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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 As the little captain went forward, he heard a noise in the forecastle, and saw that the companionway was closed and fastened.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading "I think it is about time to go back, now," replied Ethan, holding one of the pistols in his hand.
accident
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From this reading THE LITTLE CAPTAIN AND HIS MOTTO As Ben Wilford, fearful that some accident to the machinery would defeat his criminal enterprise, entered the engine-room on one side, Lawry left it at the other.
ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE LITTLE CAPTAIN AND HIS MOTTO As Ben Wilford, fearful that some accident to the machinery would defeat his criminal enterprise, entered the engine-room on one side, Lawry left it at the other.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "What are you stopping for?" demanded Ben Wilford, before he discovered that Baker was not present.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading THE LITTLE CAPTAIN AND HIS MOTTO As Ben Wilford, fearful that some accident to the machinery would defeat his criminal enterprise, entered the engine-room on one side, Lawry left it at the other.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE LITTLE CAPTAIN AND HIS MOTTO As Ben Wilford, fearful that some accident to the machinery would defeat his criminal enterprise, entered the engine-room on one side, Lawry left it at the other.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I think it is about time to go back, now," replied Ethan, holding one of the pistols in his hand.
Baker
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From this reading "What are you stopping for?" demanded Ben Wilford, before he discovered that Baker was not present.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading "What are you stopping for?" demanded Ben Wilford, before he discovered that Baker was not present.
Ben
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From this reading THE LITTLE CAPTAIN AND HIS MOTTO As Ben Wilford, fearful that some accident to the machinery would defeat his criminal enterprise, entered the engine-room on one side, Lawry left it at the other.
CAPTAINnounUS /ˈcaptain/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading THE LITTLE CAPTAIN AND HIS MOTTO As Ben Wilford, fearful that some accident to the machinery would defeat his criminal enterprise, entered the engine-room on one side, Lawry left it at the other.
closed
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From this reading As the little captain went forward, he heard a noise in the forecastle, and saw that the companionway was closed and fastened.
companionway
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From this reading As the little captain went forward, he heard a noise in the forecastle, and saw that the companionway was closed and fastened.
confined
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Releasing the firemen and deck-hands confined there, he directed them to follow him to the wheel-house, where he explained to them what had happened.
criminal
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From this reading THE LITTLE CAPTAIN AND HIS MOTTO As Ben Wilford, fearful that some accident to the machinery would defeat his criminal enterprise, entered the engine-room on one side, Lawry left it at the other.
deck-hands
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Releasing the firemen and deck-hands confined there, he directed them to follow him to the wheel-house, where he explained to them what had happened.
defeat
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From this reading THE LITTLE CAPTAIN AND HIS MOTTO As Ben Wilford, fearful that some accident to the machinery would defeat his criminal enterprise, entered the engine-room on one side, Lawry left it at the other.
demanded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "What are you stopping for?" demanded Ben Wilford, before he discovered that Baker was not present.
directed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Releasing the firemen and deck-hands confined there, he directed them to follow him to the wheel-house, where he explained to them what had happened.
discovered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "What are you stopping for?" demanded Ben Wilford, before he discovered that Baker was not present.
engine-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LITTLE CAPTAIN AND HIS MOTTO As Ben Wilford, fearful that some accident to the machinery would defeat his criminal enterprise, entered the engine-room on one side, Lawry left it at the other.
entered
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From this reading THE LITTLE CAPTAIN AND HIS MOTTO As Ben Wilford, fearful that some accident to the machinery would defeat his criminal enterprise, entered the engine-room on one side, Lawry left it at the other.
enterprise
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From this reading THE LITTLE CAPTAIN AND HIS MOTTO As Ben Wilford, fearful that some accident to the machinery would defeat his criminal enterprise, entered the engine-room on one side, Lawry left it at the other.
Ethan
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From this reading "I think it is about time to go back, now," replied Ethan, holding one of the pistols in his hand.
explained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Releasing the firemen and deck-hands confined there, he directed them to follow him to the wheel-house, where he explained to them what had happened.
fastened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the little captain went forward, he heard a noise in the forecastle, and saw that the companionway was closed and fastened.
fearful
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From this reading THE LITTLE CAPTAIN AND HIS MOTTO As Ben Wilford, fearful that some accident to the machinery would defeat his criminal enterprise, entered the engine-room on one side, Lawry left it at the other.
firemen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Releasing the firemen and deck-hands confined there, he directed them to follow him to the wheel-house, where he explained to them what had happened.
follow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Releasing the firemen and deck-hands confined there, he directed them to follow him to the wheel-house, where he explained to them what had happened.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "What are you stopping for?" demanded Ben Wilford, before he discovered that Baker was not present.
forecastlenounUS /ˈforecastle/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading As the little captain went forward, he heard a noise in the forecastle, and saw that the companionway was closed and fastened.
forwardnounUS /forward/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As the little captain went forward, he heard a noise in the forecastle, and saw that the companionway was closed and fastened.
go
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I think it is about time to go back, now," replied Ethan, holding one of the pistols in his hand.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Releasing the firemen and deck-hands confined there, he directed them to follow him to the wheel-house, where he explained to them what had happened.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I think it is about time to go back, now," replied Ethan, holding one of the pistols in his hand.
happened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Releasing the firemen and deck-hands confined there, he directed them to follow him to the wheel-house, where he explained to them what had happened.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As the little captain went forward, he heard a noise in the forecastle, and saw that the companionway was closed and fastened.
heard
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From this reading As the little captain went forward, he heard a noise in the forecastle, and saw that the companionway was closed and fastened.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Releasing the firemen and deck-hands confined there, he directed them to follow him to the wheel-house, where he explained to them what had happened.
HISdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading THE LITTLE CAPTAIN AND HIS MOTTO As Ben Wilford, fearful that some accident to the machinery would defeat his criminal enterprise, entered the engine-room on one side, Lawry left it at the other.
holding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I think it is about time to go back, now," replied Ethan, holding one of the pistols in his hand.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I think it is about time to go back, now," replied Ethan, holding one of the pistols in his hand.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading As the little captain went forward, he heard a noise in the forecastle, and saw that the companionway was closed and fastened.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "I think it is about time to go back, now," replied Ethan, holding one of the pistols in his hand.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE LITTLE CAPTAIN AND HIS MOTTO As Ben Wilford, fearful that some accident to the machinery would defeat his criminal enterprise, entered the engine-room on one side, Lawry left it at the other.
Lawry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LITTLE CAPTAIN AND HIS MOTTO As Ben Wilford, fearful that some accident to the machinery would defeat his criminal enterprise, entered the engine-room on one side, Lawry left it at the other.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE LITTLE CAPTAIN AND HIS MOTTO As Ben Wilford, fearful that some accident to the machinery would defeat his criminal enterprise, entered the engine-room on one side, Lawry left it at the other.
LITTLEnounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE LITTLE CAPTAIN AND HIS MOTTO As Ben Wilford, fearful that some accident to the machinery would defeat his criminal enterprise, entered the engine-room on one side, Lawry left it at the other.
machinery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LITTLE CAPTAIN AND HIS MOTTO As Ben Wilford, fearful that some accident to the machinery would defeat his criminal enterprise, entered the engine-room on one side, Lawry left it at the other.
MOTTO
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LITTLE CAPTAIN AND HIS MOTTO As Ben Wilford, fearful that some accident to the machinery would defeat his criminal enterprise, entered the engine-room on one side, Lawry left it at the other.
noise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the little captain went forward, he heard a noise in the forecastle, and saw that the companionway was closed and fastened.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "What are you stopping for?" demanded Ben Wilford, before he discovered that Baker was not present.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I think it is about time to go back, now," replied Ethan, holding one of the pistols in his hand.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "I think it is about time to go back, now," replied Ethan, holding one of the pistols in his hand.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE LITTLE CAPTAIN AND HIS MOTTO As Ben Wilford, fearful that some accident to the machinery would defeat his criminal enterprise, entered the engine-room on one side, Lawry left it at the other.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading THE LITTLE CAPTAIN AND HIS MOTTO As Ben Wilford, fearful that some accident to the machinery would defeat his criminal enterprise, entered the engine-room on one side, Lawry left it at the other.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LITTLE CAPTAIN AND HIS MOTTO As Ben Wilford, fearful that some accident to the machinery would defeat his criminal enterprise, entered the engine-room on one side, Lawry left it at the other.
pistols
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I think it is about time to go back, now," replied Ethan, holding one of the pistols in his hand.
present
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "What are you stopping for?" demanded Ben Wilford, before he discovered that Baker was not present.
Releasing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Releasing the firemen and deck-hands confined there, he directed them to follow him to the wheel-house, where he explained to them what had happened.
repliednounUS /replied/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "I think it is about time to go back, now," replied Ethan, holding one of the pistols in his hand.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As the little captain went forward, he heard a noise in the forecastle, and saw that the companionway was closed and fastened.
side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LITTLE CAPTAIN AND HIS MOTTO As Ben Wilford, fearful that some accident to the machinery would defeat his criminal enterprise, entered the engine-room on one side, Lawry left it at the other.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LITTLE CAPTAIN AND HIS MOTTO As Ben Wilford, fearful that some accident to the machinery would defeat his criminal enterprise, entered the engine-room on one side, Lawry left it at the other.
stopping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "What are you stopping for?" demanded Ben Wilford, before he discovered that Baker was not present.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE LITTLE CAPTAIN AND HIS MOTTO As Ben Wilford, fearful that some accident to the machinery would defeat his criminal enterprise, entered the engine-room on one side, Lawry left it at the other.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE LITTLE CAPTAIN AND HIS MOTTO As Ben Wilford, fearful that some accident to the machinery would defeat his criminal enterprise, entered the engine-room on one side, Lawry left it at the other.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Releasing the firemen and deck-hands confined there, he directed them to follow him to the wheel-house, where he explained to them what had happened.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Releasing the firemen and deck-hands confined there, he directed them to follow him to the wheel-house, where he explained to them what had happened.
thinknounUS /think/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "I think it is about time to go back, now," replied Ethan, holding one of the pistols in his hand.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "I think it is about time to go back, now," replied Ethan, holding one of the pistols in his hand.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE LITTLE CAPTAIN AND HIS MOTTO As Ben Wilford, fearful that some accident to the machinery would defeat his criminal enterprise, entered the engine-room on one side, Lawry left it at the other.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As the little captain went forward, he heard a noise in the forecastle, and saw that the companionway was closed and fastened.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As the little captain went forward, he heard a noise in the forecastle, and saw that the companionway was closed and fastened.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Releasing the firemen and deck-hands confined there, he directed them to follow him to the wheel-house, where he explained to them what had happened.
wheel-house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Releasing the firemen and deck-hands confined there, he directed them to follow him to the wheel-house, where he explained to them what had happened.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading Releasing the firemen and deck-hands confined there, he directed them to follow him to the wheel-house, where he explained to them what had happened.
Wilford
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE LITTLE CAPTAIN AND HIS MOTTO As Ben Wilford, fearful that some accident to the machinery would defeat his criminal enterprise, entered the engine-room on one side, Lawry left it at the other.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading THE LITTLE CAPTAIN AND HIS MOTTO As Ben Wilford, fearful that some accident to the machinery would defeat his criminal enterprise, entered the engine-room on one side, Lawry left it at the other.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "What are you stopping for?" demanded Ben Wilford, before he discovered that Baker was not present.