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On The Blockade
On The Blockade

Chapter V

Cover illustration for On The Blockade
Context Illustration Reading 1/22 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
A MISSION UP THE FOREMAST Christy spent some time in delivering a lecture on naval etiquette to his single auditor.
Probably he was not the highest authority on the subject of his discourse; but he was sufficiently learned to meet the requirements of the present occasion.
"You say you can keep a secret, Dave?" continued the commander.
"I don't take any secrets to keep from everybody, Captain Passford; and I don't much like to carry them about with me," replied the steward, looking a little more grave than usual, though he still wore a cheerful smile.
"Then you don't wish me to confide a secret to you?"
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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.

On The Blockade

Chapter V

Reading 1/22 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
A MISSION UP THE FOREMAST Christy spent some time in delivering a lecture on naval etiquette to his single auditor.
Line 2
Probably he was not the highest authority on the subject of his discourse; but he was sufficiently learned to meet the requirements of the present occasion.
Line 3
"You say you can keep a secret, Dave?" continued the commander.
Line 4
"I don't take any secrets to keep from everybody, Captain Passford; and I don't much like to carry them about with me," replied the steward, looking a little more grave than usual, though he still wore a cheerful smile.
Line 5
"Then you don't wish me to confide a secret to you?"

Learner Dictionary

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

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “"I don't take any secrets to keep from everybody, Captain Passford; and I don't much like to carry them about with me," replied the steward, looking a little more grave than usual, though he still wore a cheerful smile.”

Captain noun US /ˈcaptain/

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

From this reading “"I don't take any secrets to keep from everybody, Captain Passford; and I don't much like to carry them about with me," replied the steward, looking a little more grave than usual, though he still wore a cheerful smile.”

Continued noun US /ˈcontinued/

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

From this reading “"You say you can keep a secret, Dave?" continued the commander.”

Everybody pronoun US /ˈevribɑːdi/

every person

From this reading “"I don't take any secrets to keep from everybody, Captain Passford; and I don't much like to carry them about with me," replied the steward, looking a little more grave than usual, though he still wore a cheerful smile.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"I don't take any secrets to keep from everybody, Captain Passford; and I don't much like to carry them about with me," replied the steward, looking a little more grave than usual, though he still wore a cheerful smile.”

Replied noun US /replied/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"I don't take any secrets to keep from everybody, Captain Passford; and I don't much like to carry them about with me," replied the steward, looking a little more grave than usual, though he still wore a cheerful smile.”

Secret noun US /ˈsiː.krət/

Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.

From this reading “"You say you can keep a secret, Dave?" continued the commander.”

Still noun US /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"I don't take any secrets to keep from everybody, Captain Passford; and I don't much like to carry them about with me," replied the steward, looking a little more grave than usual, though he still wore a cheerful smile.”

Take noun US /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"I don't take any secrets to keep from everybody, Captain Passford; and I don't much like to carry them about with me," replied the steward, looking a little more grave than usual, though he still wore a cheerful smile.”

Though conjunction US /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “"I don't take any secrets to keep from everybody, Captain Passford; and I don't much like to carry them about with me," replied the steward, looking a little more grave than usual, though he still wore a cheerful smile.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A MISSION UP THE FOREMAST Christy spent some time in delivering a lecture on naval etiquette to his single auditor.”

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.

AdeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading A MISSION UP THE FOREMAST Christy spent some time in delivering a lecture on naval etiquette to his single auditor.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading "I don't take any secrets to keep from everybody, Captain Passford; and I don't much like to carry them about with me," replied the steward, looking a little more grave than usual, though he still wore a cheerful smile.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading "I don't take any secrets to keep from everybody, Captain Passford; and I don't much like to carry them about with me," replied the steward, looking a little more grave than usual, though he still wore a cheerful smile.

any

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

From this reading "I don't take any secrets to keep from everybody, Captain Passford; and I don't much like to carry them about with me," replied the steward, looking a little more grave than usual, though he still wore a cheerful smile.

auditor

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

From this reading A MISSION UP THE FOREMAST Christy spent some time in delivering a lecture on naval etiquette to his single auditor.

authority

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

From this reading Probably he was not the highest authority on the subject of his discourse; but he was sufficiently learned to meet the requirements of the present occasion.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Probably he was not the highest authority on the subject of his discourse; but he was sufficiently learned to meet the requirements of the present occasion.

canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading "You say you can keep a secret, Dave?" continued the commander.

CaptainnounUS /ˈcaptain/

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

From this reading "I don't take any secrets to keep from everybody, Captain Passford; and I don't much like to carry them about with me," replied the steward, looking a little more grave than usual, though he still wore a cheerful smile.

carry

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

From this reading "I don't take any secrets to keep from everybody, Captain Passford; and I don't much like to carry them about with me," replied the steward, looking a little more grave than usual, though he still wore a cheerful smile.

cheerful

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

From this reading "I don't take any secrets to keep from everybody, Captain Passford; and I don't much like to carry them about with me," replied the steward, looking a little more grave than usual, though he still wore a cheerful smile.

Christy

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

From this reading A MISSION UP THE FOREMAST Christy spent some time in delivering a lecture on naval etiquette to his single auditor.

commander

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

From this reading "You say you can keep a secret, Dave?" continued the commander.

confide

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

From this reading "Then you don't wish me to confide a secret to you?"

continuednounUS /ˈcontinued/

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

From this reading "You say you can keep a secret, Dave?" continued the commander.

Dave

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

From this reading "You say you can keep a secret, Dave?" continued the commander.

delivering

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

From this reading A MISSION UP THE FOREMAST Christy spent some time in delivering a lecture on naval etiquette to his single auditor.

discourse

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

From this reading Probably he was not the highest authority on the subject of his discourse; but he was sufficiently learned to meet the requirements of the present occasion.

don't

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

From this reading "I don't take any secrets to keep from everybody, Captain Passford; and I don't much like to carry them about with me," replied the steward, looking a little more grave than usual, though he still wore a cheerful smile.

etiquette

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

From this reading A MISSION UP THE FOREMAST Christy spent some time in delivering a lecture on naval etiquette to his single auditor.

everybodypronounUS /ˈevribɑːdi/

every person

From this reading "I don't take any secrets to keep from everybody, Captain Passford; and I don't much like to carry them about with me," replied the steward, looking a little more grave than usual, though he still wore a cheerful smile.

FOREMAST

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

From this reading A MISSION UP THE FOREMAST Christy spent some time in delivering a lecture on naval etiquette to his single auditor.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading "I don't take any secrets to keep from everybody, Captain Passford; and I don't much like to carry them about with me," replied the steward, looking a little more grave than usual, though he still wore a cheerful smile.

grave

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

From this reading "I don't take any secrets to keep from everybody, Captain Passford; and I don't much like to carry them about with me," replied the steward, looking a little more grave than usual, though he still wore a cheerful smile.

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Probably he was not the highest authority on the subject of his discourse; but he was sufficiently learned to meet the requirements of the present occasion.

highest

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

From this reading Probably he was not the highest authority on the subject of his discourse; but he was sufficiently learned to meet the requirements of the present occasion.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading A MISSION UP THE FOREMAST Christy spent some time in delivering a lecture on naval etiquette to his single auditor.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading "I don't take any secrets to keep from everybody, Captain Passford; and I don't much like to carry them about with me," replied the steward, looking a little more grave than usual, though he still wore a cheerful smile.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading A MISSION UP THE FOREMAST Christy spent some time in delivering a lecture on naval etiquette to his single auditor.

keep

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

From this reading "You say you can keep a secret, Dave?" continued the commander.

learned

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

From this reading Probably he was not the highest authority on the subject of his discourse; but he was sufficiently learned to meet the requirements of the present occasion.

lecture

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

From this reading A MISSION UP THE FOREMAST Christy spent some time in delivering a lecture on naval etiquette to his single auditor.

like

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

From this reading "I don't take any secrets to keep from everybody, Captain Passford; and I don't much like to carry them about with me," replied the steward, looking a little more grave than usual, though he still wore a cheerful smile.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "I don't take any secrets to keep from everybody, Captain Passford; and I don't much like to carry them about with me," replied the steward, looking a little more grave than usual, though he still wore a cheerful smile.

looking

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

From this reading "I don't take any secrets to keep from everybody, Captain Passford; and I don't much like to carry them about with me," replied the steward, looking a little more grave than usual, though he still wore a cheerful smile.

mepronounUS /miː/

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading "I don't take any secrets to keep from everybody, Captain Passford; and I don't much like to carry them about with me," replied the steward, looking a little more grave than usual, though he still wore a cheerful smile.

meet

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

From this reading Probably he was not the highest authority on the subject of his discourse; but he was sufficiently learned to meet the requirements of the present occasion.

MISSION

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

From this reading A MISSION UP THE FOREMAST Christy spent some time in delivering a lecture on naval etiquette to his single auditor.

more

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

From this reading "I don't take any secrets to keep from everybody, Captain Passford; and I don't much like to carry them about with me," replied the steward, looking a little more grave than usual, though he still wore a cheerful smile.

much

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

From this reading "I don't take any secrets to keep from everybody, Captain Passford; and I don't much like to carry them about with me," replied the steward, looking a little more grave than usual, though he still wore a cheerful smile.

naval

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

From this reading A MISSION UP THE FOREMAST Christy spent some time in delivering a lecture on naval etiquette to his single auditor.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Probably he was not the highest authority on the subject of his discourse; but he was sufficiently learned to meet the requirements of the present occasion.

occasion

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

From this reading Probably he was not the highest authority on the subject of his discourse; but he was sufficiently learned to meet the requirements of the present occasion.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Probably he was not the highest authority on the subject of his discourse; but he was sufficiently learned to meet the requirements of the present occasion.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading A MISSION UP THE FOREMAST Christy spent some time in delivering a lecture on naval etiquette to his single auditor.

Passford

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

From this reading "I don't take any secrets to keep from everybody, Captain Passford; and I don't much like to carry them about with me," replied the steward, looking a little more grave than usual, though he still wore a cheerful smile.

present

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

From this reading Probably he was not the highest authority on the subject of his discourse; but he was sufficiently learned to meet the requirements of the present occasion.

Probably

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

From this reading Probably he was not the highest authority on the subject of his discourse; but he was sufficiently learned to meet the requirements of the present occasion.

repliednounUS /replied/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "I don't take any secrets to keep from everybody, Captain Passford; and I don't much like to carry them about with me," replied the steward, looking a little more grave than usual, though he still wore a cheerful smile.

requirements

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

From this reading Probably he was not the highest authority on the subject of his discourse; but he was sufficiently learned to meet the requirements of the present occasion.

say

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

From this reading "You say you can keep a secret, Dave?" continued the commander.

secretnounUS /ˈsiː.krət/

Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.

From this reading "You say you can keep a secret, Dave?" continued the commander.

secrets

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

From this reading "I don't take any secrets to keep from everybody, Captain Passford; and I don't much like to carry them about with me," replied the steward, looking a little more grave than usual, though he still wore a cheerful smile.

single

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

From this reading A MISSION UP THE FOREMAST Christy spent some time in delivering a lecture on naval etiquette to his single auditor.

smile

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

From this reading "I don't take any secrets to keep from everybody, Captain Passford; and I don't much like to carry them about with me," replied the steward, looking a little more grave than usual, though he still wore a cheerful smile.

some

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

From this reading A MISSION UP THE FOREMAST Christy spent some time in delivering a lecture on naval etiquette to his single auditor.

spent

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

From this reading A MISSION UP THE FOREMAST Christy spent some time in delivering a lecture on naval etiquette to his single auditor.

steward

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

From this reading "I don't take any secrets to keep from everybody, Captain Passford; and I don't much like to carry them about with me," replied the steward, looking a little more grave than usual, though he still wore a cheerful smile.

stillnounUS /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "I don't take any secrets to keep from everybody, Captain Passford; and I don't much like to carry them about with me," replied the steward, looking a little more grave than usual, though he still wore a cheerful smile.

subject

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

From this reading Probably he was not the highest authority on the subject of his discourse; but he was sufficiently learned to meet the requirements of the present occasion.

sufficiently

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

From this reading Probably he was not the highest authority on the subject of his discourse; but he was sufficiently learned to meet the requirements of the present occasion.

takenounUS /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "I don't take any secrets to keep from everybody, Captain Passford; and I don't much like to carry them about with me," replied the steward, looking a little more grave than usual, though he still wore a cheerful smile.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading "I don't take any secrets to keep from everybody, Captain Passford; and I don't much like to carry them about with me," replied the steward, looking a little more grave than usual, though he still wore a cheerful smile.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading A MISSION UP THE FOREMAST Christy spent some time in delivering a lecture on naval etiquette to his single auditor.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading "I don't take any secrets to keep from everybody, Captain Passford; and I don't much like to carry them about with me," replied the steward, looking a little more grave than usual, though he still wore a cheerful smile.

Then

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

From this reading "Then you don't wish me to confide a secret to you?"

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading "I don't take any secrets to keep from everybody, Captain Passford; and I don't much like to carry them about with me," replied the steward, looking a little more grave than usual, though he still wore a cheerful smile.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A MISSION UP THE FOREMAST Christy spent some time in delivering a lecture on naval etiquette to his single auditor.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading A MISSION UP THE FOREMAST Christy spent some time in delivering a lecture on naval etiquette to his single auditor.

UP

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

From this reading A MISSION UP THE FOREMAST Christy spent some time in delivering a lecture on naval etiquette to his single auditor.

usual

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

From this reading "I don't take any secrets to keep from everybody, Captain Passford; and I don't much like to carry them about with me," replied the steward, looking a little more grave than usual, though he still wore a cheerful smile.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Probably he was not the highest authority on the subject of his discourse; but he was sufficiently learned to meet the requirements of the present occasion.

wish

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

From this reading "Then you don't wish me to confide a secret to you?"

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading "I don't take any secrets to keep from everybody, Captain Passford; and I don't much like to carry them about with me," replied the steward, looking a little more grave than usual, though he still wore a cheerful smile.

wore

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

From this reading "I don't take any secrets to keep from everybody, Captain Passford; and I don't much like to carry them about with me," replied the steward, looking a little more grave than usual, though he still wore a cheerful smile.

YoupronounUS /juː/

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "You say you can keep a secret, Dave?" continued the commander.