The memory of man, even that of the Oldest Inhabitant, runneth not back to the time when there did not exist a feud¹ between the North End and the South End boys of Rivermouth.

   The origin of the feud is involved in mystery; it is impossible to say which party was the first aggressor in the far-off anterevolutionary ages; but the fact remains² that the youngsters of those antipodal sections entertained a mortal hatred³ for each other, and that this hatred had been handed down from generation to generation, like Miles Standish's punch-bowl.

   I know not what laws, natural or unnatural⁴, regulated the warmth of the quarrel; but at some seasons it raged more violently than at others. This winter both parties were unusually lively and antagonistic⁵. Great was the wrath⁶ of the South-Enders, when they discovered that the North-Enders had thrown up a fort on the crown of Slatter's Hill.

   Slatter's Hill, or No-man's-land, as it was generally called, was a rise of ground covering, perhaps, an acre and a quarter, situated⁷ on an imaginary line, marking the boundary between the two districts. An immense stratum⁸ of granite⁹, which here and there thrust out a wrinkled boulder¹⁰, prevented the site from being used for building purposes. The street ran on either side of the hill, from one part of which a quantity of rock had been removed to form the underpinning¹¹

点击收听单词发音  

1 feud
n.长期不和；世仇；v.长期争斗；世代结仇
参考例句：
How did he start his feud with his neighbor?他是怎样和邻居开始争吵起来的？ The two tribes were long at feud with each other.这两个部族长期不和。

2 remains
n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹
参考例句：
He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。 The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。

3 hatred
n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨
参考例句：
He looked at me with hatred in his eyes.他以憎恨的眼光望着我。 The old man was seized with burning hatred for the fascists.老人对法西斯主义者充满了仇恨。

4 unnatural
adj.不自然的；反常的
参考例句：
Did her behaviour seem unnatural in any way?她有任何反常表现吗？ She has an unnatural smile on her face.她脸上挂着做作的微笑。

5 antagonistic
adj.敌对的
参考例句：
He is always antagonistic towards new ideas.他对新思想总是持反对态度。 They merely stirred in a nervous and wholly antagonistic way.他们只是神经质地，带着完全敌对情绪地骚动了一下。

6 wrath
n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒
参考例句：
His silence marked his wrath. 他的沉默表明了他的愤怒。 The wrath of the people is now aroused. 人们被激怒了。

7 situated
adj.坐落在...的，处于某种境地的
参考例句：
The village is situated at the margin of a forest.村子位于森林的边缘。 She is awkwardly situated.她的处境困难。

8 stratum
n.地层，社会阶层
参考例句：
The coal is a coal resource that reserves in old stratum.石煤是贮藏在古老地层中的一种煤炭资源。 How does Chinese society define the class and stratum?中国社会如何界定阶级与阶层？

9 granite
adj.花岗岩，花岗石
参考例句：
They squared a block of granite.他们把一块花岗岩加工成四方形。 The granite overlies the older rocks.花岗岩躺在磨损的岩石上面。

10 boulder
n.巨砾；卵石，圆石
参考例句：
We all heaved together and removed the boulder.大家一齐用劲，把大石头搬开了。 He stepped clear of the boulder.他从大石头后面走了出来。

11 underpinning
n.基础材料；基础结构；（学说、理论等的）基础；（人的）腿v.用砖石结构等从下面支撑（墙等）( underpin的现在分词 )；加固（墙等）的基础；为（论据、主张等）打下基础；加强
参考例句：
Underpinning this success has been an exemplary record of innovation. 具有典范性的创新确保了这次成功。 来自辞典例句 But underpinning Mr Armstrong's technology changes is a human touch. 但阿姆斯特朗技术变革的支柱是人情味。 来自互联网

12 excavation
n.挖掘，发掘；被挖掘之地
参考例句：
The bad weather has hung up the work of excavation.天气不好耽误了挖掘工作。 The excavation exposed some ancient ruins.这次挖掘暴露出一些古遗迹。

13 ragged
adj.衣衫褴褛的，粗糙的，刺耳的
参考例句：
A ragged shout went up from the small crowd.这一小群人发出了刺耳的喊叫。 Ragged clothing infers poverty.破衣烂衫意味着贫穷。

14 ledges
n.（墙壁，悬崖等）突出的狭长部分( ledge的名词复数 )；（平窄的）壁架；横档；（尤指）窗台
参考例句：
seabirds nesting on rocky ledges 海鸟在岩架上筑巢 A rusty ironrod projected mournfully from one of the window ledges. 一个窗架上突出一根生锈的铁棒，真是满目凄凉。 来自辞典例句

15 entrenchment
n.壕沟，防御设施
参考例句：
Right below the entrenchment, you will find another underground bunker. 在堑壕的下方，你能找到另一个地下碉堡。 来自互联网 There has been a shift in opinion on the issue after a decade of entrenchment. 在那议题上十年的固守之后，有了转变的看法。 来自互联网

16 quarry
n.采石场；v.采石；费力地找
参考例句：
Michelangelo obtained his marble from a quarry.米开朗基罗从采石场获得他的大理石。 This mountain was the site for a quarry.这座山曾经有一个采石场。

17 citadel
n.城堡；堡垒；避难所
参考例句：
The citadel was solid.城堡是坚固的。 This citadel is built on high ground for protecting the city.这座城堡建于高处是为保护城市。

18 jack
n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克
参考例句：
I am looking for the headphone jack.我正在找寻头戴式耳机插孔。 He lifted the car with a jack to change the flat tyre.他用千斤顶把车顶起来换下瘪轮胎。

19 defiantly
adv.挑战地，大胆对抗地
参考例句：
Braving snow and frost, the plum trees blossomed defiantly. 红梅傲雪凌霜开。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》 She tilted her chin at him defiantly. 她向他翘起下巴表示挑衅。 来自《简明英汉词典》

20 derisive
adj.嘲弄的
参考例句：
A storm of derisive applause broke out.一阵暴风雨般的哄笑声轰然响起。 They flushed,however,when she burst into a shout of derisive laughter.然而，当地大声嘲笑起来的时候，她们的脸不禁涨红了。

21 bestowed
赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句：
It was a title bestowed upon him by the king. 那是国王赐给他的头衔。 He considered himself unworthy of the honour they had bestowed on him. 他认为自己不配得到大家赋予他的荣誉。

22 foe
n.敌人，仇敌
参考例句：
He knew that Karl could be an implacable foe.他明白卡尔可能会成为他的死敌。 A friend is a friend;a foe is a foe;one must be clearly distinguished from the other.敌是敌，友是友，必须分清界限。

23 muster
v.集合，收集，鼓起，激起；n.集合，检阅，集合人员，点名册
参考例句：
Go and muster all the men you can find.去集合所有你能找到的人。 I had to muster my courage up to ask him that question.我必须鼓起勇气向他问那个问题。

24 permanently
adv.永恒地，永久地，固定不变地
参考例句：
The accident left him permanently scarred.那次事故给他留下了永久的伤疤。 The ship is now permanently moored on the Thames in London.该船现在永久地停泊在伦敦泰晤士河边。

25 stipulated
vt.& vi.规定；约定adj.[法]合同规定的
参考例句：
A delivery date is stipulated in the contract. 合同中规定了交货日期。 Yes, I think that's what we stipulated. 对呀，我想那是我们所订定的。 来自辞典例句

26 ace
n.A牌；发球得分；佼佼者；adj.杰出的
参考例句：
A good negotiator always has more than one ace in the hole.谈判高手总有数张王牌在手。 He is an ace mechanic.He can repair any cars.他是一流的机械师,什么车都会修。

27 abstain
v.自制，戒绝，弃权，避免
参考例句：
His doctor ordered him to abstain from beer and wine.他的医生嘱咐他戒酒。 Three Conservative MPs abstained in the vote.三位保守党下院议员投了弃权票。

28 pebbles
[复数]鹅卵石； 沙砾； 卵石，小圆石( pebble的名词复数 )
参考例句：
The pebbles of the drive crunched under his feet. 汽车道上的小石子在他脚底下喀嚓作响。 Line the pots with pebbles to ensure good drainage. 在罐子里铺一层鹅卵石，以确保排水良好。

29 permissible
adj.可允许的，许可的
参考例句：
Is smoking permissible in the theatre?在剧院里允许吸烟吗？ Delay is not permissible,even for a single day.不得延误，即使一日亦不可。

30 ammunition
n.军火，弹药
参考例句：
A few of the jeeps had run out of ammunition.几辆吉普车上的弹药已经用光了。 They have expended all their ammunition.他们把弹药用光。

31 projectile
n.投射物，发射体；adj.向前开进的；推进的；抛掷的
参考例句：
The vertical and horizontal motions of a projectile can be treated independently.抛射体的竖直方向和水平方向的运动能够分开来处理。 Have you altered the plans of the projectile as the telegram suggests?你已经按照电报的要求修改炮弹图样了吗?

32 disastrous
adj.灾难性的，造成灾害的；极坏的，很糟的
参考例句：
The heavy rainstorm caused a disastrous flood.暴雨成灾。 Her investment had disastrous consequences.She lost everything she owned.她的投资结果很惨，血本无归。

33 retired
adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的
参考例句：
The old man retired to the country for rest.这位老人下乡休息去了。 Many retired people take up gardening as a hobby.许多退休的人都以从事园艺为嗜好。

34 corps
n.(通信等兵种的)部队；(同类作的)一组
参考例句：
The medical corps were cited for bravery in combat.医疗队由于在战场上的英勇表现而受嘉奖。 When the war broke out,he volunteered for the Marine Corps.战争爆发时，他自愿参加了海军陆战队。

35 skilful
(=skillful)adj.灵巧的，熟练的
参考例句：
The more you practise,the more skilful you'll become.练习的次数越多，熟练的程度越高。 He's not very skilful with his chopsticks.他用筷子不大熟练。

36 repel
v.击退，抵制，拒绝，排斥
参考例句：
A country must have the will to repel any invader.一个国家得有决心击退任何入侵者。 Particles with similar electric charges repel each other.电荷同性的分子互相排斥。

37 infantry
n.[总称]步兵(部队)
参考例句：
The infantry were equipped with flame throwers.步兵都装备有喷火器。 We have less infantry than the enemy.我们的步兵比敌人少。

38 cavalry
n.骑兵；轻装甲部队
参考例句：
We were taken in flank by a troop of cavalry. 我们翼侧受到一队骑兵的袭击。 The enemy cavalry rode our men down. 敌人的骑兵撞倒了我们的人。

39 disposition
n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署
参考例句：
He has made a good disposition of his property.他已对财产作了妥善处理。 He has a cheerful disposition.他性情开朗。

40 dexterous
adj.灵敏的；灵巧的
参考例句：
As people grow older they generally become less dexterous.随着年龄的增长，人通常会变得不再那么手巧。 The manager was dexterous in handling his staff.那位经理善于运用他属下的职员。

41 descried
adj.被注意到的，被发现的，被看到的
参考例句：
He descried an island far away on the horizon. 他看到遥远的地平线上有个岛屿。 来自《简明英汉词典》 At length we descried a light and a roof. 终于，我们远远看见了一点灯光，一所孤舍。 来自辞典例句

42 sweeping
adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的
参考例句：
The citizens voted for sweeping reforms.公民投票支持全面的改革。 Can you hear the wind sweeping through the branches?你能听到风掠过树枝的声音吗？

43 crest
n.顶点；饰章；羽冠；vt.达到顶点；vi.形成浪尖
参考例句：
The rooster bristled his crest.公鸡竖起了鸡冠。 He reached the crest of the hill before dawn.他于黎明前到达山顶。

44 swelled
增强( swell的过去式和过去分词 )； 肿胀； （使）凸出； 充满（激情）
参考例句：
The infection swelled his hand. 由于感染，他的手肿了起来。 After the heavy rain the river swelled. 大雨过后，河水猛涨。

45 bosom
n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的
参考例句：
She drew a little book from her bosom.她从怀里取出一本小册子。 A dark jealousy stirred in his bosom.他内心生出一阵恶毒的嫉妒。

46 harass
vt.使烦恼，折磨，骚扰
参考例句：
Our mission is to harass the landing of the main Japaness expeditionary force.我们的任务是骚乱日本远征军主力的登陆。 They received the order to harass the enemy's rear.他们接到骚扰敌人后方的命令。

47 discomfited
v.使为难( discomfit的过去式和过去分词)；使狼狈；使挫折；挫败
参考例句：
He was discomfited by the unexpected questions. 意料不到的问题使得他十分尴尬。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》 He will be particularly discomfited by the minister's dismissal of his plan. 部长对他计划的不理会将使他特别尴尬。 来自辞典例句

48 gallantly
adv. 漂亮地，勇敢地，献殷勤地
参考例句：
He gallantly offered to carry her cases to the car. 他殷勤地要帮她把箱子拎到车子里去。 The new fighters behave gallantly under fire. 新战士在炮火下表现得很勇敢。

49 lieutenant
n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员
参考例句：
He was promoted to be a lieutenant in the army.他被提升为陆军中尉。 He prevailed on the lieutenant to send in a short note.他说动那个副官，递上了一张简短的便条进去。

50 hurled
v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的过去式和过去分词 )；大声叫骂
参考例句：
He hurled a brick through the window. 他往窗户里扔了块砖。 The strong wind hurled down bits of the roof. 大风把屋顶的瓦片刮了下来。 来自《简明英汉词典》

51 garrison
n.卫戍部队；驻地，卫戍区；vt.派(兵)驻防
参考例句：
The troops came to the relief of the besieged garrison.军队来援救被围的守备军。 The German was moving to stiffen up the garrison in Sicily.德军正在加强西西里守军之力量。

52 jeered
v.嘲笑( jeer的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句：
The police were jeered at by the waiting crowd. 警察受到在等待的人群的嘲弄。 The crowd jeered when the boxer was knocked down. 当那个拳击手被打倒时，人们开始嘲笑他。 来自《简明英汉词典》

53 fracas
n.打架；吵闹
参考例句：
A couple of mobsters were rubbed out in a fracas with the law.几个暴徒在与警方喧闹的斗争中丧命。 The police were called in to stop the fracas.警察奉命去制止骚乱。

54 slate
n.板岩，石板，石片，石板色，候选人名单；adj.暗蓝灰色的，含板岩的；vt.用石板覆盖，痛打，提名，预订
参考例句：
The nominating committee laid its slate before the board.提名委员会把候选人名单提交全体委员会讨论。 What kind of job uses stained wood and slate? 什么工作会接触木头污浊和石板呢？

55 detour
n.绕行的路，迂回路；v.迂回，绕道
参考例句：
We made a detour to avoid the heavy traffic.我们绕道走，避开繁忙的交通。 He did not take the direct route to his home,but made a detour around the outskirts of the city.他没有直接回家，而是绕到市郊兜了个圈子。

56 opposition
n.反对，敌对
参考例句：
The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。 The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。

57 retaliation
n.报复，反击
参考例句：
retaliation against UN workers 对联合国工作人员的报复 He never said a single word in retaliation. 他从未说过一句反击的话。 来自《简明英汉词典》

58 besieged
包围，围困，围攻( besiege的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句：
Paris was besieged for four months and forced to surrender. 巴黎被围困了四个月后被迫投降。 The community besieged the newspaper with letters about its recent editorial. 公众纷纷来信对报社新近发表的社论提出诘问，弄得报社应接不暇。

59 perilous
adj.危险的，冒险的
参考例句：
The journey through the jungle was perilous.穿过丛林的旅行充满了危险。 We have been carried in safety through a perilous crisis.历经一连串危机，我们如今已安然无恙。

60 truce
n.休战，(争执，烦恼等的)缓和；v.以停战结束
参考例句：
The hot weather gave the old man a truce from rheumatism.热天使这位老人暂时免受风湿病之苦。 She had thought of flying out to breathe the fresh air in an interval of truce.她想跑出去呼吸一下休战期间的新鲜空气。

61 detailed
adj.详细的，详尽的，极注意细节的，完全的
参考例句：
He had made a detailed study of the terrain.他对地形作了缜密的研究。 A detailed list of our publications is available on request.我们的出版物有一份详细的目录备索。

62 disturbance
n.动乱，骚动；打扰，干扰；(身心)失调
参考例句：
He is suffering an emotional disturbance.他的情绪受到了困扰。 You can work in here without any disturbance.在这儿你可不受任何干扰地工作。

63 assailed
v.攻击( assail的过去式和过去分词 )；困扰；质问；毅然应对
参考例句：
He was assailed with fierce blows to the head. 他的头遭到猛烈殴打。 He has been assailed by bad breaks all these years. 这些年来他接二连三地倒霉。 来自《用法词典》

64 determined
adj.坚定的；有决心的
参考例句：
I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。 He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。

65 valiantly
adv.勇敢地，英勇地；雄赳赳
参考例句：
He faced the enemy valiantly, shuned no difficulties and dangers and would not hesitate to lay down his life if need be. 他英勇对敌，不避艰险，赴汤蹈火在所不计。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》 Murcertach strove valiantly to meet the new order of things. 面对这个新事态，默克塔克英勇奋斗。 来自辞典例句

66 guardians
监护人( guardian的名词复数 )； 保护者，维护者
参考例句：
Farmers should be guardians of the countryside. 农民应是乡村的保卫者。 The police are guardians of law and order. 警察是法律和秩序的护卫者。

67 onsets
攻击，袭击（onset的复数形式）
参考例句：
The onsets were closely timed. 进攻一轮紧接着一轮。

68 valor
n.勇气，英勇
参考例句：
Fortitude is distinct from valor.坚韧不拔有别于勇猛。 Frequently banality is the better parts of valor.老生常谈往往比大胆打破常规更为人称道。

69 prospect
n.前景，前途；景色，视野
参考例句：
This state of things holds out a cheerful prospect.事态呈现出可喜的前景。 The prospect became more evident.前景变得更加明朗了。

70 discretion
n.谨慎；随意处理
参考例句：
You must show discretion in choosing your friend.你择友时必须慎重。 Please use your best discretion to handle the matter.请慎重处理此事。

71 decided
adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的
参考例句：
This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。 There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

72 razed
v.彻底摧毁，将…夷为平地( raze的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句：
The village was razed to the ground . 这座村庄被夷为平地。 Many villages were razed to the ground. 许多村子被夷为平地。 来自《简明英汉词典》

73 solitary
adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士
参考例句：
I am rather fond of a solitary stroll in the country.我颇喜欢在乡间独自徜徉。 The castle rises in solitary splendour on the fringe of the desert.这座城堡巍然耸立在沙漠的边际，显得十分壮美。