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On the Spanish Main
On the Spanish Main

Chapter I

Cover illustration for On the Spanish Main
Context Illustration Reading 1/37 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
His quarrel with the Spaniards--His preliminary raids--His landfall--The secret harbour Francis Drake, the first Englishman to make himself "redoubtable to the Spaniards" on the Spanish Main, was born near Tavistock about the year 1545.
He was sent to sea, as a lad, aboard a Channel coaster engaged in trade with the eastern counties, France and Zeeland.
When he was eighteen years of age he joined his cousin, John Hawkins, then a great and wealthy merchant, engaged in the slave trade.
Four years later he sailed with Hawkins on a memorable trading voyage to the Spanish Main.
On this occasion he commanded a small vessel of fifty tons.
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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 Spanish Main

Chapter I

Reading 1/37 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
His quarrel with the Spaniards--His preliminary raids--His landfall--The secret harbour Francis Drake, the first Englishman to make himself "redoubtable to the Spaniards" on the Spanish Main, was born near Tavistock about the year 1545.
Line 2
He was sent to sea, as a lad, aboard a Channel coaster engaged in trade with the eastern counties, France and Zeeland.
Line 3
When he was eighteen years of age he joined his cousin, John Hawkins, then a great and wealthy merchant, engaged in the slave trade.
Line 4
Four years later he sailed with Hawkins on a memorable trading voyage to the Spanish Main.
Line 5
On this occasion he commanded a small vessel of fifty tons.

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 “His quarrel with the Spaniards--His preliminary raids--His landfall--The secret harbour Francis Drake, the first Englishman to make himself "redoubtable to the Spaniards" on the Spanish Main, was born near Tavistock about the year 1545.”

Born noun US /born/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “His quarrel with the Spaniards--His preliminary raids--His landfall--The secret harbour Francis Drake, the first Englishman to make himself "redoubtable to the Spaniards" on the Spanish Main, was born near Tavistock about the year 1545.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “His quarrel with the Spaniards--His preliminary raids--His landfall--The secret harbour Francis Drake, the first Englishman to make himself "redoubtable to the Spaniards" on the Spanish Main, was born near Tavistock about the year 1545.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “When he was eighteen years of age he joined his cousin, John Hawkins, then a great and wealthy merchant, engaged in the slave trade.”

Hawkins noun US /ˈhawkins/

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

From this reading “When he was eighteen years of age he joined his cousin, John Hawkins, then a great and wealthy merchant, engaged in the slave trade.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading “His quarrel with the Spaniards--His preliminary raids--His landfall--The secret harbour Francis Drake, the first Englishman to make himself "redoubtable to the Spaniards" on the Spanish Main, was born near Tavistock about the year 1545.”

John noun US /john/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “When he was eighteen years of age he joined his cousin, John Hawkins, then a great and wealthy merchant, engaged in the slave trade.”

Make noun US /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “His quarrel with the Spaniards--His preliminary raids--His landfall--The secret harbour Francis Drake, the first Englishman to make himself "redoubtable to the Spaniards" on the Spanish Main, was born near Tavistock about the year 1545.”

Merchant noun US /ˈmɜːr.tʃənt/

A person or company involved in wholesale trade, especially with foreign countries.

From this reading “When he was eighteen years of age he joined his cousin, John Hawkins, then a great and wealthy merchant, engaged in the slave trade.”

Quarrel noun US /ˈkwɔːrəl/

an angry argument or disagreement

From this reading “His quarrel with the Spaniards--His preliminary raids--His landfall--The secret harbour Francis Drake, the first Englishman to make himself "redoubtable to the Spaniards" on the Spanish Main, was born near Tavistock about the year 1545.”

Secret noun US /ˈsiː.krət/

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

From this reading “His quarrel with the Spaniards--His preliminary raids--His landfall--The secret harbour Francis Drake, the first Englishman to make himself "redoubtable to the Spaniards" on the Spanish Main, was born near Tavistock about the year 1545.”

All words in this reading · 72

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

1545

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

From this reading His quarrel with the Spaniards--His preliminary raids--His landfall--The secret harbour Francis Drake, the first Englishman to make himself "redoubtable to the Spaniards" on the Spanish Main, was born near Tavistock about the year 1545.

adeterminerUS /ə/

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

From this reading He was sent to sea, as a lad, aboard a Channel coaster engaged in trade with the eastern counties, France and Zeeland.

aboard

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

From this reading He was sent to sea, as a lad, aboard a Channel coaster engaged in trade with the eastern counties, France and Zeeland.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading His quarrel with the Spaniards--His preliminary raids--His landfall--The secret harbour Francis Drake, the first Englishman to make himself "redoubtable to the Spaniards" on the Spanish Main, was born near Tavistock about the year 1545.

age

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

From this reading When he was eighteen years of age he joined his cousin, John Hawkins, then a great and wealthy merchant, engaged in the slave trade.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading He was sent to sea, as a lad, aboard a Channel coaster engaged in trade with the eastern counties, France and Zeeland.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading He was sent to sea, as a lad, aboard a Channel coaster engaged in trade with the eastern counties, France and Zeeland.

bornnounUS /born/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading His quarrel with the Spaniards--His preliminary raids--His landfall--The secret harbour Francis Drake, the first Englishman to make himself "redoubtable to the Spaniards" on the Spanish Main, was born near Tavistock about the year 1545.

Channel

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

From this reading He was sent to sea, as a lad, aboard a Channel coaster engaged in trade with the eastern counties, France and Zeeland.

coaster

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

From this reading He was sent to sea, as a lad, aboard a Channel coaster engaged in trade with the eastern counties, France and Zeeland.

commanded

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

From this reading On this occasion he commanded a small vessel of fifty tons.

counties

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

From this reading He was sent to sea, as a lad, aboard a Channel coaster engaged in trade with the eastern counties, France and Zeeland.

cousin

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

From this reading When he was eighteen years of age he joined his cousin, John Hawkins, then a great and wealthy merchant, engaged in the slave trade.

Drake

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

From this reading His quarrel with the Spaniards--His preliminary raids--His landfall--The secret harbour Francis Drake, the first Englishman to make himself "redoubtable to the Spaniards" on the Spanish Main, was born near Tavistock about the year 1545.

eastern

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

From this reading He was sent to sea, as a lad, aboard a Channel coaster engaged in trade with the eastern counties, France and Zeeland.

eighteen

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

From this reading When he was eighteen years of age he joined his cousin, John Hawkins, then a great and wealthy merchant, engaged in the slave trade.

engaged

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

From this reading He was sent to sea, as a lad, aboard a Channel coaster engaged in trade with the eastern counties, France and Zeeland.

Englishman

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

From this reading His quarrel with the Spaniards--His preliminary raids--His landfall--The secret harbour Francis Drake, the first Englishman to make himself "redoubtable to the Spaniards" on the Spanish Main, was born near Tavistock about the year 1545.

fifty

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

From this reading On this occasion he commanded a small vessel of fifty tons.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading His quarrel with the Spaniards--His preliminary raids--His landfall--The secret harbour Francis Drake, the first Englishman to make himself "redoubtable to the Spaniards" on the Spanish Main, was born near Tavistock about the year 1545.

Four

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

From this reading Four years later he sailed with Hawkins on a memorable trading voyage to the Spanish Main.

France

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

From this reading He was sent to sea, as a lad, aboard a Channel coaster engaged in trade with the eastern counties, France and Zeeland.

Francis

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

From this reading His quarrel with the Spaniards--His preliminary raids--His landfall--The secret harbour Francis Drake, the first Englishman to make himself "redoubtable to the Spaniards" on the Spanish Main, was born near Tavistock about the year 1545.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading When he was eighteen years of age he joined his cousin, John Hawkins, then a great and wealthy merchant, engaged in the slave trade.

harbour

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

From this reading His quarrel with the Spaniards--His preliminary raids--His landfall--The secret harbour Francis Drake, the first Englishman to make himself "redoubtable to the Spaniards" on the Spanish Main, was born near Tavistock about the year 1545.

Hawkins

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

From this reading When he was eighteen years of age he joined his cousin, John Hawkins, then a great and wealthy merchant, engaged in the slave trade.

HepronounUS /hiː/

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

From this reading He was sent to sea, as a lad, aboard a Channel coaster engaged in trade with the eastern counties, France and Zeeland.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading His quarrel with the Spaniards--His preliminary raids--His landfall--The secret harbour Francis Drake, the first Englishman to make himself "redoubtable to the Spaniards" on the Spanish Main, was born near Tavistock about the year 1545.

HisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

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

From this reading His quarrel with the Spaniards--His preliminary raids--His landfall--The secret harbour Francis Drake, the first Englishman to make himself "redoubtable to the Spaniards" on the Spanish Main, was born near Tavistock about the year 1545.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading He was sent to sea, as a lad, aboard a Channel coaster engaged in trade with the eastern counties, France and Zeeland.

John

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

From this reading When he was eighteen years of age he joined his cousin, John Hawkins, then a great and wealthy merchant, engaged in the slave trade.

joined

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

From this reading When he was eighteen years of age he joined his cousin, John Hawkins, then a great and wealthy merchant, engaged in the slave trade.

lad

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

From this reading He was sent to sea, as a lad, aboard a Channel coaster engaged in trade with the eastern counties, France and Zeeland.

landfall

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

From this reading His quarrel with the Spaniards--His preliminary raids--His landfall--The secret harbour Francis Drake, the first Englishman to make himself "redoubtable to the Spaniards" on the Spanish Main, was born near Tavistock about the year 1545.

later

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

From this reading Four years later he sailed with Hawkins on a memorable trading voyage to the Spanish Main.

Main

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

From this reading His quarrel with the Spaniards--His preliminary raids--His landfall--The secret harbour Francis Drake, the first Englishman to make himself "redoubtable to the Spaniards" on the Spanish Main, was born near Tavistock about the year 1545.

makenounUS /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading His quarrel with the Spaniards--His preliminary raids--His landfall--The secret harbour Francis Drake, the first Englishman to make himself "redoubtable to the Spaniards" on the Spanish Main, was born near Tavistock about the year 1545.

memorable

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

From this reading Four years later he sailed with Hawkins on a memorable trading voyage to the Spanish Main.

merchantnounUS /ˈmɜːr.tʃənt/

A person or company involved in wholesale trade, especially with foreign countries.

From this reading When he was eighteen years of age he joined his cousin, John Hawkins, then a great and wealthy merchant, engaged in the slave trade.

near

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

From this reading His quarrel with the Spaniards--His preliminary raids--His landfall--The secret harbour Francis Drake, the first Englishman to make himself "redoubtable to the Spaniards" on the Spanish Main, was born near Tavistock about the year 1545.

occasion

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

From this reading On this occasion he commanded a small vessel of fifty tons.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading When he was eighteen years of age he joined his cousin, John Hawkins, then a great and wealthy merchant, engaged in the slave trade.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading His quarrel with the Spaniards--His preliminary raids--His landfall--The secret harbour Francis Drake, the first Englishman to make himself "redoubtable to the Spaniards" on the Spanish Main, was born near Tavistock about the year 1545.

preliminary

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

From this reading His quarrel with the Spaniards--His preliminary raids--His landfall--The secret harbour Francis Drake, the first Englishman to make himself "redoubtable to the Spaniards" on the Spanish Main, was born near Tavistock about the year 1545.

quarrelnounUS /ˈkwɔːrəl/

an angry argument or disagreement

From this reading His quarrel with the Spaniards--His preliminary raids--His landfall--The secret harbour Francis Drake, the first Englishman to make himself "redoubtable to the Spaniards" on the Spanish Main, was born near Tavistock about the year 1545.

raids

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

From this reading His quarrel with the Spaniards--His preliminary raids--His landfall--The secret harbour Francis Drake, the first Englishman to make himself "redoubtable to the Spaniards" on the Spanish Main, was born near Tavistock about the year 1545.

redoubtable

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

From this reading His quarrel with the Spaniards--His preliminary raids--His landfall--The secret harbour Francis Drake, the first Englishman to make himself "redoubtable to the Spaniards" on the Spanish Main, was born near Tavistock about the year 1545.

sailed

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

From this reading Four years later he sailed with Hawkins on a memorable trading voyage to the Spanish Main.

sea

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

From this reading He was sent to sea, as a lad, aboard a Channel coaster engaged in trade with the eastern counties, France and Zeeland.

secretnounUS /ˈsiː.krət/

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

From this reading His quarrel with the Spaniards--His preliminary raids--His landfall--The secret harbour Francis Drake, the first Englishman to make himself "redoubtable to the Spaniards" on the Spanish Main, was born near Tavistock about the year 1545.

sent

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

From this reading He was sent to sea, as a lad, aboard a Channel coaster engaged in trade with the eastern counties, France and Zeeland.

slave

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

From this reading When he was eighteen years of age he joined his cousin, John Hawkins, then a great and wealthy merchant, engaged in the slave trade.

small

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

From this reading On this occasion he commanded a small vessel of fifty tons.

Spaniards

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

From this reading His quarrel with the Spaniards--His preliminary raids--His landfall--The secret harbour Francis Drake, the first Englishman to make himself "redoubtable to the Spaniards" on the Spanish Main, was born near Tavistock about the year 1545.

Spanish

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

From this reading His quarrel with the Spaniards--His preliminary raids--His landfall--The secret harbour Francis Drake, the first Englishman to make himself "redoubtable to the Spaniards" on the Spanish Main, was born near Tavistock about the year 1545.

Tavistock

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

From this reading His quarrel with the Spaniards--His preliminary raids--His landfall--The secret harbour Francis Drake, the first Englishman to make himself "redoubtable to the Spaniards" on the Spanish Main, was born near Tavistock about the year 1545.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading His quarrel with the Spaniards--His preliminary raids--His landfall--The secret harbour Francis Drake, the first Englishman to make himself "redoubtable to the Spaniards" on the Spanish Main, was born near Tavistock about the year 1545.

then

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

From this reading When he was eighteen years of age he joined his cousin, John Hawkins, then a great and wealthy merchant, engaged in the slave trade.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading On this occasion he commanded a small vessel of fifty tons.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading His quarrel with the Spaniards--His preliminary raids--His landfall--The secret harbour Francis Drake, the first Englishman to make himself "redoubtable to the Spaniards" on the Spanish Main, was born near Tavistock about the year 1545.

tons

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

From this reading On this occasion he commanded a small vessel of fifty tons.

trade

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

From this reading He was sent to sea, as a lad, aboard a Channel coaster engaged in trade with the eastern counties, France and Zeeland.

trading

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

From this reading Four years later he sailed with Hawkins on a memorable trading voyage to the Spanish Main.

vessel

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

From this reading On this occasion he commanded a small vessel of fifty tons.

voyage

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

From this reading Four years later he sailed with Hawkins on a memorable trading voyage to the Spanish Main.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading His quarrel with the Spaniards--His preliminary raids--His landfall--The secret harbour Francis Drake, the first Englishman to make himself "redoubtable to the Spaniards" on the Spanish Main, was born near Tavistock about the year 1545.

wealthy

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

From this reading When he was eighteen years of age he joined his cousin, John Hawkins, then a great and wealthy merchant, engaged in the slave trade.

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading When he was eighteen years of age he joined his cousin, John Hawkins, then a great and wealthy merchant, engaged in the slave trade.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading His quarrel with the Spaniards--His preliminary raids--His landfall--The secret harbour Francis Drake, the first Englishman to make himself "redoubtable to the Spaniards" on the Spanish Main, was born near Tavistock about the year 1545.

year

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

From this reading His quarrel with the Spaniards--His preliminary raids--His landfall--The secret harbour Francis Drake, the first Englishman to make himself "redoubtable to the Spaniards" on the Spanish Main, was born near Tavistock about the year 1545.

years

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

From this reading When he was eighteen years of age he joined his cousin, John Hawkins, then a great and wealthy merchant, engaged in the slave trade.

Zeeland

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

From this reading He was sent to sea, as a lad, aboard a Channel coaster engaged in trade with the eastern counties, France and Zeeland.