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Midshipman Merrill
Midshipman Merrill

Chapter XXXIII · Three Reports

Cover illustration for Midshipman Merrill
Context Illustration Reading 1/23 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Captain De Long, the commander of the cruising ship Constellation, was seated in his cabin smoking his cigar before retiring, when Cadet Midshipman Mark Merrill requested an interview, which was at once granted by the genial commander.
“Well, Mr. Merrill, did you enjoy your run ashore?”
“Yes, sir, with the exception of an unfortunate meeting with Barney Breslin, which I desire to report to you.”
“Ah! have you had trouble with him?”
“Yes, sir, I regret to say, too, that it was in a public place.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Midshipman Merrill

Chapter XXXIII · Three Reports

Reading 1/23 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Captain De Long, the commander of the cruising ship Constellation, was seated in his cabin smoking his cigar before retiring, when Cadet Midshipman Mark Merrill requested an interview, which was at once granted by the genial commander.
Line 2
“Well, Mr. Merrill, did you enjoy your run ashore?”
Line 3
“Yes, sir, with the exception of an unfortunate meeting with Barney Breslin, which I desire to report to you.”
Line 4
“Ah! have you had trouble with him?”
Line 5
“Yes, sir, I regret to say, too, that it was in a public place.

Learner Dictionary

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

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “Captain De Long, the commander of the cruising ship Constellation, was seated in his cabin smoking his cigar before retiring, when Cadet Midshipman Mark Merrill requested an interview, which was at once granted by the genial commander.”

Captain noun US /ˈcaptain/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “Captain De Long, the commander of the cruising ship Constellation, was seated in his cabin smoking his cigar before retiring, when Cadet Midshipman Mark Merrill requested an interview, which was at once granted by the genial commander.”

Have auxiliary verb US /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading ““Ah! have you had trouble with him?””

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Captain De Long, the commander of the cruising ship Constellation, was seated in his cabin smoking his cigar before retiring, when Cadet Midshipman Mark Merrill requested an interview, which was at once granted by the genial commander.”

Once noun US /once/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Captain De Long, the commander of the cruising ship Constellation, was seated in his cabin smoking his cigar before retiring, when Cadet Midshipman Mark Merrill requested an interview, which was at once granted by the genial commander.”

Ship noun US /ship/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Captain De Long, the commander of the cruising ship Constellation, was seated in his cabin smoking his cigar before retiring, when Cadet Midshipman Mark Merrill requested an interview, which was at once granted by the genial commander.”

Smoking noun US /ˈsmoking/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “Captain De Long, the commander of the cruising ship Constellation, was seated in his cabin smoking his cigar before retiring, when Cadet Midshipman Mark Merrill requested an interview, which was at once granted by the genial commander.”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““Well, Mr. Merrill, did you enjoy your run ashore?””

All words in this reading · 65

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 “Yes, sir, I regret to say, too, that it was in a public place.

Ah

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

From this reading “Ah! have you had trouble with him?”

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Captain De Long, the commander of the cruising ship Constellation, was seated in his cabin smoking his cigar before retiring, when Cadet Midshipman Mark Merrill requested an interview, which was at once granted by the genial commander.

ashore

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

From this reading “Well, Mr. Merrill, did you enjoy your run ashore?”

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading Captain De Long, the commander of the cruising ship Constellation, was seated in his cabin smoking his cigar before retiring, when Cadet Midshipman Mark Merrill requested an interview, which was at once granted by the genial commander.

Barney

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

From this reading “Yes, sir, with the exception of an unfortunate meeting with Barney Breslin, which I desire to report to you.”

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Captain De Long, the commander of the cruising ship Constellation, was seated in his cabin smoking his cigar before retiring, when Cadet Midshipman Mark Merrill requested an interview, which was at once granted by the genial commander.

Breslin

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

From this reading “Yes, sir, with the exception of an unfortunate meeting with Barney Breslin, which I desire to report to you.”

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Captain De Long, the commander of the cruising ship Constellation, was seated in his cabin smoking his cigar before retiring, when Cadet Midshipman Mark Merrill requested an interview, which was at once granted by the genial commander.

cabin

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

From this reading Captain De Long, the commander of the cruising ship Constellation, was seated in his cabin smoking his cigar before retiring, when Cadet Midshipman Mark Merrill requested an interview, which was at once granted by the genial commander.

Cadet

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

From this reading Captain De Long, the commander of the cruising ship Constellation, was seated in his cabin smoking his cigar before retiring, when Cadet Midshipman Mark Merrill requested an interview, which was at once granted by the genial commander.

CaptainnounUS /ˈcaptain/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading Captain De Long, the commander of the cruising ship Constellation, was seated in his cabin smoking his cigar before retiring, when Cadet Midshipman Mark Merrill requested an interview, which was at once granted by the genial commander.

cigar

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

From this reading Captain De Long, the commander of the cruising ship Constellation, was seated in his cabin smoking his cigar before retiring, when Cadet Midshipman Mark Merrill requested an interview, which was at once granted by the genial commander.

commander

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

From this reading Captain De Long, the commander of the cruising ship Constellation, was seated in his cabin smoking his cigar before retiring, when Cadet Midshipman Mark Merrill requested an interview, which was at once granted by the genial commander.

Constellation

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

From this reading Captain De Long, the commander of the cruising ship Constellation, was seated in his cabin smoking his cigar before retiring, when Cadet Midshipman Mark Merrill requested an interview, which was at once granted by the genial commander.

cruising

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

From this reading Captain De Long, the commander of the cruising ship Constellation, was seated in his cabin smoking his cigar before retiring, when Cadet Midshipman Mark Merrill requested an interview, which was at once granted by the genial commander.

De

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

From this reading Captain De Long, the commander of the cruising ship Constellation, was seated in his cabin smoking his cigar before retiring, when Cadet Midshipman Mark Merrill requested an interview, which was at once granted by the genial commander.

desire

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

From this reading “Yes, sir, with the exception of an unfortunate meeting with Barney Breslin, which I desire to report to you.”

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading “Well, Mr. Merrill, did you enjoy your run ashore?”

enjoy

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

From this reading “Well, Mr. Merrill, did you enjoy your run ashore?”

exception

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

From this reading “Yes, sir, with the exception of an unfortunate meeting with Barney Breslin, which I desire to report to you.”

genial

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

From this reading Captain De Long, the commander of the cruising ship Constellation, was seated in his cabin smoking his cigar before retiring, when Cadet Midshipman Mark Merrill requested an interview, which was at once granted by the genial commander.

granted

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

From this reading Captain De Long, the commander of the cruising ship Constellation, was seated in his cabin smoking his cigar before retiring, when Cadet Midshipman Mark Merrill requested an interview, which was at once granted by the genial commander.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading “Ah! have you had trouble with him?”

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading “Ah! have you had trouble with him?”

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading “Ah! have you had trouble with him?”

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Captain De Long, the commander of the cruising ship Constellation, was seated in his cabin smoking his cigar before retiring, when Cadet Midshipman Mark Merrill requested an interview, which was at once granted by the genial commander.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading “Yes, sir, with the exception of an unfortunate meeting with Barney Breslin, which I desire to report to you.”

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Captain De Long, the commander of the cruising ship Constellation, was seated in his cabin smoking his cigar before retiring, when Cadet Midshipman Mark Merrill requested an interview, which was at once granted by the genial commander.

interview

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

From this reading Captain De Long, the commander of the cruising ship Constellation, was seated in his cabin smoking his cigar before retiring, when Cadet Midshipman Mark Merrill requested an interview, which was at once granted by the genial commander.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading “Yes, sir, I regret to say, too, that it was in a public place.

LongnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Captain De Long, the commander of the cruising ship Constellation, was seated in his cabin smoking his cigar before retiring, when Cadet Midshipman Mark Merrill requested an interview, which was at once granted by the genial commander.

Mark

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

From this reading Captain De Long, the commander of the cruising ship Constellation, was seated in his cabin smoking his cigar before retiring, when Cadet Midshipman Mark Merrill requested an interview, which was at once granted by the genial commander.

meeting

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

From this reading “Yes, sir, with the exception of an unfortunate meeting with Barney Breslin, which I desire to report to you.”

Merrill

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

From this reading Captain De Long, the commander of the cruising ship Constellation, was seated in his cabin smoking his cigar before retiring, when Cadet Midshipman Mark Merrill requested an interview, which was at once granted by the genial commander.

Midshipman

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

From this reading Captain De Long, the commander of the cruising ship Constellation, was seated in his cabin smoking his cigar before retiring, when Cadet Midshipman Mark Merrill requested an interview, which was at once granted by the genial commander.

Mr

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

From this reading “Well, Mr. Merrill, did you enjoy your run ashore?”

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Captain De Long, the commander of the cruising ship Constellation, was seated in his cabin smoking his cigar before retiring, when Cadet Midshipman Mark Merrill requested an interview, which was at once granted by the genial commander.

once

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

From this reading Captain De Long, the commander of the cruising ship Constellation, was seated in his cabin smoking his cigar before retiring, when Cadet Midshipman Mark Merrill requested an interview, which was at once granted by the genial commander.

place

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

From this reading “Yes, sir, I regret to say, too, that it was in a public place.

public

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

From this reading “Yes, sir, I regret to say, too, that it was in a public place.

regret

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

From this reading “Yes, sir, I regret to say, too, that it was in a public place.

report

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

From this reading “Yes, sir, with the exception of an unfortunate meeting with Barney Breslin, which I desire to report to you.”

requested

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

From this reading Captain De Long, the commander of the cruising ship Constellation, was seated in his cabin smoking his cigar before retiring, when Cadet Midshipman Mark Merrill requested an interview, which was at once granted by the genial commander.

retiring

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

From this reading Captain De Long, the commander of the cruising ship Constellation, was seated in his cabin smoking his cigar before retiring, when Cadet Midshipman Mark Merrill requested an interview, which was at once granted by the genial commander.

run

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

From this reading “Well, Mr. Merrill, did you enjoy your run ashore?”

say

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

From this reading “Yes, sir, I regret to say, too, that it was in a public place.

seated

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

From this reading Captain De Long, the commander of the cruising ship Constellation, was seated in his cabin smoking his cigar before retiring, when Cadet Midshipman Mark Merrill requested an interview, which was at once granted by the genial commander.

shipnounUS /ship/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Captain De Long, the commander of the cruising ship Constellation, was seated in his cabin smoking his cigar before retiring, when Cadet Midshipman Mark Merrill requested an interview, which was at once granted by the genial commander.

sir

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

From this reading “Yes, sir, with the exception of an unfortunate meeting with Barney Breslin, which I desire to report to you.”

smokingnounUS /ˈsmoking/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading Captain De Long, the commander of the cruising ship Constellation, was seated in his cabin smoking his cigar before retiring, when Cadet Midshipman Mark Merrill requested an interview, which was at once granted by the genial commander.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading “Yes, sir, I regret to say, too, that it was in a public place.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Captain De Long, the commander of the cruising ship Constellation, was seated in his cabin smoking his cigar before retiring, when Cadet Midshipman Mark Merrill requested an interview, which was at once granted by the genial commander.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading “Yes, sir, with the exception of an unfortunate meeting with Barney Breslin, which I desire to report to you.”

too

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

From this reading “Yes, sir, I regret to say, too, that it was in a public place.

trouble

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

From this reading “Ah! have you had trouble with him?”

unfortunate

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

From this reading “Yes, sir, with the exception of an unfortunate meeting with Barney Breslin, which I desire to report to you.”

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Captain De Long, the commander of the cruising ship Constellation, was seated in his cabin smoking his cigar before retiring, when Cadet Midshipman Mark Merrill requested an interview, which was at once granted by the genial commander.

Well

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

From this reading “Well, Mr. Merrill, did you enjoy your run ashore?”

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading Captain De Long, the commander of the cruising ship Constellation, was seated in his cabin smoking his cigar before retiring, when Cadet Midshipman Mark Merrill requested an interview, which was at once granted by the genial commander.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Captain De Long, the commander of the cruising ship Constellation, was seated in his cabin smoking his cigar before retiring, when Cadet Midshipman Mark Merrill requested an interview, which was at once granted by the genial commander.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading “Yes, sir, with the exception of an unfortunate meeting with Barney Breslin, which I desire to report to you.”

Yes

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

From this reading “Yes, sir, with the exception of an unfortunate meeting with Barney Breslin, which I desire to report to you.”

youpronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “Well, Mr. Merrill, did you enjoy your run ashore?”

yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/

belonging to the person or people being spoken to

From this reading “Well, Mr. Merrill, did you enjoy your run ashore?”