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adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE DEPARTURE OF THE EXPEDITION The conversation between the captain and the executive officer of the Bellevite was continued till they were called to supper; but a decision had been reached.
afternoonnounUS /ˈafternoon/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading In the afternoon the wind had come around to the south-west, and already a slight fog had obscured the Sand Island Lighthouse.
alreadynounUS /already/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In the afternoon the wind had come around to the south-west, and already a slight fog had obscured the Sand Island Lighthouse.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading On important occasions, as when several boats were ordered upon an expedition, it was not unusual to send the first lieutenant in command.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE DEPARTURE OF THE EXPEDITION The conversation between the captain and the executive officer of the Bellevite was continued till they were called to supper; but a decision had been reached.
appeared
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From this reading Though only a single whaleboat would be required for the enterprise in which the commander was so deeply interested, its importance appeared to justify the selection of the executive officer to conduct it; and Christy was directed to suit himself.
aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading In the afternoon the wind had come around to the south-west, and already a slight fog had obscured the Sand Island Lighthouse.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading On important occasions, as when several boats were ordered upon an expedition, it was not unusual to send the first lieutenant in command.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Of course the expedition was to be sent out at night, for the cover of the darkness was necessary to render it effectual.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Though only a single whaleboat would be required for the enterprise in which the commander was so deeply interested, its importance appeared to justify the selection of the executive officer to conduct it; and Christy was directed to suit himself.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading THE DEPARTURE OF THE EXPEDITION The conversation between the captain and the executive officer of the Bellevite was continued till they were called to supper; but a decision had been reached.
Bellevite
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From this reading THE DEPARTURE OF THE EXPEDITION The conversation between the captain and the executive officer of the Bellevite was continued till they were called to supper; but a decision had been reached.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading THE DEPARTURE OF THE EXPEDITION The conversation between the captain and the executive officer of the Bellevite was continued till they were called to supper; but a decision had been reached.
boats
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From this reading On important occasions, as when several boats were ordered upon an expedition, it was not unusual to send the first lieutenant in command.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading THE DEPARTURE OF THE EXPEDITION The conversation between the captain and the executive officer of the Bellevite was continued till they were called to supper; but a decision had been reached.
called
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From this reading THE DEPARTURE OF THE EXPEDITION The conversation between the captain and the executive officer of the Bellevite was continued till they were called to supper; but a decision had been reached.
captainnounUS /ˈcaptain/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading THE DEPARTURE OF THE EXPEDITION The conversation between the captain and the executive officer of the Bellevite was continued till they were called to supper; but a decision had been reached.
Christy
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From this reading Though only a single whaleboat would be required for the enterprise in which the commander was so deeply interested, its importance appeared to justify the selection of the executive officer to conduct it; and Christy was directed to suit himself.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In the afternoon the wind had come around to the south-west, and already a slight fog had obscured the Sand Island Lighthouse.
command
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On important occasions, as when several boats were ordered upon an expedition, it was not unusual to send the first lieutenant in command.
commander
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From this reading Though only a single whaleboat would be required for the enterprise in which the commander was so deeply interested, its importance appeared to justify the selection of the executive officer to conduct it; and Christy was directed to suit himself.
conduct
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From this reading Though only a single whaleboat would be required for the enterprise in which the commander was so deeply interested, its importance appeared to justify the selection of the executive officer to conduct it; and Christy was directed to suit himself.
continuednounUS /ˈcontinued/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading THE DEPARTURE OF THE EXPEDITION The conversation between the captain and the executive officer of the Bellevite was continued till they were called to supper; but a decision had been reached.
conversation
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From this reading THE DEPARTURE OF THE EXPEDITION The conversation between the captain and the executive officer of the Bellevite was continued till they were called to supper; but a decision had been reached.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Of course the expedition was to be sent out at night, for the cover of the darkness was necessary to render it effectual.
cover
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From this reading Of course the expedition was to be sent out at night, for the cover of the darkness was necessary to render it effectual.
darkness
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From this reading Of course the expedition was to be sent out at night, for the cover of the darkness was necessary to render it effectual.
decision
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From this reading THE DEPARTURE OF THE EXPEDITION The conversation between the captain and the executive officer of the Bellevite was continued till they were called to supper; but a decision had been reached.
deeply
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From this reading Though only a single whaleboat would be required for the enterprise in which the commander was so deeply interested, its importance appeared to justify the selection of the executive officer to conduct it; and Christy was directed to suit himself.
DEPARTURE
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From this reading THE DEPARTURE OF THE EXPEDITION The conversation between the captain and the executive officer of the Bellevite was continued till they were called to supper; but a decision had been reached.
directed
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From this reading Though only a single whaleboat would be required for the enterprise in which the commander was so deeply interested, its importance appeared to justify the selection of the executive officer to conduct it; and Christy was directed to suit himself.
effectual
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From this reading Of course the expedition was to be sent out at night, for the cover of the darkness was necessary to render it effectual.
enterprise
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From this reading Though only a single whaleboat would be required for the enterprise in which the commander was so deeply interested, its importance appeared to justify the selection of the executive officer to conduct it; and Christy was directed to suit himself.
executive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DEPARTURE OF THE EXPEDITION The conversation between the captain and the executive officer of the Bellevite was continued till they were called to supper; but a decision had been reached.
EXPEDITION
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From this reading THE DEPARTURE OF THE EXPEDITION The conversation between the captain and the executive officer of the Bellevite was continued till they were called to supper; but a decision had been reached.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading On important occasions, as when several boats were ordered upon an expedition, it was not unusual to send the first lieutenant in command.
fog
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the afternoon the wind had come around to the south-west, and already a slight fog had obscured the Sand Island Lighthouse.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Though only a single whaleboat would be required for the enterprise in which the commander was so deeply interested, its importance appeared to justify the selection of the executive officer to conduct it; and Christy was directed to suit himself.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE DEPARTURE OF THE EXPEDITION The conversation between the captain and the executive officer of the Bellevite was continued till they were called to supper; but a decision had been reached.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Though only a single whaleboat would be required for the enterprise in which the commander was so deeply interested, its importance appeared to justify the selection of the executive officer to conduct it; and Christy was directed to suit himself.
importance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Though only a single whaleboat would be required for the enterprise in which the commander was so deeply interested, its importance appeared to justify the selection of the executive officer to conduct it; and Christy was directed to suit himself.
important
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On important occasions, as when several boats were ordered upon an expedition, it was not unusual to send the first lieutenant in command.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading On important occasions, as when several boats were ordered upon an expedition, it was not unusual to send the first lieutenant in command.
interested
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From this reading Though only a single whaleboat would be required for the enterprise in which the commander was so deeply interested, its importance appeared to justify the selection of the executive officer to conduct it; and Christy was directed to suit himself.
Island
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the afternoon the wind had come around to the south-west, and already a slight fog had obscured the Sand Island Lighthouse.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading On important occasions, as when several boats were ordered upon an expedition, it was not unusual to send the first lieutenant in command.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Though only a single whaleboat would be required for the enterprise in which the commander was so deeply interested, its importance appeared to justify the selection of the executive officer to conduct it; and Christy was directed to suit himself.
justify
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Though only a single whaleboat would be required for the enterprise in which the commander was so deeply interested, its importance appeared to justify the selection of the executive officer to conduct it; and Christy was directed to suit himself.
lieutenant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On important occasions, as when several boats were ordered upon an expedition, it was not unusual to send the first lieutenant in command.
Lighthouse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the afternoon the wind had come around to the south-west, and already a slight fog had obscured the Sand Island Lighthouse.
necessary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course the expedition was to be sent out at night, for the cover of the darkness was necessary to render it effectual.
night
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From this reading Of course the expedition was to be sent out at night, for the cover of the darkness was necessary to render it effectual.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading On important occasions, as when several boats were ordered upon an expedition, it was not unusual to send the first lieutenant in command.
obscured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the afternoon the wind had come around to the south-west, and already a slight fog had obscured the Sand Island Lighthouse.
occasions
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From this reading On important occasions, as when several boats were ordered upon an expedition, it was not unusual to send the first lieutenant in command.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE DEPARTURE OF THE EXPEDITION The conversation between the captain and the executive officer of the Bellevite was continued till they were called to supper; but a decision had been reached.
officer
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From this reading THE DEPARTURE OF THE EXPEDITION The conversation between the captain and the executive officer of the Bellevite was continued till they were called to supper; but a decision had been reached.
OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On important occasions, as when several boats were ordered upon an expedition, it was not unusual to send the first lieutenant in command.
only
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From this reading Though only a single whaleboat would be required for the enterprise in which the commander was so deeply interested, its importance appeared to justify the selection of the executive officer to conduct it; and Christy was directed to suit himself.
ordered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On important occasions, as when several boats were ordered upon an expedition, it was not unusual to send the first lieutenant in command.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course the expedition was to be sent out at night, for the cover of the darkness was necessary to render it effectual.
reached
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DEPARTURE OF THE EXPEDITION The conversation between the captain and the executive officer of the Bellevite was continued till they were called to supper; but a decision had been reached.
render
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course the expedition was to be sent out at night, for the cover of the darkness was necessary to render it effectual.
requirednounUS /required/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Though only a single whaleboat would be required for the enterprise in which the commander was so deeply interested, its importance appeared to justify the selection of the executive officer to conduct it; and Christy was directed to suit himself.
Sand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the afternoon the wind had come around to the south-west, and already a slight fog had obscured the Sand Island Lighthouse.
selection
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Though only a single whaleboat would be required for the enterprise in which the commander was so deeply interested, its importance appeared to justify the selection of the executive officer to conduct it; and Christy was directed to suit himself.
send
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On important occasions, as when several boats were ordered upon an expedition, it was not unusual to send the first lieutenant in command.
sent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Of course the expedition was to be sent out at night, for the cover of the darkness was necessary to render it effectual.
several
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On important occasions, as when several boats were ordered upon an expedition, it was not unusual to send the first lieutenant in command.
single
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Though only a single whaleboat would be required for the enterprise in which the commander was so deeply interested, its importance appeared to justify the selection of the executive officer to conduct it; and Christy was directed to suit himself.
slight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the afternoon the wind had come around to the south-west, and already a slight fog had obscured the Sand Island Lighthouse.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Though only a single whaleboat would be required for the enterprise in which the commander was so deeply interested, its importance appeared to justify the selection of the executive officer to conduct it; and Christy was directed to suit himself.
south-west
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the afternoon the wind had come around to the south-west, and already a slight fog had obscured the Sand Island Lighthouse.
suit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Though only a single whaleboat would be required for the enterprise in which the commander was so deeply interested, its importance appeared to justify the selection of the executive officer to conduct it; and Christy was directed to suit himself.
supper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DEPARTURE OF THE EXPEDITION The conversation between the captain and the executive officer of the Bellevite was continued till they were called to supper; but a decision had been reached.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE DEPARTURE OF THE EXPEDITION The conversation between the captain and the executive officer of the Bellevite was continued till they were called to supper; but a decision had been reached.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE DEPARTURE OF THE EXPEDITION The conversation between the captain and the executive officer of the Bellevite was continued till they were called to supper; but a decision had been reached.
ThoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Though only a single whaleboat would be required for the enterprise in which the commander was so deeply interested, its importance appeared to justify the selection of the executive officer to conduct it; and Christy was directed to suit himself.
tillprepositionUS /tɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading THE DEPARTURE OF THE EXPEDITION The conversation between the captain and the executive officer of the Bellevite was continued till they were called to supper; but a decision had been reached.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE DEPARTURE OF THE EXPEDITION The conversation between the captain and the executive officer of the Bellevite was continued till they were called to supper; but a decision had been reached.
unusual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On important occasions, as when several boats were ordered upon an expedition, it was not unusual to send the first lieutenant in command.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading On important occasions, as when several boats were ordered upon an expedition, it was not unusual to send the first lieutenant in command.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE DEPARTURE OF THE EXPEDITION The conversation between the captain and the executive officer of the Bellevite was continued till they were called to supper; but a decision had been reached.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading THE DEPARTURE OF THE EXPEDITION The conversation between the captain and the executive officer of the Bellevite was continued till they were called to supper; but a decision had been reached.
whaleboat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Though only a single whaleboat would be required for the enterprise in which the commander was so deeply interested, its importance appeared to justify the selection of the executive officer to conduct it; and Christy was directed to suit himself.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading On important occasions, as when several boats were ordered upon an expedition, it was not unusual to send the first lieutenant in command.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Though only a single whaleboat would be required for the enterprise in which the commander was so deeply interested, its importance appeared to justify the selection of the executive officer to conduct it; and Christy was directed to suit himself.
windnounUS /wind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In the afternoon the wind had come around to the south-west, and already a slight fog had obscured the Sand Island Lighthouse.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Though only a single whaleboat would be required for the enterprise in which the commander was so deeply interested, its importance appeared to justify the selection of the executive officer to conduct it; and Christy was directed to suit himself.