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

Chapter LXXX · The Nut

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

Moby-Dick, Chapter 80: The Nut — chapter-context illustration for reading 1
Context Illustration Reading 1/7 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
If the Sperm Whale be physiognomically a Sphinx, to the phrenologist his brain seems that geometrical circle which it is impossible to square.
In the full-grown creature the skull will measure at least twenty feet in length.
Unhinge the lower jaw, and the side view of this skull is as the side view of a moderately inclined plane resting throughout on a level base.
But in lifeas we have elsewhere seenthis inclined plane is angularly filled up, and almost squared by the enormous superincumbent mass of the junk and sperm.
At the high end the skull forms a crater to bed that part of the mass; while under the long floor of this craterin another cavity seldom exceeding ten inches in length and as many in depthreposes the mere handful of this monster’s brain.
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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 LXXX · The Nut

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

Reading 1/7 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
If the Sperm Whale be physiognomically a Sphinx, to the phrenologist his brain seems that geometrical circle which it is impossible to square.
Line 2
In the full-grown creature the skull will measure at least twenty feet in length.
Line 3
Unhinge the lower jaw, and the side view of this skull is as the side view of a moderately inclined plane resting throughout on a level base.
Line 4
But in lifeas we have elsewhere seenthis inclined plane is angularly filled up, and almost squared by the enormous superincumbent mass of the junk and sperm.
Line 5
At the high end the skull forms a crater to bed that part of the mass; while under the long floor of this craterin another cavity seldom exceeding ten inches in length and as many in depthreposes the mere handful of this monster’s brain.
All words in this reading · 87

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

a

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From this reading If the Sperm Whale be physiognomically a Sphinx, to the phrenologist his brain seems that geometrical circle which it is impossible to square.

almost

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From this reading But in life—as we have elsewhere seen—this inclined plane is angularly filled up, and almost squared by the enormous superincumbent mass of the junk and sperm.

and

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From this reading Unhinge the lower jaw, and the side view of this skull is as the side view of a moderately inclined plane resting throughout on a level base.

angularly

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From this reading But in life—as we have elsewhere seen—this inclined plane is angularly filled up, and almost squared by the enormous superincumbent mass of the junk and sperm.

another

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From this reading At the high end the skull forms a crater to bed that part of the mass; while under the long floor of this crater—in another cavity seldom exceeding ten inches in length and as many in depth—reposes the mere handful of this monster’s brain.

as

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From this reading Unhinge the lower jaw, and the side view of this skull is as the side view of a moderately inclined plane resting throughout on a level base.

at

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From this reading In the full-grown creature the skull will measure at least twenty feet in length.

base

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From this reading Unhinge the lower jaw, and the side view of this skull is as the side view of a moderately inclined plane resting throughout on a level base.

be

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From this reading If the Sperm Whale be physiognomically a Sphinx, to the phrenologist his brain seems that geometrical circle which it is impossible to square.

bed

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From this reading At the high end the skull forms a crater to bed that part of the mass; while under the long floor of this crater—in another cavity seldom exceeding ten inches in length and as many in depth—reposes the mere handful of this monster’s brain.

brain

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From this reading If the Sperm Whale be physiognomically a Sphinx, to the phrenologist his brain seems that geometrical circle which it is impossible to square.

But

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From this reading But in life—as we have elsewhere seen—this inclined plane is angularly filled up, and almost squared by the enormous superincumbent mass of the junk and sperm.

by

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From this reading But in life—as we have elsewhere seen—this inclined plane is angularly filled up, and almost squared by the enormous superincumbent mass of the junk and sperm.

cavity

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From this reading At the high end the skull forms a crater to bed that part of the mass; while under the long floor of this crater—in another cavity seldom exceeding ten inches in length and as many in depth—reposes the mere handful of this monster’s brain.

circle

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From this reading If the Sperm Whale be physiognomically a Sphinx, to the phrenologist his brain seems that geometrical circle which it is impossible to square.

crater

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From this reading At the high end the skull forms a crater to bed that part of the mass; while under the long floor of this crater—in another cavity seldom exceeding ten inches in length and as many in depth—reposes the mere handful of this monster’s brain.

creature

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From this reading In the full-grown creature the skull will measure at least twenty feet in length.

depth

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From this reading At the high end the skull forms a crater to bed that part of the mass; while under the long floor of this crater—in another cavity seldom exceeding ten inches in length and as many in depth—reposes the mere handful of this monster’s brain.

elsewhere

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From this reading But in life—as we have elsewhere seen—this inclined plane is angularly filled up, and almost squared by the enormous superincumbent mass of the junk and sperm.

end

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From this reading At the high end the skull forms a crater to bed that part of the mass; while under the long floor of this crater—in another cavity seldom exceeding ten inches in length and as many in depth—reposes the mere handful of this monster’s brain.

enormous

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From this reading But in life—as we have elsewhere seen—this inclined plane is angularly filled up, and almost squared by the enormous superincumbent mass of the junk and sperm.

exceeding

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From this reading At the high end the skull forms a crater to bed that part of the mass; while under the long floor of this crater—in another cavity seldom exceeding ten inches in length and as many in depth—reposes the mere handful of this monster’s brain.

feet

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From this reading In the full-grown creature the skull will measure at least twenty feet in length.

filled

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From this reading But in life—as we have elsewhere seen—this inclined plane is angularly filled up, and almost squared by the enormous superincumbent mass of the junk and sperm.

floor

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From this reading At the high end the skull forms a crater to bed that part of the mass; while under the long floor of this crater—in another cavity seldom exceeding ten inches in length and as many in depth—reposes the mere handful of this monster’s brain.

forms

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From this reading At the high end the skull forms a crater to bed that part of the mass; while under the long floor of this crater—in another cavity seldom exceeding ten inches in length and as many in depth—reposes the mere handful of this monster’s brain.

full-grown

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From this reading In the full-grown creature the skull will measure at least twenty feet in length.

geometrical

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From this reading If the Sperm Whale be physiognomically a Sphinx, to the phrenologist his brain seems that geometrical circle which it is impossible to square.

handful

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From this reading At the high end the skull forms a crater to bed that part of the mass; while under the long floor of this crater—in another cavity seldom exceeding ten inches in length and as many in depth—reposes the mere handful of this monster’s brain.

have

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

From this reading But in life—as we have elsewhere seen—this inclined plane is angularly filled up, and almost squared by the enormous superincumbent mass of the junk and sperm.

high

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

From this reading At the high end the skull forms a crater to bed that part of the mass; while under the long floor of this crater—in another cavity seldom exceeding ten inches in length and as many in depth—reposes the mere handful of this monster’s brain.

his

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

From this reading If the Sperm Whale be physiognomically a Sphinx, to the phrenologist his brain seems that geometrical circle which it is impossible to square.

If

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

From this reading If the Sperm Whale be physiognomically a Sphinx, to the phrenologist his brain seems that geometrical circle which it is impossible to square.

impossible

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

From this reading If the Sperm Whale be physiognomically a Sphinx, to the phrenologist his brain seems that geometrical circle which it is impossible to square.

In

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From this reading In the full-grown creature the skull will measure at least twenty feet in length.

inches

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From this reading At the high end the skull forms a crater to bed that part of the mass; while under the long floor of this crater—in another cavity seldom exceeding ten inches in length and as many in depth—reposes the mere handful of this monster’s brain.

inclined

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

From this reading Unhinge the lower jaw, and the side view of this skull is as the side view of a moderately inclined plane resting throughout on a level base.

is

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

From this reading If the Sperm Whale be physiognomically a Sphinx, to the phrenologist his brain seems that geometrical circle which it is impossible to square.

it

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

From this reading If the Sperm Whale be physiognomically a Sphinx, to the phrenologist his brain seems that geometrical circle which it is impossible to square.

jaw

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

From this reading Unhinge the lower jaw, and the side view of this skull is as the side view of a moderately inclined plane resting throughout on a level base.

junk

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

From this reading But in life—as we have elsewhere seen—this inclined plane is angularly filled up, and almost squared by the enormous superincumbent mass of the junk and sperm.

least

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

From this reading In the full-grown creature the skull will measure at least twenty feet in length.

length

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From this reading In the full-grown creature the skull will measure at least twenty feet in length.

level

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

From this reading Unhinge the lower jaw, and the side view of this skull is as the side view of a moderately inclined plane resting throughout on a level base.

life

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

From this reading But in life—as we have elsewhere seen—this inclined plane is angularly filled up, and almost squared by the enormous superincumbent mass of the junk and sperm.

long

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

From this reading At the high end the skull forms a crater to bed that part of the mass; while under the long floor of this crater—in another cavity seldom exceeding ten inches in length and as many in depth—reposes the mere handful of this monster’s brain.

lower

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

From this reading Unhinge the lower jaw, and the side view of this skull is as the side view of a moderately inclined plane resting throughout on a level base.

many

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

From this reading At the high end the skull forms a crater to bed that part of the mass; while under the long floor of this crater—in another cavity seldom exceeding ten inches in length and as many in depth—reposes the mere handful of this monster’s brain.

mass

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

From this reading But in life—as we have elsewhere seen—this inclined plane is angularly filled up, and almost squared by the enormous superincumbent mass of the junk and sperm.

measure

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From this reading In the full-grown creature the skull will measure at least twenty feet in length.

mere

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From this reading At the high end the skull forms a crater to bed that part of the mass; while under the long floor of this crater—in another cavity seldom exceeding ten inches in length and as many in depth—reposes the mere handful of this monster’s brain.

moderately

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

From this reading Unhinge the lower jaw, and the side view of this skull is as the side view of a moderately inclined plane resting throughout on a level base.

monster's

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

From this reading At the high end the skull forms a crater to bed that part of the mass; while under the long floor of this crater—in another cavity seldom exceeding ten inches in length and as many in depth—reposes the mere handful of this monster’s brain.

of

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

From this reading Unhinge the lower jaw, and the side view of this skull is as the side view of a moderately inclined plane resting throughout on a level base.

on

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

From this reading Unhinge the lower jaw, and the side view of this skull is as the side view of a moderately inclined plane resting throughout on a level base.

part

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From this reading At the high end the skull forms a crater to bed that part of the mass; while under the long floor of this crater—in another cavity seldom exceeding ten inches in length and as many in depth—reposes the mere handful of this monster’s brain.

phrenologist

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

From this reading If the Sperm Whale be physiognomically a Sphinx, to the phrenologist his brain seems that geometrical circle which it is impossible to square.

physiognomically

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

From this reading If the Sperm Whale be physiognomically a Sphinx, to the phrenologist his brain seems that geometrical circle which it is impossible to square.

plane

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

From this reading Unhinge the lower jaw, and the side view of this skull is as the side view of a moderately inclined plane resting throughout on a level base.

reposes

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

From this reading At the high end the skull forms a crater to bed that part of the mass; while under the long floor of this crater—in another cavity seldom exceeding ten inches in length and as many in depth—reposes the mere handful of this monster’s brain.

resting

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

From this reading Unhinge the lower jaw, and the side view of this skull is as the side view of a moderately inclined plane resting throughout on a level base.

seems

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

From this reading If the Sperm Whale be physiognomically a Sphinx, to the phrenologist his brain seems that geometrical circle which it is impossible to square.

seen

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

From this reading But in life—as we have elsewhere seen—this inclined plane is angularly filled up, and almost squared by the enormous superincumbent mass of the junk and sperm.

seldom

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

From this reading At the high end the skull forms a crater to bed that part of the mass; while under the long floor of this crater—in another cavity seldom exceeding ten inches in length and as many in depth—reposes the mere handful of this monster’s brain.

side

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

From this reading Unhinge the lower jaw, and the side view of this skull is as the side view of a moderately inclined plane resting throughout on a level base.

skull

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

From this reading In the full-grown creature the skull will measure at least twenty feet in length.

Sperm

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From this reading If the Sperm Whale be physiognomically a Sphinx, to the phrenologist his brain seems that geometrical circle which it is impossible to square.

Sphinx

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From this reading If the Sperm Whale be physiognomically a Sphinx, to the phrenologist his brain seems that geometrical circle which it is impossible to square.

square

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

From this reading If the Sperm Whale be physiognomically a Sphinx, to the phrenologist his brain seems that geometrical circle which it is impossible to square.

squared

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

From this reading But in life—as we have elsewhere seen—this inclined plane is angularly filled up, and almost squared by the enormous superincumbent mass of the junk and sperm.

superincumbent

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

From this reading But in life—as we have elsewhere seen—this inclined plane is angularly filled up, and almost squared by the enormous superincumbent mass of the junk and sperm.

ten

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

From this reading At the high end the skull forms a crater to bed that part of the mass; while under the long floor of this crater—in another cavity seldom exceeding ten inches in length and as many in depth—reposes the mere handful of this monster’s brain.

that

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

From this reading If the Sperm Whale be physiognomically a Sphinx, to the phrenologist his brain seems that geometrical circle which it is impossible to square.

the

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

From this reading If the Sperm Whale be physiognomically a Sphinx, to the phrenologist his brain seems that geometrical circle which it is impossible to square.

this

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

From this reading Unhinge the lower jaw, and the side view of this skull is as the side view of a moderately inclined plane resting throughout on a level base.

throughout

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From this reading Unhinge the lower jaw, and the side view of this skull is as the side view of a moderately inclined plane resting throughout on a level base.

to

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

From this reading If the Sperm Whale be physiognomically a Sphinx, to the phrenologist his brain seems that geometrical circle which it is impossible to square.

twenty

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From this reading In the full-grown creature the skull will measure at least twenty feet in length.

under

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From this reading At the high end the skull forms a crater to bed that part of the mass; while under the long floor of this crater—in another cavity seldom exceeding ten inches in length and as many in depth—reposes the mere handful of this monster’s brain.

Unhinge

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

From this reading Unhinge the lower jaw, and the side view of this skull is as the side view of a moderately inclined plane resting throughout on a level base.

up

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

From this reading But in life—as we have elsewhere seen—this inclined plane is angularly filled up, and almost squared by the enormous superincumbent mass of the junk and sperm.

view

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

From this reading Unhinge the lower jaw, and the side view of this skull is as the side view of a moderately inclined plane resting throughout on a level base.

we

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

From this reading But in life—as we have elsewhere seen—this inclined plane is angularly filled up, and almost squared by the enormous superincumbent mass of the junk and sperm.

Whale

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

From this reading If the Sperm Whale be physiognomically a Sphinx, to the phrenologist his brain seems that geometrical circle which it is impossible to square.

which

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

From this reading If the Sperm Whale be physiognomically a Sphinx, to the phrenologist his brain seems that geometrical circle which it is impossible to square.

while

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

From this reading At the high end the skull forms a crater to bed that part of the mass; while under the long floor of this crater—in another cavity seldom exceeding ten inches in length and as many in depth—reposes the mere handful of this monster’s brain.

will

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

From this reading In the full-grown creature the skull will measure at least twenty feet in length.