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adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading At length, at about six o'clock in the evening, a shapeless vapor appeared at a little height above the level of the sea; it looked like a puff of smoke; the sky was perfectly cold, so this vapor was no cloud; it would keep appearing and disappearing, as if it were in commotion.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Nothing appeared on the sharply defined circle of the sea; nothing was to be seen save sky and sea,--not one of those floating land-plants which rejoiced the heart of Christopher Columbus as he was about to discover America.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading At length, at about six o'clock in the evening, a shapeless vapor appeared at a little height above the level of the sea; it looked like a puff of smoke; the sky was perfectly cold, so this vapor was no cloud; it would keep appearing and disappearing, as if it were in commotion.
America
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing appeared on the sharply defined circle of the sea; nothing was to be seen save sky and sea,--not one of those floating land-plants which rejoiced the heart of Christopher Columbus as he was about to discover America.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Nothing appeared on the sharply defined circle of the sea; nothing was to be seen save sky and sea,--not one of those floating land-plants which rejoiced the heart of Christopher Columbus as he was about to discover America.
appeared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing appeared on the sharply defined circle of the sea; nothing was to be seen save sky and sea,--not one of those floating land-plants which rejoiced the heart of Christopher Columbus as he was about to discover America.
appearing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At length, at about six o'clock in the evening, a shapeless vapor appeared at a little height above the level of the sea; it looked like a puff of smoke; the sky was perfectly cold, so this vapor was no cloud; it would keep appearing and disappearing, as if it were in commotion.
APPROACH
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE APPROACH TO THE POLE.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Nothing appeared on the sharply defined circle of the sea; nothing was to be seen save sky and sea,--not one of those floating land-plants which rejoiced the heart of Christopher Columbus as he was about to discover America.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At length, at about six o'clock in the evening, a shapeless vapor appeared at a little height above the level of the sea; it looked like a puff of smoke; the sky was perfectly cold, so this vapor was no cloud; it would keep appearing and disappearing, as if it were in commotion.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Nothing appeared on the sharply defined circle of the sea; nothing was to be seen save sky and sea,--not one of those floating land-plants which rejoiced the heart of Christopher Columbus as he was about to discover America.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The time flew by in this uncertainty.
Christopher
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing appeared on the sharply defined circle of the sea; nothing was to be seen save sky and sea,--not one of those floating land-plants which rejoiced the heart of Christopher Columbus as he was about to discover America.
circle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing appeared on the sharply defined circle of the sea; nothing was to be seen save sky and sea,--not one of those floating land-plants which rejoiced the heart of Christopher Columbus as he was about to discover America.
cloud
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At length, at about six o'clock in the evening, a shapeless vapor appeared at a little height above the level of the sea; it looked like a puff of smoke; the sky was perfectly cold, so this vapor was no cloud; it would keep appearing and disappearing, as if it were in commotion.
cold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At length, at about six o'clock in the evening, a shapeless vapor appeared at a little height above the level of the sea; it looked like a puff of smoke; the sky was perfectly cold, so this vapor was no cloud; it would keep appearing and disappearing, as if it were in commotion.
Columbus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing appeared on the sharply defined circle of the sea; nothing was to be seen save sky and sea,--not one of those floating land-plants which rejoiced the heart of Christopher Columbus as he was about to discover America.
commotion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At length, at about six o'clock in the evening, a shapeless vapor appeared at a little height above the level of the sea; it looked like a puff of smoke; the sky was perfectly cold, so this vapor was no cloud; it would keep appearing and disappearing, as if it were in commotion.
defined
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing appeared on the sharply defined circle of the sea; nothing was to be seen save sky and sea,--not one of those floating land-plants which rejoiced the heart of Christopher Columbus as he was about to discover America.
disappearing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At length, at about six o'clock in the evening, a shapeless vapor appeared at a little height above the level of the sea; it looked like a puff of smoke; the sky was perfectly cold, so this vapor was no cloud; it would keep appearing and disappearing, as if it were in commotion.
discover
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing appeared on the sharply defined circle of the sea; nothing was to be seen save sky and sea,--not one of those floating land-plants which rejoiced the heart of Christopher Columbus as he was about to discover America.
evening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At length, at about six o'clock in the evening, a shapeless vapor appeared at a little height above the level of the sea; it looked like a puff of smoke; the sky was perfectly cold, so this vapor was no cloud; it would keep appearing and disappearing, as if it were in commotion.
flew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The time flew by in this uncertainty.
floating
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing appeared on the sharply defined circle of the sea; nothing was to be seen save sky and sea,--not one of those floating land-plants which rejoiced the heart of Christopher Columbus as he was about to discover America.
gazing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hatteras was still gazing.
Hatteras
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hatteras was still gazing.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Nothing appeared on the sharply defined circle of the sea; nothing was to be seen save sky and sea,--not one of those floating land-plants which rejoiced the heart of Christopher Columbus as he was about to discover America.
heart
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing appeared on the sharply defined circle of the sea; nothing was to be seen save sky and sea,--not one of those floating land-plants which rejoiced the heart of Christopher Columbus as he was about to discover America.
height
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At length, at about six o'clock in the evening, a shapeless vapor appeared at a little height above the level of the sea; it looked like a puff of smoke; the sky was perfectly cold, so this vapor was no cloud; it would keep appearing and disappearing, as if it were in commotion.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading At length, at about six o'clock in the evening, a shapeless vapor appeared at a little height above the level of the sea; it looked like a puff of smoke; the sky was perfectly cold, so this vapor was no cloud; it would keep appearing and disappearing, as if it were in commotion.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The time flew by in this uncertainty.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading At length, at about six o'clock in the evening, a shapeless vapor appeared at a little height above the level of the sea; it looked like a puff of smoke; the sky was perfectly cold, so this vapor was no cloud; it would keep appearing and disappearing, as if it were in commotion.
keep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At length, at about six o'clock in the evening, a shapeless vapor appeared at a little height above the level of the sea; it looked like a puff of smoke; the sky was perfectly cold, so this vapor was no cloud; it would keep appearing and disappearing, as if it were in commotion.
land-plants
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing appeared on the sharply defined circle of the sea; nothing was to be seen save sky and sea,--not one of those floating land-plants which rejoiced the heart of Christopher Columbus as he was about to discover America.
lengthnounUS /leŋθ/
a period of time or extent
From this reading At length, at about six o'clock in the evening, a shapeless vapor appeared at a little height above the level of the sea; it looked like a puff of smoke; the sky was perfectly cold, so this vapor was no cloud; it would keep appearing and disappearing, as if it were in commotion.
level
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At length, at about six o'clock in the evening, a shapeless vapor appeared at a little height above the level of the sea; it looked like a puff of smoke; the sky was perfectly cold, so this vapor was no cloud; it would keep appearing and disappearing, as if it were in commotion.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At length, at about six o'clock in the evening, a shapeless vapor appeared at a little height above the level of the sea; it looked like a puff of smoke; the sky was perfectly cold, so this vapor was no cloud; it would keep appearing and disappearing, as if it were in commotion.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At length, at about six o'clock in the evening, a shapeless vapor appeared at a little height above the level of the sea; it looked like a puff of smoke; the sky was perfectly cold, so this vapor was no cloud; it would keep appearing and disappearing, as if it were in commotion.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At length, at about six o'clock in the evening, a shapeless vapor appeared at a little height above the level of the sea; it looked like a puff of smoke; the sky was perfectly cold, so this vapor was no cloud; it would keep appearing and disappearing, as if it were in commotion.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading At length, at about six o'clock in the evening, a shapeless vapor appeared at a little height above the level of the sea; it looked like a puff of smoke; the sky was perfectly cold, so this vapor was no cloud; it would keep appearing and disappearing, as if it were in commotion.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Nothing appeared on the sharply defined circle of the sea; nothing was to be seen save sky and sea,--not one of those floating land-plants which rejoiced the heart of Christopher Columbus as he was about to discover America.
NothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading Nothing appeared on the sharply defined circle of the sea; nothing was to be seen save sky and sea,--not one of those floating land-plants which rejoiced the heart of Christopher Columbus as he was about to discover America.
o'clock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At length, at about six o'clock in the evening, a shapeless vapor appeared at a little height above the level of the sea; it looked like a puff of smoke; the sky was perfectly cold, so this vapor was no cloud; it would keep appearing and disappearing, as if it were in commotion.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Nothing appeared on the sharply defined circle of the sea; nothing was to be seen save sky and sea,--not one of those floating land-plants which rejoiced the heart of Christopher Columbus as he was about to discover America.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Nothing appeared on the sharply defined circle of the sea; nothing was to be seen save sky and sea,--not one of those floating land-plants which rejoiced the heart of Christopher Columbus as he was about to discover America.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Nothing appeared on the sharply defined circle of the sea; nothing was to be seen save sky and sea,--not one of those floating land-plants which rejoiced the heart of Christopher Columbus as he was about to discover America.
perfectly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At length, at about six o'clock in the evening, a shapeless vapor appeared at a little height above the level of the sea; it looked like a puff of smoke; the sky was perfectly cold, so this vapor was no cloud; it would keep appearing and disappearing, as if it were in commotion.
POLE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE APPROACH TO THE POLE.
puff
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At length, at about six o'clock in the evening, a shapeless vapor appeared at a little height above the level of the sea; it looked like a puff of smoke; the sky was perfectly cold, so this vapor was no cloud; it would keep appearing and disappearing, as if it were in commotion.
rejoiced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing appeared on the sharply defined circle of the sea; nothing was to be seen save sky and sea,--not one of those floating land-plants which rejoiced the heart of Christopher Columbus as he was about to discover America.
saveprepositionUS /seɪv/
except for; apart from
From this reading Nothing appeared on the sharply defined circle of the sea; nothing was to be seen save sky and sea,--not one of those floating land-plants which rejoiced the heart of Christopher Columbus as he was about to discover America.
sea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing appeared on the sharply defined circle of the sea; nothing was to be seen save sky and sea,--not one of those floating land-plants which rejoiced the heart of Christopher Columbus as he was about to discover America.
seen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing appeared on the sharply defined circle of the sea; nothing was to be seen save sky and sea,--not one of those floating land-plants which rejoiced the heart of Christopher Columbus as he was about to discover America.
shapeless
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At length, at about six o'clock in the evening, a shapeless vapor appeared at a little height above the level of the sea; it looked like a puff of smoke; the sky was perfectly cold, so this vapor was no cloud; it would keep appearing and disappearing, as if it were in commotion.
sharplynounUS /ˈsharply/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Nothing appeared on the sharply defined circle of the sea; nothing was to be seen save sky and sea,--not one of those floating land-plants which rejoiced the heart of Christopher Columbus as he was about to discover America.
six
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At length, at about six o'clock in the evening, a shapeless vapor appeared at a little height above the level of the sea; it looked like a puff of smoke; the sky was perfectly cold, so this vapor was no cloud; it would keep appearing and disappearing, as if it were in commotion.
sky
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nothing appeared on the sharply defined circle of the sea; nothing was to be seen save sky and sea,--not one of those floating land-plants which rejoiced the heart of Christopher Columbus as he was about to discover America.
smoke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At length, at about six o'clock in the evening, a shapeless vapor appeared at a little height above the level of the sea; it looked like a puff of smoke; the sky was perfectly cold, so this vapor was no cloud; it would keep appearing and disappearing, as if it were in commotion.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading At length, at about six o'clock in the evening, a shapeless vapor appeared at a little height above the level of the sea; it looked like a puff of smoke; the sky was perfectly cold, so this vapor was no cloud; it would keep appearing and disappearing, as if it were in commotion.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Hatteras was still gazing.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE APPROACH TO THE POLE.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The time flew by in this uncertainty.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Nothing appeared on the sharply defined circle of the sea; nothing was to be seen save sky and sea,--not one of those floating land-plants which rejoiced the heart of Christopher Columbus as he was about to discover America.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The time flew by in this uncertainty.
TOparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE APPROACH TO THE POLE.
uncertainty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The time flew by in this uncertainty.
vapor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At length, at about six o'clock in the evening, a shapeless vapor appeared at a little height above the level of the sea; it looked like a puff of smoke; the sky was perfectly cold, so this vapor was no cloud; it would keep appearing and disappearing, as if it were in commotion.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Nothing appeared on the sharply defined circle of the sea; nothing was to be seen save sky and sea,--not one of those floating land-plants which rejoiced the heart of Christopher Columbus as he was about to discover America.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading At length, at about six o'clock in the evening, a shapeless vapor appeared at a little height above the level of the sea; it looked like a puff of smoke; the sky was perfectly cold, so this vapor was no cloud; it would keep appearing and disappearing, as if it were in commotion.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Nothing appeared on the sharply defined circle of the sea; nothing was to be seen save sky and sea,--not one of those floating land-plants which rejoiced the heart of Christopher Columbus as he was about to discover America.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading At length, at about six o'clock in the evening, a shapeless vapor appeared at a little height above the level of the sea; it looked like a puff of smoke; the sky was perfectly cold, so this vapor was no cloud; it would keep appearing and disappearing, as if it were in commotion.
