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 night was very dark, so that the rebels in the boat could not distinguish the uniform of those who had applied for a passage on the schooner.
ability
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps Tom Somers's experience in the Blue Ridge and on the Shenandoah had improved his strategic ability, so that his words and his manner seemed plausible.
always
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as strategy and cunning always owe their success to the comparative stupidity of the victims, Tom and his companions gained the half-deck of the schooner more by the palpable blundering of her crew than through the brilliancy of their own scheme.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Perhaps Tom Somers's experience in the Blue Ridge and on the Shenandoah had improved his strategic ability, so that his words and his manner seemed plausible.
applied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The night was very dark, so that the rebels in the boat could not distinguish the uniform of those who had applied for a passage on the schooner.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But as strategy and cunning always owe their success to the comparative stupidity of the victims, Tom and his companions gained the half-deck of the schooner more by the palpable blundering of her crew than through the brilliancy of their own scheme.
biographer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tom did not stop, in the midst of the exciting enterprise, to determine the particular reason of his success, as we, his humble biographer, have done.
Blue
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps Tom Somers's experience in the Blue Ridge and on the Shenandoah had improved his strategic ability, so that his words and his manner seemed plausible.
blundering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as strategy and cunning always owe their success to the comparative stupidity of the victims, Tom and his companions gained the half-deck of the schooner more by the palpable blundering of her crew than through the brilliancy of their own scheme.
boat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The night was very dark, so that the rebels in the boat could not distinguish the uniform of those who had applied for a passage on the schooner.
brilliancy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as strategy and cunning always owe their success to the comparative stupidity of the victims, Tom and his companions gained the half-deck of the schooner more by the palpable blundering of her crew than through the brilliancy of their own scheme.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But as strategy and cunning always owe their success to the comparative stupidity of the victims, Tom and his companions gained the half-deck of the schooner more by the palpable blundering of her crew than through the brilliancy of their own scheme.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading But as strategy and cunning always owe their success to the comparative stupidity of the victims, Tom and his companions gained the half-deck of the schooner more by the palpable blundering of her crew than through the brilliancy of their own scheme.
companions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as strategy and cunning always owe their success to the comparative stupidity of the victims, Tom and his companions gained the half-deck of the schooner more by the palpable blundering of her crew than through the brilliancy of their own scheme.
comparative
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as strategy and cunning always owe their success to the comparative stupidity of the victims, Tom and his companions gained the half-deck of the schooner more by the palpable blundering of her crew than through the brilliancy of their own scheme.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The night was very dark, so that the rebels in the boat could not distinguish the uniform of those who had applied for a passage on the schooner.
crewnounUS /crew/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But as strategy and cunning always owe their success to the comparative stupidity of the victims, Tom and his companions gained the half-deck of the schooner more by the palpable blundering of her crew than through the brilliancy of their own scheme.
cunning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as strategy and cunning always owe their success to the comparative stupidity of the victims, Tom and his companions gained the half-deck of the schooner more by the palpable blundering of her crew than through the brilliancy of their own scheme.
dark
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The night was very dark, so that the rebels in the boat could not distinguish the uniform of those who had applied for a passage on the schooner.
determine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tom did not stop, in the midst of the exciting enterprise, to determine the particular reason of his success, as we, his humble biographer, have done.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Tom did not stop, in the midst of the exciting enterprise, to determine the particular reason of his success, as we, his humble biographer, have done.
distinguish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The night was very dark, so that the rebels in the boat could not distinguish the uniform of those who had applied for a passage on the schooner.
donenounUS /done/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Tom did not stop, in the midst of the exciting enterprise, to determine the particular reason of his success, as we, his humble biographer, have done.
enterprise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tom did not stop, in the midst of the exciting enterprise, to determine the particular reason of his success, as we, his humble biographer, have done.
exciting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tom did not stop, in the midst of the exciting enterprise, to determine the particular reason of his success, as we, his humble biographer, have done.
experience
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps Tom Somers's experience in the Blue Ridge and on the Shenandoah had improved his strategic ability, so that his words and his manner seemed plausible.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The night was very dark, so that the rebels in the boat could not distinguish the uniform of those who had applied for a passage on the schooner.
gained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as strategy and cunning always owe their success to the comparative stupidity of the victims, Tom and his companions gained the half-deck of the schooner more by the palpable blundering of her crew than through the brilliancy of their own scheme.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The night was very dark, so that the rebels in the boat could not distinguish the uniform of those who had applied for a passage on the schooner.
half-deck
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as strategy and cunning always owe their success to the comparative stupidity of the victims, Tom and his companions gained the half-deck of the schooner more by the palpable blundering of her crew than through the brilliancy of their own scheme.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Tom did not stop, in the midst of the exciting enterprise, to determine the particular reason of his success, as we, his humble biographer, have done.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading But as strategy and cunning always owe their success to the comparative stupidity of the victims, Tom and his companions gained the half-deck of the schooner more by the palpable blundering of her crew than through the brilliancy of their own scheme.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Perhaps Tom Somers's experience in the Blue Ridge and on the Shenandoah had improved his strategic ability, so that his words and his manner seemed plausible.
HOSPITAL
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading IN THE HOSPITAL.
humble
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tom did not stop, in the midst of the exciting enterprise, to determine the particular reason of his success, as we, his humble biographer, have done.
improved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps Tom Somers's experience in the Blue Ridge and on the Shenandoah had improved his strategic ability, so that his words and his manner seemed plausible.
INprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading IN THE HOSPITAL.
manner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps Tom Somers's experience in the Blue Ridge and on the Shenandoah had improved his strategic ability, so that his words and his manner seemed plausible.
midst
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tom did not stop, in the midst of the exciting enterprise, to determine the particular reason of his success, as we, his humble biographer, have done.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as strategy and cunning always owe their success to the comparative stupidity of the victims, Tom and his companions gained the half-deck of the schooner more by the palpable blundering of her crew than through the brilliancy of their own scheme.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The night was very dark, so that the rebels in the boat could not distinguish the uniform of those who had applied for a passage on the schooner.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The night was very dark, so that the rebels in the boat could not distinguish the uniform of those who had applied for a passage on the schooner.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The night was very dark, so that the rebels in the boat could not distinguish the uniform of those who had applied for a passage on the schooner.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The night was very dark, so that the rebels in the boat could not distinguish the uniform of those who had applied for a passage on the schooner.
owe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as strategy and cunning always owe their success to the comparative stupidity of the victims, Tom and his companions gained the half-deck of the schooner more by the palpable blundering of her crew than through the brilliancy of their own scheme.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as strategy and cunning always owe their success to the comparative stupidity of the victims, Tom and his companions gained the half-deck of the schooner more by the palpable blundering of her crew than through the brilliancy of their own scheme.
palpable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as strategy and cunning always owe their success to the comparative stupidity of the victims, Tom and his companions gained the half-deck of the schooner more by the palpable blundering of her crew than through the brilliancy of their own scheme.
particular
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tom did not stop, in the midst of the exciting enterprise, to determine the particular reason of his success, as we, his humble biographer, have done.
passagenounUS /ˈpassage/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The night was very dark, so that the rebels in the boat could not distinguish the uniform of those who had applied for a passage on the schooner.
Perhaps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps Tom Somers's experience in the Blue Ridge and on the Shenandoah had improved his strategic ability, so that his words and his manner seemed plausible.
plausible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps Tom Somers's experience in the Blue Ridge and on the Shenandoah had improved his strategic ability, so that his words and his manner seemed plausible.
reason
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tom did not stop, in the midst of the exciting enterprise, to determine the particular reason of his success, as we, his humble biographer, have done.
rebels
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The night was very dark, so that the rebels in the boat could not distinguish the uniform of those who had applied for a passage on the schooner.
Ridge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps Tom Somers's experience in the Blue Ridge and on the Shenandoah had improved his strategic ability, so that his words and his manner seemed plausible.
scheme
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as strategy and cunning always owe their success to the comparative stupidity of the victims, Tom and his companions gained the half-deck of the schooner more by the palpable blundering of her crew than through the brilliancy of their own scheme.
schoonernounUS /ˈskuːnər/
a sailing ship with two or more masts
From this reading The night was very dark, so that the rebels in the boat could not distinguish the uniform of those who had applied for a passage on the schooner.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Perhaps Tom Somers's experience in the Blue Ridge and on the Shenandoah had improved his strategic ability, so that his words and his manner seemed plausible.
Shenandoah
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps Tom Somers's experience in the Blue Ridge and on the Shenandoah had improved his strategic ability, so that his words and his manner seemed plausible.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The night was very dark, so that the rebels in the boat could not distinguish the uniform of those who had applied for a passage on the schooner.
Somers's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps Tom Somers's experience in the Blue Ridge and on the Shenandoah had improved his strategic ability, so that his words and his manner seemed plausible.
stop
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Tom did not stop, in the midst of the exciting enterprise, to determine the particular reason of his success, as we, his humble biographer, have done.
strategic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps Tom Somers's experience in the Blue Ridge and on the Shenandoah had improved his strategic ability, so that his words and his manner seemed plausible.
strategy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as strategy and cunning always owe their success to the comparative stupidity of the victims, Tom and his companions gained the half-deck of the schooner more by the palpable blundering of her crew than through the brilliancy of their own scheme.
stupidity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as strategy and cunning always owe their success to the comparative stupidity of the victims, Tom and his companions gained the half-deck of the schooner more by the palpable blundering of her crew than through the brilliancy of their own scheme.
success
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as strategy and cunning always owe their success to the comparative stupidity of the victims, Tom and his companions gained the half-deck of the schooner more by the palpable blundering of her crew than through the brilliancy of their own scheme.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading But as strategy and cunning always owe their success to the comparative stupidity of the victims, Tom and his companions gained the half-deck of the schooner more by the palpable blundering of her crew than through the brilliancy of their own scheme.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The night was very dark, so that the rebels in the boat could not distinguish the uniform of those who had applied for a passage on the schooner.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading IN THE HOSPITAL.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading But as strategy and cunning always owe their success to the comparative stupidity of the victims, Tom and his companions gained the half-deck of the schooner more by the palpable blundering of her crew than through the brilliancy of their own scheme.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading The night was very dark, so that the rebels in the boat could not distinguish the uniform of those who had applied for a passage on the schooner.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading But as strategy and cunning always owe their success to the comparative stupidity of the victims, Tom and his companions gained the half-deck of the schooner more by the palpable blundering of her crew than through the brilliancy of their own scheme.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But as strategy and cunning always owe their success to the comparative stupidity of the victims, Tom and his companions gained the half-deck of the schooner more by the palpable blundering of her crew than through the brilliancy of their own scheme.
Tom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps Tom Somers's experience in the Blue Ridge and on the Shenandoah had improved his strategic ability, so that his words and his manner seemed plausible.
uniform
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The night was very dark, so that the rebels in the boat could not distinguish the uniform of those who had applied for a passage on the schooner.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The night was very dark, so that the rebels in the boat could not distinguish the uniform of those who had applied for a passage on the schooner.
victims
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as strategy and cunning always owe their success to the comparative stupidity of the victims, Tom and his companions gained the half-deck of the schooner more by the palpable blundering of her crew than through the brilliancy of their own scheme.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The night was very dark, so that the rebels in the boat could not distinguish the uniform of those who had applied for a passage on the schooner.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Tom did not stop, in the midst of the exciting enterprise, to determine the particular reason of his success, as we, his humble biographer, have done.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading The night was very dark, so that the rebels in the boat could not distinguish the uniform of those who had applied for a passage on the schooner.
words
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Perhaps Tom Somers's experience in the Blue Ridge and on the Shenandoah had improved his strategic ability, so that his words and his manner seemed plausible.