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 "Mail," he said to the Officers' Steward, who stepped out of the diminutive pantry in answer to the summons, and, bending down, thrust a bundle of sodden envelopes into the outstretched hand.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "I don' mind wettin' my blinking shirt," he muttered, as he tugged at the oar, "not so long as we brings 'ope 'an' comfort.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The Quartermaster of the Watch pushed aside the tarpaulin cover to the Wardroom hatchway and whistled softly through his teeth.
answer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Mail," he said to the Officers' Steward, who stepped out of the diminutive pantry in answer to the summons, and, bending down, thrust a bundle of sodden envelopes into the outstretched hand.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading "I don' mind wettin' my blinking shirt," he muttered, as he tugged at the oar, "not so long as we brings 'ope 'an' comfort.
aside
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Quartermaster of the Watch pushed aside the tarpaulin cover to the Wardroom hatchway and whistled softly through his teeth.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading "I don' mind wettin' my blinking shirt," he muttered, as he tugged at the oar, "not so long as we brings 'ope 'an' comfort.
bending
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Mail," he said to the Officers' Steward, who stepped out of the diminutive pantry in answer to the summons, and, bending down, thrust a bundle of sodden envelopes into the outstretched hand.
beneathprepositionUS /bɪˈniːθ/
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading It was snowing hard, and the whaler that brought off the Destroyer's Christmas mail had shipped sufficient water to call for a muttered protest from beneath the sou'-wester of the stroke oar.
blinking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don' mind wettin' my blinking shirt," he muttered, as he tugged at the oar, "not so long as we brings 'ope 'an' comfort.
brings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don' mind wettin' my blinking shirt," he muttered, as he tugged at the oar, "not so long as we brings 'ope 'an' comfort.
broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading It was snowing hard, and the whaler that brought off the Destroyer's Christmas mail had shipped sufficient water to call for a muttered protest from beneath the sou'-wester of the stroke oar.
bundlenounUS /ˈbʌndəl/
a group of things tied or wrapped together
From this reading "Mail," he said to the Officers' Steward, who stepped out of the diminutive pantry in answer to the summons, and, bending down, thrust a bundle of sodden envelopes into the outstretched hand.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But if them perishin' mail-bags is goin' to sit in a pool o' water--what the 'ell's the use?
call
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was snowing hard, and the whaler that brought off the Destroyer's Christmas mail had shipped sufficient water to call for a muttered protest from beneath the sou'-wester of the stroke oar.
Christmas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was snowing hard, and the whaler that brought off the Destroyer's Christmas mail had shipped sufficient water to call for a muttered protest from beneath the sou'-wester of the stroke oar.
comfort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don' mind wettin' my blinking shirt," he muttered, as he tugged at the oar, "not so long as we brings 'ope 'an' comfort.
cover
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Quartermaster of the Watch pushed aside the tarpaulin cover to the Wardroom hatchway and whistled softly through his teeth.
Destroyer's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was snowing hard, and the whaler that brought off the Destroyer's Christmas mail had shipped sufficient water to call for a muttered protest from beneath the sou'-wester of the stroke oar.
diminutive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Mail," he said to the Officers' Steward, who stepped out of the diminutive pantry in answer to the summons, and, bending down, thrust a bundle of sodden envelopes into the outstretched hand.
don
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don' mind wettin' my blinking shirt," he muttered, as he tugged at the oar, "not so long as we brings 'ope 'an' comfort.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Mail," he said to the Officers' Steward, who stepped out of the diminutive pantry in answer to the summons, and, bending down, thrust a bundle of sodden envelopes into the outstretched hand.
ell's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But if them perishin' mail-bags is goin' to sit in a pool o' water--what the 'ell's the use?
envelopes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Mail," he said to the Officers' Steward, who stepped out of the diminutive pantry in answer to the summons, and, bending down, thrust a bundle of sodden envelopes into the outstretched hand.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was snowing hard, and the whaler that brought off the Destroyer's Christmas mail had shipped sufficient water to call for a muttered protest from beneath the sou'-wester of the stroke oar.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It was snowing hard, and the whaler that brought off the Destroyer's Christmas mail had shipped sufficient water to call for a muttered protest from beneath the sou'-wester of the stroke oar.
goin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But if them perishin' mail-bags is goin' to sit in a pool o' water--what the 'ell's the use?
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was snowing hard, and the whaler that brought off the Destroyer's Christmas mail had shipped sufficient water to call for a muttered protest from beneath the sou'-wester of the stroke oar.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Mail," he said to the Officers' Steward, who stepped out of the diminutive pantry in answer to the summons, and, bending down, thrust a bundle of sodden envelopes into the outstretched hand.
hard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was snowing hard, and the whaler that brought off the Destroyer's Christmas mail had shipped sufficient water to call for a muttered protest from beneath the sou'-wester of the stroke oar.
hatchway
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Quartermaster of the Watch pushed aside the tarpaulin cover to the Wardroom hatchway and whistled softly through his teeth.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Mail," he said to the Officers' Steward, who stepped out of the diminutive pantry in answer to the summons, and, bending down, thrust a bundle of sodden envelopes into the outstretched hand.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The Quartermaster of the Watch pushed aside the tarpaulin cover to the Wardroom hatchway and whistled softly through his teeth.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I don' mind wettin' my blinking shirt," he muttered, as he tugged at the oar, "not so long as we brings 'ope 'an' comfort.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading But if them perishin' mail-bags is goin' to sit in a pool o' water--what the 'ell's the use?
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "Mail," he said to the Officers' Steward, who stepped out of the diminutive pantry in answer to the summons, and, bending down, thrust a bundle of sodden envelopes into the outstretched hand.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading "Mail," he said to the Officers' Steward, who stepped out of the diminutive pantry in answer to the summons, and, bending down, thrust a bundle of sodden envelopes into the outstretched hand.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But if them perishin' mail-bags is goin' to sit in a pool o' water--what the 'ell's the use?
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was snowing hard, and the whaler that brought off the Destroyer's Christmas mail had shipped sufficient water to call for a muttered protest from beneath the sou'-wester of the stroke oar.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "I don' mind wettin' my blinking shirt," he muttered, as he tugged at the oar, "not so long as we brings 'ope 'an' comfort.
Mail
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Mail," he said to the Officers' Steward, who stepped out of the diminutive pantry in answer to the summons, and, bending down, thrust a bundle of sodden envelopes into the outstretched hand.
mail-bags
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But if them perishin' mail-bags is goin' to sit in a pool o' water--what the 'ell's the use?
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "I don' mind wettin' my blinking shirt," he muttered, as he tugged at the oar, "not so long as we brings 'ope 'an' comfort.
mutteredverbUS /ˈmʌtərd/
spoke in a low voice that was difficult to hear
From this reading It was snowing hard, and the whaler that brought off the Destroyer's Christmas mail had shipped sufficient water to call for a muttered protest from beneath the sou'-wester of the stroke oar.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading "I don' mind wettin' my blinking shirt," he muttered, as he tugged at the oar, "not so long as we brings 'ope 'an' comfort.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "I don' mind wettin' my blinking shirt," he muttered, as he tugged at the oar, "not so long as we brings 'ope 'an' comfort.
o
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But if them perishin' mail-bags is goin' to sit in a pool o' water--what the 'ell's the use?
oar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was snowing hard, and the whaler that brought off the Destroyer's Christmas mail had shipped sufficient water to call for a muttered protest from beneath the sou'-wester of the stroke oar.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Quartermaster of the Watch pushed aside the tarpaulin cover to the Wardroom hatchway and whistled softly through his teeth.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was snowing hard, and the whaler that brought off the Destroyer's Christmas mail had shipped sufficient water to call for a muttered protest from beneath the sou'-wester of the stroke oar.
Officers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Mail," he said to the Officers' Steward, who stepped out of the diminutive pantry in answer to the summons, and, bending down, thrust a bundle of sodden envelopes into the outstretched hand.
ope
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don' mind wettin' my blinking shirt," he muttered, as he tugged at the oar, "not so long as we brings 'ope 'an' comfort.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Mail," he said to the Officers' Steward, who stepped out of the diminutive pantry in answer to the summons, and, bending down, thrust a bundle of sodden envelopes into the outstretched hand.
outstretched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Mail," he said to the Officers' Steward, who stepped out of the diminutive pantry in answer to the summons, and, bending down, thrust a bundle of sodden envelopes into the outstretched hand.
pantry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Mail," he said to the Officers' Steward, who stepped out of the diminutive pantry in answer to the summons, and, bending down, thrust a bundle of sodden envelopes into the outstretched hand.
perishin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But if them perishin' mail-bags is goin' to sit in a pool o' water--what the 'ell's the use?
pool
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But if them perishin' mail-bags is goin' to sit in a pool o' water--what the 'ell's the use?
protest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was snowing hard, and the whaler that brought off the Destroyer's Christmas mail had shipped sufficient water to call for a muttered protest from beneath the sou'-wester of the stroke oar.
pushed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Quartermaster of the Watch pushed aside the tarpaulin cover to the Wardroom hatchway and whistled softly through his teeth.
QuartermasternounUS /ˈquartermaster/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The Quartermaster of the Watch pushed aside the tarpaulin cover to the Wardroom hatchway and whistled softly through his teeth.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Mail," he said to the Officers' Steward, who stepped out of the diminutive pantry in answer to the summons, and, bending down, thrust a bundle of sodden envelopes into the outstretched hand.
shipped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was snowing hard, and the whaler that brought off the Destroyer's Christmas mail had shipped sufficient water to call for a muttered protest from beneath the sou'-wester of the stroke oar.
shirt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don' mind wettin' my blinking shirt," he muttered, as he tugged at the oar, "not so long as we brings 'ope 'an' comfort.
sit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But if them perishin' mail-bags is goin' to sit in a pool o' water--what the 'ell's the use?
snowing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was snowing hard, and the whaler that brought off the Destroyer's Christmas mail had shipped sufficient water to call for a muttered protest from beneath the sou'-wester of the stroke oar.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading "I don' mind wettin' my blinking shirt," he muttered, as he tugged at the oar, "not so long as we brings 'ope 'an' comfort.
sodden
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Mail," he said to the Officers' Steward, who stepped out of the diminutive pantry in answer to the summons, and, bending down, thrust a bundle of sodden envelopes into the outstretched hand.
softly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Quartermaster of the Watch pushed aside the tarpaulin cover to the Wardroom hatchway and whistled softly through his teeth.
sou
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was snowing hard, and the whaler that brought off the Destroyer's Christmas mail had shipped sufficient water to call for a muttered protest from beneath the sou'-wester of the stroke oar.
stepped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Mail," he said to the Officers' Steward, who stepped out of the diminutive pantry in answer to the summons, and, bending down, thrust a bundle of sodden envelopes into the outstretched hand.
Steward
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Mail," he said to the Officers' Steward, who stepped out of the diminutive pantry in answer to the summons, and, bending down, thrust a bundle of sodden envelopes into the outstretched hand.
stroke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was snowing hard, and the whaler that brought off the Destroyer's Christmas mail had shipped sufficient water to call for a muttered protest from beneath the sou'-wester of the stroke oar.
sufficient
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was snowing hard, and the whaler that brought off the Destroyer's Christmas mail had shipped sufficient water to call for a muttered protest from beneath the sou'-wester of the stroke oar.
summonsnounUS /ˈsʌmənz/
an official order to appear or respond
From this reading "Mail," he said to the Officers' Steward, who stepped out of the diminutive pantry in answer to the summons, and, bending down, thrust a bundle of sodden envelopes into the outstretched hand.
tarpaulin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Quartermaster of the Watch pushed aside the tarpaulin cover to the Wardroom hatchway and whistled softly through his teeth.
teeth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Quartermaster of the Watch pushed aside the tarpaulin cover to the Wardroom hatchway and whistled softly through his teeth.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was snowing hard, and the whaler that brought off the Destroyer's Christmas mail had shipped sufficient water to call for a muttered protest from beneath the sou'-wester of the stroke oar.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Quartermaster of the Watch pushed aside the tarpaulin cover to the Wardroom hatchway and whistled softly through his teeth.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading But if them perishin' mail-bags is goin' to sit in a pool o' water--what the 'ell's the use?
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The Quartermaster of the Watch pushed aside the tarpaulin cover to the Wardroom hatchway and whistled softly through his teeth.
thrust
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Mail," he said to the Officers' Steward, who stepped out of the diminutive pantry in answer to the summons, and, bending down, thrust a bundle of sodden envelopes into the outstretched hand.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The Quartermaster of the Watch pushed aside the tarpaulin cover to the Wardroom hatchway and whistled softly through his teeth.
tugged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don' mind wettin' my blinking shirt," he muttered, as he tugged at the oar, "not so long as we brings 'ope 'an' comfort.
use
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But if them perishin' mail-bags is goin' to sit in a pool o' water--what the 'ell's the use?
Wardroom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Quartermaster of the Watch pushed aside the tarpaulin cover to the Wardroom hatchway and whistled softly through his teeth.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was snowing hard, and the whaler that brought off the Destroyer's Christmas mail had shipped sufficient water to call for a muttered protest from beneath the sou'-wester of the stroke oar.
Watch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Quartermaster of the Watch pushed aside the tarpaulin cover to the Wardroom hatchway and whistled softly through his teeth.
water
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was snowing hard, and the whaler that brought off the Destroyer's Christmas mail had shipped sufficient water to call for a muttered protest from beneath the sou'-wester of the stroke oar.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "I don' mind wettin' my blinking shirt," he muttered, as he tugged at the oar, "not so long as we brings 'ope 'an' comfort.
wester
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was snowing hard, and the whaler that brought off the Destroyer's Christmas mail had shipped sufficient water to call for a muttered protest from beneath the sou'-wester of the stroke oar.
wettin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I don' mind wettin' my blinking shirt," he muttered, as he tugged at the oar, "not so long as we brings 'ope 'an' comfort.
whaler
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was snowing hard, and the whaler that brought off the Destroyer's Christmas mail had shipped sufficient water to call for a muttered protest from beneath the sou'-wester of the stroke oar.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading But if them perishin' mail-bags is goin' to sit in a pool o' water--what the 'ell's the use?
whistled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Quartermaster of the Watch pushed aside the tarpaulin cover to the Wardroom hatchway and whistled softly through his teeth.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading "Mail," he said to the Officers' Steward, who stepped out of the diminutive pantry in answer to the summons, and, bending down, thrust a bundle of sodden envelopes into the outstretched hand.
