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 It was evident to the young commander that he was not to rust in inactivity, as had been the case of late off Mobile Bay, and a wide field of operations was open to him.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just then it was believed that Richmond, which received all its foreign supplies from Wilmington, could not long hold out if it was captured; and the Secretary of the Navy was giving special attention to the forts which protected it.
alonenounUS /alone/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading OFF THE COAST OF NORTH CAROLINA Having assured himself that the ship was fully up with Cape Henlopen, Christy retired to his cabin, and still "alone in his glory," he broke the seal of the official envelope.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading OFF THE COAST OF NORTH CAROLINA Having assured himself that the ship was fully up with Cape Henlopen, Christy retired to his cabin, and still "alone in his glory," he broke the seal of the official envelope.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was evident to the young commander that he was not to rust in inactivity, as had been the case of late off Mobile Bay, and a wide field of operations was open to him.
assured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OFF THE COAST OF NORTH CAROLINA Having assured himself that the ship was fully up with Cape Henlopen, Christy retired to his cabin, and still "alone in his glory," he broke the seal of the official envelope.
attention
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just then it was believed that Richmond, which received all its foreign supplies from Wilmington, could not long hold out if it was captured; and the Secretary of the Navy was giving special attention to the forts which protected it.
Bay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was evident to the young commander that he was not to rust in inactivity, as had been the case of late off Mobile Bay, and a wide field of operations was open to him.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It was evident to the young commander that he was not to rust in inactivity, as had been the case of late off Mobile Bay, and a wide field of operations was open to him.
believed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just then it was believed that Richmond, which received all its foreign supplies from Wilmington, could not long hold out if it was captured; and the Secretary of the Navy was giving special attention to the forts which protected it.
blockaders
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was to cruise outside of the blockaders, and report to the flag-officer when opportunity presented.
broke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OFF THE COAST OF NORTH CAROLINA Having assured himself that the ship was fully up with Cape Henlopen, Christy retired to his cabin, and still "alone in his glory," he broke the seal of the official envelope.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading His instructions were minute, but they did not confine his ship to the immediate vicinity of the mouth of the Cape Fear River.
cabin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OFF THE COAST OF NORTH CAROLINA Having assured himself that the ship was fully up with Cape Henlopen, Christy retired to his cabin, and still "alone in his glory," he broke the seal of the official envelope.
Cape
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OFF THE COAST OF NORTH CAROLINA Having assured himself that the ship was fully up with Cape Henlopen, Christy retired to his cabin, and still "alone in his glory," he broke the seal of the official envelope.
captured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just then it was believed that Richmond, which received all its foreign supplies from Wilmington, could not long hold out if it was captured; and the Secretary of the Navy was giving special attention to the forts which protected it.
CAROLINA
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OFF THE COAST OF NORTH CAROLINA Having assured himself that the ship was fully up with Cape Henlopen, Christy retired to his cabin, and still "alone in his glory," he broke the seal of the official envelope.
case
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was evident to the young commander that he was not to rust in inactivity, as had been the case of late off Mobile Bay, and a wide field of operations was open to him.
Christy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OFF THE COAST OF NORTH CAROLINA Having assured himself that the ship was fully up with Cape Henlopen, Christy retired to his cabin, and still "alone in his glory," he broke the seal of the official envelope.
COAST
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OFF THE COAST OF NORTH CAROLINA Having assured himself that the ship was fully up with Cape Henlopen, Christy retired to his cabin, and still "alone in his glory," he broke the seal of the official envelope.
commander
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was evident to the young commander that he was not to rust in inactivity, as had been the case of late off Mobile Bay, and a wide field of operations was open to him.
confine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His instructions were minute, but they did not confine his ship to the immediate vicinity of the mouth of the Cape Fear River.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Just then it was believed that Richmond, which received all its foreign supplies from Wilmington, could not long hold out if it was captured; and the Secretary of the Navy was giving special attention to the forts which protected it.
cruisenounUS /kruːz/
a journey by sea for a particular purpose
From this reading He was to cruise outside of the blockaders, and report to the flag-officer when opportunity presented.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading His instructions were minute, but they did not confine his ship to the immediate vicinity of the mouth of the Cape Fear River.
envelope
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OFF THE COAST OF NORTH CAROLINA Having assured himself that the ship was fully up with Cape Henlopen, Christy retired to his cabin, and still "alone in his glory," he broke the seal of the official envelope.
evident
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was evident to the young commander that he was not to rust in inactivity, as had been the case of late off Mobile Bay, and a wide field of operations was open to him.
Fear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His instructions were minute, but they did not confine his ship to the immediate vicinity of the mouth of the Cape Fear River.
field
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was evident to the young commander that he was not to rust in inactivity, as had been the case of late off Mobile Bay, and a wide field of operations was open to him.
flag-officer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was to cruise outside of the blockaders, and report to the flag-officer when opportunity presented.
foreign
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just then it was believed that Richmond, which received all its foreign supplies from Wilmington, could not long hold out if it was captured; and the Secretary of the Navy was giving special attention to the forts which protected it.
forts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just then it was believed that Richmond, which received all its foreign supplies from Wilmington, could not long hold out if it was captured; and the Secretary of the Navy was giving special attention to the forts which protected it.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Just then it was believed that Richmond, which received all its foreign supplies from Wilmington, could not long hold out if it was captured; and the Secretary of the Navy was giving special attention to the forts which protected it.
fully
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OFF THE COAST OF NORTH CAROLINA Having assured himself that the ship was fully up with Cape Henlopen, Christy retired to his cabin, and still "alone in his glory," he broke the seal of the official envelope.
giving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just then it was believed that Richmond, which received all its foreign supplies from Wilmington, could not long hold out if it was captured; and the Secretary of the Navy was giving special attention to the forts which protected it.
glory
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OFF THE COAST OF NORTH CAROLINA Having assured himself that the ship was fully up with Cape Henlopen, Christy retired to his cabin, and still "alone in his glory," he broke the seal of the official envelope.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was evident to the young commander that he was not to rust in inactivity, as had been the case of late off Mobile Bay, and a wide field of operations was open to him.
Havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading OFF THE COAST OF NORTH CAROLINA Having assured himself that the ship was fully up with Cape Henlopen, Christy retired to his cabin, and still "alone in his glory," he broke the seal of the official envelope.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading OFF THE COAST OF NORTH CAROLINA Having assured himself that the ship was fully up with Cape Henlopen, Christy retired to his cabin, and still "alone in his glory," he broke the seal of the official envelope.
Henlopen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OFF THE COAST OF NORTH CAROLINA Having assured himself that the ship was fully up with Cape Henlopen, Christy retired to his cabin, and still "alone in his glory," he broke the seal of the official envelope.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It was evident to the young commander that he was not to rust in inactivity, as had been the case of late off Mobile Bay, and a wide field of operations was open to him.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading OFF THE COAST OF NORTH CAROLINA Having assured himself that the ship was fully up with Cape Henlopen, Christy retired to his cabin, and still "alone in his glory," he broke the seal of the official envelope.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading OFF THE COAST OF NORTH CAROLINA Having assured himself that the ship was fully up with Cape Henlopen, Christy retired to his cabin, and still "alone in his glory," he broke the seal of the official envelope.
hold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just then it was believed that Richmond, which received all its foreign supplies from Wilmington, could not long hold out if it was captured; and the Secretary of the Navy was giving special attention to the forts which protected it.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Just then it was believed that Richmond, which received all its foreign supplies from Wilmington, could not long hold out if it was captured; and the Secretary of the Navy was giving special attention to the forts which protected it.
immediate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His instructions were minute, but they did not confine his ship to the immediate vicinity of the mouth of the Cape Fear River.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading OFF THE COAST OF NORTH CAROLINA Having assured himself that the ship was fully up with Cape Henlopen, Christy retired to his cabin, and still "alone in his glory," he broke the seal of the official envelope.
inactivity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was evident to the young commander that he was not to rust in inactivity, as had been the case of late off Mobile Bay, and a wide field of operations was open to him.
instructions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His instructions were minute, but they did not confine his ship to the immediate vicinity of the mouth of the Cape Fear River.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Just then it was believed that Richmond, which received all its foreign supplies from Wilmington, could not long hold out if it was captured; and the Secretary of the Navy was giving special attention to the forts which protected it.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Just then it was believed that Richmond, which received all its foreign supplies from Wilmington, could not long hold out if it was captured; and the Secretary of the Navy was giving special attention to the forts which protected it.
Just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just then it was believed that Richmond, which received all its foreign supplies from Wilmington, could not long hold out if it was captured; and the Secretary of the Navy was giving special attention to the forts which protected it.
late
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was evident to the young commander that he was not to rust in inactivity, as had been the case of late off Mobile Bay, and a wide field of operations was open to him.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Just then it was believed that Richmond, which received all its foreign supplies from Wilmington, could not long hold out if it was captured; and the Secretary of the Navy was giving special attention to the forts which protected it.
minute
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His instructions were minute, but they did not confine his ship to the immediate vicinity of the mouth of the Cape Fear River.
Mobile
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was evident to the young commander that he was not to rust in inactivity, as had been the case of late off Mobile Bay, and a wide field of operations was open to him.
mouth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His instructions were minute, but they did not confine his ship to the immediate vicinity of the mouth of the Cape Fear River.
Navy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just then it was believed that Richmond, which received all its foreign supplies from Wilmington, could not long hold out if it was captured; and the Secretary of the Navy was giving special attention to the forts which protected it.
NORTH
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OFF THE COAST OF NORTH CAROLINA Having assured himself that the ship was fully up with Cape Henlopen, Christy retired to his cabin, and still "alone in his glory," he broke the seal of the official envelope.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Just then it was believed that Richmond, which received all its foreign supplies from Wilmington, could not long hold out if it was captured; and the Secretary of the Navy was giving special attention to the forts which protected it.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading OFF THE COAST OF NORTH CAROLINA Having assured himself that the ship was fully up with Cape Henlopen, Christy retired to his cabin, and still "alone in his glory," he broke the seal of the official envelope.
OFF
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OFF THE COAST OF NORTH CAROLINA Having assured himself that the ship was fully up with Cape Henlopen, Christy retired to his cabin, and still "alone in his glory," he broke the seal of the official envelope.
official
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OFF THE COAST OF NORTH CAROLINA Having assured himself that the ship was fully up with Cape Henlopen, Christy retired to his cabin, and still "alone in his glory," he broke the seal of the official envelope.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading It was evident to the young commander that he was not to rust in inactivity, as had been the case of late off Mobile Bay, and a wide field of operations was open to him.
operations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was evident to the young commander that he was not to rust in inactivity, as had been the case of late off Mobile Bay, and a wide field of operations was open to him.
opportunity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was to cruise outside of the blockaders, and report to the flag-officer when opportunity presented.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just then it was believed that Richmond, which received all its foreign supplies from Wilmington, could not long hold out if it was captured; and the Secretary of the Navy was giving special attention to the forts which protected it.
outsidenounUS /ˈoutside/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He was to cruise outside of the blockaders, and report to the flag-officer when opportunity presented.
presented
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was to cruise outside of the blockaders, and report to the flag-officer when opportunity presented.
protected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just then it was believed that Richmond, which received all its foreign supplies from Wilmington, could not long hold out if it was captured; and the Secretary of the Navy was giving special attention to the forts which protected it.
received
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just then it was believed that Richmond, which received all its foreign supplies from Wilmington, could not long hold out if it was captured; and the Secretary of the Navy was giving special attention to the forts which protected it.
report
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was to cruise outside of the blockaders, and report to the flag-officer when opportunity presented.
retiredverbUS /rɪˈtaɪərd/
went away to a private place
From this reading OFF THE COAST OF NORTH CAROLINA Having assured himself that the ship was fully up with Cape Henlopen, Christy retired to his cabin, and still "alone in his glory," he broke the seal of the official envelope.
Richmond
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just then it was believed that Richmond, which received all its foreign supplies from Wilmington, could not long hold out if it was captured; and the Secretary of the Navy was giving special attention to the forts which protected it.
River
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His instructions were minute, but they did not confine his ship to the immediate vicinity of the mouth of the Cape Fear River.
rust
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was evident to the young commander that he was not to rust in inactivity, as had been the case of late off Mobile Bay, and a wide field of operations was open to him.
seal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OFF THE COAST OF NORTH CAROLINA Having assured himself that the ship was fully up with Cape Henlopen, Christy retired to his cabin, and still "alone in his glory," he broke the seal of the official envelope.
Secretary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just then it was believed that Richmond, which received all its foreign supplies from Wilmington, could not long hold out if it was captured; and the Secretary of the Navy was giving special attention to the forts which protected it.
shipnounUS /ship/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading OFF THE COAST OF NORTH CAROLINA Having assured himself that the ship was fully up with Cape Henlopen, Christy retired to his cabin, and still "alone in his glory," he broke the seal of the official envelope.
special
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just then it was believed that Richmond, which received all its foreign supplies from Wilmington, could not long hold out if it was captured; and the Secretary of the Navy was giving special attention to the forts which protected it.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading OFF THE COAST OF NORTH CAROLINA Having assured himself that the ship was fully up with Cape Henlopen, Christy retired to his cabin, and still "alone in his glory," he broke the seal of the official envelope.
supplies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just then it was believed that Richmond, which received all its foreign supplies from Wilmington, could not long hold out if it was captured; and the Secretary of the Navy was giving special attention to the forts which protected it.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading OFF THE COAST OF NORTH CAROLINA Having assured himself that the ship was fully up with Cape Henlopen, Christy retired to his cabin, and still "alone in his glory," he broke the seal of the official envelope.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading OFF THE COAST OF NORTH CAROLINA Having assured himself that the ship was fully up with Cape Henlopen, Christy retired to his cabin, and still "alone in his glory," he broke the seal of the official envelope.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just then it was believed that Richmond, which received all its foreign supplies from Wilmington, could not long hold out if it was captured; and the Secretary of the Navy was giving special attention to the forts which protected it.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading His instructions were minute, but they did not confine his ship to the immediate vicinity of the mouth of the Cape Fear River.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading OFF THE COAST OF NORTH CAROLINA Having assured himself that the ship was fully up with Cape Henlopen, Christy retired to his cabin, and still "alone in his glory," he broke the seal of the official envelope.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OFF THE COAST OF NORTH CAROLINA Having assured himself that the ship was fully up with Cape Henlopen, Christy retired to his cabin, and still "alone in his glory," he broke the seal of the official envelope.
vicinity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His instructions were minute, but they did not confine his ship to the immediate vicinity of the mouth of the Cape Fear River.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading OFF THE COAST OF NORTH CAROLINA Having assured himself that the ship was fully up with Cape Henlopen, Christy retired to his cabin, and still "alone in his glory," he broke the seal of the official envelope.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading His instructions were minute, but they did not confine his ship to the immediate vicinity of the mouth of the Cape Fear River.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading He was to cruise outside of the blockaders, and report to the flag-officer when opportunity presented.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Just then it was believed that Richmond, which received all its foreign supplies from Wilmington, could not long hold out if it was captured; and the Secretary of the Navy was giving special attention to the forts which protected it.
wide
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was evident to the young commander that he was not to rust in inactivity, as had been the case of late off Mobile Bay, and a wide field of operations was open to him.
Wilmington
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Just then it was believed that Richmond, which received all its foreign supplies from Wilmington, could not long hold out if it was captured; and the Secretary of the Navy was giving special attention to the forts which protected it.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading OFF THE COAST OF NORTH CAROLINA Having assured himself that the ship was fully up with Cape Henlopen, Christy retired to his cabin, and still "alone in his glory," he broke the seal of the official envelope.
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was evident to the young commander that he was not to rust in inactivity, as had been the case of late off Mobile Bay, and a wide field of operations was open to him.
