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 Hélène was learning English fast and furiously, and with her arms round her mother’s waist, said, “Sleep well, sir, and very good dreams to you!” which I imagine was a sentence out of her text-book.
adventure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For me, and for many men, they were days of exultation, wild adventure, pity, immense hope, tremendous scenes uplifted by a sense of victory; though for others, the soldiers who did the dirty work, brought up lorry columns through the mud of the old battlefields, far behind our new front line, carried on still with the hard old drudgery of war, they were days not marked out by any special jubilation, or variety, or hope, but just like all the others that had gone before since first they came to France.
afternoonnounUS /ˈafternoon/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading I went back to my billet in Madame Chéri’s house, and she made no allusion to our conversation in the afternoon, but was anxious, I thought, to assure me of her friendship by special little courtesies, as when she lighted my candle and carried it upstairs before saying Good night.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For me, and for many men, they were days of exultation, wild adventure, pity, immense hope, tremendous scenes uplifted by a sense of victory; though for others, the soldiers who did the dirty work, brought up lorry columns through the mud of the old battlefields, far behind our new front line, carried on still with the hard old drudgery of war, they were days not marked out by any special jubilation, or variety, or hope, but just like all the others that had gone before since first they came to France.
allusion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I went back to my billet in Madame Chéri’s house, and she made no allusion to our conversation in the afternoon, but was anxious, I thought, to assure me of her friendship by special little courtesies, as when she lighted my candle and carried it upstairs before saying Good night.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Brand handed me the slip and said, “Poor devil!”
anxious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I went back to my billet in Madame Chéri’s house, and she made no allusion to our conversation in the afternoon, but was anxious, I thought, to assure me of her friendship by special little courtesies, as when she lighted my candle and carried it upstairs before saying Good night.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For me, and for many men, they were days of exultation, wild adventure, pity, immense hope, tremendous scenes uplifted by a sense of victory; though for others, the soldiers who did the dirty work, brought up lorry columns through the mud of the old battlefields, far behind our new front line, carried on still with the hard old drudgery of war, they were days not marked out by any special jubilation, or variety, or hope, but just like all the others that had gone before since first they came to France.
Armistice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading XV They were great days--in the last two weeks before the Armistice!
arms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hélène was learning English fast and furiously, and with her arms round her mother’s waist, said, “Sleep well, sir, and very good dreams to you!” which I imagine was a sentence out of her text-book.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading I went back to my billet in Madame Chéri’s house, and she made no allusion to our conversation in the afternoon, but was anxious, I thought, to assure me of her friendship by special little courtesies, as when she lighted my candle and carried it upstairs before saying Good night.
assure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I went back to my billet in Madame Chéri’s house, and she made no allusion to our conversation in the afternoon, but was anxious, I thought, to assure me of her friendship by special little courtesies, as when she lighted my candle and carried it upstairs before saying Good night.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I went back to my billet in Madame Chéri’s house, and she made no allusion to our conversation in the afternoon, but was anxious, I thought, to assure me of her friendship by special little courtesies, as when she lighted my candle and carried it upstairs before saying Good night.
battlefields
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For me, and for many men, they were days of exultation, wild adventure, pity, immense hope, tremendous scenes uplifted by a sense of victory; though for others, the soldiers who did the dirty work, brought up lorry columns through the mud of the old battlefields, far behind our new front line, carried on still with the hard old drudgery of war, they were days not marked out by any special jubilation, or variety, or hope, but just like all the others that had gone before since first they came to France.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading I went back to my billet in Madame Chéri’s house, and she made no allusion to our conversation in the afternoon, but was anxious, I thought, to assure me of her friendship by special little courtesies, as when she lighted my candle and carried it upstairs before saying Good night.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading For me, and for many men, they were days of exultation, wild adventure, pity, immense hope, tremendous scenes uplifted by a sense of victory; though for others, the soldiers who did the dirty work, brought up lorry columns through the mud of the old battlefields, far behind our new front line, carried on still with the hard old drudgery of war, they were days not marked out by any special jubilation, or variety, or hope, but just like all the others that had gone before since first they came to France.
billet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I went back to my billet in Madame Chéri’s house, and she made no allusion to our conversation in the afternoon, but was anxious, I thought, to assure me of her friendship by special little courtesies, as when she lighted my candle and carried it upstairs before saying Good night.
Brand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Brand handed me the slip and said, “Poor devil!”
broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading For me, and for many men, they were days of exultation, wild adventure, pity, immense hope, tremendous scenes uplifted by a sense of victory; though for others, the soldiers who did the dirty work, brought up lorry columns through the mud of the old battlefields, far behind our new front line, carried on still with the hard old drudgery of war, they were days not marked out by any special jubilation, or variety, or hope, but just like all the others that had gone before since first they came to France.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I went back to my billet in Madame Chéri’s house, and she made no allusion to our conversation in the afternoon, but was anxious, I thought, to assure me of her friendship by special little courtesies, as when she lighted my candle and carried it upstairs before saying Good night.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading I went back to my billet in Madame Chéri’s house, and she made no allusion to our conversation in the afternoon, but was anxious, I thought, to assure me of her friendship by special little courtesies, as when she lighted my candle and carried it upstairs before saying Good night.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For me, and for many men, they were days of exultation, wild adventure, pity, immense hope, tremendous scenes uplifted by a sense of victory; though for others, the soldiers who did the dirty work, brought up lorry columns through the mud of the old battlefields, far behind our new front line, carried on still with the hard old drudgery of war, they were days not marked out by any special jubilation, or variety, or hope, but just like all the others that had gone before since first they came to France.
candle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I went back to my billet in Madame Chéri’s house, and she made no allusion to our conversation in the afternoon, but was anxious, I thought, to assure me of her friendship by special little courtesies, as when she lighted my candle and carried it upstairs before saying Good night.
carried
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I went back to my billet in Madame Chéri’s house, and she made no allusion to our conversation in the afternoon, but was anxious, I thought, to assure me of her friendship by special little courtesies, as when she lighted my candle and carried it upstairs before saying Good night.
Chéri's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I went back to my billet in Madame Chéri’s house, and she made no allusion to our conversation in the afternoon, but was anxious, I thought, to assure me of her friendship by special little courtesies, as when she lighted my candle and carried it upstairs before saying Good night.
columns
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For me, and for many men, they were days of exultation, wild adventure, pity, immense hope, tremendous scenes uplifted by a sense of victory; though for others, the soldiers who did the dirty work, brought up lorry columns through the mud of the old battlefields, far behind our new front line, carried on still with the hard old drudgery of war, they were days not marked out by any special jubilation, or variety, or hope, but just like all the others that had gone before since first they came to France.
conversation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I went back to my billet in Madame Chéri’s house, and she made no allusion to our conversation in the afternoon, but was anxious, I thought, to assure me of her friendship by special little courtesies, as when she lighted my candle and carried it upstairs before saying Good night.
courtesies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I went back to my billet in Madame Chéri’s house, and she made no allusion to our conversation in the afternoon, but was anxious, I thought, to assure me of her friendship by special little courtesies, as when she lighted my candle and carried it upstairs before saying Good night.
days
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading XV They were great days--in the last two weeks before the Armistice!
devil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Brand handed me the slip and said, “Poor devil!”
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading For me, and for many men, they were days of exultation, wild adventure, pity, immense hope, tremendous scenes uplifted by a sense of victory; though for others, the soldiers who did the dirty work, brought up lorry columns through the mud of the old battlefields, far behind our new front line, carried on still with the hard old drudgery of war, they were days not marked out by any special jubilation, or variety, or hope, but just like all the others that had gone before since first they came to France.
dirty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For me, and for many men, they were days of exultation, wild adventure, pity, immense hope, tremendous scenes uplifted by a sense of victory; though for others, the soldiers who did the dirty work, brought up lorry columns through the mud of the old battlefields, far behind our new front line, carried on still with the hard old drudgery of war, they were days not marked out by any special jubilation, or variety, or hope, but just like all the others that had gone before since first they came to France.
dreams
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hélène was learning English fast and furiously, and with her arms round her mother’s waist, said, “Sleep well, sir, and very good dreams to you!” which I imagine was a sentence out of her text-book.
drudgery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For me, and for many men, they were days of exultation, wild adventure, pity, immense hope, tremendous scenes uplifted by a sense of victory; though for others, the soldiers who did the dirty work, brought up lorry columns through the mud of the old battlefields, far behind our new front line, carried on still with the hard old drudgery of war, they were days not marked out by any special jubilation, or variety, or hope, but just like all the others that had gone before since first they came to France.
English
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hélène was learning English fast and furiously, and with her arms round her mother’s waist, said, “Sleep well, sir, and very good dreams to you!” which I imagine was a sentence out of her text-book.
exultation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For me, and for many men, they were days of exultation, wild adventure, pity, immense hope, tremendous scenes uplifted by a sense of victory; though for others, the soldiers who did the dirty work, brought up lorry columns through the mud of the old battlefields, far behind our new front line, carried on still with the hard old drudgery of war, they were days not marked out by any special jubilation, or variety, or hope, but just like all the others that had gone before since first they came to France.
far
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For me, and for many men, they were days of exultation, wild adventure, pity, immense hope, tremendous scenes uplifted by a sense of victory; though for others, the soldiers who did the dirty work, brought up lorry columns through the mud of the old battlefields, far behind our new front line, carried on still with the hard old drudgery of war, they were days not marked out by any special jubilation, or variety, or hope, but just like all the others that had gone before since first they came to France.
fast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hélène was learning English fast and furiously, and with her arms round her mother’s waist, said, “Sleep well, sir, and very good dreams to you!” which I imagine was a sentence out of her text-book.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For me, and for many men, they were days of exultation, wild adventure, pity, immense hope, tremendous scenes uplifted by a sense of victory; though for others, the soldiers who did the dirty work, brought up lorry columns through the mud of the old battlefields, far behind our new front line, carried on still with the hard old drudgery of war, they were days not marked out by any special jubilation, or variety, or hope, but just like all the others that had gone before since first they came to France.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For me, and for many men, they were days of exultation, wild adventure, pity, immense hope, tremendous scenes uplifted by a sense of victory; though for others, the soldiers who did the dirty work, brought up lorry columns through the mud of the old battlefields, far behind our new front line, carried on still with the hard old drudgery of war, they were days not marked out by any special jubilation, or variety, or hope, but just like all the others that had gone before since first they came to France.
France
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For me, and for many men, they were days of exultation, wild adventure, pity, immense hope, tremendous scenes uplifted by a sense of victory; though for others, the soldiers who did the dirty work, brought up lorry columns through the mud of the old battlefields, far behind our new front line, carried on still with the hard old drudgery of war, they were days not marked out by any special jubilation, or variety, or hope, but just like all the others that had gone before since first they came to France.
friendship
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I went back to my billet in Madame Chéri’s house, and she made no allusion to our conversation in the afternoon, but was anxious, I thought, to assure me of her friendship by special little courtesies, as when she lighted my candle and carried it upstairs before saying Good night.
front
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For me, and for many men, they were days of exultation, wild adventure, pity, immense hope, tremendous scenes uplifted by a sense of victory; though for others, the soldiers who did the dirty work, brought up lorry columns through the mud of the old battlefields, far behind our new front line, carried on still with the hard old drudgery of war, they were days not marked out by any special jubilation, or variety, or hope, but just like all the others that had gone before since first they came to France.
furiously
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hélène was learning English fast and furiously, and with her arms round her mother’s waist, said, “Sleep well, sir, and very good dreams to you!” which I imagine was a sentence out of her text-book.
gone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For me, and for many men, they were days of exultation, wild adventure, pity, immense hope, tremendous scenes uplifted by a sense of victory; though for others, the soldiers who did the dirty work, brought up lorry columns through the mud of the old battlefields, far behind our new front line, carried on still with the hard old drudgery of war, they were days not marked out by any special jubilation, or variety, or hope, but just like all the others that had gone before since first they came to France.
GoodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I went back to my billet in Madame Chéri’s house, and she made no allusion to our conversation in the afternoon, but was anxious, I thought, to assure me of her friendship by special little courtesies, as when she lighted my candle and carried it upstairs before saying Good night.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading XV They were great days--in the last two weeks before the Armistice!
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading For me, and for many men, they were days of exultation, wild adventure, pity, immense hope, tremendous scenes uplifted by a sense of victory; though for others, the soldiers who did the dirty work, brought up lorry columns through the mud of the old battlefields, far behind our new front line, carried on still with the hard old drudgery of war, they were days not marked out by any special jubilation, or variety, or hope, but just like all the others that had gone before since first they came to France.
handed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Brand handed me the slip and said, “Poor devil!”
hard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For me, and for many men, they were days of exultation, wild adventure, pity, immense hope, tremendous scenes uplifted by a sense of victory; though for others, the soldiers who did the dirty work, brought up lorry columns through the mud of the old battlefields, far behind our new front line, carried on still with the hard old drudgery of war, they were days not marked out by any special jubilation, or variety, or hope, but just like all the others that had gone before since first they came to France.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading I went back to my billet in Madame Chéri’s house, and she made no allusion to our conversation in the afternoon, but was anxious, I thought, to assure me of her friendship by special little courtesies, as when she lighted my candle and carried it upstairs before saying Good night.
hope
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For me, and for many men, they were days of exultation, wild adventure, pity, immense hope, tremendous scenes uplifted by a sense of victory; though for others, the soldiers who did the dirty work, brought up lorry columns through the mud of the old battlefields, far behind our new front line, carried on still with the hard old drudgery of war, they were days not marked out by any special jubilation, or variety, or hope, but just like all the others that had gone before since first they came to France.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I went back to my billet in Madame Chéri’s house, and she made no allusion to our conversation in the afternoon, but was anxious, I thought, to assure me of her friendship by special little courtesies, as when she lighted my candle and carried it upstairs before saying Good night.
Hélène
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hélène was learning English fast and furiously, and with her arms round her mother’s waist, said, “Sleep well, sir, and very good dreams to you!” which I imagine was a sentence out of her text-book.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I went back to my billet in Madame Chéri’s house, and she made no allusion to our conversation in the afternoon, but was anxious, I thought, to assure me of her friendship by special little courtesies, as when she lighted my candle and carried it upstairs before saying Good night.
imaginenounUS /ˈimagine/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Hélène was learning English fast and furiously, and with her arms round her mother’s waist, said, “Sleep well, sir, and very good dreams to you!” which I imagine was a sentence out of her text-book.
immense
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For me, and for many men, they were days of exultation, wild adventure, pity, immense hope, tremendous scenes uplifted by a sense of victory; though for others, the soldiers who did the dirty work, brought up lorry columns through the mud of the old battlefields, far behind our new front line, carried on still with the hard old drudgery of war, they were days not marked out by any special jubilation, or variety, or hope, but just like all the others that had gone before since first they came to France.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading I went back to my billet in Madame Chéri’s house, and she made no allusion to our conversation in the afternoon, but was anxious, I thought, to assure me of her friendship by special little courtesies, as when she lighted my candle and carried it upstairs before saying Good night.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I went back to my billet in Madame Chéri’s house, and she made no allusion to our conversation in the afternoon, but was anxious, I thought, to assure me of her friendship by special little courtesies, as when she lighted my candle and carried it upstairs before saying Good night.
jubilation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For me, and for many men, they were days of exultation, wild adventure, pity, immense hope, tremendous scenes uplifted by a sense of victory; though for others, the soldiers who did the dirty work, brought up lorry columns through the mud of the old battlefields, far behind our new front line, carried on still with the hard old drudgery of war, they were days not marked out by any special jubilation, or variety, or hope, but just like all the others that had gone before since first they came to France.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For me, and for many men, they were days of exultation, wild adventure, pity, immense hope, tremendous scenes uplifted by a sense of victory; though for others, the soldiers who did the dirty work, brought up lorry columns through the mud of the old battlefields, far behind our new front line, carried on still with the hard old drudgery of war, they were days not marked out by any special jubilation, or variety, or hope, but just like all the others that had gone before since first they came to France.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading XV They were great days--in the last two weeks before the Armistice!
learning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hélène was learning English fast and furiously, and with her arms round her mother’s waist, said, “Sleep well, sir, and very good dreams to you!” which I imagine was a sentence out of her text-book.
lighted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I went back to my billet in Madame Chéri’s house, and she made no allusion to our conversation in the afternoon, but was anxious, I thought, to assure me of her friendship by special little courtesies, as when she lighted my candle and carried it upstairs before saying Good night.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For me, and for many men, they were days of exultation, wild adventure, pity, immense hope, tremendous scenes uplifted by a sense of victory; though for others, the soldiers who did the dirty work, brought up lorry columns through the mud of the old battlefields, far behind our new front line, carried on still with the hard old drudgery of war, they were days not marked out by any special jubilation, or variety, or hope, but just like all the others that had gone before since first they came to France.
line
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For me, and for many men, they were days of exultation, wild adventure, pity, immense hope, tremendous scenes uplifted by a sense of victory; though for others, the soldiers who did the dirty work, brought up lorry columns through the mud of the old battlefields, far behind our new front line, carried on still with the hard old drudgery of war, they were days not marked out by any special jubilation, or variety, or hope, but just like all the others that had gone before since first they came to France.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I went back to my billet in Madame Chéri’s house, and she made no allusion to our conversation in the afternoon, but was anxious, I thought, to assure me of her friendship by special little courtesies, as when she lighted my candle and carried it upstairs before saying Good night.
lorry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For me, and for many men, they were days of exultation, wild adventure, pity, immense hope, tremendous scenes uplifted by a sense of victory; though for others, the soldiers who did the dirty work, brought up lorry columns through the mud of the old battlefields, far behind our new front line, carried on still with the hard old drudgery of war, they were days not marked out by any special jubilation, or variety, or hope, but just like all the others that had gone before since first they came to France.
Madame
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I went back to my billet in Madame Chéri’s house, and she made no allusion to our conversation in the afternoon, but was anxious, I thought, to assure me of her friendship by special little courtesies, as when she lighted my candle and carried it upstairs before saying Good night.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I went back to my billet in Madame Chéri’s house, and she made no allusion to our conversation in the afternoon, but was anxious, I thought, to assure me of her friendship by special little courtesies, as when she lighted my candle and carried it upstairs before saying Good night.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For me, and for many men, they were days of exultation, wild adventure, pity, immense hope, tremendous scenes uplifted by a sense of victory; though for others, the soldiers who did the dirty work, brought up lorry columns through the mud of the old battlefields, far behind our new front line, carried on still with the hard old drudgery of war, they were days not marked out by any special jubilation, or variety, or hope, but just like all the others that had gone before since first they came to France.
marked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For me, and for many men, they were days of exultation, wild adventure, pity, immense hope, tremendous scenes uplifted by a sense of victory; though for others, the soldiers who did the dirty work, brought up lorry columns through the mud of the old battlefields, far behind our new front line, carried on still with the hard old drudgery of war, they were days not marked out by any special jubilation, or variety, or hope, but just like all the others that had gone before since first they came to France.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Brand handed me the slip and said, “Poor devil!”
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For me, and for many men, they were days of exultation, wild adventure, pity, immense hope, tremendous scenes uplifted by a sense of victory; though for others, the soldiers who did the dirty work, brought up lorry columns through the mud of the old battlefields, far behind our new front line, carried on still with the hard old drudgery of war, they were days not marked out by any special jubilation, or variety, or hope, but just like all the others that had gone before since first they came to France.
mother's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hélène was learning English fast and furiously, and with her arms round her mother’s waist, said, “Sleep well, sir, and very good dreams to you!” which I imagine was a sentence out of her text-book.
mud
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For me, and for many men, they were days of exultation, wild adventure, pity, immense hope, tremendous scenes uplifted by a sense of victory; though for others, the soldiers who did the dirty work, brought up lorry columns through the mud of the old battlefields, far behind our new front line, carried on still with the hard old drudgery of war, they were days not marked out by any special jubilation, or variety, or hope, but just like all the others that had gone before since first they came to France.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I went back to my billet in Madame Chéri’s house, and she made no allusion to our conversation in the afternoon, but was anxious, I thought, to assure me of her friendship by special little courtesies, as when she lighted my candle and carried it upstairs before saying Good night.
new
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For me, and for many men, they were days of exultation, wild adventure, pity, immense hope, tremendous scenes uplifted by a sense of victory; though for others, the soldiers who did the dirty work, brought up lorry columns through the mud of the old battlefields, far behind our new front line, carried on still with the hard old drudgery of war, they were days not marked out by any special jubilation, or variety, or hope, but just like all the others that had gone before since first they came to France.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I went back to my billet in Madame Chéri’s house, and she made no allusion to our conversation in the afternoon, but was anxious, I thought, to assure me of her friendship by special little courtesies, as when she lighted my candle and carried it upstairs before saying Good night.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading I went back to my billet in Madame Chéri’s house, and she made no allusion to our conversation in the afternoon, but was anxious, I thought, to assure me of her friendship by special little courtesies, as when she lighted my candle and carried it upstairs before saying Good night.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading For me, and for many men, they were days of exultation, wild adventure, pity, immense hope, tremendous scenes uplifted by a sense of victory; though for others, the soldiers who did the dirty work, brought up lorry columns through the mud of the old battlefields, far behind our new front line, carried on still with the hard old drudgery of war, they were days not marked out by any special jubilation, or variety, or hope, but just like all the others that had gone before since first they came to France.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I went back to my billet in Madame Chéri’s house, and she made no allusion to our conversation in the afternoon, but was anxious, I thought, to assure me of her friendship by special little courtesies, as when she lighted my candle and carried it upstairs before saying Good night.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For me, and for many men, they were days of exultation, wild adventure, pity, immense hope, tremendous scenes uplifted by a sense of victory; though for others, the soldiers who did the dirty work, brought up lorry columns through the mud of the old battlefields, far behind our new front line, carried on still with the hard old drudgery of war, they were days not marked out by any special jubilation, or variety, or hope, but just like all the others that had gone before since first they came to France.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading For me, and for many men, they were days of exultation, wild adventure, pity, immense hope, tremendous scenes uplifted by a sense of victory; though for others, the soldiers who did the dirty work, brought up lorry columns through the mud of the old battlefields, far behind our new front line, carried on still with the hard old drudgery of war, they were days not marked out by any special jubilation, or variety, or hope, but just like all the others that had gone before since first they came to France.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading For me, and for many men, they were days of exultation, wild adventure, pity, immense hope, tremendous scenes uplifted by a sense of victory; though for others, the soldiers who did the dirty work, brought up lorry columns through the mud of the old battlefields, far behind our new front line, carried on still with the hard old drudgery of war, they were days not marked out by any special jubilation, or variety, or hope, but just like all the others that had gone before since first they came to France.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For me, and for many men, they were days of exultation, wild adventure, pity, immense hope, tremendous scenes uplifted by a sense of victory; though for others, the soldiers who did the dirty work, brought up lorry columns through the mud of the old battlefields, far behind our new front line, carried on still with the hard old drudgery of war, they were days not marked out by any special jubilation, or variety, or hope, but just like all the others that had gone before since first they came to France.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading I went back to my billet in Madame Chéri’s house, and she made no allusion to our conversation in the afternoon, but was anxious, I thought, to assure me of her friendship by special little courtesies, as when she lighted my candle and carried it upstairs before saying Good night.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hélène was learning English fast and furiously, and with her arms round her mother’s waist, said, “Sleep well, sir, and very good dreams to you!” which I imagine was a sentence out of her text-book.
pity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For me, and for many men, they were days of exultation, wild adventure, pity, immense hope, tremendous scenes uplifted by a sense of victory; though for others, the soldiers who did the dirty work, brought up lorry columns through the mud of the old battlefields, far behind our new front line, carried on still with the hard old drudgery of war, they were days not marked out by any special jubilation, or variety, or hope, but just like all the others that had gone before since first they came to France.
PoornounUS /poor/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Brand handed me the slip and said, “Poor devil!”
round
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hélène was learning English fast and furiously, and with her arms round her mother’s waist, said, “Sleep well, sir, and very good dreams to you!” which I imagine was a sentence out of her text-book.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Brand handed me the slip and said, “Poor devil!”
saying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I went back to my billet in Madame Chéri’s house, and she made no allusion to our conversation in the afternoon, but was anxious, I thought, to assure me of her friendship by special little courtesies, as when she lighted my candle and carried it upstairs before saying Good night.
scenes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For me, and for many men, they were days of exultation, wild adventure, pity, immense hope, tremendous scenes uplifted by a sense of victory; though for others, the soldiers who did the dirty work, brought up lorry columns through the mud of the old battlefields, far behind our new front line, carried on still with the hard old drudgery of war, they were days not marked out by any special jubilation, or variety, or hope, but just like all the others that had gone before since first they came to France.
sense
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For me, and for many men, they were days of exultation, wild adventure, pity, immense hope, tremendous scenes uplifted by a sense of victory; though for others, the soldiers who did the dirty work, brought up lorry columns through the mud of the old battlefields, far behind our new front line, carried on still with the hard old drudgery of war, they were days not marked out by any special jubilation, or variety, or hope, but just like all the others that had gone before since first they came to France.
sentence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hélène was learning English fast and furiously, and with her arms round her mother’s waist, said, “Sleep well, sir, and very good dreams to you!” which I imagine was a sentence out of her text-book.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I went back to my billet in Madame Chéri’s house, and she made no allusion to our conversation in the afternoon, but was anxious, I thought, to assure me of her friendship by special little courtesies, as when she lighted my candle and carried it upstairs before saying Good night.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading For me, and for many men, they were days of exultation, wild adventure, pity, immense hope, tremendous scenes uplifted by a sense of victory; though for others, the soldiers who did the dirty work, brought up lorry columns through the mud of the old battlefields, far behind our new front line, carried on still with the hard old drudgery of war, they were days not marked out by any special jubilation, or variety, or hope, but just like all the others that had gone before since first they came to France.
sir
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hélène was learning English fast and furiously, and with her arms round her mother’s waist, said, “Sleep well, sir, and very good dreams to you!” which I imagine was a sentence out of her text-book.
Sleep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hélène was learning English fast and furiously, and with her arms round her mother’s waist, said, “Sleep well, sir, and very good dreams to you!” which I imagine was a sentence out of her text-book.
slip
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Brand handed me the slip and said, “Poor devil!”
soldiers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For me, and for many men, they were days of exultation, wild adventure, pity, immense hope, tremendous scenes uplifted by a sense of victory; though for others, the soldiers who did the dirty work, brought up lorry columns through the mud of the old battlefields, far behind our new front line, carried on still with the hard old drudgery of war, they were days not marked out by any special jubilation, or variety, or hope, but just like all the others that had gone before since first they came to France.
special
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I went back to my billet in Madame Chéri’s house, and she made no allusion to our conversation in the afternoon, but was anxious, I thought, to assure me of her friendship by special little courtesies, as when she lighted my candle and carried it upstairs before saying Good night.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For me, and for many men, they were days of exultation, wild adventure, pity, immense hope, tremendous scenes uplifted by a sense of victory; though for others, the soldiers who did the dirty work, brought up lorry columns through the mud of the old battlefields, far behind our new front line, carried on still with the hard old drudgery of war, they were days not marked out by any special jubilation, or variety, or hope, but just like all the others that had gone before since first they came to France.
text-book
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hélène was learning English fast and furiously, and with her arms round her mother’s waist, said, “Sleep well, sir, and very good dreams to you!” which I imagine was a sentence out of her text-book.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading For me, and for many men, they were days of exultation, wild adventure, pity, immense hope, tremendous scenes uplifted by a sense of victory; though for others, the soldiers who did the dirty work, brought up lorry columns through the mud of the old battlefields, far behind our new front line, carried on still with the hard old drudgery of war, they were days not marked out by any special jubilation, or variety, or hope, but just like all the others that had gone before since first they came to France.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Brand handed me the slip and said, “Poor devil!”
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading XV They were great days--in the last two weeks before the Armistice!
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading For me, and for many men, they were days of exultation, wild adventure, pity, immense hope, tremendous scenes uplifted by a sense of victory; though for others, the soldiers who did the dirty work, brought up lorry columns through the mud of the old battlefields, far behind our new front line, carried on still with the hard old drudgery of war, they were days not marked out by any special jubilation, or variety, or hope, but just like all the others that had gone before since first they came to France.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I went back to my billet in Madame Chéri’s house, and she made no allusion to our conversation in the afternoon, but was anxious, I thought, to assure me of her friendship by special little courtesies, as when she lighted my candle and carried it upstairs before saying Good night.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading For me, and for many men, they were days of exultation, wild adventure, pity, immense hope, tremendous scenes uplifted by a sense of victory; though for others, the soldiers who did the dirty work, brought up lorry columns through the mud of the old battlefields, far behind our new front line, carried on still with the hard old drudgery of war, they were days not marked out by any special jubilation, or variety, or hope, but just like all the others that had gone before since first they came to France.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I went back to my billet in Madame Chéri’s house, and she made no allusion to our conversation in the afternoon, but was anxious, I thought, to assure me of her friendship by special little courtesies, as when she lighted my candle and carried it upstairs before saying Good night.
tremendous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For me, and for many men, they were days of exultation, wild adventure, pity, immense hope, tremendous scenes uplifted by a sense of victory; though for others, the soldiers who did the dirty work, brought up lorry columns through the mud of the old battlefields, far behind our new front line, carried on still with the hard old drudgery of war, they were days not marked out by any special jubilation, or variety, or hope, but just like all the others that had gone before since first they came to France.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading XV They were great days--in the last two weeks before the Armistice!
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For me, and for many men, they were days of exultation, wild adventure, pity, immense hope, tremendous scenes uplifted by a sense of victory; though for others, the soldiers who did the dirty work, brought up lorry columns through the mud of the old battlefields, far behind our new front line, carried on still with the hard old drudgery of war, they were days not marked out by any special jubilation, or variety, or hope, but just like all the others that had gone before since first they came to France.
uplifted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For me, and for many men, they were days of exultation, wild adventure, pity, immense hope, tremendous scenes uplifted by a sense of victory; though for others, the soldiers who did the dirty work, brought up lorry columns through the mud of the old battlefields, far behind our new front line, carried on still with the hard old drudgery of war, they were days not marked out by any special jubilation, or variety, or hope, but just like all the others that had gone before since first they came to France.
upstairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I went back to my billet in Madame Chéri’s house, and she made no allusion to our conversation in the afternoon, but was anxious, I thought, to assure me of her friendship by special little courtesies, as when she lighted my candle and carried it upstairs before saying Good night.
variety
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For me, and for many men, they were days of exultation, wild adventure, pity, immense hope, tremendous scenes uplifted by a sense of victory; though for others, the soldiers who did the dirty work, brought up lorry columns through the mud of the old battlefields, far behind our new front line, carried on still with the hard old drudgery of war, they were days not marked out by any special jubilation, or variety, or hope, but just like all the others that had gone before since first they came to France.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hélène was learning English fast and furiously, and with her arms round her mother’s waist, said, “Sleep well, sir, and very good dreams to you!” which I imagine was a sentence out of her text-book.
victory
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For me, and for many men, they were days of exultation, wild adventure, pity, immense hope, tremendous scenes uplifted by a sense of victory; though for others, the soldiers who did the dirty work, brought up lorry columns through the mud of the old battlefields, far behind our new front line, carried on still with the hard old drudgery of war, they were days not marked out by any special jubilation, or variety, or hope, but just like all the others that had gone before since first they came to France.
waist
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hélène was learning English fast and furiously, and with her arms round her mother’s waist, said, “Sleep well, sir, and very good dreams to you!” which I imagine was a sentence out of her text-book.
war
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For me, and for many men, they were days of exultation, wild adventure, pity, immense hope, tremendous scenes uplifted by a sense of victory; though for others, the soldiers who did the dirty work, brought up lorry columns through the mud of the old battlefields, far behind our new front line, carried on still with the hard old drudgery of war, they were days not marked out by any special jubilation, or variety, or hope, but just like all the others that had gone before since first they came to France.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I went back to my billet in Madame Chéri’s house, and she made no allusion to our conversation in the afternoon, but was anxious, I thought, to assure me of her friendship by special little courtesies, as when she lighted my candle and carried it upstairs before saying Good night.
weeks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading XV They were great days--in the last two weeks before the Armistice!
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hélène was learning English fast and furiously, and with her arms round her mother’s waist, said, “Sleep well, sir, and very good dreams to you!” which I imagine was a sentence out of her text-book.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I went back to my billet in Madame Chéri’s house, and she made no allusion to our conversation in the afternoon, but was anxious, I thought, to assure me of her friendship by special little courtesies, as when she lighted my candle and carried it upstairs before saying Good night.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading XV They were great days--in the last two weeks before the Armistice!
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading I went back to my billet in Madame Chéri’s house, and she made no allusion to our conversation in the afternoon, but was anxious, I thought, to assure me of her friendship by special little courtesies, as when she lighted my candle and carried it upstairs before saying Good night.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Hélène was learning English fast and furiously, and with her arms round her mother’s waist, said, “Sleep well, sir, and very good dreams to you!” which I imagine was a sentence out of her text-book.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading For me, and for many men, they were days of exultation, wild adventure, pity, immense hope, tremendous scenes uplifted by a sense of victory; though for others, the soldiers who did the dirty work, brought up lorry columns through the mud of the old battlefields, far behind our new front line, carried on still with the hard old drudgery of war, they were days not marked out by any special jubilation, or variety, or hope, but just like all the others that had gone before since first they came to France.
wild
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For me, and for many men, they were days of exultation, wild adventure, pity, immense hope, tremendous scenes uplifted by a sense of victory; though for others, the soldiers who did the dirty work, brought up lorry columns through the mud of the old battlefields, far behind our new front line, carried on still with the hard old drudgery of war, they were days not marked out by any special jubilation, or variety, or hope, but just like all the others that had gone before since first they came to France.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Hélène was learning English fast and furiously, and with her arms round her mother’s waist, said, “Sleep well, sir, and very good dreams to you!” which I imagine was a sentence out of her text-book.
work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For me, and for many men, they were days of exultation, wild adventure, pity, immense hope, tremendous scenes uplifted by a sense of victory; though for others, the soldiers who did the dirty work, brought up lorry columns through the mud of the old battlefields, far behind our new front line, carried on still with the hard old drudgery of war, they were days not marked out by any special jubilation, or variety, or hope, but just like all the others that had gone before since first they came to France.
XV
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading XV They were great days--in the last two weeks before the Armistice!
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Hélène was learning English fast and furiously, and with her arms round her mother’s waist, said, “Sleep well, sir, and very good dreams to you!” which I imagine was a sentence out of her text-book.