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 He had heard, on the island, certain dark stories of the man; yet he found the captain of the <i>Deborah</i> a good companion, intelligent, reasonably jovial, and courteous enough.
aboard
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From this reading There was peace aboard her; the men were cheerful, and the cabin was quiet.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading Thus far fair weather had followed them from the island; the schooner laid the leagues of ocean behind her and plunged steadfastly along the homeward course.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Thus far fair weather had followed them from the island; the schooner laid the leagues of ocean behind her and plunged steadfastly along the homeward course.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Red Pawl said little, and what speech he held was generally with the men at the wheel, with whom he talked at times in furtive undertones; but if Black Pawl remarked this,--and the Captain’s eyes did not miss much that passed aboard his craft,--he made no sign.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Thus far fair weather had followed them from the island; the schooner laid the leagues of ocean behind her and plunged steadfastly along the homeward course.
Black
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Red Pawl said little, and what speech he held was generally with the men at the wheel, with whom he talked at times in furtive undertones; but if Black Pawl remarked this,--and the Captain’s eyes did not miss much that passed aboard his craft,--he made no sign.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Red Pawl said little, and what speech he held was generally with the men at the wheel, with whom he talked at times in furtive undertones; but if Black Pawl remarked this,--and the Captain’s eyes did not miss much that passed aboard his craft,--he made no sign.
cabin
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From this reading There was peace aboard her; the men were cheerful, and the cabin was quiet.
captainnounUS /ˈcaptain/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He had heard, on the island, certain dark stories of the man; yet he found the captain of the <i>Deborah</i> a good companion, intelligent, reasonably jovial, and courteous enough.
Captain's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Red Pawl said little, and what speech he held was generally with the men at the wheel, with whom he talked at times in furtive undertones; but if Black Pawl remarked this,--and the Captain’s eyes did not miss much that passed aboard his craft,--he made no sign.
certain
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From this reading He had heard, on the island, certain dark stories of the man; yet he found the captain of the <i>Deborah</i> a good companion, intelligent, reasonably jovial, and courteous enough.
cheerful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was peace aboard her; the men were cheerful, and the cabin was quiet.
companion
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From this reading He had heard, on the island, certain dark stories of the man; yet he found the captain of the <i>Deborah</i> a good companion, intelligent, reasonably jovial, and courteous enough.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Thus far fair weather had followed them from the island; the schooner laid the leagues of ocean behind her and plunged steadfastly along the homeward course.
courteous
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From this reading He had heard, on the island, certain dark stories of the man; yet he found the captain of the <i>Deborah</i> a good companion, intelligent, reasonably jovial, and courteous enough.
craftnounUS /kræft/
a boat or ship in this chapter’s sailing situation
From this reading Red Pawl said little, and what speech he held was generally with the men at the wheel, with whom he talked at times in furtive undertones; but if Black Pawl remarked this,--and the Captain’s eyes did not miss much that passed aboard his craft,--he made no sign.
dark
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had heard, on the island, certain dark stories of the man; yet he found the captain of the <i>Deborah</i> a good companion, intelligent, reasonably jovial, and courteous enough.
Deborah
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had heard, on the island, certain dark stories of the man; yet he found the captain of the <i>Deborah</i> a good companion, intelligent, reasonably jovial, and courteous enough.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Red Pawl said little, and what speech he held was generally with the men at the wheel, with whom he talked at times in furtive undertones; but if Black Pawl remarked this,--and the Captain’s eyes did not miss much that passed aboard his craft,--he made no sign.
enough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had heard, on the island, certain dark stories of the man; yet he found the captain of the <i>Deborah</i> a good companion, intelligent, reasonably jovial, and courteous enough.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Red Pawl said little, and what speech he held was generally with the men at the wheel, with whom he talked at times in furtive undertones; but if Black Pawl remarked this,--and the Captain’s eyes did not miss much that passed aboard his craft,--he made no sign.
fairnounUS /fair/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Thus far fair weather had followed them from the island; the schooner laid the leagues of ocean behind her and plunged steadfastly along the homeward course.
far
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thus far fair weather had followed them from the island; the schooner laid the leagues of ocean behind her and plunged steadfastly along the homeward course.
followed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thus far fair weather had followed them from the island; the schooner laid the leagues of ocean behind her and plunged steadfastly along the homeward course.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had heard, on the island, certain dark stories of the man; yet he found the captain of the <i>Deborah</i> a good companion, intelligent, reasonably jovial, and courteous enough.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Thus far fair weather had followed them from the island; the schooner laid the leagues of ocean behind her and plunged steadfastly along the homeward course.
furtive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Red Pawl said little, and what speech he held was generally with the men at the wheel, with whom he talked at times in furtive undertones; but if Black Pawl remarked this,--and the Captain’s eyes did not miss much that passed aboard his craft,--he made no sign.
generally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Red Pawl said little, and what speech he held was generally with the men at the wheel, with whom he talked at times in furtive undertones; but if Black Pawl remarked this,--and the Captain’s eyes did not miss much that passed aboard his craft,--he made no sign.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had heard, on the island, certain dark stories of the man; yet he found the captain of the <i>Deborah</i> a good companion, intelligent, reasonably jovial, and courteous enough.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Thus far fair weather had followed them from the island; the schooner laid the leagues of ocean behind her and plunged steadfastly along the homeward course.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Red Pawl said little, and what speech he held was generally with the men at the wheel, with whom he talked at times in furtive undertones; but if Black Pawl remarked this,--and the Captain’s eyes did not miss much that passed aboard his craft,--he made no sign.
heard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had heard, on the island, certain dark stories of the man; yet he found the captain of the <i>Deborah</i> a good companion, intelligent, reasonably jovial, and courteous enough.
held
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Red Pawl said little, and what speech he held was generally with the men at the wheel, with whom he talked at times in furtive undertones; but if Black Pawl remarked this,--and the Captain’s eyes did not miss much that passed aboard his craft,--he made no sign.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Thus far fair weather had followed them from the island; the schooner laid the leagues of ocean behind her and plunged steadfastly along the homeward course.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Red Pawl said little, and what speech he held was generally with the men at the wheel, with whom he talked at times in furtive undertones; but if Black Pawl remarked this,--and the Captain’s eyes did not miss much that passed aboard his craft,--he made no sign.
homeward
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thus far fair weather had followed them from the island; the schooner laid the leagues of ocean behind her and plunged steadfastly along the homeward course.
ipronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading He had heard, on the island, certain dark stories of the man; yet he found the captain of the <i>Deborah</i> a good companion, intelligent, reasonably jovial, and courteous enough.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Red Pawl said little, and what speech he held was generally with the men at the wheel, with whom he talked at times in furtive undertones; but if Black Pawl remarked this,--and the Captain’s eyes did not miss much that passed aboard his craft,--he made no sign.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Red Pawl said little, and what speech he held was generally with the men at the wheel, with whom he talked at times in furtive undertones; but if Black Pawl remarked this,--and the Captain’s eyes did not miss much that passed aboard his craft,--he made no sign.
intelligent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had heard, on the island, certain dark stories of the man; yet he found the captain of the <i>Deborah</i> a good companion, intelligent, reasonably jovial, and courteous enough.
interested
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The missionary was interested in Black Pawl.
island
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thus far fair weather had followed them from the island; the schooner laid the leagues of ocean behind her and plunged steadfastly along the homeward course.
jovial
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had heard, on the island, certain dark stories of the man; yet he found the captain of the <i>Deborah</i> a good companion, intelligent, reasonably jovial, and courteous enough.
laid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thus far fair weather had followed them from the island; the schooner laid the leagues of ocean behind her and plunged steadfastly along the homeward course.
leagues
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thus far fair weather had followed them from the island; the schooner laid the leagues of ocean behind her and plunged steadfastly along the homeward course.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Red Pawl said little, and what speech he held was generally with the men at the wheel, with whom he talked at times in furtive undertones; but if Black Pawl remarked this,--and the Captain’s eyes did not miss much that passed aboard his craft,--he made no sign.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Red Pawl said little, and what speech he held was generally with the men at the wheel, with whom he talked at times in furtive undertones; but if Black Pawl remarked this,--and the Captain’s eyes did not miss much that passed aboard his craft,--he made no sign.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had heard, on the island, certain dark stories of the man; yet he found the captain of the <i>Deborah</i> a good companion, intelligent, reasonably jovial, and courteous enough.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was peace aboard her; the men were cheerful, and the cabin was quiet.
miss
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Red Pawl said little, and what speech he held was generally with the men at the wheel, with whom he talked at times in furtive undertones; but if Black Pawl remarked this,--and the Captain’s eyes did not miss much that passed aboard his craft,--he made no sign.
missionary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The missionary was interested in Black Pawl.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Red Pawl said little, and what speech he held was generally with the men at the wheel, with whom he talked at times in furtive undertones; but if Black Pawl remarked this,--and the Captain’s eyes did not miss much that passed aboard his craft,--he made no sign.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Red Pawl said little, and what speech he held was generally with the men at the wheel, with whom he talked at times in furtive undertones; but if Black Pawl remarked this,--and the Captain’s eyes did not miss much that passed aboard his craft,--he made no sign.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Red Pawl said little, and what speech he held was generally with the men at the wheel, with whom he talked at times in furtive undertones; but if Black Pawl remarked this,--and the Captain’s eyes did not miss much that passed aboard his craft,--he made no sign.
ocean
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thus far fair weather had followed them from the island; the schooner laid the leagues of ocean behind her and plunged steadfastly along the homeward course.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Thus far fair weather had followed them from the island; the schooner laid the leagues of ocean behind her and plunged steadfastly along the homeward course.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading He had heard, on the island, certain dark stories of the man; yet he found the captain of the <i>Deborah</i> a good companion, intelligent, reasonably jovial, and courteous enough.
passednounUS /passed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Red Pawl said little, and what speech he held was generally with the men at the wheel, with whom he talked at times in furtive undertones; but if Black Pawl remarked this,--and the Captain’s eyes did not miss much that passed aboard his craft,--he made no sign.
Pawl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Red Pawl said little, and what speech he held was generally with the men at the wheel, with whom he talked at times in furtive undertones; but if Black Pawl remarked this,--and the Captain’s eyes did not miss much that passed aboard his craft,--he made no sign.
peace
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was peace aboard her; the men were cheerful, and the cabin was quiet.
plunged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thus far fair weather had followed them from the island; the schooner laid the leagues of ocean behind her and plunged steadfastly along the homeward course.
quiet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was peace aboard her; the men were cheerful, and the cabin was quiet.
reasonably
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had heard, on the island, certain dark stories of the man; yet he found the captain of the <i>Deborah</i> a good companion, intelligent, reasonably jovial, and courteous enough.
Red
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Red Pawl said little, and what speech he held was generally with the men at the wheel, with whom he talked at times in furtive undertones; but if Black Pawl remarked this,--and the Captain’s eyes did not miss much that passed aboard his craft,--he made no sign.
remarked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Red Pawl said little, and what speech he held was generally with the men at the wheel, with whom he talked at times in furtive undertones; but if Black Pawl remarked this,--and the Captain’s eyes did not miss much that passed aboard his craft,--he made no sign.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Red Pawl said little, and what speech he held was generally with the men at the wheel, with whom he talked at times in furtive undertones; but if Black Pawl remarked this,--and the Captain’s eyes did not miss much that passed aboard his craft,--he made no sign.
schoonernounUS /ˈskuːnər/
a sailing ship with two or more masts
From this reading Thus far fair weather had followed them from the island; the schooner laid the leagues of ocean behind her and plunged steadfastly along the homeward course.
sign
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Red Pawl said little, and what speech he held was generally with the men at the wheel, with whom he talked at times in furtive undertones; but if Black Pawl remarked this,--and the Captain’s eyes did not miss much that passed aboard his craft,--he made no sign.
speech
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Red Pawl said little, and what speech he held was generally with the men at the wheel, with whom he talked at times in furtive undertones; but if Black Pawl remarked this,--and the Captain’s eyes did not miss much that passed aboard his craft,--he made no sign.
steadfastly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thus far fair weather had followed them from the island; the schooner laid the leagues of ocean behind her and plunged steadfastly along the homeward course.
stories
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had heard, on the island, certain dark stories of the man; yet he found the captain of the <i>Deborah</i> a good companion, intelligent, reasonably jovial, and courteous enough.
talked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Red Pawl said little, and what speech he held was generally with the men at the wheel, with whom he talked at times in furtive undertones; but if Black Pawl remarked this,--and the Captain’s eyes did not miss much that passed aboard his craft,--he made no sign.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Red Pawl said little, and what speech he held was generally with the men at the wheel, with whom he talked at times in furtive undertones; but if Black Pawl remarked this,--and the Captain’s eyes did not miss much that passed aboard his craft,--he made no sign.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Thus far fair weather had followed them from the island; the schooner laid the leagues of ocean behind her and plunged steadfastly along the homeward course.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Thus far fair weather had followed them from the island; the schooner laid the leagues of ocean behind her and plunged steadfastly along the homeward course.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was peace aboard her; the men were cheerful, and the cabin was quiet.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Red Pawl said little, and what speech he held was generally with the men at the wheel, with whom he talked at times in furtive undertones; but if Black Pawl remarked this,--and the Captain’s eyes did not miss much that passed aboard his craft,--he made no sign.
Thus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thus far fair weather had followed them from the island; the schooner laid the leagues of ocean behind her and plunged steadfastly along the homeward course.
times
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Red Pawl said little, and what speech he held was generally with the men at the wheel, with whom he talked at times in furtive undertones; but if Black Pawl remarked this,--and the Captain’s eyes did not miss much that passed aboard his craft,--he made no sign.
undertones
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Red Pawl said little, and what speech he held was generally with the men at the wheel, with whom he talked at times in furtive undertones; but if Black Pawl remarked this,--and the Captain’s eyes did not miss much that passed aboard his craft,--he made no sign.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There was peace aboard her; the men were cheerful, and the cabin was quiet.
weather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thus far fair weather had followed them from the island; the schooner laid the leagues of ocean behind her and plunged steadfastly along the homeward course.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There was peace aboard her; the men were cheerful, and the cabin was quiet.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Red Pawl said little, and what speech he held was generally with the men at the wheel, with whom he talked at times in furtive undertones; but if Black Pawl remarked this,--and the Captain’s eyes did not miss much that passed aboard his craft,--he made no sign.
wheel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Red Pawl said little, and what speech he held was generally with the men at the wheel, with whom he talked at times in furtive undertones; but if Black Pawl remarked this,--and the Captain’s eyes did not miss much that passed aboard his craft,--he made no sign.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Red Pawl said little, and what speech he held was generally with the men at the wheel, with whom he talked at times in furtive undertones; but if Black Pawl remarked this,--and the Captain’s eyes did not miss much that passed aboard his craft,--he made no sign.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Red Pawl said little, and what speech he held was generally with the men at the wheel, with whom he talked at times in furtive undertones; but if Black Pawl remarked this,--and the Captain’s eyes did not miss much that passed aboard his craft,--he made no sign.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading He had heard, on the island, certain dark stories of the man; yet he found the captain of the <i>Deborah</i> a good companion, intelligent, reasonably jovial, and courteous enough.
