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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 THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading She was about a mile and a half distant, and near the eastern mouth of the strait.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As Felix watched he saw her square sail again raised, showing that she had reached a spot where the hills ceased to shut off the wind.
aid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The merchant vessel had passed the narrows with the aid of her sweeps, but she moved slowly, and, as it seemed to him, with difficulty.
altered
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From this reading Entering the open Lake she altered her course and sailed away to the north-north-east, following the course of the northern mainland.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The merchant vessel had passed the narrows with the aid of her sweeps, but she moved slowly, and, as it seemed to him, with difficulty.
apart
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From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.
approached
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From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The merchant vessel had passed the narrows with the aid of her sweeps, but she moved slowly, and, as it seemed to him, with difficulty.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.
away
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From this reading Entering the open Lake she altered her course and sailed away to the north-north-east, following the course of the northern mainland.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.
ceased
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From this reading As Felix watched he saw her square sail again raised, showing that she had reached a spot where the hills ceased to shut off the wind.
continue
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From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.
contracted
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From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Entering the open Lake she altered her course and sailed away to the north-north-east, following the course of the northern mainland.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.
difficulty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The merchant vessel had passed the narrows with the aid of her sweeps, but she moved slowly, and, as it seemed to him, with difficulty.
distantadjectiveUS /ˈdɪstənt/
not friendly or close
From this reading She was about a mile and a half distant, and near the eastern mouth of the strait.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.
eastern
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From this reading She was about a mile and a half distant, and near the eastern mouth of the strait.
Entering
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From this reading Entering the open Lake she altered her course and sailed away to the north-north-east, following the course of the northern mainland.
far
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From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.
Felix
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From this reading As Felix watched he saw her square sail again raised, showing that she had reached a spot where the hills ceased to shut off the wind.
following
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From this reading Entering the open Lake she altered her course and sailed away to the north-north-east, following the course of the northern mainland.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The merchant vessel had passed the narrows with the aid of her sweeps, but she moved slowly, and, as it seemed to him, with difficulty.
halfnounUS /half/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As Felix watched he saw her square sail again raised, showing that she had reached a spot where the hills ceased to shut off the wind.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The merchant vessel had passed the narrows with the aid of her sweeps, but she moved slowly, and, as it seemed to him, with difficulty.
hills
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Felix watched he saw her square sail again raised, showing that she had reached a spot where the hills ceased to shut off the wind.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The merchant vessel had passed the narrows with the aid of her sweeps, but she moved slowly, and, as it seemed to him, with difficulty.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The merchant vessel had passed the narrows with the aid of her sweeps, but she moved slowly, and, as it seemed to him, with difficulty.
Lake
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From this reading Entering the open Lake she altered her course and sailed away to the north-north-east, following the course of the northern mainland.
leastnounUS /least/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.
mainland
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From this reading Entering the open Lake she altered her course and sailed away to the north-north-east, following the course of the northern mainland.
merchantnounUS /ˈmɜːr.tʃənt/
A person or company involved in wholesale trade, especially with foreign countries.
From this reading The merchant vessel had passed the narrows with the aid of her sweeps, but she moved slowly, and, as it seemed to him, with difficulty.
mile
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.
miles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.
mouth
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From this reading She was about a mile and a half distant, and near the eastern mouth of the strait.
moved
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From this reading The merchant vessel had passed the narrows with the aid of her sweeps, but she moved slowly, and, as it seemed to him, with difficulty.
narrows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.
near
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.
north-north-east
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Entering the open Lake she altered her course and sailed away to the north-north-east, following the course of the northern mainland.
northern
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Entering the open Lake she altered her course and sailed away to the north-north-east, following the course of the northern mainland.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The merchant vessel had passed the narrows with the aid of her sweeps, but she moved slowly, and, as it seemed to him, with difficulty.
off
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From this reading As Felix watched he saw her square sail again raised, showing that she had reached a spot where the hills ceased to shut off the wind.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Entering the open Lake she altered her course and sailed away to the north-north-east, following the course of the northern mainland.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.
passagenounUS /ˈpassage/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.
passednounUS /passed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The merchant vessel had passed the narrows with the aid of her sweeps, but she moved slowly, and, as it seemed to him, with difficulty.
presently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.
quickly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.
raised
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Felix watched he saw her square sail again raised, showing that she had reached a spot where the hills ceased to shut off the wind.
reached
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From this reading As Felix watched he saw her square sail again raised, showing that she had reached a spot where the hills ceased to shut off the wind.
receded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.
sailnounUS /sail/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As Felix watched he saw her square sail again raised, showing that she had reached a spot where the hills ceased to shut off the wind.
sailed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Entering the open Lake she altered her course and sailed away to the north-north-east, following the course of the northern mainland.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Felix watched he saw her square sail again raised, showing that she had reached a spot where the hills ceased to shut off the wind.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The merchant vessel had passed the narrows with the aid of her sweeps, but she moved slowly, and, as it seemed to him, with difficulty.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The merchant vessel had passed the narrows with the aid of her sweeps, but she moved slowly, and, as it seemed to him, with difficulty.
shores
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.
showing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Felix watched he saw her square sail again raised, showing that she had reached a spot where the hills ceased to shut off the wind.
shut
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Felix watched he saw her square sail again raised, showing that she had reached a spot where the hills ceased to shut off the wind.
slowly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The merchant vessel had passed the narrows with the aid of her sweeps, but she moved slowly, and, as it seemed to him, with difficulty.
spot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Felix watched he saw her square sail again raised, showing that she had reached a spot where the hills ceased to shut off the wind.
square
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Felix watched he saw her square sail again raised, showing that she had reached a spot where the hills ceased to shut off the wind.
strait
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She was about a mile and a half distant, and near the eastern mouth of the strait.
STRAITS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.
sweeps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The merchant vessel had passed the narrows with the aid of her sweeps, but she moved slowly, and, as it seemed to him, with difficulty.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading As Felix watched he saw her square sail again raised, showing that she had reached a spot where the hills ceased to shut off the wind.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.
thus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.
tillprepositionUS /tɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.
vessel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The merchant vessel had passed the narrows with the aid of her sweeps, but she moved slowly, and, as it seemed to him, with difficulty.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading She was about a mile and a half distant, and near the eastern mouth of the strait.
watched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Felix watched he saw her square sail again raised, showing that she had reached a spot where the hills ceased to shut off the wind.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading THE STRAITS The passage contracted there to little over half a mile, but these narrows did not continue far; the shores, having approached thus near each other, quickly receded, till presently they were at least two miles apart.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading As Felix watched he saw her square sail again raised, showing that she had reached a spot where the hills ceased to shut off the wind.
windnounUS /wind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As Felix watched he saw her square sail again raised, showing that she had reached a spot where the hills ceased to shut off the wind.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The merchant vessel had passed the narrows with the aid of her sweeps, but she moved slowly, and, as it seemed to him, with difficulty.