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 In the meantime the pumps were exhausting the lake which had been formed in the hold of the “Great Eastern,” like a lagoon in the middle of an island; powerfully and rapidly worked by steam they speedily restored to the Atlantic that which belonged to it.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading I stayed several hours after dark walking on deck.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The rain had ceased and the wind freshened again, but the sky, swept by the tempest, was clear.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading In the meantime the pumps were exhausting the lake which had been formed in the hold of the “Great Eastern,” like a lagoon in the middle of an island; powerfully and rapidly worked by steam they speedily restored to the Atlantic that which belonged to it.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading In the meantime the pumps were exhausting the lake which had been formed in the hold of the “Great Eastern,” like a lagoon in the middle of an island; powerfully and rapidly worked by steam they speedily restored to the Atlantic that which belonged to it.
appeared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stars reflected in the lactescent water appeared and disappeared, as though peering through rapidly driving clouds.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Great floods of light poured from the half-opened hatchways of the saloons, and at the stern stretched a phosphorescent light as far as the eye could reach, streaked here and there by the luminous crests of the waves.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Great floods of light poured from the half-opened hatchways of the saloons, and at the stern stretched a phosphorescent light as far as the eye could reach, streaked here and there by the luminous crests of the waves.
Atlantic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the meantime the pumps were exhausting the lake which had been formed in the hold of the “Great Eastern,” like a lagoon in the middle of an island; powerfully and rapidly worked by steam they speedily restored to the Atlantic that which belonged to it.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading In the meantime the pumps were exhausting the lake which had been formed in the hold of the “Great Eastern,” like a lagoon in the middle of an island; powerfully and rapidly worked by steam they speedily restored to the Atlantic that which belonged to it.
belonged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the meantime the pumps were exhausting the lake which had been formed in the hold of the “Great Eastern,” like a lagoon in the middle of an island; powerfully and rapidly worked by steam they speedily restored to the Atlantic that which belonged to it.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The rain had ceased and the wind freshened again, but the sky, swept by the tempest, was clear.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading In the meantime the pumps were exhausting the lake which had been formed in the hold of the “Great Eastern,” like a lagoon in the middle of an island; powerfully and rapidly worked by steam they speedily restored to the Atlantic that which belonged to it.
ceased
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rain had ceased and the wind freshened again, but the sky, swept by the tempest, was clear.
clear
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From this reading The rain had ceased and the wind freshened again, but the sky, swept by the tempest, was clear.
clouds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stars reflected in the lactescent water appeared and disappeared, as though peering through rapidly driving clouds.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Great floods of light poured from the half-opened hatchways of the saloons, and at the stern stretched a phosphorescent light as far as the eye could reach, streaked here and there by the luminous crests of the waves.
crests
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Great floods of light poured from the half-opened hatchways of the saloons, and at the stern stretched a phosphorescent light as far as the eye could reach, streaked here and there by the luminous crests of the waves.
dark
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I stayed several hours after dark walking on deck.
deck
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I stayed several hours after dark walking on deck.
disappearednounUS /ˈdisappeared/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The stars reflected in the lactescent water appeared and disappeared, as though peering through rapidly driving clouds.
driving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stars reflected in the lactescent water appeared and disappeared, as though peering through rapidly driving clouds.
Eastern
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From this reading In the meantime the pumps were exhausting the lake which had been formed in the hold of the “Great Eastern,” like a lagoon in the middle of an island; powerfully and rapidly worked by steam they speedily restored to the Atlantic that which belonged to it.
exhausting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the meantime the pumps were exhausting the lake which had been formed in the hold of the “Great Eastern,” like a lagoon in the middle of an island; powerfully and rapidly worked by steam they speedily restored to the Atlantic that which belonged to it.
eye
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Great floods of light poured from the half-opened hatchways of the saloons, and at the stern stretched a phosphorescent light as far as the eye could reach, streaked here and there by the luminous crests of the waves.
far
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Great floods of light poured from the half-opened hatchways of the saloons, and at the stern stretched a phosphorescent light as far as the eye could reach, streaked here and there by the luminous crests of the waves.
floods
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Great floods of light poured from the half-opened hatchways of the saloons, and at the stern stretched a phosphorescent light as far as the eye could reach, streaked here and there by the luminous crests of the waves.
formed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the meantime the pumps were exhausting the lake which had been formed in the hold of the “Great Eastern,” like a lagoon in the middle of an island; powerfully and rapidly worked by steam they speedily restored to the Atlantic that which belonged to it.
freshened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rain had ceased and the wind freshened again, but the sky, swept by the tempest, was clear.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Great floods of light poured from the half-opened hatchways of the saloons, and at the stern stretched a phosphorescent light as far as the eye could reach, streaked here and there by the luminous crests of the waves.
GreatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In the meantime the pumps were exhausting the lake which had been formed in the hold of the “Great Eastern,” like a lagoon in the middle of an island; powerfully and rapidly worked by steam they speedily restored to the Atlantic that which belonged to it.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading In the meantime the pumps were exhausting the lake which had been formed in the hold of the “Great Eastern,” like a lagoon in the middle of an island; powerfully and rapidly worked by steam they speedily restored to the Atlantic that which belonged to it.
half-opened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Great floods of light poured from the half-opened hatchways of the saloons, and at the stern stretched a phosphorescent light as far as the eye could reach, streaked here and there by the luminous crests of the waves.
hatchways
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Great floods of light poured from the half-opened hatchways of the saloons, and at the stern stretched a phosphorescent light as far as the eye could reach, streaked here and there by the luminous crests of the waves.
herenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Great floods of light poured from the half-opened hatchways of the saloons, and at the stern stretched a phosphorescent light as far as the eye could reach, streaked here and there by the luminous crests of the waves.
hold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the meantime the pumps were exhausting the lake which had been formed in the hold of the “Great Eastern,” like a lagoon in the middle of an island; powerfully and rapidly worked by steam they speedily restored to the Atlantic that which belonged to it.
hours
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I stayed several hours after dark walking on deck.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I stayed several hours after dark walking on deck.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the meantime the pumps were exhausting the lake which had been formed in the hold of the “Great Eastern,” like a lagoon in the middle of an island; powerfully and rapidly worked by steam they speedily restored to the Atlantic that which belonged to it.
island
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the meantime the pumps were exhausting the lake which had been formed in the hold of the “Great Eastern,” like a lagoon in the middle of an island; powerfully and rapidly worked by steam they speedily restored to the Atlantic that which belonged to it.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading In the meantime the pumps were exhausting the lake which had been formed in the hold of the “Great Eastern,” like a lagoon in the middle of an island; powerfully and rapidly worked by steam they speedily restored to the Atlantic that which belonged to it.
lactescent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stars reflected in the lactescent water appeared and disappeared, as though peering through rapidly driving clouds.
lagoon
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From this reading In the meantime the pumps were exhausting the lake which had been formed in the hold of the “Great Eastern,” like a lagoon in the middle of an island; powerfully and rapidly worked by steam they speedily restored to the Atlantic that which belonged to it.
lake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the meantime the pumps were exhausting the lake which had been formed in the hold of the “Great Eastern,” like a lagoon in the middle of an island; powerfully and rapidly worked by steam they speedily restored to the Atlantic that which belonged to it.
light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Great floods of light poured from the half-opened hatchways of the saloons, and at the stern stretched a phosphorescent light as far as the eye could reach, streaked here and there by the luminous crests of the waves.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the meantime the pumps were exhausting the lake which had been formed in the hold of the “Great Eastern,” like a lagoon in the middle of an island; powerfully and rapidly worked by steam they speedily restored to the Atlantic that which belonged to it.
luminous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Great floods of light poured from the half-opened hatchways of the saloons, and at the stern stretched a phosphorescent light as far as the eye could reach, streaked here and there by the luminous crests of the waves.
meantimenounUS /ˈmiːntaɪm/
the period of time while something else is happening
From this reading In the meantime the pumps were exhausting the lake which had been formed in the hold of the “Great Eastern,” like a lagoon in the middle of an island; powerfully and rapidly worked by steam they speedily restored to the Atlantic that which belonged to it.
middle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the meantime the pumps were exhausting the lake which had been formed in the hold of the “Great Eastern,” like a lagoon in the middle of an island; powerfully and rapidly worked by steam they speedily restored to the Atlantic that which belonged to it.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In the meantime the pumps were exhausting the lake which had been formed in the hold of the “Great Eastern,” like a lagoon in the middle of an island; powerfully and rapidly worked by steam they speedily restored to the Atlantic that which belonged to it.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading I stayed several hours after dark walking on deck.
peeringverbUS /ˈpɪrɪŋ/
looking closely or carefully
From this reading The stars reflected in the lactescent water appeared and disappeared, as though peering through rapidly driving clouds.
phosphorescent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Great floods of light poured from the half-opened hatchways of the saloons, and at the stern stretched a phosphorescent light as far as the eye could reach, streaked here and there by the luminous crests of the waves.
poured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Great floods of light poured from the half-opened hatchways of the saloons, and at the stern stretched a phosphorescent light as far as the eye could reach, streaked here and there by the luminous crests of the waves.
powerfully
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the meantime the pumps were exhausting the lake which had been formed in the hold of the “Great Eastern,” like a lagoon in the middle of an island; powerfully and rapidly worked by steam they speedily restored to the Atlantic that which belonged to it.
pumps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the meantime the pumps were exhausting the lake which had been formed in the hold of the “Great Eastern,” like a lagoon in the middle of an island; powerfully and rapidly worked by steam they speedily restored to the Atlantic that which belonged to it.
rain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rain had ceased and the wind freshened again, but the sky, swept by the tempest, was clear.
rapidly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the meantime the pumps were exhausting the lake which had been formed in the hold of the “Great Eastern,” like a lagoon in the middle of an island; powerfully and rapidly worked by steam they speedily restored to the Atlantic that which belonged to it.
reach
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Great floods of light poured from the half-opened hatchways of the saloons, and at the stern stretched a phosphorescent light as far as the eye could reach, streaked here and there by the luminous crests of the waves.
reflected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stars reflected in the lactescent water appeared and disappeared, as though peering through rapidly driving clouds.
restored
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the meantime the pumps were exhausting the lake which had been formed in the hold of the “Great Eastern,” like a lagoon in the middle of an island; powerfully and rapidly worked by steam they speedily restored to the Atlantic that which belonged to it.
saloons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Great floods of light poured from the half-opened hatchways of the saloons, and at the stern stretched a phosphorescent light as far as the eye could reach, streaked here and there by the luminous crests of the waves.
several
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I stayed several hours after dark walking on deck.
sky
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rain had ceased and the wind freshened again, but the sky, swept by the tempest, was clear.
speedily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the meantime the pumps were exhausting the lake which had been formed in the hold of the “Great Eastern,” like a lagoon in the middle of an island; powerfully and rapidly worked by steam they speedily restored to the Atlantic that which belonged to it.
stars
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stars reflected in the lactescent water appeared and disappeared, as though peering through rapidly driving clouds.
stayed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I stayed several hours after dark walking on deck.
steam
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the meantime the pumps were exhausting the lake which had been formed in the hold of the “Great Eastern,” like a lagoon in the middle of an island; powerfully and rapidly worked by steam they speedily restored to the Atlantic that which belonged to it.
stern
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Great floods of light poured from the half-opened hatchways of the saloons, and at the stern stretched a phosphorescent light as far as the eye could reach, streaked here and there by the luminous crests of the waves.
streaked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Great floods of light poured from the half-opened hatchways of the saloons, and at the stern stretched a phosphorescent light as far as the eye could reach, streaked here and there by the luminous crests of the waves.
stretched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Great floods of light poured from the half-opened hatchways of the saloons, and at the stern stretched a phosphorescent light as far as the eye could reach, streaked here and there by the luminous crests of the waves.
swept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rain had ceased and the wind freshened again, but the sky, swept by the tempest, was clear.
tempest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rain had ceased and the wind freshened again, but the sky, swept by the tempest, was clear.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading In the meantime the pumps were exhausting the lake which had been formed in the hold of the “Great Eastern,” like a lagoon in the middle of an island; powerfully and rapidly worked by steam they speedily restored to the Atlantic that which belonged to it.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In the meantime the pumps were exhausting the lake which had been formed in the hold of the “Great Eastern,” like a lagoon in the middle of an island; powerfully and rapidly worked by steam they speedily restored to the Atlantic that which belonged to it.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Great floods of light poured from the half-opened hatchways of the saloons, and at the stern stretched a phosphorescent light as far as the eye could reach, streaked here and there by the luminous crests of the waves.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading In the meantime the pumps were exhausting the lake which had been formed in the hold of the “Great Eastern,” like a lagoon in the middle of an island; powerfully and rapidly worked by steam they speedily restored to the Atlantic that which belonged to it.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The stars reflected in the lactescent water appeared and disappeared, as though peering through rapidly driving clouds.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The stars reflected in the lactescent water appeared and disappeared, as though peering through rapidly driving clouds.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In the meantime the pumps were exhausting the lake which had been formed in the hold of the “Great Eastern,” like a lagoon in the middle of an island; powerfully and rapidly worked by steam they speedily restored to the Atlantic that which belonged to it.
walking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I stayed several hours after dark walking on deck.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The rain had ceased and the wind freshened again, but the sky, swept by the tempest, was clear.
water
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The stars reflected in the lactescent water appeared and disappeared, as though peering through rapidly driving clouds.
waves
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Great floods of light poured from the half-opened hatchways of the saloons, and at the stern stretched a phosphorescent light as far as the eye could reach, streaked here and there by the luminous crests of the waves.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading In the meantime the pumps were exhausting the lake which had been formed in the hold of the “Great Eastern,” like a lagoon in the middle of an island; powerfully and rapidly worked by steam they speedily restored to the Atlantic that which belonged to it.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading In the meantime the pumps were exhausting the lake which had been formed in the hold of the “Great Eastern,” like a lagoon in the middle of an island; powerfully and rapidly worked by steam they speedily restored to the Atlantic that which belonged to it.
windnounUS /wind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The rain had ceased and the wind freshened again, but the sky, swept by the tempest, was clear.
worked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the meantime the pumps were exhausting the lake which had been formed in the hold of the “Great Eastern,” like a lagoon in the middle of an island; powerfully and rapidly worked by steam they speedily restored to the Atlantic that which belonged to it.
