1855
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Israel Potter: His Fifty Years of Exile’ (1855), first printed as a serial in Putnam’s, is an historical romance of the American Revolution, based on the hero’s own account of his adventures, as given in a little volume picked up by Mr. Melville at a book-stall.
1856
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those in the former periodical were collected in a volume as Piazza Tales (1856); and of these ‘Benito Cereno’ and ‘The Bell Tower’ are equal to his best previous efforts.
1857
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘The Confidence Man’ (1857), his last serious effort in prose fiction, does not seem to require criticism.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Those in the former periodical were collected in a volume as Piazza Tales (1856); and of these ‘Benito Cereno’ and ‘The Bell Tower’ are equal to his best previous efforts.
accountnounUS /əˈkaʊnt/
a record or narrative description of past events
From this reading ‘Israel Potter: His Fifty Years of Exile’ (1855), first printed as a serial in Putnam’s, is an historical romance of the American Revolution, based on the hero’s own account of his adventures, as given in a little volume picked up by Mr. Melville at a book-stall.
adventuresnounUS /ædˈventʃərz/
plural of “adventure” — a wild and exciting undertaking (not necessarily lawful)
From this reading ‘Israel Potter: His Fifty Years of Exile’ (1855), first printed as a serial in Putnam’s, is an historical romance of the American Revolution, based on the hero’s own account of his adventures, as given in a little volume picked up by Mr. Melville at a book-stall.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After this Mr. Melville contributed several short stories to Putnam’s Monthly and Harper’s Magazine.
AmericannounUS /əˈmerəkən/
a native or inhabitant of the United States
From this reading ‘Israel Potter: His Fifty Years of Exile’ (1855), first printed as a serial in Putnam’s, is an historical romance of the American Revolution, based on the hero’s own account of his adventures, as given in a little volume picked up by Mr. Melville at a book-stall.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading ‘Israel Potter: His Fifty Years of Exile’ (1855), first printed as a serial in Putnam’s, is an historical romance of the American Revolution, based on the hero’s own account of his adventures, as given in a little volume picked up by Mr. Melville at a book-stall.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading After this Mr. Melville contributed several short stories to Putnam’s Monthly and Harper’s Magazine.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Those in the former periodical were collected in a volume as Piazza Tales (1856); and of these ‘Benito Cereno’ and ‘The Bell Tower’ are equal to his best previous efforts.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Those in the former periodical were collected in a volume as Piazza Tales (1856); and of these ‘Benito Cereno’ and ‘The Bell Tower’ are equal to his best previous efforts.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading ‘Israel Potter: His Fifty Years of Exile’ (1855), first printed as a serial in Putnam’s, is an historical romance of the American Revolution, based on the hero’s own account of his adventures, as given in a little volume picked up by Mr. Melville at a book-stall.
authornounUS /ˈɔːθər/
writes (books or stories or articles or the like) professionally (for pay)
From this reading The story is well told, but the book is hardly worthy of the author of ‘Typee.’
basedadjectiveUS /beɪst/
having a base
From this reading ‘Israel Potter: His Fifty Years of Exile’ (1855), first printed as a serial in Putnam’s, is an historical romance of the American Revolution, based on the hero’s own account of his adventures, as given in a little volume picked up by Mr. Melville at a book-stall.
BellnounUS /bel/
a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck
From this reading Those in the former periodical were collected in a volume as Piazza Tales (1856); and of these ‘Benito Cereno’ and ‘The Bell Tower’ are equal to his best previous efforts.
Benito
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those in the former periodical were collected in a volume as Piazza Tales (1856); and of these ‘Benito Cereno’ and ‘The Bell Tower’ are equal to his best previous efforts.
bestnounUS /best/
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading Those in the former periodical were collected in a volume as Piazza Tales (1856); and of these ‘Benito Cereno’ and ‘The Bell Tower’ are equal to his best previous efforts.
booknounUS /bʊk/
a written work or composition that has been published (printed on pages bound together)
From this reading The story is well told, but the book is hardly worthy of the author of ‘Typee.’
book-stall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Israel Potter: His Fifty Years of Exile’ (1855), first printed as a serial in Putnam’s, is an historical romance of the American Revolution, based on the hero’s own account of his adventures, as given in a little volume picked up by Mr. Melville at a book-stall.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The story is well told, but the book is hardly worthy of the author of ‘Typee.’
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading ‘Israel Potter: His Fifty Years of Exile’ (1855), first printed as a serial in Putnam’s, is an historical romance of the American Revolution, based on the hero’s own account of his adventures, as given in a little volume picked up by Mr. Melville at a book-stall.
Cereno
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those in the former periodical were collected in a volume as Piazza Tales (1856); and of these ‘Benito Cereno’ and ‘The Bell Tower’ are equal to his best previous efforts.
collectedadjectiveUS /kəˈlektəd/
brought together in one place
From this reading Those in the former periodical were collected in a volume as Piazza Tales (1856); and of these ‘Benito Cereno’ and ‘The Bell Tower’ are equal to his best previous efforts.
ConfidencenounUS /ˈkɑːnfədəns/
freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities
From this reading ‘The Confidence Man’ (1857), his last serious effort in prose fiction, does not seem to require criticism.
contributedverbUS /kənˈtrɪbjuːtɪd/
past form of “contribute” — bestow a quality on
From this reading After this Mr. Melville contributed several short stories to Putnam’s Monthly and Harper’s Magazine.
criticismnounUS /ˈkrɪtɪsɪzəm/
disapproval expressed by pointing out faults or shortcomings
From this reading ‘The Confidence Man’ (1857), his last serious effort in prose fiction, does not seem to require criticism.
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading ‘The Confidence Man’ (1857), his last serious effort in prose fiction, does not seem to require criticism.
effortnounUS /ˈefərt/
earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading ‘The Confidence Man’ (1857), his last serious effort in prose fiction, does not seem to require criticism.
effortsnounUS /ˈefərts/
plural of “effort” — earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
From this reading Those in the former periodical were collected in a volume as Piazza Tales (1856); and of these ‘Benito Cereno’ and ‘The Bell Tower’ are equal to his best previous efforts.
equalverbUS /ˈiːkwəl/
be identical or equivalent to
From this reading Those in the former periodical were collected in a volume as Piazza Tales (1856); and of these ‘Benito Cereno’ and ‘The Bell Tower’ are equal to his best previous efforts.
ExileverbUS /ˈeɡzaɪl/
expel from a country
From this reading ‘Israel Potter: His Fifty Years of Exile’ (1855), first printed as a serial in Putnam’s, is an historical romance of the American Revolution, based on the hero’s own account of his adventures, as given in a little volume picked up by Mr. Melville at a book-stall.
fictionnounUS /ˈfɪkʃən/
a literary work based on the imagination and not necessarily on fact
From this reading ‘The Confidence Man’ (1857), his last serious effort in prose fiction, does not seem to require criticism.
FiftynounUS /ˈfɪfti/
the cardinal number that is the product of ten and five
From this reading ‘Israel Potter: His Fifty Years of Exile’ (1855), first printed as a serial in Putnam’s, is an historical romance of the American Revolution, based on the hero’s own account of his adventures, as given in a little volume picked up by Mr. Melville at a book-stall.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading ‘Israel Potter: His Fifty Years of Exile’ (1855), first printed as a serial in Putnam’s, is an historical romance of the American Revolution, based on the hero’s own account of his adventures, as given in a little volume picked up by Mr. Melville at a book-stall.
formeradjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrmər/
referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)
From this reading Those in the former periodical were collected in a volume as Piazza Tales (1856); and of these ‘Benito Cereno’ and ‘The Bell Tower’ are equal to his best previous efforts.
givenadjectiveUS /ˈɡɪvən/
acknowledged as a supposition
From this reading ‘Israel Potter: His Fifty Years of Exile’ (1855), first printed as a serial in Putnam’s, is an historical romance of the American Revolution, based on the hero’s own account of his adventures, as given in a little volume picked up by Mr. Melville at a book-stall.
hardlyadverbUS /ˈhɑːrdli/
only a very short time before
From this reading The story is well told, but the book is hardly worthy of the author of ‘Typee.’
Harper'snounUS /ˈhɑːrpərz/
possessive form of “harper” — someone who plays the harp
From this reading After this Mr. Melville contributed several short stories to Putnam’s Monthly and Harper’s Magazine.
hero'snounUS /ˈhɪroʊz/
possessive form of “hero” — a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength
From this reading ‘Israel Potter: His Fifty Years of Exile’ (1855), first printed as a serial in Putnam’s, is an historical romance of the American Revolution, based on the hero’s own account of his adventures, as given in a little volume picked up by Mr. Melville at a book-stall.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Those in the former periodical were collected in a volume as Piazza Tales (1856); and of these ‘Benito Cereno’ and ‘The Bell Tower’ are equal to his best previous efforts.
historicaladjectiveUS /hɪˈstɔːrɪkəl/
of or relating to the study of history
From this reading ‘Israel Potter: His Fifty Years of Exile’ (1855), first printed as a serial in Putnam’s, is an historical romance of the American Revolution, based on the hero’s own account of his adventures, as given in a little volume picked up by Mr. Melville at a book-stall.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Those in the former periodical were collected in a volume as Piazza Tales (1856); and of these ‘Benito Cereno’ and ‘The Bell Tower’ are equal to his best previous efforts.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading ‘Israel Potter: His Fifty Years of Exile’ (1855), first printed as a serial in Putnam’s, is an historical romance of the American Revolution, based on the hero’s own account of his adventures, as given in a little volume picked up by Mr. Melville at a book-stall.
IsraelnounUS /ˈɪzriəl/
Jewish republic in southwestern Asia at eastern end of Mediterranean; formerly part of Palestine
From this reading ‘Israel Potter: His Fifty Years of Exile’ (1855), first printed as a serial in Putnam’s, is an historical romance of the American Revolution, based on the hero’s own account of his adventures, as given in a little volume picked up by Mr. Melville at a book-stall.
lastadjectiveUS /læst/
immediately past
From this reading ‘The Confidence Man’ (1857), his last serious effort in prose fiction, does not seem to require criticism.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading ‘Israel Potter: His Fifty Years of Exile’ (1855), first printed as a serial in Putnam’s, is an historical romance of the American Revolution, based on the hero’s own account of his adventures, as given in a little volume picked up by Mr. Melville at a book-stall.
MagazinenounUS /ˈmæɡəziːn/
a periodic publication containing pictures and stories and articles of interest to those who purchase it or subscribe to it
From this reading After this Mr. Melville contributed several short stories to Putnam’s Monthly and Harper’s Magazine.
MannounUS /mæn/
an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading ‘The Confidence Man’ (1857), his last serious effort in prose fiction, does not seem to require criticism.
MelvillenounUS /ˈmelvɪl/
United States writer of novels and short stories (1819-1891)
From this reading After this Mr. Melville contributed several short stories to Putnam’s Monthly and Harper’s Magazine.
MonthlynounUS /ˈmʌnθli/
a periodical that is published every month (or 12 issues per year)
From this reading After this Mr. Melville contributed several short stories to Putnam’s Monthly and Harper’s Magazine.
MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/
a form of address for a man
From this reading After this Mr. Melville contributed several short stories to Putnam’s Monthly and Harper’s Magazine.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading ‘The Confidence Man’ (1857), his last serious effort in prose fiction, does not seem to require criticism.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Those in the former periodical were collected in a volume as Piazza Tales (1856); and of these ‘Benito Cereno’ and ‘The Bell Tower’ are equal to his best previous efforts.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading ‘Israel Potter: His Fifty Years of Exile’ (1855), first printed as a serial in Putnam’s, is an historical romance of the American Revolution, based on the hero’s own account of his adventures, as given in a little volume picked up by Mr. Melville at a book-stall.
ownverbUS /oʊn/
have ownership or possession of
From this reading ‘Israel Potter: His Fifty Years of Exile’ (1855), first printed as a serial in Putnam’s, is an historical romance of the American Revolution, based on the hero’s own account of his adventures, as given in a little volume picked up by Mr. Melville at a book-stall.
periodicalnounUS /ˌpɪriˈɑːdɪkəl/
a publication that appears at fixed intervals
From this reading Those in the former periodical were collected in a volume as Piazza Tales (1856); and of these ‘Benito Cereno’ and ‘The Bell Tower’ are equal to his best previous efforts.
PiazzanounUS /piˈæzə/
a public square with room for pedestrians
From this reading Those in the former periodical were collected in a volume as Piazza Tales (1856); and of these ‘Benito Cereno’ and ‘The Bell Tower’ are equal to his best previous efforts.
pickedverbUS /pɪkt/
past form of “pick” — select carefully from a group
From this reading ‘Israel Potter: His Fifty Years of Exile’ (1855), first printed as a serial in Putnam’s, is an historical romance of the American Revolution, based on the hero’s own account of his adventures, as given in a little volume picked up by Mr. Melville at a book-stall.
PotterverbUS /ˈpɑːtər/
do random, unplanned work or activities or spend time idly
From this reading ‘Israel Potter: His Fifty Years of Exile’ (1855), first printed as a serial in Putnam’s, is an historical romance of the American Revolution, based on the hero’s own account of his adventures, as given in a little volume picked up by Mr. Melville at a book-stall.
previousadjectiveUS /ˈpriːviəs/
just preceding something else in time or order
From this reading Those in the former periodical were collected in a volume as Piazza Tales (1856); and of these ‘Benito Cereno’ and ‘The Bell Tower’ are equal to his best previous efforts.
printedverbUS /ˈprɪntɪd/
past form of “print” — put into print
From this reading ‘Israel Potter: His Fifty Years of Exile’ (1855), first printed as a serial in Putnam’s, is an historical romance of the American Revolution, based on the hero’s own account of his adventures, as given in a little volume picked up by Mr. Melville at a book-stall.
prosenounUS /proʊz/
ordinary writing as distinguished from verse
From this reading ‘The Confidence Man’ (1857), his last serious effort in prose fiction, does not seem to require criticism.
Putnam's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After this Mr. Melville contributed several short stories to Putnam’s Monthly and Harper’s Magazine.
requireverbUS /ˌriːˈkwaɪər/
require as useful, just, or proper
From this reading ‘The Confidence Man’ (1857), his last serious effort in prose fiction, does not seem to require criticism.
RevolutionnounUS /ˌrevəˈluːʃən/
a drastic and far-reaching change in ways of thinking and behaving
From this reading ‘Israel Potter: His Fifty Years of Exile’ (1855), first printed as a serial in Putnam’s, is an historical romance of the American Revolution, based on the hero’s own account of his adventures, as given in a little volume picked up by Mr. Melville at a book-stall.
romancenounUS /roʊˈmæns/
a relationship between two lovers
From this reading ‘Israel Potter: His Fifty Years of Exile’ (1855), first printed as a serial in Putnam’s, is an historical romance of the American Revolution, based on the hero’s own account of his adventures, as given in a little volume picked up by Mr. Melville at a book-stall.
seemverbUS /siːm/
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading ‘The Confidence Man’ (1857), his last serious effort in prose fiction, does not seem to require criticism.
serialadjectiveUS /ˈsɪriːəl/
in regular succession without gaps
From this reading ‘Israel Potter: His Fifty Years of Exile’ (1855), first printed as a serial in Putnam’s, is an historical romance of the American Revolution, based on the hero’s own account of his adventures, as given in a little volume picked up by Mr. Melville at a book-stall.
seriousadjectiveUS /ˈsɪriəs/
concerned with work or important matters rather than play or trivialities
From this reading ‘The Confidence Man’ (1857), his last serious effort in prose fiction, does not seem to require criticism.
severaladjectiveUS /ˈsevrəl/
(used with count nouns) of an indefinite number more than 2 or 3 but not many
From this reading After this Mr. Melville contributed several short stories to Putnam’s Monthly and Harper’s Magazine.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔːrt/
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading After this Mr. Melville contributed several short stories to Putnam’s Monthly and Harper’s Magazine.
storiesnounUS /ˈstɔːriz/
plural of “story” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading After this Mr. Melville contributed several short stories to Putnam’s Monthly and Harper’s Magazine.
storynounUS /ˈstɔːri/
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading The story is well told, but the book is hardly worthy of the author of ‘Typee.’
TalesnounUS /teɪlz/
plural of “tale” — a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading Those in the former periodical were collected in a volume as Piazza Tales (1856); and of these ‘Benito Cereno’ and ‘The Bell Tower’ are equal to his best previous efforts.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Those in the former periodical were collected in a volume as Piazza Tales (1856); and of these ‘Benito Cereno’ and ‘The Bell Tower’ are equal to his best previous efforts.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Those in the former periodical were collected in a volume as Piazza Tales (1856); and of these ‘Benito Cereno’ and ‘The Bell Tower’ are equal to his best previous efforts.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading After this Mr. Melville contributed several short stories to Putnam’s Monthly and Harper’s Magazine.
ThosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Those in the former periodical were collected in a volume as Piazza Tales (1856); and of these ‘Benito Cereno’ and ‘The Bell Tower’ are equal to his best previous efforts.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading After this Mr. Melville contributed several short stories to Putnam’s Monthly and Harper’s Magazine.
toldverbUS /toʊld/
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading The story is well told, but the book is hardly worthy of the author of ‘Typee.’
TowernounUS /ˈtaʊər/
a structure taller than its diameter; can stand alone or be attached to a larger building
From this reading Those in the former periodical were collected in a volume as Piazza Tales (1856); and of these ‘Benito Cereno’ and ‘The Bell Tower’ are equal to his best previous efforts.
Typee
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The story is well told, but the book is hardly worthy of the author of ‘Typee.’
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading ‘Israel Potter: His Fifty Years of Exile’ (1855), first printed as a serial in Putnam’s, is an historical romance of the American Revolution, based on the hero’s own account of his adventures, as given in a little volume picked up by Mr. Melville at a book-stall.
volumenounUS /ˈvɑːljuːm/
the amount of 3-dimensional space occupied by an object
From this reading Those in the former periodical were collected in a volume as Piazza Tales (1856); and of these ‘Benito Cereno’ and ‘The Bell Tower’ are equal to his best previous efforts.
welladverbUS /wel/
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading The story is well told, but the book is hardly worthy of the author of ‘Typee.’
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Those in the former periodical were collected in a volume as Piazza Tales (1856); and of these ‘Benito Cereno’ and ‘The Bell Tower’ are equal to his best previous efforts.
worthyadjectiveUS /ˈwɜːr.ði/
Having or showing the qualities or abilities that merit recognition in character or magic.
From this reading The story is well told, but the book is hardly worthy of the author of ‘Typee.’
YearsnounUS /jɪrz/
a late time of life
From this reading ‘Israel Potter: His Fifty Years of Exile’ (1855), first printed as a serial in Putnam’s, is an historical romance of the American Revolution, based on the hero’s own account of his adventures, as given in a little volume picked up by Mr. Melville at a book-stall.
