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Under Fire: The Story of a Squad
Under Fire: The Story of a Squad

Chapter II · Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of Under Fire: The Story of a Squad is here in full — 419 sentences across 84 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for Under Fire: The Story of a Squad
Context Illustration Reading 1/83 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
But the subject of domestic economy degenerates suddenly into a fierce altercation between Pepin and Tulacque.
Words of quite unmistakable significance are exchanged.
Then--"I don't care a what you say or what you don't say!
Shut it up!"--"I shall shut it when I want, midden!"--"A seven-pound thump would shut it up quick enough!"--"Who from?
Who'll give it me?"--"Come and find out!"
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Under Fire: The Story of a Squad

Chapter II · Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of Under Fire: The Story of a Squad is here in full — 419 sentences across 84 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/83 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
But the subject of domestic economy degenerates suddenly into a fierce altercation between Pepin and Tulacque.
Line 2
Words of quite unmistakable significance are exchanged.
/wɜːrdz ʌv kwaɪt ˌʌnmɪˈsteɪkəbəl səɡˈnɪfɪkəns ɑːr ɪksˈtʃeɪndʒd/
Line 3
Then--"I don't care a what you say or what you don't say!
Line 4
Shut it up!"--"I shall shut it when I want, midden!"--"A seven-pound thump would shut it up quick enough!"--"Who from?
Line 5
Who'll give it me?"--"Come and find out!"

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, and audio.

altercation noun US /ˌɑːltərˈkeɪʃən/

noisy quarrel

From this reading “But the subject of domestic economy degenerates suddenly into a fierce altercation between Pepin and Tulacque.”

degenerates noun US /dɪˈdʒenərəts/

plural of “degenerate” — a person whose behavior deviates from what is acceptable especially in sexual behavior

From this reading “But the subject of domestic economy degenerates suddenly into a fierce altercation between Pepin and Tulacque.”

economy noun US /ɪˈkɑːnəmi/

the system of production and distribution and consumption

From this reading “But the subject of domestic economy degenerates suddenly into a fierce altercation between Pepin and Tulacque.”

exchanged adjective US /ɪksˈtʃeɪndʒd/

changed for (replaced by) something different

From this reading “Words of quite unmistakable significance are exchanged.”

Pepin noun US /ˈpepɪn/

king of the Franks and father of Charlemagne who defended papal interests and founded the Carolingian dynasty in 751 (714-768)

From this reading “But the subject of domestic economy degenerates suddenly into a fierce altercation between Pepin and Tulacque.”

significance noun US /səɡˈnɪfɪkəns/

the quality of being significant

From this reading “Words of quite unmistakable significance are exchanged.”

thump verb US /θʌmp/

move rhythmically

From this reading “Shut it up!"--"I shall shut it when I want, midden!"--"A seven-pound thump would shut it up quick enough!"--"Who from?”

unmistakable adjective US /ˌʌnmɪˈsteɪkəbəl/

clearly evident to the mind

From this reading “Words of quite unmistakable significance are exchanged.”

All words in this reading · 50

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

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 But the subject of domestic economy degenerates suddenly into a fierce altercation between Pepin and Tulacque.

altercationnounUS /ˌɑːltərˈkeɪʃən/

noisy quarrel

From this reading But the subject of domestic economy degenerates suddenly into a fierce altercation between Pepin and Tulacque.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading But the subject of domestic economy degenerates suddenly into a fierce altercation between Pepin and Tulacque.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Words of quite unmistakable significance are exchanged.

betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading But the subject of domestic economy degenerates suddenly into a fierce altercation between Pepin and Tulacque.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But the subject of domestic economy degenerates suddenly into a fierce altercation between Pepin and Tulacque.

carenounUS /ker/

the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something

From this reading Then--"I don't care a what you say or what you don't say!

ComeverbUS /kʌm/

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Who'll give it me?"--"Come and find out!"

degeneratesnounUS /dɪˈdʒenərəts/

plural of “degenerate” — a person whose behavior deviates from what is acceptable especially in sexual behavior

From this reading But the subject of domestic economy degenerates suddenly into a fierce altercation between Pepin and Tulacque.

domesticadjectiveUS /dəˈmestɪk/

of concern to or concerning the internal affairs of a nation

From this reading But the subject of domestic economy degenerates suddenly into a fierce altercation between Pepin and Tulacque.

don't

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Then--"I don't care a what you say or what you don't say!

economynounUS /ɪˈkɑːnəmi/

the system of production and distribution and consumption

From this reading But the subject of domestic economy degenerates suddenly into a fierce altercation between Pepin and Tulacque.

enoughnounUS /ɪˈnʌf/

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading Shut it up!"--"I shall shut it when I want, midden!"--"A seven-pound thump would shut it up quick enough!"--"Who from?

exchangedadjectiveUS /ɪksˈtʃeɪndʒd/

changed for (replaced by) something different

From this reading Words of quite unmistakable significance are exchanged.

fierceadjectiveUS /fɪrs/

marked by extreme and violent energy

From this reading But the subject of domestic economy degenerates suddenly into a fierce altercation between Pepin and Tulacque.

findverbUS /faɪnd/

come upon, as if by accident; meet with

From this reading Who'll give it me?"--"Come and find out!"

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Shut it up!"--"I shall shut it when I want, midden!"--"A seven-pound thump would shut it up quick enough!"--"Who from?

giveverbUS /ɡɪv/

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

From this reading Who'll give it me?"--"Come and find out!"

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading Then--"I don't care a what you say or what you don't say!

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading But the subject of domestic economy degenerates suddenly into a fierce altercation between Pepin and Tulacque.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Shut it up!"--"I shall shut it when I want, midden!"--"A seven-pound thump would shut it up quick enough!"--"Who from?

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Who'll give it me?"--"Come and find out!"

middennoun

(archeology) a mound of domestic refuse containing shells and animal bones marking the site of a prehistoric settlement

From this reading Shut it up!"--"I shall shut it when I want, midden!"--"A seven-pound thump would shut it up quick enough!"--"Who from?

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading But the subject of domestic economy degenerates suddenly into a fierce altercation between Pepin and Tulacque.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Then--"I don't care a what you say or what you don't say!

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading Who'll give it me?"--"Come and find out!"

PepinnounUS /ˈpepɪn/

king of the Franks and father of Charlemagne who defended papal interests and founded the Carolingian dynasty in 751 (714-768)

From this reading But the subject of domestic economy degenerates suddenly into a fierce altercation between Pepin and Tulacque.

quickadjectiveUS /kwɪk/

accomplished rapidly and without delay

From this reading Shut it up!"--"I shall shut it when I want, midden!"--"A seven-pound thump would shut it up quick enough!"--"Who from?

quiteadverbUS /kwaɪt/

to a degree (not used with a negative)

From this reading Words of quite unmistakable significance are exchanged.

sayverbUS /seɪ/

express in words

From this reading Then--"I don't care a what you say or what you don't say!

seven-pound

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Shut it up!"--"I shall shut it when I want, midden!"--"A seven-pound thump would shut it up quick enough!"--"Who from?

shallmodal verbUS /ʃæl/

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading Shut it up!"--"I shall shut it when I want, midden!"--"A seven-pound thump would shut it up quick enough!"--"Who from?

ShutverbUS /ʃʌt/

move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut

From this reading Shut it up!"--"I shall shut it when I want, midden!"--"A seven-pound thump would shut it up quick enough!"--"Who from?

significancenounUS /səɡˈnɪfɪkəns/

the quality of being significant

From this reading Words of quite unmistakable significance are exchanged.

subjectnounUS /səbˈdʒekt/

the subject matter of a conversation or discussion

From this reading But the subject of domestic economy degenerates suddenly into a fierce altercation between Pepin and Tulacque.

suddenlyadverbUS /ˈsʌdənli/

happening unexpectedly

From this reading But the subject of domestic economy degenerates suddenly into a fierce altercation between Pepin and Tulacque.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading But the subject of domestic economy degenerates suddenly into a fierce altercation between Pepin and Tulacque.

ThenadverbUS /ðen/

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then--"I don't care a what you say or what you don't say!

thumpverbUS /θʌmp/

move rhythmically

From this reading Shut it up!"--"I shall shut it when I want, midden!"--"A seven-pound thump would shut it up quick enough!"--"Who from?

Tulacque

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But the subject of domestic economy degenerates suddenly into a fierce altercation between Pepin and Tulacque.

unmistakableadjectiveUS /ˌʌnmɪˈsteɪkəbəl/

clearly evident to the mind

From this reading Words of quite unmistakable significance are exchanged.

upadjectiveUS /ʌp/

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading Shut it up!"--"I shall shut it when I want, midden!"--"A seven-pound thump would shut it up quick enough!"--"Who from?

wantverbUS /wɑːnt/

feel or have a desire for; want strongly

From this reading Shut it up!"--"I shall shut it when I want, midden!"--"A seven-pound thump would shut it up quick enough!"--"Who from?

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading Then--"I don't care a what you say or what you don't say!

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading Shut it up!"--"I shall shut it when I want, midden!"--"A seven-pound thump would shut it up quick enough!"--"Who from?

WhopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading Shut it up!"--"I shall shut it when I want, midden!"--"A seven-pound thump would shut it up quick enough!"--"Who from?

Who'll

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Who'll give it me?"--"Come and find out!"

WordsnounUS /wɜːrdz/

the words that are spoken

From this reading Words of quite unmistakable significance are exchanged.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading Shut it up!"--"I shall shut it when I want, midden!"--"A seven-pound thump would shut it up quick enough!"--"Who from?

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading Then--"I don't care a what you say or what you don't say!

Chapter 2 of Under Fire: The Story of a Squad by Henri Barbusse holds 419 sentences, grouped into 84 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 2 of Under Fire: The Story of a Squad contain?

Chapter 2 holds 419 sentences of Under Fire: The Story of a Squad, unabridged, divided into 84 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 2 of Under Fire: The Story of a Squad by Henri Barbusse exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 419 sentences, grouped into 84 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 2 of Under Fire: The Story of a Squad?

Work through the 84 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 84 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 2 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 2 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading Under Fire: The Story of a Squad

Common questions about reading Under Fire: The Story of a Squad by Henri Barbusse on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of Under Fire: The Story of a Squad?

Yes. All 6647 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #4380 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of Under Fire: The Story of a Squad is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #4380, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does Under Fire: The Story of a Squad take to read?

About 553 minutes of reading across 1330 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read Under Fire: The Story of a Squad section by section

How to work through Under Fire: The Story of a Squad section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 16 chapters of Under Fire: The Story of a Squad to begin.

  2. Read one section

    Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.

  3. Listen and tap

    Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in Under Fire: The Story of a Squad

Words and structures a reader meets early in Under Fire: The Story of a Squad, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Memory
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Under Fire: The Story of a Squad; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Comrades
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Under Fire: The Story of a Squad; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Crouy
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Under Fire: The Story of a Squad; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Blanc
A word that appears in the opening chapter of Under Fire: The Story of a Squad; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.