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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 A barque of about six hundred tons, named the “Jessie Maxwell,” three weeks out from the port of Glasgow, having been becalmed all night, was standing south, with all sail set, and a gentle breeze on the beam.
abaft
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the second officer’s watch on deck; he was sitting trimming his nails on the grating abaft the wheel, when the man who was steering, pointing to the horizon a few points before the port beam, asked him if he could see anything black there.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading A barque of about six hundred tons, named the “Jessie Maxwell,” three weeks out from the port of Glasgow, having been becalmed all night, was standing south, with all sail set, and a gentle breeze on the beam.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A barque of about six hundred tons, named the “Jessie Maxwell,” three weeks out from the port of Glasgow, having been becalmed all night, was standing south, with all sail set, and a gentle breeze on the beam.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A barque of about six hundred tons, named the “Jessie Maxwell,” three weeks out from the port of Glasgow, having been becalmed all night, was standing south, with all sail set, and a gentle breeze on the beam.
anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/
any thing at all
From this reading It was the second officer’s watch on deck; he was sitting trimming his nails on the grating abaft the wheel, when the man who was steering, pointing to the horizon a few points before the port beam, asked him if he could see anything black there.
askednounUS /asked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was the second officer’s watch on deck; he was sitting trimming his nails on the grating abaft the wheel, when the man who was steering, pointing to the horizon a few points before the port beam, asked him if he could see anything black there.
awhile
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The second officer not having very good sight, stared awhile and declared that he saw nothing; then, going forward, called to a man in the main-top to tell him if there was anything to be seen on the port beam.
barque
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A barque of about six hundred tons, named the “Jessie Maxwell,” three weeks out from the port of Glasgow, having been becalmed all night, was standing south, with all sail set, and a gentle breeze on the beam.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The second officer not having very good sight, stared awhile and declared that he saw nothing; then, going forward, called to a man in the main-top to tell him if there was anything to be seen on the port beam.
beam
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A barque of about six hundred tons, named the “Jessie Maxwell,” three weeks out from the port of Glasgow, having been becalmed all night, was standing south, with all sail set, and a gentle breeze on the beam.
becalmed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A barque of about six hundred tons, named the “Jessie Maxwell,” three weeks out from the port of Glasgow, having been becalmed all night, was standing south, with all sail set, and a gentle breeze on the beam.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading A barque of about six hundred tons, named the “Jessie Maxwell,” three weeks out from the port of Glasgow, having been becalmed all night, was standing south, with all sail set, and a gentle breeze on the beam.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading It was the second officer’s watch on deck; he was sitting trimming his nails on the grating abaft the wheel, when the man who was steering, pointing to the horizon a few points before the port beam, asked him if he could see anything black there.
black
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the second officer’s watch on deck; he was sitting trimming his nails on the grating abaft the wheel, when the man who was steering, pointing to the horizon a few points before the port beam, asked him if he could see anything black there.
breeze
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A barque of about six hundred tons, named the “Jessie Maxwell,” three weeks out from the port of Glasgow, having been becalmed all night, was standing south, with all sail set, and a gentle breeze on the beam.
called
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The second officer not having very good sight, stared awhile and declared that he saw nothing; then, going forward, called to a man in the main-top to tell him if there was anything to be seen on the port beam.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading It was the second officer’s watch on deck; he was sitting trimming his nails on the grating abaft the wheel, when the man who was steering, pointing to the horizon a few points before the port beam, asked him if he could see anything black there.
dating
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From this reading It was morning on the tenth day, dating from the foundering of the “Meteor.”
DAY
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From this reading THE TENTH DAY.
deck
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the second officer’s watch on deck; he was sitting trimming his nails on the grating abaft the wheel, when the man who was steering, pointing to the horizon a few points before the port beam, asked him if he could see anything black there.
declared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The second officer not having very good sight, stared awhile and declared that he saw nothing; then, going forward, called to a man in the main-top to tell him if there was anything to be seen on the port beam.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the second officer’s watch on deck; he was sitting trimming his nails on the grating abaft the wheel, when the man who was steering, pointing to the horizon a few points before the port beam, asked him if he could see anything black there.
forwardnounUS /forward/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The second officer not having very good sight, stared awhile and declared that he saw nothing; then, going forward, called to a man in the main-top to tell him if there was anything to be seen on the port beam.
foundering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was morning on the tenth day, dating from the foundering of the “Meteor.”
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It was morning on the tenth day, dating from the foundering of the “Meteor.”
gentle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A barque of about six hundred tons, named the “Jessie Maxwell,” three weeks out from the port of Glasgow, having been becalmed all night, was standing south, with all sail set, and a gentle breeze on the beam.
Glasgow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A barque of about six hundred tons, named the “Jessie Maxwell,” three weeks out from the port of Glasgow, having been becalmed all night, was standing south, with all sail set, and a gentle breeze on the beam.
going
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The second officer not having very good sight, stared awhile and declared that he saw nothing; then, going forward, called to a man in the main-top to tell him if there was anything to be seen on the port beam.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The second officer not having very good sight, stared awhile and declared that he saw nothing; then, going forward, called to a man in the main-top to tell him if there was anything to be seen on the port beam.
grating
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the second officer’s watch on deck; he was sitting trimming his nails on the grating abaft the wheel, when the man who was steering, pointing to the horizon a few points before the port beam, asked him if he could see anything black there.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading A barque of about six hundred tons, named the “Jessie Maxwell,” three weeks out from the port of Glasgow, having been becalmed all night, was standing south, with all sail set, and a gentle breeze on the beam.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was the second officer’s watch on deck; he was sitting trimming his nails on the grating abaft the wheel, when the man who was steering, pointing to the horizon a few points before the port beam, asked him if he could see anything black there.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It was the second officer’s watch on deck; he was sitting trimming his nails on the grating abaft the wheel, when the man who was steering, pointing to the horizon a few points before the port beam, asked him if he could see anything black there.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading It was the second officer’s watch on deck; he was sitting trimming his nails on the grating abaft the wheel, when the man who was steering, pointing to the horizon a few points before the port beam, asked him if he could see anything black there.
horizon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the second officer’s watch on deck; he was sitting trimming his nails on the grating abaft the wheel, when the man who was steering, pointing to the horizon a few points before the port beam, asked him if he could see anything black there.
hundred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A barque of about six hundred tons, named the “Jessie Maxwell,” three weeks out from the port of Glasgow, having been becalmed all night, was standing south, with all sail set, and a gentle breeze on the beam.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading It was the second officer’s watch on deck; he was sitting trimming his nails on the grating abaft the wheel, when the man who was steering, pointing to the horizon a few points before the port beam, asked him if he could see anything black there.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The second officer not having very good sight, stared awhile and declared that he saw nothing; then, going forward, called to a man in the main-top to tell him if there was anything to be seen on the port beam.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was morning on the tenth day, dating from the foundering of the “Meteor.”
Jessie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A barque of about six hundred tons, named the “Jessie Maxwell,” three weeks out from the port of Glasgow, having been becalmed all night, was standing south, with all sail set, and a gentle breeze on the beam.
main-top
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The second officer not having very good sight, stared awhile and declared that he saw nothing; then, going forward, called to a man in the main-top to tell him if there was anything to be seen on the port beam.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the second officer’s watch on deck; he was sitting trimming his nails on the grating abaft the wheel, when the man who was steering, pointing to the horizon a few points before the port beam, asked him if he could see anything black there.
Maxwell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A barque of about six hundred tons, named the “Jessie Maxwell,” three weeks out from the port of Glasgow, having been becalmed all night, was standing south, with all sail set, and a gentle breeze on the beam.
Meteor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was morning on the tenth day, dating from the foundering of the “Meteor.”
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was morning on the tenth day, dating from the foundering of the “Meteor.”
nails
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the second officer’s watch on deck; he was sitting trimming his nails on the grating abaft the wheel, when the man who was steering, pointing to the horizon a few points before the port beam, asked him if he could see anything black there.
named
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A barque of about six hundred tons, named the “Jessie Maxwell,” three weeks out from the port of Glasgow, having been becalmed all night, was standing south, with all sail set, and a gentle breeze on the beam.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A barque of about six hundred tons, named the “Jessie Maxwell,” three weeks out from the port of Glasgow, having been becalmed all night, was standing south, with all sail set, and a gentle breeze on the beam.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The second officer not having very good sight, stared awhile and declared that he saw nothing; then, going forward, called to a man in the main-top to tell him if there was anything to be seen on the port beam.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading The second officer not having very good sight, stared awhile and declared that he saw nothing; then, going forward, called to a man in the main-top to tell him if there was anything to be seen on the port beam.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was morning on the tenth day, dating from the foundering of the “Meteor.”
officer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The second officer not having very good sight, stared awhile and declared that he saw nothing; then, going forward, called to a man in the main-top to tell him if there was anything to be seen on the port beam.
officer's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the second officer’s watch on deck; he was sitting trimming his nails on the grating abaft the wheel, when the man who was steering, pointing to the horizon a few points before the port beam, asked him if he could see anything black there.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It was morning on the tenth day, dating from the foundering of the “Meteor.”
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A barque of about six hundred tons, named the “Jessie Maxwell,” three weeks out from the port of Glasgow, having been becalmed all night, was standing south, with all sail set, and a gentle breeze on the beam.
pointing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the second officer’s watch on deck; he was sitting trimming his nails on the grating abaft the wheel, when the man who was steering, pointing to the horizon a few points before the port beam, asked him if he could see anything black there.
points
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the second officer’s watch on deck; he was sitting trimming his nails on the grating abaft the wheel, when the man who was steering, pointing to the horizon a few points before the port beam, asked him if he could see anything black there.
port
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A barque of about six hundred tons, named the “Jessie Maxwell,” three weeks out from the port of Glasgow, having been becalmed all night, was standing south, with all sail set, and a gentle breeze on the beam.
sailnounUS /sail/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A barque of about six hundred tons, named the “Jessie Maxwell,” three weeks out from the port of Glasgow, having been becalmed all night, was standing south, with all sail set, and a gentle breeze on the beam.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The second officer not having very good sight, stared awhile and declared that he saw nothing; then, going forward, called to a man in the main-top to tell him if there was anything to be seen on the port beam.
second
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the second officer’s watch on deck; he was sitting trimming his nails on the grating abaft the wheel, when the man who was steering, pointing to the horizon a few points before the port beam, asked him if he could see anything black there.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the second officer’s watch on deck; he was sitting trimming his nails on the grating abaft the wheel, when the man who was steering, pointing to the horizon a few points before the port beam, asked him if he could see anything black there.
seen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The second officer not having very good sight, stared awhile and declared that he saw nothing; then, going forward, called to a man in the main-top to tell him if there was anything to be seen on the port beam.
set
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A barque of about six hundred tons, named the “Jessie Maxwell,” three weeks out from the port of Glasgow, having been becalmed all night, was standing south, with all sail set, and a gentle breeze on the beam.
sight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The second officer not having very good sight, stared awhile and declared that he saw nothing; then, going forward, called to a man in the main-top to tell him if there was anything to be seen on the port beam.
sitting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the second officer’s watch on deck; he was sitting trimming his nails on the grating abaft the wheel, when the man who was steering, pointing to the horizon a few points before the port beam, asked him if he could see anything black there.
six
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A barque of about six hundred tons, named the “Jessie Maxwell,” three weeks out from the port of Glasgow, having been becalmed all night, was standing south, with all sail set, and a gentle breeze on the beam.
south
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A barque of about six hundred tons, named the “Jessie Maxwell,” three weeks out from the port of Glasgow, having been becalmed all night, was standing south, with all sail set, and a gentle breeze on the beam.
standingnounUS /ˈstanding/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading A barque of about six hundred tons, named the “Jessie Maxwell,” three weeks out from the port of Glasgow, having been becalmed all night, was standing south, with all sail set, and a gentle breeze on the beam.
stared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The second officer not having very good sight, stared awhile and declared that he saw nothing; then, going forward, called to a man in the main-top to tell him if there was anything to be seen on the port beam.
steering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the second officer’s watch on deck; he was sitting trimming his nails on the grating abaft the wheel, when the man who was steering, pointing to the horizon a few points before the port beam, asked him if he could see anything black there.
tellnounUS /tell/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The second officer not having very good sight, stared awhile and declared that he saw nothing; then, going forward, called to a man in the main-top to tell him if there was anything to be seen on the port beam.
TENTH
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE TENTH DAY.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The second officer not having very good sight, stared awhile and declared that he saw nothing; then, going forward, called to a man in the main-top to tell him if there was anything to be seen on the port beam.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE TENTH DAY.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The second officer not having very good sight, stared awhile and declared that he saw nothing; then, going forward, called to a man in the main-top to tell him if there was anything to be seen on the port beam.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the second officer’s watch on deck; he was sitting trimming his nails on the grating abaft the wheel, when the man who was steering, pointing to the horizon a few points before the port beam, asked him if he could see anything black there.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A barque of about six hundred tons, named the “Jessie Maxwell,” three weeks out from the port of Glasgow, having been becalmed all night, was standing south, with all sail set, and a gentle breeze on the beam.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was the second officer’s watch on deck; he was sitting trimming his nails on the grating abaft the wheel, when the man who was steering, pointing to the horizon a few points before the port beam, asked him if he could see anything black there.
tons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A barque of about six hundred tons, named the “Jessie Maxwell,” three weeks out from the port of Glasgow, having been becalmed all night, was standing south, with all sail set, and a gentle breeze on the beam.
trimming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the second officer’s watch on deck; he was sitting trimming his nails on the grating abaft the wheel, when the man who was steering, pointing to the horizon a few points before the port beam, asked him if he could see anything black there.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The second officer not having very good sight, stared awhile and declared that he saw nothing; then, going forward, called to a man in the main-top to tell him if there was anything to be seen on the port beam.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was morning on the tenth day, dating from the foundering of the “Meteor.”
watch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the second officer’s watch on deck; he was sitting trimming his nails on the grating abaft the wheel, when the man who was steering, pointing to the horizon a few points before the port beam, asked him if he could see anything black there.
weeks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A barque of about six hundred tons, named the “Jessie Maxwell,” three weeks out from the port of Glasgow, having been becalmed all night, was standing south, with all sail set, and a gentle breeze on the beam.
wheel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the second officer’s watch on deck; he was sitting trimming his nails on the grating abaft the wheel, when the man who was steering, pointing to the horizon a few points before the port beam, asked him if he could see anything black there.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading It was the second officer’s watch on deck; he was sitting trimming his nails on the grating abaft the wheel, when the man who was steering, pointing to the horizon a few points before the port beam, asked him if he could see anything black there.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading It was the second officer’s watch on deck; he was sitting trimming his nails on the grating abaft the wheel, when the man who was steering, pointing to the horizon a few points before the port beam, asked him if he could see anything black there.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading A barque of about six hundred tons, named the “Jessie Maxwell,” three weeks out from the port of Glasgow, having been becalmed all night, was standing south, with all sail set, and a gentle breeze on the beam.
