adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The captain had at once made inquiries for a pilot, and Jean Touzel was commended to him.
AdmiraltynounUS /ˈædmərəlti/
the department in charge of the navy (as in Great Britain)
From this reading The night before, orders had reached the vessel from the Admiralty that soundings were to be taken at the Ecrehos.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading The captain had then set sail, and now, under Jean's skilful pilotage, the Narcissus twisted and crept through the teeth of the rocks at the entrance, and slowly into the cove, reefs on either side gaping and girding at her, her keel all but scraping the serrated granite beneath.
alreadyadverbUS /ɔːlˈredi/
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading A messenger sent to Jean found that he had already gone to the Ecrehos.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading As Ranulph had surmised, the ship was the Narcissus, and its first lieutenant was Philip d'Avranche.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As Ranulph had surmised, the ship was the Narcissus, and its first lieutenant was Philip d'Avranche.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The night before, orders had reached the vessel from the Admiralty that soundings were to be taken at the Ecrehos.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The night before, orders had reached the vessel from the Admiralty that soundings were to be taken at the Ecrehos.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The night before, orders had reached the vessel from the Admiralty that soundings were to be taken at the Ecrehos.
beneathprepositionUS /bɪˈniːθ/
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading The captain had then set sail, and now, under Jean's skilful pilotage, the Narcissus twisted and crept through the teeth of the rocks at the entrance, and slowly into the cove, reefs on either side gaping and girding at her, her keel all but scraping the serrated granite beneath.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The captain had then set sail, and now, under Jean's skilful pilotage, the Narcissus twisted and crept through the teeth of the rocks at the entrance, and slowly into the cove, reefs on either side gaping and girding at her, her keel all but scraping the serrated granite beneath.
captainnounUS /ˈkæptən/
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading The captain had at once made inquiries for a pilot, and Jean Touzel was commended to him.
commendedverbUS /kəˈmendɪd/
past form of “commend” — express approval of
From this reading The captain had at once made inquiries for a pilot, and Jean Touzel was commended to him.
covenounUS /koʊv/
a small inlet
From this reading The captain had then set sail, and now, under Jean's skilful pilotage, the Narcissus twisted and crept through the teeth of the rocks at the entrance, and slowly into the cove, reefs on either side gaping and girding at her, her keel all but scraping the serrated granite beneath.
creptverbUS /krept/
inflected form of “creep” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground
From this reading The captain had then set sail, and now, under Jean's skilful pilotage, the Narcissus twisted and crept through the teeth of the rocks at the entrance, and slowly into the cove, reefs on either side gaping and girding at her, her keel all but scraping the serrated granite beneath.
d'Avranche
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Ranulph had surmised, the ship was the Narcissus, and its first lieutenant was Philip d'Avranche.
Ecrehos
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The night before, orders had reached the vessel from the Admiralty that soundings were to be taken at the Ecrehos.
eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/
one or the other of two
From this reading The captain had then set sail, and now, under Jean's skilful pilotage, the Narcissus twisted and crept through the teeth of the rocks at the entrance, and slowly into the cove, reefs on either side gaping and girding at her, her keel all but scraping the serrated granite beneath.
entrancenounUS /ˈentrəns/
something that provides access (to get in or get out)
From this reading The captain had then set sail, and now, under Jean's skilful pilotage, the Narcissus twisted and crept through the teeth of the rocks at the entrance, and slowly into the cove, reefs on either side gaping and girding at her, her keel all but scraping the serrated granite beneath.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading As Ranulph had surmised, the ship was the Narcissus, and its first lieutenant was Philip d'Avranche.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The captain had at once made inquiries for a pilot, and Jean Touzel was commended to him.
foundverbUS /faʊnd/
set up or found
From this reading A messenger sent to Jean found that he had already gone to the Ecrehos.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The night before, orders had reached the vessel from the Admiralty that soundings were to be taken at the Ecrehos.
gapingadjectiveUS /ˈɡeɪpɪŋ/
with the mouth wide open as in wonder or awe
From this reading The captain had then set sail, and now, under Jean's skilful pilotage, the Narcissus twisted and crept through the teeth of the rocks at the entrance, and slowly into the cove, reefs on either side gaping and girding at her, her keel all but scraping the serrated granite beneath.
girdingverbUS /ˈɡɜːrdɪŋ/
-ing form of “gird” — prepare oneself for a military confrontation
From this reading The captain had then set sail, and now, under Jean's skilful pilotage, the Narcissus twisted and crept through the teeth of the rocks at the entrance, and slowly into the cove, reefs on either side gaping and girding at her, her keel all but scraping the serrated granite beneath.
goneadjectiveUS /ɡɔːn/
destroyed or killed
From this reading A messenger sent to Jean found that he had already gone to the Ecrehos.
granitenounUS /ˈɡrænət/
plutonic igneous rock having visibly crystalline texture; generally composed of feldspar and mica and quartz
From this reading The captain had then set sail, and now, under Jean's skilful pilotage, the Narcissus twisted and crept through the teeth of the rocks at the entrance, and slowly into the cove, reefs on either side gaping and girding at her, her keel all but scraping the serrated granite beneath.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading As Ranulph had surmised, the ship was the Narcissus, and its first lieutenant was Philip d'Avranche.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading A messenger sent to Jean found that he had already gone to the Ecrehos.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The captain had then set sail, and now, under Jean's skilful pilotage, the Narcissus twisted and crept through the teeth of the rocks at the entrance, and slowly into the cove, reefs on either side gaping and girding at her, her keel all but scraping the serrated granite beneath.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The captain had at once made inquiries for a pilot, and Jean Touzel was commended to him.
inquiriesnounUS /ˌɪnˈkwaɪəriz/
plural of “inquiry” — a search for knowledge
From this reading The captain had at once made inquiries for a pilot, and Jean Touzel was commended to him.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The captain had then set sail, and now, under Jean's skilful pilotage, the Narcissus twisted and crept through the teeth of the rocks at the entrance, and slowly into the cove, reefs on either side gaping and girding at her, her keel all but scraping the serrated granite beneath.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading As Ranulph had surmised, the ship was the Narcissus, and its first lieutenant was Philip d'Avranche.
JeannounUS /dʒiːn/
a coarse durable twill-weave cotton fabric
From this reading The captain had at once made inquiries for a pilot, and Jean Touzel was commended to him.
Jean'snounUS /dʒiːnz/
possessive form of “jean” — a coarse durable twill-weave cotton fabric
From this reading The captain had then set sail, and now, under Jean's skilful pilotage, the Narcissus twisted and crept through the teeth of the rocks at the entrance, and slowly into the cove, reefs on either side gaping and girding at her, her keel all but scraping the serrated granite beneath.
keelnounUS /kiːl/
a projection or ridge that suggests a keel
From this reading The captain had then set sail, and now, under Jean's skilful pilotage, the Narcissus twisted and crept through the teeth of the rocks at the entrance, and slowly into the cove, reefs on either side gaping and girding at her, her keel all but scraping the serrated granite beneath.
lieutenantnounUS /luːˈtenənt/
a commissioned military officer
From this reading As Ranulph had surmised, the ship was the Narcissus, and its first lieutenant was Philip d'Avranche.
madeadjectiveUS /meɪd/
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading The captain had at once made inquiries for a pilot, and Jean Touzel was commended to him.
messengernounUS /ˈmesəndʒər/
a person who carries a message
From this reading A messenger sent to Jean found that he had already gone to the Ecrehos.
NarcissusnounUS /nɑːrˈsɪsəs/
bulbous plant having erect linear leaves and showy yellow or white flowers either solitary or in clusters
From this reading As Ranulph had surmised, the ship was the Narcissus, and its first lieutenant was Philip d'Avranche.
nightnounUS /naɪt/
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading The night before, orders had reached the vessel from the Admiralty that soundings were to be taken at the Ecrehos.
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The captain had then set sail, and now, under Jean's skilful pilotage, the Narcissus twisted and crept through the teeth of the rocks at the entrance, and slowly into the cove, reefs on either side gaping and girding at her, her keel all but scraping the serrated granite beneath.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The captain had then set sail, and now, under Jean's skilful pilotage, the Narcissus twisted and crept through the teeth of the rocks at the entrance, and slowly into the cove, reefs on either side gaping and girding at her, her keel all but scraping the serrated granite beneath.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The captain had then set sail, and now, under Jean's skilful pilotage, the Narcissus twisted and crept through the teeth of the rocks at the entrance, and slowly into the cove, reefs on either side gaping and girding at her, her keel all but scraping the serrated granite beneath.
onceadverbUS /wʌns/
on one occasion
From this reading The captain had at once made inquiries for a pilot, and Jean Touzel was commended to him.
ordersnounUS /ˈɔːrdərz/
plural of “order” — (often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading The night before, orders had reached the vessel from the Admiralty that soundings were to be taken at the Ecrehos.
PhilipnounUS /ˈfɪləp/
Englishman and husband of Elizabeth II (born 1921)
From this reading As Ranulph had surmised, the ship was the Narcissus, and its first lieutenant was Philip d'Avranche.
pilotverbUS /ˈpaɪlət/
operate an airplane
From this reading The captain had at once made inquiries for a pilot, and Jean Touzel was commended to him.
pilotagenoun
the guidance of ships or airplanes from place to place
From this reading The captain had then set sail, and now, under Jean's skilful pilotage, the Narcissus twisted and crept through the teeth of the rocks at the entrance, and slowly into the cove, reefs on either side gaping and girding at her, her keel all but scraping the serrated granite beneath.
Ranulph
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As Ranulph had surmised, the ship was the Narcissus, and its first lieutenant was Philip d'Avranche.
reachedverbUS /riːtʃt/
past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading The night before, orders had reached the vessel from the Admiralty that soundings were to be taken at the Ecrehos.
reefsnounUS /riːfs/
plural of “reef” — a submerged ridge of rock or coral near the surface of the water
From this reading The captain had then set sail, and now, under Jean's skilful pilotage, the Narcissus twisted and crept through the teeth of the rocks at the entrance, and slowly into the cove, reefs on either side gaping and girding at her, her keel all but scraping the serrated granite beneath.
rocksnounUS /rɑːks/
plural of “rock” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading The captain had then set sail, and now, under Jean's skilful pilotage, the Narcissus twisted and crept through the teeth of the rocks at the entrance, and slowly into the cove, reefs on either side gaping and girding at her, her keel all but scraping the serrated granite beneath.
sailverbUS /seɪl/
traverse or travel on (a body of water)
From this reading The captain had then set sail, and now, under Jean's skilful pilotage, the Narcissus twisted and crept through the teeth of the rocks at the entrance, and slowly into the cove, reefs on either side gaping and girding at her, her keel all but scraping the serrated granite beneath.
scrapingnounUS /ˈskreɪpɪŋ/
(usually plural) a fragment scraped off of something and collected
From this reading The captain had then set sail, and now, under Jean's skilful pilotage, the Narcissus twisted and crept through the teeth of the rocks at the entrance, and slowly into the cove, reefs on either side gaping and girding at her, her keel all but scraping the serrated granite beneath.
sentnounUS /sent/
100 senti equal 1 kroon in Estonia
From this reading A messenger sent to Jean found that he had already gone to the Ecrehos.
serratedadjectiveUS /ˈsereɪtɪd/
notched like a saw with teeth pointing toward the apex
From this reading The captain had then set sail, and now, under Jean's skilful pilotage, the Narcissus twisted and crept through the teeth of the rocks at the entrance, and slowly into the cove, reefs on either side gaping and girding at her, her keel all but scraping the serrated granite beneath.
setverbUS /set/
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The captain had then set sail, and now, under Jean's skilful pilotage, the Narcissus twisted and crept through the teeth of the rocks at the entrance, and slowly into the cove, reefs on either side gaping and girding at her, her keel all but scraping the serrated granite beneath.
shipverbUS /ʃɪp/
transport commercially
From this reading As Ranulph had surmised, the ship was the Narcissus, and its first lieutenant was Philip d'Avranche.
sidenounUS /saɪd/
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading The captain had then set sail, and now, under Jean's skilful pilotage, the Narcissus twisted and crept through the teeth of the rocks at the entrance, and slowly into the cove, reefs on either side gaping and girding at her, her keel all but scraping the serrated granite beneath.
skilfuladjective
having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude
From this reading The captain had then set sail, and now, under Jean's skilful pilotage, the Narcissus twisted and crept through the teeth of the rocks at the entrance, and slowly into the cove, reefs on either side gaping and girding at her, her keel all but scraping the serrated granite beneath.
slowlyadverbUS /ˈsloʊli/
without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)
From this reading The captain had then set sail, and now, under Jean's skilful pilotage, the Narcissus twisted and crept through the teeth of the rocks at the entrance, and slowly into the cove, reefs on either side gaping and girding at her, her keel all but scraping the serrated granite beneath.
soundingsnounUS /ˈsaʊndɪŋz/
plural of “sounding” — a measure of the depth of water taken with a sounding line
From this reading The night before, orders had reached the vessel from the Admiralty that soundings were to be taken at the Ecrehos.
surmisedverbUS /sərˈmaɪzd/
past form of “surmise” — infer from incomplete evidence
From this reading As Ranulph had surmised, the ship was the Narcissus, and its first lieutenant was Philip d'Avranche.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading The night before, orders had reached the vessel from the Admiralty that soundings were to be taken at the Ecrehos.
teethnounUS /tiːθ/
the kind and number and arrangement of teeth (collectively) in a person or animal
From this reading The captain had then set sail, and now, under Jean's skilful pilotage, the Narcissus twisted and crept through the teeth of the rocks at the entrance, and slowly into the cove, reefs on either side gaping and girding at her, her keel all but scraping the serrated granite beneath.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The night before, orders had reached the vessel from the Admiralty that soundings were to be taken at the Ecrehos.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading As Ranulph had surmised, the ship was the Narcissus, and its first lieutenant was Philip d'Avranche.
thenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading The captain had then set sail, and now, under Jean's skilful pilotage, the Narcissus twisted and crept through the teeth of the rocks at the entrance, and slowly into the cove, reefs on either side gaping and girding at her, her keel all but scraping the serrated granite beneath.
throughprepositionUS /θruː/
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The captain had then set sail, and now, under Jean's skilful pilotage, the Narcissus twisted and crept through the teeth of the rocks at the entrance, and slowly into the cove, reefs on either side gaping and girding at her, her keel all but scraping the serrated granite beneath.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The night before, orders had reached the vessel from the Admiralty that soundings were to be taken at the Ecrehos.
Touzel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The captain had at once made inquiries for a pilot, and Jean Touzel was commended to him.
twistedadjectiveUS /ˈtwɪstɪd/
having an intended meaning altered or misrepresented
From this reading The captain had then set sail, and now, under Jean's skilful pilotage, the Narcissus twisted and crept through the teeth of the rocks at the entrance, and slowly into the cove, reefs on either side gaping and girding at her, her keel all but scraping the serrated granite beneath.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading The captain had then set sail, and now, under Jean's skilful pilotage, the Narcissus twisted and crept through the teeth of the rocks at the entrance, and slowly into the cove, reefs on either side gaping and girding at her, her keel all but scraping the serrated granite beneath.
vesselnounUS /ˈvesəl/
a tube in which a body fluid circulates
From this reading The night before, orders had reached the vessel from the Admiralty that soundings were to be taken at the Ecrehos.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As Ranulph had surmised, the ship was the Narcissus, and its first lieutenant was Philip d'Avranche.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The night before, orders had reached the vessel from the Admiralty that soundings were to be taken at the Ecrehos.
