Aisne

[ eyn; French en ]

noun

1. a river in N France, flowing NW and W to the Oise. 175 miles (280 km) long.
2. a department in N France. 2,868 sq. mi. (7,430 sq. km). : Laon.

Aisne

/ ɛn; eɪn /

noun

1. a department of NE France, in Picardy region. Capital: Laon. Pop: 535 326 (2003 est). Area: 7428 sq km (2897 sq miles)
2. a river in N France, rising in the Argonne Forest and flowing northwest and west to the River Oise: scene of a major Allied offensive in 1918 which turned the tide finally against Germany in World War I. Length: 282 km (175 miles)

Example Sentences

During his four years in the navy, Mr Winter visited Scotland, Iceland and Russia whilst serving on minesweepers HMS Harrier and HMS Combatant, as well as on battle class destroyer HMS Aisne.

From BBC

Moving swiftly, the Germans crossed the Aisne River and advanced as far south as Château-Thierry.

From Literature

There was little the exhausted Germans could do but order a retreat, and by August 1918 they had been driven back to the Aisne River.

From Literature

The entire German force fell back to defensive positions along the Aisne River, north of the Marne, as the French and British followed cautiously.

From Literature

When the Germans reached high ground behind the Aisne, they began to dig furiously, preparing fortified trenches that they would defend against Allied attacks for the next four years.

From Literature