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 This was dead in our teeth, but I took in the sea-anchor and set sail, hauling a course on the wind which took us in a south-south-easterly direction.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading There is no need of going into an extended recital of our suffering in the small boat during the many days we were driven and drifted, here and there, willy-nilly, across the ocean.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In three hours—it was midnight, I well remember, and as dark as I had ever seen it on the sea—the wind, still blowing out of the south-west, rose furiously, and once again I was compelled to set the sea-anchor.
airs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was an even choice between this and the west-north-westerly course which the wind permitted; but the warm airs of the south fanned my desire for a warmer sea and swayed my decision.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading There is no need of going into an extended recital of our suffering in the small boat during the many days we were driven and drifted, here and there, willy-nilly, across the ocean.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There is no need of going into an extended recital of our suffering in the small boat during the many days we were driven and drifted, here and there, willy-nilly, across the ocean.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading In three hours—it was midnight, I well remember, and as dark as I had ever seen it on the sea—the wind, still blowing out of the south-west, rose furiously, and once again I was compelled to set the sea-anchor.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading It was an even choice between this and the west-north-westerly course which the wind permitted; but the warm airs of the south fanned my desire for a warmer sea and swayed my decision.
blew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The high wind blew from the north-west for twenty-four hours, when it fell calm, and in the night sprang up from the south-west.
blowing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In three hours—it was midnight, I well remember, and as dark as I had ever seen it on the sea—the wind, still blowing out of the south-west, rose furiously, and once again I was compelled to set the sea-anchor.
boat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is no need of going into an extended recital of our suffering in the small boat during the many days we were driven and drifted, here and there, willy-nilly, across the ocean.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading This was dead in our teeth, but I took in the sea-anchor and set sail, hauling a course on the wind which took us in a south-south-easterly direction.
calm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The high wind blew from the north-west for twenty-four hours, when it fell calm, and in the night sprang up from the south-west.
choice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was an even choice between this and the west-north-westerly course which the wind permitted; but the warm airs of the south fanned my desire for a warmer sea and swayed my decision.
compelled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In three hours—it was midnight, I well remember, and as dark as I had ever seen it on the sea—the wind, still blowing out of the south-west, rose furiously, and once again I was compelled to set the sea-anchor.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This was dead in our teeth, but I took in the sea-anchor and set sail, hauling a course on the wind which took us in a south-south-easterly direction.
dark
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In three hours—it was midnight, I well remember, and as dark as I had ever seen it on the sea—the wind, still blowing out of the south-west, rose furiously, and once again I was compelled to set the sea-anchor.
days
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is no need of going into an extended recital of our suffering in the small boat during the many days we were driven and drifted, here and there, willy-nilly, across the ocean.
deadnounUS /dead/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This was dead in our teeth, but I took in the sea-anchor and set sail, hauling a course on the wind which took us in a south-south-easterly direction.
decision
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was an even choice between this and the west-north-westerly course which the wind permitted; but the warm airs of the south fanned my desire for a warmer sea and swayed my decision.
desire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was an even choice between this and the west-north-westerly course which the wind permitted; but the warm airs of the south fanned my desire for a warmer sea and swayed my decision.
direction
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was dead in our teeth, but I took in the sea-anchor and set sail, hauling a course on the wind which took us in a south-south-easterly direction.
drifted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is no need of going into an extended recital of our suffering in the small boat during the many days we were driven and drifted, here and there, willy-nilly, across the ocean.
driven
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is no need of going into an extended recital of our suffering in the small boat during the many days we were driven and drifted, here and there, willy-nilly, across the ocean.
duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading There is no need of going into an extended recital of our suffering in the small boat during the many days we were driven and drifted, here and there, willy-nilly, across the ocean.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was an even choice between this and the west-north-westerly course which the wind permitted; but the warm airs of the south fanned my desire for a warmer sea and swayed my decision.
evernounUS /ever/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In three hours—it was midnight, I well remember, and as dark as I had ever seen it on the sea—the wind, still blowing out of the south-west, rose furiously, and once again I was compelled to set the sea-anchor.
extended
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is no need of going into an extended recital of our suffering in the small boat during the many days we were driven and drifted, here and there, willy-nilly, across the ocean.
fanned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was an even choice between this and the west-north-westerly course which the wind permitted; but the warm airs of the south fanned my desire for a warmer sea and swayed my decision.
fell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The high wind blew from the north-west for twenty-four hours, when it fell calm, and in the night sprang up from the south-west.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The high wind blew from the north-west for twenty-four hours, when it fell calm, and in the night sprang up from the south-west.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The high wind blew from the north-west for twenty-four hours, when it fell calm, and in the night sprang up from the south-west.
furiously
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In three hours—it was midnight, I well remember, and as dark as I had ever seen it on the sea—the wind, still blowing out of the south-west, rose furiously, and once again I was compelled to set the sea-anchor.
going
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is no need of going into an extended recital of our suffering in the small boat during the many days we were driven and drifted, here and there, willy-nilly, across the ocean.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading In three hours—it was midnight, I well remember, and as dark as I had ever seen it on the sea—the wind, still blowing out of the south-west, rose furiously, and once again I was compelled to set the sea-anchor.
hauling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was dead in our teeth, but I took in the sea-anchor and set sail, hauling a course on the wind which took us in a south-south-easterly direction.
herenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There is no need of going into an extended recital of our suffering in the small boat during the many days we were driven and drifted, here and there, willy-nilly, across the ocean.
high
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The high wind blew from the north-west for twenty-four hours, when it fell calm, and in the night sprang up from the south-west.
hours
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The high wind blew from the north-west for twenty-four hours, when it fell calm, and in the night sprang up from the south-west.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading This was dead in our teeth, but I took in the sea-anchor and set sail, hauling a course on the wind which took us in a south-south-easterly direction.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There is no need of going into an extended recital of our suffering in the small boat during the many days we were driven and drifted, here and there, willy-nilly, across the ocean.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading There is no need of going into an extended recital of our suffering in the small boat during the many days we were driven and drifted, here and there, willy-nilly, across the ocean.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There is no need of going into an extended recital of our suffering in the small boat during the many days we were driven and drifted, here and there, willy-nilly, across the ocean.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The high wind blew from the north-west for twenty-four hours, when it fell calm, and in the night sprang up from the south-west.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is no need of going into an extended recital of our suffering in the small boat during the many days we were driven and drifted, here and there, willy-nilly, across the ocean.
midnight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In three hours—it was midnight, I well remember, and as dark as I had ever seen it on the sea—the wind, still blowing out of the south-west, rose furiously, and once again I was compelled to set the sea-anchor.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading It was an even choice between this and the west-north-westerly course which the wind permitted; but the warm airs of the south fanned my desire for a warmer sea and swayed my decision.
neednounUS /need/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There is no need of going into an extended recital of our suffering in the small boat during the many days we were driven and drifted, here and there, willy-nilly, across the ocean.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The high wind blew from the north-west for twenty-four hours, when it fell calm, and in the night sprang up from the south-west.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading There is no need of going into an extended recital of our suffering in the small boat during the many days we were driven and drifted, here and there, willy-nilly, across the ocean.
north-west
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The high wind blew from the north-west for twenty-four hours, when it fell calm, and in the night sprang up from the south-west.
ocean
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is no need of going into an extended recital of our suffering in the small boat during the many days we were driven and drifted, here and there, willy-nilly, across the ocean.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There is no need of going into an extended recital of our suffering in the small boat during the many days we were driven and drifted, here and there, willy-nilly, across the ocean.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading This was dead in our teeth, but I took in the sea-anchor and set sail, hauling a course on the wind which took us in a south-south-easterly direction.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In three hours—it was midnight, I well remember, and as dark as I had ever seen it on the sea—the wind, still blowing out of the south-west, rose furiously, and once again I was compelled to set the sea-anchor.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading There is no need of going into an extended recital of our suffering in the small boat during the many days we were driven and drifted, here and there, willy-nilly, across the ocean.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In three hours—it was midnight, I well remember, and as dark as I had ever seen it on the sea—the wind, still blowing out of the south-west, rose furiously, and once again I was compelled to set the sea-anchor.
permitted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was an even choice between this and the west-north-westerly course which the wind permitted; but the warm airs of the south fanned my desire for a warmer sea and swayed my decision.
recital
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is no need of going into an extended recital of our suffering in the small boat during the many days we were driven and drifted, here and there, willy-nilly, across the ocean.
rememberverbUS /rɪˈmɛm.bər/
To recall to mind.
From this reading In three hours—it was midnight, I well remember, and as dark as I had ever seen it on the sea—the wind, still blowing out of the south-west, rose furiously, and once again I was compelled to set the sea-anchor.
rose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In three hours—it was midnight, I well remember, and as dark as I had ever seen it on the sea—the wind, still blowing out of the south-west, rose furiously, and once again I was compelled to set the sea-anchor.
sailnounUS /sail/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This was dead in our teeth, but I took in the sea-anchor and set sail, hauling a course on the wind which took us in a south-south-easterly direction.
sea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was an even choice between this and the west-north-westerly course which the wind permitted; but the warm airs of the south fanned my desire for a warmer sea and swayed my decision.
sea-anchor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was dead in our teeth, but I took in the sea-anchor and set sail, hauling a course on the wind which took us in a south-south-easterly direction.
seen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In three hours—it was midnight, I well remember, and as dark as I had ever seen it on the sea—the wind, still blowing out of the south-west, rose furiously, and once again I was compelled to set the sea-anchor.
set
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was dead in our teeth, but I took in the sea-anchor and set sail, hauling a course on the wind which took us in a south-south-easterly direction.
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is no need of going into an extended recital of our suffering in the small boat during the many days we were driven and drifted, here and there, willy-nilly, across the ocean.
south
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was an even choice between this and the west-north-westerly course which the wind permitted; but the warm airs of the south fanned my desire for a warmer sea and swayed my decision.
south-south-easterly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was dead in our teeth, but I took in the sea-anchor and set sail, hauling a course on the wind which took us in a south-south-easterly direction.
south-west
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The high wind blew from the north-west for twenty-four hours, when it fell calm, and in the night sprang up from the south-west.
sprang
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The high wind blew from the north-west for twenty-four hours, when it fell calm, and in the night sprang up from the south-west.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In three hours—it was midnight, I well remember, and as dark as I had ever seen it on the sea—the wind, still blowing out of the south-west, rose furiously, and once again I was compelled to set the sea-anchor.
suffering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is no need of going into an extended recital of our suffering in the small boat during the many days we were driven and drifted, here and there, willy-nilly, across the ocean.
swayed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was an even choice between this and the west-north-westerly course which the wind permitted; but the warm airs of the south fanned my desire for a warmer sea and swayed my decision.
teeth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was dead in our teeth, but I took in the sea-anchor and set sail, hauling a course on the wind which took us in a south-south-easterly direction.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading There is no need of going into an extended recital of our suffering in the small boat during the many days we were driven and drifted, here and there, willy-nilly, across the ocean.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is no need of going into an extended recital of our suffering in the small boat during the many days we were driven and drifted, here and there, willy-nilly, across the ocean.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This was dead in our teeth, but I took in the sea-anchor and set sail, hauling a course on the wind which took us in a south-south-easterly direction.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In three hours—it was midnight, I well remember, and as dark as I had ever seen it on the sea—the wind, still blowing out of the south-west, rose furiously, and once again I was compelled to set the sea-anchor.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In three hours—it was midnight, I well remember, and as dark as I had ever seen it on the sea—the wind, still blowing out of the south-west, rose furiously, and once again I was compelled to set the sea-anchor.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This was dead in our teeth, but I took in the sea-anchor and set sail, hauling a course on the wind which took us in a south-south-easterly direction.
twenty-four
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The high wind blew from the north-west for twenty-four hours, when it fell calm, and in the night sprang up from the south-west.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The high wind blew from the north-west for twenty-four hours, when it fell calm, and in the night sprang up from the south-west.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading This was dead in our teeth, but I took in the sea-anchor and set sail, hauling a course on the wind which took us in a south-south-easterly direction.
warm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was an even choice between this and the west-north-westerly course which the wind permitted; but the warm airs of the south fanned my desire for a warmer sea and swayed my decision.
warmer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was an even choice between this and the west-north-westerly course which the wind permitted; but the warm airs of the south fanned my desire for a warmer sea and swayed my decision.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This was dead in our teeth, but I took in the sea-anchor and set sail, hauling a course on the wind which took us in a south-south-easterly direction.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading There is no need of going into an extended recital of our suffering in the small boat during the many days we were driven and drifted, here and there, willy-nilly, across the ocean.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In three hours—it was midnight, I well remember, and as dark as I had ever seen it on the sea—the wind, still blowing out of the south-west, rose furiously, and once again I was compelled to set the sea-anchor.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There is no need of going into an extended recital of our suffering in the small boat during the many days we were driven and drifted, here and there, willy-nilly, across the ocean.
west-north-westerly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was an even choice between this and the west-north-westerly course which the wind permitted; but the warm airs of the south fanned my desire for a warmer sea and swayed my decision.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading The high wind blew from the north-west for twenty-four hours, when it fell calm, and in the night sprang up from the south-west.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading This was dead in our teeth, but I took in the sea-anchor and set sail, hauling a course on the wind which took us in a south-south-easterly direction.
willy-nilly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There is no need of going into an extended recital of our suffering in the small boat during the many days we were driven and drifted, here and there, willy-nilly, across the ocean.
windnounUS /wind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The high wind blew from the north-west for twenty-four hours, when it fell calm, and in the night sprang up from the south-west.
