Complete classic literature • Five-line readings • Clear US narration
VELMORA ACADEMY
Academy of Archival Languages & Memory Studies
Menu Close
The Cruise of the "Cachalot" Round the World After Sperm Whales
The Cruise of the "Cachalot" Round the World After Sperm Whales

Chapter IV · Bad Weather

Cover illustration for The Cruise of the "Cachalot" Round the World After Sperm Whales
Context Illustration Reading 1/17 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Nautical routine in its essential details is much the same in all ships, whether naval, merchant, or whaling vessels.
But while in the ordinary merchantman there are decidedly "no more cats than can catch mice," hardly, indeed, sufficient for all the mousing that should be done, in men-of-war and whaleships the number of hands carried, being far more than are wanted for everyday work, must needs be kept at unnecessary duties in order that they may not grow lazy and discontented.
For instance, in the CACHALOT we carried a crew of thirty-seven all told, of which twenty-four were men before the mast, or common seamen, our tonnage being under 400 tons.
Many a splendid clipper-ship carrying an enormous spread of canvas on four masts, and not overloaded with 2500 tons of cargo on board, carries twenty-eight or thirty all told, or even less than that.
As far as we were concerned, the result of this was that our landsmen got so thoroughly drilled, that within a week of leaving port they hardly knew themselves for the clumsy clodhoppers they at first appeared to be.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Cruise of the "Cachalot" Round the World After Sperm Whales

Chapter IV · Bad Weather

Reading 1/17 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Nautical routine in its essential details is much the same in all ships, whether naval, merchant, or whaling vessels.
Line 2
But while in the ordinary merchantman there are decidedly "no more cats than can catch mice," hardly, indeed, sufficient for all the mousing that should be done, in men-of-war and whaleships the number of hands carried, being far more than are wanted for everyday work, must needs be kept at unnecessary duties in order that they may not grow lazy and discontented.
Line 3
For instance, in the CACHALOT we carried a crew of thirty-seven all told, of which twenty-four were men before the mast, or common seamen, our tonnage being under 400 tons.
Line 4
Many a splendid clipper-ship carrying an enormous spread of canvas on four masts, and not overloaded with 2500 tons of cargo on board, carries twenty-eight or thirty all told, or even less than that.
Line 5
As far as we were concerned, the result of this was that our landsmen got so thoroughly drilled, that within a week of leaving port they hardly knew themselves for the clumsy clodhoppers they at first appeared to be.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “For instance, in the CACHALOT we carried a crew of thirty-seven all told, of which twenty-four were men before the mast, or common seamen, our tonnage being under 400 tons.”

Being auxiliary verb US /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading “But while in the ordinary merchantman there are decidedly "no more cats than can catch mice," hardly, indeed, sufficient for all the mousing that should be done, in men-of-war and whaleships the number of hands carried, being far more than are wanted for everyday work, must needs be kept at unnecessary duties in order that they may not grow lazy and discontented.”

Clumsy adjective US /ˈklʌmzi/

awkward in movement or handling things

From this reading “As far as we were concerned, the result of this was that our landsmen got so thoroughly drilled, that within a week of leaving port they hardly knew themselves for the clumsy clodhoppers they at first appeared to be.”

Crew noun US /crew/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “For instance, in the CACHALOT we carried a crew of thirty-seven all told, of which twenty-four were men before the mast, or common seamen, our tonnage being under 400 tons.”

Details noun US /ˈdetails/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “Nautical routine in its essential details is much the same in all ships, whether naval, merchant, or whaling vessels.”

Done noun US /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But while in the ordinary merchantman there are decidedly "no more cats than can catch mice," hardly, indeed, sufficient for all the mousing that should be done, in men-of-war and whaleships the number of hands carried, being far more than are wanted for everyday work, must needs be kept at unnecessary duties in order that they may not grow lazy and discontented.”

Even noun US /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Many a splendid clipper-ship carrying an enormous spread of canvas on four masts, and not overloaded with 2500 tons of cargo on board, carries twenty-eight or thirty all told, or even less than that.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “As far as we were concerned, the result of this was that our landsmen got so thoroughly drilled, that within a week of leaving port they hardly knew themselves for the clumsy clodhoppers they at first appeared to be.”

Hands plural noun US /hændz/

members of a ship’s crew

From this reading “But while in the ordinary merchantman there are decidedly "no more cats than can catch mice," hardly, indeed, sufficient for all the mousing that should be done, in men-of-war and whaleships the number of hands carried, being far more than are wanted for everyday work, must needs be kept at unnecessary duties in order that they may not grow lazy and discontented.”

May modal verb US /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading “But while in the ordinary merchantman there are decidedly "no more cats than can catch mice," hardly, indeed, sufficient for all the mousing that should be done, in men-of-war and whaleships the number of hands carried, being far more than are wanted for everyday work, must needs be kept at unnecessary duties in order that they may not grow lazy and discontented.”

Merchant noun US /ˈmɜːr.tʃənt/

A person or company involved in wholesale trade, especially with foreign countries.

From this reading “Nautical routine in its essential details is much the same in all ships, whether naval, merchant, or whaling vessels.”

Must modal verb US /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading “But while in the ordinary merchantman there are decidedly "no more cats than can catch mice," hardly, indeed, sufficient for all the mousing that should be done, in men-of-war and whaleships the number of hands carried, being far more than are wanted for everyday work, must needs be kept at unnecessary duties in order that they may not grow lazy and discontented.”

Order noun US /order/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But while in the ordinary merchantman there are decidedly "no more cats than can catch mice," hardly, indeed, sufficient for all the mousing that should be done, in men-of-war and whaleships the number of hands carried, being far more than are wanted for everyday work, must needs be kept at unnecessary duties in order that they may not grow lazy and discontented.”

Same noun US /same/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Nautical routine in its essential details is much the same in all ships, whether naval, merchant, or whaling vessels.”

Themselves pronoun US /ðemˈselvz/

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading “As far as we were concerned, the result of this was that our landsmen got so thoroughly drilled, that within a week of leaving port they hardly knew themselves for the clumsy clodhoppers they at first appeared to be.”

Told noun US /told/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “For instance, in the CACHALOT we carried a crew of thirty-seven all told, of which twenty-four were men before the mast, or common seamen, our tonnage being under 400 tons.”

Tonnage noun US /ˈtʌnɪdʒ/

the carrying capacity of a ship

From this reading “For instance, in the CACHALOT we carried a crew of thirty-seven all told, of which twenty-four were men before the mast, or common seamen, our tonnage being under 400 tons.”

Under preposition US /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading “For instance, in the CACHALOT we carried a crew of thirty-seven all told, of which twenty-four were men before the mast, or common seamen, our tonnage being under 400 tons.”

Whether conjunction US /ˈweðər/

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading “Nautical routine in its essential details is much the same in all ships, whether naval, merchant, or whaling vessels.”

While conjunction US /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading “But while in the ordinary merchantman there are decidedly "no more cats than can catch mice," hardly, indeed, sufficient for all the mousing that should be done, in men-of-war and whaleships the number of hands carried, being far more than are wanted for everyday work, must needs be kept at unnecessary duties in order that they may not grow lazy and discontented.”

Within preposition US /wɪˈðɪn/

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading “As far as we were concerned, the result of this was that our landsmen got so thoroughly drilled, that within a week of leaving port they hardly knew themselves for the clumsy clodhoppers they at first appeared to be.”

All words in this reading · 128

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

2500

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Many a splendid clipper-ship carrying an enormous spread of canvas on four masts, and not overloaded with 2500 tons of cargo on board, carries twenty-eight or thirty all told, or even less than that.

400

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For instance, in the CACHALOT we carried a crew of thirty-seven all told, of which twenty-four were men before the mast, or common seamen, our tonnage being under 400 tons.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading For instance, in the CACHALOT we carried a crew of thirty-seven all told, of which twenty-four were men before the mast, or common seamen, our tonnage being under 400 tons.

all

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Nautical routine in its essential details is much the same in all ships, whether naval, merchant, or whaling vessels.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading Many a splendid clipper-ship carrying an enormous spread of canvas on four masts, and not overloaded with 2500 tons of cargo on board, carries twenty-eight or thirty all told, or even less than that.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading But while in the ordinary merchantman there are decidedly "no more cats than can catch mice," hardly, indeed, sufficient for all the mousing that should be done, in men-of-war and whaleships the number of hands carried, being far more than are wanted for everyday work, must needs be kept at unnecessary duties in order that they may not grow lazy and discontented.

appeared

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading As far as we were concerned, the result of this was that our landsmen got so thoroughly drilled, that within a week of leaving port they hardly knew themselves for the clumsy clodhoppers they at first appeared to be.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading But while in the ordinary merchantman there are decidedly "no more cats than can catch mice," hardly, indeed, sufficient for all the mousing that should be done, in men-of-war and whaleships the number of hands carried, being far more than are wanted for everyday work, must needs be kept at unnecessary duties in order that they may not grow lazy and discontented.

AsconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading As far as we were concerned, the result of this was that our landsmen got so thoroughly drilled, that within a week of leaving port they hardly knew themselves for the clumsy clodhoppers they at first appeared to be.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading But while in the ordinary merchantman there are decidedly "no more cats than can catch mice," hardly, indeed, sufficient for all the mousing that should be done, in men-of-war and whaleships the number of hands carried, being far more than are wanted for everyday work, must needs be kept at unnecessary duties in order that they may not grow lazy and discontented.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading But while in the ordinary merchantman there are decidedly "no more cats than can catch mice," hardly, indeed, sufficient for all the mousing that should be done, in men-of-war and whaleships the number of hands carried, being far more than are wanted for everyday work, must needs be kept at unnecessary duties in order that they may not grow lazy and discontented.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading For instance, in the CACHALOT we carried a crew of thirty-seven all told, of which twenty-four were men before the mast, or common seamen, our tonnage being under 400 tons.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading But while in the ordinary merchantman there are decidedly "no more cats than can catch mice," hardly, indeed, sufficient for all the mousing that should be done, in men-of-war and whaleships the number of hands carried, being far more than are wanted for everyday work, must needs be kept at unnecessary duties in order that they may not grow lazy and discontented.

board

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Many a splendid clipper-ship carrying an enormous spread of canvas on four masts, and not overloaded with 2500 tons of cargo on board, carries twenty-eight or thirty all told, or even less than that.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But while in the ordinary merchantman there are decidedly "no more cats than can catch mice," hardly, indeed, sufficient for all the mousing that should be done, in men-of-war and whaleships the number of hands carried, being far more than are wanted for everyday work, must needs be kept at unnecessary duties in order that they may not grow lazy and discontented.

CACHALOT

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For instance, in the CACHALOT we carried a crew of thirty-seven all told, of which twenty-four were men before the mast, or common seamen, our tonnage being under 400 tons.

canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading But while in the ordinary merchantman there are decidedly "no more cats than can catch mice," hardly, indeed, sufficient for all the mousing that should be done, in men-of-war and whaleships the number of hands carried, being far more than are wanted for everyday work, must needs be kept at unnecessary duties in order that they may not grow lazy and discontented.

canvas

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Many a splendid clipper-ship carrying an enormous spread of canvas on four masts, and not overloaded with 2500 tons of cargo on board, carries twenty-eight or thirty all told, or even less than that.

cargo

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Many a splendid clipper-ship carrying an enormous spread of canvas on four masts, and not overloaded with 2500 tons of cargo on board, carries twenty-eight or thirty all told, or even less than that.

carried

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But while in the ordinary merchantman there are decidedly "no more cats than can catch mice," hardly, indeed, sufficient for all the mousing that should be done, in men-of-war and whaleships the number of hands carried, being far more than are wanted for everyday work, must needs be kept at unnecessary duties in order that they may not grow lazy and discontented.

carries

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Many a splendid clipper-ship carrying an enormous spread of canvas on four masts, and not overloaded with 2500 tons of cargo on board, carries twenty-eight or thirty all told, or even less than that.

carrying

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Many a splendid clipper-ship carrying an enormous spread of canvas on four masts, and not overloaded with 2500 tons of cargo on board, carries twenty-eight or thirty all told, or even less than that.

catch

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But while in the ordinary merchantman there are decidedly "no more cats than can catch mice," hardly, indeed, sufficient for all the mousing that should be done, in men-of-war and whaleships the number of hands carried, being far more than are wanted for everyday work, must needs be kept at unnecessary duties in order that they may not grow lazy and discontented.

cats

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But while in the ordinary merchantman there are decidedly "no more cats than can catch mice," hardly, indeed, sufficient for all the mousing that should be done, in men-of-war and whaleships the number of hands carried, being far more than are wanted for everyday work, must needs be kept at unnecessary duties in order that they may not grow lazy and discontented.

clipper-ship

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Many a splendid clipper-ship carrying an enormous spread of canvas on four masts, and not overloaded with 2500 tons of cargo on board, carries twenty-eight or thirty all told, or even less than that.

clodhoppers

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading As far as we were concerned, the result of this was that our landsmen got so thoroughly drilled, that within a week of leaving port they hardly knew themselves for the clumsy clodhoppers they at first appeared to be.

clumsyadjectiveUS /ˈklʌmzi/

awkward in movement or handling things

From this reading As far as we were concerned, the result of this was that our landsmen got so thoroughly drilled, that within a week of leaving port they hardly knew themselves for the clumsy clodhoppers they at first appeared to be.

common

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For instance, in the CACHALOT we carried a crew of thirty-seven all told, of which twenty-four were men before the mast, or common seamen, our tonnage being under 400 tons.

concerned

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading As far as we were concerned, the result of this was that our landsmen got so thoroughly drilled, that within a week of leaving port they hardly knew themselves for the clumsy clodhoppers they at first appeared to be.

crewnounUS /crew/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading For instance, in the CACHALOT we carried a crew of thirty-seven all told, of which twenty-four were men before the mast, or common seamen, our tonnage being under 400 tons.

decidedly

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But while in the ordinary merchantman there are decidedly "no more cats than can catch mice," hardly, indeed, sufficient for all the mousing that should be done, in men-of-war and whaleships the number of hands carried, being far more than are wanted for everyday work, must needs be kept at unnecessary duties in order that they may not grow lazy and discontented.

detailsnounUS /ˈdetails/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading Nautical routine in its essential details is much the same in all ships, whether naval, merchant, or whaling vessels.

discontented

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But while in the ordinary merchantman there are decidedly "no more cats than can catch mice," hardly, indeed, sufficient for all the mousing that should be done, in men-of-war and whaleships the number of hands carried, being far more than are wanted for everyday work, must needs be kept at unnecessary duties in order that they may not grow lazy and discontented.

donenounUS /done/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But while in the ordinary merchantman there are decidedly "no more cats than can catch mice," hardly, indeed, sufficient for all the mousing that should be done, in men-of-war and whaleships the number of hands carried, being far more than are wanted for everyday work, must needs be kept at unnecessary duties in order that they may not grow lazy and discontented.

drilled

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading As far as we were concerned, the result of this was that our landsmen got so thoroughly drilled, that within a week of leaving port they hardly knew themselves for the clumsy clodhoppers they at first appeared to be.

duties

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But while in the ordinary merchantman there are decidedly "no more cats than can catch mice," hardly, indeed, sufficient for all the mousing that should be done, in men-of-war and whaleships the number of hands carried, being far more than are wanted for everyday work, must needs be kept at unnecessary duties in order that they may not grow lazy and discontented.

enormous

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Many a splendid clipper-ship carrying an enormous spread of canvas on four masts, and not overloaded with 2500 tons of cargo on board, carries twenty-eight or thirty all told, or even less than that.

essential

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Nautical routine in its essential details is much the same in all ships, whether naval, merchant, or whaling vessels.

evennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Many a splendid clipper-ship carrying an enormous spread of canvas on four masts, and not overloaded with 2500 tons of cargo on board, carries twenty-eight or thirty all told, or even less than that.

everyday

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But while in the ordinary merchantman there are decidedly "no more cats than can catch mice," hardly, indeed, sufficient for all the mousing that should be done, in men-of-war and whaleships the number of hands carried, being far more than are wanted for everyday work, must needs be kept at unnecessary duties in order that they may not grow lazy and discontented.

far

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But while in the ordinary merchantman there are decidedly "no more cats than can catch mice," hardly, indeed, sufficient for all the mousing that should be done, in men-of-war and whaleships the number of hands carried, being far more than are wanted for everyday work, must needs be kept at unnecessary duties in order that they may not grow lazy and discontented.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading As far as we were concerned, the result of this was that our landsmen got so thoroughly drilled, that within a week of leaving port they hardly knew themselves for the clumsy clodhoppers they at first appeared to be.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading But while in the ordinary merchantman there are decidedly "no more cats than can catch mice," hardly, indeed, sufficient for all the mousing that should be done, in men-of-war and whaleships the number of hands carried, being far more than are wanted for everyday work, must needs be kept at unnecessary duties in order that they may not grow lazy and discontented.

four

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Many a splendid clipper-ship carrying an enormous spread of canvas on four masts, and not overloaded with 2500 tons of cargo on board, carries twenty-eight or thirty all told, or even less than that.

got

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading As far as we were concerned, the result of this was that our landsmen got so thoroughly drilled, that within a week of leaving port they hardly knew themselves for the clumsy clodhoppers they at first appeared to be.

grow

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But while in the ordinary merchantman there are decidedly "no more cats than can catch mice," hardly, indeed, sufficient for all the mousing that should be done, in men-of-war and whaleships the number of hands carried, being far more than are wanted for everyday work, must needs be kept at unnecessary duties in order that they may not grow lazy and discontented.

handsplural nounUS /hændz/

members of a ship’s crew

From this reading But while in the ordinary merchantman there are decidedly "no more cats than can catch mice," hardly, indeed, sufficient for all the mousing that should be done, in men-of-war and whaleships the number of hands carried, being far more than are wanted for everyday work, must needs be kept at unnecessary duties in order that they may not grow lazy and discontented.

hardly

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But while in the ordinary merchantman there are decidedly "no more cats than can catch mice," hardly, indeed, sufficient for all the mousing that should be done, in men-of-war and whaleships the number of hands carried, being far more than are wanted for everyday work, must needs be kept at unnecessary duties in order that they may not grow lazy and discontented.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Nautical routine in its essential details is much the same in all ships, whether naval, merchant, or whaling vessels.

indeed

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But while in the ordinary merchantman there are decidedly "no more cats than can catch mice," hardly, indeed, sufficient for all the mousing that should be done, in men-of-war and whaleships the number of hands carried, being far more than are wanted for everyday work, must needs be kept at unnecessary duties in order that they may not grow lazy and discontented.

instance

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For instance, in the CACHALOT we carried a crew of thirty-seven all told, of which twenty-four were men before the mast, or common seamen, our tonnage being under 400 tons.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Nautical routine in its essential details is much the same in all ships, whether naval, merchant, or whaling vessels.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading Nautical routine in its essential details is much the same in all ships, whether naval, merchant, or whaling vessels.

kept

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But while in the ordinary merchantman there are decidedly "no more cats than can catch mice," hardly, indeed, sufficient for all the mousing that should be done, in men-of-war and whaleships the number of hands carried, being far more than are wanted for everyday work, must needs be kept at unnecessary duties in order that they may not grow lazy and discontented.

knew

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading As far as we were concerned, the result of this was that our landsmen got so thoroughly drilled, that within a week of leaving port they hardly knew themselves for the clumsy clodhoppers they at first appeared to be.

landsmen

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading As far as we were concerned, the result of this was that our landsmen got so thoroughly drilled, that within a week of leaving port they hardly knew themselves for the clumsy clodhoppers they at first appeared to be.

lazy

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But while in the ordinary merchantman there are decidedly "no more cats than can catch mice," hardly, indeed, sufficient for all the mousing that should be done, in men-of-war and whaleships the number of hands carried, being far more than are wanted for everyday work, must needs be kept at unnecessary duties in order that they may not grow lazy and discontented.

leaving

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading As far as we were concerned, the result of this was that our landsmen got so thoroughly drilled, that within a week of leaving port they hardly knew themselves for the clumsy clodhoppers they at first appeared to be.

less

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Many a splendid clipper-ship carrying an enormous spread of canvas on four masts, and not overloaded with 2500 tons of cargo on board, carries twenty-eight or thirty all told, or even less than that.

Many

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Many a splendid clipper-ship carrying an enormous spread of canvas on four masts, and not overloaded with 2500 tons of cargo on board, carries twenty-eight or thirty all told, or even less than that.

mast

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For instance, in the CACHALOT we carried a crew of thirty-seven all told, of which twenty-four were men before the mast, or common seamen, our tonnage being under 400 tons.

masts

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Many a splendid clipper-ship carrying an enormous spread of canvas on four masts, and not overloaded with 2500 tons of cargo on board, carries twenty-eight or thirty all told, or even less than that.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading But while in the ordinary merchantman there are decidedly "no more cats than can catch mice," hardly, indeed, sufficient for all the mousing that should be done, in men-of-war and whaleships the number of hands carried, being far more than are wanted for everyday work, must needs be kept at unnecessary duties in order that they may not grow lazy and discontented.

men

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For instance, in the CACHALOT we carried a crew of thirty-seven all told, of which twenty-four were men before the mast, or common seamen, our tonnage being under 400 tons.

men-of-war

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But while in the ordinary merchantman there are decidedly "no more cats than can catch mice," hardly, indeed, sufficient for all the mousing that should be done, in men-of-war and whaleships the number of hands carried, being far more than are wanted for everyday work, must needs be kept at unnecessary duties in order that they may not grow lazy and discontented.

merchantnounUS /ˈmɜːr.tʃənt/

A person or company involved in wholesale trade, especially with foreign countries.

From this reading Nautical routine in its essential details is much the same in all ships, whether naval, merchant, or whaling vessels.

merchantman

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But while in the ordinary merchantman there are decidedly "no more cats than can catch mice," hardly, indeed, sufficient for all the mousing that should be done, in men-of-war and whaleships the number of hands carried, being far more than are wanted for everyday work, must needs be kept at unnecessary duties in order that they may not grow lazy and discontented.

mice

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But while in the ordinary merchantman there are decidedly "no more cats than can catch mice," hardly, indeed, sufficient for all the mousing that should be done, in men-of-war and whaleships the number of hands carried, being far more than are wanted for everyday work, must needs be kept at unnecessary duties in order that they may not grow lazy and discontented.

more

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But while in the ordinary merchantman there are decidedly "no more cats than can catch mice," hardly, indeed, sufficient for all the mousing that should be done, in men-of-war and whaleships the number of hands carried, being far more than are wanted for everyday work, must needs be kept at unnecessary duties in order that they may not grow lazy and discontented.

mousing

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But while in the ordinary merchantman there are decidedly "no more cats than can catch mice," hardly, indeed, sufficient for all the mousing that should be done, in men-of-war and whaleships the number of hands carried, being far more than are wanted for everyday work, must needs be kept at unnecessary duties in order that they may not grow lazy and discontented.

much

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Nautical routine in its essential details is much the same in all ships, whether naval, merchant, or whaling vessels.

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading But while in the ordinary merchantman there are decidedly "no more cats than can catch mice," hardly, indeed, sufficient for all the mousing that should be done, in men-of-war and whaleships the number of hands carried, being far more than are wanted for everyday work, must needs be kept at unnecessary duties in order that they may not grow lazy and discontented.

Nautical

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Nautical routine in its essential details is much the same in all ships, whether naval, merchant, or whaling vessels.

naval

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Nautical routine in its essential details is much the same in all ships, whether naval, merchant, or whaling vessels.

needs

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But while in the ordinary merchantman there are decidedly "no more cats than can catch mice," hardly, indeed, sufficient for all the mousing that should be done, in men-of-war and whaleships the number of hands carried, being far more than are wanted for everyday work, must needs be kept at unnecessary duties in order that they may not grow lazy and discontented.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading But while in the ordinary merchantman there are decidedly "no more cats than can catch mice," hardly, indeed, sufficient for all the mousing that should be done, in men-of-war and whaleships the number of hands carried, being far more than are wanted for everyday work, must needs be kept at unnecessary duties in order that they may not grow lazy and discontented.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading But while in the ordinary merchantman there are decidedly "no more cats than can catch mice," hardly, indeed, sufficient for all the mousing that should be done, in men-of-war and whaleships the number of hands carried, being far more than are wanted for everyday work, must needs be kept at unnecessary duties in order that they may not grow lazy and discontented.

number

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But while in the ordinary merchantman there are decidedly "no more cats than can catch mice," hardly, indeed, sufficient for all the mousing that should be done, in men-of-war and whaleships the number of hands carried, being far more than are wanted for everyday work, must needs be kept at unnecessary duties in order that they may not grow lazy and discontented.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading But while in the ordinary merchantman there are decidedly "no more cats than can catch mice," hardly, indeed, sufficient for all the mousing that should be done, in men-of-war and whaleships the number of hands carried, being far more than are wanted for everyday work, must needs be kept at unnecessary duties in order that they may not grow lazy and discontented.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Many a splendid clipper-ship carrying an enormous spread of canvas on four masts, and not overloaded with 2500 tons of cargo on board, carries twenty-eight or thirty all told, or even less than that.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Nautical routine in its essential details is much the same in all ships, whether naval, merchant, or whaling vessels.

ordernounUS /order/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But while in the ordinary merchantman there are decidedly "no more cats than can catch mice," hardly, indeed, sufficient for all the mousing that should be done, in men-of-war and whaleships the number of hands carried, being far more than are wanted for everyday work, must needs be kept at unnecessary duties in order that they may not grow lazy and discontented.

ordinary

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But while in the ordinary merchantman there are decidedly "no more cats than can catch mice," hardly, indeed, sufficient for all the mousing that should be done, in men-of-war and whaleships the number of hands carried, being far more than are wanted for everyday work, must needs be kept at unnecessary duties in order that they may not grow lazy and discontented.

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading For instance, in the CACHALOT we carried a crew of thirty-seven all told, of which twenty-four were men before the mast, or common seamen, our tonnage being under 400 tons.

overloaded

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Many a splendid clipper-ship carrying an enormous spread of canvas on four masts, and not overloaded with 2500 tons of cargo on board, carries twenty-eight or thirty all told, or even less than that.

port

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading As far as we were concerned, the result of this was that our landsmen got so thoroughly drilled, that within a week of leaving port they hardly knew themselves for the clumsy clodhoppers they at first appeared to be.

result

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading As far as we were concerned, the result of this was that our landsmen got so thoroughly drilled, that within a week of leaving port they hardly knew themselves for the clumsy clodhoppers they at first appeared to be.

routine

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Nautical routine in its essential details is much the same in all ships, whether naval, merchant, or whaling vessels.

samenounUS /same/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Nautical routine in its essential details is much the same in all ships, whether naval, merchant, or whaling vessels.

seamen

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For instance, in the CACHALOT we carried a crew of thirty-seven all told, of which twenty-four were men before the mast, or common seamen, our tonnage being under 400 tons.

ships

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Nautical routine in its essential details is much the same in all ships, whether naval, merchant, or whaling vessels.

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading But while in the ordinary merchantman there are decidedly "no more cats than can catch mice," hardly, indeed, sufficient for all the mousing that should be done, in men-of-war and whaleships the number of hands carried, being far more than are wanted for everyday work, must needs be kept at unnecessary duties in order that they may not grow lazy and discontented.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading As far as we were concerned, the result of this was that our landsmen got so thoroughly drilled, that within a week of leaving port they hardly knew themselves for the clumsy clodhoppers they at first appeared to be.

splendid

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Many a splendid clipper-ship carrying an enormous spread of canvas on four masts, and not overloaded with 2500 tons of cargo on board, carries twenty-eight or thirty all told, or even less than that.

spread

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Many a splendid clipper-ship carrying an enormous spread of canvas on four masts, and not overloaded with 2500 tons of cargo on board, carries twenty-eight or thirty all told, or even less than that.

sufficient

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But while in the ordinary merchantman there are decidedly "no more cats than can catch mice," hardly, indeed, sufficient for all the mousing that should be done, in men-of-war and whaleships the number of hands carried, being far more than are wanted for everyday work, must needs be kept at unnecessary duties in order that they may not grow lazy and discontented.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading But while in the ordinary merchantman there are decidedly "no more cats than can catch mice," hardly, indeed, sufficient for all the mousing that should be done, in men-of-war and whaleships the number of hands carried, being far more than are wanted for everyday work, must needs be kept at unnecessary duties in order that they may not grow lazy and discontented.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading But while in the ordinary merchantman there are decidedly "no more cats than can catch mice," hardly, indeed, sufficient for all the mousing that should be done, in men-of-war and whaleships the number of hands carried, being far more than are wanted for everyday work, must needs be kept at unnecessary duties in order that they may not grow lazy and discontented.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading Nautical routine in its essential details is much the same in all ships, whether naval, merchant, or whaling vessels.

themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading As far as we were concerned, the result of this was that our landsmen got so thoroughly drilled, that within a week of leaving port they hardly knew themselves for the clumsy clodhoppers they at first appeared to be.

there

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But while in the ordinary merchantman there are decidedly "no more cats than can catch mice," hardly, indeed, sufficient for all the mousing that should be done, in men-of-war and whaleships the number of hands carried, being far more than are wanted for everyday work, must needs be kept at unnecessary duties in order that they may not grow lazy and discontented.

theypronounUS /ðeɪ/

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading But while in the ordinary merchantman there are decidedly "no more cats than can catch mice," hardly, indeed, sufficient for all the mousing that should be done, in men-of-war and whaleships the number of hands carried, being far more than are wanted for everyday work, must needs be kept at unnecessary duties in order that they may not grow lazy and discontented.

thirty

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Many a splendid clipper-ship carrying an enormous spread of canvas on four masts, and not overloaded with 2500 tons of cargo on board, carries twenty-eight or thirty all told, or even less than that.

thirty-seven

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For instance, in the CACHALOT we carried a crew of thirty-seven all told, of which twenty-four were men before the mast, or common seamen, our tonnage being under 400 tons.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading As far as we were concerned, the result of this was that our landsmen got so thoroughly drilled, that within a week of leaving port they hardly knew themselves for the clumsy clodhoppers they at first appeared to be.

thoroughly

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading As far as we were concerned, the result of this was that our landsmen got so thoroughly drilled, that within a week of leaving port they hardly knew themselves for the clumsy clodhoppers they at first appeared to be.

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading As far as we were concerned, the result of this was that our landsmen got so thoroughly drilled, that within a week of leaving port they hardly knew themselves for the clumsy clodhoppers they at first appeared to be.

toldnounUS /told/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading For instance, in the CACHALOT we carried a crew of thirty-seven all told, of which twenty-four were men before the mast, or common seamen, our tonnage being under 400 tons.

tonnagenounUS /ˈtʌnɪdʒ/

the carrying capacity of a ship

From this reading For instance, in the CACHALOT we carried a crew of thirty-seven all told, of which twenty-four were men before the mast, or common seamen, our tonnage being under 400 tons.

tons

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For instance, in the CACHALOT we carried a crew of thirty-seven all told, of which twenty-four were men before the mast, or common seamen, our tonnage being under 400 tons.

twenty-eight

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Many a splendid clipper-ship carrying an enormous spread of canvas on four masts, and not overloaded with 2500 tons of cargo on board, carries twenty-eight or thirty all told, or even less than that.

twenty-four

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading For instance, in the CACHALOT we carried a crew of thirty-seven all told, of which twenty-four were men before the mast, or common seamen, our tonnage being under 400 tons.

underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading For instance, in the CACHALOT we carried a crew of thirty-seven all told, of which twenty-four were men before the mast, or common seamen, our tonnage being under 400 tons.

unnecessary

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But while in the ordinary merchantman there are decidedly "no more cats than can catch mice," hardly, indeed, sufficient for all the mousing that should be done, in men-of-war and whaleships the number of hands carried, being far more than are wanted for everyday work, must needs be kept at unnecessary duties in order that they may not grow lazy and discontented.

vessels

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Nautical routine in its essential details is much the same in all ships, whether naval, merchant, or whaling vessels.

wanted

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But while in the ordinary merchantman there are decidedly "no more cats than can catch mice," hardly, indeed, sufficient for all the mousing that should be done, in men-of-war and whaleships the number of hands carried, being far more than are wanted for everyday work, must needs be kept at unnecessary duties in order that they may not grow lazy and discontented.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading As far as we were concerned, the result of this was that our landsmen got so thoroughly drilled, that within a week of leaving port they hardly knew themselves for the clumsy clodhoppers they at first appeared to be.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading For instance, in the CACHALOT we carried a crew of thirty-seven all told, of which twenty-four were men before the mast, or common seamen, our tonnage being under 400 tons.

week

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading As far as we were concerned, the result of this was that our landsmen got so thoroughly drilled, that within a week of leaving port they hardly knew themselves for the clumsy clodhoppers they at first appeared to be.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading For instance, in the CACHALOT we carried a crew of thirty-seven all told, of which twenty-four were men before the mast, or common seamen, our tonnage being under 400 tons.

whaleships

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But while in the ordinary merchantman there are decidedly "no more cats than can catch mice," hardly, indeed, sufficient for all the mousing that should be done, in men-of-war and whaleships the number of hands carried, being far more than are wanted for everyday work, must needs be kept at unnecessary duties in order that they may not grow lazy and discontented.

whaling

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Nautical routine in its essential details is much the same in all ships, whether naval, merchant, or whaling vessels.

whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading Nautical routine in its essential details is much the same in all ships, whether naval, merchant, or whaling vessels.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading For instance, in the CACHALOT we carried a crew of thirty-seven all told, of which twenty-four were men before the mast, or common seamen, our tonnage being under 400 tons.

whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/

during the time that

From this reading But while in the ordinary merchantman there are decidedly "no more cats than can catch mice," hardly, indeed, sufficient for all the mousing that should be done, in men-of-war and whaleships the number of hands carried, being far more than are wanted for everyday work, must needs be kept at unnecessary duties in order that they may not grow lazy and discontented.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Many a splendid clipper-ship carrying an enormous spread of canvas on four masts, and not overloaded with 2500 tons of cargo on board, carries twenty-eight or thirty all told, or even less than that.

withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/

inside; before a period of time has passed

From this reading As far as we were concerned, the result of this was that our landsmen got so thoroughly drilled, that within a week of leaving port they hardly knew themselves for the clumsy clodhoppers they at first appeared to be.

work

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But while in the ordinary merchantman there are decidedly "no more cats than can catch mice," hardly, indeed, sufficient for all the mousing that should be done, in men-of-war and whaleships the number of hands carried, being far more than are wanted for everyday work, must needs be kept at unnecessary duties in order that they may not grow lazy and discontented.