adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The overhead beams came down too low for their tall statures, and rounded off at one end so as to resemble a gull's breast, seen from within.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Outside, beyond doubt, lay the sea and the night; but one could not be quite sure of that, for a single opening in the deck was closed by its weather-hatch, and the only light came from an old hanging-lamp, swinging to and fro.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There they were, five huge, square-built seamen, drinking away together in the dismal cabin, which reeked of fish-pickle and bilge-water.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The overhead beams came down too low for their tall statures, and rounded off at one end so as to resemble a gull's breast, seen from within.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The overhead beams came down too low for their tall statures, and rounded off at one end so as to resemble a gull's breast, seen from within.
awayadverbUS /əˈweɪ/
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading There they were, five huge, square-built seamen, drinking away together in the dismal cabin, which reeked of fish-pickle and bilge-water.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Outside, beyond doubt, lay the sea and the night; but one could not be quite sure of that, for a single opening in the deck was closed by its weather-hatch, and the only light came from an old hanging-lamp, swinging to and fro.
beamsnounUS /biːmz/
plural of “beam” — a signal transmitted along a narrow path; guides airplane pilots in darkness or bad weather
From this reading The overhead beams came down too low for their tall statures, and rounded off at one end so as to resemble a gull's breast, seen from within.
beyondprepositionUS /bɪˈɑːnd/
on the far side of; further than
From this reading Outside, beyond doubt, lay the sea and the night; but one could not be quite sure of that, for a single opening in the deck was closed by its weather-hatch, and the only light came from an old hanging-lamp, swinging to and fro.
bilge-water
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There they were, five huge, square-built seamen, drinking away together in the dismal cabin, which reeked of fish-pickle and bilge-water.
breastnounUS /brest/
the front of the trunk from the neck to the abdomen
From this reading The overhead beams came down too low for their tall statures, and rounded off at one end so as to resemble a gull's breast, seen from within.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Outside, beyond doubt, lay the sea and the night; but one could not be quite sure of that, for a single opening in the deck was closed by its weather-hatch, and the only light came from an old hanging-lamp, swinging to and fro.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Outside, beyond doubt, lay the sea and the night; but one could not be quite sure of that, for a single opening in the deck was closed by its weather-hatch, and the only light came from an old hanging-lamp, swinging to and fro.
cabinnounUS /ˈkæbən/
small room on a ship or boat where people sleep
From this reading There they were, five huge, square-built seamen, drinking away together in the dismal cabin, which reeked of fish-pickle and bilge-water.
cameverbUS /keɪm/
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The overhead beams came down too low for their tall statures, and rounded off at one end so as to resemble a gull's breast, seen from within.
claynounUS /kleɪ/
a very fine-grained soil that is plastic when moist but hard when fired
From this reading A fire shone in the stove, at which their saturated clothes were drying, and giving out steam that mingled with the smoke from their clay pipes.
closedadjectiveUS /kloʊzd/
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading Outside, beyond doubt, lay the sea and the night; but one could not be quite sure of that, for a single opening in the deck was closed by its weather-hatch, and the only light came from an old hanging-lamp, swinging to and fro.
clothesnounUS /kloʊðz/
clothing in general
From this reading A fire shone in the stove, at which their saturated clothes were drying, and giving out steam that mingled with the smoke from their clay pipes.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Outside, beyond doubt, lay the sea and the night; but one could not be quite sure of that, for a single opening in the deck was closed by its weather-hatch, and the only light came from an old hanging-lamp, swinging to and fro.
decknounUS /dek/
any of various platforms built into a vessel
From this reading Outside, beyond doubt, lay the sea and the night; but one could not be quite sure of that, for a single opening in the deck was closed by its weather-hatch, and the only light came from an old hanging-lamp, swinging to and fro.
dismaladjectiveUS /ˈdɪzməl/
causing dejection
From this reading There they were, five huge, square-built seamen, drinking away together in the dismal cabin, which reeked of fish-pickle and bilge-water.
doubtnounUS /daʊt/
the state of being unsure of something
From this reading Outside, beyond doubt, lay the sea and the night; but one could not be quite sure of that, for a single opening in the deck was closed by its weather-hatch, and the only light came from an old hanging-lamp, swinging to and fro.
downadjectiveUS /daʊn/
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The overhead beams came down too low for their tall statures, and rounded off at one end so as to resemble a gull's breast, seen from within.
drinkingnounUS /ˈdrɪŋkɪŋ/
the act of consuming liquids
From this reading There they were, five huge, square-built seamen, drinking away together in the dismal cabin, which reeked of fish-pickle and bilge-water.
drowsinessnounUS /ˈdraʊzinəs/
a very sleepy state
From this reading The whole rolled gently with a monotonous wail, inclining one slowly to drowsiness.
dryingverbUS /ˈdraɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “dry” — remove the moisture from and make dry
From this reading A fire shone in the stove, at which their saturated clothes were drying, and giving out steam that mingled with the smoke from their clay pipes.
endnounUS /end/
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading The overhead beams came down too low for their tall statures, and rounded off at one end so as to resemble a gull's breast, seen from within.
fireverbUS /ˈfaɪər/
start firing a weapon
From this reading A fire shone in the stove, at which their saturated clothes were drying, and giving out steam that mingled with the smoke from their clay pipes.
fish-pickle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There they were, five huge, square-built seamen, drinking away together in the dismal cabin, which reeked of fish-pickle and bilge-water.
fivenounUS /faɪv/
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading There they were, five huge, square-built seamen, drinking away together in the dismal cabin, which reeked of fish-pickle and bilge-water.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The overhead beams came down too low for their tall statures, and rounded off at one end so as to resemble a gull's breast, seen from within.
fro
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Outside, beyond doubt, lay the sea and the night; but one could not be quite sure of that, for a single opening in the deck was closed by its weather-hatch, and the only light came from an old hanging-lamp, swinging to and fro.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The overhead beams came down too low for their tall statures, and rounded off at one end so as to resemble a gull's breast, seen from within.
gentlyadverbUS /ˈdʒentli/
in a gradual manner
From this reading The whole rolled gently with a monotonous wail, inclining one slowly to drowsiness.
givingnounUS /ˈɡɪvɪŋ/
the act of giving
From this reading A fire shone in the stove, at which their saturated clothes were drying, and giving out steam that mingled with the smoke from their clay pipes.
gull'snounUS /ɡʌlz/
possessive form of “gull” — a person who is gullible and easy to take advantage of
From this reading The overhead beams came down too low for their tall statures, and rounded off at one end so as to resemble a gull's breast, seen from within.
hanging-lamp
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Outside, beyond doubt, lay the sea and the night; but one could not be quite sure of that, for a single opening in the deck was closed by its weather-hatch, and the only light came from an old hanging-lamp, swinging to and fro.
hugeadjectiveUS /hjuːdʒ/
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading There they were, five huge, square-built seamen, drinking away together in the dismal cabin, which reeked of fish-pickle and bilge-water.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading There they were, five huge, square-built seamen, drinking away together in the dismal cabin, which reeked of fish-pickle and bilge-water.
incliningnoun
the act of inclining; bending forward
From this reading The whole rolled gently with a monotonous wail, inclining one slowly to drowsiness.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Outside, beyond doubt, lay the sea and the night; but one could not be quite sure of that, for a single opening in the deck was closed by its weather-hatch, and the only light came from an old hanging-lamp, swinging to and fro.
layverbUS /leɪ/
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading Outside, beyond doubt, lay the sea and the night; but one could not be quite sure of that, for a single opening in the deck was closed by its weather-hatch, and the only light came from an old hanging-lamp, swinging to and fro.
lightadjectiveUS /laɪt/
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading Outside, beyond doubt, lay the sea and the night; but one could not be quite sure of that, for a single opening in the deck was closed by its weather-hatch, and the only light came from an old hanging-lamp, swinging to and fro.
lowadjectiveUS /loʊ/
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading The overhead beams came down too low for their tall statures, and rounded off at one end so as to resemble a gull's breast, seen from within.
mingledverbUS /ˈmɪŋɡəld/
past form of “mingle” — to bring or combine together or with something else
From this reading A fire shone in the stove, at which their saturated clothes were drying, and giving out steam that mingled with the smoke from their clay pipes.
monotonousadjectiveUS /məˈnɑːtənəs/
tediously repetitious or lacking in variety
From this reading The whole rolled gently with a monotonous wail, inclining one slowly to drowsiness.
nightnounUS /naɪt/
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading Outside, beyond doubt, lay the sea and the night; but one could not be quite sure of that, for a single opening in the deck was closed by its weather-hatch, and the only light came from an old hanging-lamp, swinging to and fro.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Outside, beyond doubt, lay the sea and the night; but one could not be quite sure of that, for a single opening in the deck was closed by its weather-hatch, and the only light came from an old hanging-lamp, swinging to and fro.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There they were, five huge, square-built seamen, drinking away together in the dismal cabin, which reeked of fish-pickle and bilge-water.
offadverbUS /ɔːf/
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The overhead beams came down too low for their tall statures, and rounded off at one end so as to resemble a gull's breast, seen from within.
oldadjectiveUS /oʊld/
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading Outside, beyond doubt, lay the sea and the night; but one could not be quite sure of that, for a single opening in the deck was closed by its weather-hatch, and the only light came from an old hanging-lamp, swinging to and fro.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The overhead beams came down too low for their tall statures, and rounded off at one end so as to resemble a gull's breast, seen from within.
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading Outside, beyond doubt, lay the sea and the night; but one could not be quite sure of that, for a single opening in the deck was closed by its weather-hatch, and the only light came from an old hanging-lamp, swinging to and fro.
openingnounUS /ˈoʊpənɪŋ/
an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading Outside, beyond doubt, lay the sea and the night; but one could not be quite sure of that, for a single opening in the deck was closed by its weather-hatch, and the only light came from an old hanging-lamp, swinging to and fro.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading A fire shone in the stove, at which their saturated clothes were drying, and giving out steam that mingled with the smoke from their clay pipes.
OutsideadjectiveUS /ˈaʊtˈsaɪd/
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading Outside, beyond doubt, lay the sea and the night; but one could not be quite sure of that, for a single opening in the deck was closed by its weather-hatch, and the only light came from an old hanging-lamp, swinging to and fro.
overheadadverbUS /ˈoʊvərˈhed/
above your head; in the sky
From this reading The overhead beams came down too low for their tall statures, and rounded off at one end so as to resemble a gull's breast, seen from within.
pipesnounUS /paɪps/
plural of “pipe” — a tube with a small bowl at one end; used for smoking tobacco
From this reading A fire shone in the stove, at which their saturated clothes were drying, and giving out steam that mingled with the smoke from their clay pipes.
quiteadverbUS /kwaɪt/
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading Outside, beyond doubt, lay the sea and the night; but one could not be quite sure of that, for a single opening in the deck was closed by its weather-hatch, and the only light came from an old hanging-lamp, swinging to and fro.
reeked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There they were, five huge, square-built seamen, drinking away together in the dismal cabin, which reeked of fish-pickle and bilge-water.
resembleverbUS /rɪˈzembəl/
appear like; be similar or bear a likeness to
From this reading The overhead beams came down too low for their tall statures, and rounded off at one end so as to resemble a gull's breast, seen from within.
rolledadjectiveUS /roʊld/
especially of petals or leaves in bud; having margins rolled inward
From this reading The whole rolled gently with a monotonous wail, inclining one slowly to drowsiness.
roundedadjectiveUS /ˈraʊndəd/
curving and somewhat round in shape rather than jagged
From this reading The overhead beams came down too low for their tall statures, and rounded off at one end so as to resemble a gull's breast, seen from within.
saturatedadjectiveUS /ˈsætʃəreɪtɪd/
being the most concentrated solution possible at a given temperature; unable to dissolve still more of a substance
From this reading A fire shone in the stove, at which their saturated clothes were drying, and giving out steam that mingled with the smoke from their clay pipes.
seanounUS /siː/
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading Outside, beyond doubt, lay the sea and the night; but one could not be quite sure of that, for a single opening in the deck was closed by its weather-hatch, and the only light came from an old hanging-lamp, swinging to and fro.
seamennounUS /ˈsiːmən/
plural of “seaman” — a man who serves as a sailor
From this reading There they were, five huge, square-built seamen, drinking away together in the dismal cabin, which reeked of fish-pickle and bilge-water.
seenverbUS /siːn/
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading The overhead beams came down too low for their tall statures, and rounded off at one end so as to resemble a gull's breast, seen from within.
shoneverbUS /ʃoʊn/
inflected form of “shine” — be bright by reflecting or casting light
From this reading A fire shone in the stove, at which their saturated clothes were drying, and giving out steam that mingled with the smoke from their clay pipes.
singleadjectiveUS /ˈsɪŋɡəl/
being or characteristic of a single thing or person
From this reading Outside, beyond doubt, lay the sea and the night; but one could not be quite sure of that, for a single opening in the deck was closed by its weather-hatch, and the only light came from an old hanging-lamp, swinging to and fro.
slowlyadverbUS /ˈsloʊli/
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading The whole rolled gently with a monotonous wail, inclining one slowly to drowsiness.
smokenounUS /smoʊk/
a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas
From this reading A fire shone in the stove, at which their saturated clothes were drying, and giving out steam that mingled with the smoke from their clay pipes.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The overhead beams came down too low for their tall statures, and rounded off at one end so as to resemble a gull's breast, seen from within.
square-builtadjective
broad and solidly built
From this reading There they were, five huge, square-built seamen, drinking away together in the dismal cabin, which reeked of fish-pickle and bilge-water.
statures
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The overhead beams came down too low for their tall statures, and rounded off at one end so as to resemble a gull's breast, seen from within.
steamverbUS /stiːm/
travel by means of steam power
From this reading A fire shone in the stove, at which their saturated clothes were drying, and giving out steam that mingled with the smoke from their clay pipes.
stovenounUS /stoʊv/
a kitchen appliance used for cooking food
From this reading A fire shone in the stove, at which their saturated clothes were drying, and giving out steam that mingled with the smoke from their clay pipes.
sureadjectiveUS /ʃʊr/
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading Outside, beyond doubt, lay the sea and the night; but one could not be quite sure of that, for a single opening in the deck was closed by its weather-hatch, and the only light came from an old hanging-lamp, swinging to and fro.
swingingnounUS /ˈswɪŋɪŋ/
changing location by moving back and forth
From this reading Outside, beyond doubt, lay the sea and the night; but one could not be quite sure of that, for a single opening in the deck was closed by its weather-hatch, and the only light came from an old hanging-lamp, swinging to and fro.
talladjectiveUS /tɔːl/
great in vertical dimension; high in stature
From this reading The overhead beams came down too low for their tall statures, and rounded off at one end so as to resemble a gull's breast, seen from within.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Outside, beyond doubt, lay the sea and the night; but one could not be quite sure of that, for a single opening in the deck was closed by its weather-hatch, and the only light came from an old hanging-lamp, swinging to and fro.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading There they were, five huge, square-built seamen, drinking away together in the dismal cabin, which reeked of fish-pickle and bilge-water.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The overhead beams came down too low for their tall statures, and rounded off at one end so as to resemble a gull's breast, seen from within.
ThereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading There they were, five huge, square-built seamen, drinking away together in the dismal cabin, which reeked of fish-pickle and bilge-water.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading There they were, five huge, square-built seamen, drinking away together in the dismal cabin, which reeked of fish-pickle and bilge-water.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The overhead beams came down too low for their tall statures, and rounded off at one end so as to resemble a gull's breast, seen from within.
togetheradverbUS /təˈɡeðər/
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading There they were, five huge, square-built seamen, drinking away together in the dismal cabin, which reeked of fish-pickle and bilge-water.
tooadverbUS /tuː/
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading The overhead beams came down too low for their tall statures, and rounded off at one end so as to resemble a gull's breast, seen from within.
wailverbUS /weɪl/
emit long loud cries
From this reading The whole rolled gently with a monotonous wail, inclining one slowly to drowsiness.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Outside, beyond doubt, lay the sea and the night; but one could not be quite sure of that, for a single opening in the deck was closed by its weather-hatch, and the only light came from an old hanging-lamp, swinging to and fro.
weather-hatch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Outside, beyond doubt, lay the sea and the night; but one could not be quite sure of that, for a single opening in the deck was closed by its weather-hatch, and the only light came from an old hanging-lamp, swinging to and fro.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There they were, five huge, square-built seamen, drinking away together in the dismal cabin, which reeked of fish-pickle and bilge-water.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading There they were, five huge, square-built seamen, drinking away together in the dismal cabin, which reeked of fish-pickle and bilge-water.
wholeadjectiveUS /hoʊl/
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading The whole rolled gently with a monotonous wail, inclining one slowly to drowsiness.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The whole rolled gently with a monotonous wail, inclining one slowly to drowsiness.
withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading The overhead beams came down too low for their tall statures, and rounded off at one end so as to resemble a gull's breast, seen from within.
