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 CANOEING ON THE SEA--A MYSTERIOUS NIGHT-SURPRISE AND SUDDEN FLIGHT.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading As for Moses, although quite ready at any moment to indulge in friendly intercourse, he seldom initiated a conversation, and Spinkie, grasping the mast and leaning against it with his head down, seemed to be either asleep or brooding over his sorrows.
almost
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From this reading At first the voyagers paddled over the glassy sea in almost total silence.
althoughnounUS /ˈalthough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading As for Moses, although quite ready at any moment to indulge in friendly intercourse, he seldom initiated a conversation, and Spinkie, grasping the mast and leaning against it with his head down, seemed to be either asleep or brooding over his sorrows.
ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading CANOEING ON THE SEA--A MYSTERIOUS NIGHT-SURPRISE AND SUDDEN FLIGHT.
any
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From this reading As for Moses, although quite ready at any moment to indulge in friendly intercourse, he seldom initiated a conversation, and Spinkie, grasping the mast and leaning against it with his head down, seemed to be either asleep or brooding over his sorrows.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Van der Kemp himself was, as we have said, naturally quiet and silent, save when roused by a subject that interested him.
asleep
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From this reading As for Moses, although quite ready at any moment to indulge in friendly intercourse, he seldom initiated a conversation, and Spinkie, grasping the mast and leaning against it with his head down, seemed to be either asleep or brooding over his sorrows.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At first the voyagers paddled over the glassy sea in almost total silence.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading As for Moses, although quite ready at any moment to indulge in friendly intercourse, he seldom initiated a conversation, and Spinkie, grasping the mast and leaning against it with his head down, seemed to be either asleep or brooding over his sorrows.
brooding
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From this reading As for Moses, although quite ready at any moment to indulge in friendly intercourse, he seldom initiated a conversation, and Spinkie, grasping the mast and leaning against it with his head down, seemed to be either asleep or brooding over his sorrows.
busy
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From this reading Nigel was occupied with his own busy thoughts; speculating on the probable end and object of their voyage, and on the character, the mysterious life, and unknown history of the man who sat in front of him wielding so powerfully the great double-bladed paddle.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Van der Kemp himself was, as we have said, naturally quiet and silent, save when roused by a subject that interested him.
CANOEING
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From this reading CANOEING ON THE SEA--A MYSTERIOUS NIGHT-SURPRISE AND SUDDEN FLIGHT.
character
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From this reading Nigel was occupied with his own busy thoughts; speculating on the probable end and object of their voyage, and on the character, the mysterious life, and unknown history of the man who sat in front of him wielding so powerfully the great double-bladed paddle.
conversation
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From this reading As for Moses, although quite ready at any moment to indulge in friendly intercourse, he seldom initiated a conversation, and Spinkie, grasping the mast and leaning against it with his head down, seemed to be either asleep or brooding over his sorrows.
der
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From this reading Van der Kemp himself was, as we have said, naturally quiet and silent, save when roused by a subject that interested him.
double-bladed
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From this reading Nigel was occupied with his own busy thoughts; speculating on the probable end and object of their voyage, and on the character, the mysterious life, and unknown history of the man who sat in front of him wielding so powerfully the great double-bladed paddle.
down
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From this reading As for Moses, although quite ready at any moment to indulge in friendly intercourse, he seldom initiated a conversation, and Spinkie, grasping the mast and leaning against it with his head down, seemed to be either asleep or brooding over his sorrows.
eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/
one or the other of two
From this reading As for Moses, although quite ready at any moment to indulge in friendly intercourse, he seldom initiated a conversation, and Spinkie, grasping the mast and leaning against it with his head down, seemed to be either asleep or brooding over his sorrows.
end
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nigel was occupied with his own busy thoughts; speculating on the probable end and object of their voyage, and on the character, the mysterious life, and unknown history of the man who sat in front of him wielding so powerfully the great double-bladed paddle.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At first the voyagers paddled over the glassy sea in almost total silence.
FLIGHT
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From this reading CANOEING ON THE SEA--A MYSTERIOUS NIGHT-SURPRISE AND SUDDEN FLIGHT.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading As for Moses, although quite ready at any moment to indulge in friendly intercourse, he seldom initiated a conversation, and Spinkie, grasping the mast and leaning against it with his head down, seemed to be either asleep or brooding over his sorrows.
friendly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As for Moses, although quite ready at any moment to indulge in friendly intercourse, he seldom initiated a conversation, and Spinkie, grasping the mast and leaning against it with his head down, seemed to be either asleep or brooding over his sorrows.
front
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From this reading Nigel was occupied with his own busy thoughts; speculating on the probable end and object of their voyage, and on the character, the mysterious life, and unknown history of the man who sat in front of him wielding so powerfully the great double-bladed paddle.
glassy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first the voyagers paddled over the glassy sea in almost total silence.
grasping
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From this reading As for Moses, although quite ready at any moment to indulge in friendly intercourse, he seldom initiated a conversation, and Spinkie, grasping the mast and leaning against it with his head down, seemed to be either asleep or brooding over his sorrows.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Nigel was occupied with his own busy thoughts; speculating on the probable end and object of their voyage, and on the character, the mysterious life, and unknown history of the man who sat in front of him wielding so powerfully the great double-bladed paddle.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Van der Kemp himself was, as we have said, naturally quiet and silent, save when roused by a subject that interested him.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As for Moses, although quite ready at any moment to indulge in friendly intercourse, he seldom initiated a conversation, and Spinkie, grasping the mast and leaning against it with his head down, seemed to be either asleep or brooding over his sorrows.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As for Moses, although quite ready at any moment to indulge in friendly intercourse, he seldom initiated a conversation, and Spinkie, grasping the mast and leaning against it with his head down, seemed to be either asleep or brooding over his sorrows.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Nigel was occupied with his own busy thoughts; speculating on the probable end and object of their voyage, and on the character, the mysterious life, and unknown history of the man who sat in front of him wielding so powerfully the great double-bladed paddle.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Van der Kemp himself was, as we have said, naturally quiet and silent, save when roused by a subject that interested him.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Nigel was occupied with his own busy thoughts; speculating on the probable end and object of their voyage, and on the character, the mysterious life, and unknown history of the man who sat in front of him wielding so powerfully the great double-bladed paddle.
history
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nigel was occupied with his own busy thoughts; speculating on the probable end and object of their voyage, and on the character, the mysterious life, and unknown history of the man who sat in front of him wielding so powerfully the great double-bladed paddle.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading At first the voyagers paddled over the glassy sea in almost total silence.
indulge
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From this reading As for Moses, although quite ready at any moment to indulge in friendly intercourse, he seldom initiated a conversation, and Spinkie, grasping the mast and leaning against it with his head down, seemed to be either asleep or brooding over his sorrows.
initiated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As for Moses, although quite ready at any moment to indulge in friendly intercourse, he seldom initiated a conversation, and Spinkie, grasping the mast and leaning against it with his head down, seemed to be either asleep or brooding over his sorrows.
intercourse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As for Moses, although quite ready at any moment to indulge in friendly intercourse, he seldom initiated a conversation, and Spinkie, grasping the mast and leaning against it with his head down, seemed to be either asleep or brooding over his sorrows.
interested
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Van der Kemp himself was, as we have said, naturally quiet and silent, save when roused by a subject that interested him.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading As for Moses, although quite ready at any moment to indulge in friendly intercourse, he seldom initiated a conversation, and Spinkie, grasping the mast and leaning against it with his head down, seemed to be either asleep or brooding over his sorrows.
Kemp
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From this reading Van der Kemp himself was, as we have said, naturally quiet and silent, save when roused by a subject that interested him.
leaning
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From this reading As for Moses, although quite ready at any moment to indulge in friendly intercourse, he seldom initiated a conversation, and Spinkie, grasping the mast and leaning against it with his head down, seemed to be either asleep or brooding over his sorrows.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Nigel was occupied with his own busy thoughts; speculating on the probable end and object of their voyage, and on the character, the mysterious life, and unknown history of the man who sat in front of him wielding so powerfully the great double-bladed paddle.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nigel was occupied with his own busy thoughts; speculating on the probable end and object of their voyage, and on the character, the mysterious life, and unknown history of the man who sat in front of him wielding so powerfully the great double-bladed paddle.
mast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As for Moses, although quite ready at any moment to indulge in friendly intercourse, he seldom initiated a conversation, and Spinkie, grasping the mast and leaning against it with his head down, seemed to be either asleep or brooding over his sorrows.
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As for Moses, although quite ready at any moment to indulge in friendly intercourse, he seldom initiated a conversation, and Spinkie, grasping the mast and leaning against it with his head down, seemed to be either asleep or brooding over his sorrows.
Moses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As for Moses, although quite ready at any moment to indulge in friendly intercourse, he seldom initiated a conversation, and Spinkie, grasping the mast and leaning against it with his head down, seemed to be either asleep or brooding over his sorrows.
MYSTERIOUSadjectiveUS /mɪˈstɪriəs/
difficult to explain or understand
From this reading CANOEING ON THE SEA--A MYSTERIOUS NIGHT-SURPRISE AND SUDDEN FLIGHT.
naturally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Van der Kemp himself was, as we have said, naturally quiet and silent, save when roused by a subject that interested him.
Nigel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nigel was occupied with his own busy thoughts; speculating on the probable end and object of their voyage, and on the character, the mysterious life, and unknown history of the man who sat in front of him wielding so powerfully the great double-bladed paddle.
NIGHT-SURPRISE
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From this reading CANOEING ON THE SEA--A MYSTERIOUS NIGHT-SURPRISE AND SUDDEN FLIGHT.
object
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nigel was occupied with his own busy thoughts; speculating on the probable end and object of their voyage, and on the character, the mysterious life, and unknown history of the man who sat in front of him wielding so powerfully the great double-bladed paddle.
occupied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nigel was occupied with his own busy thoughts; speculating on the probable end and object of their voyage, and on the character, the mysterious life, and unknown history of the man who sat in front of him wielding so powerfully the great double-bladed paddle.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Nigel was occupied with his own busy thoughts; speculating on the probable end and object of their voyage, and on the character, the mysterious life, and unknown history of the man who sat in front of him wielding so powerfully the great double-bladed paddle.
ONprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading CANOEING ON THE SEA--A MYSTERIOUS NIGHT-SURPRISE AND SUDDEN FLIGHT.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading As for Moses, although quite ready at any moment to indulge in friendly intercourse, he seldom initiated a conversation, and Spinkie, grasping the mast and leaning against it with his head down, seemed to be either asleep or brooding over his sorrows.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading At first the voyagers paddled over the glassy sea in almost total silence.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nigel was occupied with his own busy thoughts; speculating on the probable end and object of their voyage, and on the character, the mysterious life, and unknown history of the man who sat in front of him wielding so powerfully the great double-bladed paddle.
paddle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nigel was occupied with his own busy thoughts; speculating on the probable end and object of their voyage, and on the character, the mysterious life, and unknown history of the man who sat in front of him wielding so powerfully the great double-bladed paddle.
paddled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first the voyagers paddled over the glassy sea in almost total silence.
powerfully
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nigel was occupied with his own busy thoughts; speculating on the probable end and object of their voyage, and on the character, the mysterious life, and unknown history of the man who sat in front of him wielding so powerfully the great double-bladed paddle.
probable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nigel was occupied with his own busy thoughts; speculating on the probable end and object of their voyage, and on the character, the mysterious life, and unknown history of the man who sat in front of him wielding so powerfully the great double-bladed paddle.
quiet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Van der Kemp himself was, as we have said, naturally quiet and silent, save when roused by a subject that interested him.
quitenounUS /quite/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As for Moses, although quite ready at any moment to indulge in friendly intercourse, he seldom initiated a conversation, and Spinkie, grasping the mast and leaning against it with his head down, seemed to be either asleep or brooding over his sorrows.
ready
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As for Moses, although quite ready at any moment to indulge in friendly intercourse, he seldom initiated a conversation, and Spinkie, grasping the mast and leaning against it with his head down, seemed to be either asleep or brooding over his sorrows.
roused
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Van der Kemp himself was, as we have said, naturally quiet and silent, save when roused by a subject that interested him.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Van der Kemp himself was, as we have said, naturally quiet and silent, save when roused by a subject that interested him.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nigel was occupied with his own busy thoughts; speculating on the probable end and object of their voyage, and on the character, the mysterious life, and unknown history of the man who sat in front of him wielding so powerfully the great double-bladed paddle.
saveprepositionUS /seɪv/
except for; apart from
From this reading Van der Kemp himself was, as we have said, naturally quiet and silent, save when roused by a subject that interested him.
SEA
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CANOEING ON THE SEA--A MYSTERIOUS NIGHT-SURPRISE AND SUDDEN FLIGHT.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As for Moses, although quite ready at any moment to indulge in friendly intercourse, he seldom initiated a conversation, and Spinkie, grasping the mast and leaning against it with his head down, seemed to be either asleep or brooding over his sorrows.
seldom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As for Moses, although quite ready at any moment to indulge in friendly intercourse, he seldom initiated a conversation, and Spinkie, grasping the mast and leaning against it with his head down, seemed to be either asleep or brooding over his sorrows.
silencenounUS /ˈsaɪ.ləns/
Complete absence of sound; a state of quietness and stillness.
From this reading At first the voyagers paddled over the glassy sea in almost total silence.
silent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Van der Kemp himself was, as we have said, naturally quiet and silent, save when roused by a subject that interested him.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Nigel was occupied with his own busy thoughts; speculating on the probable end and object of their voyage, and on the character, the mysterious life, and unknown history of the man who sat in front of him wielding so powerfully the great double-bladed paddle.
sorrows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As for Moses, although quite ready at any moment to indulge in friendly intercourse, he seldom initiated a conversation, and Spinkie, grasping the mast and leaning against it with his head down, seemed to be either asleep or brooding over his sorrows.
speculating
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nigel was occupied with his own busy thoughts; speculating on the probable end and object of their voyage, and on the character, the mysterious life, and unknown history of the man who sat in front of him wielding so powerfully the great double-bladed paddle.
Spinkie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As for Moses, although quite ready at any moment to indulge in friendly intercourse, he seldom initiated a conversation, and Spinkie, grasping the mast and leaning against it with his head down, seemed to be either asleep or brooding over his sorrows.
subject
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Van der Kemp himself was, as we have said, naturally quiet and silent, save when roused by a subject that interested him.
SUDDENnounUS /sudden/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading CANOEING ON THE SEA--A MYSTERIOUS NIGHT-SURPRISE AND SUDDEN FLIGHT.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Van der Kemp himself was, as we have said, naturally quiet and silent, save when roused by a subject that interested him.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading CANOEING ON THE SEA--A MYSTERIOUS NIGHT-SURPRISE AND SUDDEN FLIGHT.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Nigel was occupied with his own busy thoughts; speculating on the probable end and object of their voyage, and on the character, the mysterious life, and unknown history of the man who sat in front of him wielding so powerfully the great double-bladed paddle.
thoughts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nigel was occupied with his own busy thoughts; speculating on the probable end and object of their voyage, and on the character, the mysterious life, and unknown history of the man who sat in front of him wielding so powerfully the great double-bladed paddle.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading As for Moses, although quite ready at any moment to indulge in friendly intercourse, he seldom initiated a conversation, and Spinkie, grasping the mast and leaning against it with his head down, seemed to be either asleep or brooding over his sorrows.
total
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first the voyagers paddled over the glassy sea in almost total silence.
unknown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nigel was occupied with his own busy thoughts; speculating on the probable end and object of their voyage, and on the character, the mysterious life, and unknown history of the man who sat in front of him wielding so powerfully the great double-bladed paddle.
Van
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Van der Kemp himself was, as we have said, naturally quiet and silent, save when roused by a subject that interested him.
voyage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nigel was occupied with his own busy thoughts; speculating on the probable end and object of their voyage, and on the character, the mysterious life, and unknown history of the man who sat in front of him wielding so powerfully the great double-bladed paddle.
voyagers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At first the voyagers paddled over the glassy sea in almost total silence.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Nigel was occupied with his own busy thoughts; speculating on the probable end and object of their voyage, and on the character, the mysterious life, and unknown history of the man who sat in front of him wielding so powerfully the great double-bladed paddle.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Van der Kemp himself was, as we have said, naturally quiet and silent, save when roused by a subject that interested him.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Van der Kemp himself was, as we have said, naturally quiet and silent, save when roused by a subject that interested him.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Nigel was occupied with his own busy thoughts; speculating on the probable end and object of their voyage, and on the character, the mysterious life, and unknown history of the man who sat in front of him wielding so powerfully the great double-bladed paddle.
wielding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nigel was occupied with his own busy thoughts; speculating on the probable end and object of their voyage, and on the character, the mysterious life, and unknown history of the man who sat in front of him wielding so powerfully the great double-bladed paddle.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Nigel was occupied with his own busy thoughts; speculating on the probable end and object of their voyage, and on the character, the mysterious life, and unknown history of the man who sat in front of him wielding so powerfully the great double-bladed paddle.
