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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 FIRST AND SECOND CUTTERS TO THE RESCUE It was still but a dim light when the commander appeared on deck.
active
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From this reading He could not have slept more than an hour, but he was as wideawake and active as ever before in his life.
ago
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From this reading "Mr. Scott reported cries from that direction not ten minutes ago, and the lookout aloft hailed the deck a minute or two later," replied the first officer.
aloft
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From this reading "Mr. Scott reported cries from that direction not ten minutes ago, and the lookout aloft hailed the deck a minute or two later," replied the first officer.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He could not have slept more than an hour, but he was as wideawake and active as ever before in his life.
ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading FIRST AND SECOND CUTTERS TO THE RESCUE It was still but a dim light when the commander appeared on deck.
anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/
any thing at all
From this reading He had a spyglass in his hand, with which he proceeded to examine the wreck as soon as he had obtained its bearings; for he never did anything, even under such desperate circumstances as the present, until he had first ascertained what was best to be done.
appeared
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From this reading FIRST AND SECOND CUTTERS TO THE RESCUE It was still but a dim light when the commander appeared on deck.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He could not have slept more than an hour, but he was as wideawake and active as ever before in his life.
ascertained
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From this reading He had a spyglass in his hand, with which he proceeded to examine the wreck as soon as he had obtained its bearings; for he never did anything, even under such desperate circumstances as the present, until he had first ascertained what was best to be done.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He had a spyglass in his hand, with which he proceeded to examine the wreck as soon as he had obtained its bearings; for he never did anything, even under such desperate circumstances as the present, until he had first ascertained what was best to be done.
bearingsplural nounUS /ˈberɪŋz/
directions used to locate a place, especially at sea
From this reading He had a spyglass in his hand, with which he proceeded to examine the wreck as soon as he had obtained its bearings; for he never did anything, even under such desperate circumstances as the present, until he had first ascertained what was best to be done.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading He could not have slept more than an hour, but he was as wideawake and active as ever before in his life.
best
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From this reading He had a spyglass in his hand, with which he proceeded to examine the wreck as soon as he had obtained its bearings; for he never did anything, even under such desperate circumstances as the present, until he had first ascertained what was best to be done.
Boulong
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From this reading "How long is it since you made out the wreck, Mr. Boulong?" he inquired, still looking through the glass.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading FIRST AND SECOND CUTTERS TO THE RESCUE It was still but a dim light when the commander appeared on deck.
circumstances
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From this reading He had a spyglass in his hand, with which he proceeded to examine the wreck as soon as he had obtained its bearings; for he never did anything, even under such desperate circumstances as the present, until he had first ascertained what was best to be done.
commander
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FIRST AND SECOND CUTTERS TO THE RESCUE It was still but a dim light when the commander appeared on deck.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He could not have slept more than an hour, but he was as wideawake and active as ever before in his life.
cries
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Mr. Scott reported cries from that direction not ten minutes ago, and the lookout aloft hailed the deck a minute or two later," replied the first officer.
CUTTERS
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From this reading FIRST AND SECOND CUTTERS TO THE RESCUE It was still but a dim light when the commander appeared on deck.
deck
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From this reading FIRST AND SECOND CUTTERS TO THE RESCUE It was still but a dim light when the commander appeared on deck.
desperate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a spyglass in his hand, with which he proceeded to examine the wreck as soon as he had obtained its bearings; for he never did anything, even under such desperate circumstances as the present, until he had first ascertained what was best to be done.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He had a spyglass in his hand, with which he proceeded to examine the wreck as soon as he had obtained its bearings; for he never did anything, even under such desperate circumstances as the present, until he had first ascertained what was best to be done.
dim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FIRST AND SECOND CUTTERS TO THE RESCUE It was still but a dim light when the commander appeared on deck.
direction
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From this reading "Mr. Scott reported cries from that direction not ten minutes ago, and the lookout aloft hailed the deck a minute or two later," replied the first officer.
donenounUS /done/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had a spyglass in his hand, with which he proceeded to examine the wreck as soon as he had obtained its bearings; for he never did anything, even under such desperate circumstances as the present, until he had first ascertained what was best to be done.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had a spyglass in his hand, with which he proceeded to examine the wreck as soon as he had obtained its bearings; for he never did anything, even under such desperate circumstances as the present, until he had first ascertained what was best to be done.
evernounUS /ever/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He could not have slept more than an hour, but he was as wideawake and active as ever before in his life.
examine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a spyglass in his hand, with which he proceeded to examine the wreck as soon as he had obtained its bearings; for he never did anything, even under such desperate circumstances as the present, until he had first ascertained what was best to be done.
FIRSTnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading FIRST AND SECOND CUTTERS TO THE RESCUE It was still but a dim light when the commander appeared on deck.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He had a spyglass in his hand, with which he proceeded to examine the wreck as soon as he had obtained its bearings; for he never did anything, even under such desperate circumstances as the present, until he had first ascertained what was best to be done.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading "Mr. Scott reported cries from that direction not ten minutes ago, and the lookout aloft hailed the deck a minute or two later," replied the first officer.
glass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "How long is it since you made out the wreck, Mr. Boulong?" he inquired, still looking through the glass.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had a spyglass in his hand, with which he proceeded to examine the wreck as soon as he had obtained its bearings; for he never did anything, even under such desperate circumstances as the present, until he had first ascertained what was best to be done.
hailednounUS /hailed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Mr. Scott reported cries from that direction not ten minutes ago, and the lookout aloft hailed the deck a minute or two later," replied the first officer.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a spyglass in his hand, with which he proceeded to examine the wreck as soon as he had obtained its bearings; for he never did anything, even under such desperate circumstances as the present, until he had first ascertained what was best to be done.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He could not have slept more than an hour, but he was as wideawake and active as ever before in his life.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He could not have slept more than an hour, but he was as wideawake and active as ever before in his life.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He could not have slept more than an hour, but he was as wideawake and active as ever before in his life.
hour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could not have slept more than an hour, but he was as wideawake and active as ever before in his life.
How
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "How long is it since you made out the wreck, Mr. Boulong?" he inquired, still looking through the glass.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He could not have slept more than an hour, but he was as wideawake and active as ever before in his life.
inquirednounUS /ˈinquired/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading "How long is it since you made out the wreck, Mr. Boulong?" he inquired, still looking through the glass.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "How long is it since you made out the wreck, Mr. Boulong?" he inquired, still looking through the glass.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading FIRST AND SECOND CUTTERS TO THE RESCUE It was still but a dim light when the commander appeared on deck.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading He had a spyglass in his hand, with which he proceeded to examine the wreck as soon as he had obtained its bearings; for he never did anything, even under such desperate circumstances as the present, until he had first ascertained what was best to be done.
later
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Mr. Scott reported cries from that direction not ten minutes ago, and the lookout aloft hailed the deck a minute or two later," replied the first officer.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He could not have slept more than an hour, but he was as wideawake and active as ever before in his life.
light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FIRST AND SECOND CUTTERS TO THE RESCUE It was still but a dim light when the commander appeared on deck.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "How long is it since you made out the wreck, Mr. Boulong?" he inquired, still looking through the glass.
looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "How long is it since you made out the wreck, Mr. Boulong?" he inquired, still looking through the glass.
lookout
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Mr. Scott reported cries from that direction not ten minutes ago, and the lookout aloft hailed the deck a minute or two later," replied the first officer.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "How long is it since you made out the wreck, Mr. Boulong?" he inquired, still looking through the glass.
minute
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Mr. Scott reported cries from that direction not ten minutes ago, and the lookout aloft hailed the deck a minute or two later," replied the first officer.
minutes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Mr. Scott reported cries from that direction not ten minutes ago, and the lookout aloft hailed the deck a minute or two later," replied the first officer.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could not have slept more than an hour, but he was as wideawake and active as ever before in his life.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "How long is it since you made out the wreck, Mr. Boulong?" he inquired, still looking through the glass.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had a spyglass in his hand, with which he proceeded to examine the wreck as soon as he had obtained its bearings; for he never did anything, even under such desperate circumstances as the present, until he had first ascertained what was best to be done.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He could not have slept more than an hour, but he was as wideawake and active as ever before in his life.
obtained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a spyglass in his hand, with which he proceeded to examine the wreck as soon as he had obtained its bearings; for he never did anything, even under such desperate circumstances as the present, until he had first ascertained what was best to be done.
officer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Mr. Scott reported cries from that direction not ten minutes ago, and the lookout aloft hailed the deck a minute or two later," replied the first officer.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading FIRST AND SECOND CUTTERS TO THE RESCUE It was still but a dim light when the commander appeared on deck.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading "Mr. Scott reported cries from that direction not ten minutes ago, and the lookout aloft hailed the deck a minute or two later," replied the first officer.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "How long is it since you made out the wreck, Mr. Boulong?" he inquired, still looking through the glass.
present
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a spyglass in his hand, with which he proceeded to examine the wreck as soon as he had obtained its bearings; for he never did anything, even under such desperate circumstances as the present, until he had first ascertained what was best to be done.
proceeded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a spyglass in his hand, with which he proceeded to examine the wreck as soon as he had obtained its bearings; for he never did anything, even under such desperate circumstances as the present, until he had first ascertained what was best to be done.
repliednounUS /replied/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "Mr. Scott reported cries from that direction not ten minutes ago, and the lookout aloft hailed the deck a minute or two later," replied the first officer.
reported
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Mr. Scott reported cries from that direction not ten minutes ago, and the lookout aloft hailed the deck a minute or two later," replied the first officer.
RESCUE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FIRST AND SECOND CUTTERS TO THE RESCUE It was still but a dim light when the commander appeared on deck.
Scott
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Mr. Scott reported cries from that direction not ten minutes ago, and the lookout aloft hailed the deck a minute or two later," replied the first officer.
SECOND
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FIRST AND SECOND CUTTERS TO THE RESCUE It was still but a dim light when the commander appeared on deck.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading "How long is it since you made out the wreck, Mr. Boulong?" he inquired, still looking through the glass.
slept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could not have slept more than an hour, but he was as wideawake and active as ever before in his life.
soon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a spyglass in his hand, with which he proceeded to examine the wreck as soon as he had obtained its bearings; for he never did anything, even under such desperate circumstances as the present, until he had first ascertained what was best to be done.
spyglass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a spyglass in his hand, with which he proceeded to examine the wreck as soon as he had obtained its bearings; for he never did anything, even under such desperate circumstances as the present, until he had first ascertained what was best to be done.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading FIRST AND SECOND CUTTERS TO THE RESCUE It was still but a dim light when the commander appeared on deck.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading He had a spyglass in his hand, with which he proceeded to examine the wreck as soon as he had obtained its bearings; for he never did anything, even under such desperate circumstances as the present, until he had first ascertained what was best to be done.
ten
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Mr. Scott reported cries from that direction not ten minutes ago, and the lookout aloft hailed the deck a minute or two later," replied the first officer.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He could not have slept more than an hour, but he was as wideawake and active as ever before in his life.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "Mr. Scott reported cries from that direction not ten minutes ago, and the lookout aloft hailed the deck a minute or two later," replied the first officer.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading FIRST AND SECOND CUTTERS TO THE RESCUE It was still but a dim light when the commander appeared on deck.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading "How long is it since you made out the wreck, Mr. Boulong?" he inquired, still looking through the glass.
TOparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading FIRST AND SECOND CUTTERS TO THE RESCUE It was still but a dim light when the commander appeared on deck.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Mr. Scott reported cries from that direction not ten minutes ago, and the lookout aloft hailed the deck a minute or two later," replied the first officer.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading He had a spyglass in his hand, with which he proceeded to examine the wreck as soon as he had obtained its bearings; for he never did anything, even under such desperate circumstances as the present, until he had first ascertained what was best to be done.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading He had a spyglass in his hand, with which he proceeded to examine the wreck as soon as he had obtained its bearings; for he never did anything, even under such desperate circumstances as the present, until he had first ascertained what was best to be done.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading FIRST AND SECOND CUTTERS TO THE RESCUE It was still but a dim light when the commander appeared on deck.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading He had a spyglass in his hand, with which he proceeded to examine the wreck as soon as he had obtained its bearings; for he never did anything, even under such desperate circumstances as the present, until he had first ascertained what was best to be done.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading FIRST AND SECOND CUTTERS TO THE RESCUE It was still but a dim light when the commander appeared on deck.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He had a spyglass in his hand, with which he proceeded to examine the wreck as soon as he had obtained its bearings; for he never did anything, even under such desperate circumstances as the present, until he had first ascertained what was best to be done.
wideawake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could not have slept more than an hour, but he was as wideawake and active as ever before in his life.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading He had a spyglass in his hand, with which he proceeded to examine the wreck as soon as he had obtained its bearings; for he never did anything, even under such desperate circumstances as the present, until he had first ascertained what was best to be done.
wreck
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had a spyglass in his hand, with which he proceeded to examine the wreck as soon as he had obtained its bearings; for he never did anything, even under such desperate circumstances as the present, until he had first ascertained what was best to be done.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "How long is it since you made out the wreck, Mr. Boulong?" he inquired, still looking through the glass.
