Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The second cutter was a wreck on the water, and the crew saved themselves by climbing up the bow of the steamer which had run down the boat.
absurdity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They received prompt assistance from those on board, and, as the cutter did not sink, and would not have done so, having no ballast, even if she had been cut in two, the crew were so well trained that not one of them was guilty of the absurdity of jumping overboard, and therefore no one was even very wet.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The second cutter was a wreck on the water, and the crew saved themselves by climbing up the bow of the steamer which had run down the boat.
appeared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It appeared to be one of those cases where both parties had struggled to avoid the catastrophe, but the more they struggled the worse was the situation.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading They received prompt assistance from those on board, and, as the cutter did not sink, and would not have done so, having no ballast, even if she had been cut in two, the crew were so well trained that not one of them was guilty of the absurdity of jumping overboard, and therefore no one was even very wet.
assistance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They received prompt assistance from those on board, and, as the cutter did not sink, and would not have done so, having no ballast, even if she had been cut in two, the crew were so well trained that not one of them was guilty of the absurdity of jumping overboard, and therefore no one was even very wet.
avoid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It appeared to be one of those cases where both parties had struggled to avoid the catastrophe, but the more they struggled the worse was the situation.
AWAY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE EXCURSION WITHOUT RUNNING AWAY.
ballast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They received prompt assistance from those on board, and, as the cutter did not sink, and would not have done so, having no ballast, even if she had been cut in two, the crew were so well trained that not one of them was guilty of the absurdity of jumping overboard, and therefore no one was even very wet.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It appeared to be one of those cases where both parties had struggled to avoid the catastrophe, but the more they struggled the worse was the situation.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading They received prompt assistance from those on board, and, as the cutter did not sink, and would not have done so, having no ballast, even if she had been cut in two, the crew were so well trained that not one of them was guilty of the absurdity of jumping overboard, and therefore no one was even very wet.
board
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They received prompt assistance from those on board, and, as the cutter did not sink, and would not have done so, having no ballast, even if she had been cut in two, the crew were so well trained that not one of them was guilty of the absurdity of jumping overboard, and therefore no one was even very wet.
boat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The second cutter was a wreck on the water, and the crew saved themselves by climbing up the bow of the steamer which had run down the boat.
bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading It appeared to be one of those cases where both parties had struggled to avoid the catastrophe, but the more they struggled the worse was the situation.
bow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The second cutter was a wreck on the water, and the crew saved themselves by climbing up the bow of the steamer which had run down the boat.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It appeared to be one of those cases where both parties had struggled to avoid the catastrophe, but the more they struggled the worse was the situation.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The second cutter was a wreck on the water, and the crew saved themselves by climbing up the bow of the steamer which had run down the boat.
cases
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It appeared to be one of those cases where both parties had struggled to avoid the catastrophe, but the more they struggled the worse was the situation.
catastrophe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It appeared to be one of those cases where both parties had struggled to avoid the catastrophe, but the more they struggled the worse was the situation.
climbing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The second cutter was a wreck on the water, and the crew saved themselves by climbing up the bow of the steamer which had run down the boat.
continuednounUS /ˈcontinued/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading If the cutter, on the one hand, had continued on her course, she would have escaped.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading If the cutter, on the one hand, had continued on her course, she would have escaped.
crewnounUS /crew/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The second cutter was a wreck on the water, and the crew saved themselves by climbing up the bow of the steamer which had run down the boat.
cut
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They received prompt assistance from those on board, and, as the cutter did not sink, and would not have done so, having no ballast, even if she had been cut in two, the crew were so well trained that not one of them was guilty of the absurdity of jumping overboard, and therefore no one was even very wet.
cutter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The second cutter was a wreck on the water, and the crew saved themselves by climbing up the bow of the steamer which had run down the boat.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading They received prompt assistance from those on board, and, as the cutter did not sink, and would not have done so, having no ballast, even if she had been cut in two, the crew were so well trained that not one of them was guilty of the absurdity of jumping overboard, and therefore no one was even very wet.
donenounUS /done/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading They received prompt assistance from those on board, and, as the cutter did not sink, and would not have done so, having no ballast, even if she had been cut in two, the crew were so well trained that not one of them was guilty of the absurdity of jumping overboard, and therefore no one was even very wet.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The second cutter was a wreck on the water, and the crew saved themselves by climbing up the bow of the steamer which had run down the boat.
escaped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the cutter, on the one hand, had continued on her course, she would have escaped.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading They received prompt assistance from those on board, and, as the cutter did not sink, and would not have done so, having no ballast, even if she had been cut in two, the crew were so well trained that not one of them was guilty of the absurdity of jumping overboard, and therefore no one was even very wet.
EXCURSION
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE EXCURSION WITHOUT RUNNING AWAY.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading They received prompt assistance from those on board, and, as the cutter did not sink, and would not have done so, having no ballast, even if she had been cut in two, the crew were so well trained that not one of them was guilty of the absurdity of jumping overboard, and therefore no one was even very wet.
guilty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They received prompt assistance from those on board, and, as the cutter did not sink, and would not have done so, having no ballast, even if she had been cut in two, the crew were so well trained that not one of them was guilty of the absurdity of jumping overboard, and therefore no one was even very wet.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The second cutter was a wreck on the water, and the crew saved themselves by climbing up the bow of the steamer which had run down the boat.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the cutter, on the one hand, had continued on her course, she would have escaped.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading They received prompt assistance from those on board, and, as the cutter did not sink, and would not have done so, having no ballast, even if she had been cut in two, the crew were so well trained that not one of them was guilty of the absurdity of jumping overboard, and therefore no one was even very wet.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading They received prompt assistance from those on board, and, as the cutter did not sink, and would not have done so, having no ballast, even if she had been cut in two, the crew were so well trained that not one of them was guilty of the absurdity of jumping overboard, and therefore no one was even very wet.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading If the cutter, on the one hand, had continued on her course, she would have escaped.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading They received prompt assistance from those on board, and, as the cutter did not sink, and would not have done so, having no ballast, even if she had been cut in two, the crew were so well trained that not one of them was guilty of the absurdity of jumping overboard, and therefore no one was even very wet.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading They received prompt assistance from those on board, and, as the cutter did not sink, and would not have done so, having no ballast, even if she had been cut in two, the crew were so well trained that not one of them was guilty of the absurdity of jumping overboard, and therefore no one was even very wet.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It appeared to be one of those cases where both parties had struggled to avoid the catastrophe, but the more they struggled the worse was the situation.
jumping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They received prompt assistance from those on board, and, as the cutter did not sink, and would not have done so, having no ballast, even if she had been cut in two, the crew were so well trained that not one of them was guilty of the absurdity of jumping overboard, and therefore no one was even very wet.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It appeared to be one of those cases where both parties had struggled to avoid the catastrophe, but the more they struggled the worse was the situation.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading They received prompt assistance from those on board, and, as the cutter did not sink, and would not have done so, having no ballast, even if she had been cut in two, the crew were so well trained that not one of them was guilty of the absurdity of jumping overboard, and therefore no one was even very wet.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading They received prompt assistance from those on board, and, as the cutter did not sink, and would not have done so, having no ballast, even if she had been cut in two, the crew were so well trained that not one of them was guilty of the absurdity of jumping overboard, and therefore no one was even very wet.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The second cutter was a wreck on the water, and the crew saved themselves by climbing up the bow of the steamer which had run down the boat.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The second cutter was a wreck on the water, and the crew saved themselves by climbing up the bow of the steamer which had run down the boat.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading They received prompt assistance from those on board, and, as the cutter did not sink, and would not have done so, having no ballast, even if she had been cut in two, the crew were so well trained that not one of them was guilty of the absurdity of jumping overboard, and therefore no one was even very wet.
overboardadverbUS /ˈoʊvərbɔːrd/
from a ship into the water
From this reading They received prompt assistance from those on board, and, as the cutter did not sink, and would not have done so, having no ballast, even if she had been cut in two, the crew were so well trained that not one of them was guilty of the absurdity of jumping overboard, and therefore no one was even very wet.
parties
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It appeared to be one of those cases where both parties had struggled to avoid the catastrophe, but the more they struggled the worse was the situation.
prompt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They received prompt assistance from those on board, and, as the cutter did not sink, and would not have done so, having no ballast, even if she had been cut in two, the crew were so well trained that not one of them was guilty of the absurdity of jumping overboard, and therefore no one was even very wet.
received
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They received prompt assistance from those on board, and, as the cutter did not sink, and would not have done so, having no ballast, even if she had been cut in two, the crew were so well trained that not one of them was guilty of the absurdity of jumping overboard, and therefore no one was even very wet.
run
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The second cutter was a wreck on the water, and the crew saved themselves by climbing up the bow of the steamer which had run down the boat.
RUNNINGnounUS /ˈrunning/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading THE EXCURSION WITHOUT RUNNING AWAY.
savednounUS /saved/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The second cutter was a wreck on the water, and the crew saved themselves by climbing up the bow of the steamer which had run down the boat.
second
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The second cutter was a wreck on the water, and the crew saved themselves by climbing up the bow of the steamer which had run down the boat.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They received prompt assistance from those on board, and, as the cutter did not sink, and would not have done so, having no ballast, even if she had been cut in two, the crew were so well trained that not one of them was guilty of the absurdity of jumping overboard, and therefore no one was even very wet.
sink
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They received prompt assistance from those on board, and, as the cutter did not sink, and would not have done so, having no ballast, even if she had been cut in two, the crew were so well trained that not one of them was guilty of the absurdity of jumping overboard, and therefore no one was even very wet.
situation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It appeared to be one of those cases where both parties had struggled to avoid the catastrophe, but the more they struggled the worse was the situation.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading They received prompt assistance from those on board, and, as the cutter did not sink, and would not have done so, having no ballast, even if she had been cut in two, the crew were so well trained that not one of them was guilty of the absurdity of jumping overboard, and therefore no one was even very wet.
steamer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The second cutter was a wreck on the water, and the crew saved themselves by climbing up the bow of the steamer which had run down the boat.
struggled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It appeared to be one of those cases where both parties had struggled to avoid the catastrophe, but the more they struggled the worse was the situation.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading They received prompt assistance from those on board, and, as the cutter did not sink, and would not have done so, having no ballast, even if she had been cut in two, the crew were so well trained that not one of them was guilty of the absurdity of jumping overboard, and therefore no one was even very wet.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE EXCURSION WITHOUT RUNNING AWAY.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading They received prompt assistance from those on board, and, as the cutter did not sink, and would not have done so, having no ballast, even if she had been cut in two, the crew were so well trained that not one of them was guilty of the absurdity of jumping overboard, and therefore no one was even very wet.
themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading The second cutter was a wreck on the water, and the crew saved themselves by climbing up the bow of the steamer which had run down the boat.
thereforeadverbUS /ˈðerfɔːr/
for that reason; as a result
From this reading They received prompt assistance from those on board, and, as the cutter did not sink, and would not have done so, having no ballast, even if she had been cut in two, the crew were so well trained that not one of them was guilty of the absurdity of jumping overboard, and therefore no one was even very wet.
TheypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They received prompt assistance from those on board, and, as the cutter did not sink, and would not have done so, having no ballast, even if she had been cut in two, the crew were so well trained that not one of them was guilty of the absurdity of jumping overboard, and therefore no one was even very wet.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading They received prompt assistance from those on board, and, as the cutter did not sink, and would not have done so, having no ballast, even if she had been cut in two, the crew were so well trained that not one of them was guilty of the absurdity of jumping overboard, and therefore no one was even very wet.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It appeared to be one of those cases where both parties had struggled to avoid the catastrophe, but the more they struggled the worse was the situation.
trained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They received prompt assistance from those on board, and, as the cutter did not sink, and would not have done so, having no ballast, even if she had been cut in two, the crew were so well trained that not one of them was guilty of the absurdity of jumping overboard, and therefore no one was even very wet.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They received prompt assistance from those on board, and, as the cutter did not sink, and would not have done so, having no ballast, even if she had been cut in two, the crew were so well trained that not one of them was guilty of the absurdity of jumping overboard, and therefore no one was even very wet.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The second cutter was a wreck on the water, and the crew saved themselves by climbing up the bow of the steamer which had run down the boat.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They received prompt assistance from those on board, and, as the cutter did not sink, and would not have done so, having no ballast, even if she had been cut in two, the crew were so well trained that not one of them was guilty of the absurdity of jumping overboard, and therefore no one was even very wet.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The second cutter was a wreck on the water, and the crew saved themselves by climbing up the bow of the steamer which had run down the boat.
water
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The second cutter was a wreck on the water, and the crew saved themselves by climbing up the bow of the steamer which had run down the boat.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They received prompt assistance from those on board, and, as the cutter did not sink, and would not have done so, having no ballast, even if she had been cut in two, the crew were so well trained that not one of them was guilty of the absurdity of jumping overboard, and therefore no one was even very wet.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading They received prompt assistance from those on board, and, as the cutter did not sink, and would not have done so, having no ballast, even if she had been cut in two, the crew were so well trained that not one of them was guilty of the absurdity of jumping overboard, and therefore no one was even very wet.
wet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They received prompt assistance from those on board, and, as the cutter did not sink, and would not have done so, having no ballast, even if she had been cut in two, the crew were so well trained that not one of them was guilty of the absurdity of jumping overboard, and therefore no one was even very wet.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading It appeared to be one of those cases where both parties had struggled to avoid the catastrophe, but the more they struggled the worse was the situation.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The second cutter was a wreck on the water, and the crew saved themselves by climbing up the bow of the steamer which had run down the boat.
WITHOUTprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading THE EXCURSION WITHOUT RUNNING AWAY.
worse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It appeared to be one of those cases where both parties had struggled to avoid the catastrophe, but the more they struggled the worse was the situation.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading They received prompt assistance from those on board, and, as the cutter did not sink, and would not have done so, having no ballast, even if she had been cut in two, the crew were so well trained that not one of them was guilty of the absurdity of jumping overboard, and therefore no one was even very wet.
wreck
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The second cutter was a wreck on the water, and the crew saved themselves by climbing up the bow of the steamer which had run down the boat.
