Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading We stood there, grouped about the body of the dead Grabritin, looking futilely down the river to where it made an abrupt curve to the west, a quarter of a mile below us, and was lost to sight, as though we expected to see the truant returning to us with our precious launch—the thing that meant life or death to us in this unfriendly, savage world.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading We stood there, grouped about the body of the dead Grabritin, looking futilely down the river to where it made an abrupt curve to the west, a quarter of a mile below us, and was lost to sight, as though we expected to see the truant returning to us with our precious launch—the thing that meant life or death to us in this unfriendly, savage world.
abrupt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We stood there, grouped about the body of the dead Grabritin, looking futilely down the river to where it made an abrupt curve to the west, a quarter of a mile below us, and was lost to sight, as though we expected to see the truant returning to us with our precious launch—the thing that meant life or death to us in this unfriendly, savage world.
alonenounUS /alone/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was thinking of the launch, and of the launch alone.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading We stood there, grouped about the body of the dead Grabritin, looking futilely down the river to where it made an abrupt curve to the west, a quarter of a mile below us, and was lost to sight, as though we expected to see the truant returning to us with our precious launch—the thing that meant life or death to us in this unfriendly, savage world.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading We stood there, grouped about the body of the dead Grabritin, looking futilely down the river to where it made an abrupt curve to the west, a quarter of a mile below us, and was lost to sight, as though we expected to see the truant returning to us with our precious launch—the thing that meant life or death to us in this unfriendly, savage world.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “We are lost!” was written as plainly upon Taylorl’s face as though his features were the printed words upon an open book.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading We stood there, grouped about the body of the dead Grabritin, looking futilely down the river to where it made an abrupt curve to the west, a quarter of a mile below us, and was lost to sight, as though we expected to see the truant returning to us with our precious launch—the thing that meant life or death to us in this unfriendly, savage world.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The utter hopelessness that was reflected in his face must have been the counterpart of what I myself felt, but in that brief instant I determined to hide my own misgivings that I might bolster up the courage of the others.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading We stood there, grouped about the body of the dead Grabritin, looking futilely down the river to where it made an abrupt curve to the west, a quarter of a mile below us, and was lost to sight, as though we expected to see the truant returning to us with our precious launch—the thing that meant life or death to us in this unfriendly, savage world.
bodynounUS /body/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading We stood there, grouped about the body of the dead Grabritin, looking futilely down the river to where it made an abrupt curve to the west, a quarter of a mile below us, and was lost to sight, as though we expected to see the truant returning to us with our precious launch—the thing that meant life or death to us in this unfriendly, savage world.
bolster
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The utter hopelessness that was reflected in his face must have been the counterpart of what I myself felt, but in that brief instant I determined to hide my own misgivings that I might bolster up the courage of the others.
book
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “We are lost!” was written as plainly upon Taylorl’s face as though his features were the printed words upon an open book.
brief
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The utter hopelessness that was reflected in his face must have been the counterpart of what I myself felt, but in that brief instant I determined to hide my own misgivings that I might bolster up the courage of the others.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The utter hopelessness that was reflected in his face must have been the counterpart of what I myself felt, but in that brief instant I determined to hide my own misgivings that I might bolster up the courage of the others.
counterpart
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The utter hopelessness that was reflected in his face must have been the counterpart of what I myself felt, but in that brief instant I determined to hide my own misgivings that I might bolster up the courage of the others.
courage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The utter hopelessness that was reflected in his face must have been the counterpart of what I myself felt, but in that brief instant I determined to hide my own misgivings that I might bolster up the courage of the others.
curve
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We stood there, grouped about the body of the dead Grabritin, looking futilely down the river to where it made an abrupt curve to the west, a quarter of a mile below us, and was lost to sight, as though we expected to see the truant returning to us with our precious launch—the thing that meant life or death to us in this unfriendly, savage world.
deadnounUS /dead/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading We stood there, grouped about the body of the dead Grabritin, looking futilely down the river to where it made an abrupt curve to the west, a quarter of a mile below us, and was lost to sight, as though we expected to see the truant returning to us with our precious launch—the thing that meant life or death to us in this unfriendly, savage world.
death
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We stood there, grouped about the body of the dead Grabritin, looking futilely down the river to where it made an abrupt curve to the west, a quarter of a mile below us, and was lost to sight, as though we expected to see the truant returning to us with our precious launch—the thing that meant life or death to us in this unfriendly, savage world.
determinedadjectiveUS /dɪˈtɜrmɪnd/
having firmly decided to do something
From this reading The utter hopelessness that was reflected in his face must have been the counterpart of what I myself felt, but in that brief instant I determined to hide my own misgivings that I might bolster up the courage of the others.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We stood there, grouped about the body of the dead Grabritin, looking futilely down the river to where it made an abrupt curve to the west, a quarter of a mile below us, and was lost to sight, as though we expected to see the truant returning to us with our precious launch—the thing that meant life or death to us in this unfriendly, savage world.
dutynounUS /ˈduːti/
a responsibility that must be carried out
From this reading I felt, rather than saw, Taylor turn his eyes slowly toward my profile, and, as mine swung to meet them, the expression upon his face recalled me to my duty and responsibility as an officer.
expected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We stood there, grouped about the body of the dead Grabritin, looking futilely down the river to where it made an abrupt curve to the west, a quarter of a mile below us, and was lost to sight, as though we expected to see the truant returning to us with our precious launch—the thing that meant life or death to us in this unfriendly, savage world.
expression
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I felt, rather than saw, Taylor turn his eyes slowly toward my profile, and, as mine swung to meet them, the expression upon his face recalled me to my duty and responsibility as an officer.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I felt, rather than saw, Taylor turn his eyes slowly toward my profile, and, as mine swung to meet them, the expression upon his face recalled me to my duty and responsibility as an officer.
face
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I felt, rather than saw, Taylor turn his eyes slowly toward my profile, and, as mine swung to meet them, the expression upon his face recalled me to my duty and responsibility as an officer.
features
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “We are lost!” was written as plainly upon Taylorl’s face as though his features were the printed words upon an open book.
felt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I felt, rather than saw, Taylor turn his eyes slowly toward my profile, and, as mine swung to meet them, the expression upon his face recalled me to my duty and responsibility as an officer.
futilely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We stood there, grouped about the body of the dead Grabritin, looking futilely down the river to where it made an abrupt curve to the west, a quarter of a mile below us, and was lost to sight, as though we expected to see the truant returning to us with our precious launch—the thing that meant life or death to us in this unfriendly, savage world.
Grabritin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We stood there, grouped about the body of the dead Grabritin, looking futilely down the river to where it made an abrupt curve to the west, a quarter of a mile below us, and was lost to sight, as though we expected to see the truant returning to us with our precious launch—the thing that meant life or death to us in this unfriendly, savage world.
grouped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We stood there, grouped about the body of the dead Grabritin, looking futilely down the river to where it made an abrupt curve to the west, a quarter of a mile below us, and was lost to sight, as though we expected to see the truant returning to us with our precious launch—the thing that meant life or death to us in this unfriendly, savage world.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The utter hopelessness that was reflected in his face must have been the counterpart of what I myself felt, but in that brief instant I determined to hide my own misgivings that I might bolster up the courage of the others.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was thinking of the launch, and of the launch alone.
hide
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The utter hopelessness that was reflected in his face must have been the counterpart of what I myself felt, but in that brief instant I determined to hide my own misgivings that I might bolster up the courage of the others.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading I felt, rather than saw, Taylor turn his eyes slowly toward my profile, and, as mine swung to meet them, the expression upon his face recalled me to my duty and responsibility as an officer.
hopelessness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The utter hopelessness that was reflected in his face must have been the counterpart of what I myself felt, but in that brief instant I determined to hide my own misgivings that I might bolster up the courage of the others.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I felt, rather than saw, Taylor turn his eyes slowly toward my profile, and, as mine swung to meet them, the expression upon his face recalled me to my duty and responsibility as an officer.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading We stood there, grouped about the body of the dead Grabritin, looking futilely down the river to where it made an abrupt curve to the west, a quarter of a mile below us, and was lost to sight, as though we expected to see the truant returning to us with our precious launch—the thing that meant life or death to us in this unfriendly, savage world.
instant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The utter hopelessness that was reflected in his face must have been the counterpart of what I myself felt, but in that brief instant I determined to hide my own misgivings that I might bolster up the courage of the others.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading We stood there, grouped about the body of the dead Grabritin, looking futilely down the river to where it made an abrupt curve to the west, a quarter of a mile below us, and was lost to sight, as though we expected to see the truant returning to us with our precious launch—the thing that meant life or death to us in this unfriendly, savage world.
launch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We stood there, grouped about the body of the dead Grabritin, looking futilely down the river to where it made an abrupt curve to the west, a quarter of a mile below us, and was lost to sight, as though we expected to see the truant returning to us with our precious launch—the thing that meant life or death to us in this unfriendly, savage world.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading We stood there, grouped about the body of the dead Grabritin, looking futilely down the river to where it made an abrupt curve to the west, a quarter of a mile below us, and was lost to sight, as though we expected to see the truant returning to us with our precious launch—the thing that meant life or death to us in this unfriendly, savage world.
looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We stood there, grouped about the body of the dead Grabritin, looking futilely down the river to where it made an abrupt curve to the west, a quarter of a mile below us, and was lost to sight, as though we expected to see the truant returning to us with our precious launch—the thing that meant life or death to us in this unfriendly, savage world.
lost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We stood there, grouped about the body of the dead Grabritin, looking futilely down the river to where it made an abrupt curve to the west, a quarter of a mile below us, and was lost to sight, as though we expected to see the truant returning to us with our precious launch—the thing that meant life or death to us in this unfriendly, savage world.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We stood there, grouped about the body of the dead Grabritin, looking futilely down the river to where it made an abrupt curve to the west, a quarter of a mile below us, and was lost to sight, as though we expected to see the truant returning to us with our precious launch—the thing that meant life or death to us in this unfriendly, savage world.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading I felt, rather than saw, Taylor turn his eyes slowly toward my profile, and, as mine swung to meet them, the expression upon his face recalled me to my duty and responsibility as an officer.
meant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We stood there, grouped about the body of the dead Grabritin, looking futilely down the river to where it made an abrupt curve to the west, a quarter of a mile below us, and was lost to sight, as though we expected to see the truant returning to us with our precious launch—the thing that meant life or death to us in this unfriendly, savage world.
meet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I felt, rather than saw, Taylor turn his eyes slowly toward my profile, and, as mine swung to meet them, the expression upon his face recalled me to my duty and responsibility as an officer.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading The utter hopelessness that was reflected in his face must have been the counterpart of what I myself felt, but in that brief instant I determined to hide my own misgivings that I might bolster up the courage of the others.
mile
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We stood there, grouped about the body of the dead Grabritin, looking futilely down the river to where it made an abrupt curve to the west, a quarter of a mile below us, and was lost to sight, as though we expected to see the truant returning to us with our precious launch—the thing that meant life or death to us in this unfriendly, savage world.
minepronounUS /maɪn/
the one or ones belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I felt, rather than saw, Taylor turn his eyes slowly toward my profile, and, as mine swung to meet them, the expression upon his face recalled me to my duty and responsibility as an officer.
misgivings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The utter hopelessness that was reflected in his face must have been the counterpart of what I myself felt, but in that brief instant I determined to hide my own misgivings that I might bolster up the courage of the others.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading The utter hopelessness that was reflected in his face must have been the counterpart of what I myself felt, but in that brief instant I determined to hide my own misgivings that I might bolster up the courage of the others.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I felt, rather than saw, Taylor turn his eyes slowly toward my profile, and, as mine swung to meet them, the expression upon his face recalled me to my duty and responsibility as an officer.
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading The utter hopelessness that was reflected in his face must have been the counterpart of what I myself felt, but in that brief instant I determined to hide my own misgivings that I might bolster up the courage of the others.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading We stood there, grouped about the body of the dead Grabritin, looking futilely down the river to where it made an abrupt curve to the west, a quarter of a mile below us, and was lost to sight, as though we expected to see the truant returning to us with our precious launch—the thing that meant life or death to us in this unfriendly, savage world.
officer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I felt, rather than saw, Taylor turn his eyes slowly toward my profile, and, as mine swung to meet them, the expression upon his face recalled me to my duty and responsibility as an officer.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading “We are lost!” was written as plainly upon Taylorl’s face as though his features were the printed words upon an open book.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading We stood there, grouped about the body of the dead Grabritin, looking futilely down the river to where it made an abrupt curve to the west, a quarter of a mile below us, and was lost to sight, as though we expected to see the truant returning to us with our precious launch—the thing that meant life or death to us in this unfriendly, savage world.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The utter hopelessness that was reflected in his face must have been the counterpart of what I myself felt, but in that brief instant I determined to hide my own misgivings that I might bolster up the courage of the others.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading We stood there, grouped about the body of the dead Grabritin, looking futilely down the river to where it made an abrupt curve to the west, a quarter of a mile below us, and was lost to sight, as though we expected to see the truant returning to us with our precious launch—the thing that meant life or death to us in this unfriendly, savage world.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The utter hopelessness that was reflected in his face must have been the counterpart of what I myself felt, but in that brief instant I determined to hide my own misgivings that I might bolster up the courage of the others.
plainlynounUS /ˈplainly/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading “We are lost!” was written as plainly upon Taylorl’s face as though his features were the printed words upon an open book.
preciousadjectiveUS /ˈpreʃəs/
rare and worth a great deal
From this reading We stood there, grouped about the body of the dead Grabritin, looking futilely down the river to where it made an abrupt curve to the west, a quarter of a mile below us, and was lost to sight, as though we expected to see the truant returning to us with our precious launch—the thing that meant life or death to us in this unfriendly, savage world.
printednounUS /printed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “We are lost!” was written as plainly upon Taylorl’s face as though his features were the printed words upon an open book.
profile
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I felt, rather than saw, Taylor turn his eyes slowly toward my profile, and, as mine swung to meet them, the expression upon his face recalled me to my duty and responsibility as an officer.
quarter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We stood there, grouped about the body of the dead Grabritin, looking futilely down the river to where it made an abrupt curve to the west, a quarter of a mile below us, and was lost to sight, as though we expected to see the truant returning to us with our precious launch—the thing that meant life or death to us in this unfriendly, savage world.
rather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I felt, rather than saw, Taylor turn his eyes slowly toward my profile, and, as mine swung to meet them, the expression upon his face recalled me to my duty and responsibility as an officer.
recalled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I felt, rather than saw, Taylor turn his eyes slowly toward my profile, and, as mine swung to meet them, the expression upon his face recalled me to my duty and responsibility as an officer.
reflected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The utter hopelessness that was reflected in his face must have been the counterpart of what I myself felt, but in that brief instant I determined to hide my own misgivings that I might bolster up the courage of the others.
responsibility
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I felt, rather than saw, Taylor turn his eyes slowly toward my profile, and, as mine swung to meet them, the expression upon his face recalled me to my duty and responsibility as an officer.
returning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We stood there, grouped about the body of the dead Grabritin, looking futilely down the river to where it made an abrupt curve to the west, a quarter of a mile below us, and was lost to sight, as though we expected to see the truant returning to us with our precious launch—the thing that meant life or death to us in this unfriendly, savage world.
river
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We stood there, grouped about the body of the dead Grabritin, looking futilely down the river to where it made an abrupt curve to the west, a quarter of a mile below us, and was lost to sight, as though we expected to see the truant returning to us with our precious launch—the thing that meant life or death to us in this unfriendly, savage world.
savage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We stood there, grouped about the body of the dead Grabritin, looking futilely down the river to where it made an abrupt curve to the west, a quarter of a mile below us, and was lost to sight, as though we expected to see the truant returning to us with our precious launch—the thing that meant life or death to us in this unfriendly, savage world.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I felt, rather than saw, Taylor turn his eyes slowly toward my profile, and, as mine swung to meet them, the expression upon his face recalled me to my duty and responsibility as an officer.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We stood there, grouped about the body of the dead Grabritin, looking futilely down the river to where it made an abrupt curve to the west, a quarter of a mile below us, and was lost to sight, as though we expected to see the truant returning to us with our precious launch—the thing that meant life or death to us in this unfriendly, savage world.
sight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We stood there, grouped about the body of the dead Grabritin, looking futilely down the river to where it made an abrupt curve to the west, a quarter of a mile below us, and was lost to sight, as though we expected to see the truant returning to us with our precious launch—the thing that meant life or death to us in this unfriendly, savage world.
slowly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I felt, rather than saw, Taylor turn his eyes slowly toward my profile, and, as mine swung to meet them, the expression upon his face recalled me to my duty and responsibility as an officer.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading We stood there, grouped about the body of the dead Grabritin, looking futilely down the river to where it made an abrupt curve to the west, a quarter of a mile below us, and was lost to sight, as though we expected to see the truant returning to us with our precious launch—the thing that meant life or death to us in this unfriendly, savage world.
swung
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I felt, rather than saw, Taylor turn his eyes slowly toward my profile, and, as mine swung to meet them, the expression upon his face recalled me to my duty and responsibility as an officer.
Taylor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I felt, rather than saw, Taylor turn his eyes slowly toward my profile, and, as mine swung to meet them, the expression upon his face recalled me to my duty and responsibility as an officer.
Taylorl's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “We are lost!” was written as plainly upon Taylorl’s face as though his features were the printed words upon an open book.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading I felt, rather than saw, Taylor turn his eyes slowly toward my profile, and, as mine swung to meet them, the expression upon his face recalled me to my duty and responsibility as an officer.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading We stood there, grouped about the body of the dead Grabritin, looking futilely down the river to where it made an abrupt curve to the west, a quarter of a mile below us, and was lost to sight, as though we expected to see the truant returning to us with our precious launch—the thing that meant life or death to us in this unfriendly, savage world.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading We stood there, grouped about the body of the dead Grabritin, looking futilely down the river to where it made an abrupt curve to the west, a quarter of a mile below us, and was lost to sight, as though we expected to see the truant returning to us with our precious launch—the thing that meant life or death to us in this unfriendly, savage world.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading I felt, rather than saw, Taylor turn his eyes slowly toward my profile, and, as mine swung to meet them, the expression upon his face recalled me to my duty and responsibility as an officer.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We stood there, grouped about the body of the dead Grabritin, looking futilely down the river to where it made an abrupt curve to the west, a quarter of a mile below us, and was lost to sight, as though we expected to see the truant returning to us with our precious launch—the thing that meant life or death to us in this unfriendly, savage world.
thingnounUS /thing/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading We stood there, grouped about the body of the dead Grabritin, looking futilely down the river to where it made an abrupt curve to the west, a quarter of a mile below us, and was lost to sight, as though we expected to see the truant returning to us with our precious launch—the thing that meant life or death to us in this unfriendly, savage world.
thinkingnounUS /thinking/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was thinking of the launch, and of the launch alone.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading We stood there, grouped about the body of the dead Grabritin, looking futilely down the river to where it made an abrupt curve to the west, a quarter of a mile below us, and was lost to sight, as though we expected to see the truant returning to us with our precious launch—the thing that meant life or death to us in this unfriendly, savage world.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading We stood there, grouped about the body of the dead Grabritin, looking futilely down the river to where it made an abrupt curve to the west, a quarter of a mile below us, and was lost to sight, as though we expected to see the truant returning to us with our precious launch—the thing that meant life or death to us in this unfriendly, savage world.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading We stood there, grouped about the body of the dead Grabritin, looking futilely down the river to where it made an abrupt curve to the west, a quarter of a mile below us, and was lost to sight, as though we expected to see the truant returning to us with our precious launch—the thing that meant life or death to us in this unfriendly, savage world.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading I felt, rather than saw, Taylor turn his eyes slowly toward my profile, and, as mine swung to meet them, the expression upon his face recalled me to my duty and responsibility as an officer.
truant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We stood there, grouped about the body of the dead Grabritin, looking futilely down the river to where it made an abrupt curve to the west, a quarter of a mile below us, and was lost to sight, as though we expected to see the truant returning to us with our precious launch—the thing that meant life or death to us in this unfriendly, savage world.
turn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I felt, rather than saw, Taylor turn his eyes slowly toward my profile, and, as mine swung to meet them, the expression upon his face recalled me to my duty and responsibility as an officer.
unfriendly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We stood there, grouped about the body of the dead Grabritin, looking futilely down the river to where it made an abrupt curve to the west, a quarter of a mile below us, and was lost to sight, as though we expected to see the truant returning to us with our precious launch—the thing that meant life or death to us in this unfriendly, savage world.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The utter hopelessness that was reflected in his face must have been the counterpart of what I myself felt, but in that brief instant I determined to hide my own misgivings that I might bolster up the courage of the others.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading I felt, rather than saw, Taylor turn his eyes slowly toward my profile, and, as mine swung to meet them, the expression upon his face recalled me to my duty and responsibility as an officer.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading We stood there, grouped about the body of the dead Grabritin, looking futilely down the river to where it made an abrupt curve to the west, a quarter of a mile below us, and was lost to sight, as though we expected to see the truant returning to us with our precious launch—the thing that meant life or death to us in this unfriendly, savage world.
utter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The utter hopelessness that was reflected in his face must have been the counterpart of what I myself felt, but in that brief instant I determined to hide my own misgivings that I might bolster up the courage of the others.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading We stood there, grouped about the body of the dead Grabritin, looking futilely down the river to where it made an abrupt curve to the west, a quarter of a mile below us, and was lost to sight, as though we expected to see the truant returning to us with our precious launch—the thing that meant life or death to us in this unfriendly, savage world.
WepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We stood there, grouped about the body of the dead Grabritin, looking futilely down the river to where it made an abrupt curve to the west, a quarter of a mile below us, and was lost to sight, as though we expected to see the truant returning to us with our precious launch—the thing that meant life or death to us in this unfriendly, savage world.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “We are lost!” was written as plainly upon Taylorl’s face as though his features were the printed words upon an open book.
west
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We stood there, grouped about the body of the dead Grabritin, looking futilely down the river to where it made an abrupt curve to the west, a quarter of a mile below us, and was lost to sight, as though we expected to see the truant returning to us with our precious launch—the thing that meant life or death to us in this unfriendly, savage world.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading The utter hopelessness that was reflected in his face must have been the counterpart of what I myself felt, but in that brief instant I determined to hide my own misgivings that I might bolster up the courage of the others.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading We stood there, grouped about the body of the dead Grabritin, looking futilely down the river to where it made an abrupt curve to the west, a quarter of a mile below us, and was lost to sight, as though we expected to see the truant returning to us with our precious launch—the thing that meant life or death to us in this unfriendly, savage world.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading We stood there, grouped about the body of the dead Grabritin, looking futilely down the river to where it made an abrupt curve to the west, a quarter of a mile below us, and was lost to sight, as though we expected to see the truant returning to us with our precious launch—the thing that meant life or death to us in this unfriendly, savage world.
words
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “We are lost!” was written as plainly upon Taylorl’s face as though his features were the printed words upon an open book.
world
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We stood there, grouped about the body of the dead Grabritin, looking futilely down the river to where it made an abrupt curve to the west, a quarter of a mile below us, and was lost to sight, as though we expected to see the truant returning to us with our precious launch—the thing that meant life or death to us in this unfriendly, savage world.
written
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “We are lost!” was written as plainly upon Taylorl’s face as though his features were the printed words upon an open book.
