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 By the early light of a bright summer morning, long, long ago, two small boats were seen to issue from one of the fiords or firths on the west coast of Norway, and row towards the skerries or low rocky islets that lay about a mile distant from the mainland.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading By the early light of a bright summer morning, long, long ago, two small boats were seen to issue from one of the fiords or firths on the west coast of Norway, and row towards the skerries or low rocky islets that lay about a mile distant from the mainland.
ago
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By the early light of a bright summer morning, long, long ago, two small boats were seen to issue from one of the fiords or firths on the west coast of Norway, and row towards the skerries or low rocky islets that lay about a mile distant from the mainland.
alreadynounUS /already/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Although the morning was young, the sun was already high in the heavens, and brought out in glowing colours the varied characteristics of a mountain scene of unrivalled grandeur.
AlthoughnounUS /ˈalthough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Although the morning was young, the sun was already high in the heavens, and brought out in glowing colours the varied characteristics of a mountain scene of unrivalled grandeur.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading By the early light of a bright summer morning, long, long ago, two small boats were seen to issue from one of the fiords or firths on the west coast of Norway, and row towards the skerries or low rocky islets that lay about a mile distant from the mainland.
BALLANTYNE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ERLING THE BOLD, BY R.M. BALLANTYNE.
BEGINS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN WHICH THE TALE BEGINS SOMEWHAT FURIOUSLY.
boats
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By the early light of a bright summer morning, long, long ago, two small boats were seen to issue from one of the fiords or firths on the west coast of Norway, and row towards the skerries or low rocky islets that lay about a mile distant from the mainland.
BOLD
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ERLING THE BOLD, BY R.M. BALLANTYNE.
bright
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By the early light of a bright summer morning, long, long ago, two small boats were seen to issue from one of the fiords or firths on the west coast of Norway, and row towards the skerries or low rocky islets that lay about a mile distant from the mainland.
broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Although the morning was young, the sun was already high in the heavens, and brought out in glowing colours the varied characteristics of a mountain scene of unrivalled grandeur.
BYprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading ERLING THE BOLD, BY R.M. BALLANTYNE.
CHAPTER
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading CHAPTER ONE.
characteristics
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although the morning was young, the sun was already high in the heavens, and brought out in glowing colours the varied characteristics of a mountain scene of unrivalled grandeur.
coast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By the early light of a bright summer morning, long, long ago, two small boats were seen to issue from one of the fiords or firths on the west coast of Norway, and row towards the skerries or low rocky islets that lay about a mile distant from the mainland.
coloursnounUS /ˈcolours/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Although the morning was young, the sun was already high in the heavens, and brought out in glowing colours the varied characteristics of a mountain scene of unrivalled grandeur.
distantadjectiveUS /ˈdɪstənt/
not friendly or close
From this reading By the early light of a bright summer morning, long, long ago, two small boats were seen to issue from one of the fiords or firths on the west coast of Norway, and row towards the skerries or low rocky islets that lay about a mile distant from the mainland.
early
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By the early light of a bright summer morning, long, long ago, two small boats were seen to issue from one of the fiords or firths on the west coast of Norway, and row towards the skerries or low rocky islets that lay about a mile distant from the mainland.
ERLING
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ERLING THE BOLD, BY R.M. BALLANTYNE.
fiords
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By the early light of a bright summer morning, long, long ago, two small boats were seen to issue from one of the fiords or firths on the west coast of Norway, and row towards the skerries or low rocky islets that lay about a mile distant from the mainland.
firths
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By the early light of a bright summer morning, long, long ago, two small boats were seen to issue from one of the fiords or firths on the west coast of Norway, and row towards the skerries or low rocky islets that lay about a mile distant from the mainland.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading By the early light of a bright summer morning, long, long ago, two small boats were seen to issue from one of the fiords or firths on the west coast of Norway, and row towards the skerries or low rocky islets that lay about a mile distant from the mainland.
FURIOUSLY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN WHICH THE TALE BEGINS SOMEWHAT FURIOUSLY.
glowingnounUS /ˈglowing/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Although the morning was young, the sun was already high in the heavens, and brought out in glowing colours the varied characteristics of a mountain scene of unrivalled grandeur.
grandeur
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although the morning was young, the sun was already high in the heavens, and brought out in glowing colours the varied characteristics of a mountain scene of unrivalled grandeur.
heavens
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although the morning was young, the sun was already high in the heavens, and brought out in glowing colours the varied characteristics of a mountain scene of unrivalled grandeur.
high
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although the morning was young, the sun was already high in the heavens, and brought out in glowing colours the varied characteristics of a mountain scene of unrivalled grandeur.
INprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN WHICH THE TALE BEGINS SOMEWHAT FURIOUSLY.
islets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By the early light of a bright summer morning, long, long ago, two small boats were seen to issue from one of the fiords or firths on the west coast of Norway, and row towards the skerries or low rocky islets that lay about a mile distant from the mainland.
issue
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By the early light of a bright summer morning, long, long ago, two small boats were seen to issue from one of the fiords or firths on the west coast of Norway, and row towards the skerries or low rocky islets that lay about a mile distant from the mainland.
lay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By the early light of a bright summer morning, long, long ago, two small boats were seen to issue from one of the fiords or firths on the west coast of Norway, and row towards the skerries or low rocky islets that lay about a mile distant from the mainland.
light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By the early light of a bright summer morning, long, long ago, two small boats were seen to issue from one of the fiords or firths on the west coast of Norway, and row towards the skerries or low rocky islets that lay about a mile distant from the mainland.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading By the early light of a bright summer morning, long, long ago, two small boats were seen to issue from one of the fiords or firths on the west coast of Norway, and row towards the skerries or low rocky islets that lay about a mile distant from the mainland.
low
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By the early light of a bright summer morning, long, long ago, two small boats were seen to issue from one of the fiords or firths on the west coast of Norway, and row towards the skerries or low rocky islets that lay about a mile distant from the mainland.
M
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ERLING THE BOLD, BY R.M. BALLANTYNE.
mainland
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By the early light of a bright summer morning, long, long ago, two small boats were seen to issue from one of the fiords or firths on the west coast of Norway, and row towards the skerries or low rocky islets that lay about a mile distant from the mainland.
mile
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By the early light of a bright summer morning, long, long ago, two small boats were seen to issue from one of the fiords or firths on the west coast of Norway, and row towards the skerries or low rocky islets that lay about a mile distant from the mainland.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading By the early light of a bright summer morning, long, long ago, two small boats were seen to issue from one of the fiords or firths on the west coast of Norway, and row towards the skerries or low rocky islets that lay about a mile distant from the mainland.
mountain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although the morning was young, the sun was already high in the heavens, and brought out in glowing colours the varied characteristics of a mountain scene of unrivalled grandeur.
Norway
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By the early light of a bright summer morning, long, long ago, two small boats were seen to issue from one of the fiords or firths on the west coast of Norway, and row towards the skerries or low rocky islets that lay about a mile distant from the mainland.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading By the early light of a bright summer morning, long, long ago, two small boats were seen to issue from one of the fiords or firths on the west coast of Norway, and row towards the skerries or low rocky islets that lay about a mile distant from the mainland.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading By the early light of a bright summer morning, long, long ago, two small boats were seen to issue from one of the fiords or firths on the west coast of Norway, and row towards the skerries or low rocky islets that lay about a mile distant from the mainland.
ONEpronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading CHAPTER ONE.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading By the early light of a bright summer morning, long, long ago, two small boats were seen to issue from one of the fiords or firths on the west coast of Norway, and row towards the skerries or low rocky islets that lay about a mile distant from the mainland.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although the morning was young, the sun was already high in the heavens, and brought out in glowing colours the varied characteristics of a mountain scene of unrivalled grandeur.
R
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ERLING THE BOLD, BY R.M. BALLANTYNE.
rocky
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By the early light of a bright summer morning, long, long ago, two small boats were seen to issue from one of the fiords or firths on the west coast of Norway, and row towards the skerries or low rocky islets that lay about a mile distant from the mainland.
row
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By the early light of a bright summer morning, long, long ago, two small boats were seen to issue from one of the fiords or firths on the west coast of Norway, and row towards the skerries or low rocky islets that lay about a mile distant from the mainland.
scene
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although the morning was young, the sun was already high in the heavens, and brought out in glowing colours the varied characteristics of a mountain scene of unrivalled grandeur.
seen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By the early light of a bright summer morning, long, long ago, two small boats were seen to issue from one of the fiords or firths on the west coast of Norway, and row towards the skerries or low rocky islets that lay about a mile distant from the mainland.
skerries
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By the early light of a bright summer morning, long, long ago, two small boats were seen to issue from one of the fiords or firths on the west coast of Norway, and row towards the skerries or low rocky islets that lay about a mile distant from the mainland.
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By the early light of a bright summer morning, long, long ago, two small boats were seen to issue from one of the fiords or firths on the west coast of Norway, and row towards the skerries or low rocky islets that lay about a mile distant from the mainland.
SOMEWHAT
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN WHICH THE TALE BEGINS SOMEWHAT FURIOUSLY.
summer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By the early light of a bright summer morning, long, long ago, two small boats were seen to issue from one of the fiords or firths on the west coast of Norway, and row towards the skerries or low rocky islets that lay about a mile distant from the mainland.
sun
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although the morning was young, the sun was already high in the heavens, and brought out in glowing colours the varied characteristics of a mountain scene of unrivalled grandeur.
TALE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN WHICH THE TALE BEGINS SOMEWHAT FURIOUSLY.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading By the early light of a bright summer morning, long, long ago, two small boats were seen to issue from one of the fiords or firths on the west coast of Norway, and row towards the skerries or low rocky islets that lay about a mile distant from the mainland.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ERLING THE BOLD, BY R.M. BALLANTYNE.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading By the early light of a bright summer morning, long, long ago, two small boats were seen to issue from one of the fiords or firths on the west coast of Norway, and row towards the skerries or low rocky islets that lay about a mile distant from the mainland.
towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/
in the direction of
From this reading By the early light of a bright summer morning, long, long ago, two small boats were seen to issue from one of the fiords or firths on the west coast of Norway, and row towards the skerries or low rocky islets that lay about a mile distant from the mainland.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By the early light of a bright summer morning, long, long ago, two small boats were seen to issue from one of the fiords or firths on the west coast of Norway, and row towards the skerries or low rocky islets that lay about a mile distant from the mainland.
unrivalled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although the morning was young, the sun was already high in the heavens, and brought out in glowing colours the varied characteristics of a mountain scene of unrivalled grandeur.
varied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although the morning was young, the sun was already high in the heavens, and brought out in glowing colours the varied characteristics of a mountain scene of unrivalled grandeur.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Although the morning was young, the sun was already high in the heavens, and brought out in glowing colours the varied characteristics of a mountain scene of unrivalled grandeur.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading By the early light of a bright summer morning, long, long ago, two small boats were seen to issue from one of the fiords or firths on the west coast of Norway, and row towards the skerries or low rocky islets that lay about a mile distant from the mainland.
west
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By the early light of a bright summer morning, long, long ago, two small boats were seen to issue from one of the fiords or firths on the west coast of Norway, and row towards the skerries or low rocky islets that lay about a mile distant from the mainland.
WHICHpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading IN WHICH THE TALE BEGINS SOMEWHAT FURIOUSLY.
young
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Although the morning was young, the sun was already high in the heavens, and brought out in glowing colours the varied characteristics of a mountain scene of unrivalled grandeur.
