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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 pilot of the ship was discharged at eight o'clock in the evening, and the two vessels stood on their course to the northward, with a fresh breeze from the south-west.
ABOUTprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading MORE ABOUT THE DIKES AND DITCHES.
ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading MORE ABOUT THE DIKES AND DITCHES.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There are two principal passages by which vessels may reach Rotterdam from the sea.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The pilot of the ship was discharged at eight o'clock in the evening, and the two vessels stood on their course to the northward, with a fresh breeze from the south-west.
breeze
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The pilot of the ship was discharged at eight o'clock in the evening, and the two vessels stood on their course to the northward, with a fresh breeze from the south-west.
Brielle
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From this reading The masters on duty were kept very busy in consulting the charts and the sailing directions; but at one o'clock the squadron was off the Brielle Gat, which is the deepest entrance to the river.
busy
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From this reading The masters on duty were kept very busy in consulting the charts and the sailing directions; but at one o'clock the squadron was off the Brielle Gat, which is the deepest entrance to the river.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading They kept just outside of the continuous chains of shoals on the coast, but for nearly the whole time within sight of the numerous lighthouses which mark the various entrances of the Scheldt and the Maas.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading There are two principal passages by which vessels may reach Rotterdam from the sea.
chains
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They kept just outside of the continuous chains of shoals on the coast, but for nearly the whole time within sight of the numerous lighthouses which mark the various entrances of the Scheldt and the Maas.
charts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The masters on duty were kept very busy in consulting the charts and the sailing directions; but at one o'clock the squadron was off the Brielle Gat, which is the deepest entrance to the river.
coast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They kept just outside of the continuous chains of shoals on the coast, but for nearly the whole time within sight of the numerous lighthouses which mark the various entrances of the Scheldt and the Maas.
consulting
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From this reading The masters on duty were kept very busy in consulting the charts and the sailing directions; but at one o'clock the squadron was off the Brielle Gat, which is the deepest entrance to the river.
continuous
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From this reading They kept just outside of the continuous chains of shoals on the coast, but for nearly the whole time within sight of the numerous lighthouses which mark the various entrances of the Scheldt and the Maas.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The pilot of the ship was discharged at eight o'clock in the evening, and the two vessels stood on their course to the northward, with a fresh breeze from the south-west.
deepest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The masters on duty were kept very busy in consulting the charts and the sailing directions; but at one o'clock the squadron was off the Brielle Gat, which is the deepest entrance to the river.
DIKES
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From this reading MORE ABOUT THE DIKES AND DITCHES.
directions
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From this reading The masters on duty were kept very busy in consulting the charts and the sailing directions; but at one o'clock the squadron was off the Brielle Gat, which is the deepest entrance to the river.
dischargedverbUS /dɪsˈtʃɑrdʒd/
released from a duty or job
From this reading The pilot of the ship was discharged at eight o'clock in the evening, and the two vessels stood on their course to the northward, with a fresh breeze from the south-west.
DITCHES
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading MORE ABOUT THE DIKES AND DITCHES.
dutynounUS /ˈduːti/
a responsibility that must be carried out
From this reading The masters on duty were kept very busy in consulting the charts and the sailing directions; but at one o'clock the squadron was off the Brielle Gat, which is the deepest entrance to the river.
eight
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From this reading The pilot of the ship was discharged at eight o'clock in the evening, and the two vessels stood on their course to the northward, with a fresh breeze from the south-west.
entrance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The masters on duty were kept very busy in consulting the charts and the sailing directions; but at one o'clock the squadron was off the Brielle Gat, which is the deepest entrance to the river.
entrances
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They kept just outside of the continuous chains of shoals on the coast, but for nearly the whole time within sight of the numerous lighthouses which mark the various entrances of the Scheldt and the Maas.
evening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The pilot of the ship was discharged at eight o'clock in the evening, and the two vessels stood on their course to the northward, with a fresh breeze from the south-west.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading They kept just outside of the continuous chains of shoals on the coast, but for nearly the whole time within sight of the numerous lighthouses which mark the various entrances of the Scheldt and the Maas.
fresh
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From this reading The pilot of the ship was discharged at eight o'clock in the evening, and the two vessels stood on their course to the northward, with a fresh breeze from the south-west.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The pilot of the ship was discharged at eight o'clock in the evening, and the two vessels stood on their course to the northward, with a fresh breeze from the south-west.
Gat
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From this reading The masters on duty were kept very busy in consulting the charts and the sailing directions; but at one o'clock the squadron was off the Brielle Gat, which is the deepest entrance to the river.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The pilot of the ship was discharged at eight o'clock in the evening, and the two vessels stood on their course to the northward, with a fresh breeze from the south-west.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The masters on duty were kept very busy in consulting the charts and the sailing directions; but at one o'clock the squadron was off the Brielle Gat, which is the deepest entrance to the river.
just
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From this reading They kept just outside of the continuous chains of shoals on the coast, but for nearly the whole time within sight of the numerous lighthouses which mark the various entrances of the Scheldt and the Maas.
kept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They kept just outside of the continuous chains of shoals on the coast, but for nearly the whole time within sight of the numerous lighthouses which mark the various entrances of the Scheldt and the Maas.
lighthouses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They kept just outside of the continuous chains of shoals on the coast, but for nearly the whole time within sight of the numerous lighthouses which mark the various entrances of the Scheldt and the Maas.
Maas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They kept just outside of the continuous chains of shoals on the coast, but for nearly the whole time within sight of the numerous lighthouses which mark the various entrances of the Scheldt and the Maas.
mark
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They kept just outside of the continuous chains of shoals on the coast, but for nearly the whole time within sight of the numerous lighthouses which mark the various entrances of the Scheldt and the Maas.
masters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The masters on duty were kept very busy in consulting the charts and the sailing directions; but at one o'clock the squadron was off the Brielle Gat, which is the deepest entrance to the river.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading There are two principal passages by which vessels may reach Rotterdam from the sea.
MORE
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From this reading MORE ABOUT THE DIKES AND DITCHES.
nearly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They kept just outside of the continuous chains of shoals on the coast, but for nearly the whole time within sight of the numerous lighthouses which mark the various entrances of the Scheldt and the Maas.
northward
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The pilot of the ship was discharged at eight o'clock in the evening, and the two vessels stood on their course to the northward, with a fresh breeze from the south-west.
numerous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They kept just outside of the continuous chains of shoals on the coast, but for nearly the whole time within sight of the numerous lighthouses which mark the various entrances of the Scheldt and the Maas.
o'clock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The pilot of the ship was discharged at eight o'clock in the evening, and the two vessels stood on their course to the northward, with a fresh breeze from the south-west.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The pilot of the ship was discharged at eight o'clock in the evening, and the two vessels stood on their course to the northward, with a fresh breeze from the south-west.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The masters on duty were kept very busy in consulting the charts and the sailing directions; but at one o'clock the squadron was off the Brielle Gat, which is the deepest entrance to the river.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The pilot of the ship was discharged at eight o'clock in the evening, and the two vessels stood on their course to the northward, with a fresh breeze from the south-west.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The masters on duty were kept very busy in consulting the charts and the sailing directions; but at one o'clock the squadron was off the Brielle Gat, which is the deepest entrance to the river.
outsidenounUS /ˈoutside/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading They kept just outside of the continuous chains of shoals on the coast, but for nearly the whole time within sight of the numerous lighthouses which mark the various entrances of the Scheldt and the Maas.
passages
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are two principal passages by which vessels may reach Rotterdam from the sea.
pilot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The pilot of the ship was discharged at eight o'clock in the evening, and the two vessels stood on their course to the northward, with a fresh breeze from the south-west.
principal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are two principal passages by which vessels may reach Rotterdam from the sea.
reach
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are two principal passages by which vessels may reach Rotterdam from the sea.
river
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The masters on duty were kept very busy in consulting the charts and the sailing directions; but at one o'clock the squadron was off the Brielle Gat, which is the deepest entrance to the river.
Rotterdam
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are two principal passages by which vessels may reach Rotterdam from the sea.
sailing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The masters on duty were kept very busy in consulting the charts and the sailing directions; but at one o'clock the squadron was off the Brielle Gat, which is the deepest entrance to the river.
Scheldt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They kept just outside of the continuous chains of shoals on the coast, but for nearly the whole time within sight of the numerous lighthouses which mark the various entrances of the Scheldt and the Maas.
sea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are two principal passages by which vessels may reach Rotterdam from the sea.
shipnounUS /ship/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The pilot of the ship was discharged at eight o'clock in the evening, and the two vessels stood on their course to the northward, with a fresh breeze from the south-west.
shoals
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They kept just outside of the continuous chains of shoals on the coast, but for nearly the whole time within sight of the numerous lighthouses which mark the various entrances of the Scheldt and the Maas.
sight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They kept just outside of the continuous chains of shoals on the coast, but for nearly the whole time within sight of the numerous lighthouses which mark the various entrances of the Scheldt and the Maas.
south-west
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The pilot of the ship was discharged at eight o'clock in the evening, and the two vessels stood on their course to the northward, with a fresh breeze from the south-west.
squadron
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The masters on duty were kept very busy in consulting the charts and the sailing directions; but at one o'clock the squadron was off the Brielle Gat, which is the deepest entrance to the river.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The pilot of the ship was discharged at eight o'clock in the evening, and the two vessels stood on their course to the northward, with a fresh breeze from the south-west.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading MORE ABOUT THE DIKES AND DITCHES.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The pilot of the ship was discharged at eight o'clock in the evening, and the two vessels stood on their course to the northward, with a fresh breeze from the south-west.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are two principal passages by which vessels may reach Rotterdam from the sea.
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They kept just outside of the continuous chains of shoals on the coast, but for nearly the whole time within sight of the numerous lighthouses which mark the various entrances of the Scheldt and the Maas.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading They kept just outside of the continuous chains of shoals on the coast, but for nearly the whole time within sight of the numerous lighthouses which mark the various entrances of the Scheldt and the Maas.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The pilot of the ship was discharged at eight o'clock in the evening, and the two vessels stood on their course to the northward, with a fresh breeze from the south-west.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The pilot of the ship was discharged at eight o'clock in the evening, and the two vessels stood on their course to the northward, with a fresh breeze from the south-west.
various
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They kept just outside of the continuous chains of shoals on the coast, but for nearly the whole time within sight of the numerous lighthouses which mark the various entrances of the Scheldt and the Maas.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The masters on duty were kept very busy in consulting the charts and the sailing directions; but at one o'clock the squadron was off the Brielle Gat, which is the deepest entrance to the river.
vessels
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The pilot of the ship was discharged at eight o'clock in the evening, and the two vessels stood on their course to the northward, with a fresh breeze from the south-west.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The pilot of the ship was discharged at eight o'clock in the evening, and the two vessels stood on their course to the northward, with a fresh breeze from the south-west.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The masters on duty were kept very busy in consulting the charts and the sailing directions; but at one o'clock the squadron was off the Brielle Gat, which is the deepest entrance to the river.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading They kept just outside of the continuous chains of shoals on the coast, but for nearly the whole time within sight of the numerous lighthouses which mark the various entrances of the Scheldt and the Maas.
whole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They kept just outside of the continuous chains of shoals on the coast, but for nearly the whole time within sight of the numerous lighthouses which mark the various entrances of the Scheldt and the Maas.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The pilot of the ship was discharged at eight o'clock in the evening, and the two vessels stood on their course to the northward, with a fresh breeze from the south-west.
withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading They kept just outside of the continuous chains of shoals on the coast, but for nearly the whole time within sight of the numerous lighthouses which mark the various entrances of the Scheldt and the Maas.
