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 Only a few letters, and fewer newspapers, had reached the owner of the yacht; and he and his family on board had been very indifferently informed in regard to the progress of political events at home.
abandoned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Passford had been the master of a ship in former times, though he had accumulated his vast fortune after he abandoned the sea.
accumulated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Passford had been the master of a ship in former times, though he had accumulated his vast fortune after he abandoned the sea.
admit
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From this reading He would not admit even to himself that war was possible; and before his departure he had scouted the idea of a conflict with arms between the brothers of the North and the brothers of the South, as he styled them.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Captain Passford had been the master of a ship in former times, though he had accumulated his vast fortune after he abandoned the sea.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Even five months before, when the Bellevite had sailed on her cruise, the rumble of coming events had been heard in the United States; and it had been an open question whether or not war would grow out of the complications between the North and the South.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Even five months before, when the Bellevite had sailed on her cruise, the rumble of coming events had been heard in the United States; and it had been an open question whether or not war would grow out of the complications between the North and the South.
arms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He would not admit even to himself that war was possible; and before his departure he had scouted the idea of a conflict with arms between the brothers of the North and the brothers of the South, as he styled them.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading He would not admit even to himself that war was possible; and before his departure he had scouted the idea of a conflict with arms between the brothers of the North and the brothers of the South, as he styled them.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Only a few letters, and fewer newspapers, had reached the owner of the yacht; and he and his family on board had been very indifferently informed in regard to the progress of political events at home.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Even five months before, when the Bellevite had sailed on her cruise, the rumble of coming events had been heard in the United States; and it had been an open question whether or not war would grow out of the complications between the North and the South.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Even five months before, when the Bellevite had sailed on her cruise, the rumble of coming events had been heard in the United States; and it had been an open question whether or not war would grow out of the complications between the North and the South.
believed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Passford was one of those who confidently believed that no very serious difficulty would result from the entanglements into which the country had been plunged by the secession of the most of the Southern States.
Bellevite
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From this reading Even five months before, when the Bellevite had sailed on her cruise, the rumble of coming events had been heard in the United States; and it had been an open question whether or not war would grow out of the complications between the North and the South.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Even five months before, when the Bellevite had sailed on her cruise, the rumble of coming events had been heard in the United States; and it had been an open question whether or not war would grow out of the complications between the North and the South.
board
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only a few letters, and fewer newspapers, had reached the owner of the yacht; and he and his family on board had been very indifferently informed in regard to the progress of political events at home.
brothers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He would not admit even to himself that war was possible; and before his departure he had scouted the idea of a conflict with arms between the brothers of the North and the brothers of the South, as he styled them.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Captain Passford was one of those who confidently believed that no very serious difficulty would result from the entanglements into which the country had been plunged by the secession of the most of the Southern States.
CaptainnounUS /ˈcaptain/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Captain Passford was one of those who confidently believed that no very serious difficulty would result from the entanglements into which the country had been plunged by the secession of the most of the Southern States.
coming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even five months before, when the Bellevite had sailed on her cruise, the rumble of coming events had been heard in the United States; and it had been an open question whether or not war would grow out of the complications between the North and the South.
complications
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even five months before, when the Bellevite had sailed on her cruise, the rumble of coming events had been heard in the United States; and it had been an open question whether or not war would grow out of the complications between the North and the South.
confidently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Passford was one of those who confidently believed that no very serious difficulty would result from the entanglements into which the country had been plunged by the secession of the most of the Southern States.
conflict
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He would not admit even to himself that war was possible; and before his departure he had scouted the idea of a conflict with arms between the brothers of the North and the brothers of the South, as he styled them.
country
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Passford was one of those who confidently believed that no very serious difficulty would result from the entanglements into which the country had been plunged by the secession of the most of the Southern States.
cruisenounUS /kruːz/
a journey by sea for a particular purpose
From this reading Even five months before, when the Bellevite had sailed on her cruise, the rumble of coming events had been heard in the United States; and it had been an open question whether or not war would grow out of the complications between the North and the South.
departure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He would not admit even to himself that war was possible; and before his departure he had scouted the idea of a conflict with arms between the brothers of the North and the brothers of the South, as he styled them.
difficulty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Passford was one of those who confidently believed that no very serious difficulty would result from the entanglements into which the country had been plunged by the secession of the most of the Southern States.
entanglements
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Passford was one of those who confidently believed that no very serious difficulty would result from the entanglements into which the country had been plunged by the secession of the most of the Southern States.
EvennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Even five months before, when the Bellevite had sailed on her cruise, the rumble of coming events had been heard in the United States; and it had been an open question whether or not war would grow out of the complications between the North and the South.
events
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even five months before, when the Bellevite had sailed on her cruise, the rumble of coming events had been heard in the United States; and it had been an open question whether or not war would grow out of the complications between the North and the South.
family
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only a few letters, and fewer newspapers, had reached the owner of the yacht; and he and his family on board had been very indifferently informed in regard to the progress of political events at home.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only a few letters, and fewer newspapers, had reached the owner of the yacht; and he and his family on board had been very indifferently informed in regard to the progress of political events at home.
fewer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only a few letters, and fewer newspapers, had reached the owner of the yacht; and he and his family on board had been very indifferently informed in regard to the progress of political events at home.
five
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even five months before, when the Bellevite had sailed on her cruise, the rumble of coming events had been heard in the United States; and it had been an open question whether or not war would grow out of the complications between the North and the South.
former
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Passford had been the master of a ship in former times, though he had accumulated his vast fortune after he abandoned the sea.
fortunenounUS /ˈfortune/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Captain Passford had been the master of a ship in former times, though he had accumulated his vast fortune after he abandoned the sea.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Captain Passford was one of those who confidently believed that no very serious difficulty would result from the entanglements into which the country had been plunged by the secession of the most of the Southern States.
grow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even five months before, when the Bellevite had sailed on her cruise, the rumble of coming events had been heard in the United States; and it had been an open question whether or not war would grow out of the complications between the North and the South.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Even five months before, when the Bellevite had sailed on her cruise, the rumble of coming events had been heard in the United States; and it had been an open question whether or not war would grow out of the complications between the North and the South.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Only a few letters, and fewer newspapers, had reached the owner of the yacht; and he and his family on board had been very indifferently informed in regard to the progress of political events at home.
heard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even five months before, when the Bellevite had sailed on her cruise, the rumble of coming events had been heard in the United States; and it had been an open question whether or not war would grow out of the complications between the North and the South.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Even five months before, when the Bellevite had sailed on her cruise, the rumble of coming events had been heard in the United States; and it had been an open question whether or not war would grow out of the complications between the North and the South.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He would not admit even to himself that war was possible; and before his departure he had scouted the idea of a conflict with arms between the brothers of the North and the brothers of the South, as he styled them.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Only a few letters, and fewer newspapers, had reached the owner of the yacht; and he and his family on board had been very indifferently informed in regard to the progress of political events at home.
home
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only a few letters, and fewer newspapers, had reached the owner of the yacht; and he and his family on board had been very indifferently informed in regard to the progress of political events at home.
idea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He would not admit even to himself that war was possible; and before his departure he had scouted the idea of a conflict with arms between the brothers of the North and the brothers of the South, as he styled them.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Even five months before, when the Bellevite had sailed on her cruise, the rumble of coming events had been heard in the United States; and it had been an open question whether or not war would grow out of the complications between the North and the South.
indifferently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only a few letters, and fewer newspapers, had reached the owner of the yacht; and he and his family on board had been very indifferently informed in regard to the progress of political events at home.
informed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only a few letters, and fewer newspapers, had reached the owner of the yacht; and he and his family on board had been very indifferently informed in regard to the progress of political events at home.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Captain Passford was one of those who confidently believed that no very serious difficulty would result from the entanglements into which the country had been plunged by the secession of the most of the Southern States.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Even five months before, when the Bellevite had sailed on her cruise, the rumble of coming events had been heard in the United States; and it had been an open question whether or not war would grow out of the complications between the North and the South.
letters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only a few letters, and fewer newspapers, had reached the owner of the yacht; and he and his family on board had been very indifferently informed in regard to the progress of political events at home.
master
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Passford had been the master of a ship in former times, though he had accumulated his vast fortune after he abandoned the sea.
months
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even five months before, when the Bellevite had sailed on her cruise, the rumble of coming events had been heard in the United States; and it had been an open question whether or not war would grow out of the complications between the North and the South.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Passford was one of those who confidently believed that no very serious difficulty would result from the entanglements into which the country had been plunged by the secession of the most of the Southern States.
newspapers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only a few letters, and fewer newspapers, had reached the owner of the yacht; and he and his family on board had been very indifferently informed in regard to the progress of political events at home.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Captain Passford was one of those who confidently believed that no very serious difficulty would result from the entanglements into which the country had been plunged by the secession of the most of the Southern States.
North
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even five months before, when the Bellevite had sailed on her cruise, the rumble of coming events had been heard in the United States; and it had been an open question whether or not war would grow out of the complications between the North and the South.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Even five months before, when the Bellevite had sailed on her cruise, the rumble of coming events had been heard in the United States; and it had been an open question whether or not war would grow out of the complications between the North and the South.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Even five months before, when the Bellevite had sailed on her cruise, the rumble of coming events had been heard in the United States; and it had been an open question whether or not war would grow out of the complications between the North and the South.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Even five months before, when the Bellevite had sailed on her cruise, the rumble of coming events had been heard in the United States; and it had been an open question whether or not war would grow out of the complications between the North and the South.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Captain Passford was one of those who confidently believed that no very serious difficulty would result from the entanglements into which the country had been plunged by the secession of the most of the Southern States.
Only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only a few letters, and fewer newspapers, had reached the owner of the yacht; and he and his family on board had been very indifferently informed in regard to the progress of political events at home.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Even five months before, when the Bellevite had sailed on her cruise, the rumble of coming events had been heard in the United States; and it had been an open question whether or not war would grow out of the complications between the North and the South.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Even five months before, when the Bellevite had sailed on her cruise, the rumble of coming events had been heard in the United States; and it had been an open question whether or not war would grow out of the complications between the North and the South.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even five months before, when the Bellevite had sailed on her cruise, the rumble of coming events had been heard in the United States; and it had been an open question whether or not war would grow out of the complications between the North and the South.
owner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only a few letters, and fewer newspapers, had reached the owner of the yacht; and he and his family on board had been very indifferently informed in regard to the progress of political events at home.
Passford
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Passford was one of those who confidently believed that no very serious difficulty would result from the entanglements into which the country had been plunged by the secession of the most of the Southern States.
plunged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Passford was one of those who confidently believed that no very serious difficulty would result from the entanglements into which the country had been plunged by the secession of the most of the Southern States.
political
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only a few letters, and fewer newspapers, had reached the owner of the yacht; and he and his family on board had been very indifferently informed in regard to the progress of political events at home.
possible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He would not admit even to himself that war was possible; and before his departure he had scouted the idea of a conflict with arms between the brothers of the North and the brothers of the South, as he styled them.
progress
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only a few letters, and fewer newspapers, had reached the owner of the yacht; and he and his family on board had been very indifferently informed in regard to the progress of political events at home.
questionnounUS /ˈquestion/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Even five months before, when the Bellevite had sailed on her cruise, the rumble of coming events had been heard in the United States; and it had been an open question whether or not war would grow out of the complications between the North and the South.
reached
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only a few letters, and fewer newspapers, had reached the owner of the yacht; and he and his family on board had been very indifferently informed in regard to the progress of political events at home.
regard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only a few letters, and fewer newspapers, had reached the owner of the yacht; and he and his family on board had been very indifferently informed in regard to the progress of political events at home.
result
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Passford was one of those who confidently believed that no very serious difficulty would result from the entanglements into which the country had been plunged by the secession of the most of the Southern States.
rumble
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even five months before, when the Bellevite had sailed on her cruise, the rumble of coming events had been heard in the United States; and it had been an open question whether or not war would grow out of the complications between the North and the South.
sailed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even five months before, when the Bellevite had sailed on her cruise, the rumble of coming events had been heard in the United States; and it had been an open question whether or not war would grow out of the complications between the North and the South.
scouted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He would not admit even to himself that war was possible; and before his departure he had scouted the idea of a conflict with arms between the brothers of the North and the brothers of the South, as he styled them.
sea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Passford had been the master of a ship in former times, though he had accumulated his vast fortune after he abandoned the sea.
secession
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Passford was one of those who confidently believed that no very serious difficulty would result from the entanglements into which the country had been plunged by the secession of the most of the Southern States.
serious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Passford was one of those who confidently believed that no very serious difficulty would result from the entanglements into which the country had been plunged by the secession of the most of the Southern States.
shipnounUS /ship/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Captain Passford had been the master of a ship in former times, though he had accumulated his vast fortune after he abandoned the sea.
South
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even five months before, when the Bellevite had sailed on her cruise, the rumble of coming events had been heard in the United States; and it had been an open question whether or not war would grow out of the complications between the North and the South.
Southern
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Passford was one of those who confidently believed that no very serious difficulty would result from the entanglements into which the country had been plunged by the secession of the most of the Southern States.
States
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even five months before, when the Bellevite had sailed on her cruise, the rumble of coming events had been heard in the United States; and it had been an open question whether or not war would grow out of the complications between the North and the South.
styled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He would not admit even to himself that war was possible; and before his departure he had scouted the idea of a conflict with arms between the brothers of the North and the brothers of the South, as he styled them.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Captain Passford was one of those who confidently believed that no very serious difficulty would result from the entanglements into which the country had been plunged by the secession of the most of the Southern States.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Even five months before, when the Bellevite had sailed on her cruise, the rumble of coming events had been heard in the United States; and it had been an open question whether or not war would grow out of the complications between the North and the South.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading He would not admit even to himself that war was possible; and before his departure he had scouted the idea of a conflict with arms between the brothers of the North and the brothers of the South, as he styled them.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Captain Passford was one of those who confidently believed that no very serious difficulty would result from the entanglements into which the country had been plunged by the secession of the most of the Southern States.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Captain Passford had been the master of a ship in former times, though he had accumulated his vast fortune after he abandoned the sea.
times
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Passford had been the master of a ship in former times, though he had accumulated his vast fortune after he abandoned the sea.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Only a few letters, and fewer newspapers, had reached the owner of the yacht; and he and his family on board had been very indifferently informed in regard to the progress of political events at home.
United
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even five months before, when the Bellevite had sailed on her cruise, the rumble of coming events had been heard in the United States; and it had been an open question whether or not war would grow out of the complications between the North and the South.
vast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Captain Passford had been the master of a ship in former times, though he had accumulated his vast fortune after he abandoned the sea.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only a few letters, and fewer newspapers, had reached the owner of the yacht; and he and his family on board had been very indifferently informed in regard to the progress of political events at home.
war
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even five months before, when the Bellevite had sailed on her cruise, the rumble of coming events had been heard in the United States; and it had been an open question whether or not war would grow out of the complications between the North and the South.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Captain Passford was one of those who confidently believed that no very serious difficulty would result from the entanglements into which the country had been plunged by the secession of the most of the Southern States.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Even five months before, when the Bellevite had sailed on her cruise, the rumble of coming events had been heard in the United States; and it had been an open question whether or not war would grow out of the complications between the North and the South.
whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading Even five months before, when the Bellevite had sailed on her cruise, the rumble of coming events had been heard in the United States; and it had been an open question whether or not war would grow out of the complications between the North and the South.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Captain Passford was one of those who confidently believed that no very serious difficulty would result from the entanglements into which the country had been plunged by the secession of the most of the Southern States.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Captain Passford was one of those who confidently believed that no very serious difficulty would result from the entanglements into which the country had been plunged by the secession of the most of the Southern States.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading He would not admit even to himself that war was possible; and before his departure he had scouted the idea of a conflict with arms between the brothers of the North and the brothers of the South, as he styled them.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Even five months before, when the Bellevite had sailed on her cruise, the rumble of coming events had been heard in the United States; and it had been an open question whether or not war would grow out of the complications between the North and the South.
yacht
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Only a few letters, and fewer newspapers, had reached the owner of the yacht; and he and his family on board had been very indifferently informed in regard to the progress of political events at home.
