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 The armament for each of the large vessels, as has been said before, consisted of a single gun of long range, and the ammunition was confined entirely to a new style of projectile, which had never yet been used in warfare.
account
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The material and construction of this projectile were known only to three members of the Syndicate, who had invented and perfected it, and it was on account of their possession of this secret that they had been invited to join that body.
ammunition
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From this reading The armament for each of the large vessels, as has been said before, consisted of a single gun of long range, and the ammunition was confined entirely to a new style of projectile, which had never yet been used in warfare.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading This projectile was not, in the ordinary sense of the word, an explosive, and was named by its inventors, "The Instantaneous Motor."
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The armament for each of the large vessels, as has been said before, consisted of a single gun of long range, and the ammunition was confined entirely to a new style of projectile, which had never yet been used in warfare.
armament
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The armament for each of the large vessels, as has been said before, consisted of a single gun of long range, and the ammunition was confined entirely to a new style of projectile, which had never yet been used in warfare.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The armament for each of the large vessels, as has been said before, consisted of a single gun of long range, and the ammunition was confined entirely to a new style of projectile, which had never yet been used in warfare.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The armament for each of the large vessels, as has been said before, consisted of a single gun of long range, and the ammunition was confined entirely to a new style of projectile, which had never yet been used in warfare.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The armament for each of the large vessels, as has been said before, consisted of a single gun of long range, and the ammunition was confined entirely to a new style of projectile, which had never yet been used in warfare.
bodynounUS /body/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The material and construction of this projectile were known only to three members of the Syndicate, who had invented and perfected it, and it was on account of their possession of this secret that they had been invited to join that body.
bomb
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bomb possessed, in itself the necessary power of propulsion, and the gun was used merely to give it the proper direction.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was discharged from an ordinary cannon, but no gunpowder or other explosive compound was used to propel it.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading This projectile was not, in the ordinary sense of the word, an explosive, and was named by its inventors, "The Instantaneous Motor."
cannon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was discharged from an ordinary cannon, but no gunpowder or other explosive compound was used to propel it.
compound
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From this reading It was discharged from an ordinary cannon, but no gunpowder or other explosive compound was used to propel it.
confined
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The armament for each of the large vessels, as has been said before, consisted of a single gun of long range, and the ammunition was confined entirely to a new style of projectile, which had never yet been used in warfare.
consisted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The armament for each of the large vessels, as has been said before, consisted of a single gun of long range, and the ammunition was confined entirely to a new style of projectile, which had never yet been used in warfare.
construction
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The material and construction of this projectile were known only to three members of the Syndicate, who had invented and perfected it, and it was on account of their possession of this secret that they had been invited to join that body.
direction
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bomb possessed, in itself the necessary power of propulsion, and the gun was used merely to give it the proper direction.
dischargedverbUS /dɪsˈtʃɑrdʒd/
released from a duty or job
From this reading It was discharged from an ordinary cannon, but no gunpowder or other explosive compound was used to propel it.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading The armament for each of the large vessels, as has been said before, consisted of a single gun of long range, and the ammunition was confined entirely to a new style of projectile, which had never yet been used in warfare.
entirelynounUS /ˈentirely/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The armament for each of the large vessels, as has been said before, consisted of a single gun of long range, and the ammunition was confined entirely to a new style of projectile, which had never yet been used in warfare.
explosive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This projectile was not, in the ordinary sense of the word, an explosive, and was named by its inventors, "The Instantaneous Motor."
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The armament for each of the large vessels, as has been said before, consisted of a single gun of long range, and the ammunition was confined entirely to a new style of projectile, which had never yet been used in warfare.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It was discharged from an ordinary cannon, but no gunpowder or other explosive compound was used to propel it.
give
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bomb possessed, in itself the necessary power of propulsion, and the gun was used merely to give it the proper direction.
gun
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The armament for each of the large vessels, as has been said before, consisted of a single gun of long range, and the ammunition was confined entirely to a new style of projectile, which had never yet been used in warfare.
gunpowder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was discharged from an ordinary cannon, but no gunpowder or other explosive compound was used to propel it.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The armament for each of the large vessels, as has been said before, consisted of a single gun of long range, and the ammunition was confined entirely to a new style of projectile, which had never yet been used in warfare.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The armament for each of the large vessels, as has been said before, consisted of a single gun of long range, and the ammunition was confined entirely to a new style of projectile, which had never yet been used in warfare.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The armament for each of the large vessels, as has been said before, consisted of a single gun of long range, and the ammunition was confined entirely to a new style of projectile, which had never yet been used in warfare.
Instantaneous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This projectile was not, in the ordinary sense of the word, an explosive, and was named by its inventors, "The Instantaneous Motor."
invented
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The material and construction of this projectile were known only to three members of the Syndicate, who had invented and perfected it, and it was on account of their possession of this secret that they had been invited to join that body.
inventors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This projectile was not, in the ordinary sense of the word, an explosive, and was named by its inventors, "The Instantaneous Motor."
invited
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The material and construction of this projectile were known only to three members of the Syndicate, who had invented and perfected it, and it was on account of their possession of this secret that they had been invited to join that body.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The material and construction of this projectile were known only to three members of the Syndicate, who had invented and perfected it, and it was on account of their possession of this secret that they had been invited to join that body.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading This projectile was not, in the ordinary sense of the word, an explosive, and was named by its inventors, "The Instantaneous Motor."
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading The bomb possessed, in itself the necessary power of propulsion, and the gun was used merely to give it the proper direction.
join
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The material and construction of this projectile were known only to three members of the Syndicate, who had invented and perfected it, and it was on account of their possession of this secret that they had been invited to join that body.
known
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The material and construction of this projectile were known only to three members of the Syndicate, who had invented and perfected it, and it was on account of their possession of this secret that they had been invited to join that body.
large
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The armament for each of the large vessels, as has been said before, consisted of a single gun of long range, and the ammunition was confined entirely to a new style of projectile, which had never yet been used in warfare.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The armament for each of the large vessels, as has been said before, consisted of a single gun of long range, and the ammunition was confined entirely to a new style of projectile, which had never yet been used in warfare.
material
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The material and construction of this projectile were known only to three members of the Syndicate, who had invented and perfected it, and it was on account of their possession of this secret that they had been invited to join that body.
members
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The material and construction of this projectile were known only to three members of the Syndicate, who had invented and perfected it, and it was on account of their possession of this secret that they had been invited to join that body.
merely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bomb possessed, in itself the necessary power of propulsion, and the gun was used merely to give it the proper direction.
Motor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This projectile was not, in the ordinary sense of the word, an explosive, and was named by its inventors, "The Instantaneous Motor."
named
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This projectile was not, in the ordinary sense of the word, an explosive, and was named by its inventors, "The Instantaneous Motor."
necessary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bomb possessed, in itself the necessary power of propulsion, and the gun was used merely to give it the proper direction.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The armament for each of the large vessels, as has been said before, consisted of a single gun of long range, and the ammunition was confined entirely to a new style of projectile, which had never yet been used in warfare.
new
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The armament for each of the large vessels, as has been said before, consisted of a single gun of long range, and the ammunition was confined entirely to a new style of projectile, which had never yet been used in warfare.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading It was discharged from an ordinary cannon, but no gunpowder or other explosive compound was used to propel it.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading This projectile was not, in the ordinary sense of the word, an explosive, and was named by its inventors, "The Instantaneous Motor."
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The armament for each of the large vessels, as has been said before, consisted of a single gun of long range, and the ammunition was confined entirely to a new style of projectile, which had never yet been used in warfare.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The material and construction of this projectile were known only to three members of the Syndicate, who had invented and perfected it, and it was on account of their possession of this secret that they had been invited to join that body.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The material and construction of this projectile were known only to three members of the Syndicate, who had invented and perfected it, and it was on account of their possession of this secret that they had been invited to join that body.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It was discharged from an ordinary cannon, but no gunpowder or other explosive compound was used to propel it.
ordinary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This projectile was not, in the ordinary sense of the word, an explosive, and was named by its inventors, "The Instantaneous Motor."
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was discharged from an ordinary cannon, but no gunpowder or other explosive compound was used to propel it.
perfected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The material and construction of this projectile were known only to three members of the Syndicate, who had invented and perfected it, and it was on account of their possession of this secret that they had been invited to join that body.
possessed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bomb possessed, in itself the necessary power of propulsion, and the gun was used merely to give it the proper direction.
possession
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The material and construction of this projectile were known only to three members of the Syndicate, who had invented and perfected it, and it was on account of their possession of this secret that they had been invited to join that body.
power
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bomb possessed, in itself the necessary power of propulsion, and the gun was used merely to give it the proper direction.
projectile
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The armament for each of the large vessels, as has been said before, consisted of a single gun of long range, and the ammunition was confined entirely to a new style of projectile, which had never yet been used in warfare.
propel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was discharged from an ordinary cannon, but no gunpowder or other explosive compound was used to propel it.
proper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bomb possessed, in itself the necessary power of propulsion, and the gun was used merely to give it the proper direction.
propulsion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The bomb possessed, in itself the necessary power of propulsion, and the gun was used merely to give it the proper direction.
range
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The armament for each of the large vessels, as has been said before, consisted of a single gun of long range, and the ammunition was confined entirely to a new style of projectile, which had never yet been used in warfare.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The armament for each of the large vessels, as has been said before, consisted of a single gun of long range, and the ammunition was confined entirely to a new style of projectile, which had never yet been used in warfare.
secretnounUS /ˈsiː.krət/
Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.
From this reading The material and construction of this projectile were known only to three members of the Syndicate, who had invented and perfected it, and it was on account of their possession of this secret that they had been invited to join that body.
sense
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This projectile was not, in the ordinary sense of the word, an explosive, and was named by its inventors, "The Instantaneous Motor."
single
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The armament for each of the large vessels, as has been said before, consisted of a single gun of long range, and the ammunition was confined entirely to a new style of projectile, which had never yet been used in warfare.
style
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The armament for each of the large vessels, as has been said before, consisted of a single gun of long range, and the ammunition was confined entirely to a new style of projectile, which had never yet been used in warfare.
Syndicate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The material and construction of this projectile were known only to three members of the Syndicate, who had invented and perfected it, and it was on account of their possession of this secret that they had been invited to join that body.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The material and construction of this projectile were known only to three members of the Syndicate, who had invented and perfected it, and it was on account of their possession of this secret that they had been invited to join that body.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The armament for each of the large vessels, as has been said before, consisted of a single gun of long range, and the ammunition was confined entirely to a new style of projectile, which had never yet been used in warfare.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The material and construction of this projectile were known only to three members of the Syndicate, who had invented and perfected it, and it was on account of their possession of this secret that they had been invited to join that body.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The material and construction of this projectile were known only to three members of the Syndicate, who had invented and perfected it, and it was on account of their possession of this secret that they had been invited to join that body.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The material and construction of this projectile were known only to three members of the Syndicate, who had invented and perfected it, and it was on account of their possession of this secret that they had been invited to join that body.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The material and construction of this projectile were known only to three members of the Syndicate, who had invented and perfected it, and it was on account of their possession of this secret that they had been invited to join that body.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The armament for each of the large vessels, as has been said before, consisted of a single gun of long range, and the ammunition was confined entirely to a new style of projectile, which had never yet been used in warfare.
used
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The armament for each of the large vessels, as has been said before, consisted of a single gun of long range, and the ammunition was confined entirely to a new style of projectile, which had never yet been used in warfare.
vessels
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The armament for each of the large vessels, as has been said before, consisted of a single gun of long range, and the ammunition was confined entirely to a new style of projectile, which had never yet been used in warfare.
warfare
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The armament for each of the large vessels, as has been said before, consisted of a single gun of long range, and the ammunition was confined entirely to a new style of projectile, which had never yet been used in warfare.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The armament for each of the large vessels, as has been said before, consisted of a single gun of long range, and the ammunition was confined entirely to a new style of projectile, which had never yet been used in warfare.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The material and construction of this projectile were known only to three members of the Syndicate, who had invented and perfected it, and it was on account of their possession of this secret that they had been invited to join that body.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The armament for each of the large vessels, as has been said before, consisted of a single gun of long range, and the ammunition was confined entirely to a new style of projectile, which had never yet been used in warfare.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading The material and construction of this projectile were known only to three members of the Syndicate, who had invented and perfected it, and it was on account of their possession of this secret that they had been invited to join that body.
word
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This projectile was not, in the ordinary sense of the word, an explosive, and was named by its inventors, "The Instantaneous Motor."
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading The armament for each of the large vessels, as has been said before, consisted of a single gun of long range, and the ammunition was confined entirely to a new style of projectile, which had never yet been used in warfare.
