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 “Dolphin” had a good crew, not fighting men, or boarding sailors, but good working men, and that was all she wanted.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading The “Dolphin” shot bravely across the water, and fulfilled the utmost expectations of both builder and captain.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The “Dolphin” had a good crew, not fighting men, or boarding sailors, but good working men, and that was all she wanted.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The “Dolphin” had a good crew, not fighting men, or boarding sailors, but good working men, and that was all she wanted.
artillery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These brave, determined fellows were all, more or less, merchants; they sought a fortune rather than glory; they had no flag to display, no colours to defend with cannon; in fact all the artillery on board consisted of two small swivel signal-guns.
attack
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Soon she passed the limit of British seas; there was not a ship in sight; the great Ocean route was free; besides no ship of the Federal marine would have a right to attack her beneath the English flag.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Followed she might be, and prevented from forcing the blockade, and precisely for this reason had James Playfair sacrificed everything to the speed of his ship, in order not to be pursued.
beneathprepositionUS /bɪˈniːθ/
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading Soon she passed the limit of British seas; there was not a ship in sight; the great Ocean route was free; besides no ship of the Federal marine would have a right to attack her beneath the English flag.
besidesprepositionUS /bɪˈsaɪdz/
in addition to; as well as
From this reading Soon she passed the limit of British seas; there was not a ship in sight; the great Ocean route was free; besides no ship of the Federal marine would have a right to attack her beneath the English flag.
blockade
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Followed she might be, and prevented from forcing the blockade, and precisely for this reason had James Playfair sacrificed everything to the speed of his ship, in order not to be pursued.
board
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These brave, determined fellows were all, more or less, merchants; they sought a fortune rather than glory; they had no flag to display, no colours to defend with cannon; in fact all the artillery on board consisted of two small swivel signal-guns.
boarding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The “Dolphin” had a good crew, not fighting men, or boarding sailors, but good working men, and that was all she wanted.
bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading The “Dolphin” shot bravely across the water, and fulfilled the utmost expectations of both builder and captain.
brave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These brave, determined fellows were all, more or less, merchants; they sought a fortune rather than glory; they had no flag to display, no colours to defend with cannon; in fact all the artillery on board consisted of two small swivel signal-guns.
bravely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The “Dolphin” shot bravely across the water, and fulfilled the utmost expectations of both builder and captain.
British
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Soon she passed the limit of British seas; there was not a ship in sight; the great Ocean route was free; besides no ship of the Federal marine would have a right to attack her beneath the English flag.
builder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The “Dolphin” shot bravely across the water, and fulfilled the utmost expectations of both builder and captain.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The “Dolphin” had a good crew, not fighting men, or boarding sailors, but good working men, and that was all she wanted.
cannon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These brave, determined fellows were all, more or less, merchants; they sought a fortune rather than glory; they had no flag to display, no colours to defend with cannon; in fact all the artillery on board consisted of two small swivel signal-guns.
captainnounUS /ˈcaptain/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The “Dolphin” shot bravely across the water, and fulfilled the utmost expectations of both builder and captain.
coloursnounUS /ˈcolours/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading These brave, determined fellows were all, more or less, merchants; they sought a fortune rather than glory; they had no flag to display, no colours to defend with cannon; in fact all the artillery on board consisted of two small swivel signal-guns.
consisted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These brave, determined fellows were all, more or less, merchants; they sought a fortune rather than glory; they had no flag to display, no colours to defend with cannon; in fact all the artillery on board consisted of two small swivel signal-guns.
crewnounUS /crew/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The “Dolphin” had a good crew, not fighting men, or boarding sailors, but good working men, and that was all she wanted.
defend
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These brave, determined fellows were all, more or less, merchants; they sought a fortune rather than glory; they had no flag to display, no colours to defend with cannon; in fact all the artillery on board consisted of two small swivel signal-guns.
determinedadjectiveUS /dɪˈtɜrmɪnd/
having firmly decided to do something
From this reading These brave, determined fellows were all, more or less, merchants; they sought a fortune rather than glory; they had no flag to display, no colours to defend with cannon; in fact all the artillery on board consisted of two small swivel signal-guns.
display
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These brave, determined fellows were all, more or less, merchants; they sought a fortune rather than glory; they had no flag to display, no colours to defend with cannon; in fact all the artillery on board consisted of two small swivel signal-guns.
Dolphin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The “Dolphin” had a good crew, not fighting men, or boarding sailors, but good working men, and that was all she wanted.
English
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Soon she passed the limit of British seas; there was not a ship in sight; the great Ocean route was free; besides no ship of the Federal marine would have a right to attack her beneath the English flag.
everythingpronounUS /ˈevriθɪŋ/
all things; all of a situation
From this reading Followed she might be, and prevented from forcing the blockade, and precisely for this reason had James Playfair sacrificed everything to the speed of his ship, in order not to be pursued.
expectations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The “Dolphin” shot bravely across the water, and fulfilled the utmost expectations of both builder and captain.
fact
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From this reading These brave, determined fellows were all, more or less, merchants; they sought a fortune rather than glory; they had no flag to display, no colours to defend with cannon; in fact all the artillery on board consisted of two small swivel signal-guns.
Federal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Soon she passed the limit of British seas; there was not a ship in sight; the great Ocean route was free; besides no ship of the Federal marine would have a right to attack her beneath the English flag.
fellows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These brave, determined fellows were all, more or less, merchants; they sought a fortune rather than glory; they had no flag to display, no colours to defend with cannon; in fact all the artillery on board consisted of two small swivel signal-guns.
fighting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The “Dolphin” had a good crew, not fighting men, or boarding sailors, but good working men, and that was all she wanted.
flag
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These brave, determined fellows were all, more or less, merchants; they sought a fortune rather than glory; they had no flag to display, no colours to defend with cannon; in fact all the artillery on board consisted of two small swivel signal-guns.
Followed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Followed she might be, and prevented from forcing the blockade, and precisely for this reason had James Playfair sacrificed everything to the speed of his ship, in order not to be pursued.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Followed she might be, and prevented from forcing the blockade, and precisely for this reason had James Playfair sacrificed everything to the speed of his ship, in order not to be pursued.
forcing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Followed she might be, and prevented from forcing the blockade, and precisely for this reason had James Playfair sacrificed everything to the speed of his ship, in order not to be pursued.
fortunenounUS /ˈfortune/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading These brave, determined fellows were all, more or less, merchants; they sought a fortune rather than glory; they had no flag to display, no colours to defend with cannon; in fact all the artillery on board consisted of two small swivel signal-guns.
freeadjectiveUS /friː/
acting without enough restraint or discipline
From this reading Soon she passed the limit of British seas; there was not a ship in sight; the great Ocean route was free; besides no ship of the Federal marine would have a right to attack her beneath the English flag.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Followed she might be, and prevented from forcing the blockade, and precisely for this reason had James Playfair sacrificed everything to the speed of his ship, in order not to be pursued.
fulfilled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The “Dolphin” shot bravely across the water, and fulfilled the utmost expectations of both builder and captain.
glory
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These brave, determined fellows were all, more or less, merchants; they sought a fortune rather than glory; they had no flag to display, no colours to defend with cannon; in fact all the artillery on board consisted of two small swivel signal-guns.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The “Dolphin” had a good crew, not fighting men, or boarding sailors, but good working men, and that was all she wanted.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Soon she passed the limit of British seas; there was not a ship in sight; the great Ocean route was free; besides no ship of the Federal marine would have a right to attack her beneath the English flag.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The “Dolphin” had a good crew, not fighting men, or boarding sailors, but good working men, and that was all she wanted.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Soon she passed the limit of British seas; there was not a ship in sight; the great Ocean route was free; besides no ship of the Federal marine would have a right to attack her beneath the English flag.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Soon she passed the limit of British seas; there was not a ship in sight; the great Ocean route was free; besides no ship of the Federal marine would have a right to attack her beneath the English flag.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Followed she might be, and prevented from forcing the blockade, and precisely for this reason had James Playfair sacrificed everything to the speed of his ship, in order not to be pursued.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading These brave, determined fellows were all, more or less, merchants; they sought a fortune rather than glory; they had no flag to display, no colours to defend with cannon; in fact all the artillery on board consisted of two small swivel signal-guns.
James
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Followed she might be, and prevented from forcing the blockade, and precisely for this reason had James Playfair sacrificed everything to the speed of his ship, in order not to be pursued.
less
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These brave, determined fellows were all, more or less, merchants; they sought a fortune rather than glory; they had no flag to display, no colours to defend with cannon; in fact all the artillery on board consisted of two small swivel signal-guns.
limit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Soon she passed the limit of British seas; there was not a ship in sight; the great Ocean route was free; besides no ship of the Federal marine would have a right to attack her beneath the English flag.
marine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Soon she passed the limit of British seas; there was not a ship in sight; the great Ocean route was free; besides no ship of the Federal marine would have a right to attack her beneath the English flag.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The “Dolphin” had a good crew, not fighting men, or boarding sailors, but good working men, and that was all she wanted.
merchants
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These brave, determined fellows were all, more or less, merchants; they sought a fortune rather than glory; they had no flag to display, no colours to defend with cannon; in fact all the artillery on board consisted of two small swivel signal-guns.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Followed she might be, and prevented from forcing the blockade, and precisely for this reason had James Playfair sacrificed everything to the speed of his ship, in order not to be pursued.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These brave, determined fellows were all, more or less, merchants; they sought a fortune rather than glory; they had no flag to display, no colours to defend with cannon; in fact all the artillery on board consisted of two small swivel signal-guns.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading These brave, determined fellows were all, more or less, merchants; they sought a fortune rather than glory; they had no flag to display, no colours to defend with cannon; in fact all the artillery on board consisted of two small swivel signal-guns.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The “Dolphin” had a good crew, not fighting men, or boarding sailors, but good working men, and that was all she wanted.
Ocean
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Soon she passed the limit of British seas; there was not a ship in sight; the great Ocean route was free; besides no ship of the Federal marine would have a right to attack her beneath the English flag.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading These brave, determined fellows were all, more or less, merchants; they sought a fortune rather than glory; they had no flag to display, no colours to defend with cannon; in fact all the artillery on board consisted of two small swivel signal-guns.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading These brave, determined fellows were all, more or less, merchants; they sought a fortune rather than glory; they had no flag to display, no colours to defend with cannon; in fact all the artillery on board consisted of two small swivel signal-guns.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The “Dolphin” had a good crew, not fighting men, or boarding sailors, but good working men, and that was all she wanted.
ordernounUS /order/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Followed she might be, and prevented from forcing the blockade, and precisely for this reason had James Playfair sacrificed everything to the speed of his ship, in order not to be pursued.
passednounUS /passed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Soon she passed the limit of British seas; there was not a ship in sight; the great Ocean route was free; besides no ship of the Federal marine would have a right to attack her beneath the English flag.
Playfair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Followed she might be, and prevented from forcing the blockade, and precisely for this reason had James Playfair sacrificed everything to the speed of his ship, in order not to be pursued.
precisely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Followed she might be, and prevented from forcing the blockade, and precisely for this reason had James Playfair sacrificed everything to the speed of his ship, in order not to be pursued.
prevented
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Followed she might be, and prevented from forcing the blockade, and precisely for this reason had James Playfair sacrificed everything to the speed of his ship, in order not to be pursued.
pursued
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Followed she might be, and prevented from forcing the blockade, and precisely for this reason had James Playfair sacrificed everything to the speed of his ship, in order not to be pursued.
rather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These brave, determined fellows were all, more or less, merchants; they sought a fortune rather than glory; they had no flag to display, no colours to defend with cannon; in fact all the artillery on board consisted of two small swivel signal-guns.
reason
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Followed she might be, and prevented from forcing the blockade, and precisely for this reason had James Playfair sacrificed everything to the speed of his ship, in order not to be pursued.
rightnounUS /right/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Soon she passed the limit of British seas; there was not a ship in sight; the great Ocean route was free; besides no ship of the Federal marine would have a right to attack her beneath the English flag.
route
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Soon she passed the limit of British seas; there was not a ship in sight; the great Ocean route was free; besides no ship of the Federal marine would have a right to attack her beneath the English flag.
sacrificed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Followed she might be, and prevented from forcing the blockade, and precisely for this reason had James Playfair sacrificed everything to the speed of his ship, in order not to be pursued.
sailors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The “Dolphin” had a good crew, not fighting men, or boarding sailors, but good working men, and that was all she wanted.
seas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Soon she passed the limit of British seas; there was not a ship in sight; the great Ocean route was free; besides no ship of the Federal marine would have a right to attack her beneath the English flag.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The “Dolphin” had a good crew, not fighting men, or boarding sailors, but good working men, and that was all she wanted.
shipnounUS /ship/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Soon she passed the limit of British seas; there was not a ship in sight; the great Ocean route was free; besides no ship of the Federal marine would have a right to attack her beneath the English flag.
shot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The “Dolphin” shot bravely across the water, and fulfilled the utmost expectations of both builder and captain.
sight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Soon she passed the limit of British seas; there was not a ship in sight; the great Ocean route was free; besides no ship of the Federal marine would have a right to attack her beneath the English flag.
signal-guns
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These brave, determined fellows were all, more or less, merchants; they sought a fortune rather than glory; they had no flag to display, no colours to defend with cannon; in fact all the artillery on board consisted of two small swivel signal-guns.
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These brave, determined fellows were all, more or less, merchants; they sought a fortune rather than glory; they had no flag to display, no colours to defend with cannon; in fact all the artillery on board consisted of two small swivel signal-guns.
Soon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Soon she passed the limit of British seas; there was not a ship in sight; the great Ocean route was free; besides no ship of the Federal marine would have a right to attack her beneath the English flag.
sought
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These brave, determined fellows were all, more or less, merchants; they sought a fortune rather than glory; they had no flag to display, no colours to defend with cannon; in fact all the artillery on board consisted of two small swivel signal-guns.
speed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Followed she might be, and prevented from forcing the blockade, and precisely for this reason had James Playfair sacrificed everything to the speed of his ship, in order not to be pursued.
swivel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These brave, determined fellows were all, more or less, merchants; they sought a fortune rather than glory; they had no flag to display, no colours to defend with cannon; in fact all the artillery on board consisted of two small swivel signal-guns.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading These brave, determined fellows were all, more or less, merchants; they sought a fortune rather than glory; they had no flag to display, no colours to defend with cannon; in fact all the artillery on board consisted of two small swivel signal-guns.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The “Dolphin” had a good crew, not fighting men, or boarding sailors, but good working men, and that was all she wanted.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The “Dolphin” had a good crew, not fighting men, or boarding sailors, but good working men, and that was all she wanted.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Soon she passed the limit of British seas; there was not a ship in sight; the great Ocean route was free; besides no ship of the Federal marine would have a right to attack her beneath the English flag.
ThesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading These brave, determined fellows were all, more or less, merchants; they sought a fortune rather than glory; they had no flag to display, no colours to defend with cannon; in fact all the artillery on board consisted of two small swivel signal-guns.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading These brave, determined fellows were all, more or less, merchants; they sought a fortune rather than glory; they had no flag to display, no colours to defend with cannon; in fact all the artillery on board consisted of two small swivel signal-guns.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Followed she might be, and prevented from forcing the blockade, and precisely for this reason had James Playfair sacrificed everything to the speed of his ship, in order not to be pursued.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading These brave, determined fellows were all, more or less, merchants; they sought a fortune rather than glory; they had no flag to display, no colours to defend with cannon; in fact all the artillery on board consisted of two small swivel signal-guns.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These brave, determined fellows were all, more or less, merchants; they sought a fortune rather than glory; they had no flag to display, no colours to defend with cannon; in fact all the artillery on board consisted of two small swivel signal-guns.
utmost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The “Dolphin” shot bravely across the water, and fulfilled the utmost expectations of both builder and captain.
wanted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The “Dolphin” had a good crew, not fighting men, or boarding sailors, but good working men, and that was all she wanted.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The “Dolphin” had a good crew, not fighting men, or boarding sailors, but good working men, and that was all she wanted.
water
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The “Dolphin” shot bravely across the water, and fulfilled the utmost expectations of both builder and captain.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading These brave, determined fellows were all, more or less, merchants; they sought a fortune rather than glory; they had no flag to display, no colours to defend with cannon; in fact all the artillery on board consisted of two small swivel signal-guns.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading These brave, determined fellows were all, more or less, merchants; they sought a fortune rather than glory; they had no flag to display, no colours to defend with cannon; in fact all the artillery on board consisted of two small swivel signal-guns.
working
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The “Dolphin” had a good crew, not fighting men, or boarding sailors, but good working men, and that was all she wanted.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Soon she passed the limit of British seas; there was not a ship in sight; the great Ocean route was free; besides no ship of the Federal marine would have a right to attack her beneath the English flag.
