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 AN ORDER FROM HEADQUARTERS While Captain de Banyan and Lieutenant Somers were asleep, the commanding general received the intelligence of a movement on our right by the famous Stonewall Jackson.
abandoned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The position which had been gained by the advance at Oak Grove was abandoned, and the troops returned to their old line.
advance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The position which had been gained by the advance at Oak Grove was abandoned, and the troops returned to their old line.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The troops fought all day, and ran all night, till they reached the James River, where they were protected by the all-powerful gunboats.
all-powerful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The troops fought all day, and ran all night, till they reached the James River, where they were protected by the all-powerful gunboats.
ANdeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN ORDER FROM HEADQUARTERS While Captain de Banyan and Lieutenant Somers were asleep, the commanding general received the intelligence of a movement on our right by the famous Stonewall Jackson.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading AN ORDER FROM HEADQUARTERS While Captain de Banyan and Lieutenant Somers were asleep, the commanding general received the intelligence of a movement on our right by the famous Stonewall Jackson.
army
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next day was heard the roar of the guns at Mechanicsville; and on that succeeding was fought the battle of Gaines's Mills--the only defeat in the field sustained by the Union army during that battle-week.
asleep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN ORDER FROM HEADQUARTERS While Captain de Banyan and Lieutenant Somers were asleep, the commanding general received the intelligence of a movement on our right by the famous Stonewall Jackson.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The position which had been gained by the advance at Oak Grove was abandoned, and the troops returned to their old line.
Banyan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN ORDER FROM HEADQUARTERS While Captain de Banyan and Lieutenant Somers were asleep, the commanding general received the intelligence of a movement on our right by the famous Stonewall Jackson.
base
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading General McClellan then decided to change his base of operations; which, rendered into plain English, meant that he had been flanked, and was obliged to make the best move he could to save his army and material.
battle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next day was heard the roar of the guns at Mechanicsville; and on that succeeding was fought the battle of Gaines's Mills--the only defeat in the field sustained by the Union army during that battle-week.
battle-week
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next day was heard the roar of the guns at Mechanicsville; and on that succeeding was fought the battle of Gaines's Mills--the only defeat in the field sustained by the Union army during that battle-week.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The position which had been gained by the advance at Oak Grove was abandoned, and the troops returned to their old line.
best
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading General McClellan then decided to change his base of operations; which, rendered into plain English, meant that he had been flanked, and was obliged to make the best move he could to save his army and material.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading AN ORDER FROM HEADQUARTERS While Captain de Banyan and Lieutenant Somers were asleep, the commanding general received the intelligence of a movement on our right by the famous Stonewall Jackson.
CaptainnounUS /ˈcaptain/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading AN ORDER FROM HEADQUARTERS While Captain de Banyan and Lieutenant Somers were asleep, the commanding general received the intelligence of a movement on our right by the famous Stonewall Jackson.
change
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading General McClellan then decided to change his base of operations; which, rendered into plain English, meant that he had been flanked, and was obliged to make the best move he could to save his army and material.
commanding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN ORDER FROM HEADQUARTERS While Captain de Banyan and Lieutenant Somers were asleep, the commanding general received the intelligence of a movement on our right by the famous Stonewall Jackson.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading General McClellan then decided to change his base of operations; which, rendered into plain English, meant that he had been flanked, and was obliged to make the best move he could to save his army and material.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next day was heard the roar of the guns at Mechanicsville; and on that succeeding was fought the battle of Gaines's Mills--the only defeat in the field sustained by the Union army during that battle-week.
de
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN ORDER FROM HEADQUARTERS While Captain de Banyan and Lieutenant Somers were asleep, the commanding general received the intelligence of a movement on our right by the famous Stonewall Jackson.
decided
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading General McClellan then decided to change his base of operations; which, rendered into plain English, meant that he had been flanked, and was obliged to make the best move he could to save his army and material.
defeat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next day was heard the roar of the guns at Mechanicsville; and on that succeeding was fought the battle of Gaines's Mills--the only defeat in the field sustained by the Union army during that battle-week.
duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading The next day was heard the roar of the guns at Mechanicsville; and on that succeeding was fought the battle of Gaines's Mills--the only defeat in the field sustained by the Union army during that battle-week.
English
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading General McClellan then decided to change his base of operations; which, rendered into plain English, meant that he had been flanked, and was obliged to make the best move he could to save his army and material.
famous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN ORDER FROM HEADQUARTERS While Captain de Banyan and Lieutenant Somers were asleep, the commanding general received the intelligence of a movement on our right by the famous Stonewall Jackson.
field
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next day was heard the roar of the guns at Mechanicsville; and on that succeeding was fought the battle of Gaines's Mills--the only defeat in the field sustained by the Union army during that battle-week.
flanked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading General McClellan then decided to change his base of operations; which, rendered into plain English, meant that he had been flanked, and was obliged to make the best move he could to save his army and material.
fought
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next day was heard the roar of the guns at Mechanicsville; and on that succeeding was fought the battle of Gaines's Mills--the only defeat in the field sustained by the Union army during that battle-week.
FROMprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading AN ORDER FROM HEADQUARTERS While Captain de Banyan and Lieutenant Somers were asleep, the commanding general received the intelligence of a movement on our right by the famous Stonewall Jackson.
gained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The position which had been gained by the advance at Oak Grove was abandoned, and the troops returned to their old line.
Gaines's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next day was heard the roar of the guns at Mechanicsville; and on that succeeding was fought the battle of Gaines's Mills--the only defeat in the field sustained by the Union army during that battle-week.
general
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN ORDER FROM HEADQUARTERS While Captain de Banyan and Lieutenant Somers were asleep, the commanding general received the intelligence of a movement on our right by the famous Stonewall Jackson.
Grove
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The position which had been gained by the advance at Oak Grove was abandoned, and the troops returned to their old line.
gunboats
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The troops fought all day, and ran all night, till they reached the James River, where they were protected by the all-powerful gunboats.
guns
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next day was heard the roar of the guns at Mechanicsville; and on that succeeding was fought the battle of Gaines's Mills--the only defeat in the field sustained by the Union army during that battle-week.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The position which had been gained by the advance at Oak Grove was abandoned, and the troops returned to their old line.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading General McClellan then decided to change his base of operations; which, rendered into plain English, meant that he had been flanked, and was obliged to make the best move he could to save his army and material.
HEADQUARTERS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN ORDER FROM HEADQUARTERS While Captain de Banyan and Lieutenant Somers were asleep, the commanding general received the intelligence of a movement on our right by the famous Stonewall Jackson.
heard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next day was heard the roar of the guns at Mechanicsville; and on that succeeding was fought the battle of Gaines's Mills--the only defeat in the field sustained by the Union army during that battle-week.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading General McClellan then decided to change his base of operations; which, rendered into plain English, meant that he had been flanked, and was obliged to make the best move he could to save his army and material.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The next day was heard the roar of the guns at Mechanicsville; and on that succeeding was fought the battle of Gaines's Mills--the only defeat in the field sustained by the Union army during that battle-week.
intelligence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN ORDER FROM HEADQUARTERS While Captain de Banyan and Lieutenant Somers were asleep, the commanding general received the intelligence of a movement on our right by the famous Stonewall Jackson.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading General McClellan then decided to change his base of operations; which, rendered into plain English, meant that he had been flanked, and was obliged to make the best move he could to save his army and material.
Jackson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN ORDER FROM HEADQUARTERS While Captain de Banyan and Lieutenant Somers were asleep, the commanding general received the intelligence of a movement on our right by the famous Stonewall Jackson.
James
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The troops fought all day, and ran all night, till they reached the James River, where they were protected by the all-powerful gunboats.
Lieutenant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN ORDER FROM HEADQUARTERS While Captain de Banyan and Lieutenant Somers were asleep, the commanding general received the intelligence of a movement on our right by the famous Stonewall Jackson.
line
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The position which had been gained by the advance at Oak Grove was abandoned, and the troops returned to their old line.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading General McClellan then decided to change his base of operations; which, rendered into plain English, meant that he had been flanked, and was obliged to make the best move he could to save his army and material.
material
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading General McClellan then decided to change his base of operations; which, rendered into plain English, meant that he had been flanked, and was obliged to make the best move he could to save his army and material.
McClellan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading General McClellan then decided to change his base of operations; which, rendered into plain English, meant that he had been flanked, and was obliged to make the best move he could to save his army and material.
meant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading General McClellan then decided to change his base of operations; which, rendered into plain English, meant that he had been flanked, and was obliged to make the best move he could to save his army and material.
Mechanicsville
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next day was heard the roar of the guns at Mechanicsville; and on that succeeding was fought the battle of Gaines's Mills--the only defeat in the field sustained by the Union army during that battle-week.
Mills
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next day was heard the roar of the guns at Mechanicsville; and on that succeeding was fought the battle of Gaines's Mills--the only defeat in the field sustained by the Union army during that battle-week.
move
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading General McClellan then decided to change his base of operations; which, rendered into plain English, meant that he had been flanked, and was obliged to make the best move he could to save his army and material.
movement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN ORDER FROM HEADQUARTERS While Captain de Banyan and Lieutenant Somers were asleep, the commanding general received the intelligence of a movement on our right by the famous Stonewall Jackson.
nextnounUS /next/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The next day was heard the roar of the guns at Mechanicsville; and on that succeeding was fought the battle of Gaines's Mills--the only defeat in the field sustained by the Union army during that battle-week.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The troops fought all day, and ran all night, till they reached the James River, where they were protected by the all-powerful gunboats.
Oak
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The position which had been gained by the advance at Oak Grove was abandoned, and the troops returned to their old line.
obliged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading General McClellan then decided to change his base of operations; which, rendered into plain English, meant that he had been flanked, and was obliged to make the best move he could to save his army and material.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading AN ORDER FROM HEADQUARTERS While Captain de Banyan and Lieutenant Somers were asleep, the commanding general received the intelligence of a movement on our right by the famous Stonewall Jackson.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The position which had been gained by the advance at Oak Grove was abandoned, and the troops returned to their old line.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading AN ORDER FROM HEADQUARTERS While Captain de Banyan and Lieutenant Somers were asleep, the commanding general received the intelligence of a movement on our right by the famous Stonewall Jackson.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next day was heard the roar of the guns at Mechanicsville; and on that succeeding was fought the battle of Gaines's Mills--the only defeat in the field sustained by the Union army during that battle-week.
operations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading General McClellan then decided to change his base of operations; which, rendered into plain English, meant that he had been flanked, and was obliged to make the best move he could to save his army and material.
ORDERnounUS /order/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading AN ORDER FROM HEADQUARTERS While Captain de Banyan and Lieutenant Somers were asleep, the commanding general received the intelligence of a movement on our right by the famous Stonewall Jackson.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading AN ORDER FROM HEADQUARTERS While Captain de Banyan and Lieutenant Somers were asleep, the commanding general received the intelligence of a movement on our right by the famous Stonewall Jackson.
plain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading General McClellan then decided to change his base of operations; which, rendered into plain English, meant that he had been flanked, and was obliged to make the best move he could to save his army and material.
position
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The position which had been gained by the advance at Oak Grove was abandoned, and the troops returned to their old line.
protected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The troops fought all day, and ran all night, till they reached the James River, where they were protected by the all-powerful gunboats.
ran
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The troops fought all day, and ran all night, till they reached the James River, where they were protected by the all-powerful gunboats.
reached
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The troops fought all day, and ran all night, till they reached the James River, where they were protected by the all-powerful gunboats.
received
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN ORDER FROM HEADQUARTERS While Captain de Banyan and Lieutenant Somers were asleep, the commanding general received the intelligence of a movement on our right by the famous Stonewall Jackson.
rendered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading General McClellan then decided to change his base of operations; which, rendered into plain English, meant that he had been flanked, and was obliged to make the best move he could to save his army and material.
returnednounUS /ˈreturned/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The position which had been gained by the advance at Oak Grove was abandoned, and the troops returned to their old line.
rightnounUS /right/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading AN ORDER FROM HEADQUARTERS While Captain de Banyan and Lieutenant Somers were asleep, the commanding general received the intelligence of a movement on our right by the famous Stonewall Jackson.
River
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The troops fought all day, and ran all night, till they reached the James River, where they were protected by the all-powerful gunboats.
roar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next day was heard the roar of the guns at Mechanicsville; and on that succeeding was fought the battle of Gaines's Mills--the only defeat in the field sustained by the Union army during that battle-week.
saveprepositionUS /seɪv/
except for; apart from
From this reading General McClellan then decided to change his base of operations; which, rendered into plain English, meant that he had been flanked, and was obliged to make the best move he could to save his army and material.
Somers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN ORDER FROM HEADQUARTERS While Captain de Banyan and Lieutenant Somers were asleep, the commanding general received the intelligence of a movement on our right by the famous Stonewall Jackson.
Stonewall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN ORDER FROM HEADQUARTERS While Captain de Banyan and Lieutenant Somers were asleep, the commanding general received the intelligence of a movement on our right by the famous Stonewall Jackson.
succeeding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next day was heard the roar of the guns at Mechanicsville; and on that succeeding was fought the battle of Gaines's Mills--the only defeat in the field sustained by the Union army during that battle-week.
sustained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next day was heard the roar of the guns at Mechanicsville; and on that succeeding was fought the battle of Gaines's Mills--the only defeat in the field sustained by the Union army during that battle-week.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The next day was heard the roar of the guns at Mechanicsville; and on that succeeding was fought the battle of Gaines's Mills--the only defeat in the field sustained by the Union army during that battle-week.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading AN ORDER FROM HEADQUARTERS While Captain de Banyan and Lieutenant Somers were asleep, the commanding general received the intelligence of a movement on our right by the famous Stonewall Jackson.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The position which had been gained by the advance at Oak Grove was abandoned, and the troops returned to their old line.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading General McClellan then decided to change his base of operations; which, rendered into plain English, meant that he had been flanked, and was obliged to make the best move he could to save his army and material.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The troops fought all day, and ran all night, till they reached the James River, where they were protected by the all-powerful gunboats.
tillprepositionUS /tɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading The troops fought all day, and ran all night, till they reached the James River, where they were protected by the all-powerful gunboats.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The position which had been gained by the advance at Oak Grove was abandoned, and the troops returned to their old line.
troops
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The position which had been gained by the advance at Oak Grove was abandoned, and the troops returned to their old line.
Union
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next day was heard the roar of the guns at Mechanicsville; and on that succeeding was fought the battle of Gaines's Mills--the only defeat in the field sustained by the Union army during that battle-week.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The position which had been gained by the advance at Oak Grove was abandoned, and the troops returned to their old line.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading AN ORDER FROM HEADQUARTERS While Captain de Banyan and Lieutenant Somers were asleep, the commanding general received the intelligence of a movement on our right by the famous Stonewall Jackson.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading The troops fought all day, and ran all night, till they reached the James River, where they were protected by the all-powerful gunboats.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The position which had been gained by the advance at Oak Grove was abandoned, and the troops returned to their old line.
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading AN ORDER FROM HEADQUARTERS While Captain de Banyan and Lieutenant Somers were asleep, the commanding general received the intelligence of a movement on our right by the famous Stonewall Jackson.
