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 +--------------------------------------------------------------+ | _The problem was as neat a circle as one could ask for; | | without repair parts, they couldn't bring in the ship that | | carried the repair parts!_ | +--------------------------------------------------------------+ Bordman knew there was something wrong when the throbbing, acutely uncomfortable vibration of rocket blasts shook the ship.
acutely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading +--------------------------------------------------------------+ | _The problem was as neat a circle as one could ask for; | | without repair parts, they couldn't bring in the ship that | | carried the repair parts!_ | +--------------------------------------------------------------+ Bordman knew there was something wrong when the throbbing, acutely uncomfortable vibration of rocket blasts shook the ship.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Rockets were strictly emergency devices, these days, so when they were used there was obviously an emergency.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading +--------------------------------------------------------------+ | _The problem was as neat a circle as one could ask for; | | without repair parts, they couldn't bring in the ship that | | carried the repair parts!_ | +--------------------------------------------------------------+ Bordman knew there was something wrong when the throbbing, acutely uncomfortable vibration of rocket blasts shook the ship.
ask
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading +--------------------------------------------------------------+ | _The problem was as neat a circle as one could ask for; | | without repair parts, they couldn't bring in the ship that | | carried the repair parts!_ | +--------------------------------------------------------------+ Bordman knew there was something wrong when the throbbing, acutely uncomfortable vibration of rocket blasts shook the ship.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He had been reading, in the passenger lounge of the _Warlock_--a very small lounge indeed--but as a senior Colonial Survey officer he was well-traveled enough to know when things did not go right.
blasts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading +--------------------------------------------------------------+ | _The problem was as neat a circle as one could ask for; | | without repair parts, they couldn't bring in the ship that | | carried the repair parts!_ | +--------------------------------------------------------------+ Bordman knew there was something wrong when the throbbing, acutely uncomfortable vibration of rocket blasts shook the ship.
bookscreen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He looked up from the bookscreen, waiting.
Bordman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading +--------------------------------------------------------------+ | _The problem was as neat a circle as one could ask for; | | without repair parts, they couldn't bring in the ship that | | carried the repair parts!_ | +--------------------------------------------------------------+ Bordman knew there was something wrong when the throbbing, acutely uncomfortable vibration of rocket blasts shook the ship.
bring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading +--------------------------------------------------------------+ | _The problem was as neat a circle as one could ask for; | | without repair parts, they couldn't bring in the ship that | | carried the repair parts!_ | +--------------------------------------------------------------+ Bordman knew there was something wrong when the throbbing, acutely uncomfortable vibration of rocket blasts shook the ship.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He had been reading, in the passenger lounge of the _Warlock_--a very small lounge indeed--but as a senior Colonial Survey officer he was well-traveled enough to know when things did not go right.
carried
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading +--------------------------------------------------------------+ | _The problem was as neat a circle as one could ask for; | | without repair parts, they couldn't bring in the ship that | | carried the repair parts!_ | +--------------------------------------------------------------+ Bordman knew there was something wrong when the throbbing, acutely uncomfortable vibration of rocket blasts shook the ship.
circle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading +--------------------------------------------------------------+ | _The problem was as neat a circle as one could ask for; | | without repair parts, they couldn't bring in the ship that | | carried the repair parts!_ | +--------------------------------------------------------------+ Bordman knew there was something wrong when the throbbing, acutely uncomfortable vibration of rocket blasts shook the ship.
Colonial
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been reading, in the passenger lounge of the _Warlock_--a very small lounge indeed--but as a senior Colonial Survey officer he was well-traveled enough to know when things did not go right.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading +--------------------------------------------------------------+ | _The problem was as neat a circle as one could ask for; | | without repair parts, they couldn't bring in the ship that | | carried the repair parts!_ | +--------------------------------------------------------------+ Bordman knew there was something wrong when the throbbing, acutely uncomfortable vibration of rocket blasts shook the ship.
couldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading +--------------------------------------------------------------+ | _The problem was as neat a circle as one could ask for; | | without repair parts, they couldn't bring in the ship that | | carried the repair parts!_ | +--------------------------------------------------------------+ Bordman knew there was something wrong when the throbbing, acutely uncomfortable vibration of rocket blasts shook the ship.
days
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rockets were strictly emergency devices, these days, so when they were used there was obviously an emergency.
devices
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rockets were strictly emergency devices, these days, so when they were used there was obviously an emergency.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading He had been reading, in the passenger lounge of the _Warlock_--a very small lounge indeed--but as a senior Colonial Survey officer he was well-traveled enough to know when things did not go right.
emergency
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rockets were strictly emergency devices, these days, so when they were used there was obviously an emergency.
enough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been reading, in the passenger lounge of the _Warlock_--a very small lounge indeed--but as a senior Colonial Survey officer he was well-traveled enough to know when things did not go right.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading +--------------------------------------------------------------+ | _The problem was as neat a circle as one could ask for; | | without repair parts, they couldn't bring in the ship that | | carried the repair parts!_ | +--------------------------------------------------------------+ Bordman knew there was something wrong when the throbbing, acutely uncomfortable vibration of rocket blasts shook the ship.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He looked up from the bookscreen, waiting.
go
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been reading, in the passenger lounge of the _Warlock_--a very small lounge indeed--but as a senior Colonial Survey officer he was well-traveled enough to know when things did not go right.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had been reading, in the passenger lounge of the _Warlock_--a very small lounge indeed--but as a senior Colonial Survey officer he was well-traveled enough to know when things did not go right.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He sat still.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading +--------------------------------------------------------------+ | _The problem was as neat a circle as one could ask for; | | without repair parts, they couldn't bring in the ship that | | carried the repair parts!_ | +--------------------------------------------------------------+ Bordman knew there was something wrong when the throbbing, acutely uncomfortable vibration of rocket blasts shook the ship.
indeed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been reading, in the passenger lounge of the _Warlock_--a very small lounge indeed--but as a senior Colonial Survey officer he was well-traveled enough to know when things did not go right.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading +--------------------------------------------------------------+ | _The problem was as neat a circle as one could ask for; | | without repair parts, they couldn't bring in the ship that | | carried the repair parts!_ | +--------------------------------------------------------------+ Bordman knew there was something wrong when the throbbing, acutely uncomfortable vibration of rocket blasts shook the ship.
knownounUS /know/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had been reading, in the passenger lounge of the _Warlock_--a very small lounge indeed--but as a senior Colonial Survey officer he was well-traveled enough to know when things did not go right.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He looked up from the bookscreen, waiting.
lounge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been reading, in the passenger lounge of the _Warlock_--a very small lounge indeed--but as a senior Colonial Survey officer he was well-traveled enough to know when things did not go right.
neat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading +--------------------------------------------------------------+ | _The problem was as neat a circle as one could ask for; | | without repair parts, they couldn't bring in the ship that | | carried the repair parts!_ | +--------------------------------------------------------------+ Bordman knew there was something wrong when the throbbing, acutely uncomfortable vibration of rocket blasts shook the ship.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He had been reading, in the passenger lounge of the _Warlock_--a very small lounge indeed--but as a senior Colonial Survey officer he was well-traveled enough to know when things did not go right.
obviously
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rockets were strictly emergency devices, these days, so when they were used there was obviously an emergency.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading +--------------------------------------------------------------+ | _The problem was as neat a circle as one could ask for; | | without repair parts, they couldn't bring in the ship that | | carried the repair parts!_ | +--------------------------------------------------------------+ Bordman knew there was something wrong when the throbbing, acutely uncomfortable vibration of rocket blasts shook the ship.
officer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been reading, in the passenger lounge of the _Warlock_--a very small lounge indeed--but as a senior Colonial Survey officer he was well-traveled enough to know when things did not go right.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading +--------------------------------------------------------------+ | _The problem was as neat a circle as one could ask for; | | without repair parts, they couldn't bring in the ship that | | carried the repair parts!_ | +--------------------------------------------------------------+ Bordman knew there was something wrong when the throbbing, acutely uncomfortable vibration of rocket blasts shook the ship.
parts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading +--------------------------------------------------------------+ | _The problem was as neat a circle as one could ask for; | | without repair parts, they couldn't bring in the ship that | | carried the repair parts!_ | +--------------------------------------------------------------+ Bordman knew there was something wrong when the throbbing, acutely uncomfortable vibration of rocket blasts shook the ship.
passenger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been reading, in the passenger lounge of the _Warlock_--a very small lounge indeed--but as a senior Colonial Survey officer he was well-traveled enough to know when things did not go right.
problem
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading +--------------------------------------------------------------+ | _The problem was as neat a circle as one could ask for; | | without repair parts, they couldn't bring in the ship that | | carried the repair parts!_ | +--------------------------------------------------------------+ Bordman knew there was something wrong when the throbbing, acutely uncomfortable vibration of rocket blasts shook the ship.
reading
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been reading, in the passenger lounge of the _Warlock_--a very small lounge indeed--but as a senior Colonial Survey officer he was well-traveled enough to know when things did not go right.
repair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading +--------------------------------------------------------------+ | _The problem was as neat a circle as one could ask for; | | without repair parts, they couldn't bring in the ship that | | carried the repair parts!_ | +--------------------------------------------------------------+ Bordman knew there was something wrong when the throbbing, acutely uncomfortable vibration of rocket blasts shook the ship.
rightnounUS /right/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had been reading, in the passenger lounge of the _Warlock_--a very small lounge indeed--but as a senior Colonial Survey officer he was well-traveled enough to know when things did not go right.
rocket
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading +--------------------------------------------------------------+ | _The problem was as neat a circle as one could ask for; | | without repair parts, they couldn't bring in the ship that | | carried the repair parts!_ | +--------------------------------------------------------------+ Bordman knew there was something wrong when the throbbing, acutely uncomfortable vibration of rocket blasts shook the ship.
Rockets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rockets were strictly emergency devices, these days, so when they were used there was obviously an emergency.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He sat still.
senior
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been reading, in the passenger lounge of the _Warlock_--a very small lounge indeed--but as a senior Colonial Survey officer he was well-traveled enough to know when things did not go right.
shipnounUS /ship/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading +--------------------------------------------------------------+ | _The problem was as neat a circle as one could ask for; | | without repair parts, they couldn't bring in the ship that | | carried the repair parts!_ | +--------------------------------------------------------------+ Bordman knew there was something wrong when the throbbing, acutely uncomfortable vibration of rocket blasts shook the ship.
shook
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading +--------------------------------------------------------------+ | _The problem was as neat a circle as one could ask for; | | without repair parts, they couldn't bring in the ship that | | carried the repair parts!_ | +--------------------------------------------------------------+ Bordman knew there was something wrong when the throbbing, acutely uncomfortable vibration of rocket blasts shook the ship.
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been reading, in the passenger lounge of the _Warlock_--a very small lounge indeed--but as a senior Colonial Survey officer he was well-traveled enough to know when things did not go right.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Rockets were strictly emergency devices, these days, so when they were used there was obviously an emergency.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading +--------------------------------------------------------------+ | _The problem was as neat a circle as one could ask for; | | without repair parts, they couldn't bring in the ship that | | carried the repair parts!_ | +--------------------------------------------------------------+ Bordman knew there was something wrong when the throbbing, acutely uncomfortable vibration of rocket blasts shook the ship.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He sat still.
strictly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rockets were strictly emergency devices, these days, so when they were used there was obviously an emergency.
Survey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been reading, in the passenger lounge of the _Warlock_--a very small lounge indeed--but as a senior Colonial Survey officer he was well-traveled enough to know when things did not go right.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading +--------------------------------------------------------------+ | _The problem was as neat a circle as one could ask for; | | without repair parts, they couldn't bring in the ship that | | carried the repair parts!_ | +--------------------------------------------------------------+ Bordman knew there was something wrong when the throbbing, acutely uncomfortable vibration of rocket blasts shook the ship.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading +--------------------------------------------------------------+ | _The problem was as neat a circle as one could ask for; | | without repair parts, they couldn't bring in the ship that | | carried the repair parts!_ | +--------------------------------------------------------------+ Bordman knew there was something wrong when the throbbing, acutely uncomfortable vibration of rocket blasts shook the ship.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading +--------------------------------------------------------------+ | _The problem was as neat a circle as one could ask for; | | without repair parts, they couldn't bring in the ship that | | carried the repair parts!_ | +--------------------------------------------------------------+ Bordman knew there was something wrong when the throbbing, acutely uncomfortable vibration of rocket blasts shook the ship.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Rockets were strictly emergency devices, these days, so when they were used there was obviously an emergency.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading +--------------------------------------------------------------+ | _The problem was as neat a circle as one could ask for; | | without repair parts, they couldn't bring in the ship that | | carried the repair parts!_ | +--------------------------------------------------------------+ Bordman knew there was something wrong when the throbbing, acutely uncomfortable vibration of rocket blasts shook the ship.
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been reading, in the passenger lounge of the _Warlock_--a very small lounge indeed--but as a senior Colonial Survey officer he was well-traveled enough to know when things did not go right.
throbbing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading +--------------------------------------------------------------+ | _The problem was as neat a circle as one could ask for; | | without repair parts, they couldn't bring in the ship that | | carried the repair parts!_ | +--------------------------------------------------------------+ Bordman knew there was something wrong when the throbbing, acutely uncomfortable vibration of rocket blasts shook the ship.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading He had been reading, in the passenger lounge of the _Warlock_--a very small lounge indeed--but as a senior Colonial Survey officer he was well-traveled enough to know when things did not go right.
uncomfortable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading +--------------------------------------------------------------+ | _The problem was as neat a circle as one could ask for; | | without repair parts, they couldn't bring in the ship that | | carried the repair parts!_ | +--------------------------------------------------------------+ Bordman knew there was something wrong when the throbbing, acutely uncomfortable vibration of rocket blasts shook the ship.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He looked up from the bookscreen, waiting.
used
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Rockets were strictly emergency devices, these days, so when they were used there was obviously an emergency.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been reading, in the passenger lounge of the _Warlock_--a very small lounge indeed--but as a senior Colonial Survey officer he was well-traveled enough to know when things did not go right.
vibration
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading +--------------------------------------------------------------+ | _The problem was as neat a circle as one could ask for; | | without repair parts, they couldn't bring in the ship that | | carried the repair parts!_ | +--------------------------------------------------------------+ Bordman knew there was something wrong when the throbbing, acutely uncomfortable vibration of rocket blasts shook the ship.
waiting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He looked up from the bookscreen, waiting.
Warlock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been reading, in the passenger lounge of the _Warlock_--a very small lounge indeed--but as a senior Colonial Survey officer he was well-traveled enough to know when things did not go right.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading +--------------------------------------------------------------+ | _The problem was as neat a circle as one could ask for; | | without repair parts, they couldn't bring in the ship that | | carried the repair parts!_ | +--------------------------------------------------------------+ Bordman knew there was something wrong when the throbbing, acutely uncomfortable vibration of rocket blasts shook the ship.
well-traveled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had been reading, in the passenger lounge of the _Warlock_--a very small lounge indeed--but as a senior Colonial Survey officer he was well-traveled enough to know when things did not go right.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Rockets were strictly emergency devices, these days, so when they were used there was obviously an emergency.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading +--------------------------------------------------------------+ | _The problem was as neat a circle as one could ask for; | | without repair parts, they couldn't bring in the ship that | | carried the repair parts!_ | +--------------------------------------------------------------+ Bordman knew there was something wrong when the throbbing, acutely uncomfortable vibration of rocket blasts shook the ship.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading +--------------------------------------------------------------+ | _The problem was as neat a circle as one could ask for; | | without repair parts, they couldn't bring in the ship that | | carried the repair parts!_ | +--------------------------------------------------------------+ Bordman knew there was something wrong when the throbbing, acutely uncomfortable vibration of rocket blasts shook the ship.
wrong
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading +--------------------------------------------------------------+ | _The problem was as neat a circle as one could ask for; | | without repair parts, they couldn't bring in the ship that | | carried the repair parts!_ | +--------------------------------------------------------------+ Bordman knew there was something wrong when the throbbing, acutely uncomfortable vibration of rocket blasts shook the ship.
