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.