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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 Marcy Gray waited until the boat drew a little nearer, and then looked again.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading There could be no mistake about it.
AGAINnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading HOME AGAIN.
Aleck
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The man in the stern-sheets with the coxswain was Aleck Webster, the one who had promised to have an eye on Marcy and his mother while Jack was at sea, and those who composed his party were men whom Marcy met at the post-office almost as often as he went there.
almost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The man in the stern-sheets with the coxswain was Aleck Webster, the one who had promised to have an eye on Marcy and his mother while Jack was at sea, and those who composed his party were men whom Marcy met at the post-office almost as often as he went there.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The man in the stern-sheets with the coxswain was Aleck Webster, the one who had promised to have an eye on Marcy and his mother while Jack was at sea, and those who composed his party were men whom Marcy met at the post-office almost as often as he went there.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Marcy Gray waited until the boat drew a little nearer, and then looked again.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The man in the stern-sheets with the coxswain was Aleck Webster, the one who had promised to have an eye on Marcy and his mother while Jack was at sea, and those who composed his party were men whom Marcy met at the post-office almost as often as he went there.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The man in the stern-sheets with the coxswain was Aleck Webster, the one who had promised to have an eye on Marcy and his mother while Jack was at sea, and those who composed his party were men whom Marcy met at the post-office almost as often as he went there.
band
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If they were coming off to enlist, as Marcy thought they were, wouldn't that break up the band who held meetings in the swamp?
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading There could be no mistake about it.
boat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marcy Gray waited until the boat drew a little nearer, and then looked again.
break
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If they were coming off to enlist, as Marcy thought they were, wouldn't that break up the band who held meetings in the swamp?
coming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If they were coming off to enlist, as Marcy thought they were, wouldn't that break up the band who held meetings in the swamp?
composed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The man in the stern-sheets with the coxswain was Aleck Webster, the one who had promised to have an eye on Marcy and his mother while Jack was at sea, and those who composed his party were men whom Marcy met at the post-office almost as often as he went there.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading There could be no mistake about it.
coxswainnounUS /ˈkɑːksən/
the person who steers a small boat
From this reading The man in the stern-sheets with the coxswain was Aleck Webster, the one who had promised to have an eye on Marcy and his mother while Jack was at sea, and those who composed his party were men whom Marcy met at the post-office almost as often as he went there.
drewnounUS /drew/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Marcy Gray waited until the boat drew a little nearer, and then looked again.
enlist
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If they were coming off to enlist, as Marcy thought they were, wouldn't that break up the band who held meetings in the swamp?
eye
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The man in the stern-sheets with the coxswain was Aleck Webster, the one who had promised to have an eye on Marcy and his mother while Jack was at sea, and those who composed his party were men whom Marcy met at the post-office almost as often as he went there.
Gray
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marcy Gray waited until the boat drew a little nearer, and then looked again.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The man in the stern-sheets with the coxswain was Aleck Webster, the one who had promised to have an eye on Marcy and his mother while Jack was at sea, and those who composed his party were men whom Marcy met at the post-office almost as often as he went there.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The man in the stern-sheets with the coxswain was Aleck Webster, the one who had promised to have an eye on Marcy and his mother while Jack was at sea, and those who composed his party were men whom Marcy met at the post-office almost as often as he went there.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The man in the stern-sheets with the coxswain was Aleck Webster, the one who had promised to have an eye on Marcy and his mother while Jack was at sea, and those who composed his party were men whom Marcy met at the post-office almost as often as he went there.
held
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If they were coming off to enlist, as Marcy thought they were, wouldn't that break up the band who held meetings in the swamp?
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The man in the stern-sheets with the coxswain was Aleck Webster, the one who had promised to have an eye on Marcy and his mother while Jack was at sea, and those who composed his party were men whom Marcy met at the post-office almost as often as he went there.
HOME
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading HOME AGAIN.
IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If they were coming off to enlist, as Marcy thought they were, wouldn't that break up the band who held meetings in the swamp?
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The man in the stern-sheets with the coxswain was Aleck Webster, the one who had promised to have an eye on Marcy and his mother while Jack was at sea, and those who composed his party were men whom Marcy met at the post-office almost as often as he went there.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading There could be no mistake about it.
Jack
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The man in the stern-sheets with the coxswain was Aleck Webster, the one who had promised to have an eye on Marcy and his mother while Jack was at sea, and those who composed his party were men whom Marcy met at the post-office almost as often as he went there.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Marcy Gray waited until the boat drew a little nearer, and then looked again.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Marcy Gray waited until the boat drew a little nearer, and then looked again.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The man in the stern-sheets with the coxswain was Aleck Webster, the one who had promised to have an eye on Marcy and his mother while Jack was at sea, and those who composed his party were men whom Marcy met at the post-office almost as often as he went there.
Marcy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marcy Gray waited until the boat drew a little nearer, and then looked again.
meetings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If they were coming off to enlist, as Marcy thought they were, wouldn't that break up the band who held meetings in the swamp?
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The man in the stern-sheets with the coxswain was Aleck Webster, the one who had promised to have an eye on Marcy and his mother while Jack was at sea, and those who composed his party were men whom Marcy met at the post-office almost as often as he went there.
met
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The man in the stern-sheets with the coxswain was Aleck Webster, the one who had promised to have an eye on Marcy and his mother while Jack was at sea, and those who composed his party were men whom Marcy met at the post-office almost as often as he went there.
mistake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There could be no mistake about it.
mother
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The man in the stern-sheets with the coxswain was Aleck Webster, the one who had promised to have an eye on Marcy and his mother while Jack was at sea, and those who composed his party were men whom Marcy met at the post-office almost as often as he went there.
nearer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marcy Gray waited until the boat drew a little nearer, and then looked again.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading There could be no mistake about it.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If they were coming off to enlist, as Marcy thought they were, wouldn't that break up the band who held meetings in the swamp?
often
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The man in the stern-sheets with the coxswain was Aleck Webster, the one who had promised to have an eye on Marcy and his mother while Jack was at sea, and those who composed his party were men whom Marcy met at the post-office almost as often as he went there.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The man in the stern-sheets with the coxswain was Aleck Webster, the one who had promised to have an eye on Marcy and his mother while Jack was at sea, and those who composed his party were men whom Marcy met at the post-office almost as often as he went there.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The man in the stern-sheets with the coxswain was Aleck Webster, the one who had promised to have an eye on Marcy and his mother while Jack was at sea, and those who composed his party were men whom Marcy met at the post-office almost as often as he went there.
partynounUS /party/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The man in the stern-sheets with the coxswain was Aleck Webster, the one who had promised to have an eye on Marcy and his mother while Jack was at sea, and those who composed his party were men whom Marcy met at the post-office almost as often as he went there.
post-office
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The man in the stern-sheets with the coxswain was Aleck Webster, the one who had promised to have an eye on Marcy and his mother while Jack was at sea, and those who composed his party were men whom Marcy met at the post-office almost as often as he went there.
promised
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The man in the stern-sheets with the coxswain was Aleck Webster, the one who had promised to have an eye on Marcy and his mother while Jack was at sea, and those who composed his party were men whom Marcy met at the post-office almost as often as he went there.
sea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The man in the stern-sheets with the coxswain was Aleck Webster, the one who had promised to have an eye on Marcy and his mother while Jack was at sea, and those who composed his party were men whom Marcy met at the post-office almost as often as he went there.
stern-sheets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The man in the stern-sheets with the coxswain was Aleck Webster, the one who had promised to have an eye on Marcy and his mother while Jack was at sea, and those who composed his party were men whom Marcy met at the post-office almost as often as he went there.
swamp
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If they were coming off to enlist, as Marcy thought they were, wouldn't that break up the band who held meetings in the swamp?
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading If they were coming off to enlist, as Marcy thought they were, wouldn't that break up the band who held meetings in the swamp?
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Marcy Gray waited until the boat drew a little nearer, and then looked again.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marcy Gray waited until the boat drew a little nearer, and then looked again.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There could be no mistake about it.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading If they were coming off to enlist, as Marcy thought they were, wouldn't that break up the band who held meetings in the swamp?
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading The man in the stern-sheets with the coxswain was Aleck Webster, the one who had promised to have an eye on Marcy and his mother while Jack was at sea, and those who composed his party were men whom Marcy met at the post-office almost as often as he went there.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading If they were coming off to enlist, as Marcy thought they were, wouldn't that break up the band who held meetings in the swamp?
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The man in the stern-sheets with the coxswain was Aleck Webster, the one who had promised to have an eye on Marcy and his mother while Jack was at sea, and those who composed his party were men whom Marcy met at the post-office almost as often as he went there.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading Marcy Gray waited until the boat drew a little nearer, and then looked again.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If they were coming off to enlist, as Marcy thought they were, wouldn't that break up the band who held meetings in the swamp?
waited
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Marcy Gray waited until the boat drew a little nearer, and then looked again.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The man in the stern-sheets with the coxswain was Aleck Webster, the one who had promised to have an eye on Marcy and his mother while Jack was at sea, and those who composed his party were men whom Marcy met at the post-office almost as often as he went there.
Webster
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The man in the stern-sheets with the coxswain was Aleck Webster, the one who had promised to have an eye on Marcy and his mother while Jack was at sea, and those who composed his party were men whom Marcy met at the post-office almost as often as he went there.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The man in the stern-sheets with the coxswain was Aleck Webster, the one who had promised to have an eye on Marcy and his mother while Jack was at sea, and those who composed his party were men whom Marcy met at the post-office almost as often as he went there.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The man in the stern-sheets with the coxswain was Aleck Webster, the one who had promised to have an eye on Marcy and his mother while Jack was at sea, and those who composed his party were men whom Marcy met at the post-office almost as often as he went there.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading The man in the stern-sheets with the coxswain was Aleck Webster, the one who had promised to have an eye on Marcy and his mother while Jack was at sea, and those who composed his party were men whom Marcy met at the post-office almost as often as he went there.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading The man in the stern-sheets with the coxswain was Aleck Webster, the one who had promised to have an eye on Marcy and his mother while Jack was at sea, and those who composed his party were men whom Marcy met at the post-office almost as often as he went there.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The man in the stern-sheets with the coxswain was Aleck Webster, the one who had promised to have an eye on Marcy and his mother while Jack was at sea, and those who composed his party were men whom Marcy met at the post-office almost as often as he went there.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The man in the stern-sheets with the coxswain was Aleck Webster, the one who had promised to have an eye on Marcy and his mother while Jack was at sea, and those who composed his party were men whom Marcy met at the post-office almost as often as he went there.
wouldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If they were coming off to enlist, as Marcy thought they were, wouldn't that break up the band who held meetings in the swamp?
