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adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE PROCEEDINGS ON THE LOWER DECK Christy Passford did not consider Percy Pierson a competent helmsman, for he had spent but a few minutes in instructing him in handling the wheel; in fact, only long enough to induce him to "steer small."
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading For the moment, Percy was interested in the occupation, and gave his whole mind to it; and Christy intended to remain where he could reach the wheel in a moment if occasion should require.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Christy had examined her with the glass, but he could see nothing which gave him any idea of what was going on upon her decks.
appeared
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From this reading The Bellevite, as the new captain had observed before, had stopped her screw: and she appeared to be waiting for the tug to come up, as it was headed towards her.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The Bellevite, as the new captain had observed before, had stopped her screw: and she appeared to be waiting for the tug to come up, as it was headed towards her.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The Bellevite, as the new captain had observed before, had stopped her screw: and she appeared to be waiting for the tug to come up, as it was headed towards her.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The Bellevite, as the new captain had observed before, had stopped her screw: and she appeared to be waiting for the tug to come up, as it was headed towards her.
Bellevite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Bellevite, as the new captain had observed before, had stopped her screw: and she appeared to be waiting for the tug to come up, as it was headed towards her.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading THE PROCEEDINGS ON THE LOWER DECK Christy Passford did not consider Percy Pierson a competent helmsman, for he had spent but a few minutes in instructing him in handling the wheel; in fact, only long enough to induce him to "steer small."
captainnounUS /ˈcaptain/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The Bellevite, as the new captain had observed before, had stopped her screw: and she appeared to be waiting for the tug to come up, as it was headed towards her.
care
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His companion in the pilot-house did not seem to care what he did.
Christy
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From this reading THE PROCEEDINGS ON THE LOWER DECK Christy Passford did not consider Percy Pierson a competent helmsman, for he had spent but a few minutes in instructing him in handling the wheel; in fact, only long enough to induce him to "steer small."
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The Bellevite, as the new captain had observed before, had stopped her screw: and she appeared to be waiting for the tug to come up, as it was headed towards her.
companion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His companion in the pilot-house did not seem to care what he did.
competent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PROCEEDINGS ON THE LOWER DECK Christy Passford did not consider Percy Pierson a competent helmsman, for he had spent but a few minutes in instructing him in handling the wheel; in fact, only long enough to induce him to "steer small."
consider
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PROCEEDINGS ON THE LOWER DECK Christy Passford did not consider Percy Pierson a competent helmsman, for he had spent but a few minutes in instructing him in handling the wheel; in fact, only long enough to induce him to "steer small."
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading For the moment, Percy was interested in the occupation, and gave his whole mind to it; and Christy intended to remain where he could reach the wheel in a moment if occasion should require.
DECK
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PROCEEDINGS ON THE LOWER DECK Christy Passford did not consider Percy Pierson a competent helmsman, for he had spent but a few minutes in instructing him in handling the wheel; in fact, only long enough to induce him to "steer small."
decks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Christy had examined her with the glass, but he could see nothing which gave him any idea of what was going on upon her decks.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading THE PROCEEDINGS ON THE LOWER DECK Christy Passford did not consider Percy Pierson a competent helmsman, for he had spent but a few minutes in instructing him in handling the wheel; in fact, only long enough to induce him to "steer small."
enough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PROCEEDINGS ON THE LOWER DECK Christy Passford did not consider Percy Pierson a competent helmsman, for he had spent but a few minutes in instructing him in handling the wheel; in fact, only long enough to induce him to "steer small."
examined
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Christy had examined her with the glass, but he could see nothing which gave him any idea of what was going on upon her decks.
fact
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PROCEEDINGS ON THE LOWER DECK Christy Passford did not consider Percy Pierson a competent helmsman, for he had spent but a few minutes in instructing him in handling the wheel; in fact, only long enough to induce him to "steer small."
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PROCEEDINGS ON THE LOWER DECK Christy Passford did not consider Percy Pierson a competent helmsman, for he had spent but a few minutes in instructing him in handling the wheel; in fact, only long enough to induce him to "steer small."
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE PROCEEDINGS ON THE LOWER DECK Christy Passford did not consider Percy Pierson a competent helmsman, for he had spent but a few minutes in instructing him in handling the wheel; in fact, only long enough to induce him to "steer small."
gave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the moment, Percy was interested in the occupation, and gave his whole mind to it; and Christy intended to remain where he could reach the wheel in a moment if occasion should require.
glass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Christy had examined her with the glass, but he could see nothing which gave him any idea of what was going on upon her decks.
going
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Christy had examined her with the glass, but he could see nothing which gave him any idea of what was going on upon her decks.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading THE PROCEEDINGS ON THE LOWER DECK Christy Passford did not consider Percy Pierson a competent helmsman, for he had spent but a few minutes in instructing him in handling the wheel; in fact, only long enough to induce him to "steer small."
handling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PROCEEDINGS ON THE LOWER DECK Christy Passford did not consider Percy Pierson a competent helmsman, for he had spent but a few minutes in instructing him in handling the wheel; in fact, only long enough to induce him to "steer small."
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading THE PROCEEDINGS ON THE LOWER DECK Christy Passford did not consider Percy Pierson a competent helmsman, for he had spent but a few minutes in instructing him in handling the wheel; in fact, only long enough to induce him to "steer small."
headed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Bellevite, as the new captain had observed before, had stopped her screw: and she appeared to be waiting for the tug to come up, as it was headed towards her.
helmsman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PROCEEDINGS ON THE LOWER DECK Christy Passford did not consider Percy Pierson a competent helmsman, for he had spent but a few minutes in instructing him in handling the wheel; in fact, only long enough to induce him to "steer small."
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The Bellevite, as the new captain had observed before, had stopped her screw: and she appeared to be waiting for the tug to come up, as it was headed towards her.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading THE PROCEEDINGS ON THE LOWER DECK Christy Passford did not consider Percy Pierson a competent helmsman, for he had spent but a few minutes in instructing him in handling the wheel; in fact, only long enough to induce him to "steer small."
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading For the moment, Percy was interested in the occupation, and gave his whole mind to it; and Christy intended to remain where he could reach the wheel in a moment if occasion should require.
idea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Christy had examined her with the glass, but he could see nothing which gave him any idea of what was going on upon her decks.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading For the moment, Percy was interested in the occupation, and gave his whole mind to it; and Christy intended to remain where he could reach the wheel in a moment if occasion should require.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE PROCEEDINGS ON THE LOWER DECK Christy Passford did not consider Percy Pierson a competent helmsman, for he had spent but a few minutes in instructing him in handling the wheel; in fact, only long enough to induce him to "steer small."
induce
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PROCEEDINGS ON THE LOWER DECK Christy Passford did not consider Percy Pierson a competent helmsman, for he had spent but a few minutes in instructing him in handling the wheel; in fact, only long enough to induce him to "steer small."
instructing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PROCEEDINGS ON THE LOWER DECK Christy Passford did not consider Percy Pierson a competent helmsman, for he had spent but a few minutes in instructing him in handling the wheel; in fact, only long enough to induce him to "steer small."
intended
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the moment, Percy was interested in the occupation, and gave his whole mind to it; and Christy intended to remain where he could reach the wheel in a moment if occasion should require.
interested
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the moment, Percy was interested in the occupation, and gave his whole mind to it; and Christy intended to remain where he could reach the wheel in a moment if occasion should require.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading For the moment, Percy was interested in the occupation, and gave his whole mind to it; and Christy intended to remain where he could reach the wheel in a moment if occasion should require.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE PROCEEDINGS ON THE LOWER DECK Christy Passford did not consider Percy Pierson a competent helmsman, for he had spent but a few minutes in instructing him in handling the wheel; in fact, only long enough to induce him to "steer small."
LOWER
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PROCEEDINGS ON THE LOWER DECK Christy Passford did not consider Percy Pierson a competent helmsman, for he had spent but a few minutes in instructing him in handling the wheel; in fact, only long enough to induce him to "steer small."
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For the moment, Percy was interested in the occupation, and gave his whole mind to it; and Christy intended to remain where he could reach the wheel in a moment if occasion should require.
minutes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PROCEEDINGS ON THE LOWER DECK Christy Passford did not consider Percy Pierson a competent helmsman, for he had spent but a few minutes in instructing him in handling the wheel; in fact, only long enough to induce him to "steer small."
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the moment, Percy was interested in the occupation, and gave his whole mind to it; and Christy intended to remain where he could reach the wheel in a moment if occasion should require.
new
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Bellevite, as the new captain had observed before, had stopped her screw: and she appeared to be waiting for the tug to come up, as it was headed towards her.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading THE PROCEEDINGS ON THE LOWER DECK Christy Passford did not consider Percy Pierson a competent helmsman, for he had spent but a few minutes in instructing him in handling the wheel; in fact, only long enough to induce him to "steer small."
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Christy had examined her with the glass, but he could see nothing which gave him any idea of what was going on upon her decks.
observed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Bellevite, as the new captain had observed before, had stopped her screw: and she appeared to be waiting for the tug to come up, as it was headed towards her.
occasion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the moment, Percy was interested in the occupation, and gave his whole mind to it; and Christy intended to remain where he could reach the wheel in a moment if occasion should require.
occupation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the moment, Percy was interested in the occupation, and gave his whole mind to it; and Christy intended to remain where he could reach the wheel in a moment if occasion should require.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Christy had examined her with the glass, but he could see nothing which gave him any idea of what was going on upon her decks.
ONprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE PROCEEDINGS ON THE LOWER DECK Christy Passford did not consider Percy Pierson a competent helmsman, for he had spent but a few minutes in instructing him in handling the wheel; in fact, only long enough to induce him to "steer small."
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PROCEEDINGS ON THE LOWER DECK Christy Passford did not consider Percy Pierson a competent helmsman, for he had spent but a few minutes in instructing him in handling the wheel; in fact, only long enough to induce him to "steer small."
Passford
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PROCEEDINGS ON THE LOWER DECK Christy Passford did not consider Percy Pierson a competent helmsman, for he had spent but a few minutes in instructing him in handling the wheel; in fact, only long enough to induce him to "steer small."
Percy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PROCEEDINGS ON THE LOWER DECK Christy Passford did not consider Percy Pierson a competent helmsman, for he had spent but a few minutes in instructing him in handling the wheel; in fact, only long enough to induce him to "steer small."
Pierson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PROCEEDINGS ON THE LOWER DECK Christy Passford did not consider Percy Pierson a competent helmsman, for he had spent but a few minutes in instructing him in handling the wheel; in fact, only long enough to induce him to "steer small."
pilot-house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His companion in the pilot-house did not seem to care what he did.
PROCEEDINGS
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PROCEEDINGS ON THE LOWER DECK Christy Passford did not consider Percy Pierson a competent helmsman, for he had spent but a few minutes in instructing him in handling the wheel; in fact, only long enough to induce him to "steer small."
reach
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the moment, Percy was interested in the occupation, and gave his whole mind to it; and Christy intended to remain where he could reach the wheel in a moment if occasion should require.
remain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the moment, Percy was interested in the occupation, and gave his whole mind to it; and Christy intended to remain where he could reach the wheel in a moment if occasion should require.
require
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the moment, Percy was interested in the occupation, and gave his whole mind to it; and Christy intended to remain where he could reach the wheel in a moment if occasion should require.
screw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Bellevite, as the new captain had observed before, had stopped her screw: and she appeared to be waiting for the tug to come up, as it was headed towards her.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Christy had examined her with the glass, but he could see nothing which gave him any idea of what was going on upon her decks.
seem
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His companion in the pilot-house did not seem to care what he did.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The Bellevite, as the new captain had observed before, had stopped her screw: and she appeared to be waiting for the tug to come up, as it was headed towards her.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading For the moment, Percy was interested in the occupation, and gave his whole mind to it; and Christy intended to remain where he could reach the wheel in a moment if occasion should require.
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PROCEEDINGS ON THE LOWER DECK Christy Passford did not consider Percy Pierson a competent helmsman, for he had spent but a few minutes in instructing him in handling the wheel; in fact, only long enough to induce him to "steer small."
spent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PROCEEDINGS ON THE LOWER DECK Christy Passford did not consider Percy Pierson a competent helmsman, for he had spent but a few minutes in instructing him in handling the wheel; in fact, only long enough to induce him to "steer small."
steer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PROCEEDINGS ON THE LOWER DECK Christy Passford did not consider Percy Pierson a competent helmsman, for he had spent but a few minutes in instructing him in handling the wheel; in fact, only long enough to induce him to "steer small."
stoppednounUS /stopped/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The Bellevite, as the new captain had observed before, had stopped her screw: and she appeared to be waiting for the tug to come up, as it was headed towards her.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE PROCEEDINGS ON THE LOWER DECK Christy Passford did not consider Percy Pierson a competent helmsman, for he had spent but a few minutes in instructing him in handling the wheel; in fact, only long enough to induce him to "steer small."
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE PROCEEDINGS ON THE LOWER DECK Christy Passford did not consider Percy Pierson a competent helmsman, for he had spent but a few minutes in instructing him in handling the wheel; in fact, only long enough to induce him to "steer small."
towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/
in the direction of
From this reading The Bellevite, as the new captain had observed before, had stopped her screw: and she appeared to be waiting for the tug to come up, as it was headed towards her.
tug
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Bellevite, as the new captain had observed before, had stopped her screw: and she appeared to be waiting for the tug to come up, as it was headed towards her.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Bellevite, as the new captain had observed before, had stopped her screw: and she appeared to be waiting for the tug to come up, as it was headed towards her.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Christy had examined her with the glass, but he could see nothing which gave him any idea of what was going on upon her decks.
waiting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Bellevite, as the new captain had observed before, had stopped her screw: and she appeared to be waiting for the tug to come up, as it was headed towards her.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading For the moment, Percy was interested in the occupation, and gave his whole mind to it; and Christy intended to remain where he could reach the wheel in a moment if occasion should require.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading His companion in the pilot-house did not seem to care what he did.
wheel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE PROCEEDINGS ON THE LOWER DECK Christy Passford did not consider Percy Pierson a competent helmsman, for he had spent but a few minutes in instructing him in handling the wheel; in fact, only long enough to induce him to "steer small."
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading For the moment, Percy was interested in the occupation, and gave his whole mind to it; and Christy intended to remain where he could reach the wheel in a moment if occasion should require.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Christy had examined her with the glass, but he could see nothing which gave him any idea of what was going on upon her decks.
whole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the moment, Percy was interested in the occupation, and gave his whole mind to it; and Christy intended to remain where he could reach the wheel in a moment if occasion should require.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Christy had examined her with the glass, but he could see nothing which gave him any idea of what was going on upon her decks.
