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 Christy went aft to ascertain the situation of the steamer from the north-west, and with the glass he satisfied himself that she was not exactly a river steamer, such as he had seen on the Alabama; or, if she was, she had been altered to fit her for duty on the bay.
accurately
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From this reading But she was a nondescript craft, and he was unable to make her out accurately, though by this time she was not more than half a mile distant.
aft
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Christy went aft to ascertain the situation of the steamer from the north-west, and with the glass he satisfied himself that she was not exactly a river steamer, such as he had seen on the Alabama; or, if she was, she had been altered to fit her for duty on the bay.
ahead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Major Pierson could hardly help discovering that the Leopard was under way, though he seemed to give his whole attention to the boat and the steamer ahead of him.
Alabama
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Christy went aft to ascertain the situation of the steamer from the north-west, and with the glass he satisfied himself that she was not exactly a river steamer, such as he had seen on the Alabama; or, if she was, she had been altered to fit her for duty on the bay.
altered
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From this reading Christy went aft to ascertain the situation of the steamer from the north-west, and with the glass he satisfied himself that she was not exactly a river steamer, such as he had seen on the Alabama; or, if she was, she had been altered to fit her for duty on the bay.
ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE POST OF DUTY AND OF DANGER The long-boat, with the increased experience of its crew, was doing very well, and it would soon be within hailing-distance of the Bellevite.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Christy went aft to ascertain the situation of the steamer from the north-west, and with the glass he satisfied himself that she was not exactly a river steamer, such as he had seen on the Alabama; or, if she was, she had been altered to fit her for duty on the bay.
ascertain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Christy went aft to ascertain the situation of the steamer from the north-west, and with the glass he satisfied himself that she was not exactly a river steamer, such as he had seen on the Alabama; or, if she was, she had been altered to fit her for duty on the bay.
attention
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Major Pierson could hardly help discovering that the Leopard was under way, though he seemed to give his whole attention to the boat and the steamer ahead of him.
bay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Christy went aft to ascertain the situation of the steamer from the north-west, and with the glass he satisfied himself that she was not exactly a river steamer, such as he had seen on the Alabama; or, if she was, she had been altered to fit her for duty on the bay.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading THE POST OF DUTY AND OF DANGER The long-boat, with the increased experience of its crew, was doing very well, and it would soon be within hailing-distance of the Bellevite.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Christy went aft to ascertain the situation of the steamer from the north-west, and with the glass he satisfied himself that she was not exactly a river steamer, such as he had seen on the Alabama; or, if she was, she had been altered to fit her for duty on the bay.
Bellevite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE POST OF DUTY AND OF DANGER The long-boat, with the increased experience of its crew, was doing very well, and it would soon be within hailing-distance of the Bellevite.
boat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Major Pierson could hardly help discovering that the Leopard was under way, though he seemed to give his whole attention to the boat and the steamer ahead of him.
brass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could see that she had brass guns on her forward deck, and a considerable force of soldiers or sailors.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But Major Pierson could hardly help discovering that the Leopard was under way, though he seemed to give his whole attention to the boat and the steamer ahead of him.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading But she was a nondescript craft, and he was unable to make her out accurately, though by this time she was not more than half a mile distant.
Christy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Christy went aft to ascertain the situation of the steamer from the north-west, and with the glass he satisfied himself that she was not exactly a river steamer, such as he had seen on the Alabama; or, if she was, she had been altered to fit her for duty on the bay.
considerable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could see that she had brass guns on her forward deck, and a considerable force of soldiers or sailors.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading But Major Pierson could hardly help discovering that the Leopard was under way, though he seemed to give his whole attention to the boat and the steamer ahead of him.
craftnounUS /kræft/
a boat or ship in this chapter’s sailing situation
From this reading But she was a nondescript craft, and he was unable to make her out accurately, though by this time she was not more than half a mile distant.
crewnounUS /crew/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE POST OF DUTY AND OF DANGER The long-boat, with the increased experience of its crew, was doing very well, and it would soon be within hailing-distance of the Bellevite.
DANGER
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE POST OF DUTY AND OF DANGER The long-boat, with the increased experience of its crew, was doing very well, and it would soon be within hailing-distance of the Bellevite.
deck
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could see that she had brass guns on her forward deck, and a considerable force of soldiers or sailors.
discovering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Major Pierson could hardly help discovering that the Leopard was under way, though he seemed to give his whole attention to the boat and the steamer ahead of him.
distantadjectiveUS /ˈdɪstənt/
not friendly or close
From this reading But she was a nondescript craft, and he was unable to make her out accurately, though by this time she was not more than half a mile distant.
doing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE POST OF DUTY AND OF DANGER The long-boat, with the increased experience of its crew, was doing very well, and it would soon be within hailing-distance of the Bellevite.
DUTYnounUS /ˈduːti/
a responsibility that must be carried out
From this reading THE POST OF DUTY AND OF DANGER The long-boat, with the increased experience of its crew, was doing very well, and it would soon be within hailing-distance of the Bellevite.
exactly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Christy went aft to ascertain the situation of the steamer from the north-west, and with the glass he satisfied himself that she was not exactly a river steamer, such as he had seen on the Alabama; or, if she was, she had been altered to fit her for duty on the bay.
experience
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE POST OF DUTY AND OF DANGER The long-boat, with the increased experience of its crew, was doing very well, and it would soon be within hailing-distance of the Bellevite.
fit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Christy went aft to ascertain the situation of the steamer from the north-west, and with the glass he satisfied himself that she was not exactly a river steamer, such as he had seen on the Alabama; or, if she was, she had been altered to fit her for duty on the bay.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Christy went aft to ascertain the situation of the steamer from the north-west, and with the glass he satisfied himself that she was not exactly a river steamer, such as he had seen on the Alabama; or, if she was, she had been altered to fit her for duty on the bay.
force
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could see that she had brass guns on her forward deck, and a considerable force of soldiers or sailors.
forwardnounUS /forward/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He could see that she had brass guns on her forward deck, and a considerable force of soldiers or sailors.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Christy went aft to ascertain the situation of the steamer from the north-west, and with the glass he satisfied himself that she was not exactly a river steamer, such as he had seen on the Alabama; or, if she was, she had been altered to fit her for duty on the bay.
give
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Major Pierson could hardly help discovering that the Leopard was under way, though he seemed to give his whole attention to the boat and the steamer ahead of him.
glass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Christy went aft to ascertain the situation of the steamer from the north-west, and with the glass he satisfied himself that she was not exactly a river steamer, such as he had seen on the Alabama; or, if she was, she had been altered to fit her for duty on the bay.
guns
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could see that she had brass guns on her forward deck, and a considerable force of soldiers or sailors.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Christy went aft to ascertain the situation of the steamer from the north-west, and with the glass he satisfied himself that she was not exactly a river steamer, such as he had seen on the Alabama; or, if she was, she had been altered to fit her for duty on the bay.
hailing-distance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE POST OF DUTY AND OF DANGER The long-boat, with the increased experience of its crew, was doing very well, and it would soon be within hailing-distance of the Bellevite.
halfnounUS /half/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But she was a nondescript craft, and he was unable to make her out accurately, though by this time she was not more than half a mile distant.
hardly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Major Pierson could hardly help discovering that the Leopard was under way, though he seemed to give his whole attention to the boat and the steamer ahead of him.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But Major Pierson could hardly help discovering that the Leopard was under way, though he seemed to give his whole attention to the boat and the steamer ahead of him.
helpnounUS /help/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But Major Pierson could hardly help discovering that the Leopard was under way, though he seemed to give his whole attention to the boat and the steamer ahead of him.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Christy went aft to ascertain the situation of the steamer from the north-west, and with the glass he satisfied himself that she was not exactly a river steamer, such as he had seen on the Alabama; or, if she was, she had been altered to fit her for duty on the bay.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading But Major Pierson could hardly help discovering that the Leopard was under way, though he seemed to give his whole attention to the boat and the steamer ahead of him.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Christy went aft to ascertain the situation of the steamer from the north-west, and with the glass he satisfied himself that she was not exactly a river steamer, such as he had seen on the Alabama; or, if she was, she had been altered to fit her for duty on the bay.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading But Major Pierson could hardly help discovering that the Leopard was under way, though he seemed to give his whole attention to the boat and the steamer ahead of him.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Christy went aft to ascertain the situation of the steamer from the north-west, and with the glass he satisfied himself that she was not exactly a river steamer, such as he had seen on the Alabama; or, if she was, she had been altered to fit her for duty on the bay.
increased
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE POST OF DUTY AND OF DANGER The long-boat, with the increased experience of its crew, was doing very well, and it would soon be within hailing-distance of the Bellevite.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading THE POST OF DUTY AND OF DANGER The long-boat, with the increased experience of its crew, was doing very well, and it would soon be within hailing-distance of the Bellevite.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading THE POST OF DUTY AND OF DANGER The long-boat, with the increased experience of its crew, was doing very well, and it would soon be within hailing-distance of the Bellevite.
Leopard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Major Pierson could hardly help discovering that the Leopard was under way, though he seemed to give his whole attention to the boat and the steamer ahead of him.
long-boat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE POST OF DUTY AND OF DANGER The long-boat, with the increased experience of its crew, was doing very well, and it would soon be within hailing-distance of the Bellevite.
Major
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Major Pierson could hardly help discovering that the Leopard was under way, though he seemed to give his whole attention to the boat and the steamer ahead of him.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But she was a nondescript craft, and he was unable to make her out accurately, though by this time she was not more than half a mile distant.
mile
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But she was a nondescript craft, and he was unable to make her out accurately, though by this time she was not more than half a mile distant.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But she was a nondescript craft, and he was unable to make her out accurately, though by this time she was not more than half a mile distant.
nondescript
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But she was a nondescript craft, and he was unable to make her out accurately, though by this time she was not more than half a mile distant.
north-west
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Christy went aft to ascertain the situation of the steamer from the north-west, and with the glass he satisfied himself that she was not exactly a river steamer, such as he had seen on the Alabama; or, if she was, she had been altered to fit her for duty on the bay.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Christy went aft to ascertain the situation of the steamer from the north-west, and with the glass he satisfied himself that she was not exactly a river steamer, such as he had seen on the Alabama; or, if she was, she had been altered to fit her for duty on the bay.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE POST OF DUTY AND OF DANGER The long-boat, with the increased experience of its crew, was doing very well, and it would soon be within hailing-distance of the Bellevite.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Christy went aft to ascertain the situation of the steamer from the north-west, and with the glass he satisfied himself that she was not exactly a river steamer, such as he had seen on the Alabama; or, if she was, she had been altered to fit her for duty on the bay.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Christy went aft to ascertain the situation of the steamer from the north-west, and with the glass he satisfied himself that she was not exactly a river steamer, such as he had seen on the Alabama; or, if she was, she had been altered to fit her for duty on the bay.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But she was a nondescript craft, and he was unable to make her out accurately, though by this time she was not more than half a mile distant.
Pierson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Major Pierson could hardly help discovering that the Leopard was under way, though he seemed to give his whole attention to the boat and the steamer ahead of him.
POST
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE POST OF DUTY AND OF DANGER The long-boat, with the increased experience of its crew, was doing very well, and it would soon be within hailing-distance of the Bellevite.
river
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Christy went aft to ascertain the situation of the steamer from the north-west, and with the glass he satisfied himself that she was not exactly a river steamer, such as he had seen on the Alabama; or, if she was, she had been altered to fit her for duty on the bay.
sailors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could see that she had brass guns on her forward deck, and a considerable force of soldiers or sailors.
satisfied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Christy went aft to ascertain the situation of the steamer from the north-west, and with the glass he satisfied himself that she was not exactly a river steamer, such as he had seen on the Alabama; or, if she was, she had been altered to fit her for duty on the bay.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could see that she had brass guns on her forward deck, and a considerable force of soldiers or sailors.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But Major Pierson could hardly help discovering that the Leopard was under way, though he seemed to give his whole attention to the boat and the steamer ahead of him.
seen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Christy went aft to ascertain the situation of the steamer from the north-west, and with the glass he satisfied himself that she was not exactly a river steamer, such as he had seen on the Alabama; or, if she was, she had been altered to fit her for duty on the bay.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Christy went aft to ascertain the situation of the steamer from the north-west, and with the glass he satisfied himself that she was not exactly a river steamer, such as he had seen on the Alabama; or, if she was, she had been altered to fit her for duty on the bay.
situation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Christy went aft to ascertain the situation of the steamer from the north-west, and with the glass he satisfied himself that she was not exactly a river steamer, such as he had seen on the Alabama; or, if she was, she had been altered to fit her for duty on the bay.
soldiers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could see that she had brass guns on her forward deck, and a considerable force of soldiers or sailors.
soon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE POST OF DUTY AND OF DANGER The long-boat, with the increased experience of its crew, was doing very well, and it would soon be within hailing-distance of the Bellevite.
steamer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Major Pierson could hardly help discovering that the Leopard was under way, though he seemed to give his whole attention to the boat and the steamer ahead of him.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Christy went aft to ascertain the situation of the steamer from the north-west, and with the glass he satisfied himself that she was not exactly a river steamer, such as he had seen on the Alabama; or, if she was, she had been altered to fit her for duty on the bay.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading But she was a nondescript craft, and he was unable to make her out accurately, though by this time she was not more than half a mile distant.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But Major Pierson could hardly help discovering that the Leopard was under way, though he seemed to give his whole attention to the boat and the steamer ahead of him.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE POST OF DUTY AND OF DANGER The long-boat, with the increased experience of its crew, was doing very well, and it would soon be within hailing-distance of the Bellevite.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading But she was a nondescript craft, and he was unable to make her out accurately, though by this time she was not more than half a mile distant.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading But Major Pierson could hardly help discovering that the Leopard was under way, though he seemed to give his whole attention to the boat and the steamer ahead of him.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But she was a nondescript craft, and he was unable to make her out accurately, though by this time she was not more than half a mile distant.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But Major Pierson could hardly help discovering that the Leopard was under way, though he seemed to give his whole attention to the boat and the steamer ahead of him.
unable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But she was a nondescript craft, and he was unable to make her out accurately, though by this time she was not more than half a mile distant.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading But Major Pierson could hardly help discovering that the Leopard was under way, though he seemed to give his whole attention to the boat and the steamer ahead of him.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE POST OF DUTY AND OF DANGER The long-boat, with the increased experience of its crew, was doing very well, and it would soon be within hailing-distance of the Bellevite.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE POST OF DUTY AND OF DANGER The long-boat, with the increased experience of its crew, was doing very well, and it would soon be within hailing-distance of the Bellevite.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Major Pierson could hardly help discovering that the Leopard was under way, though he seemed to give his whole attention to the boat and the steamer ahead of him.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE POST OF DUTY AND OF DANGER The long-boat, with the increased experience of its crew, was doing very well, and it would soon be within hailing-distance of the Bellevite.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Christy went aft to ascertain the situation of the steamer from the north-west, and with the glass he satisfied himself that she was not exactly a river steamer, such as he had seen on the Alabama; or, if she was, she had been altered to fit her for duty on the bay.
whole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But Major Pierson could hardly help discovering that the Leopard was under way, though he seemed to give his whole attention to the boat and the steamer ahead of him.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE POST OF DUTY AND OF DANGER The long-boat, with the increased experience of its crew, was doing very well, and it would soon be within hailing-distance of the Bellevite.
withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading THE POST OF DUTY AND OF DANGER The long-boat, with the increased experience of its crew, was doing very well, and it would soon be within hailing-distance of the Bellevite.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading THE POST OF DUTY AND OF DANGER The long-boat, with the increased experience of its crew, was doing very well, and it would soon be within hailing-distance of the Bellevite.
