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 Though not a good marksman, he had some experience in the use of arms, and felt fully competent to cut off the bloodhounds before they could pounce upon their human prey.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Though not a good marksman, he had some experience in the use of arms, and felt fully competent to cut off the bloodhounds before they could pounce upon their human prey.
appalling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The dogs were better swimmers than the fugitive, and were rapidly gaining upon him, for the poor creature's limbs seemed to be partially paralyzed by the appalling danger that menaced him.
arms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Though not a good marksman, he had some experience in the use of arms, and felt fully competent to cut off the bloodhounds before they could pounce upon their human prey.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Leaving Cyd at the helm, he went forward and stationed himself at the heel of the bowsprit.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The dogs were better swimmers than the fugitive, and were rapidly gaining upon him, for the poor creature's limbs seemed to be partially paralyzed by the appalling danger that menaced him.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Though not a good marksman, he had some experience in the use of arms, and felt fully competent to cut off the bloodhounds before they could pounce upon their human prey.
better
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The dogs were better swimmers than the fugitive, and were rapidly gaining upon him, for the poor creature's limbs seemed to be partially paralyzed by the appalling danger that menaced him.
bloodhounds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Though not a good marksman, he had some experience in the use of arms, and felt fully competent to cut off the bloodhounds before they could pounce upon their human prey.
bowspritnounUS /ˈboʊsprɪt/
a spar projecting forward from the bow of a ship
From this reading Leaving Cyd at the helm, he went forward and stationed himself at the heel of the bowsprit.
buckshot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dan had loaded the fowling-pieces with buckshot.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The dogs were better swimmers than the fugitive, and were rapidly gaining upon him, for the poor creature's limbs seemed to be partially paralyzed by the appalling danger that menaced him.
competent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Though not a good marksman, he had some experience in the use of arms, and felt fully competent to cut off the bloodhounds before they could pounce upon their human prey.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Though not a good marksman, he had some experience in the use of arms, and felt fully competent to cut off the bloodhounds before they could pounce upon their human prey.
creature's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The dogs were better swimmers than the fugitive, and were rapidly gaining upon him, for the poor creature's limbs seemed to be partially paralyzed by the appalling danger that menaced him.
cut
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Though not a good marksman, he had some experience in the use of arms, and felt fully competent to cut off the bloodhounds before they could pounce upon their human prey.
Cyd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Leaving Cyd at the helm, he went forward and stationed himself at the heel of the bowsprit.
Dan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dan had loaded the fowling-pieces with buckshot.
danger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The dogs were better swimmers than the fugitive, and were rapidly gaining upon him, for the poor creature's limbs seemed to be partially paralyzed by the appalling danger that menaced him.
dogs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The dogs were better swimmers than the fugitive, and were rapidly gaining upon him, for the poor creature's limbs seemed to be partially paralyzed by the appalling danger that menaced him.
experience
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Though not a good marksman, he had some experience in the use of arms, and felt fully competent to cut off the bloodhounds before they could pounce upon their human prey.
felt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Though not a good marksman, he had some experience in the use of arms, and felt fully competent to cut off the bloodhounds before they could pounce upon their human prey.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The dogs were better swimmers than the fugitive, and were rapidly gaining upon him, for the poor creature's limbs seemed to be partially paralyzed by the appalling danger that menaced him.
forwardnounUS /forward/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Leaving Cyd at the helm, he went forward and stationed himself at the heel of the bowsprit.
fowling-pieces
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dan had loaded the fowling-pieces with buckshot.
fugitive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The dogs were better swimmers than the fugitive, and were rapidly gaining upon him, for the poor creature's limbs seemed to be partially paralyzed by the appalling danger that menaced him.
fully
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Though not a good marksman, he had some experience in the use of arms, and felt fully competent to cut off the bloodhounds before they could pounce upon their human prey.
gaining
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The dogs were better swimmers than the fugitive, and were rapidly gaining upon him, for the poor creature's limbs seemed to be partially paralyzed by the appalling danger that menaced him.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Though not a good marksman, he had some experience in the use of arms, and felt fully competent to cut off the bloodhounds before they could pounce upon their human prey.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Dan had loaded the fowling-pieces with buckshot.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Though not a good marksman, he had some experience in the use of arms, and felt fully competent to cut off the bloodhounds before they could pounce upon their human prey.
heel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Leaving Cyd at the helm, he went forward and stationed himself at the heel of the bowsprit.
helm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Leaving Cyd at the helm, he went forward and stationed himself at the heel of the bowsprit.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The dogs were better swimmers than the fugitive, and were rapidly gaining upon him, for the poor creature's limbs seemed to be partially paralyzed by the appalling danger that menaced him.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading Leaving Cyd at the helm, he went forward and stationed himself at the heel of the bowsprit.
human
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Though not a good marksman, he had some experience in the use of arms, and felt fully competent to cut off the bloodhounds before they could pounce upon their human prey.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Though not a good marksman, he had some experience in the use of arms, and felt fully competent to cut off the bloodhounds before they could pounce upon their human prey.
Leaving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Leaving Cyd at the helm, he went forward and stationed himself at the heel of the bowsprit.
limbs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The dogs were better swimmers than the fugitive, and were rapidly gaining upon him, for the poor creature's limbs seemed to be partially paralyzed by the appalling danger that menaced him.
loaded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Dan had loaded the fowling-pieces with buckshot.
marksman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Though not a good marksman, he had some experience in the use of arms, and felt fully competent to cut off the bloodhounds before they could pounce upon their human prey.
menaced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The dogs were better swimmers than the fugitive, and were rapidly gaining upon him, for the poor creature's limbs seemed to be partially paralyzed by the appalling danger that menaced him.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Though not a good marksman, he had some experience in the use of arms, and felt fully competent to cut off the bloodhounds before they could pounce upon their human prey.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Though not a good marksman, he had some experience in the use of arms, and felt fully competent to cut off the bloodhounds before they could pounce upon their human prey.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Though not a good marksman, he had some experience in the use of arms, and felt fully competent to cut off the bloodhounds before they could pounce upon their human prey.
paralyzed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The dogs were better swimmers than the fugitive, and were rapidly gaining upon him, for the poor creature's limbs seemed to be partially paralyzed by the appalling danger that menaced him.
partially
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The dogs were better swimmers than the fugitive, and were rapidly gaining upon him, for the poor creature's limbs seemed to be partially paralyzed by the appalling danger that menaced him.
poornounUS /poor/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The dogs were better swimmers than the fugitive, and were rapidly gaining upon him, for the poor creature's limbs seemed to be partially paralyzed by the appalling danger that menaced him.
pounce
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Though not a good marksman, he had some experience in the use of arms, and felt fully competent to cut off the bloodhounds before they could pounce upon their human prey.
prey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Though not a good marksman, he had some experience in the use of arms, and felt fully competent to cut off the bloodhounds before they could pounce upon their human prey.
QUIN
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading QUIN, THE RUNAWAY.
rapidly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The dogs were better swimmers than the fugitive, and were rapidly gaining upon him, for the poor creature's limbs seemed to be partially paralyzed by the appalling danger that menaced him.
RUNAWAY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading QUIN, THE RUNAWAY.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The dogs were better swimmers than the fugitive, and were rapidly gaining upon him, for the poor creature's limbs seemed to be partially paralyzed by the appalling danger that menaced him.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Though not a good marksman, he had some experience in the use of arms, and felt fully competent to cut off the bloodhounds before they could pounce upon their human prey.
stationed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Leaving Cyd at the helm, he went forward and stationed himself at the heel of the bowsprit.
swimmers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The dogs were better swimmers than the fugitive, and were rapidly gaining upon him, for the poor creature's limbs seemed to be partially paralyzed by the appalling danger that menaced him.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The dogs were better swimmers than the fugitive, and were rapidly gaining upon him, for the poor creature's limbs seemed to be partially paralyzed by the appalling danger that menaced him.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The dogs were better swimmers than the fugitive, and were rapidly gaining upon him, for the poor creature's limbs seemed to be partially paralyzed by the appalling danger that menaced him.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading QUIN, THE RUNAWAY.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Though not a good marksman, he had some experience in the use of arms, and felt fully competent to cut off the bloodhounds before they could pounce upon their human prey.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Though not a good marksman, he had some experience in the use of arms, and felt fully competent to cut off the bloodhounds before they could pounce upon their human prey.
ThoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Though not a good marksman, he had some experience in the use of arms, and felt fully competent to cut off the bloodhounds before they could pounce upon their human prey.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Though not a good marksman, he had some experience in the use of arms, and felt fully competent to cut off the bloodhounds before they could pounce upon their human prey.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Though not a good marksman, he had some experience in the use of arms, and felt fully competent to cut off the bloodhounds before they could pounce upon their human prey.
use
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Though not a good marksman, he had some experience in the use of arms, and felt fully competent to cut off the bloodhounds before they could pounce upon their human prey.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Leaving Cyd at the helm, he went forward and stationed himself at the heel of the bowsprit.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The dogs were better swimmers than the fugitive, and were rapidly gaining upon him, for the poor creature's limbs seemed to be partially paralyzed by the appalling danger that menaced him.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Dan had loaded the fowling-pieces with buckshot.
