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 He would be living on crusts, so the smugglers told me; and always he would have an overseer to prod him with a knife if, in a moment of sickness or weariness, he faltered in his work, no matter how hard it might be.
always
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He would be living on crusts, so the smugglers told me; and always he would have an overseer to prod him with a knife if, in a moment of sickness or weariness, he faltered in his work, no matter how hard it might be.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He would be living on crusts, so the smugglers told me; and always he would have an overseer to prod him with a knife if, in a moment of sickness or weariness, he faltered in his work, no matter how hard it might be.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I know now that there was not a word of truth in any of the tales they told me.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As we stole slowly to the north, I thought of nothing but the new Spanish sailor.
BATTLE
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From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.
Bayonne
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading He would be living on crusts, so the smugglers told me; and always he would have an overseer to prod him with a knife if, in a moment of sickness or weariness, he faltered in his work, no matter how hard it might be.
boats
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading As we stole slowly to the north, I thought of nothing but the new Spanish sailor.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading But by this time I had learned that the smugglers loved to frighten me.
coast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.
creeping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.
crusts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He would be living on crusts, so the smugglers told me; and always he would have an overseer to prod him with a knife if, in a moment of sickness or weariness, he faltered in his work, no matter how hard it might be.
dread
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.
English
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.
faltered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He would be living on crusts, so the smugglers told me; and always he would have an overseer to prod him with a knife if, in a moment of sickness or weariness, he faltered in his work, no matter how hard it might be.
Fecamp
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.
forced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.
French
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.
frigates
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.
frighten
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But by this time I had learned that the smugglers loved to frighten me.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.
go
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.
harbour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.
hard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He would be living on crusts, so the smugglers told me; and always he would have an overseer to prod him with a knife if, in a moment of sickness or weariness, he faltered in his work, no matter how hard it might be.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading He would be living on crusts, so the smugglers told me; and always he would have an overseer to prod him with a knife if, in a moment of sickness or weariness, he faltered in his work, no matter how hard it might be.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He would be living on crusts, so the smugglers told me; and always he would have an overseer to prod him with a knife if, in a moment of sickness or weariness, he faltered in his work, no matter how hard it might be.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He would be living on crusts, so the smugglers told me; and always he would have an overseer to prod him with a knife if, in a moment of sickness or weariness, he faltered in his work, no matter how hard it might be.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He would be living on crusts, so the smugglers told me; and always he would have an overseer to prod him with a knife if, in a moment of sickness or weariness, he faltered in his work, no matter how hard it might be.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He would be living on crusts, so the smugglers told me; and always he would have an overseer to prod him with a knife if, in a moment of sickness or weariness, he faltered in his work, no matter how hard it might be.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading As we stole slowly to the north, I thought of nothing but the new Spanish sailor.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading He would be living on crusts, so the smugglers told me; and always he would have an overseer to prod him with a knife if, in a moment of sickness or weariness, he faltered in his work, no matter how hard it might be.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He would be living on crusts, so the smugglers told me; and always he would have an overseer to prod him with a knife if, in a moment of sickness or weariness, he faltered in his work, no matter how hard it might be.
keeping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.
knife
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He would be living on crusts, so the smugglers told me; and always he would have an overseer to prod him with a knife if, in a moment of sickness or weariness, he faltered in his work, no matter how hard it might be.
knownounUS /know/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I know now that there was not a word of truth in any of the tales they told me.
learned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But by this time I had learned that the smugglers loved to frighten me.
living
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He would be living on crusts, so the smugglers told me; and always he would have an overseer to prod him with a knife if, in a moment of sickness or weariness, he faltered in his work, no matter how hard it might be.
loved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But by this time I had learned that the smugglers loved to frighten me.
matter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He would be living on crusts, so the smugglers told me; and always he would have an overseer to prod him with a knife if, in a moment of sickness or weariness, he faltered in his work, no matter how hard it might be.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He would be living on crusts, so the smugglers told me; and always he would have an overseer to prod him with a knife if, in a moment of sickness or weariness, he faltered in his work, no matter how hard it might be.
merchantmen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading He would be living on crusts, so the smugglers told me; and always he would have an overseer to prod him with a knife if, in a moment of sickness or weariness, he faltered in his work, no matter how hard it might be.
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He would be living on crusts, so the smugglers told me; and always he would have an overseer to prod him with a knife if, in a moment of sickness or weariness, he faltered in his work, no matter how hard it might be.
new
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As we stole slowly to the north, I thought of nothing but the new Spanish sailor.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading He would be living on crusts, so the smugglers told me; and always he would have an overseer to prod him with a knife if, in a moment of sickness or weariness, he faltered in his work, no matter how hard it might be.
north
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I know now that there was not a word of truth in any of the tales they told me.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading As we stole slowly to the north, I thought of nothing but the new Spanish sailor.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I know now that there was not a word of truth in any of the tales they told me.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.
ONprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading He would be living on crusts, so the smugglers told me; and always he would have an overseer to prod him with a knife if, in a moment of sickness or weariness, he faltered in his work, no matter how hard it might be.
overseer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He would be living on crusts, so the smugglers told me; and always he would have an overseer to prod him with a knife if, in a moment of sickness or weariness, he faltered in his work, no matter how hard it might be.
passagenounUS /ˈpassage/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.
patrolled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.
port
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.
prod
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He would be living on crusts, so the smugglers told me; and always he would have an overseer to prod him with a knife if, in a moment of sickness or weariness, he faltered in his work, no matter how hard it might be.
rough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.
sailor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As we stole slowly to the north, I thought of nothing but the new Spanish sailor.
SHORE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.
shut
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.
sickness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He would be living on crusts, so the smugglers told me; and always he would have an overseer to prod him with a knife if, in a moment of sickness or weariness, he faltered in his work, no matter how hard it might be.
slowly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.
smugglers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He would be living on crusts, so the smugglers told me; and always he would have an overseer to prod him with a knife if, in a moment of sickness or weariness, he faltered in his work, no matter how hard it might be.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.
Spanish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As we stole slowly to the north, I thought of nothing but the new Spanish sailor.
stole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As we stole slowly to the north, I thought of nothing but the new Spanish sailor.
tales
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I know now that there was not a word of truth in any of the tales they told me.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I know now that there was not a word of truth in any of the tales they told me.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I know now that there was not a word of truth in any of the tales they told me.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading But by this time I had learned that the smugglers loved to frighten me.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As we stole slowly to the north, I thought of nothing but the new Spanish sailor.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But by this time I had learned that the smugglers loved to frighten me.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.
toldnounUS /told/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He would be living on crusts, so the smugglers told me; and always he would have an overseer to prod him with a knife if, in a moment of sickness or weariness, he faltered in his work, no matter how hard it might be.
truth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I know now that there was not a word of truth in any of the tales they told me.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I know now that there was not a word of truth in any of the tales they told me.
WepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.
weariness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He would be living on crusts, so the smugglers told me; and always he would have an overseer to prod him with a knife if, in a moment of sickness or weariness, he faltered in his work, no matter how hard it might be.
weather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.
whole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE We had rough weather on the passage north, so that we were forced to go slowly creeping from port to port, from Bayonne to Fecamp, always in dread of boats of the English frigates, which patrolled the whole coast, keeping the French merchantmen shut up in harbour.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading He would be living on crusts, so the smugglers told me; and always he would have an overseer to prod him with a knife if, in a moment of sickness or weariness, he faltered in his work, no matter how hard it might be.
word
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I know now that there was not a word of truth in any of the tales they told me.
work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He would be living on crusts, so the smugglers told me; and always he would have an overseer to prod him with a knife if, in a moment of sickness or weariness, he faltered in his work, no matter how hard it might be.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He would be living on crusts, so the smugglers told me; and always he would have an overseer to prod him with a knife if, in a moment of sickness or weariness, he faltered in his work, no matter how hard it might be.
