adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The next thing I saw was the top-knot of silver hair surmounting Captain Ellis’ smooth red face, which would have been apoplectic if it hadn’t had such a fresh appearance.
advanceverbUS /ədˈvæns/
move forward, also in the metaphorical sense
From this reading He was looking over his shoulder at my advance.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading When I had come well within range he saluted me by a nerve-shattering: “Where have you been all this time?”
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Our deputy-Neptune had no beard on his chin, and there was no trident to be seen standing in a corner anywhere, like an umbrella.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Our deputy-Neptune had no beard on his chin, and there was no trident to be seen standing in a corner anywhere, like an umbrella.
anywhereadverbUS /ˈeniwer/
at or in or to any place
From this reading Our deputy-Neptune had no beard on his chin, and there was no trident to be seen standing in a corner anywhere, like an umbrella.
apoplecticadjectiveUS /ˌæpəˈplektɪk/
pertaining to or characteristic of apoplexy
From this reading The next thing I saw was the top-knot of silver hair surmounting Captain Ellis’ smooth red face, which would have been apoplectic if it hadn’t had such a fresh appearance.
appearancenounUS /əˈpɪrəns/
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading The next thing I saw was the top-knot of silver hair surmounting Captain Ellis’ smooth red face, which would have been apoplectic if it hadn’t had such a fresh appearance.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He was looking over his shoulder at my advance.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Our deputy-Neptune had no beard on his chin, and there was no trident to be seen standing in a corner anywhere, like an umbrella.
beardnounUS /bɪrd/
the hair growing on the lower part of a man's face
From this reading Our deputy-Neptune had no beard on his chin, and there was no trident to be seen standing in a corner anywhere, like an umbrella.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The next thing I saw was the top-knot of silver hair surmounting Captain Ellis’ smooth red face, which would have been apoplectic if it hadn’t had such a fresh appearance.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But his hand was holding a pen--the official pen, far mightier than the sword in making or marring the fortune of simple toiling men.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading When I had come well within range he saluted me by a nerve-shattering: “Where have you been all this time?”
CaptainnounUS /ˈkæptən/
an officer holding a rank below a major but above a lieutenant
From this reading The next thing I saw was the top-knot of silver hair surmounting Captain Ellis’ smooth red face, which would have been apoplectic if it hadn’t had such a fresh appearance.
chinnounUS /tʃɪn/
the protruding part of the lower jaw
From this reading Our deputy-Neptune had no beard on his chin, and there was no trident to be seen standing in a corner anywhere, like an umbrella.
comeverbUS /kʌm/
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading When I had come well within range he saluted me by a nerve-shattering: “Where have you been all this time?”
cornernounUS /ˈkɔːrnər/
a place off to the side of an area
From this reading Our deputy-Neptune had no beard on his chin, and there was no trident to be seen standing in a corner anywhere, like an umbrella.
deputy-Neptune
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our deputy-Neptune had no beard on his chin, and there was no trident to be seen standing in a corner anywhere, like an umbrella.
EllisnounUS /ˈelɪs/
plural of “elli” — (Norse mythology) goddess of old age who defeated Thor in a wrestling match
From this reading The next thing I saw was the top-knot of silver hair surmounting Captain Ellis’ smooth red face, which would have been apoplectic if it hadn’t had such a fresh appearance.
facenounUS /feɪs/
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading The next thing I saw was the top-knot of silver hair surmounting Captain Ellis’ smooth red face, which would have been apoplectic if it hadn’t had such a fresh appearance.
faradverbUS /fɑːr/
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading But his hand was holding a pen--the official pen, far mightier than the sword in making or marring the fortune of simple toiling men.
fortunenounUS /ˈfɔːrtʃən/
an unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another
From this reading But his hand was holding a pen--the official pen, far mightier than the sword in making or marring the fortune of simple toiling men.
freshadjectiveUS /freʃ/
recently made, produced, or harvested
From this reading The next thing I saw was the top-knot of silver hair surmounting Captain Ellis’ smooth red face, which would have been apoplectic if it hadn’t had such a fresh appearance.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The next thing I saw was the top-knot of silver hair surmounting Captain Ellis’ smooth red face, which would have been apoplectic if it hadn’t had such a fresh appearance.
hadn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next thing I saw was the top-knot of silver hair surmounting Captain Ellis’ smooth red face, which would have been apoplectic if it hadn’t had such a fresh appearance.
hairnounUS /her/
a covering for the body (or parts of it) consisting of a dense growth of threadlike structures (as on the human head); helps to prevent heat loss
From this reading The next thing I saw was the top-knot of silver hair surmounting Captain Ellis’ smooth red face, which would have been apoplectic if it hadn’t had such a fresh appearance.
handnounUS /hænd/
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
From this reading But his hand was holding a pen--the official pen, far mightier than the sword in making or marring the fortune of simple toiling men.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The next thing I saw was the top-knot of silver hair surmounting Captain Ellis’ smooth red face, which would have been apoplectic if it hadn’t had such a fresh appearance.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was looking over his shoulder at my advance.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Our deputy-Neptune had no beard on his chin, and there was no trident to be seen standing in a corner anywhere, like an umbrella.
holdingnounUS /ˈhoʊldɪŋ/
the act of retaining something
From this reading But his hand was holding a pen--the official pen, far mightier than the sword in making or marring the fortune of simple toiling men.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading The next thing I saw was the top-knot of silver hair surmounting Captain Ellis’ smooth red face, which would have been apoplectic if it hadn’t had such a fresh appearance.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The next thing I saw was the top-knot of silver hair surmounting Captain Ellis’ smooth red face, which would have been apoplectic if it hadn’t had such a fresh appearance.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Our deputy-Neptune had no beard on his chin, and there was no trident to be seen standing in a corner anywhere, like an umbrella.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The next thing I saw was the top-knot of silver hair surmounting Captain Ellis’ smooth red face, which would have been apoplectic if it hadn’t had such a fresh appearance.
likeverbUS /laɪk/
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading Our deputy-Neptune had no beard on his chin, and there was no trident to be seen standing in a corner anywhere, like an umbrella.
lookingnounUS /ˈlʊkɪŋ/
the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
From this reading He was looking over his shoulder at my advance.
makingnounUS /ˈmeɪkɪŋ/
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading But his hand was holding a pen--the official pen, far mightier than the sword in making or marring the fortune of simple toiling men.
marringverbUS /ˈmɑːrɪŋ/
inflected form of “mar” — make imperfect
From this reading But his hand was holding a pen--the official pen, far mightier than the sword in making or marring the fortune of simple toiling men.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading When I had come well within range he saluted me by a nerve-shattering: “Where have you been all this time?”
mennounUS /men/
the force of workers available
From this reading But his hand was holding a pen--the official pen, far mightier than the sword in making or marring the fortune of simple toiling men.
mightieradjectiveUS /ˈmaɪtiər/
comparative of “mighty” — having or showing great strength or force or intensity
From this reading But his hand was holding a pen--the official pen, far mightier than the sword in making or marring the fortune of simple toiling men.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading He was looking over his shoulder at my advance.
nerve-shattering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When I had come well within range he saluted me by a nerve-shattering: “Where have you been all this time?”
nextadjectiveUS /nekst/
immediately following in time or order
From this reading The next thing I saw was the top-knot of silver hair surmounting Captain Ellis’ smooth red face, which would have been apoplectic if it hadn’t had such a fresh appearance.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Our deputy-Neptune had no beard on his chin, and there was no trident to be seen standing in a corner anywhere, like an umbrella.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The next thing I saw was the top-knot of silver hair surmounting Captain Ellis’ smooth red face, which would have been apoplectic if it hadn’t had such a fresh appearance.
officialadjectiveUS /əˈfɪʃəl/
having official authority or sanction
From this reading But his hand was holding a pen--the official pen, far mightier than the sword in making or marring the fortune of simple toiling men.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Our deputy-Neptune had no beard on his chin, and there was no trident to be seen standing in a corner anywhere, like an umbrella.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading But his hand was holding a pen--the official pen, far mightier than the sword in making or marring the fortune of simple toiling men.
OurdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Our deputy-Neptune had no beard on his chin, and there was no trident to be seen standing in a corner anywhere, like an umbrella.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading He was looking over his shoulder at my advance.
pennounUS /pen/
a writing implement with a point from which ink flows
From this reading But his hand was holding a pen--the official pen, far mightier than the sword in making or marring the fortune of simple toiling men.
rangenounUS /reɪndʒ/
an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control: "the range of a supersonic jet"
From this reading When I had come well within range he saluted me by a nerve-shattering: “Where have you been all this time?”
rednounUS /red/
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading The next thing I saw was the top-knot of silver hair surmounting Captain Ellis’ smooth red face, which would have been apoplectic if it hadn’t had such a fresh appearance.
salutedverbUS /səˈluːtɪd/
past form of “salute” — propose a toast to
From this reading When I had come well within range he saluted me by a nerve-shattering: “Where have you been all this time?”
sawverbUS /sɔː/
cut with a saw
From this reading The next thing I saw was the top-knot of silver hair surmounting Captain Ellis’ smooth red face, which would have been apoplectic if it hadn’t had such a fresh appearance.
seenverbUS /siːn/
inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Our deputy-Neptune had no beard on his chin, and there was no trident to be seen standing in a corner anywhere, like an umbrella.
shoulderverbUS /ˈʃoʊldər/
lift onto one's shoulders
From this reading He was looking over his shoulder at my advance.
silvernounUS /ˈsɪlvər/
a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography
From this reading The next thing I saw was the top-knot of silver hair surmounting Captain Ellis’ smooth red face, which would have been apoplectic if it hadn’t had such a fresh appearance.
simpleadjectiveUS /ˈsɪmpəl/
having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved
From this reading But his hand was holding a pen--the official pen, far mightier than the sword in making or marring the fortune of simple toiling men.
smoothadjectiveUS /smuːð/
having a surface free from roughness or bumps or ridges or irregularities
From this reading The next thing I saw was the top-knot of silver hair surmounting Captain Ellis’ smooth red face, which would have been apoplectic if it hadn’t had such a fresh appearance.
standingadjectiveUS /ˈstændɪŋ/
having a supporting base
From this reading Our deputy-Neptune had no beard on his chin, and there was no trident to be seen standing in a corner anywhere, like an umbrella.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading The next thing I saw was the top-knot of silver hair surmounting Captain Ellis’ smooth red face, which would have been apoplectic if it hadn’t had such a fresh appearance.
surmountingverbUS /sərˈmaʊntɪŋ/
-ing form of “surmount” — get on top of; deal with successfully
From this reading The next thing I saw was the top-knot of silver hair surmounting Captain Ellis’ smooth red face, which would have been apoplectic if it hadn’t had such a fresh appearance.
swordnounUS /sɔːrd/
a cutting or thrusting weapon that has a long metal blade and a hilt with a hand guard
From this reading But his hand was holding a pen--the official pen, far mightier than the sword in making or marring the fortune of simple toiling men.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading But his hand was holding a pen--the official pen, far mightier than the sword in making or marring the fortune of simple toiling men.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The next thing I saw was the top-knot of silver hair surmounting Captain Ellis’ smooth red face, which would have been apoplectic if it hadn’t had such a fresh appearance.
thereadverbUS /ðer/
in or at that place or location
From this reading Our deputy-Neptune had no beard on his chin, and there was no trident to be seen standing in a corner anywhere, like an umbrella.
thingnounUS /θɪŋ/
a special situation
From this reading The next thing I saw was the top-knot of silver hair surmounting Captain Ellis’ smooth red face, which would have been apoplectic if it hadn’t had such a fresh appearance.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading When I had come well within range he saluted me by a nerve-shattering: “Where have you been all this time?”
timenounUS /taɪm/
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading When I had come well within range he saluted me by a nerve-shattering: “Where have you been all this time?”
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Our deputy-Neptune had no beard on his chin, and there was no trident to be seen standing in a corner anywhere, like an umbrella.
toilingadjectiveUS /ˈtɔɪlɪŋ/
doing arduous or unpleasant work
From this reading But his hand was holding a pen--the official pen, far mightier than the sword in making or marring the fortune of simple toiling men.
top-knot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The next thing I saw was the top-knot of silver hair surmounting Captain Ellis’ smooth red face, which would have been apoplectic if it hadn’t had such a fresh appearance.
tridentnounUS /ˈtraɪdənt/
a spear with three prongs
From this reading Our deputy-Neptune had no beard on his chin, and there was no trident to be seen standing in a corner anywhere, like an umbrella.
umbrellanounUS /əmˈbrelə/
a lightweight handheld collapsible canopy
From this reading Our deputy-Neptune had no beard on his chin, and there was no trident to be seen standing in a corner anywhere, like an umbrella.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The next thing I saw was the top-knot of silver hair surmounting Captain Ellis’ smooth red face, which would have been apoplectic if it hadn’t had such a fresh appearance.
welladverbUS /wel/
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading When I had come well within range he saluted me by a nerve-shattering: “Where have you been all this time?”
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When I had come well within range he saluted me by a nerve-shattering: “Where have you been all this time?”
WhereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading When I had come well within range he saluted me by a nerve-shattering: “Where have you been all this time?”
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The next thing I saw was the top-knot of silver hair surmounting Captain Ellis’ smooth red face, which would have been apoplectic if it hadn’t had such a fresh appearance.
withinprepositionUS /wɪˈðɪn/
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading When I had come well within range he saluted me by a nerve-shattering: “Where have you been all this time?”
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The next thing I saw was the top-knot of silver hair surmounting Captain Ellis’ smooth red face, which would have been apoplectic if it hadn’t had such a fresh appearance.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading When I had come well within range he saluted me by a nerve-shattering: “Where have you been all this time?”
