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 We had railed off a part of the deck around the forward companionway for them, and none of the crew except the man on guard was allowed inside the ropes.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After a consultation, finding the ship very short-handed, and unwilling with the night coming on to trust any of the men, Burns and I decided to take over this duty ourselves, and, by stationing ourselves at the top of the companionway, to combine the duties of officer on watch and guard of the after house.
afternoonnounUS /ˈafternoon/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Mrs. Johns and the stewardess came up late in the afternoon.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To make the women doubly secure, we had Oleson nail all the windows closed, although they were merely portholes.
allowed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We had railed off a part of the deck around the forward companionway for them, and none of the crew except the man on guard was allowed inside the ropes.
althoughnounUS /ˈalthough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading To make the women doubly secure, we had Oleson nail all the windows closed, although they were merely portholes.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Mrs. Johns and the stewardess came up late in the afternoon.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a consultation, finding the ship very short-handed, and unwilling with the night coming on to trust any of the men, Burns and I decided to take over this duty ourselves, and, by stationing ourselves at the top of the companionway, to combine the duties of officer on watch and guard of the after house.
aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading We had railed off a part of the deck around the forward companionway for them, and none of the crew except the man on guard was allowed inside the ropes.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading After a consultation, finding the ship very short-handed, and unwilling with the night coming on to trust any of the men, Burns and I decided to take over this duty ourselves, and, by stationing ourselves at the top of the companionway, to combine the duties of officer on watch and guard of the after house.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading Jones was no longer on guard below, and I had exchanged Singleton’s worthless revolver for my own serviceable one.
Burns
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a consultation, finding the ship very short-handed, and unwilling with the night coming on to trust any of the men, Burns and I decided to take over this duty ourselves, and, by stationing ourselves at the top of the companionway, to combine the duties of officer on watch and guard of the after house.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading After a consultation, finding the ship very short-handed, and unwilling with the night coming on to trust any of the men, Burns and I decided to take over this duty ourselves, and, by stationing ourselves at the top of the companionway, to combine the duties of officer on watch and guard of the after house.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Johns and the stewardess came up late in the afternoon.
closed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To make the women doubly secure, we had Oleson nail all the windows closed, although they were merely portholes.
combine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a consultation, finding the ship very short-handed, and unwilling with the night coming on to trust any of the men, Burns and I decided to take over this duty ourselves, and, by stationing ourselves at the top of the companionway, to combine the duties of officer on watch and guard of the after house.
coming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a consultation, finding the ship very short-handed, and unwilling with the night coming on to trust any of the men, Burns and I decided to take over this duty ourselves, and, by stationing ourselves at the top of the companionway, to combine the duties of officer on watch and guard of the after house.
companionway
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We had railed off a part of the deck around the forward companionway for them, and none of the crew except the man on guard was allowed inside the ropes.
consultation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a consultation, finding the ship very short-handed, and unwilling with the night coming on to trust any of the men, Burns and I decided to take over this duty ourselves, and, by stationing ourselves at the top of the companionway, to combine the duties of officer on watch and guard of the after house.
crewnounUS /crew/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading We had railed off a part of the deck around the forward companionway for them, and none of the crew except the man on guard was allowed inside the ropes.
decided
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a consultation, finding the ship very short-handed, and unwilling with the night coming on to trust any of the men, Burns and I decided to take over this duty ourselves, and, by stationing ourselves at the top of the companionway, to combine the duties of officer on watch and guard of the after house.
deck
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We had railed off a part of the deck around the forward companionway for them, and none of the crew except the man on guard was allowed inside the ropes.
doubly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To make the women doubly secure, we had Oleson nail all the windows closed, although they were merely portholes.
duties
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a consultation, finding the ship very short-handed, and unwilling with the night coming on to trust any of the men, Burns and I decided to take over this duty ourselves, and, by stationing ourselves at the top of the companionway, to combine the duties of officer on watch and guard of the after house.
dutynounUS /ˈduːti/
a responsibility that must be carried out
From this reading After a consultation, finding the ship very short-handed, and unwilling with the night coming on to trust any of the men, Burns and I decided to take over this duty ourselves, and, by stationing ourselves at the top of the companionway, to combine the duties of officer on watch and guard of the after house.
exceptprepositionUS /ɪkˈsept/
apart from; not including
From this reading We had railed off a part of the deck around the forward companionway for them, and none of the crew except the man on guard was allowed inside the ropes.
exchangednounUS /ˈexchanged/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Jones was no longer on guard below, and I had exchanged Singleton’s worthless revolver for my own serviceable one.
finding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a consultation, finding the ship very short-handed, and unwilling with the night coming on to trust any of the men, Burns and I decided to take over this duty ourselves, and, by stationing ourselves at the top of the companionway, to combine the duties of officer on watch and guard of the after house.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading We had railed off a part of the deck around the forward companionway for them, and none of the crew except the man on guard was allowed inside the ropes.
forwardnounUS /forward/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading We had railed off a part of the deck around the forward companionway for them, and none of the crew except the man on guard was allowed inside the ropes.
guard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We had railed off a part of the deck around the forward companionway for them, and none of the crew except the man on guard was allowed inside the ropes.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading We had railed off a part of the deck around the forward companionway for them, and none of the crew except the man on guard was allowed inside the ropes.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a consultation, finding the ship very short-handed, and unwilling with the night coming on to trust any of the men, Burns and I decided to take over this duty ourselves, and, by stationing ourselves at the top of the companionway, to combine the duties of officer on watch and guard of the after house.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading After a consultation, finding the ship very short-handed, and unwilling with the night coming on to trust any of the men, Burns and I decided to take over this duty ourselves, and, by stationing ourselves at the top of the companionway, to combine the duties of officer on watch and guard of the after house.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Mrs. Johns and the stewardess came up late in the afternoon.
inside
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We had railed off a part of the deck around the forward companionway for them, and none of the crew except the man on guard was allowed inside the ropes.
Johns
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Johns and the stewardess came up late in the afternoon.
Jones
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jones was no longer on guard below, and I had exchanged Singleton’s worthless revolver for my own serviceable one.
late
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Johns and the stewardess came up late in the afternoon.
longer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jones was no longer on guard below, and I had exchanged Singleton’s worthless revolver for my own serviceable one.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading To make the women doubly secure, we had Oleson nail all the windows closed, although they were merely portholes.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We had railed off a part of the deck around the forward companionway for them, and none of the crew except the man on guard was allowed inside the ropes.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a consultation, finding the ship very short-handed, and unwilling with the night coming on to trust any of the men, Burns and I decided to take over this duty ourselves, and, by stationing ourselves at the top of the companionway, to combine the duties of officer on watch and guard of the after house.
merely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To make the women doubly secure, we had Oleson nail all the windows closed, although they were merely portholes.
Mrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Johns and the stewardess came up late in the afternoon.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Jones was no longer on guard below, and I had exchanged Singleton’s worthless revolver for my own serviceable one.
nail
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To make the women doubly secure, we had Oleson nail all the windows closed, although they were merely portholes.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a consultation, finding the ship very short-handed, and unwilling with the night coming on to trust any of the men, Burns and I decided to take over this duty ourselves, and, by stationing ourselves at the top of the companionway, to combine the duties of officer on watch and guard of the after house.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Jones was no longer on guard below, and I had exchanged Singleton’s worthless revolver for my own serviceable one.
nonepronounUS /nʌn/
not one, and not any
From this reading We had railed off a part of the deck around the forward companionway for them, and none of the crew except the man on guard was allowed inside the ropes.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading We had railed off a part of the deck around the forward companionway for them, and none of the crew except the man on guard was allowed inside the ropes.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We had railed off a part of the deck around the forward companionway for them, and none of the crew except the man on guard was allowed inside the ropes.
officer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a consultation, finding the ship very short-handed, and unwilling with the night coming on to trust any of the men, Burns and I decided to take over this duty ourselves, and, by stationing ourselves at the top of the companionway, to combine the duties of officer on watch and guard of the after house.
Oleson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To make the women doubly secure, we had Oleson nail all the windows closed, although they were merely portholes.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading We had railed off a part of the deck around the forward companionway for them, and none of the crew except the man on guard was allowed inside the ropes.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Jones was no longer on guard below, and I had exchanged Singleton’s worthless revolver for my own serviceable one.
ourselvespronounUS /aʊərˈselvz/
used when we are both doing the action and receiving it
From this reading After a consultation, finding the ship very short-handed, and unwilling with the night coming on to trust any of the men, Burns and I decided to take over this duty ourselves, and, by stationing ourselves at the top of the companionway, to combine the duties of officer on watch and guard of the after house.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading After a consultation, finding the ship very short-handed, and unwilling with the night coming on to trust any of the men, Burns and I decided to take over this duty ourselves, and, by stationing ourselves at the top of the companionway, to combine the duties of officer on watch and guard of the after house.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jones was no longer on guard below, and I had exchanged Singleton’s worthless revolver for my own serviceable one.
partnounUS /part/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading We had railed off a part of the deck around the forward companionway for them, and none of the crew except the man on guard was allowed inside the ropes.
portholes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To make the women doubly secure, we had Oleson nail all the windows closed, although they were merely portholes.
railed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We had railed off a part of the deck around the forward companionway for them, and none of the crew except the man on guard was allowed inside the ropes.
revolver
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jones was no longer on guard below, and I had exchanged Singleton’s worthless revolver for my own serviceable one.
ropes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We had railed off a part of the deck around the forward companionway for them, and none of the crew except the man on guard was allowed inside the ropes.
secure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To make the women doubly secure, we had Oleson nail all the windows closed, although they were merely portholes.
serviceable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jones was no longer on guard below, and I had exchanged Singleton’s worthless revolver for my own serviceable one.
shipnounUS /ship/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading After a consultation, finding the ship very short-handed, and unwilling with the night coming on to trust any of the men, Burns and I decided to take over this duty ourselves, and, by stationing ourselves at the top of the companionway, to combine the duties of officer on watch and guard of the after house.
short-handed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a consultation, finding the ship very short-handed, and unwilling with the night coming on to trust any of the men, Burns and I decided to take over this duty ourselves, and, by stationing ourselves at the top of the companionway, to combine the duties of officer on watch and guard of the after house.
Singleton's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jones was no longer on guard below, and I had exchanged Singleton’s worthless revolver for my own serviceable one.
stationing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a consultation, finding the ship very short-handed, and unwilling with the night coming on to trust any of the men, Burns and I decided to take over this duty ourselves, and, by stationing ourselves at the top of the companionway, to combine the duties of officer on watch and guard of the after house.
stewardess
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Johns and the stewardess came up late in the afternoon.
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading After a consultation, finding the ship very short-handed, and unwilling with the night coming on to trust any of the men, Burns and I decided to take over this duty ourselves, and, by stationing ourselves at the top of the companionway, to combine the duties of officer on watch and guard of the after house.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Mrs. Johns and the stewardess came up late in the afternoon.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading We had railed off a part of the deck around the forward companionway for them, and none of the crew except the man on guard was allowed inside the ropes.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading To make the women doubly secure, we had Oleson nail all the windows closed, although they were merely portholes.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading After a consultation, finding the ship very short-handed, and unwilling with the night coming on to trust any of the men, Burns and I decided to take over this duty ourselves, and, by stationing ourselves at the top of the companionway, to combine the duties of officer on watch and guard of the after house.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading After a consultation, finding the ship very short-handed, and unwilling with the night coming on to trust any of the men, Burns and I decided to take over this duty ourselves, and, by stationing ourselves at the top of the companionway, to combine the duties of officer on watch and guard of the after house.
top
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a consultation, finding the ship very short-handed, and unwilling with the night coming on to trust any of the men, Burns and I decided to take over this duty ourselves, and, by stationing ourselves at the top of the companionway, to combine the duties of officer on watch and guard of the after house.
trust
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a consultation, finding the ship very short-handed, and unwilling with the night coming on to trust any of the men, Burns and I decided to take over this duty ourselves, and, by stationing ourselves at the top of the companionway, to combine the duties of officer on watch and guard of the after house.
unwilling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a consultation, finding the ship very short-handed, and unwilling with the night coming on to trust any of the men, Burns and I decided to take over this duty ourselves, and, by stationing ourselves at the top of the companionway, to combine the duties of officer on watch and guard of the after house.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mrs. Johns and the stewardess came up late in the afternoon.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a consultation, finding the ship very short-handed, and unwilling with the night coming on to trust any of the men, Burns and I decided to take over this duty ourselves, and, by stationing ourselves at the top of the companionway, to combine the duties of officer on watch and guard of the after house.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading We had railed off a part of the deck around the forward companionway for them, and none of the crew except the man on guard was allowed inside the ropes.
watch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After a consultation, finding the ship very short-handed, and unwilling with the night coming on to trust any of the men, Burns and I decided to take over this duty ourselves, and, by stationing ourselves at the top of the companionway, to combine the duties of officer on watch and guard of the after house.
WepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We had railed off a part of the deck around the forward companionway for them, and none of the crew except the man on guard was allowed inside the ropes.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading To make the women doubly secure, we had Oleson nail all the windows closed, although they were merely portholes.
windows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To make the women doubly secure, we had Oleson nail all the windows closed, although they were merely portholes.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading After a consultation, finding the ship very short-handed, and unwilling with the night coming on to trust any of the men, Burns and I decided to take over this duty ourselves, and, by stationing ourselves at the top of the companionway, to combine the duties of officer on watch and guard of the after house.
women
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To make the women doubly secure, we had Oleson nail all the windows closed, although they were merely portholes.
worthless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Jones was no longer on guard below, and I had exchanged Singleton’s worthless revolver for my own serviceable one.
