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Moby-Dick; or, The Whale
Moby-Dick; or, The Whale

Chapter XXI · Going Aboard

Read and study this complete chapter with synchronized narration, pronunciation, and vocabulary support.

Moby-Dick, Chapter 21: Going Aboard — chapter-context illustration for reading 1
Context Illustration Reading 1/17 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
It was nearly six o’clock, but only grey imperfect misty dawn, when we drew nigh the wharf.
There are some sailors running ahead there, if I see right,” said I to Queequeg, it can’t be shadows; she’s off by sunrise, I guess; come on!”
Avast!”
cried a voice, whose owner at the same time coming close behind us, laid a hand upon both our shoulders, and then insinuating himself between us, stood stooping forward a little, in the uncertain twilight, strangely peering from Queequeg to me.
It was Elijah.
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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.

Moby-Dick; or, The Whale

Chapter XXI · Going Aboard

Study this chapter through synchronized reading, listening, pronunciation, and contextual vocabulary.

Reading 1/17 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
It was nearly six o’clock, but only grey imperfect misty dawn, when we drew nigh the wharf.
Line 2
There are some sailors running ahead there, if I see right,” said I to Queequeg, “it can’t be shadows; she’s off by sunrise, I guess; come on!”
Line 3
Avast!”
Line 4
cried a voice, whose owner at the same time coming close behind us, laid a hand upon both our shoulders, and then insinuating himself between us, stood stooping forward a little, in the uncertain twilight, strangely peering from Queequeg to me.
Line 5
It was Elijah.

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

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

Same adjective US /seɪm/

Identical; not different.

From this reading “cried a voice, whose owner at the same time coming close behind us, laid a hand upon both our shoulders, and then insinuating himself between us, stood stooping forward a little, in the uncertain twilight, strangely peering from Queequeg to me.”

Stood verb US /stʊd/

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading “cried a voice, whose owner at the same time coming close behind us, laid a hand upon both our shoulders, and then insinuating himself between us, stood stooping forward a little, in the uncertain twilight, strangely peering from Queequeg to me.”

All words in this reading · 76

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

a

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

From this reading cried a voice, whose owner at the same time coming close behind us, laid a hand upon both our shoulders, and then insinuating himself between us, stood stooping forward a little, in the uncertain twilight, strangely peering from Queequeg to me.

ahead

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

From this reading “There are some sailors running ahead there, if I see right,” said I to Queequeg, “it can’t be shadows; she’s off by sunrise, I guess; come on!”

and

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

From this reading cried a voice, whose owner at the same time coming close behind us, laid a hand upon both our shoulders, and then insinuating himself between us, stood stooping forward a little, in the uncertain twilight, strangely peering from Queequeg to me.

are

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

From this reading “There are some sailors running ahead there, if I see right,” said I to Queequeg, “it can’t be shadows; she’s off by sunrise, I guess; come on!”

at

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

From this reading cried a voice, whose owner at the same time coming close behind us, laid a hand upon both our shoulders, and then insinuating himself between us, stood stooping forward a little, in the uncertain twilight, strangely peering from Queequeg to me.

Avast

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

From this reading “Avast!”

be

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

From this reading “There are some sailors running ahead there, if I see right,” said I to Queequeg, “it can’t be shadows; she’s off by sunrise, I guess; come on!”

behind

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

From this reading cried a voice, whose owner at the same time coming close behind us, laid a hand upon both our shoulders, and then insinuating himself between us, stood stooping forward a little, in the uncertain twilight, strangely peering from Queequeg to me.

between

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

From this reading cried a voice, whose owner at the same time coming close behind us, laid a hand upon both our shoulders, and then insinuating himself between us, stood stooping forward a little, in the uncertain twilight, strangely peering from Queequeg to me.

both

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

From this reading cried a voice, whose owner at the same time coming close behind us, laid a hand upon both our shoulders, and then insinuating himself between us, stood stooping forward a little, in the uncertain twilight, strangely peering from Queequeg to me.

but

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

From this reading It was nearly six o’clock, but only grey imperfect misty dawn, when we drew nigh the wharf.

by

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

From this reading “There are some sailors running ahead there, if I see right,” said I to Queequeg, “it can’t be shadows; she’s off by sunrise, I guess; come on!”

can't

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

From this reading “There are some sailors running ahead there, if I see right,” said I to Queequeg, “it can’t be shadows; she’s off by sunrise, I guess; come on!”

close

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

From this reading cried a voice, whose owner at the same time coming close behind us, laid a hand upon both our shoulders, and then insinuating himself between us, stood stooping forward a little, in the uncertain twilight, strangely peering from Queequeg to me.

come

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

From this reading “There are some sailors running ahead there, if I see right,” said I to Queequeg, “it can’t be shadows; she’s off by sunrise, I guess; come on!”

coming

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

From this reading cried a voice, whose owner at the same time coming close behind us, laid a hand upon both our shoulders, and then insinuating himself between us, stood stooping forward a little, in the uncertain twilight, strangely peering from Queequeg to me.

cried

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

From this reading cried a voice, whose owner at the same time coming close behind us, laid a hand upon both our shoulders, and then insinuating himself between us, stood stooping forward a little, in the uncertain twilight, strangely peering from Queequeg to me.

dawn

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

From this reading It was nearly six o’clock, but only grey imperfect misty dawn, when we drew nigh the wharf.

drew

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

From this reading It was nearly six o’clock, but only grey imperfect misty dawn, when we drew nigh the wharf.

Elijah

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

From this reading It was Elijah.

forward

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

From this reading cried a voice, whose owner at the same time coming close behind us, laid a hand upon both our shoulders, and then insinuating himself between us, stood stooping forward a little, in the uncertain twilight, strangely peering from Queequeg to me.

from

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

From this reading cried a voice, whose owner at the same time coming close behind us, laid a hand upon both our shoulders, and then insinuating himself between us, stood stooping forward a little, in the uncertain twilight, strangely peering from Queequeg to me.

grey

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

From this reading It was nearly six o’clock, but only grey imperfect misty dawn, when we drew nigh the wharf.

guess

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

From this reading “There are some sailors running ahead there, if I see right,” said I to Queequeg, “it can’t be shadows; she’s off by sunrise, I guess; come on!”

hand

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

From this reading cried a voice, whose owner at the same time coming close behind us, laid a hand upon both our shoulders, and then insinuating himself between us, stood stooping forward a little, in the uncertain twilight, strangely peering from Queequeg to me.

himself

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

From this reading cried a voice, whose owner at the same time coming close behind us, laid a hand upon both our shoulders, and then insinuating himself between us, stood stooping forward a little, in the uncertain twilight, strangely peering from Queequeg to me.

I

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

From this reading “There are some sailors running ahead there, if I see right,” said I to Queequeg, “it can’t be shadows; she’s off by sunrise, I guess; come on!”

if

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

From this reading “There are some sailors running ahead there, if I see right,” said I to Queequeg, “it can’t be shadows; she’s off by sunrise, I guess; come on!”

imperfect

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

From this reading It was nearly six o’clock, but only grey imperfect misty dawn, when we drew nigh the wharf.

in

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

From this reading cried a voice, whose owner at the same time coming close behind us, laid a hand upon both our shoulders, and then insinuating himself between us, stood stooping forward a little, in the uncertain twilight, strangely peering from Queequeg to me.

insinuating

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

From this reading cried a voice, whose owner at the same time coming close behind us, laid a hand upon both our shoulders, and then insinuating himself between us, stood stooping forward a little, in the uncertain twilight, strangely peering from Queequeg to me.

It

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

From this reading It was nearly six o’clock, but only grey imperfect misty dawn, when we drew nigh the wharf.

laid

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

From this reading cried a voice, whose owner at the same time coming close behind us, laid a hand upon both our shoulders, and then insinuating himself between us, stood stooping forward a little, in the uncertain twilight, strangely peering from Queequeg to me.

little

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

From this reading cried a voice, whose owner at the same time coming close behind us, laid a hand upon both our shoulders, and then insinuating himself between us, stood stooping forward a little, in the uncertain twilight, strangely peering from Queequeg to me.

me

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

From this reading cried a voice, whose owner at the same time coming close behind us, laid a hand upon both our shoulders, and then insinuating himself between us, stood stooping forward a little, in the uncertain twilight, strangely peering from Queequeg to me.

misty

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

From this reading It was nearly six o’clock, but only grey imperfect misty dawn, when we drew nigh the wharf.

nearly

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

From this reading It was nearly six o’clock, but only grey imperfect misty dawn, when we drew nigh the wharf.

nigh

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

From this reading It was nearly six o’clock, but only grey imperfect misty dawn, when we drew nigh the wharf.

o'clock

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

From this reading It was nearly six o’clock, but only grey imperfect misty dawn, when we drew nigh the wharf.

off

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

From this reading “There are some sailors running ahead there, if I see right,” said I to Queequeg, “it can’t be shadows; she’s off by sunrise, I guess; come on!”

on

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

From this reading “There are some sailors running ahead there, if I see right,” said I to Queequeg, “it can’t be shadows; she’s off by sunrise, I guess; come on!”

only

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

From this reading It was nearly six o’clock, but only grey imperfect misty dawn, when we drew nigh the wharf.

our

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

From this reading cried a voice, whose owner at the same time coming close behind us, laid a hand upon both our shoulders, and then insinuating himself between us, stood stooping forward a little, in the uncertain twilight, strangely peering from Queequeg to me.

owner

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

From this reading cried a voice, whose owner at the same time coming close behind us, laid a hand upon both our shoulders, and then insinuating himself between us, stood stooping forward a little, in the uncertain twilight, strangely peering from Queequeg to me.

peering

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

From this reading cried a voice, whose owner at the same time coming close behind us, laid a hand upon both our shoulders, and then insinuating himself between us, stood stooping forward a little, in the uncertain twilight, strangely peering from Queequeg to me.

Queequeg

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

From this reading “There are some sailors running ahead there, if I see right,” said I to Queequeg, “it can’t be shadows; she’s off by sunrise, I guess; come on!”

right

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

From this reading “There are some sailors running ahead there, if I see right,” said I to Queequeg, “it can’t be shadows; she’s off by sunrise, I guess; come on!”

running

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

From this reading “There are some sailors running ahead there, if I see right,” said I to Queequeg, “it can’t be shadows; she’s off by sunrise, I guess; come on!”

said

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

From this reading “There are some sailors running ahead there, if I see right,” said I to Queequeg, “it can’t be shadows; she’s off by sunrise, I guess; come on!”

sailors

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

From this reading “There are some sailors running ahead there, if I see right,” said I to Queequeg, “it can’t be shadows; she’s off by sunrise, I guess; come on!”

sameadjectiveUS /seɪm/

Identical; not different.

From this reading cried a voice, whose owner at the same time coming close behind us, laid a hand upon both our shoulders, and then insinuating himself between us, stood stooping forward a little, in the uncertain twilight, strangely peering from Queequeg to me.

see

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

From this reading “There are some sailors running ahead there, if I see right,” said I to Queequeg, “it can’t be shadows; she’s off by sunrise, I guess; come on!”

shadows

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

From this reading “There are some sailors running ahead there, if I see right,” said I to Queequeg, “it can’t be shadows; she’s off by sunrise, I guess; come on!”

she's

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

From this reading “There are some sailors running ahead there, if I see right,” said I to Queequeg, “it can’t be shadows; she’s off by sunrise, I guess; come on!”

shoulders

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

From this reading cried a voice, whose owner at the same time coming close behind us, laid a hand upon both our shoulders, and then insinuating himself between us, stood stooping forward a little, in the uncertain twilight, strangely peering from Queequeg to me.

six

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

From this reading It was nearly six o’clock, but only grey imperfect misty dawn, when we drew nigh the wharf.

some

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

From this reading “There are some sailors running ahead there, if I see right,” said I to Queequeg, “it can’t be shadows; she’s off by sunrise, I guess; come on!”

stoodverbUS /stʊd/

Maintained an upright posture.

From this reading cried a voice, whose owner at the same time coming close behind us, laid a hand upon both our shoulders, and then insinuating himself between us, stood stooping forward a little, in the uncertain twilight, strangely peering from Queequeg to me.

stooping

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

From this reading cried a voice, whose owner at the same time coming close behind us, laid a hand upon both our shoulders, and then insinuating himself between us, stood stooping forward a little, in the uncertain twilight, strangely peering from Queequeg to me.

strangely

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

From this reading cried a voice, whose owner at the same time coming close behind us, laid a hand upon both our shoulders, and then insinuating himself between us, stood stooping forward a little, in the uncertain twilight, strangely peering from Queequeg to me.

sunrise

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

From this reading “There are some sailors running ahead there, if I see right,” said I to Queequeg, “it can’t be shadows; she’s off by sunrise, I guess; come on!”

the

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

From this reading It was nearly six o’clock, but only grey imperfect misty dawn, when we drew nigh the wharf.

then

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

From this reading cried a voice, whose owner at the same time coming close behind us, laid a hand upon both our shoulders, and then insinuating himself between us, stood stooping forward a little, in the uncertain twilight, strangely peering from Queequeg to me.

There

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

From this reading “There are some sailors running ahead there, if I see right,” said I to Queequeg, “it can’t be shadows; she’s off by sunrise, I guess; come on!”

time

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

From this reading cried a voice, whose owner at the same time coming close behind us, laid a hand upon both our shoulders, and then insinuating himself between us, stood stooping forward a little, in the uncertain twilight, strangely peering from Queequeg to me.

to

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

From this reading “There are some sailors running ahead there, if I see right,” said I to Queequeg, “it can’t be shadows; she’s off by sunrise, I guess; come on!”

twilight

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

From this reading cried a voice, whose owner at the same time coming close behind us, laid a hand upon both our shoulders, and then insinuating himself between us, stood stooping forward a little, in the uncertain twilight, strangely peering from Queequeg to me.

uncertain

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

From this reading cried a voice, whose owner at the same time coming close behind us, laid a hand upon both our shoulders, and then insinuating himself between us, stood stooping forward a little, in the uncertain twilight, strangely peering from Queequeg to me.

upon

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

From this reading cried a voice, whose owner at the same time coming close behind us, laid a hand upon both our shoulders, and then insinuating himself between us, stood stooping forward a little, in the uncertain twilight, strangely peering from Queequeg to me.

us

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

From this reading cried a voice, whose owner at the same time coming close behind us, laid a hand upon both our shoulders, and then insinuating himself between us, stood stooping forward a little, in the uncertain twilight, strangely peering from Queequeg to me.

voice

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

From this reading cried a voice, whose owner at the same time coming close behind us, laid a hand upon both our shoulders, and then insinuating himself between us, stood stooping forward a little, in the uncertain twilight, strangely peering from Queequeg to me.

was

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

From this reading It was nearly six o’clock, but only grey imperfect misty dawn, when we drew nigh the wharf.

we

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

From this reading It was nearly six o’clock, but only grey imperfect misty dawn, when we drew nigh the wharf.

wharf

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

From this reading It was nearly six o’clock, but only grey imperfect misty dawn, when we drew nigh the wharf.

when

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

From this reading It was nearly six o’clock, but only grey imperfect misty dawn, when we drew nigh the wharf.

whose

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

From this reading cried a voice, whose owner at the same time coming close behind us, laid a hand upon both our shoulders, and then insinuating himself between us, stood stooping forward a little, in the uncertain twilight, strangely peering from Queequeg to me.