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1812: A tale of Cape Cod
1812: A tale of Cape Cod

Chapter XV

Cover illustration for 1812: A tale of Cape Cod
Context Illustration Reading 1/25 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Twenty-Three to One.
The absence of wind kept the schooner at anchor off Brewster for two days.
During this time Hoppy Mayo avoided a clash with Dunton, though the latter’s surliness was increased by his enforced inactivity.
The frigate was expected back any moment now and Dunton knew Captain Raggett would be displeased with the meagre results of the schooner’s cruise if she were obliged to remain in idleness off Brewster.
However, there was no help for it, and unless a favorable breeze came up the best the surveying party could do would be to send a small boat as far eastward as Orleans creek, a distance of about two miles.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
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/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
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A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

1812: A tale of Cape Cod

Chapter XV

Reading 1/25 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Twenty-Three to One.
Line 2
The absence of wind kept the schooner at anchor off Brewster for two days.
Line 3
During this time Hoppy Mayo avoided a clash with Dunton, though the latter’s surliness was increased by his enforced inactivity.
Line 4
The frigate was expected back any moment now and Dunton knew Captain Raggett would be displeased with the meagre results of the schooner’s cruise if she were obliged to remain in idleness off Brewster.
Line 5
However, there was no help for it, and unless a favorable breeze came up the best the surveying party could do would be to send a small boat as far eastward as Orleans creek, a distance of about two miles.

Learner Dictionary

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

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “However, there was no help for it, and unless a favorable breeze came up the best the surveying party could do would be to send a small boat as far eastward as Orleans creek, a distance of about two miles.”

Captain noun US /ˈcaptain/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “The frigate was expected back any moment now and Dunton knew Captain Raggett would be displeased with the meagre results of the schooner’s cruise if she were obliged to remain in idleness off Brewster.”

Clash noun US /klæʃ/

A violent confrontation or disagreement between opposing forces or factions.

From this reading “During this time Hoppy Mayo avoided a clash with Dunton, though the latter’s surliness was increased by his enforced inactivity.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

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

From this reading “However, there was no help for it, and unless a favorable breeze came up the best the surveying party could do would be to send a small boat as far eastward as Orleans creek, a distance of about two miles.”

Cruise noun US /kruːz/

a journey by sea for a particular purpose

From this reading “The frigate was expected back any moment now and Dunton knew Captain Raggett would be displeased with the meagre results of the schooner’s cruise if she were obliged to remain in idleness off Brewster.”

During preposition US /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading “During this time Hoppy Mayo avoided a clash with Dunton, though the latter’s surliness was increased by his enforced inactivity.”

Help noun US /help/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “However, there was no help for it, and unless a favorable breeze came up the best the surveying party could do would be to send a small boat as far eastward as Orleans creek, a distance of about two miles.”

However adverb US /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading “However, there was no help for it, and unless a favorable breeze came up the best the surveying party could do would be to send a small boat as far eastward as Orleans creek, a distance of about two miles.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “Twenty-Three to One.”

Party noun US /party/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “However, there was no help for it, and unless a favorable breeze came up the best the surveying party could do would be to send a small boat as far eastward as Orleans creek, a distance of about two miles.”

Schooner noun US /ˈskuːnər/

a sailing ship with two or more masts

From this reading “The absence of wind kept the schooner at anchor off Brewster for two days.”

Though conjunction US /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading “During this time Hoppy Mayo avoided a clash with Dunton, though the latter’s surliness was increased by his enforced inactivity.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “During this time Hoppy Mayo avoided a clash with Dunton, though the latter’s surliness was increased by his enforced inactivity.”

Unless conjunction US /ənˈles/

except if; if not

From this reading “However, there was no help for it, and unless a favorable breeze came up the best the surveying party could do would be to send a small boat as far eastward as Orleans creek, a distance of about two miles.”

Wind noun US /wind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The absence of wind kept the schooner at anchor off Brewster for two days.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading “The frigate was expected back any moment now and Dunton knew Captain Raggett would be displeased with the meagre results of the schooner’s cruise if she were obliged to remain in idleness off Brewster.”

All words in this reading · 85

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 During this time Hoppy Mayo avoided a clash with Dunton, though the latter’s surliness was increased by his enforced inactivity.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading However, there was no help for it, and unless a favorable breeze came up the best the surveying party could do would be to send a small boat as far eastward as Orleans creek, a distance of about two miles.

absence

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

From this reading The absence of wind kept the schooner at anchor off Brewster for two days.

anchor

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

From this reading The absence of wind kept the schooner at anchor off Brewster for two days.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The frigate was expected back any moment now and Dunton knew Captain Raggett would be displeased with the meagre results of the schooner’s cruise if she were obliged to remain in idleness off Brewster.

any

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

From this reading The frigate was expected back any moment now and Dunton knew Captain Raggett would be displeased with the meagre results of the schooner’s cruise if she were obliged to remain in idleness off Brewster.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading However, there was no help for it, and unless a favorable breeze came up the best the surveying party could do would be to send a small boat as far eastward as Orleans creek, a distance of about two miles.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The absence of wind kept the schooner at anchor off Brewster for two days.

avoided

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

From this reading During this time Hoppy Mayo avoided a clash with Dunton, though the latter’s surliness was increased by his enforced inactivity.

back

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

From this reading The frigate was expected back any moment now and Dunton knew Captain Raggett would be displeased with the meagre results of the schooner’s cruise if she were obliged to remain in idleness off Brewster.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading The frigate was expected back any moment now and Dunton knew Captain Raggett would be displeased with the meagre results of the schooner’s cruise if she were obliged to remain in idleness off Brewster.

best

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

From this reading However, there was no help for it, and unless a favorable breeze came up the best the surveying party could do would be to send a small boat as far eastward as Orleans creek, a distance of about two miles.

boat

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

From this reading However, there was no help for it, and unless a favorable breeze came up the best the surveying party could do would be to send a small boat as far eastward as Orleans creek, a distance of about two miles.

breeze

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

From this reading However, there was no help for it, and unless a favorable breeze came up the best the surveying party could do would be to send a small boat as far eastward as Orleans creek, a distance of about two miles.

Brewster

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

From this reading The absence of wind kept the schooner at anchor off Brewster for two days.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading During this time Hoppy Mayo avoided a clash with Dunton, though the latter’s surliness was increased by his enforced inactivity.

came

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

From this reading However, there was no help for it, and unless a favorable breeze came up the best the surveying party could do would be to send a small boat as far eastward as Orleans creek, a distance of about two miles.

CaptainnounUS /ˈcaptain/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading The frigate was expected back any moment now and Dunton knew Captain Raggett would be displeased with the meagre results of the schooner’s cruise if she were obliged to remain in idleness off Brewster.

clashnounUS /klæʃ/

A violent confrontation or disagreement between opposing forces or factions.

From this reading During this time Hoppy Mayo avoided a clash with Dunton, though the latter’s surliness was increased by his enforced inactivity.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

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

From this reading However, there was no help for it, and unless a favorable breeze came up the best the surveying party could do would be to send a small boat as far eastward as Orleans creek, a distance of about two miles.

creek

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

From this reading However, there was no help for it, and unless a favorable breeze came up the best the surveying party could do would be to send a small boat as far eastward as Orleans creek, a distance of about two miles.

cruisenounUS /kruːz/

a journey by sea for a particular purpose

From this reading The frigate was expected back any moment now and Dunton knew Captain Raggett would be displeased with the meagre results of the schooner’s cruise if she were obliged to remain in idleness off Brewster.

days

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

From this reading The absence of wind kept the schooner at anchor off Brewster for two days.

displeased

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

From this reading The frigate was expected back any moment now and Dunton knew Captain Raggett would be displeased with the meagre results of the schooner’s cruise if she were obliged to remain in idleness off Brewster.

distance

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

From this reading However, there was no help for it, and unless a favorable breeze came up the best the surveying party could do would be to send a small boat as far eastward as Orleans creek, a distance of about two miles.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading However, there was no help for it, and unless a favorable breeze came up the best the surveying party could do would be to send a small boat as far eastward as Orleans creek, a distance of about two miles.

Dunton

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

From this reading During this time Hoppy Mayo avoided a clash with Dunton, though the latter’s surliness was increased by his enforced inactivity.

DuringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading During this time Hoppy Mayo avoided a clash with Dunton, though the latter’s surliness was increased by his enforced inactivity.

eastward

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

From this reading However, there was no help for it, and unless a favorable breeze came up the best the surveying party could do would be to send a small boat as far eastward as Orleans creek, a distance of about two miles.

enforced

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

From this reading During this time Hoppy Mayo avoided a clash with Dunton, though the latter’s surliness was increased by his enforced inactivity.

expected

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

From this reading The frigate was expected back any moment now and Dunton knew Captain Raggett would be displeased with the meagre results of the schooner’s cruise if she were obliged to remain in idleness off Brewster.

far

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

From this reading However, there was no help for it, and unless a favorable breeze came up the best the surveying party could do would be to send a small boat as far eastward as Orleans creek, a distance of about two miles.

favorable

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

From this reading However, there was no help for it, and unless a favorable breeze came up the best the surveying party could do would be to send a small boat as far eastward as Orleans creek, a distance of about two miles.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading The absence of wind kept the schooner at anchor off Brewster for two days.

frigate

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

From this reading The frigate was expected back any moment now and Dunton knew Captain Raggett would be displeased with the meagre results of the schooner’s cruise if she were obliged to remain in idleness off Brewster.

helpnounUS /help/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading However, there was no help for it, and unless a favorable breeze came up the best the surveying party could do would be to send a small boat as far eastward as Orleans creek, a distance of about two miles.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading During this time Hoppy Mayo avoided a clash with Dunton, though the latter’s surliness was increased by his enforced inactivity.

Hoppy

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

From this reading During this time Hoppy Mayo avoided a clash with Dunton, though the latter’s surliness was increased by his enforced inactivity.

HoweveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading However, there was no help for it, and unless a favorable breeze came up the best the surveying party could do would be to send a small boat as far eastward as Orleans creek, a distance of about two miles.

idleness

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

From this reading The frigate was expected back any moment now and Dunton knew Captain Raggett would be displeased with the meagre results of the schooner’s cruise if she were obliged to remain in idleness off Brewster.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading The frigate was expected back any moment now and Dunton knew Captain Raggett would be displeased with the meagre results of the schooner’s cruise if she were obliged to remain in idleness off Brewster.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The frigate was expected back any moment now and Dunton knew Captain Raggett would be displeased with the meagre results of the schooner’s cruise if she were obliged to remain in idleness off Brewster.

inactivity

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

From this reading During this time Hoppy Mayo avoided a clash with Dunton, though the latter’s surliness was increased by his enforced inactivity.

increased

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

From this reading During this time Hoppy Mayo avoided a clash with Dunton, though the latter’s surliness was increased by his enforced inactivity.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading However, there was no help for it, and unless a favorable breeze came up the best the surveying party could do would be to send a small boat as far eastward as Orleans creek, a distance of about two miles.

kept

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

From this reading The absence of wind kept the schooner at anchor off Brewster for two days.

knew

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

From this reading The frigate was expected back any moment now and Dunton knew Captain Raggett would be displeased with the meagre results of the schooner’s cruise if she were obliged to remain in idleness off Brewster.

latter's

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

From this reading During this time Hoppy Mayo avoided a clash with Dunton, though the latter’s surliness was increased by his enforced inactivity.

Mayo

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

From this reading During this time Hoppy Mayo avoided a clash with Dunton, though the latter’s surliness was increased by his enforced inactivity.

meagre

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

From this reading The frigate was expected back any moment now and Dunton knew Captain Raggett would be displeased with the meagre results of the schooner’s cruise if she were obliged to remain in idleness off Brewster.

miles

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

From this reading However, there was no help for it, and unless a favorable breeze came up the best the surveying party could do would be to send a small boat as far eastward as Orleans creek, a distance of about two miles.

moment

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

From this reading The frigate was expected back any moment now and Dunton knew Captain Raggett would be displeased with the meagre results of the schooner’s cruise if she were obliged to remain in idleness off Brewster.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading However, there was no help for it, and unless a favorable breeze came up the best the surveying party could do would be to send a small boat as far eastward as Orleans creek, a distance of about two miles.

now

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

From this reading The frigate was expected back any moment now and Dunton knew Captain Raggett would be displeased with the meagre results of the schooner’s cruise if she were obliged to remain in idleness off Brewster.

obliged

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

From this reading The frigate was expected back any moment now and Dunton knew Captain Raggett would be displeased with the meagre results of the schooner’s cruise if she were obliged to remain in idleness off Brewster.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The absence of wind kept the schooner at anchor off Brewster for two days.

off

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

From this reading The absence of wind kept the schooner at anchor off Brewster for two days.

OnepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Twenty-Three to One.

Orleans

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

From this reading However, there was no help for it, and unless a favorable breeze came up the best the surveying party could do would be to send a small boat as far eastward as Orleans creek, a distance of about two miles.

partynounUS /party/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading However, there was no help for it, and unless a favorable breeze came up the best the surveying party could do would be to send a small boat as far eastward as Orleans creek, a distance of about two miles.

Raggett

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

From this reading The frigate was expected back any moment now and Dunton knew Captain Raggett would be displeased with the meagre results of the schooner’s cruise if she were obliged to remain in idleness off Brewster.

remain

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

From this reading The frigate was expected back any moment now and Dunton knew Captain Raggett would be displeased with the meagre results of the schooner’s cruise if she were obliged to remain in idleness off Brewster.

results

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

From this reading The frigate was expected back any moment now and Dunton knew Captain Raggett would be displeased with the meagre results of the schooner’s cruise if she were obliged to remain in idleness off Brewster.

schoonernounUS /ˈskuːnər/

a sailing ship with two or more masts

From this reading The absence of wind kept the schooner at anchor off Brewster for two days.

schooner's

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

From this reading The frigate was expected back any moment now and Dunton knew Captain Raggett would be displeased with the meagre results of the schooner’s cruise if she were obliged to remain in idleness off Brewster.

send

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

From this reading However, there was no help for it, and unless a favorable breeze came up the best the surveying party could do would be to send a small boat as far eastward as Orleans creek, a distance of about two miles.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The frigate was expected back any moment now and Dunton knew Captain Raggett would be displeased with the meagre results of the schooner’s cruise if she were obliged to remain in idleness off Brewster.

small

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

From this reading However, there was no help for it, and unless a favorable breeze came up the best the surveying party could do would be to send a small boat as far eastward as Orleans creek, a distance of about two miles.

surliness

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

From this reading During this time Hoppy Mayo avoided a clash with Dunton, though the latter’s surliness was increased by his enforced inactivity.

surveying

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

From this reading However, there was no help for it, and unless a favorable breeze came up the best the surveying party could do would be to send a small boat as far eastward as Orleans creek, a distance of about two miles.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading The absence of wind kept the schooner at anchor off Brewster for two days.

there

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

From this reading However, there was no help for it, and unless a favorable breeze came up the best the surveying party could do would be to send a small boat as far eastward as Orleans creek, a distance of about two miles.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading During this time Hoppy Mayo avoided a clash with Dunton, though the latter’s surliness was increased by his enforced inactivity.

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading During this time Hoppy Mayo avoided a clash with Dunton, though the latter’s surliness was increased by his enforced inactivity.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading During this time Hoppy Mayo avoided a clash with Dunton, though the latter’s surliness was increased by his enforced inactivity.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Twenty-Three to One.

Twenty-Three

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

From this reading Twenty-Three to One.

two

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

From this reading The absence of wind kept the schooner at anchor off Brewster for two days.

unlessconjunctionUS /ənˈles/

except if; if not

From this reading However, there was no help for it, and unless a favorable breeze came up the best the surveying party could do would be to send a small boat as far eastward as Orleans creek, a distance of about two miles.

up

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

From this reading However, there was no help for it, and unless a favorable breeze came up the best the surveying party could do would be to send a small boat as far eastward as Orleans creek, a distance of about two miles.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading During this time Hoppy Mayo avoided a clash with Dunton, though the latter’s surliness was increased by his enforced inactivity.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading The frigate was expected back any moment now and Dunton knew Captain Raggett would be displeased with the meagre results of the schooner’s cruise if she were obliged to remain in idleness off Brewster.

windnounUS /wind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The absence of wind kept the schooner at anchor off Brewster for two days.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading During this time Hoppy Mayo avoided a clash with Dunton, though the latter’s surliness was increased by his enforced inactivity.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading The frigate was expected back any moment now and Dunton knew Captain Raggett would be displeased with the meagre results of the schooner’s cruise if she were obliged to remain in idleness off Brewster.