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 the swell must have been of considerable height, yet so gentle was the undulation that no motion whatever would have been perceptible to one on the deck of a vessel, unless he had observed how the horizon was withdrawn from his sight at regular intervals by the intervening hills of water, as the vessel softly glided down the easy slopes into the broad valleys between.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was mid-ocean, and no land was in sight.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gentle now was the massive heaving of the giant's bosom, showing that he was slumbering only, and that the strong, fierce life was there, ready to be awakened at any moment to its energy of cruel destruction.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Though the swell must have been of considerable height, yet so gentle was the undulation that no motion whatever would have been perceptible to one on the deck of a vessel, unless he had observed how the horizon was withdrawn from his sight at regular intervals by the intervening hills of water, as the vessel softly glided down the easy slopes into the broad valleys between.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Gentle now was the massive heaving of the giant's bosom, showing that he was slumbering only, and that the strong, fierce life was there, ready to be awakened at any moment to its energy of cruel destruction.
Atlantic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The glassily smooth surface of the sea was not broken by the faintest ripple, but it rose and fell slowly with the long, rhythmical swell of the Atlantic.
awakened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gentle now was the massive heaving of the giant's bosom, showing that he was slumbering only, and that the strong, fierce life was there, ready to be awakened at any moment to its energy of cruel destruction.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Gentle now was the massive heaving of the giant's bosom, showing that he was slumbering only, and that the strong, fierce life was there, ready to be awakened at any moment to its energy of cruel destruction.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Though the swell must have been of considerable height, yet so gentle was the undulation that no motion whatever would have been perceptible to one on the deck of a vessel, unless he had observed how the horizon was withdrawn from his sight at regular intervals by the intervening hills of water, as the vessel softly glided down the easy slopes into the broad valleys between.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading Though the swell must have been of considerable height, yet so gentle was the undulation that no motion whatever would have been perceptible to one on the deck of a vessel, unless he had observed how the horizon was withdrawn from his sight at regular intervals by the intervening hills of water, as the vessel softly glided down the easy slopes into the broad valleys between.
bosom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gentle now was the massive heaving of the giant's bosom, showing that he was slumbering only, and that the strong, fierce life was there, ready to be awakened at any moment to its energy of cruel destruction.
broad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Though the swell must have been of considerable height, yet so gentle was the undulation that no motion whatever would have been perceptible to one on the deck of a vessel, unless he had observed how the horizon was withdrawn from his sight at regular intervals by the intervening hills of water, as the vessel softly glided down the easy slopes into the broad valleys between.
brokennounUS /broken/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The glassily smooth surface of the sea was not broken by the faintest ripple, but it rose and fell slowly with the long, rhythmical swell of the Atlantic.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The glassily smooth surface of the sea was not broken by the faintest ripple, but it rose and fell slowly with the long, rhythmical swell of the Atlantic.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The glassily smooth surface of the sea was not broken by the faintest ripple, but it rose and fell slowly with the long, rhythmical swell of the Atlantic.
considerable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Though the swell must have been of considerable height, yet so gentle was the undulation that no motion whatever would have been perceptible to one on the deck of a vessel, unless he had observed how the horizon was withdrawn from his sight at regular intervals by the intervening hills of water, as the vessel softly glided down the easy slopes into the broad valleys between.
crueladjectiveUS /ˈkruːəl/
causing pain or showing no kindness
From this reading Gentle now was the massive heaving of the giant's bosom, showing that he was slumbering only, and that the strong, fierce life was there, ready to be awakened at any moment to its energy of cruel destruction.
deck
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Though the swell must have been of considerable height, yet so gentle was the undulation that no motion whatever would have been perceptible to one on the deck of a vessel, unless he had observed how the horizon was withdrawn from his sight at regular intervals by the intervening hills of water, as the vessel softly glided down the easy slopes into the broad valleys between.
destruction
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gentle now was the massive heaving of the giant's bosom, showing that he was slumbering only, and that the strong, fierce life was there, ready to be awakened at any moment to its energy of cruel destruction.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Though the swell must have been of considerable height, yet so gentle was the undulation that no motion whatever would have been perceptible to one on the deck of a vessel, unless he had observed how the horizon was withdrawn from his sight at regular intervals by the intervening hills of water, as the vessel softly glided down the easy slopes into the broad valleys between.
easy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Though the swell must have been of considerable height, yet so gentle was the undulation that no motion whatever would have been perceptible to one on the deck of a vessel, unless he had observed how the horizon was withdrawn from his sight at regular intervals by the intervening hills of water, as the vessel softly glided down the easy slopes into the broad valleys between.
energy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gentle now was the massive heaving of the giant's bosom, showing that he was slumbering only, and that the strong, fierce life was there, ready to be awakened at any moment to its energy of cruel destruction.
faintest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The glassily smooth surface of the sea was not broken by the faintest ripple, but it rose and fell slowly with the long, rhythmical swell of the Atlantic.
fell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The glassily smooth surface of the sea was not broken by the faintest ripple, but it rose and fell slowly with the long, rhythmical swell of the Atlantic.
fierce
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gentle now was the massive heaving of the giant's bosom, showing that he was slumbering only, and that the strong, fierce life was there, ready to be awakened at any moment to its energy of cruel destruction.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Though the swell must have been of considerable height, yet so gentle was the undulation that no motion whatever would have been perceptible to one on the deck of a vessel, unless he had observed how the horizon was withdrawn from his sight at regular intervals by the intervening hills of water, as the vessel softly glided down the easy slopes into the broad valleys between.
Gentle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gentle now was the massive heaving of the giant's bosom, showing that he was slumbering only, and that the strong, fierce life was there, ready to be awakened at any moment to its energy of cruel destruction.
giant's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gentle now was the massive heaving of the giant's bosom, showing that he was slumbering only, and that the strong, fierce life was there, ready to be awakened at any moment to its energy of cruel destruction.
glassily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The glassily smooth surface of the sea was not broken by the faintest ripple, but it rose and fell slowly with the long, rhythmical swell of the Atlantic.
glided
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Though the swell must have been of considerable height, yet so gentle was the undulation that no motion whatever would have been perceptible to one on the deck of a vessel, unless he had observed how the horizon was withdrawn from his sight at regular intervals by the intervening hills of water, as the vessel softly glided down the easy slopes into the broad valleys between.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Though the swell must have been of considerable height, yet so gentle was the undulation that no motion whatever would have been perceptible to one on the deck of a vessel, unless he had observed how the horizon was withdrawn from his sight at regular intervals by the intervening hills of water, as the vessel softly glided down the easy slopes into the broad valleys between.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Though the swell must have been of considerable height, yet so gentle was the undulation that no motion whatever would have been perceptible to one on the deck of a vessel, unless he had observed how the horizon was withdrawn from his sight at regular intervals by the intervening hills of water, as the vessel softly glided down the easy slopes into the broad valleys between.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Gentle now was the massive heaving of the giant's bosom, showing that he was slumbering only, and that the strong, fierce life was there, ready to be awakened at any moment to its energy of cruel destruction.
heaving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gentle now was the massive heaving of the giant's bosom, showing that he was slumbering only, and that the strong, fierce life was there, ready to be awakened at any moment to its energy of cruel destruction.
height
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Though the swell must have been of considerable height, yet so gentle was the undulation that no motion whatever would have been perceptible to one on the deck of a vessel, unless he had observed how the horizon was withdrawn from his sight at regular intervals by the intervening hills of water, as the vessel softly glided down the easy slopes into the broad valleys between.
hills
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Though the swell must have been of considerable height, yet so gentle was the undulation that no motion whatever would have been perceptible to one on the deck of a vessel, unless he had observed how the horizon was withdrawn from his sight at regular intervals by the intervening hills of water, as the vessel softly glided down the easy slopes into the broad valleys between.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Though the swell must have been of considerable height, yet so gentle was the undulation that no motion whatever would have been perceptible to one on the deck of a vessel, unless he had observed how the horizon was withdrawn from his sight at regular intervals by the intervening hills of water, as the vessel softly glided down the easy slopes into the broad valleys between.
horizon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Though the swell must have been of considerable height, yet so gentle was the undulation that no motion whatever would have been perceptible to one on the deck of a vessel, unless he had observed how the horizon was withdrawn from his sight at regular intervals by the intervening hills of water, as the vessel softly glided down the easy slopes into the broad valleys between.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Though the swell must have been of considerable height, yet so gentle was the undulation that no motion whatever would have been perceptible to one on the deck of a vessel, unless he had observed how the horizon was withdrawn from his sight at regular intervals by the intervening hills of water, as the vessel softly glided down the easy slopes into the broad valleys between.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was mid-ocean, and no land was in sight.
intervals
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Though the swell must have been of considerable height, yet so gentle was the undulation that no motion whatever would have been perceptible to one on the deck of a vessel, unless he had observed how the horizon was withdrawn from his sight at regular intervals by the intervening hills of water, as the vessel softly glided down the easy slopes into the broad valleys between.
intervening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Though the swell must have been of considerable height, yet so gentle was the undulation that no motion whatever would have been perceptible to one on the deck of a vessel, unless he had observed how the horizon was withdrawn from his sight at regular intervals by the intervening hills of water, as the vessel softly glided down the easy slopes into the broad valleys between.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Though the swell must have been of considerable height, yet so gentle was the undulation that no motion whatever would have been perceptible to one on the deck of a vessel, unless he had observed how the horizon was withdrawn from his sight at regular intervals by the intervening hills of water, as the vessel softly glided down the easy slopes into the broad valleys between.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was mid-ocean, and no land was in sight.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Gentle now was the massive heaving of the giant's bosom, showing that he was slumbering only, and that the strong, fierce life was there, ready to be awakened at any moment to its energy of cruel destruction.
land
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was mid-ocean, and no land was in sight.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Gentle now was the massive heaving of the giant's bosom, showing that he was slumbering only, and that the strong, fierce life was there, ready to be awakened at any moment to its energy of cruel destruction.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The glassily smooth surface of the sea was not broken by the faintest ripple, but it rose and fell slowly with the long, rhythmical swell of the Atlantic.
massive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gentle now was the massive heaving of the giant's bosom, showing that he was slumbering only, and that the strong, fierce life was there, ready to be awakened at any moment to its energy of cruel destruction.
mid-ocean
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was mid-ocean, and no land was in sight.
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gentle now was the massive heaving of the giant's bosom, showing that he was slumbering only, and that the strong, fierce life was there, ready to be awakened at any moment to its energy of cruel destruction.
motion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Though the swell must have been of considerable height, yet so gentle was the undulation that no motion whatever would have been perceptible to one on the deck of a vessel, unless he had observed how the horizon was withdrawn from his sight at regular intervals by the intervening hills of water, as the vessel softly glided down the easy slopes into the broad valleys between.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Though the swell must have been of considerable height, yet so gentle was the undulation that no motion whatever would have been perceptible to one on the deck of a vessel, unless he had observed how the horizon was withdrawn from his sight at regular intervals by the intervening hills of water, as the vessel softly glided down the easy slopes into the broad valleys between.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading It was mid-ocean, and no land was in sight.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The glassily smooth surface of the sea was not broken by the faintest ripple, but it rose and fell slowly with the long, rhythmical swell of the Atlantic.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gentle now was the massive heaving of the giant's bosom, showing that he was slumbering only, and that the strong, fierce life was there, ready to be awakened at any moment to its energy of cruel destruction.
observed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Though the swell must have been of considerable height, yet so gentle was the undulation that no motion whatever would have been perceptible to one on the deck of a vessel, unless he had observed how the horizon was withdrawn from his sight at regular intervals by the intervening hills of water, as the vessel softly glided down the easy slopes into the broad valleys between.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The glassily smooth surface of the sea was not broken by the faintest ripple, but it rose and fell slowly with the long, rhythmical swell of the Atlantic.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Though the swell must have been of considerable height, yet so gentle was the undulation that no motion whatever would have been perceptible to one on the deck of a vessel, unless he had observed how the horizon was withdrawn from his sight at regular intervals by the intervening hills of water, as the vessel softly glided down the easy slopes into the broad valleys between.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Though the swell must have been of considerable height, yet so gentle was the undulation that no motion whatever would have been perceptible to one on the deck of a vessel, unless he had observed how the horizon was withdrawn from his sight at regular intervals by the intervening hills of water, as the vessel softly glided down the easy slopes into the broad valleys between.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gentle now was the massive heaving of the giant's bosom, showing that he was slumbering only, and that the strong, fierce life was there, ready to be awakened at any moment to its energy of cruel destruction.
perceptible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Though the swell must have been of considerable height, yet so gentle was the undulation that no motion whatever would have been perceptible to one on the deck of a vessel, unless he had observed how the horizon was withdrawn from his sight at regular intervals by the intervening hills of water, as the vessel softly glided down the easy slopes into the broad valleys between.
quitenounUS /quite/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The wind was quite still.
ready
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gentle now was the massive heaving of the giant's bosom, showing that he was slumbering only, and that the strong, fierce life was there, ready to be awakened at any moment to its energy of cruel destruction.
regular
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Though the swell must have been of considerable height, yet so gentle was the undulation that no motion whatever would have been perceptible to one on the deck of a vessel, unless he had observed how the horizon was withdrawn from his sight at regular intervals by the intervening hills of water, as the vessel softly glided down the easy slopes into the broad valleys between.
rhythmical
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The glassily smooth surface of the sea was not broken by the faintest ripple, but it rose and fell slowly with the long, rhythmical swell of the Atlantic.
ripple
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The glassily smooth surface of the sea was not broken by the faintest ripple, but it rose and fell slowly with the long, rhythmical swell of the Atlantic.
rose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The glassily smooth surface of the sea was not broken by the faintest ripple, but it rose and fell slowly with the long, rhythmical swell of the Atlantic.
sea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The glassily smooth surface of the sea was not broken by the faintest ripple, but it rose and fell slowly with the long, rhythmical swell of the Atlantic.
showing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gentle now was the massive heaving of the giant's bosom, showing that he was slumbering only, and that the strong, fierce life was there, ready to be awakened at any moment to its energy of cruel destruction.
sight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was mid-ocean, and no land was in sight.
slopes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Though the swell must have been of considerable height, yet so gentle was the undulation that no motion whatever would have been perceptible to one on the deck of a vessel, unless he had observed how the horizon was withdrawn from his sight at regular intervals by the intervening hills of water, as the vessel softly glided down the easy slopes into the broad valleys between.
slowly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The glassily smooth surface of the sea was not broken by the faintest ripple, but it rose and fell slowly with the long, rhythmical swell of the Atlantic.
slumbering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gentle now was the massive heaving of the giant's bosom, showing that he was slumbering only, and that the strong, fierce life was there, ready to be awakened at any moment to its energy of cruel destruction.
smooth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The glassily smooth surface of the sea was not broken by the faintest ripple, but it rose and fell slowly with the long, rhythmical swell of the Atlantic.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Though the swell must have been of considerable height, yet so gentle was the undulation that no motion whatever would have been perceptible to one on the deck of a vessel, unless he had observed how the horizon was withdrawn from his sight at regular intervals by the intervening hills of water, as the vessel softly glided down the easy slopes into the broad valleys between.
softly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Though the swell must have been of considerable height, yet so gentle was the undulation that no motion whatever would have been perceptible to one on the deck of a vessel, unless he had observed how the horizon was withdrawn from his sight at regular intervals by the intervening hills of water, as the vessel softly glided down the easy slopes into the broad valleys between.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The wind was quite still.
strong
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gentle now was the massive heaving of the giant's bosom, showing that he was slumbering only, and that the strong, fierce life was there, ready to be awakened at any moment to its energy of cruel destruction.
surface
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The glassily smooth surface of the sea was not broken by the faintest ripple, but it rose and fell slowly with the long, rhythmical swell of the Atlantic.
swell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The glassily smooth surface of the sea was not broken by the faintest ripple, but it rose and fell slowly with the long, rhythmical swell of the Atlantic.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Gentle now was the massive heaving of the giant's bosom, showing that he was slumbering only, and that the strong, fierce life was there, ready to be awakened at any moment to its energy of cruel destruction.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The glassily smooth surface of the sea was not broken by the faintest ripple, but it rose and fell slowly with the long, rhythmical swell of the Atlantic.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Gentle now was the massive heaving of the giant's bosom, showing that he was slumbering only, and that the strong, fierce life was there, ready to be awakened at any moment to its energy of cruel destruction.
ThoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Though the swell must have been of considerable height, yet so gentle was the undulation that no motion whatever would have been perceptible to one on the deck of a vessel, unless he had observed how the horizon was withdrawn from his sight at regular intervals by the intervening hills of water, as the vessel softly glided down the easy slopes into the broad valleys between.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Gentle now was the massive heaving of the giant's bosom, showing that he was slumbering only, and that the strong, fierce life was there, ready to be awakened at any moment to its energy of cruel destruction.
undulation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Though the swell must have been of considerable height, yet so gentle was the undulation that no motion whatever would have been perceptible to one on the deck of a vessel, unless he had observed how the horizon was withdrawn from his sight at regular intervals by the intervening hills of water, as the vessel softly glided down the easy slopes into the broad valleys between.
unlessconjunctionUS /ənˈles/
except if; if not
From this reading Though the swell must have been of considerable height, yet so gentle was the undulation that no motion whatever would have been perceptible to one on the deck of a vessel, unless he had observed how the horizon was withdrawn from his sight at regular intervals by the intervening hills of water, as the vessel softly glided down the easy slopes into the broad valleys between.
valleys
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Though the swell must have been of considerable height, yet so gentle was the undulation that no motion whatever would have been perceptible to one on the deck of a vessel, unless he had observed how the horizon was withdrawn from his sight at regular intervals by the intervening hills of water, as the vessel softly glided down the easy slopes into the broad valleys between.
vessel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Though the swell must have been of considerable height, yet so gentle was the undulation that no motion whatever would have been perceptible to one on the deck of a vessel, unless he had observed how the horizon was withdrawn from his sight at regular intervals by the intervening hills of water, as the vessel softly glided down the easy slopes into the broad valleys between.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was mid-ocean, and no land was in sight.
water
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Though the swell must have been of considerable height, yet so gentle was the undulation that no motion whatever would have been perceptible to one on the deck of a vessel, unless he had observed how the horizon was withdrawn from his sight at regular intervals by the intervening hills of water, as the vessel softly glided down the easy slopes into the broad valleys between.
whateverdeterminerUS /ˌwʌˈtevər/
any or all of a kind, it does not matter which
From this reading Though the swell must have been of considerable height, yet so gentle was the undulation that no motion whatever would have been perceptible to one on the deck of a vessel, unless he had observed how the horizon was withdrawn from his sight at regular intervals by the intervening hills of water, as the vessel softly glided down the easy slopes into the broad valleys between.
windnounUS /wind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The wind was quite still.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The glassily smooth surface of the sea was not broken by the faintest ripple, but it rose and fell slowly with the long, rhythmical swell of the Atlantic.
withdrawn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Though the swell must have been of considerable height, yet so gentle was the undulation that no motion whatever would have been perceptible to one on the deck of a vessel, unless he had observed how the horizon was withdrawn from his sight at regular intervals by the intervening hills of water, as the vessel softly glided down the easy slopes into the broad valleys between.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Though the swell must have been of considerable height, yet so gentle was the undulation that no motion whatever would have been perceptible to one on the deck of a vessel, unless he had observed how the horizon was withdrawn from his sight at regular intervals by the intervening hills of water, as the vessel softly glided down the easy slopes into the broad valleys between.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading Though the swell must have been of considerable height, yet so gentle was the undulation that no motion whatever would have been perceptible to one on the deck of a vessel, unless he had observed how the horizon was withdrawn from his sight at regular intervals by the intervening hills of water, as the vessel softly glided down the easy slopes into the broad valleys between.
