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 THE PROGRESS OF THE ACTION The tremendous speed of the Bellevite had been telling with prodigious effect upon the distance between the two steamers, which was now reduced to not more than a mile and a half.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading In this connection Christy recalled something he had read in Simpson about the "inability of the Armstrong gun to resist impact," and he sent Midshipman Walters to bring the volume from his state-room.
ACTION
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PROGRESS OF THE ACTION The tremendous speed of the Bellevite had been telling with prodigious effect upon the distance between the two steamers, which was now reduced to not more than a mile and a half.
American-built
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Rombold could not help realizing by this time that the American-built vessel outsailed the English-built.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading If the Trafalgar was good for twenty knots an hour, as represented, she had hardly attained that speed, as Captain Breaker judged by comparison with that of his own ship.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE PROGRESS OF THE ACTION The tremendous speed of the Bellevite had been telling with prodigious effect upon the distance between the two steamers, which was now reduced to not more than a mile and a half.
Armstrong
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Armstrong gun was still silent and it was pretty well settled that it had been disabled.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading If the Trafalgar was good for twenty knots an hour, as represented, she had hardly attained that speed, as Captain Breaker judged by comparison with that of his own ship.
attained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the Trafalgar was good for twenty knots an hour, as represented, she had hardly attained that speed, as Captain Breaker judged by comparison with that of his own ship.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading THE PROGRESS OF THE ACTION The tremendous speed of the Bellevite had been telling with prodigious effect upon the distance between the two steamers, which was now reduced to not more than a mile and a half.
Bellevite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PROGRESS OF THE ACTION The tremendous speed of the Bellevite had been telling with prodigious effect upon the distance between the two steamers, which was now reduced to not more than a mile and a half.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading THE PROGRESS OF THE ACTION The tremendous speed of the Bellevite had been telling with prodigious effect upon the distance between the two steamers, which was now reduced to not more than a mile and a half.
Breaker
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From this reading If the Trafalgar was good for twenty knots an hour, as represented, she had hardly attained that speed, as Captain Breaker judged by comparison with that of his own ship.
bring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this connection Christy recalled something he had read in Simpson about the "inability of the Armstrong gun to resist impact," and he sent Midshipman Walters to bring the volume from his state-room.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Captain Rombold could not help realizing by this time that the American-built vessel outsailed the English-built.
CaptainnounUS /ˈcaptain/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Captain Rombold could not help realizing by this time that the American-built vessel outsailed the English-built.
Christy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this connection Christy recalled something he had read in Simpson about the "inability of the Armstrong gun to resist impact," and he sent Midshipman Walters to bring the volume from his state-room.
comparison
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the Trafalgar was good for twenty knots an hour, as represented, she had hardly attained that speed, as Captain Breaker judged by comparison with that of his own ship.
connection
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this connection Christy recalled something he had read in Simpson about the "inability of the Armstrong gun to resist impact," and he sent Midshipman Walters to bring the volume from his state-room.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Captain Rombold could not help realizing by this time that the American-built vessel outsailed the English-built.
disabled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Armstrong gun was still silent and it was pretty well settled that it had been disabled.
distance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PROGRESS OF THE ACTION The tremendous speed of the Bellevite had been telling with prodigious effect upon the distance between the two steamers, which was now reduced to not more than a mile and a half.
effect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PROGRESS OF THE ACTION The tremendous speed of the Bellevite had been telling with prodigious effect upon the distance between the two steamers, which was now reduced to not more than a mile and a half.
English-built
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Rombold could not help realizing by this time that the American-built vessel outsailed the English-built.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading If the Trafalgar was good for twenty knots an hour, as represented, she had hardly attained that speed, as Captain Breaker judged by comparison with that of his own ship.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading In this connection Christy recalled something he had read in Simpson about the "inability of the Armstrong gun to resist impact," and he sent Midshipman Walters to bring the volume from his state-room.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading If the Trafalgar was good for twenty knots an hour, as represented, she had hardly attained that speed, as Captain Breaker judged by comparison with that of his own ship.
gun
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Armstrong gun was still silent and it was pretty well settled that it had been disabled.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE PROGRESS OF THE ACTION The tremendous speed of the Bellevite had been telling with prodigious effect upon the distance between the two steamers, which was now reduced to not more than a mile and a half.
halfnounUS /half/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE PROGRESS OF THE ACTION The tremendous speed of the Bellevite had been telling with prodigious effect upon the distance between the two steamers, which was now reduced to not more than a mile and a half.
hardly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the Trafalgar was good for twenty knots an hour, as represented, she had hardly attained that speed, as Captain Breaker judged by comparison with that of his own ship.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In this connection Christy recalled something he had read in Simpson about the "inability of the Armstrong gun to resist impact," and he sent Midshipman Walters to bring the volume from his state-room.
helpnounUS /help/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Captain Rombold could not help realizing by this time that the American-built vessel outsailed the English-built.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading If the Trafalgar was good for twenty knots an hour, as represented, she had hardly attained that speed, as Captain Breaker judged by comparison with that of his own ship.
hour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the Trafalgar was good for twenty knots an hour, as represented, she had hardly attained that speed, as Captain Breaker judged by comparison with that of his own ship.
IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If the Trafalgar was good for twenty knots an hour, as represented, she had hardly attained that speed, as Captain Breaker judged by comparison with that of his own ship.
impact
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this connection Christy recalled something he had read in Simpson about the "inability of the Armstrong gun to resist impact," and he sent Midshipman Walters to bring the volume from his state-room.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In this connection Christy recalled something he had read in Simpson about the "inability of the Armstrong gun to resist impact," and he sent Midshipman Walters to bring the volume from his state-room.
inability
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this connection Christy recalled something he had read in Simpson about the "inability of the Armstrong gun to resist impact," and he sent Midshipman Walters to bring the volume from his state-room.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The Armstrong gun was still silent and it was pretty well settled that it had been disabled.
judged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the Trafalgar was good for twenty knots an hour, as represented, she had hardly attained that speed, as Captain Breaker judged by comparison with that of his own ship.
knots
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the Trafalgar was good for twenty knots an hour, as represented, she had hardly attained that speed, as Captain Breaker judged by comparison with that of his own ship.
Midshipman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this connection Christy recalled something he had read in Simpson about the "inability of the Armstrong gun to resist impact," and he sent Midshipman Walters to bring the volume from his state-room.
mile
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PROGRESS OF THE ACTION The tremendous speed of the Bellevite had been telling with prodigious effect upon the distance between the two steamers, which was now reduced to not more than a mile and a half.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PROGRESS OF THE ACTION The tremendous speed of the Bellevite had been telling with prodigious effect upon the distance between the two steamers, which was now reduced to not more than a mile and a half.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading THE PROGRESS OF THE ACTION The tremendous speed of the Bellevite had been telling with prodigious effect upon the distance between the two steamers, which was now reduced to not more than a mile and a half.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PROGRESS OF THE ACTION The tremendous speed of the Bellevite had been telling with prodigious effect upon the distance between the two steamers, which was now reduced to not more than a mile and a half.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE PROGRESS OF THE ACTION The tremendous speed of the Bellevite had been telling with prodigious effect upon the distance between the two steamers, which was now reduced to not more than a mile and a half.
outsailed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Rombold could not help realizing by this time that the American-built vessel outsailed the English-built.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the Trafalgar was good for twenty knots an hour, as represented, she had hardly attained that speed, as Captain Breaker judged by comparison with that of his own ship.
pretty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Armstrong gun was still silent and it was pretty well settled that it had been disabled.
prodigious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PROGRESS OF THE ACTION The tremendous speed of the Bellevite had been telling with prodigious effect upon the distance between the two steamers, which was now reduced to not more than a mile and a half.
PROGRESS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PROGRESS OF THE ACTION The tremendous speed of the Bellevite had been telling with prodigious effect upon the distance between the two steamers, which was now reduced to not more than a mile and a half.
read
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this connection Christy recalled something he had read in Simpson about the "inability of the Armstrong gun to resist impact," and he sent Midshipman Walters to bring the volume from his state-room.
realizing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Rombold could not help realizing by this time that the American-built vessel outsailed the English-built.
recalled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this connection Christy recalled something he had read in Simpson about the "inability of the Armstrong gun to resist impact," and he sent Midshipman Walters to bring the volume from his state-room.
reduced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PROGRESS OF THE ACTION The tremendous speed of the Bellevite had been telling with prodigious effect upon the distance between the two steamers, which was now reduced to not more than a mile and a half.
represented
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the Trafalgar was good for twenty knots an hour, as represented, she had hardly attained that speed, as Captain Breaker judged by comparison with that of his own ship.
resist
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this connection Christy recalled something he had read in Simpson about the "inability of the Armstrong gun to resist impact," and he sent Midshipman Walters to bring the volume from his state-room.
Rombold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Rombold could not help realizing by this time that the American-built vessel outsailed the English-built.
sent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this connection Christy recalled something he had read in Simpson about the "inability of the Armstrong gun to resist impact," and he sent Midshipman Walters to bring the volume from his state-room.
settled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Armstrong gun was still silent and it was pretty well settled that it had been disabled.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading If the Trafalgar was good for twenty knots an hour, as represented, she had hardly attained that speed, as Captain Breaker judged by comparison with that of his own ship.
shipnounUS /ship/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading If the Trafalgar was good for twenty knots an hour, as represented, she had hardly attained that speed, as Captain Breaker judged by comparison with that of his own ship.
silent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Armstrong gun was still silent and it was pretty well settled that it had been disabled.
Simpson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this connection Christy recalled something he had read in Simpson about the "inability of the Armstrong gun to resist impact," and he sent Midshipman Walters to bring the volume from his state-room.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading In this connection Christy recalled something he had read in Simpson about the "inability of the Armstrong gun to resist impact," and he sent Midshipman Walters to bring the volume from his state-room.
speed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PROGRESS OF THE ACTION The tremendous speed of the Bellevite had been telling with prodigious effect upon the distance between the two steamers, which was now reduced to not more than a mile and a half.
state-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this connection Christy recalled something he had read in Simpson about the "inability of the Armstrong gun to resist impact," and he sent Midshipman Walters to bring the volume from his state-room.
steamers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PROGRESS OF THE ACTION The tremendous speed of the Bellevite had been telling with prodigious effect upon the distance between the two steamers, which was now reduced to not more than a mile and a half.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The Armstrong gun was still silent and it was pretty well settled that it had been disabled.
telling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PROGRESS OF THE ACTION The tremendous speed of the Bellevite had been telling with prodigious effect upon the distance between the two steamers, which was now reduced to not more than a mile and a half.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading THE PROGRESS OF THE ACTION The tremendous speed of the Bellevite had been telling with prodigious effect upon the distance between the two steamers, which was now reduced to not more than a mile and a half.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Captain Rombold could not help realizing by this time that the American-built vessel outsailed the English-built.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE PROGRESS OF THE ACTION The tremendous speed of the Bellevite had been telling with prodigious effect upon the distance between the two steamers, which was now reduced to not more than a mile and a half.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Captain Rombold could not help realizing by this time that the American-built vessel outsailed the English-built.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Captain Rombold could not help realizing by this time that the American-built vessel outsailed the English-built.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE PROGRESS OF THE ACTION The tremendous speed of the Bellevite had been telling with prodigious effect upon the distance between the two steamers, which was now reduced to not more than a mile and a half.
Trafalgar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the Trafalgar was good for twenty knots an hour, as represented, she had hardly attained that speed, as Captain Breaker judged by comparison with that of his own ship.
tremendous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PROGRESS OF THE ACTION The tremendous speed of the Bellevite had been telling with prodigious effect upon the distance between the two steamers, which was now reduced to not more than a mile and a half.
twenty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the Trafalgar was good for twenty knots an hour, as represented, she had hardly attained that speed, as Captain Breaker judged by comparison with that of his own ship.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PROGRESS OF THE ACTION The tremendous speed of the Bellevite had been telling with prodigious effect upon the distance between the two steamers, which was now reduced to not more than a mile and a half.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading THE PROGRESS OF THE ACTION The tremendous speed of the Bellevite had been telling with prodigious effect upon the distance between the two steamers, which was now reduced to not more than a mile and a half.
vessel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Rombold could not help realizing by this time that the American-built vessel outsailed the English-built.
volume
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this connection Christy recalled something he had read in Simpson about the "inability of the Armstrong gun to resist impact," and he sent Midshipman Walters to bring the volume from his state-room.
Walters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In this connection Christy recalled something he had read in Simpson about the "inability of the Armstrong gun to resist impact," and he sent Midshipman Walters to bring the volume from his state-room.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE PROGRESS OF THE ACTION The tremendous speed of the Bellevite had been telling with prodigious effect upon the distance between the two steamers, which was now reduced to not more than a mile and a half.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Armstrong gun was still silent and it was pretty well settled that it had been disabled.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading THE PROGRESS OF THE ACTION The tremendous speed of the Bellevite had been telling with prodigious effect upon the distance between the two steamers, which was now reduced to not more than a mile and a half.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE PROGRESS OF THE ACTION The tremendous speed of the Bellevite had been telling with prodigious effect upon the distance between the two steamers, which was now reduced to not more than a mile and a half.
