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Little Dorrit
Little Dorrit

Chapter XXXVI · Reaping the Whirlwind

Cover illustration for Little Dorrit
Context Illustration Reading 1/105 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
With a precursory sound of hurried breath and hurried feet, Mr Pancks rushed into Arthur Clennam’s Counting-house.
The Inquest was over, the letter was public, the Bank was broken, the other model structures of straw had taken fire and were turned to smoke.
The admired piratical ship had blown up, in the midst of a vast fleet of ships of all rates, and boats of all sizes; and on the deep was nothing but ruin; nothing but burning hulls, bursting magazines, great guns self-exploded tearing friends and neighbours to pieces, drowning men clinging to unseaworthy spars and going down every minute, spent swimmers, floating dead, and sharks.
The usual diligence and order of the Counting-house at the Works were overthrown.
Unopened letters and unsorted papers lay strewn about the desk.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Little Dorrit

Chapter XXXVI · Reaping the Whirlwind

Reading 1/105 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
With a precursory sound of hurried breath and hurried feet, Mr Pancks rushed into Arthur Clennam’s Counting-house.
Line 2
The Inquest was over, the letter was public, the Bank was broken, the other model structures of straw had taken fire and were turned to smoke.
Line 3
The admired piratical ship had blown up, in the midst of a vast fleet of ships of all rates, and boats of all sizes; and on the deep was nothing but ruin; nothing but burning hulls, bursting magazines, great guns self-exploded tearing friends and neighbours to pieces, drowning men clinging to unseaworthy spars and going down every minute, spent swimmers, floating dead, and sharks.
Line 4
The usual diligence and order of the Counting-house at the Works were overthrown.
Line 5
Unopened letters and unsorted papers lay strewn about the desk.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “Unopened letters and unsorted papers lay strewn about the desk.”

Broken noun US /broken/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The Inquest was over, the letter was public, the Bank was broken, the other model structures of straw had taken fire and were turned to smoke.”

Dead noun US /dead/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The admired piratical ship had blown up, in the midst of a vast fleet of ships of all rates, and boats of all sizes; and on the deep was nothing but ruin; nothing but burning hulls, bursting magazines, great guns self-exploded tearing friends and neighbours to pieces, drowning men clinging to unseaworthy spars and going down every minute, spent swimmers, floating dead, and sharks.”

Every determiner US /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading “The admired piratical ship had blown up, in the midst of a vast fleet of ships of all rates, and boats of all sizes; and on the deep was nothing but ruin; nothing but burning hulls, bursting magazines, great guns self-exploded tearing friends and neighbours to pieces, drowning men clinging to unseaworthy spars and going down every minute, spent swimmers, floating dead, and sharks.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The admired piratical ship had blown up, in the midst of a vast fleet of ships of all rates, and boats of all sizes; and on the deep was nothing but ruin; nothing but burning hulls, bursting magazines, great guns self-exploded tearing friends and neighbours to pieces, drowning men clinging to unseaworthy spars and going down every minute, spent swimmers, floating dead, and sharks.”

Nothing pronoun US /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading “The admired piratical ship had blown up, in the midst of a vast fleet of ships of all rates, and boats of all sizes; and on the deep was nothing but ruin; nothing but burning hulls, bursting magazines, great guns self-exploded tearing friends and neighbours to pieces, drowning men clinging to unseaworthy spars and going down every minute, spent swimmers, floating dead, and sharks.”

Order noun US /order/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The usual diligence and order of the Counting-house at the Works were overthrown.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “The Inquest was over, the letter was public, the Bank was broken, the other model structures of straw had taken fire and were turned to smoke.”

Pieces noun US /pieces/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The admired piratical ship had blown up, in the midst of a vast fleet of ships of all rates, and boats of all sizes; and on the deep was nothing but ruin; nothing but burning hulls, bursting magazines, great guns self-exploded tearing friends and neighbours to pieces, drowning men clinging to unseaworthy spars and going down every minute, spent swimmers, floating dead, and sharks.”

Ship noun US /ship/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The admired piratical ship had blown up, in the midst of a vast fleet of ships of all rates, and boats of all sizes; and on the deep was nothing but ruin; nothing but burning hulls, bursting magazines, great guns self-exploded tearing friends and neighbours to pieces, drowning men clinging to unseaworthy spars and going down every minute, spent swimmers, floating dead, and sharks.”

All words in this reading · 93

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 With a precursory sound of hurried breath and hurried feet, Mr Pancks rushed into Arthur Clennam’s Counting-house.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Unopened letters and unsorted papers lay strewn about the desk.

admired

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The admired piratical ship had blown up, in the midst of a vast fleet of ships of all rates, and boats of all sizes; and on the deep was nothing but ruin; nothing but burning hulls, bursting magazines, great guns self-exploded tearing friends and neighbours to pieces, drowning men clinging to unseaworthy spars and going down every minute, spent swimmers, floating dead, and sharks.

all

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The admired piratical ship had blown up, in the midst of a vast fleet of ships of all rates, and boats of all sizes; and on the deep was nothing but ruin; nothing but burning hulls, bursting magazines, great guns self-exploded tearing friends and neighbours to pieces, drowning men clinging to unseaworthy spars and going down every minute, spent swimmers, floating dead, and sharks.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading With a precursory sound of hurried breath and hurried feet, Mr Pancks rushed into Arthur Clennam’s Counting-house.

Arthur

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading With a precursory sound of hurried breath and hurried feet, Mr Pancks rushed into Arthur Clennam’s Counting-house.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The usual diligence and order of the Counting-house at the Works were overthrown.

Bank

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The Inquest was over, the letter was public, the Bank was broken, the other model structures of straw had taken fire and were turned to smoke.

blown

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The admired piratical ship had blown up, in the midst of a vast fleet of ships of all rates, and boats of all sizes; and on the deep was nothing but ruin; nothing but burning hulls, bursting magazines, great guns self-exploded tearing friends and neighbours to pieces, drowning men clinging to unseaworthy spars and going down every minute, spent swimmers, floating dead, and sharks.

boats

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The admired piratical ship had blown up, in the midst of a vast fleet of ships of all rates, and boats of all sizes; and on the deep was nothing but ruin; nothing but burning hulls, bursting magazines, great guns self-exploded tearing friends and neighbours to pieces, drowning men clinging to unseaworthy spars and going down every minute, spent swimmers, floating dead, and sharks.

breath

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading With a precursory sound of hurried breath and hurried feet, Mr Pancks rushed into Arthur Clennam’s Counting-house.

brokennounUS /broken/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The Inquest was over, the letter was public, the Bank was broken, the other model structures of straw had taken fire and were turned to smoke.

burning

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The admired piratical ship had blown up, in the midst of a vast fleet of ships of all rates, and boats of all sizes; and on the deep was nothing but ruin; nothing but burning hulls, bursting magazines, great guns self-exploded tearing friends and neighbours to pieces, drowning men clinging to unseaworthy spars and going down every minute, spent swimmers, floating dead, and sharks.

bursting

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The admired piratical ship had blown up, in the midst of a vast fleet of ships of all rates, and boats of all sizes; and on the deep was nothing but ruin; nothing but burning hulls, bursting magazines, great guns self-exploded tearing friends and neighbours to pieces, drowning men clinging to unseaworthy spars and going down every minute, spent swimmers, floating dead, and sharks.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The admired piratical ship had blown up, in the midst of a vast fleet of ships of all rates, and boats of all sizes; and on the deep was nothing but ruin; nothing but burning hulls, bursting magazines, great guns self-exploded tearing friends and neighbours to pieces, drowning men clinging to unseaworthy spars and going down every minute, spent swimmers, floating dead, and sharks.

Clennam's

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading With a precursory sound of hurried breath and hurried feet, Mr Pancks rushed into Arthur Clennam’s Counting-house.

clinging

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The admired piratical ship had blown up, in the midst of a vast fleet of ships of all rates, and boats of all sizes; and on the deep was nothing but ruin; nothing but burning hulls, bursting magazines, great guns self-exploded tearing friends and neighbours to pieces, drowning men clinging to unseaworthy spars and going down every minute, spent swimmers, floating dead, and sharks.

Counting-house

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading With a precursory sound of hurried breath and hurried feet, Mr Pancks rushed into Arthur Clennam’s Counting-house.

deadnounUS /dead/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The admired piratical ship had blown up, in the midst of a vast fleet of ships of all rates, and boats of all sizes; and on the deep was nothing but ruin; nothing but burning hulls, bursting magazines, great guns self-exploded tearing friends and neighbours to pieces, drowning men clinging to unseaworthy spars and going down every minute, spent swimmers, floating dead, and sharks.

deep

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The admired piratical ship had blown up, in the midst of a vast fleet of ships of all rates, and boats of all sizes; and on the deep was nothing but ruin; nothing but burning hulls, bursting magazines, great guns self-exploded tearing friends and neighbours to pieces, drowning men clinging to unseaworthy spars and going down every minute, spent swimmers, floating dead, and sharks.

desk

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Unopened letters and unsorted papers lay strewn about the desk.

diligence

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The usual diligence and order of the Counting-house at the Works were overthrown.

down

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The admired piratical ship had blown up, in the midst of a vast fleet of ships of all rates, and boats of all sizes; and on the deep was nothing but ruin; nothing but burning hulls, bursting magazines, great guns self-exploded tearing friends and neighbours to pieces, drowning men clinging to unseaworthy spars and going down every minute, spent swimmers, floating dead, and sharks.

drowning

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The admired piratical ship had blown up, in the midst of a vast fleet of ships of all rates, and boats of all sizes; and on the deep was nothing but ruin; nothing but burning hulls, bursting magazines, great guns self-exploded tearing friends and neighbours to pieces, drowning men clinging to unseaworthy spars and going down every minute, spent swimmers, floating dead, and sharks.

everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading The admired piratical ship had blown up, in the midst of a vast fleet of ships of all rates, and boats of all sizes; and on the deep was nothing but ruin; nothing but burning hulls, bursting magazines, great guns self-exploded tearing friends and neighbours to pieces, drowning men clinging to unseaworthy spars and going down every minute, spent swimmers, floating dead, and sharks.

feet

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading With a precursory sound of hurried breath and hurried feet, Mr Pancks rushed into Arthur Clennam’s Counting-house.

fire

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The Inquest was over, the letter was public, the Bank was broken, the other model structures of straw had taken fire and were turned to smoke.

fleet

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The admired piratical ship had blown up, in the midst of a vast fleet of ships of all rates, and boats of all sizes; and on the deep was nothing but ruin; nothing but burning hulls, bursting magazines, great guns self-exploded tearing friends and neighbours to pieces, drowning men clinging to unseaworthy spars and going down every minute, spent swimmers, floating dead, and sharks.

floating

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The admired piratical ship had blown up, in the midst of a vast fleet of ships of all rates, and boats of all sizes; and on the deep was nothing but ruin; nothing but burning hulls, bursting magazines, great guns self-exploded tearing friends and neighbours to pieces, drowning men clinging to unseaworthy spars and going down every minute, spent swimmers, floating dead, and sharks.

friends

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The admired piratical ship had blown up, in the midst of a vast fleet of ships of all rates, and boats of all sizes; and on the deep was nothing but ruin; nothing but burning hulls, bursting magazines, great guns self-exploded tearing friends and neighbours to pieces, drowning men clinging to unseaworthy spars and going down every minute, spent swimmers, floating dead, and sharks.

going

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The admired piratical ship had blown up, in the midst of a vast fleet of ships of all rates, and boats of all sizes; and on the deep was nothing but ruin; nothing but burning hulls, bursting magazines, great guns self-exploded tearing friends and neighbours to pieces, drowning men clinging to unseaworthy spars and going down every minute, spent swimmers, floating dead, and sharks.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The admired piratical ship had blown up, in the midst of a vast fleet of ships of all rates, and boats of all sizes; and on the deep was nothing but ruin; nothing but burning hulls, bursting magazines, great guns self-exploded tearing friends and neighbours to pieces, drowning men clinging to unseaworthy spars and going down every minute, spent swimmers, floating dead, and sharks.

guns

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The admired piratical ship had blown up, in the midst of a vast fleet of ships of all rates, and boats of all sizes; and on the deep was nothing but ruin; nothing but burning hulls, bursting magazines, great guns self-exploded tearing friends and neighbours to pieces, drowning men clinging to unseaworthy spars and going down every minute, spent swimmers, floating dead, and sharks.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading The Inquest was over, the letter was public, the Bank was broken, the other model structures of straw had taken fire and were turned to smoke.

hulls

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The admired piratical ship had blown up, in the midst of a vast fleet of ships of all rates, and boats of all sizes; and on the deep was nothing but ruin; nothing but burning hulls, bursting magazines, great guns self-exploded tearing friends and neighbours to pieces, drowning men clinging to unseaworthy spars and going down every minute, spent swimmers, floating dead, and sharks.

hurried

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading With a precursory sound of hurried breath and hurried feet, Mr Pancks rushed into Arthur Clennam’s Counting-house.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading The admired piratical ship had blown up, in the midst of a vast fleet of ships of all rates, and boats of all sizes; and on the deep was nothing but ruin; nothing but burning hulls, bursting magazines, great guns self-exploded tearing friends and neighbours to pieces, drowning men clinging to unseaworthy spars and going down every minute, spent swimmers, floating dead, and sharks.

Inquest

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The Inquest was over, the letter was public, the Bank was broken, the other model structures of straw had taken fire and were turned to smoke.

intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/

moving to the inside of something

From this reading With a precursory sound of hurried breath and hurried feet, Mr Pancks rushed into Arthur Clennam’s Counting-house.

lay

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Unopened letters and unsorted papers lay strewn about the desk.

letter

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The Inquest was over, the letter was public, the Bank was broken, the other model structures of straw had taken fire and were turned to smoke.

letters

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Unopened letters and unsorted papers lay strewn about the desk.

magazines

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The admired piratical ship had blown up, in the midst of a vast fleet of ships of all rates, and boats of all sizes; and on the deep was nothing but ruin; nothing but burning hulls, bursting magazines, great guns self-exploded tearing friends and neighbours to pieces, drowning men clinging to unseaworthy spars and going down every minute, spent swimmers, floating dead, and sharks.

men

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The admired piratical ship had blown up, in the midst of a vast fleet of ships of all rates, and boats of all sizes; and on the deep was nothing but ruin; nothing but burning hulls, bursting magazines, great guns self-exploded tearing friends and neighbours to pieces, drowning men clinging to unseaworthy spars and going down every minute, spent swimmers, floating dead, and sharks.

midst

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The admired piratical ship had blown up, in the midst of a vast fleet of ships of all rates, and boats of all sizes; and on the deep was nothing but ruin; nothing but burning hulls, bursting magazines, great guns self-exploded tearing friends and neighbours to pieces, drowning men clinging to unseaworthy spars and going down every minute, spent swimmers, floating dead, and sharks.

minute

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The admired piratical ship had blown up, in the midst of a vast fleet of ships of all rates, and boats of all sizes; and on the deep was nothing but ruin; nothing but burning hulls, bursting magazines, great guns self-exploded tearing friends and neighbours to pieces, drowning men clinging to unseaworthy spars and going down every minute, spent swimmers, floating dead, and sharks.

model

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The Inquest was over, the letter was public, the Bank was broken, the other model structures of straw had taken fire and were turned to smoke.

Mr

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading With a precursory sound of hurried breath and hurried feet, Mr Pancks rushed into Arthur Clennam’s Counting-house.

neighbours

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The admired piratical ship had blown up, in the midst of a vast fleet of ships of all rates, and boats of all sizes; and on the deep was nothing but ruin; nothing but burning hulls, bursting magazines, great guns self-exploded tearing friends and neighbours to pieces, drowning men clinging to unseaworthy spars and going down every minute, spent swimmers, floating dead, and sharks.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading The admired piratical ship had blown up, in the midst of a vast fleet of ships of all rates, and boats of all sizes; and on the deep was nothing but ruin; nothing but burning hulls, bursting magazines, great guns self-exploded tearing friends and neighbours to pieces, drowning men clinging to unseaworthy spars and going down every minute, spent swimmers, floating dead, and sharks.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading With a precursory sound of hurried breath and hurried feet, Mr Pancks rushed into Arthur Clennam’s Counting-house.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The admired piratical ship had blown up, in the midst of a vast fleet of ships of all rates, and boats of all sizes; and on the deep was nothing but ruin; nothing but burning hulls, bursting magazines, great guns self-exploded tearing friends and neighbours to pieces, drowning men clinging to unseaworthy spars and going down every minute, spent swimmers, floating dead, and sharks.

ordernounUS /order/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The usual diligence and order of the Counting-house at the Works were overthrown.

other

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The Inquest was over, the letter was public, the Bank was broken, the other model structures of straw had taken fire and were turned to smoke.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading The Inquest was over, the letter was public, the Bank was broken, the other model structures of straw had taken fire and were turned to smoke.

overthrown

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The usual diligence and order of the Counting-house at the Works were overthrown.

Pancks

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading With a precursory sound of hurried breath and hurried feet, Mr Pancks rushed into Arthur Clennam’s Counting-house.

papers

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Unopened letters and unsorted papers lay strewn about the desk.

pieces

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The admired piratical ship had blown up, in the midst of a vast fleet of ships of all rates, and boats of all sizes; and on the deep was nothing but ruin; nothing but burning hulls, bursting magazines, great guns self-exploded tearing friends and neighbours to pieces, drowning men clinging to unseaworthy spars and going down every minute, spent swimmers, floating dead, and sharks.

piratical

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The admired piratical ship had blown up, in the midst of a vast fleet of ships of all rates, and boats of all sizes; and on the deep was nothing but ruin; nothing but burning hulls, bursting magazines, great guns self-exploded tearing friends and neighbours to pieces, drowning men clinging to unseaworthy spars and going down every minute, spent swimmers, floating dead, and sharks.

precursory

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading With a precursory sound of hurried breath and hurried feet, Mr Pancks rushed into Arthur Clennam’s Counting-house.

public

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The Inquest was over, the letter was public, the Bank was broken, the other model structures of straw had taken fire and were turned to smoke.

rates

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The admired piratical ship had blown up, in the midst of a vast fleet of ships of all rates, and boats of all sizes; and on the deep was nothing but ruin; nothing but burning hulls, bursting magazines, great guns self-exploded tearing friends and neighbours to pieces, drowning men clinging to unseaworthy spars and going down every minute, spent swimmers, floating dead, and sharks.

ruin

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The admired piratical ship had blown up, in the midst of a vast fleet of ships of all rates, and boats of all sizes; and on the deep was nothing but ruin; nothing but burning hulls, bursting magazines, great guns self-exploded tearing friends and neighbours to pieces, drowning men clinging to unseaworthy spars and going down every minute, spent swimmers, floating dead, and sharks.

rushed

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading With a precursory sound of hurried breath and hurried feet, Mr Pancks rushed into Arthur Clennam’s Counting-house.

self-exploded

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The admired piratical ship had blown up, in the midst of a vast fleet of ships of all rates, and boats of all sizes; and on the deep was nothing but ruin; nothing but burning hulls, bursting magazines, great guns self-exploded tearing friends and neighbours to pieces, drowning men clinging to unseaworthy spars and going down every minute, spent swimmers, floating dead, and sharks.

sharks

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The admired piratical ship had blown up, in the midst of a vast fleet of ships of all rates, and boats of all sizes; and on the deep was nothing but ruin; nothing but burning hulls, bursting magazines, great guns self-exploded tearing friends and neighbours to pieces, drowning men clinging to unseaworthy spars and going down every minute, spent swimmers, floating dead, and sharks.

shipnounUS /ship/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The admired piratical ship had blown up, in the midst of a vast fleet of ships of all rates, and boats of all sizes; and on the deep was nothing but ruin; nothing but burning hulls, bursting magazines, great guns self-exploded tearing friends and neighbours to pieces, drowning men clinging to unseaworthy spars and going down every minute, spent swimmers, floating dead, and sharks.

ships

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The admired piratical ship had blown up, in the midst of a vast fleet of ships of all rates, and boats of all sizes; and on the deep was nothing but ruin; nothing but burning hulls, bursting magazines, great guns self-exploded tearing friends and neighbours to pieces, drowning men clinging to unseaworthy spars and going down every minute, spent swimmers, floating dead, and sharks.

sizes

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The admired piratical ship had blown up, in the midst of a vast fleet of ships of all rates, and boats of all sizes; and on the deep was nothing but ruin; nothing but burning hulls, bursting magazines, great guns self-exploded tearing friends and neighbours to pieces, drowning men clinging to unseaworthy spars and going down every minute, spent swimmers, floating dead, and sharks.

smoke

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The Inquest was over, the letter was public, the Bank was broken, the other model structures of straw had taken fire and were turned to smoke.

sound

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading With a precursory sound of hurried breath and hurried feet, Mr Pancks rushed into Arthur Clennam’s Counting-house.

spars

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The admired piratical ship had blown up, in the midst of a vast fleet of ships of all rates, and boats of all sizes; and on the deep was nothing but ruin; nothing but burning hulls, bursting magazines, great guns self-exploded tearing friends and neighbours to pieces, drowning men clinging to unseaworthy spars and going down every minute, spent swimmers, floating dead, and sharks.

spent

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The admired piratical ship had blown up, in the midst of a vast fleet of ships of all rates, and boats of all sizes; and on the deep was nothing but ruin; nothing but burning hulls, bursting magazines, great guns self-exploded tearing friends and neighbours to pieces, drowning men clinging to unseaworthy spars and going down every minute, spent swimmers, floating dead, and sharks.

straw

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The Inquest was over, the letter was public, the Bank was broken, the other model structures of straw had taken fire and were turned to smoke.

strewn

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Unopened letters and unsorted papers lay strewn about the desk.

structures

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The Inquest was over, the letter was public, the Bank was broken, the other model structures of straw had taken fire and were turned to smoke.

swimmers

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The admired piratical ship had blown up, in the midst of a vast fleet of ships of all rates, and boats of all sizes; and on the deep was nothing but ruin; nothing but burning hulls, bursting magazines, great guns self-exploded tearing friends and neighbours to pieces, drowning men clinging to unseaworthy spars and going down every minute, spent swimmers, floating dead, and sharks.

taken

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The Inquest was over, the letter was public, the Bank was broken, the other model structures of straw had taken fire and were turned to smoke.

tearing

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The admired piratical ship had blown up, in the midst of a vast fleet of ships of all rates, and boats of all sizes; and on the deep was nothing but ruin; nothing but burning hulls, bursting magazines, great guns self-exploded tearing friends and neighbours to pieces, drowning men clinging to unseaworthy spars and going down every minute, spent swimmers, floating dead, and sharks.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading The Inquest was over, the letter was public, the Bank was broken, the other model structures of straw had taken fire and were turned to smoke.

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading The Inquest was over, the letter was public, the Bank was broken, the other model structures of straw had taken fire and were turned to smoke.

turned

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The Inquest was over, the letter was public, the Bank was broken, the other model structures of straw had taken fire and were turned to smoke.

Unopened

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From this reading Unopened letters and unsorted papers lay strewn about the desk.

unseaworthy

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The admired piratical ship had blown up, in the midst of a vast fleet of ships of all rates, and boats of all sizes; and on the deep was nothing but ruin; nothing but burning hulls, bursting magazines, great guns self-exploded tearing friends and neighbours to pieces, drowning men clinging to unseaworthy spars and going down every minute, spent swimmers, floating dead, and sharks.

unsorted

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Unopened letters and unsorted papers lay strewn about the desk.

up

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The admired piratical ship had blown up, in the midst of a vast fleet of ships of all rates, and boats of all sizes; and on the deep was nothing but ruin; nothing but burning hulls, bursting magazines, great guns self-exploded tearing friends and neighbours to pieces, drowning men clinging to unseaworthy spars and going down every minute, spent swimmers, floating dead, and sharks.

usual

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From this reading The usual diligence and order of the Counting-house at the Works were overthrown.

vast

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The admired piratical ship had blown up, in the midst of a vast fleet of ships of all rates, and boats of all sizes; and on the deep was nothing but ruin; nothing but burning hulls, bursting magazines, great guns self-exploded tearing friends and neighbours to pieces, drowning men clinging to unseaworthy spars and going down every minute, spent swimmers, floating dead, and sharks.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading The Inquest was over, the letter was public, the Bank was broken, the other model structures of straw had taken fire and were turned to smoke.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading The Inquest was over, the letter was public, the Bank was broken, the other model structures of straw had taken fire and were turned to smoke.

WithprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading With a precursory sound of hurried breath and hurried feet, Mr Pancks rushed into Arthur Clennam’s Counting-house.

Works

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The usual diligence and order of the Counting-house at the Works were overthrown.