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

Chapter XXVI · Knights And Squires

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

Moby-Dick, Chapter 26: Knights And Squires — chapter-context illustration for reading 1
Context Illustration Reading 1/9 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
The chief mate of the Pequod was Starbuck, a native of Nantucket, and a Quaker by descent.
He was a long, earnest man, and though born on an icy coast, seemed well adapted to endure hot latitudes, his flesh being hard as twice-baked biscuit.
Transported to the Indies, his live blood would not spoil like bottled ale.
He must have been born in some time of general drought and famine, or upon one of those fast days for which his state is famous.
Only some thirty arid summers had he seen; those summers had dried up all his physical superfluousness.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Moby-Dick; or, The Whale

Chapter XXVI · Knights And Squires

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

Reading 1/9 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
The chief mate of the Pequod was Starbuck, a native of Nantucket, and a Quaker by descent.
Line 2
He was a long, earnest man, and though born on an icy coast, seemed well adapted to endure hot latitudes, his flesh being hard as twice-baked biscuit.
Line 3
Transported to the Indies, his live blood would not spoil like bottled ale.
Line 4
He must have been born in some time of general drought and famine, or upon one of those fast days for which his state is famous.
Line 5
Only some thirty arid summers had he seen; those summers had dried up all his physical superfluousness.

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.

Blood noun US /blʌd/

The red fluid that circulates in the heart and blood vessels.

From this reading “Transported to the Indies, his live blood would not spoil like bottled ale.”

Descent noun US /dɪˈsent/

An action of moving downward, dropping, or falling into a deeper place.

From this reading “The chief mate of the Pequod was Starbuck, a native of Nantucket, and a Quaker by descent.”

All words in this reading · 79

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 The chief mate of the Pequod was Starbuck, a native of Nantucket, and a Quaker by descent.

adapted

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

From this reading He was a long, earnest man, and though born on an icy coast, seemed well adapted to endure hot latitudes, his flesh being hard as twice-baked biscuit.

ale

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

From this reading Transported to the Indies, his live blood would not spoil like bottled ale.

all

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

From this reading Only some thirty arid summers had he seen; those summers had dried up all his physical superfluousness.

an

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

From this reading He was a long, earnest man, and though born on an icy coast, seemed well adapted to endure hot latitudes, his flesh being hard as twice-baked biscuit.

and

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

From this reading The chief mate of the Pequod was Starbuck, a native of Nantucket, and a Quaker by descent.

arid

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

From this reading Only some thirty arid summers had he seen; those summers had dried up all his physical superfluousness.

as

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

From this reading He was a long, earnest man, and though born on an icy coast, seemed well adapted to endure hot latitudes, his flesh being hard as twice-baked biscuit.

been

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

From this reading He must have been born in some time of general drought and famine, or upon one of those fast days for which his state is famous.

being

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

From this reading He was a long, earnest man, and though born on an icy coast, seemed well adapted to endure hot latitudes, his flesh being hard as twice-baked biscuit.

biscuit

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

From this reading He was a long, earnest man, and though born on an icy coast, seemed well adapted to endure hot latitudes, his flesh being hard as twice-baked biscuit.

bloodnounUS /blʌd/

The red fluid that circulates in the heart and blood vessels.

From this reading Transported to the Indies, his live blood would not spoil like bottled ale.

born

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

From this reading He was a long, earnest man, and though born on an icy coast, seemed well adapted to endure hot latitudes, his flesh being hard as twice-baked biscuit.

bottled

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

From this reading Transported to the Indies, his live blood would not spoil like bottled ale.

by

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

From this reading The chief mate of the Pequod was Starbuck, a native of Nantucket, and a Quaker by descent.

chief

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

From this reading The chief mate of the Pequod was Starbuck, a native of Nantucket, and a Quaker by descent.

coast

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

From this reading He was a long, earnest man, and though born on an icy coast, seemed well adapted to endure hot latitudes, his flesh being hard as twice-baked biscuit.

days

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

From this reading He must have been born in some time of general drought and famine, or upon one of those fast days for which his state is famous.

descentnounUS /dɪˈsent/

An action of moving downward, dropping, or falling into a deeper place.

From this reading The chief mate of the Pequod was Starbuck, a native of Nantucket, and a Quaker by descent.

dried

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

From this reading Only some thirty arid summers had he seen; those summers had dried up all his physical superfluousness.

drought

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

From this reading He must have been born in some time of general drought and famine, or upon one of those fast days for which his state is famous.

earnest

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

From this reading He was a long, earnest man, and though born on an icy coast, seemed well adapted to endure hot latitudes, his flesh being hard as twice-baked biscuit.

endure

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

From this reading He was a long, earnest man, and though born on an icy coast, seemed well adapted to endure hot latitudes, his flesh being hard as twice-baked biscuit.

famine

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

From this reading He must have been born in some time of general drought and famine, or upon one of those fast days for which his state is famous.

famous

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

From this reading He must have been born in some time of general drought and famine, or upon one of those fast days for which his state is famous.

fast

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

From this reading He must have been born in some time of general drought and famine, or upon one of those fast days for which his state is famous.

flesh

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

From this reading He was a long, earnest man, and though born on an icy coast, seemed well adapted to endure hot latitudes, his flesh being hard as twice-baked biscuit.

for

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

From this reading He must have been born in some time of general drought and famine, or upon one of those fast days for which his state is famous.

general

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

From this reading He must have been born in some time of general drought and famine, or upon one of those fast days for which his state is famous.

had

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

From this reading Only some thirty arid summers had he seen; those summers had dried up all his physical superfluousness.

hard

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

From this reading He was a long, earnest man, and though born on an icy coast, seemed well adapted to endure hot latitudes, his flesh being hard as twice-baked biscuit.

have

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

From this reading He must have been born in some time of general drought and famine, or upon one of those fast days for which his state is famous.

He

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

From this reading He was a long, earnest man, and though born on an icy coast, seemed well adapted to endure hot latitudes, his flesh being hard as twice-baked biscuit.

his

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

From this reading He was a long, earnest man, and though born on an icy coast, seemed well adapted to endure hot latitudes, his flesh being hard as twice-baked biscuit.

hot

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

From this reading He was a long, earnest man, and though born on an icy coast, seemed well adapted to endure hot latitudes, his flesh being hard as twice-baked biscuit.

icy

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

From this reading He was a long, earnest man, and though born on an icy coast, seemed well adapted to endure hot latitudes, his flesh being hard as twice-baked biscuit.

in

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

From this reading He must have been born in some time of general drought and famine, or upon one of those fast days for which his state is famous.

Indies

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

From this reading Transported to the Indies, his live blood would not spoil like bottled ale.

is

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

From this reading He must have been born in some time of general drought and famine, or upon one of those fast days for which his state is famous.

latitudes

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

From this reading He was a long, earnest man, and though born on an icy coast, seemed well adapted to endure hot latitudes, his flesh being hard as twice-baked biscuit.

like

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

From this reading Transported to the Indies, his live blood would not spoil like bottled ale.

live

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

From this reading Transported to the Indies, his live blood would not spoil like bottled ale.

long

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

From this reading He was a long, earnest man, and though born on an icy coast, seemed well adapted to endure hot latitudes, his flesh being hard as twice-baked biscuit.

man

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

From this reading He was a long, earnest man, and though born on an icy coast, seemed well adapted to endure hot latitudes, his flesh being hard as twice-baked biscuit.

mate

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

From this reading The chief mate of the Pequod was Starbuck, a native of Nantucket, and a Quaker by descent.

must

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

From this reading He must have been born in some time of general drought and famine, or upon one of those fast days for which his state is famous.

Nantucket

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

From this reading The chief mate of the Pequod was Starbuck, a native of Nantucket, and a Quaker by descent.

native

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

From this reading The chief mate of the Pequod was Starbuck, a native of Nantucket, and a Quaker by descent.

not

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

From this reading Transported to the Indies, his live blood would not spoil like bottled ale.

of

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

From this reading The chief mate of the Pequod was Starbuck, a native of Nantucket, and a Quaker by descent.

on

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

From this reading He was a long, earnest man, and though born on an icy coast, seemed well adapted to endure hot latitudes, his flesh being hard as twice-baked biscuit.

one

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

From this reading He must have been born in some time of general drought and famine, or upon one of those fast days for which his state is famous.

Only

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

From this reading Only some thirty arid summers had he seen; those summers had dried up all his physical superfluousness.

or

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

From this reading He must have been born in some time of general drought and famine, or upon one of those fast days for which his state is famous.

Pequod

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

From this reading The chief mate of the Pequod was Starbuck, a native of Nantucket, and a Quaker by descent.

physical

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

From this reading Only some thirty arid summers had he seen; those summers had dried up all his physical superfluousness.

Quaker

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

From this reading The chief mate of the Pequod was Starbuck, a native of Nantucket, and a Quaker by descent.

seemed

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

From this reading He was a long, earnest man, and though born on an icy coast, seemed well adapted to endure hot latitudes, his flesh being hard as twice-baked biscuit.

seen

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

From this reading Only some thirty arid summers had he seen; those summers had dried up all his physical superfluousness.

some

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

From this reading He must have been born in some time of general drought and famine, or upon one of those fast days for which his state is famous.

spoil

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

From this reading Transported to the Indies, his live blood would not spoil like bottled ale.

Starbuck

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

From this reading The chief mate of the Pequod was Starbuck, a native of Nantucket, and a Quaker by descent.

state

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

From this reading He must have been born in some time of general drought and famine, or upon one of those fast days for which his state is famous.

summers

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

From this reading Only some thirty arid summers had he seen; those summers had dried up all his physical superfluousness.

superfluousness

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

From this reading Only some thirty arid summers had he seen; those summers had dried up all his physical superfluousness.

The

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

From this reading The chief mate of the Pequod was Starbuck, a native of Nantucket, and a Quaker by descent.

thirty

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

From this reading Only some thirty arid summers had he seen; those summers had dried up all his physical superfluousness.

those

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

From this reading He must have been born in some time of general drought and famine, or upon one of those fast days for which his state is famous.

though

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

From this reading He was a long, earnest man, and though born on an icy coast, seemed well adapted to endure hot latitudes, his flesh being hard as twice-baked biscuit.

time

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

From this reading He must have been born in some time of general drought and famine, or upon one of those fast days for which his state is famous.

to

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

From this reading He was a long, earnest man, and though born on an icy coast, seemed well adapted to endure hot latitudes, his flesh being hard as twice-baked biscuit.

Transported

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

From this reading Transported to the Indies, his live blood would not spoil like bottled ale.

twice-baked

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

From this reading He was a long, earnest man, and though born on an icy coast, seemed well adapted to endure hot latitudes, his flesh being hard as twice-baked biscuit.

up

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

From this reading Only some thirty arid summers had he seen; those summers had dried up all his physical superfluousness.

upon

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

From this reading He must have been born in some time of general drought and famine, or upon one of those fast days for which his state is famous.

was

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

From this reading The chief mate of the Pequod was Starbuck, a native of Nantucket, and a Quaker by descent.

well

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

From this reading He was a long, earnest man, and though born on an icy coast, seemed well adapted to endure hot latitudes, his flesh being hard as twice-baked biscuit.

which

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

From this reading He must have been born in some time of general drought and famine, or upon one of those fast days for which his state is famous.

would

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

From this reading Transported to the Indies, his live blood would not spoil like bottled ale.