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 A SAIL.--THE SEALING GROUNDS.--THE ESQUIMAUX LAMP.--AN INDIAN LEGEND.
AboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading About a hundred pounds of blubber lay upon the ice, and Carlo was luxuriating on a whole hind quarter, which was given up to his especial use, to make up for the rather short commons he had of late been reduced to.
ANdeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A SAIL.--THE SEALING GROUNDS.--THE ESQUIMAUX LAMP.--AN INDIAN LEGEND.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading About a hundred pounds of blubber lay upon the ice, and Carlo was luxuriating on a whole hind quarter, which was given up to his especial use, to make up for the rather short commons he had of late been reduced to.
anxious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About fifty birds lay behind the hummock, and Peter, who was anxious to secure a bird-skin coverlet for his own use, set himself down to skin the finest ones.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading About a hundred pounds of blubber lay upon the ice, and Carlo was luxuriating on a whole hind quarter, which was given up to his especial use, to make up for the rather short commons he had of late been reduced to.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading About fifty birds lay behind the hummock, and Peter, who was anxious to secure a bird-skin coverlet for his own use, set himself down to skin the finest ones.
berg
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "There's the big berg where we killed ussuk yesterday.
big
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "There's the big berg where we killed ussuk yesterday.
bird-skin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About fifty birds lay behind the hummock, and Peter, who was anxious to secure a bird-skin coverlet for his own use, set himself down to skin the finest ones.
birds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About fifty birds lay behind the hummock, and Peter, who was anxious to secure a bird-skin coverlet for his own use, set himself down to skin the finest ones.
blubber
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About a hundred pounds of blubber lay upon the ice, and Carlo was luxuriating on a whole hind quarter, which was given up to his especial use, to make up for the rather short commons he had of late been reduced to.
Carlo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About a hundred pounds of blubber lay upon the ice, and Carlo was luxuriating on a whole hind quarter, which was given up to his especial use, to make up for the rather short commons he had of late been reduced to.
commons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About a hundred pounds of blubber lay upon the ice, and Carlo was luxuriating on a whole hind quarter, which was given up to his especial use, to make up for the rather short commons he had of late been reduced to.
coverlet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About fifty birds lay behind the hummock, and Peter, who was anxious to secure a bird-skin coverlet for his own use, set himself down to skin the finest ones.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About fifty birds lay behind the hummock, and Peter, who was anxious to secure a bird-skin coverlet for his own use, set himself down to skin the finest ones.
especial
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About a hundred pounds of blubber lay upon the ice, and Carlo was luxuriating on a whole hind quarter, which was given up to his especial use, to make up for the rather short commons he had of late been reduced to.
ESQUIMAUX
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SAIL.--THE SEALING GROUNDS.--THE ESQUIMAUX LAMP.--AN INDIAN LEGEND.
fifty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About fifty birds lay behind the hummock, and Peter, who was anxious to secure a bird-skin coverlet for his own use, set himself down to skin the finest ones.
finest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About fifty birds lay behind the hummock, and Peter, who was anxious to secure a bird-skin coverlet for his own use, set himself down to skin the finest ones.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading About a hundred pounds of blubber lay upon the ice, and Carlo was luxuriating on a whole hind quarter, which was given up to his especial use, to make up for the rather short commons he had of late been reduced to.
given
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About a hundred pounds of blubber lay upon the ice, and Carlo was luxuriating on a whole hind quarter, which was given up to his especial use, to make up for the rather short commons he had of late been reduced to.
GROUNDS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SAIL.--THE SEALING GROUNDS.--THE ESQUIMAUX LAMP.--AN INDIAN LEGEND.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading About a hundred pounds of blubber lay upon the ice, and Carlo was luxuriating on a whole hind quarter, which was given up to his especial use, to make up for the rather short commons he had of late been reduced to.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading About a hundred pounds of blubber lay upon the ice, and Carlo was luxuriating on a whole hind quarter, which was given up to his especial use, to make up for the rather short commons he had of late been reduced to.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Waring joined him in the task.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading About fifty birds lay behind the hummock, and Peter, who was anxious to secure a bird-skin coverlet for his own use, set himself down to skin the finest ones.
hind
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About a hundred pounds of blubber lay upon the ice, and Carlo was luxuriating on a whole hind quarter, which was given up to his especial use, to make up for the rather short commons he had of late been reduced to.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading About a hundred pounds of blubber lay upon the ice, and Carlo was luxuriating on a whole hind quarter, which was given up to his especial use, to make up for the rather short commons he had of late been reduced to.
hummock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About fifty birds lay behind the hummock, and Peter, who was anxious to secure a bird-skin coverlet for his own use, set himself down to skin the finest ones.
hundred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About a hundred pounds of blubber lay upon the ice, and Carlo was luxuriating on a whole hind quarter, which was given up to his especial use, to make up for the rather short commons he had of late been reduced to.
ice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About a hundred pounds of blubber lay upon the ice, and Carlo was luxuriating on a whole hind quarter, which was given up to his especial use, to make up for the rather short commons he had of late been reduced to.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Waring joined him in the task.
INDIAN
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SAIL.--THE SEALING GROUNDS.--THE ESQUIMAUX LAMP.--AN INDIAN LEGEND.
joined
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Waring joined him in the task.
killed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "There's the big berg where we killed ussuk yesterday.
LAMP
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SAIL.--THE SEALING GROUNDS.--THE ESQUIMAUX LAMP.--AN INDIAN LEGEND.
late
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About a hundred pounds of blubber lay upon the ice, and Carlo was luxuriating on a whole hind quarter, which was given up to his especial use, to make up for the rather short commons he had of late been reduced to.
lay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About a hundred pounds of blubber lay upon the ice, and Carlo was luxuriating on a whole hind quarter, which was given up to his especial use, to make up for the rather short commons he had of late been reduced to.
LEGEND
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SAIL.--THE SEALING GROUNDS.--THE ESQUIMAUX LAMP.--AN INDIAN LEGEND.
luxuriating
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About a hundred pounds of blubber lay upon the ice, and Carlo was luxuriating on a whole hind quarter, which was given up to his especial use, to make up for the rather short commons he had of late been reduced to.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading About a hundred pounds of blubber lay upon the ice, and Carlo was luxuriating on a whole hind quarter, which was given up to his especial use, to make up for the rather short commons he had of late been reduced to.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading About a hundred pounds of blubber lay upon the ice, and Carlo was luxuriating on a whole hind quarter, which was given up to his especial use, to make up for the rather short commons he had of late been reduced to.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading About a hundred pounds of blubber lay upon the ice, and Carlo was luxuriating on a whole hind quarter, which was given up to his especial use, to make up for the rather short commons he had of late been reduced to.
ones
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About fifty birds lay behind the hummock, and Peter, who was anxious to secure a bird-skin coverlet for his own use, set himself down to skin the finest ones.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About fifty birds lay behind the hummock, and Peter, who was anxious to secure a bird-skin coverlet for his own use, set himself down to skin the finest ones.
Peter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About fifty birds lay behind the hummock, and Peter, who was anxious to secure a bird-skin coverlet for his own use, set himself down to skin the finest ones.
pounds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About a hundred pounds of blubber lay upon the ice, and Carlo was luxuriating on a whole hind quarter, which was given up to his especial use, to make up for the rather short commons he had of late been reduced to.
quarter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About a hundred pounds of blubber lay upon the ice, and Carlo was luxuriating on a whole hind quarter, which was given up to his especial use, to make up for the rather short commons he had of late been reduced to.
rather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About a hundred pounds of blubber lay upon the ice, and Carlo was luxuriating on a whole hind quarter, which was given up to his especial use, to make up for the rather short commons he had of late been reduced to.
reduced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About a hundred pounds of blubber lay upon the ice, and Carlo was luxuriating on a whole hind quarter, which was given up to his especial use, to make up for the rather short commons he had of late been reduced to.
SAILnounUS /sail/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A SAIL.--THE SEALING GROUNDS.--THE ESQUIMAUX LAMP.--AN INDIAN LEGEND.
SEALING
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A SAIL.--THE SEALING GROUNDS.--THE ESQUIMAUX LAMP.--AN INDIAN LEGEND.
secure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About fifty birds lay behind the hummock, and Peter, who was anxious to secure a bird-skin coverlet for his own use, set himself down to skin the finest ones.
set
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About fifty birds lay behind the hummock, and Peter, who was anxious to secure a bird-skin coverlet for his own use, set himself down to skin the finest ones.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/
brief or direct in expression
From this reading About a hundred pounds of blubber lay upon the ice, and Carlo was luxuriating on a whole hind quarter, which was given up to his especial use, to make up for the rather short commons he had of late been reduced to.
skin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About fifty birds lay behind the hummock, and Peter, who was anxious to secure a bird-skin coverlet for his own use, set himself down to skin the finest ones.
task
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Waring joined him in the task.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A SAIL.--THE SEALING GROUNDS.--THE ESQUIMAUX LAMP.--AN INDIAN LEGEND.
There's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "There's the big berg where we killed ussuk yesterday.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading About a hundred pounds of blubber lay upon the ice, and Carlo was luxuriating on a whole hind quarter, which was given up to his especial use, to make up for the rather short commons he had of late been reduced to.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About a hundred pounds of blubber lay upon the ice, and Carlo was luxuriating on a whole hind quarter, which was given up to his especial use, to make up for the rather short commons he had of late been reduced to.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading About a hundred pounds of blubber lay upon the ice, and Carlo was luxuriating on a whole hind quarter, which was given up to his especial use, to make up for the rather short commons he had of late been reduced to.
use
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About a hundred pounds of blubber lay upon the ice, and Carlo was luxuriating on a whole hind quarter, which was given up to his especial use, to make up for the rather short commons he had of late been reduced to.
ussuk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "There's the big berg where we killed ussuk yesterday.
Waring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Waring joined him in the task.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading About a hundred pounds of blubber lay upon the ice, and Carlo was luxuriating on a whole hind quarter, which was given up to his especial use, to make up for the rather short commons he had of late been reduced to.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "There's the big berg where we killed ussuk yesterday.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading "There's the big berg where we killed ussuk yesterday.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading About a hundred pounds of blubber lay upon the ice, and Carlo was luxuriating on a whole hind quarter, which was given up to his especial use, to make up for the rather short commons he had of late been reduced to.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading About fifty birds lay behind the hummock, and Peter, who was anxious to secure a bird-skin coverlet for his own use, set himself down to skin the finest ones.
whole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading About a hundred pounds of blubber lay upon the ice, and Carlo was luxuriating on a whole hind quarter, which was given up to his especial use, to make up for the rather short commons he had of late been reduced to.
yesterday
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "There's the big berg where we killed ussuk yesterday.
