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adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading We in the boat hovered near the yacht long enough for the captain to make a hurried examination of the damage.
accuracy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was impossible at the moment to estimate with any degree of accuracy the extent of the disaster.
agone
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From this reading The wreck certainly looked serious, for the overhang of the stern had been smashed into matchwood, while the derelict rudder hung in chains like an executed pirate of a couple of centuries agone.
althoughnounUS /ˈalthough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The Chinese steamer, if indeed it were she, although we could not be sure in the darkness, had sent us to the hotel when we had made up our minds not to go.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The wreck certainly looked serious, for the overhang of the stern had been smashed into matchwood, while the derelict rudder hung in chains like an executed pirate of a couple of centuries agone.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The captain reported that she was not leaking, and therefore her owner need have no fear that she would sink during the night.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was impossible at the moment to estimate with any degree of accuracy the extent of the disaster.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading It was impossible at the moment to estimate with any degree of accuracy the extent of the disaster.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The Chinese steamer, if indeed it were she, although we could not be sure in the darkness, had sent us to the hotel when we had made up our minds not to go.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The wreck certainly looked serious, for the overhang of the stern had been smashed into matchwood, while the derelict rudder hung in chains like an executed pirate of a couple of centuries agone.
boat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We in the boat hovered near the yacht long enough for the captain to make a hurried examination of the damage.
captainnounUS /ˈcaptain/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading We in the boat hovered near the yacht long enough for the captain to make a hurried examination of the damage.
centuries
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From this reading The wreck certainly looked serious, for the overhang of the stern had been smashed into matchwood, while the derelict rudder hung in chains like an executed pirate of a couple of centuries agone.
certainly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wreck certainly looked serious, for the overhang of the stern had been smashed into matchwood, while the derelict rudder hung in chains like an executed pirate of a couple of centuries agone.
chains
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From this reading The wreck certainly looked serious, for the overhang of the stern had been smashed into matchwood, while the derelict rudder hung in chains like an executed pirate of a couple of centuries agone.
Chinese
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From this reading The Chinese steamer, if indeed it were she, although we could not be sure in the darkness, had sent us to the hotel when we had made up our minds not to go.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The Chinese steamer, if indeed it were she, although we could not be sure in the darkness, had sent us to the hotel when we had made up our minds not to go.
couplenounUS /ˈkʌpəl/
two people or things considered together
From this reading The wreck certainly looked serious, for the overhang of the stern had been smashed into matchwood, while the derelict rudder hung in chains like an executed pirate of a couple of centuries agone.
damage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We in the boat hovered near the yacht long enough for the captain to make a hurried examination of the damage.
darkness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Chinese steamer, if indeed it were she, although we could not be sure in the darkness, had sent us to the hotel when we had made up our minds not to go.
degree
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was impossible at the moment to estimate with any degree of accuracy the extent of the disaster.
derelict
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From this reading The wreck certainly looked serious, for the overhang of the stern had been smashed into matchwood, while the derelict rudder hung in chains like an executed pirate of a couple of centuries agone.
disaster
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was impossible at the moment to estimate with any degree of accuracy the extent of the disaster.
duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading The captain reported that she was not leaking, and therefore her owner need have no fear that she would sink during the night.
enough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We in the boat hovered near the yacht long enough for the captain to make a hurried examination of the damage.
estimate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was impossible at the moment to estimate with any degree of accuracy the extent of the disaster.
examination
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We in the boat hovered near the yacht long enough for the captain to make a hurried examination of the damage.
executed
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From this reading The wreck certainly looked serious, for the overhang of the stern had been smashed into matchwood, while the derelict rudder hung in chains like an executed pirate of a couple of centuries agone.
extent
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From this reading It was impossible at the moment to estimate with any degree of accuracy the extent of the disaster.
fear
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From this reading The captain reported that she was not leaking, and therefore her owner need have no fear that she would sink during the night.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading We in the boat hovered near the yacht long enough for the captain to make a hurried examination of the damage.
go
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From this reading The Chinese steamer, if indeed it were she, although we could not be sure in the darkness, had sent us to the hotel when we had made up our minds not to go.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The Chinese steamer, if indeed it were she, although we could not be sure in the darkness, had sent us to the hotel when we had made up our minds not to go.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The captain reported that she was not leaking, and therefore her owner need have no fear that she would sink during the night.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The captain reported that she was not leaking, and therefore her owner need have no fear that she would sink during the night.
hotel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Chinese steamer, if indeed it were she, although we could not be sure in the darkness, had sent us to the hotel when we had made up our minds not to go.
hovered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We in the boat hovered near the yacht long enough for the captain to make a hurried examination of the damage.
hung
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From this reading The wreck certainly looked serious, for the overhang of the stern had been smashed into matchwood, while the derelict rudder hung in chains like an executed pirate of a couple of centuries agone.
hurried
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We in the boat hovered near the yacht long enough for the captain to make a hurried examination of the damage.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The Chinese steamer, if indeed it were she, although we could not be sure in the darkness, had sent us to the hotel when we had made up our minds not to go.
impossible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was impossible at the moment to estimate with any degree of accuracy the extent of the disaster.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The Chinese steamer, if indeed it were she, although we could not be sure in the darkness, had sent us to the hotel when we had made up our minds not to go.
indeed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Chinese steamer, if indeed it were she, although we could not be sure in the darkness, had sent us to the hotel when we had made up our minds not to go.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The wreck certainly looked serious, for the overhang of the stern had been smashed into matchwood, while the derelict rudder hung in chains like an executed pirate of a couple of centuries agone.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The Chinese steamer, if indeed it were she, although we could not be sure in the darkness, had sent us to the hotel when we had made up our minds not to go.
leaking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The captain reported that she was not leaking, and therefore her owner need have no fear that she would sink during the night.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wreck certainly looked serious, for the overhang of the stern had been smashed into matchwood, while the derelict rudder hung in chains like an executed pirate of a couple of centuries agone.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading We in the boat hovered near the yacht long enough for the captain to make a hurried examination of the damage.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The wreck certainly looked serious, for the overhang of the stern had been smashed into matchwood, while the derelict rudder hung in chains like an executed pirate of a couple of centuries agone.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Chinese steamer, if indeed it were she, although we could not be sure in the darkness, had sent us to the hotel when we had made up our minds not to go.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading We in the boat hovered near the yacht long enough for the captain to make a hurried examination of the damage.
matchwood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wreck certainly looked serious, for the overhang of the stern had been smashed into matchwood, while the derelict rudder hung in chains like an executed pirate of a couple of centuries agone.
minds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Chinese steamer, if indeed it were she, although we could not be sure in the darkness, had sent us to the hotel when we had made up our minds not to go.
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was impossible at the moment to estimate with any degree of accuracy the extent of the disaster.
near
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We in the boat hovered near the yacht long enough for the captain to make a hurried examination of the damage.
neednounUS /need/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The captain reported that she was not leaking, and therefore her owner need have no fear that she would sink during the night.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The captain reported that she was not leaking, and therefore her owner need have no fear that she would sink during the night.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading The captain reported that she was not leaking, and therefore her owner need have no fear that she would sink during the night.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The Chinese steamer, if indeed it were she, although we could not be sure in the darkness, had sent us to the hotel when we had made up our minds not to go.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading We in the boat hovered near the yacht long enough for the captain to make a hurried examination of the damage.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading The Chinese steamer, if indeed it were she, although we could not be sure in the darkness, had sent us to the hotel when we had made up our minds not to go.
overhang
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wreck certainly looked serious, for the overhang of the stern had been smashed into matchwood, while the derelict rudder hung in chains like an executed pirate of a couple of centuries agone.
owner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The captain reported that she was not leaking, and therefore her owner need have no fear that she would sink during the night.
pirate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wreck certainly looked serious, for the overhang of the stern had been smashed into matchwood, while the derelict rudder hung in chains like an executed pirate of a couple of centuries agone.
reported
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The captain reported that she was not leaking, and therefore her owner need have no fear that she would sink during the night.
rudder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wreck certainly looked serious, for the overhang of the stern had been smashed into matchwood, while the derelict rudder hung in chains like an executed pirate of a couple of centuries agone.
sent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Chinese steamer, if indeed it were she, although we could not be sure in the darkness, had sent us to the hotel when we had made up our minds not to go.
serious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wreck certainly looked serious, for the overhang of the stern had been smashed into matchwood, while the derelict rudder hung in chains like an executed pirate of a couple of centuries agone.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The Chinese steamer, if indeed it were she, although we could not be sure in the darkness, had sent us to the hotel when we had made up our minds not to go.
sink
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The captain reported that she was not leaking, and therefore her owner need have no fear that she would sink during the night.
smashed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wreck certainly looked serious, for the overhang of the stern had been smashed into matchwood, while the derelict rudder hung in chains like an executed pirate of a couple of centuries agone.
steamer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Chinese steamer, if indeed it were she, although we could not be sure in the darkness, had sent us to the hotel when we had made up our minds not to go.
stern
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wreck certainly looked serious, for the overhang of the stern had been smashed into matchwood, while the derelict rudder hung in chains like an executed pirate of a couple of centuries agone.
surenounUS /sure/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The Chinese steamer, if indeed it were she, although we could not be sure in the darkness, had sent us to the hotel when we had made up our minds not to go.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The captain reported that she was not leaking, and therefore her owner need have no fear that she would sink during the night.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Chinese steamer, if indeed it were she, although we could not be sure in the darkness, had sent us to the hotel when we had made up our minds not to go.
thereforeadverbUS /ˈðerfɔːr/
for that reason; as a result
From this reading The captain reported that she was not leaking, and therefore her owner need have no fear that she would sink during the night.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The Chinese steamer, if indeed it were she, although we could not be sure in the darkness, had sent us to the hotel when we had made up our minds not to go.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Chinese steamer, if indeed it were she, although we could not be sure in the darkness, had sent us to the hotel when we had made up our minds not to go.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The Chinese steamer, if indeed it were she, although we could not be sure in the darkness, had sent us to the hotel when we had made up our minds not to go.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was impossible at the moment to estimate with any degree of accuracy the extent of the disaster.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading The Chinese steamer, if indeed it were she, although we could not be sure in the darkness, had sent us to the hotel when we had made up our minds not to go.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The Chinese steamer, if indeed it were she, although we could not be sure in the darkness, had sent us to the hotel when we had made up our minds not to go.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading The Chinese steamer, if indeed it were she, although we could not be sure in the darkness, had sent us to the hotel when we had made up our minds not to go.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading The wreck certainly looked serious, for the overhang of the stern had been smashed into matchwood, while the derelict rudder hung in chains like an executed pirate of a couple of centuries agone.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was impossible at the moment to estimate with any degree of accuracy the extent of the disaster.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The captain reported that she was not leaking, and therefore her owner need have no fear that she would sink during the night.
wreck
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wreck certainly looked serious, for the overhang of the stern had been smashed into matchwood, while the derelict rudder hung in chains like an executed pirate of a couple of centuries agone.
yacht
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We in the boat hovered near the yacht long enough for the captain to make a hurried examination of the damage.
