elevated open grassland in southern Africa
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.
visibleadjectiveUS /ˈvɪzəbəl/
capable of being seen; or open to easy view
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.
waterwheelnoun
a wheel with buckets attached to its rim; raises water from a stream or pond
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.
workverbUS /wɜːrk/
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
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.
