Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
addednounUS /added/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "But they are enclosed in an official envelope," added the captain, as he held up the cover of the papers.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE DECISION When Captain Battleton took from the envelope the blank papers, no one seemed to be inquisitive as to the result, for, as the commander had suggested, they all expected to find the commission and other papers regularly and properly made out and signed.
altogether
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Your papers do not seem to be altogether regular, Mr. Passford," said the captain, as he held up one of them so that all could see it.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading "But they are enclosed in an official envelope," added the captain, as he held up the cover of the papers.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE DECISION When Captain Battleton took from the envelope the blank papers, no one seemed to be inquisitive as to the result, for, as the commander had suggested, they all expected to find the commission and other papers regularly and properly made out and signed.
ANNOUNCEMENT
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE DECISION When Captain Battleton took from the envelope the blank papers, no one seemed to be inquisitive as to the result, for, as the commander had suggested, they all expected to find the commission and other papers regularly and properly made out and signed.
answerednounUS /ˈanswered/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading "I see they are not," answered Christy blankly.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "I see they are not," answered Christy blankly.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE DECISION When Captain Battleton took from the envelope the blank papers, no one seemed to be inquisitive as to the result, for, as the commander had suggested, they all expected to find the commission and other papers regularly and properly made out and signed.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Several sheets were unfolded and spread out upon the table, and Christy was hardly more surprised than the others at the table.
Battleton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE DECISION When Captain Battleton took from the envelope the blank papers, no one seemed to be inquisitive as to the result, for, as the commander had suggested, they all expected to find the commission and other papers regularly and properly made out and signed.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE DECISION When Captain Battleton took from the envelope the blank papers, no one seemed to be inquisitive as to the result, for, as the commander had suggested, they all expected to find the commission and other papers regularly and properly made out and signed.
blank
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE DECISION When Captain Battleton took from the envelope the blank papers, no one seemed to be inquisitive as to the result, for, as the commander had suggested, they all expected to find the commission and other papers regularly and properly made out and signed.
blankly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "I see they are not," answered Christy blankly.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "But they are enclosed in an official envelope," added the captain, as he held up the cover of the papers.
CaptainnounUS /ˈcaptain/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE DECISION When Captain Battleton took from the envelope the blank papers, no one seemed to be inquisitive as to the result, for, as the commander had suggested, they all expected to find the commission and other papers regularly and properly made out and signed.
Christy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Several sheets were unfolded and spread out upon the table, and Christy was hardly more surprised than the others at the table.
commander
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE DECISION When Captain Battleton took from the envelope the blank papers, no one seemed to be inquisitive as to the result, for, as the commander had suggested, they all expected to find the commission and other papers regularly and properly made out and signed.
commission
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE DECISION When Captain Battleton took from the envelope the blank papers, no one seemed to be inquisitive as to the result, for, as the commander had suggested, they all expected to find the commission and other papers regularly and properly made out and signed.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading "Your papers do not seem to be altogether regular, Mr. Passford," said the captain, as he held up one of them so that all could see it.
cover
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "But they are enclosed in an official envelope," added the captain, as he held up the cover of the papers.
DECISION
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE DECISION When Captain Battleton took from the envelope the blank papers, no one seemed to be inquisitive as to the result, for, as the commander had suggested, they all expected to find the commission and other papers regularly and properly made out and signed.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading "Your papers do not seem to be altogether regular, Mr. Passford," said the captain, as he held up one of them so that all could see it.
enclosed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "But they are enclosed in an official envelope," added the captain, as he held up the cover of the papers.
envelope
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE DECISION When Captain Battleton took from the envelope the blank papers, no one seemed to be inquisitive as to the result, for, as the commander had suggested, they all expected to find the commission and other papers regularly and properly made out and signed.
expected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE DECISION When Captain Battleton took from the envelope the blank papers, no one seemed to be inquisitive as to the result, for, as the commander had suggested, they all expected to find the commission and other papers regularly and properly made out and signed.
find
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE DECISION When Captain Battleton took from the envelope the blank papers, no one seemed to be inquisitive as to the result, for, as the commander had suggested, they all expected to find the commission and other papers regularly and properly made out and signed.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE DECISION When Captain Battleton took from the envelope the blank papers, no one seemed to be inquisitive as to the result, for, as the commander had suggested, they all expected to find the commission and other papers regularly and properly made out and signed.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE DECISION When Captain Battleton took from the envelope the blank papers, no one seemed to be inquisitive as to the result, for, as the commander had suggested, they all expected to find the commission and other papers regularly and properly made out and signed.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE DECISION When Captain Battleton took from the envelope the blank papers, no one seemed to be inquisitive as to the result, for, as the commander had suggested, they all expected to find the commission and other papers regularly and properly made out and signed.
hardly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Several sheets were unfolded and spread out upon the table, and Christy was hardly more surprised than the others at the table.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "Your papers do not seem to be altogether regular, Mr. Passford," said the captain, as he held up one of them so that all could see it.
held
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Your papers do not seem to be altogether regular, Mr. Passford," said the captain, as he held up one of them so that all could see it.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I see they are not," answered Christy blankly.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading "But they are enclosed in an official envelope," added the captain, as he held up the cover of the papers.
inquisitive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE DECISION When Captain Battleton took from the envelope the blank papers, no one seemed to be inquisitive as to the result, for, as the commander had suggested, they all expected to find the commission and other papers regularly and properly made out and signed.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "Your papers do not seem to be altogether regular, Mr. Passford," said the captain, as he held up one of them so that all could see it.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE DECISION When Captain Battleton took from the envelope the blank papers, no one seemed to be inquisitive as to the result, for, as the commander had suggested, they all expected to find the commission and other papers regularly and properly made out and signed.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Several sheets were unfolded and spread out upon the table, and Christy was hardly more surprised than the others at the table.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Your papers do not seem to be altogether regular, Mr. Passford," said the captain, as he held up one of them so that all could see it.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE DECISION When Captain Battleton took from the envelope the blank papers, no one seemed to be inquisitive as to the result, for, as the commander had suggested, they all expected to find the commission and other papers regularly and properly made out and signed.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "Your papers do not seem to be altogether regular, Mr. Passford," said the captain, as he held up one of them so that all could see it.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE DECISION When Captain Battleton took from the envelope the blank papers, no one seemed to be inquisitive as to the result, for, as the commander had suggested, they all expected to find the commission and other papers regularly and properly made out and signed.
official
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "But they are enclosed in an official envelope," added the captain, as he held up the cover of the papers.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE DECISION When Captain Battleton took from the envelope the blank papers, no one seemed to be inquisitive as to the result, for, as the commander had suggested, they all expected to find the commission and other papers regularly and properly made out and signed.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE DECISION When Captain Battleton took from the envelope the blank papers, no one seemed to be inquisitive as to the result, for, as the commander had suggested, they all expected to find the commission and other papers regularly and properly made out and signed.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Several sheets were unfolded and spread out upon the table, and Christy was hardly more surprised than the others at the table.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE DECISION When Captain Battleton took from the envelope the blank papers, no one seemed to be inquisitive as to the result, for, as the commander had suggested, they all expected to find the commission and other papers regularly and properly made out and signed.
papers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE DECISION When Captain Battleton took from the envelope the blank papers, no one seemed to be inquisitive as to the result, for, as the commander had suggested, they all expected to find the commission and other papers regularly and properly made out and signed.
Passford
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Your papers do not seem to be altogether regular, Mr. Passford," said the captain, as he held up one of them so that all could see it.
properly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE DECISION When Captain Battleton took from the envelope the blank papers, no one seemed to be inquisitive as to the result, for, as the commander had suggested, they all expected to find the commission and other papers regularly and properly made out and signed.
regular
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Your papers do not seem to be altogether regular, Mr. Passford," said the captain, as he held up one of them so that all could see it.
regularly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE DECISION When Captain Battleton took from the envelope the blank papers, no one seemed to be inquisitive as to the result, for, as the commander had suggested, they all expected to find the commission and other papers regularly and properly made out and signed.
result
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE DECISION When Captain Battleton took from the envelope the blank papers, no one seemed to be inquisitive as to the result, for, as the commander had suggested, they all expected to find the commission and other papers regularly and properly made out and signed.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Your papers do not seem to be altogether regular, Mr. Passford," said the captain, as he held up one of them so that all could see it.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Your papers do not seem to be altogether regular, Mr. Passford," said the captain, as he held up one of them so that all could see it.
seem
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Your papers do not seem to be altogether regular, Mr. Passford," said the captain, as he held up one of them so that all could see it.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE DECISION When Captain Battleton took from the envelope the blank papers, no one seemed to be inquisitive as to the result, for, as the commander had suggested, they all expected to find the commission and other papers regularly and properly made out and signed.
Several
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Several sheets were unfolded and spread out upon the table, and Christy was hardly more surprised than the others at the table.
sheets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Several sheets were unfolded and spread out upon the table, and Christy was hardly more surprised than the others at the table.
signed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE DECISION When Captain Battleton took from the envelope the blank papers, no one seemed to be inquisitive as to the result, for, as the commander had suggested, they all expected to find the commission and other papers regularly and properly made out and signed.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading "Your papers do not seem to be altogether regular, Mr. Passford," said the captain, as he held up one of them so that all could see it.
spread
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Several sheets were unfolded and spread out upon the table, and Christy was hardly more surprised than the others at the table.
suggested
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE DECISION When Captain Battleton took from the envelope the blank papers, no one seemed to be inquisitive as to the result, for, as the commander had suggested, they all expected to find the commission and other papers regularly and properly made out and signed.
surprisednounUS /surprised/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Several sheets were unfolded and spread out upon the table, and Christy was hardly more surprised than the others at the table.
table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Several sheets were unfolded and spread out upon the table, and Christy was hardly more surprised than the others at the table.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Several sheets were unfolded and spread out upon the table, and Christy was hardly more surprised than the others at the table.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "Your papers do not seem to be altogether regular, Mr. Passford," said the captain, as he held up one of them so that all could see it.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE DECISION When Captain Battleton took from the envelope the blank papers, no one seemed to be inquisitive as to the result, for, as the commander had suggested, they all expected to find the commission and other papers regularly and properly made out and signed.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading "Your papers do not seem to be altogether regular, Mr. Passford," said the captain, as he held up one of them so that all could see it.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE DECISION When Captain Battleton took from the envelope the blank papers, no one seemed to be inquisitive as to the result, for, as the commander had suggested, they all expected to find the commission and other papers regularly and properly made out and signed.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE DECISION When Captain Battleton took from the envelope the blank papers, no one seemed to be inquisitive as to the result, for, as the commander had suggested, they all expected to find the commission and other papers regularly and properly made out and signed.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE DECISION When Captain Battleton took from the envelope the blank papers, no one seemed to be inquisitive as to the result, for, as the commander had suggested, they all expected to find the commission and other papers regularly and properly made out and signed.
unfolded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Several sheets were unfolded and spread out upon the table, and Christy was hardly more surprised than the others at the table.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Your papers do not seem to be altogether regular, Mr. Passford," said the captain, as he held up one of them so that all could see it.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Several sheets were unfolded and spread out upon the table, and Christy was hardly more surprised than the others at the table.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Several sheets were unfolded and spread out upon the table, and Christy was hardly more surprised than the others at the table.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Several sheets were unfolded and spread out upon the table, and Christy was hardly more surprised than the others at the table.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE DECISION When Captain Battleton took from the envelope the blank papers, no one seemed to be inquisitive as to the result, for, as the commander had suggested, they all expected to find the commission and other papers regularly and properly made out and signed.
YourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "Your papers do not seem to be altogether regular, Mr. Passford," said the captain, as he held up one of them so that all could see it.
