Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The south-east wind died away about midnight, and a light south-westerly breeze sprang up.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The south-east wind died away about midnight, and a light south-westerly breeze sprang up.
aching
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He paced the deck restlessly, his heart aching with despairing misery.
alonenounUS /alone/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At daybreak Carew was left alone in charge of the vessel, his three men being asleep under the awning.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The south-east wind died away about midnight, and a light south-westerly breeze sprang up.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.
asleep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At daybreak Carew was left alone in charge of the vessel, his three men being asleep under the awning.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.
away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The south-east wind died away about midnight, and a light south-westerly breeze sprang up.
awning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At daybreak Carew was left alone in charge of the vessel, his three men being asleep under the awning.
barely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.
barque
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her capture having been effected, the barque lay hove-to under her spanker for the night.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.
beach
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Her capture having been effected, the barque lay hove-to under her spanker for the night.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading At daybreak Carew was left alone in charge of the vessel, his three men being asleep under the awning.
breakers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.
breeze
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The south-east wind died away about midnight, and a light south-westerly breeze sprang up.
capture
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her capture having been effected, the barque lay hove-to under her spanker for the night.
Carew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At daybreak Carew was left alone in charge of the vessel, his three men being asleep under the awning.
charge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At daybreak Carew was left alone in charge of the vessel, his three men being asleep under the awning.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.
currentnounUS /ˈcurrent/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.
daybreak
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At daybreak Carew was left alone in charge of the vessel, his three men being asleep under the awning.
deck
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He paced the deck restlessly, his heart aching with despairing misery.
despairing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He paced the deck restlessly, his heart aching with despairing misery.
died
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The south-east wind died away about midnight, and a light south-westerly breeze sprang up.
direction
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.
distantadjectiveUS /ˈdɪstənt/
not friendly or close
From this reading A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.
distinguished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.
effected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her capture having been effected, the barque lay hove-to under her spanker for the night.
end
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.
far
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Her capture having been effected, the barque lay hove-to under her spanker for the night.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading Her capture having been effected, the barque lay hove-to under her spanker for the night.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He paced the deck restlessly, his heart aching with despairing misery.
heart
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He paced the deck restlessly, his heart aching with despairing misery.
HerdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Her capture having been effected, the barque lay hove-to under her spanker for the night.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading At daybreak Carew was left alone in charge of the vessel, his three men being asleep under the awning.
hove-to
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her capture having been effected, the barque lay hove-to under her spanker for the night.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading At daybreak Carew was left alone in charge of the vessel, his three men being asleep under the awning.
islet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.
lay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her capture having been effected, the barque lay hove-to under her spanker for the night.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At daybreak Carew was left alone in charge of the vessel, his three men being asleep under the awning.
light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The south-east wind died away about midnight, and a light south-westerly breeze sprang up.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At daybreak Carew was left alone in charge of the vessel, his three men being asleep under the awning.
middle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.
midnight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The south-east wind died away about midnight, and a light south-westerly breeze sprang up.
misery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He paced the deck restlessly, his heart aching with despairing misery.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her capture having been effected, the barque lay hove-to under her spanker for the night.
ocean
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.
paced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He paced the deck restlessly, his heart aching with despairing misery.
plainlynounUS /ˈplainly/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.
restlessly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He paced the deck restlessly, his heart aching with despairing misery.
roaring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.
samenounUS /same/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.
setting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.
sound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.
south-east
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The south-east wind died away about midnight, and a light south-westerly breeze sprang up.
south-westerly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The south-east wind died away about midnight, and a light south-westerly breeze sprang up.
spanker
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Her capture having been effected, the barque lay hove-to under her spanker for the night.
sprang
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The south-east wind died away about midnight, and a light south-westerly breeze sprang up.
strong
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.
sunset
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Her capture having been effected, the barque lay hove-to under her spanker for the night.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At daybreak Carew was left alone in charge of the vessel, his three men being asleep under the awning.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.
towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/
in the direction of
From this reading A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.
Trinidad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Her capture having been effected, the barque lay hove-to under her spanker for the night.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The south-east wind died away about midnight, and a light south-westerly breeze sprang up.
vessel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At daybreak Carew was left alone in charge of the vessel, his three men being asleep under the awning.
visible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading At daybreak Carew was left alone in charge of the vessel, his three men being asleep under the awning.
watch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A strong ocean current must have been setting from the same direction; for, though the islet of Trinidad had been so far distant at sunset as to be barely visible, the sound of breakers roaring on a beach could be plainly distinguished towards the end of the middle watch.
windnounUS /wind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The south-east wind died away about midnight, and a light south-westerly breeze sprang up.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading He paced the deck restlessly, his heart aching with despairing misery.