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 fires in the pitch-pans and the torches on the shore sometimes seemed on the point of being extinguished, at others burst with a doubly brilliant blaze through the smoke which obscured them.
abundance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The water, usually so placid, rose in high waves, and the beacon on the lighthouse of Sastratus sent the rent abundance of its flames with hostile impetuosity towards the city.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading The tempest swept howling from the north across the island of Pharos, and the shallows of Diabathra in the great harbour of Alexandria.
Alexandria
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tempest swept howling from the north across the island of Pharos, and the shallows of Diabathra in the great harbour of Alexandria.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading The royal harbour, a fine basin which surrounded in the form of a semicircle the southern part of the Lochias and a portion of the northern shore of the Bruchium, was brightly illuminated every night; but this evening there seemed to be an unusual movement among the lights on its western shore, the private anchorage of the royal fleet.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The royal harbour, a fine basin which surrounded in the form of a semicircle the southern part of the Lochias and a portion of the northern shore of the Bruchium, was brightly illuminated every night; but this evening there seemed to be an unusual movement among the lights on its western shore, the private anchorage of the royal fleet.
anchoragenounUS /ˈæŋkərɪdʒ/
a place where a ship can anchor
From this reading The royal harbour, a fine basin which surrounded in the form of a semicircle the southern part of the Lochias and a portion of the northern shore of the Bruchium, was brightly illuminated every night; but this evening there seemed to be an unusual movement among the lights on its western shore, the private anchorage of the royal fleet.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The tempest swept howling from the north across the island of Pharos, and the shallows of Diabathra in the great harbour of Alexandria.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The fires in the pitch-pans and the torches on the shore sometimes seemed on the point of being extinguished, at others burst with a doubly brilliant blaze through the smoke which obscured them.
basin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The royal harbour, a fine basin which surrounded in the form of a semicircle the southern part of the Lochias and a portion of the northern shore of the Bruchium, was brightly illuminated every night; but this evening there seemed to be an unusual movement among the lights on its western shore, the private anchorage of the royal fleet.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The royal harbour, a fine basin which surrounded in the form of a semicircle the southern part of the Lochias and a portion of the northern shore of the Bruchium, was brightly illuminated every night; but this evening there seemed to be an unusual movement among the lights on its western shore, the private anchorage of the royal fleet.
beacon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The water, usually so placid, rose in high waves, and the beacon on the lighthouse of Sastratus sent the rent abundance of its flames with hostile impetuosity towards the city.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading The fires in the pitch-pans and the torches on the shore sometimes seemed on the point of being extinguished, at others burst with a doubly brilliant blaze through the smoke which obscured them.
blaze
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fires in the pitch-pans and the torches on the shore sometimes seemed on the point of being extinguished, at others burst with a doubly brilliant blaze through the smoke which obscured them.
brightly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The royal harbour, a fine basin which surrounded in the form of a semicircle the southern part of the Lochias and a portion of the northern shore of the Bruchium, was brightly illuminated every night; but this evening there seemed to be an unusual movement among the lights on its western shore, the private anchorage of the royal fleet.
brilliant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fires in the pitch-pans and the torches on the shore sometimes seemed on the point of being extinguished, at others burst with a doubly brilliant blaze through the smoke which obscured them.
Bruchium
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The royal harbour, a fine basin which surrounded in the form of a semicircle the southern part of the Lochias and a portion of the northern shore of the Bruchium, was brightly illuminated every night; but this evening there seemed to be an unusual movement among the lights on its western shore, the private anchorage of the royal fleet.
burst
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fires in the pitch-pans and the torches on the shore sometimes seemed on the point of being extinguished, at others burst with a doubly brilliant blaze through the smoke which obscured them.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The royal harbour, a fine basin which surrounded in the form of a semicircle the southern part of the Lochias and a portion of the northern shore of the Bruchium, was brightly illuminated every night; but this evening there seemed to be an unusual movement among the lights on its western shore, the private anchorage of the royal fleet.
city
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The water, usually so placid, rose in high waves, and the beacon on the lighthouse of Sastratus sent the rent abundance of its flames with hostile impetuosity towards the city.
Diabathra
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tempest swept howling from the north across the island of Pharos, and the shallows of Diabathra in the great harbour of Alexandria.
doubly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fires in the pitch-pans and the torches on the shore sometimes seemed on the point of being extinguished, at others burst with a doubly brilliant blaze through the smoke which obscured them.
evening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The royal harbour, a fine basin which surrounded in the form of a semicircle the southern part of the Lochias and a portion of the northern shore of the Bruchium, was brightly illuminated every night; but this evening there seemed to be an unusual movement among the lights on its western shore, the private anchorage of the royal fleet.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading The royal harbour, a fine basin which surrounded in the form of a semicircle the southern part of the Lochias and a portion of the northern shore of the Bruchium, was brightly illuminated every night; but this evening there seemed to be an unusual movement among the lights on its western shore, the private anchorage of the royal fleet.
extinguished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fires in the pitch-pans and the torches on the shore sometimes seemed on the point of being extinguished, at others burst with a doubly brilliant blaze through the smoke which obscured them.
finenounUS /fine/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The royal harbour, a fine basin which surrounded in the form of a semicircle the southern part of the Lochias and a portion of the northern shore of the Bruchium, was brightly illuminated every night; but this evening there seemed to be an unusual movement among the lights on its western shore, the private anchorage of the royal fleet.
fires
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fires in the pitch-pans and the torches on the shore sometimes seemed on the point of being extinguished, at others burst with a doubly brilliant blaze through the smoke which obscured them.
flames
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The water, usually so placid, rose in high waves, and the beacon on the lighthouse of Sastratus sent the rent abundance of its flames with hostile impetuosity towards the city.
fleet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The royal harbour, a fine basin which surrounded in the form of a semicircle the southern part of the Lochias and a portion of the northern shore of the Bruchium, was brightly illuminated every night; but this evening there seemed to be an unusual movement among the lights on its western shore, the private anchorage of the royal fleet.
form
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The royal harbour, a fine basin which surrounded in the form of a semicircle the southern part of the Lochias and a portion of the northern shore of the Bruchium, was brightly illuminated every night; but this evening there seemed to be an unusual movement among the lights on its western shore, the private anchorage of the royal fleet.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The tempest swept howling from the north across the island of Pharos, and the shallows of Diabathra in the great harbour of Alexandria.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The tempest swept howling from the north across the island of Pharos, and the shallows of Diabathra in the great harbour of Alexandria.
harbour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tempest swept howling from the north across the island of Pharos, and the shallows of Diabathra in the great harbour of Alexandria.
high
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The water, usually so placid, rose in high waves, and the beacon on the lighthouse of Sastratus sent the rent abundance of its flames with hostile impetuosity towards the city.
hostile
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The water, usually so placid, rose in high waves, and the beacon on the lighthouse of Sastratus sent the rent abundance of its flames with hostile impetuosity towards the city.
howling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tempest swept howling from the north across the island of Pharos, and the shallows of Diabathra in the great harbour of Alexandria.
illuminated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The royal harbour, a fine basin which surrounded in the form of a semicircle the southern part of the Lochias and a portion of the northern shore of the Bruchium, was brightly illuminated every night; but this evening there seemed to be an unusual movement among the lights on its western shore, the private anchorage of the royal fleet.
impetuosity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The water, usually so placid, rose in high waves, and the beacon on the lighthouse of Sastratus sent the rent abundance of its flames with hostile impetuosity towards the city.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The tempest swept howling from the north across the island of Pharos, and the shallows of Diabathra in the great harbour of Alexandria.
island
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tempest swept howling from the north across the island of Pharos, and the shallows of Diabathra in the great harbour of Alexandria.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Was it the storm that stirred them?
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The water, usually so placid, rose in high waves, and the beacon on the lighthouse of Sastratus sent the rent abundance of its flames with hostile impetuosity towards the city.
lighthouse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The water, usually so placid, rose in high waves, and the beacon on the lighthouse of Sastratus sent the rent abundance of its flames with hostile impetuosity towards the city.
lights
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The royal harbour, a fine basin which surrounded in the form of a semicircle the southern part of the Lochias and a portion of the northern shore of the Bruchium, was brightly illuminated every night; but this evening there seemed to be an unusual movement among the lights on its western shore, the private anchorage of the royal fleet.
Lochias
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The royal harbour, a fine basin which surrounded in the form of a semicircle the southern part of the Lochias and a portion of the northern shore of the Bruchium, was brightly illuminated every night; but this evening there seemed to be an unusual movement among the lights on its western shore, the private anchorage of the royal fleet.
movement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The royal harbour, a fine basin which surrounded in the form of a semicircle the southern part of the Lochias and a portion of the northern shore of the Bruchium, was brightly illuminated every night; but this evening there seemed to be an unusual movement among the lights on its western shore, the private anchorage of the royal fleet.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The royal harbour, a fine basin which surrounded in the form of a semicircle the southern part of the Lochias and a portion of the northern shore of the Bruchium, was brightly illuminated every night; but this evening there seemed to be an unusual movement among the lights on its western shore, the private anchorage of the royal fleet.
north
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tempest swept howling from the north across the island of Pharos, and the shallows of Diabathra in the great harbour of Alexandria.
northern
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The royal harbour, a fine basin which surrounded in the form of a semicircle the southern part of the Lochias and a portion of the northern shore of the Bruchium, was brightly illuminated every night; but this evening there seemed to be an unusual movement among the lights on its western shore, the private anchorage of the royal fleet.
obscured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fires in the pitch-pans and the torches on the shore sometimes seemed on the point of being extinguished, at others burst with a doubly brilliant blaze through the smoke which obscured them.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The tempest swept howling from the north across the island of Pharos, and the shallows of Diabathra in the great harbour of Alexandria.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The water, usually so placid, rose in high waves, and the beacon on the lighthouse of Sastratus sent the rent abundance of its flames with hostile impetuosity towards the city.
others
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fires in the pitch-pans and the torches on the shore sometimes seemed on the point of being extinguished, at others burst with a doubly brilliant blaze through the smoke which obscured them.
partnounUS /part/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The royal harbour, a fine basin which surrounded in the form of a semicircle the southern part of the Lochias and a portion of the northern shore of the Bruchium, was brightly illuminated every night; but this evening there seemed to be an unusual movement among the lights on its western shore, the private anchorage of the royal fleet.
Pharos
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tempest swept howling from the north across the island of Pharos, and the shallows of Diabathra in the great harbour of Alexandria.
pitch-pans
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fires in the pitch-pans and the torches on the shore sometimes seemed on the point of being extinguished, at others burst with a doubly brilliant blaze through the smoke which obscured them.
placid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The water, usually so placid, rose in high waves, and the beacon on the lighthouse of Sastratus sent the rent abundance of its flames with hostile impetuosity towards the city.
pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/
the main matter or purpose being discussed
From this reading The fires in the pitch-pans and the torches on the shore sometimes seemed on the point of being extinguished, at others burst with a doubly brilliant blaze through the smoke which obscured them.
portion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The royal harbour, a fine basin which surrounded in the form of a semicircle the southern part of the Lochias and a portion of the northern shore of the Bruchium, was brightly illuminated every night; but this evening there seemed to be an unusual movement among the lights on its western shore, the private anchorage of the royal fleet.
private
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The royal harbour, a fine basin which surrounded in the form of a semicircle the southern part of the Lochias and a portion of the northern shore of the Bruchium, was brightly illuminated every night; but this evening there seemed to be an unusual movement among the lights on its western shore, the private anchorage of the royal fleet.
rent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The water, usually so placid, rose in high waves, and the beacon on the lighthouse of Sastratus sent the rent abundance of its flames with hostile impetuosity towards the city.
rose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The water, usually so placid, rose in high waves, and the beacon on the lighthouse of Sastratus sent the rent abundance of its flames with hostile impetuosity towards the city.
royal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The royal harbour, a fine basin which surrounded in the form of a semicircle the southern part of the Lochias and a portion of the northern shore of the Bruchium, was brightly illuminated every night; but this evening there seemed to be an unusual movement among the lights on its western shore, the private anchorage of the royal fleet.
Sastratus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The water, usually so placid, rose in high waves, and the beacon on the lighthouse of Sastratus sent the rent abundance of its flames with hostile impetuosity towards the city.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The fires in the pitch-pans and the torches on the shore sometimes seemed on the point of being extinguished, at others burst with a doubly brilliant blaze through the smoke which obscured them.
semicircle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The royal harbour, a fine basin which surrounded in the form of a semicircle the southern part of the Lochias and a portion of the northern shore of the Bruchium, was brightly illuminated every night; but this evening there seemed to be an unusual movement among the lights on its western shore, the private anchorage of the royal fleet.
sent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The water, usually so placid, rose in high waves, and the beacon on the lighthouse of Sastratus sent the rent abundance of its flames with hostile impetuosity towards the city.
shallows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tempest swept howling from the north across the island of Pharos, and the shallows of Diabathra in the great harbour of Alexandria.
shore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fires in the pitch-pans and the torches on the shore sometimes seemed on the point of being extinguished, at others burst with a doubly brilliant blaze through the smoke which obscured them.
smoke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fires in the pitch-pans and the torches on the shore sometimes seemed on the point of being extinguished, at others burst with a doubly brilliant blaze through the smoke which obscured them.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The water, usually so placid, rose in high waves, and the beacon on the lighthouse of Sastratus sent the rent abundance of its flames with hostile impetuosity towards the city.
sometimes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fires in the pitch-pans and the torches on the shore sometimes seemed on the point of being extinguished, at others burst with a doubly brilliant blaze through the smoke which obscured them.
southern
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The royal harbour, a fine basin which surrounded in the form of a semicircle the southern part of the Lochias and a portion of the northern shore of the Bruchium, was brightly illuminated every night; but this evening there seemed to be an unusual movement among the lights on its western shore, the private anchorage of the royal fleet.
stirred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Was it the storm that stirred them?
storm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Was it the storm that stirred them?
surrounded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The royal harbour, a fine basin which surrounded in the form of a semicircle the southern part of the Lochias and a portion of the northern shore of the Bruchium, was brightly illuminated every night; but this evening there seemed to be an unusual movement among the lights on its western shore, the private anchorage of the royal fleet.
swept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tempest swept howling from the north across the island of Pharos, and the shallows of Diabathra in the great harbour of Alexandria.
tempest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tempest swept howling from the north across the island of Pharos, and the shallows of Diabathra in the great harbour of Alexandria.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Was it the storm that stirred them?
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The tempest swept howling from the north across the island of Pharos, and the shallows of Diabathra in the great harbour of Alexandria.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The fires in the pitch-pans and the torches on the shore sometimes seemed on the point of being extinguished, at others burst with a doubly brilliant blaze through the smoke which obscured them.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The royal harbour, a fine basin which surrounded in the form of a semicircle the southern part of the Lochias and a portion of the northern shore of the Bruchium, was brightly illuminated every night; but this evening there seemed to be an unusual movement among the lights on its western shore, the private anchorage of the royal fleet.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The royal harbour, a fine basin which surrounded in the form of a semicircle the southern part of the Lochias and a portion of the northern shore of the Bruchium, was brightly illuminated every night; but this evening there seemed to be an unusual movement among the lights on its western shore, the private anchorage of the royal fleet.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The fires in the pitch-pans and the torches on the shore sometimes seemed on the point of being extinguished, at others burst with a doubly brilliant blaze through the smoke which obscured them.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The royal harbour, a fine basin which surrounded in the form of a semicircle the southern part of the Lochias and a portion of the northern shore of the Bruchium, was brightly illuminated every night; but this evening there seemed to be an unusual movement among the lights on its western shore, the private anchorage of the royal fleet.
torches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The fires in the pitch-pans and the torches on the shore sometimes seemed on the point of being extinguished, at others burst with a doubly brilliant blaze through the smoke which obscured them.
towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/
in the direction of
From this reading The water, usually so placid, rose in high waves, and the beacon on the lighthouse of Sastratus sent the rent abundance of its flames with hostile impetuosity towards the city.
unusual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The royal harbour, a fine basin which surrounded in the form of a semicircle the southern part of the Lochias and a portion of the northern shore of the Bruchium, was brightly illuminated every night; but this evening there seemed to be an unusual movement among the lights on its western shore, the private anchorage of the royal fleet.
usually
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The water, usually so placid, rose in high waves, and the beacon on the lighthouse of Sastratus sent the rent abundance of its flames with hostile impetuosity towards the city.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The royal harbour, a fine basin which surrounded in the form of a semicircle the southern part of the Lochias and a portion of the northern shore of the Bruchium, was brightly illuminated every night; but this evening there seemed to be an unusual movement among the lights on its western shore, the private anchorage of the royal fleet.
water
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The water, usually so placid, rose in high waves, and the beacon on the lighthouse of Sastratus sent the rent abundance of its flames with hostile impetuosity towards the city.
waves
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The water, usually so placid, rose in high waves, and the beacon on the lighthouse of Sastratus sent the rent abundance of its flames with hostile impetuosity towards the city.
western
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The royal harbour, a fine basin which surrounded in the form of a semicircle the southern part of the Lochias and a portion of the northern shore of the Bruchium, was brightly illuminated every night; but this evening there seemed to be an unusual movement among the lights on its western shore, the private anchorage of the royal fleet.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The fires in the pitch-pans and the torches on the shore sometimes seemed on the point of being extinguished, at others burst with a doubly brilliant blaze through the smoke which obscured them.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The water, usually so placid, rose in high waves, and the beacon on the lighthouse of Sastratus sent the rent abundance of its flames with hostile impetuosity towards the city.
