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 OF THE PACKET “EFFORT” “I’m a serious-minded man, I have sailed from old Cape Ann For fifty years, and I’ve braved as much as ary a mortal can.
afraid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I ain’ afraid of the stormy sea, Nor critters that swim it, whatever they be, But a witch of a woman is what floors me.”
ain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I ain’ afraid of the stormy sea, Nor critters that swim it, whatever they be, But a witch of a woman is what floors me.”
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading OF THE PACKET “EFFORT” “I’m a serious-minded man, I have sailed from old Cape Ann For fifty years, and I’ve braved as much as ary a mortal can.
Ann
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From this reading OF THE PACKET “EFFORT” “I’m a serious-minded man, I have sailed from old Cape Ann For fifty years, and I’ve braved as much as ary a mortal can.
ary
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From this reading OF THE PACKET “EFFORT” “I’m a serious-minded man, I have sailed from old Cape Ann For fifty years, and I’ve braved as much as ary a mortal can.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading OF THE PACKET “EFFORT” “I’m a serious-minded man, I have sailed from old Cape Ann For fifty years, and I’ve braved as much as ary a mortal can.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The Palermo packet, “Effort,” rocked slowly on the refuse-strewn ooze in her berth at Merrithew’s wharf, Square Harbour, her gray, weather-streaked sides rubbing at the barnacles on the piles.
Baches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading --Sea-song of the “Baches of Bucksport.”
barnacles
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From this reading The Palermo packet, “Effort,” rocked slowly on the refuse-strewn ooze in her berth at Merrithew’s wharf, Square Harbour, her gray, weather-streaked sides rubbing at the barnacles on the piles.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading I ain’ afraid of the stormy sea, Nor critters that swim it, whatever they be, But a witch of a woman is what floors me.”
beard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the upper step of her cuddy companionway sat her skipper, Captain Nymphus Bodfish, rubbing his raspy palm over his bristly gray beard, the little curls of which were much like barnacles, too.
berthnounUS /bɜrθ/
a job or position on a ship
From this reading The Palermo packet, “Effort,” rocked slowly on the refuse-strewn ooze in her berth at Merrithew’s wharf, Square Harbour, her gray, weather-streaked sides rubbing at the barnacles on the piles.
Bodfish
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From this reading On the upper step of her cuddy companionway sat her skipper, Captain Nymphus Bodfish, rubbing his raspy palm over his bristly gray beard, the little curls of which were much like barnacles, too.
braved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OF THE PACKET “EFFORT” “I’m a serious-minded man, I have sailed from old Cape Ann For fifty years, and I’ve braved as much as ary a mortal can.
bristly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the upper step of her cuddy companionway sat her skipper, Captain Nymphus Bodfish, rubbing his raspy palm over his bristly gray beard, the little curls of which were much like barnacles, too.
Bucksport
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading --Sea-song of the “Baches of Bucksport.”
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I ain’ afraid of the stormy sea, Nor critters that swim it, whatever they be, But a witch of a woman is what floors me.”
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading OF THE PACKET “EFFORT” “I’m a serious-minded man, I have sailed from old Cape Ann For fifty years, and I’ve braved as much as ary a mortal can.
Cape
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From this reading OF THE PACKET “EFFORT” “I’m a serious-minded man, I have sailed from old Cape Ann For fifty years, and I’ve braved as much as ary a mortal can.
CaptainnounUS /ˈcaptain/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading On the upper step of her cuddy companionway sat her skipper, Captain Nymphus Bodfish, rubbing his raspy palm over his bristly gray beard, the little curls of which were much like barnacles, too.
companionway
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the upper step of her cuddy companionway sat her skipper, Captain Nymphus Bodfish, rubbing his raspy palm over his bristly gray beard, the little curls of which were much like barnacles, too.
critters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I ain’ afraid of the stormy sea, Nor critters that swim it, whatever they be, But a witch of a woman is what floors me.”
cuddy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the upper step of her cuddy companionway sat her skipper, Captain Nymphus Bodfish, rubbing his raspy palm over his bristly gray beard, the little curls of which were much like barnacles, too.
curls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the upper step of her cuddy companionway sat her skipper, Captain Nymphus Bodfish, rubbing his raspy palm over his bristly gray beard, the little curls of which were much like barnacles, too.
EFFORT
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OF THE PACKET “EFFORT” “I’m a serious-minded man, I have sailed from old Cape Ann For fifty years, and I’ve braved as much as ary a mortal can.
fifty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OF THE PACKET “EFFORT” “I’m a serious-minded man, I have sailed from old Cape Ann For fifty years, and I’ve braved as much as ary a mortal can.
floors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I ain’ afraid of the stormy sea, Nor critters that swim it, whatever they be, But a witch of a woman is what floors me.”
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading OF THE PACKET “EFFORT” “I’m a serious-minded man, I have sailed from old Cape Ann For fifty years, and I’ve braved as much as ary a mortal can.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading OF THE PACKET “EFFORT” “I’m a serious-minded man, I have sailed from old Cape Ann For fifty years, and I’ve braved as much as ary a mortal can.
gray
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Palermo packet, “Effort,” rocked slowly on the refuse-strewn ooze in her berth at Merrithew’s wharf, Square Harbour, her gray, weather-streaked sides rubbing at the barnacles on the piles.
Harbour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Palermo packet, “Effort,” rocked slowly on the refuse-strewn ooze in her berth at Merrithew’s wharf, Square Harbour, her gray, weather-streaked sides rubbing at the barnacles on the piles.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading OF THE PACKET “EFFORT” “I’m a serious-minded man, I have sailed from old Cape Ann For fifty years, and I’ve braved as much as ary a mortal can.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The Palermo packet, “Effort,” rocked slowly on the refuse-strewn ooze in her berth at Merrithew’s wharf, Square Harbour, her gray, weather-streaked sides rubbing at the barnacles on the piles.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading On the upper step of her cuddy companionway sat her skipper, Captain Nymphus Bodfish, rubbing his raspy palm over his bristly gray beard, the little curls of which were much like barnacles, too.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading OF THE PACKET “EFFORT” “I’m a serious-minded man, I have sailed from old Cape Ann For fifty years, and I’ve braved as much as ary a mortal can.
I'm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OF THE PACKET “EFFORT” “I’m a serious-minded man, I have sailed from old Cape Ann For fifty years, and I’ve braved as much as ary a mortal can.
I've
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OF THE PACKET “EFFORT” “I’m a serious-minded man, I have sailed from old Cape Ann For fifty years, and I’ve braved as much as ary a mortal can.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The Palermo packet, “Effort,” rocked slowly on the refuse-strewn ooze in her berth at Merrithew’s wharf, Square Harbour, her gray, weather-streaked sides rubbing at the barnacles on the piles.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I ain’ afraid of the stormy sea, Nor critters that swim it, whatever they be, But a witch of a woman is what floors me.”
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading I ain’ afraid of the stormy sea, Nor critters that swim it, whatever they be, But a witch of a woman is what floors me.”
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the upper step of her cuddy companionway sat her skipper, Captain Nymphus Bodfish, rubbing his raspy palm over his bristly gray beard, the little curls of which were much like barnacles, too.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading On the upper step of her cuddy companionway sat her skipper, Captain Nymphus Bodfish, rubbing his raspy palm over his bristly gray beard, the little curls of which were much like barnacles, too.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OF THE PACKET “EFFORT” “I’m a serious-minded man, I have sailed from old Cape Ann For fifty years, and I’ve braved as much as ary a mortal can.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I ain’ afraid of the stormy sea, Nor critters that swim it, whatever they be, But a witch of a woman is what floors me.”
Merrithew's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Palermo packet, “Effort,” rocked slowly on the refuse-strewn ooze in her berth at Merrithew’s wharf, Square Harbour, her gray, weather-streaked sides rubbing at the barnacles on the piles.
mortaladjectiveUS /ˈmɔːrtəl/
causing or relating to death
From this reading OF THE PACKET “EFFORT” “I’m a serious-minded man, I have sailed from old Cape Ann For fifty years, and I’ve braved as much as ary a mortal can.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OF THE PACKET “EFFORT” “I’m a serious-minded man, I have sailed from old Cape Ann For fifty years, and I’ve braved as much as ary a mortal can.
NorconjunctionUS /nɔːr/
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading I ain’ afraid of the stormy sea, Nor critters that swim it, whatever they be, But a witch of a woman is what floors me.”
Nymphus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the upper step of her cuddy companionway sat her skipper, Captain Nymphus Bodfish, rubbing his raspy palm over his bristly gray beard, the little curls of which were much like barnacles, too.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading OF THE PACKET “EFFORT” “I’m a serious-minded man, I have sailed from old Cape Ann For fifty years, and I’ve braved as much as ary a mortal can.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OF THE PACKET “EFFORT” “I’m a serious-minded man, I have sailed from old Cape Ann For fifty years, and I’ve braved as much as ary a mortal can.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The Palermo packet, “Effort,” rocked slowly on the refuse-strewn ooze in her berth at Merrithew’s wharf, Square Harbour, her gray, weather-streaked sides rubbing at the barnacles on the piles.
ooze
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Palermo packet, “Effort,” rocked slowly on the refuse-strewn ooze in her berth at Merrithew’s wharf, Square Harbour, her gray, weather-streaked sides rubbing at the barnacles on the piles.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading On the upper step of her cuddy companionway sat her skipper, Captain Nymphus Bodfish, rubbing his raspy palm over his bristly gray beard, the little curls of which were much like barnacles, too.
PACKET
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OF THE PACKET “EFFORT” “I’m a serious-minded man, I have sailed from old Cape Ann For fifty years, and I’ve braved as much as ary a mortal can.
Palermo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Palermo packet, “Effort,” rocked slowly on the refuse-strewn ooze in her berth at Merrithew’s wharf, Square Harbour, her gray, weather-streaked sides rubbing at the barnacles on the piles.
palm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the upper step of her cuddy companionway sat her skipper, Captain Nymphus Bodfish, rubbing his raspy palm over his bristly gray beard, the little curls of which were much like barnacles, too.
piles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Palermo packet, “Effort,” rocked slowly on the refuse-strewn ooze in her berth at Merrithew’s wharf, Square Harbour, her gray, weather-streaked sides rubbing at the barnacles on the piles.
raspy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the upper step of her cuddy companionway sat her skipper, Captain Nymphus Bodfish, rubbing his raspy palm over his bristly gray beard, the little curls of which were much like barnacles, too.
refuse-strewn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Palermo packet, “Effort,” rocked slowly on the refuse-strewn ooze in her berth at Merrithew’s wharf, Square Harbour, her gray, weather-streaked sides rubbing at the barnacles on the piles.
rocked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Palermo packet, “Effort,” rocked slowly on the refuse-strewn ooze in her berth at Merrithew’s wharf, Square Harbour, her gray, weather-streaked sides rubbing at the barnacles on the piles.
rubbing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Palermo packet, “Effort,” rocked slowly on the refuse-strewn ooze in her berth at Merrithew’s wharf, Square Harbour, her gray, weather-streaked sides rubbing at the barnacles on the piles.
sailed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OF THE PACKET “EFFORT” “I’m a serious-minded man, I have sailed from old Cape Ann For fifty years, and I’ve braved as much as ary a mortal can.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the upper step of her cuddy companionway sat her skipper, Captain Nymphus Bodfish, rubbing his raspy palm over his bristly gray beard, the little curls of which were much like barnacles, too.
sea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I ain’ afraid of the stormy sea, Nor critters that swim it, whatever they be, But a witch of a woman is what floors me.”
Sea-song
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading --Sea-song of the “Baches of Bucksport.”
serious-minded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OF THE PACKET “EFFORT” “I’m a serious-minded man, I have sailed from old Cape Ann For fifty years, and I’ve braved as much as ary a mortal can.
sides
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Palermo packet, “Effort,” rocked slowly on the refuse-strewn ooze in her berth at Merrithew’s wharf, Square Harbour, her gray, weather-streaked sides rubbing at the barnacles on the piles.
skippernounUS /ˈskɪpər/
the captain of a small ship or boat
From this reading On the upper step of her cuddy companionway sat her skipper, Captain Nymphus Bodfish, rubbing his raspy palm over his bristly gray beard, the little curls of which were much like barnacles, too.
slowly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Palermo packet, “Effort,” rocked slowly on the refuse-strewn ooze in her berth at Merrithew’s wharf, Square Harbour, her gray, weather-streaked sides rubbing at the barnacles on the piles.
Square
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Palermo packet, “Effort,” rocked slowly on the refuse-strewn ooze in her berth at Merrithew’s wharf, Square Harbour, her gray, weather-streaked sides rubbing at the barnacles on the piles.
stepnounUS /step/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading On the upper step of her cuddy companionway sat her skipper, Captain Nymphus Bodfish, rubbing his raspy palm over his bristly gray beard, the little curls of which were much like barnacles, too.
stormy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I ain’ afraid of the stormy sea, Nor critters that swim it, whatever they be, But a witch of a woman is what floors me.”
swim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I ain’ afraid of the stormy sea, Nor critters that swim it, whatever they be, But a witch of a woman is what floors me.”
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading I ain’ afraid of the stormy sea, Nor critters that swim it, whatever they be, But a witch of a woman is what floors me.”
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading OF THE PACKET “EFFORT” “I’m a serious-minded man, I have sailed from old Cape Ann For fifty years, and I’ve braved as much as ary a mortal can.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading I ain’ afraid of the stormy sea, Nor critters that swim it, whatever they be, But a witch of a woman is what floors me.”
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the upper step of her cuddy companionway sat her skipper, Captain Nymphus Bodfish, rubbing his raspy palm over his bristly gray beard, the little curls of which were much like barnacles, too.
upper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the upper step of her cuddy companionway sat her skipper, Captain Nymphus Bodfish, rubbing his raspy palm over his bristly gray beard, the little curls of which were much like barnacles, too.
weather-streaked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Palermo packet, “Effort,” rocked slowly on the refuse-strewn ooze in her berth at Merrithew’s wharf, Square Harbour, her gray, weather-streaked sides rubbing at the barnacles on the piles.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading On the upper step of her cuddy companionway sat her skipper, Captain Nymphus Bodfish, rubbing his raspy palm over his bristly gray beard, the little curls of which were much like barnacles, too.
wharf
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Palermo packet, “Effort,” rocked slowly on the refuse-strewn ooze in her berth at Merrithew’s wharf, Square Harbour, her gray, weather-streaked sides rubbing at the barnacles on the piles.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading I ain’ afraid of the stormy sea, Nor critters that swim it, whatever they be, But a witch of a woman is what floors me.”
whateverdeterminerUS /ˌwʌˈtevər/
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading I ain’ afraid of the stormy sea, Nor critters that swim it, whatever they be, But a witch of a woman is what floors me.”
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading On the upper step of her cuddy companionway sat her skipper, Captain Nymphus Bodfish, rubbing his raspy palm over his bristly gray beard, the little curls of which were much like barnacles, too.
witch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I ain’ afraid of the stormy sea, Nor critters that swim it, whatever they be, But a witch of a woman is what floors me.”
woman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I ain’ afraid of the stormy sea, Nor critters that swim it, whatever they be, But a witch of a woman is what floors me.”
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OF THE PACKET “EFFORT” “I’m a serious-minded man, I have sailed from old Cape Ann For fifty years, and I’ve braved as much as ary a mortal can.
