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The Swiss Family Robinson
The Swiss Family Robinson

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of The Swiss Family Robinson is here in full — 270 sentences across 54 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Chapter 1, section 1: Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances-
Context Illustration Reading 1/54 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.
For many days we had been tempest-tossed.
Six times had the darkness closed over a wild and terrific scene, and returning light as often brought but renewed distress, for the raging storm increased in fury until on the seventh day all hope was lost.
We were driven completely out of our course; no conjecture could be formed as to our whereabouts.
The crew had lost heart, and were utterly exhausted by incessant labor.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Swiss Family Robinson

Chapter I

Chapter 1 of The Swiss Family Robinson is here in full — 270 sentences across 54 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/54 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.
Line 2
For many days we had been tempest-tossed.
Line 3
Six times had the darkness closed over a wild and terrific scene, and returning light as often brought but renewed distress, for the raging storm increased in fury until on the seventh day all hope was lost.
/sɪks taɪmz hæd ðə ˈdɑːrknəs kloʊzd ˈoʊvər ə waɪld ənd tərˈɪfɪk siːn ənd rɪˈtɜːrnɪŋ laɪt æz ˈɔːfən brɔːt bʌt rɪˈnuːd dɪˈstres fɔːr ðə ˈreɪdʒɪŋ stɔːrm ˌɪnˈkriːst ɪn ˈfjʊri ənˈtɪl ɑːn ðə ˈsevənθ deɪ ɔːl hoʊp wɑːz lɔːst/
Line 4
We were driven completely out of our course; no conjecture could be formed as to our whereabouts.
/wiː wɜːr ˈdrɪvən kəmˈpliːtli aʊt ʌv ˈaʊər kɔːrs noʊ kənˈdʒektʃər kʊd biː fɔːrmd æz tuː ˈaʊər ˈwerəbaʊts/
Line 5
The crew had lost heart, and were utterly exhausted by incessant labor.
/ðə kruː hæd lɔːst hɑːrt ənd wɜːr ˈʌtərli ɪɡˈzɔːstɪd baɪ ˌɪnˈsesənt ˈleɪbər/

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

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

embark verb US /emˈbɑːrk/

go on board

From this reading “Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.”

Glue verb US /ɡluː/

join or attach with or as if with glue

From this reading “Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.”

introduces verb US /ˌɪntrəˈduːsɪz/

third-person singular of “introduce” — cause to come to know personally

From this reading “Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.”

lobster noun US /ˈlɑːbstər/

flesh of a lobster

From this reading “Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.”

moderates noun US /ˈmɑːdərəts/

plural of “moderate” — a person who takes a position in the political center

From this reading “Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.”

oyster noun US /ˈɔɪstər/

marine mollusks having a rough irregular shell; found on the sea bed mostly in coastal waters

From this reading “Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.”

solves verb US /sɑːlvz/

third-person singular of “solve” — find the solution to (a problem or question) or understand the meaning of

From this reading “Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.”

sucking noun US /ˈsʌkɪŋ/

the act of sucking

From this reading “Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.”

Word partnerships in these lines

English keeps certain words together, and knowing the pair is worth more than knowing each word alone. Every partnership below was counted across our whole published library, and earns its place by appearing far more often than two unrelated words of the same frequency would.

Shown as this reading writes them, with the form the library counts, what kind of pairing it is, and how often it occurs.

utterly exhausted adverb + adjective

In this reading “The crew had lost heart, and were utterly exhausted by incessant labor.”

seventh day adjective + noun

In this reading “Six times had the darkness closed over a wild and terrific scene, and returning light as often brought but renewed distress, for the raging storm increased in fury until on the seventh day all hope was lost.”

storm increased verb + adjective

In this reading “Six times had the darkness closed over a wild and terrific scene, and returning light as often brought but renewed distress, for the raging storm increased in fury until on the seventh day all hope was lost.”

Six times noun + noun

by a factor of six

In this reading “Six times had the darkness closed over a wild and terrific scene, and returning light as often brought but renewed distress, for the raging storm increased in fury until on the seventh day all hope was lost.”

many days adjective + noun

In this reading “For many days we had been tempest-tossed.”

on shore preposition + noun

In this reading “Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.”

makes the acquaintance verb + article + noun counted as “make … acquaintance”

In this reading “Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.”

new country adjective + noun

In this reading “Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.”

All words in this reading · 132

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

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 Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

acquaintancenounUS /əˈkweɪntəns/

personal knowledge or information about someone or something

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

acquaintancesnounUS /əˈkweɪntənsɪz/

plural of “acquaintance” — personal knowledge or information about someone or something

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

adoptverbUS /əˈdɑːpt/

choose and follow; as of theories, ideas, policies, strategies or plans

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

agoutinoun

agile long-legged rabbit-sized rodent of Central America and South America and the West Indies; valued as food

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

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 Six times had the darkness closed over a wild and terrific scene, and returning light as often brought but renewed distress, for the raging storm increased in fury until on the seventh day all hope was lost.

AndeterminerUS /æn/

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

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

AndconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

angernounUS /ˈæŋɡər/

a strong emotion; a feeling that is oriented toward some real or supposed grievance

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

AnotherdeterminerUS /əˈnʌðər/

one more of the same kind, or a different one

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

anxiousadjectiveUS /ˈæŋkʃəs/

eagerly desirous

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Six times had the darkness closed over a wild and terrific scene, and returning light as often brought but renewed distress, for the raging storm increased in fury until on the seventh day all hope was lost.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading For many days we had been tempest-tossed.

behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/

at or toward the back of something

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

broughtverbUS /brɔːt/

inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere

From this reading Six times had the darkness closed over a wild and terrific scene, and returning light as often brought but renewed distress, for the raging storm increased in fury until on the seventh day all hope was lost.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Six times had the darkness closed over a wild and terrific scene, and returning light as often brought but renewed distress, for the raging storm increased in fury until on the seventh day all hope was lost.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading The crew had lost heart, and were utterly exhausted by incessant labor.

cargonounUS /ˈkɑːrɡoʊ/

goods carried by a large vehicle

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

childrennounUS /ˈtʃɪldrən/

plural of “child” — a young person of either sex

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

closedadjectiveUS /kloʊzd/

not open or affording passage or access

From this reading Six times had the darkness closed over a wild and terrific scene, and returning light as often brought but renewed distress, for the raging storm increased in fury until on the seventh day all hope was lost.

collectverbUS /kəˈlekt/

get or gather together

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

completedadjectiveUS /kəmˈpliːtəd/

successfully completed or brought to an end

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

completelyadverbUS /kəmˈpliːtli/

to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)

From this reading We were driven completely out of our course; no conjecture could be formed as to our whereabouts.

conjecturenounUS /kənˈdʒektʃər/

a hypothesis that has been formed by speculating or conjecturing (usually with little hard evidence)

From this reading We were driven completely out of our course; no conjecture could be formed as to our whereabouts.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading We were driven completely out of our course; no conjecture could be formed as to our whereabouts.

countrynounUS /ˈkʌntri/

a politically organized body of people under a single government

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

coursenounUS /kɔːrs/

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading We were driven completely out of our course; no conjecture could be formed as to our whereabouts.

crewnounUS /kruː/

the men and women who man a vehicle (ship, aircraft, etc.)

From this reading The crew had lost heart, and were utterly exhausted by incessant labor.

darknessnounUS /ˈdɑːrknəs/

absence of light or illumination

From this reading Six times had the darkness closed over a wild and terrific scene, and returning light as often brought but renewed distress, for the raging storm increased in fury until on the seventh day all hope was lost.

daynounUS /deɪ/

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading Six times had the darkness closed over a wild and terrific scene, and returning light as often brought but renewed distress, for the raging storm increased in fury until on the seventh day all hope was lost.

daysnounUS /deɪz/

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading For many days we had been tempest-tossed.

DesertedadjectiveUS /dɪˈzɜːrtɪd/

forsaken by owner or inhabitants

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

devourverbUS /dɪˈvaʊər/

destroy completely

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

difficultynounUS /ˈdɪfəkəlti/

an effort that is inconvenient

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

distressnounUS /dɪˈstres/

psychological suffering

From this reading Six times had the darkness closed over a wild and terrific scene, and returning light as often brought but renewed distress, for the raging storm increased in fury until on the seventh day all hope was lost.

dogsnounUS /dɑːɡz/

plural of “dog” — a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

drivenadjectiveUS /ˈdrɪvən/

compelled forcibly by an outside agency

From this reading We were driven completely out of our course; no conjecture could be formed as to our whereabouts.

eatverbUS /iːt/

take in solid food

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

embarkverbUS /emˈbɑːrk/

go on board

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

erectverbUS /ɪˈrekt/

construct, build, or erect

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

Ernest

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

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

examineverbUS /ɪɡˈzæmɪn/

consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

exhaustedadjectiveUS /ɪɡˈzɔːstɪd/

drained of energy or effectiveness; extremely tired; completely exhausted

From this reading The crew had lost heart, and were utterly exhausted by incessant labor.

firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/

preceding all others in time or space or degree

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

formedadjectiveUS /fɔːrmd/

having or given a form or shape

From this reading We were driven completely out of our course; no conjecture could be formed as to our whereabouts.

friendsnounUS /frendz/

plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

Fritz

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

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

Fritz's

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

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

furynounUS /ˈfjʊri/

a feeling of intense anger

From this reading Six times had the darkness closed over a wild and terrific scene, and returning light as often brought but renewed distress, for the raging storm increased in fury until on the seventh day all hope was lost.

galenounUS /ɡeɪl/

a strong wind moving 45-90 knots; force 7 to 10 on Beaufort scale

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

getverbUS /ɡet/

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

GlueverbUS /ɡluː/

join or attach with or as if with glue

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading For many days we had been tempest-tossed.

heartnounUS /hɑːrt/

the locus of feelings and intuitions

From this reading The crew had lost heart, and were utterly exhausted by incessant labor.

hopenounUS /hoʊp/

a specific instance of feeling hopeful

From this reading Six times had the darkness closed over a wild and terrific scene, and returning light as often brought but renewed distress, for the raging storm increased in fury until on the seventh day all hope was lost.

How

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

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

incessantadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈsesənt/

uninterrupted in time and indefinitely long continuing

From this reading The crew had lost heart, and were utterly exhausted by incessant labor.

increasedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈkriːst/

made greater in size or amount or degree

From this reading Six times had the darkness closed over a wild and terrific scene, and returning light as often brought but renewed distress, for the raging storm increased in fury until on the seventh day all hope was lost.

introducesverbUS /ˌɪntrəˈduːsɪz/

third-person singular of “introduce” — cause to come to know personally

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

JacknounUS /dʒæk/

a small worthless amount

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

Jack'snounUS /dʒæks/

possessive form of “jack” — a small worthless amount

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

labornounUS /ˈleɪbər/

a social class comprising those who do manual labor or work for wages

From this reading The crew had lost heart, and were utterly exhausted by incessant labor.

landnounUS /lænd/

the land on which real estate is located

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

leftnounUS /left/

location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

levernounUS /ˈlevər/

a rigid bar pivoted about a fulcrum

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

lightadjectiveUS /laɪt/

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading Six times had the darkness closed over a wild and terrific scene, and returning light as often brought but renewed distress, for the raging storm increased in fury until on the seventh day all hope was lost.

lobsternounUS /ˈlɑːbstər/

flesh of a lobster

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

lostadjectiveUS /lɔːst/

no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered

From this reading Six times had the darkness closed over a wild and terrific scene, and returning light as often brought but renewed distress, for the raging storm increased in fury until on the seventh day all hope was lost.

makeverbUS /meɪk/

engage in

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

makesnounUS /meɪks/

plural of “make” — a recognizable kind

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

manyadjectiveUS /ˈmeni/

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading For many days we had been tempest-tossed.

moderatesnounUS /ˈmɑːdərəts/

plural of “moderate” — a person who takes a position in the political center

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

newadjectiveUS /nuː/

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

nightnounUS /naɪt/

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading We were driven completely out of our course; no conjecture could be formed as to our whereabouts.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

oftenadverbUS /ˈɔːfən/

many times at short intervals

From this reading Six times had the darkness closed over a wild and terrific scene, and returning light as often brought but renewed distress, for the raging storm increased in fury until on the seventh day all hope was lost.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

OnceadverbUS /wʌns/

on one occasion

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/

To move from a closed position.

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

outadjectiveUS /aʊt/

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading We were driven completely out of our course; no conjecture could be formed as to our whereabouts.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading Six times had the darkness closed over a wild and terrific scene, and returning light as often brought but renewed distress, for the raging storm increased in fury until on the seventh day all hope was lost.

oysternounUS /ˈɔɪstər/

marine mollusks having a rough irregular shell; found on the sea bed mostly in coastal waters

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

OystersnounUS /ˈɔɪstərz/

plural of “oyster” — marine mollusks having a rough irregular shell; found on the sea bed mostly in coastal waters

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

pignounUS /pɪɡ/

domestic swine

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

planverbUS /plæn/

have the will and intention to carry out some action

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

ragingadjectiveUS /ˈreɪdʒɪŋ/

characterized by violent and forceful activity or movement; very intense

From this reading Six times had the darkness closed over a wild and terrific scene, and returning light as often brought but renewed distress, for the raging storm increased in fury until on the seventh day all hope was lost.

renewedadjectiveUS /rɪˈnuːd/

restored to a new condition

From this reading Six times had the darkness closed over a wild and terrific scene, and returning light as often brought but renewed distress, for the raging storm increased in fury until on the seventh day all hope was lost.

returningadjectiveUS /rɪˈtɜːrnɪŋ/

tending to return to an earlier state

From this reading Six times had the darkness closed over a wild and terrific scene, and returning light as often brought but renewed distress, for the raging storm increased in fury until on the seventh day all hope was lost.

returnsnounUS /rɪˈtɜːrnz/

plural of “return” — document giving the tax collector information about the taxpayer's tax liability

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

saltnounUS /sɔːlt/

a compound formed by replacing hydrogen in an acid by a metal (or a radical that acts like a metal)

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

scenenounUS /siːn/

the place where some action occurs

From this reading Six times had the darkness closed over a wild and terrific scene, and returning light as often brought but renewed distress, for the raging storm increased in fury until on the seventh day all hope was lost.

seventhadjectiveUS /ˈsevənθ/

coming next after the sixth and just before the eighth in position

From this reading Six times had the darkness closed over a wild and terrific scene, and returning light as often brought but renewed distress, for the raging storm increased in fury until on the seventh day all hope was lost.

shallmodal verbUS /ʃæl/

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

shirks

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

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

shorenounUS /ʃɔːr/

the land along the edge of a body of water

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

SixnounUS /sɪks/

the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one

From this reading Six times had the darkness closed over a wild and terrific scene, and returning light as often brought but renewed distress, for the raging storm increased in fury until on the seventh day all hope was lost.

solvesverbUS /sɑːlvz/

third-person singular of “solve” — find the solution to (a problem or question) or understand the meaning of

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

soupnounUS /suːp/

liquid food especially of meat or fish or vegetable stock often containing pieces of solid food

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

SteerverbUS /stɪr/

direct the course; determine the direction of travelling

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

stormverbUS /stɔːrm/

behave violently, as if in state of a great anger

From this reading Six times had the darkness closed over a wild and terrific scene, and returning light as often brought but renewed distress, for the raging storm increased in fury until on the seventh day all hope was lost.

Storm-tossedadjective

pounded or hit repeatedly by storms or adversities

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

suckingnounUS /ˈsʌkɪŋ/

the act of sucking

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

SuppernounUS /ˈsʌpər/

a light evening meal; served in early evening if dinner is at midday or served late in the evening at bedtime

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

swimming-belts

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

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

tempest-tossedadjective

pounded or hit repeatedly by storms or adversities

From this reading For many days we had been tempest-tossed.

tentnounUS /tent/

a portable shelter (usually of canvas stretched over supporting poles and fastened to the ground with ropes and pegs)

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

terrificadjectiveUS /tərˈɪfɪk/

very great or intense

From this reading Six times had the darkness closed over a wild and terrific scene, and returning light as often brought but renewed distress, for the raging storm increased in fury until on the seventh day all hope was lost.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

timesnounUS /taɪmz/

a more or less definite period of time now or previously present

From this reading Six times had the darkness closed over a wild and terrific scene, and returning light as often brought but renewed distress, for the raging storm increased in fury until on the seventh day all hope was lost.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

tug-boat

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

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

twonounUS /tuː/

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading Six times had the darkness closed over a wild and terrific scene, and returning light as often brought but renewed distress, for the raging storm increased in fury until on the seventh day all hope was lost.

usenounUS /juːs/

the act of using

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

utterlyadverbUS /ˈʌtərli/

completely and without qualification; used informally as intensifiers

From this reading The crew had lost heart, and were utterly exhausted by incessant labor.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Six times had the darkness closed over a wild and terrific scene, and returning light as often brought but renewed distress, for the raging storm increased in fury until on the seventh day all hope was lost.

waternounUS /ˈwɔːtər/

binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

WepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading We were driven completely out of our course; no conjecture could be formed as to our whereabouts.

whereaboutsnounUS /ˈwerəbaʊts/

the general location where something is

From this reading We were driven completely out of our course; no conjecture could be formed as to our whereabouts.

wildadjectiveUS /waɪld/

marked by extreme lack of restraint or control

From this reading Six times had the darkness closed over a wild and terrific scene, and returning light as often brought but renewed distress, for the raging storm increased in fury until on the seventh day all hope was lost.

willmodal verbUS /wɪl/

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

wrecknounUS /rek/

something or someone that has suffered ruin or dilapidation

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

WreckedadjectiveUS /rekt/

destroyed in an accident

From this reading Storm-tossed--Wrecked--Deserted--Supper--We make swimming-belts for the children--An anxious night--The gale moderates--We examine our cargo--Jack introduces two new acquaintances--How shall we get on shore?--Jack's plan--We adopt it--The use of a lever--Our tug-boat completed--Another night on the wreck--We collect the cargo--And embark--Jack's friends will not be left behind--Steer for the shore--Once more on land--We erect a tent--Glue soup--Jack makes the acquaintance of a lobster--Ernest shirks the water--Oysters and salt--How shall we eat our soup?--Ernest solves the difficulty--Fritz returns--The sucking pig--How to open an oyster and how to eat it--The dogs devour the agouti--Fritz's anger--Our first night in the new country.

Chapter 1 of The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss holds 270 sentences, grouped into 54 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 1 of The Swiss Family Robinson contain?

Chapter 1 holds 270 sentences of The Swiss Family Robinson, unabridged, divided into 54 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 1 of The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 270 sentences, grouped into 54 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 1 of The Swiss Family Robinson?

Work through the 54 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 54 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 1 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 1 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading The Swiss Family Robinson

Common questions about reading The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Swiss Family Robinson?

Yes. All 4942 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #41659 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Swiss Family Robinson is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #41659, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Swiss Family Robinson take to read?

About 411 minutes of reading across 989 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Swiss Family Robinson section by section

How to work through The Swiss Family Robinson section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 18 chapters of The Swiss Family Robinson to begin.

  2. Read one section

    Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.

  3. Listen and tap

    Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in The Swiss Family Robinson

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Swiss Family Robinson, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Storm-tossed--wrecked--deserted--supper--we
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Swiss Family Robinson; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Swimming-belts
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Swiss Family Robinson; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Children--an
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Swiss Family Robinson; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Anxious
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Swiss Family Robinson; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.