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 It is inscribed to these gentlemen because while they lack the gift of self-advertisement, they have contrived, in spite of the trials and exasperations of a seafaring existence, to engage the respect and affections of their lieutenants.
achieved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This book is inscribed to those commanders under whom the author has had the honour to serve, who have achieved firmness without asperity, tact and sympathy without interference, and appreciation without fuss.
actual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is not founded upon fact, nor are the characters herein described portraits of actual persons.
affections
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is inscribed to these gentlemen because while they lack the gift of self-advertisement, they have contrived, in spite of the trials and exasperations of a seafaring existence, to engage the respect and affections of their lieutenants.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading This tale is an original invention.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading This book is inscribed to those commanders under whom the author has had the honour to serve, who have achieved firmness without asperity, tact and sympathy without interference, and appreciation without fuss.
appreciation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This book is inscribed to those commanders under whom the author has had the honour to serve, who have achieved firmness without asperity, tact and sympathy without interference, and appreciation without fuss.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It is not founded upon fact, nor are the characters herein described portraits of actual persons.
asperity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This book is inscribed to those commanders under whom the author has had the honour to serve, who have achieved firmness without asperity, tact and sympathy without interference, and appreciation without fuss.
author
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This book is inscribed to those commanders under whom the author has had the honour to serve, who have achieved firmness without asperity, tact and sympathy without interference, and appreciation without fuss.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading It is inscribed to these gentlemen because while they lack the gift of self-advertisement, they have contrived, in spite of the trials and exasperations of a seafaring existence, to engage the respect and affections of their lieutenants.
book
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This book is inscribed to those commanders under whom the author has had the honour to serve, who have achieved firmness without asperity, tact and sympathy without interference, and appreciation without fuss.
characters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is not founded upon fact, nor are the characters herein described portraits of actual persons.
commanders
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This book is inscribed to those commanders under whom the author has had the honour to serve, who have achieved firmness without asperity, tact and sympathy without interference, and appreciation without fuss.
contrived
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is inscribed to these gentlemen because while they lack the gift of self-advertisement, they have contrived, in spite of the trials and exasperations of a seafaring existence, to engage the respect and affections of their lieutenants.
described
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is not founded upon fact, nor are the characters herein described portraits of actual persons.
engage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is inscribed to these gentlemen because while they lack the gift of self-advertisement, they have contrived, in spite of the trials and exasperations of a seafaring existence, to engage the respect and affections of their lieutenants.
exasperations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is inscribed to these gentlemen because while they lack the gift of self-advertisement, they have contrived, in spite of the trials and exasperations of a seafaring existence, to engage the respect and affections of their lieutenants.
existence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is inscribed to these gentlemen because while they lack the gift of self-advertisement, they have contrived, in spite of the trials and exasperations of a seafaring existence, to engage the respect and affections of their lieutenants.
fact
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is not founded upon fact, nor are the characters herein described portraits of actual persons.
firmness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This book is inscribed to those commanders under whom the author has had the honour to serve, who have achieved firmness without asperity, tact and sympathy without interference, and appreciation without fuss.
founded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is not founded upon fact, nor are the characters herein described portraits of actual persons.
fuss
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This book is inscribed to those commanders under whom the author has had the honour to serve, who have achieved firmness without asperity, tact and sympathy without interference, and appreciation without fuss.
gentlemennounUS /gentlemen/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It is inscribed to these gentlemen because while they lack the gift of self-advertisement, they have contrived, in spite of the trials and exasperations of a seafaring existence, to engage the respect and affections of their lieutenants.
gift
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is inscribed to these gentlemen because while they lack the gift of self-advertisement, they have contrived, in spite of the trials and exasperations of a seafaring existence, to engage the respect and affections of their lieutenants.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading This book is inscribed to those commanders under whom the author has had the honour to serve, who have achieved firmness without asperity, tact and sympathy without interference, and appreciation without fuss.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This book is inscribed to those commanders under whom the author has had the honour to serve, who have achieved firmness without asperity, tact and sympathy without interference, and appreciation without fuss.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading This book is inscribed to those commanders under whom the author has had the honour to serve, who have achieved firmness without asperity, tact and sympathy without interference, and appreciation without fuss.
herein
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is not founded upon fact, nor are the characters herein described portraits of actual persons.
honour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This book is inscribed to those commanders under whom the author has had the honour to serve, who have achieved firmness without asperity, tact and sympathy without interference, and appreciation without fuss.
imaginary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The incidents and topography are imaginary.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It is inscribed to these gentlemen because while they lack the gift of self-advertisement, they have contrived, in spite of the trials and exasperations of a seafaring existence, to engage the respect and affections of their lieutenants.
incidents
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The incidents and topography are imaginary.
inscribed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This book is inscribed to those commanders under whom the author has had the honour to serve, who have achieved firmness without asperity, tact and sympathy without interference, and appreciation without fuss.
interference
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This book is inscribed to those commanders under whom the author has had the honour to serve, who have achieved firmness without asperity, tact and sympathy without interference, and appreciation without fuss.
invention
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This tale is an original invention.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This book is inscribed to those commanders under whom the author has had the honour to serve, who have achieved firmness without asperity, tact and sympathy without interference, and appreciation without fuss.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It is inscribed to these gentlemen because while they lack the gift of self-advertisement, they have contrived, in spite of the trials and exasperations of a seafaring existence, to engage the respect and affections of their lieutenants.
lack
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is inscribed to these gentlemen because while they lack the gift of self-advertisement, they have contrived, in spite of the trials and exasperations of a seafaring existence, to engage the respect and affections of their lieutenants.
lieutenants
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is inscribed to these gentlemen because while they lack the gift of self-advertisement, they have contrived, in spite of the trials and exasperations of a seafaring existence, to engage the respect and affections of their lieutenants.
norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading It is not founded upon fact, nor are the characters herein described portraits of actual persons.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It is not founded upon fact, nor are the characters herein described portraits of actual persons.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It is inscribed to these gentlemen because while they lack the gift of self-advertisement, they have contrived, in spite of the trials and exasperations of a seafaring existence, to engage the respect and affections of their lieutenants.
original
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This tale is an original invention.
persons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is not founded upon fact, nor are the characters herein described portraits of actual persons.
portraits
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is not founded upon fact, nor are the characters herein described portraits of actual persons.
respect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is inscribed to these gentlemen because while they lack the gift of self-advertisement, they have contrived, in spite of the trials and exasperations of a seafaring existence, to engage the respect and affections of their lieutenants.
seafaringadjectiveUS /ˈsiːferɪŋ/
connected with travelling or working at sea
From this reading It is inscribed to these gentlemen because while they lack the gift of self-advertisement, they have contrived, in spite of the trials and exasperations of a seafaring existence, to engage the respect and affections of their lieutenants.
self-advertisement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is inscribed to these gentlemen because while they lack the gift of self-advertisement, they have contrived, in spite of the trials and exasperations of a seafaring existence, to engage the respect and affections of their lieutenants.
serve
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This book is inscribed to those commanders under whom the author has had the honour to serve, who have achieved firmness without asperity, tact and sympathy without interference, and appreciation without fuss.
spite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is inscribed to these gentlemen because while they lack the gift of self-advertisement, they have contrived, in spite of the trials and exasperations of a seafaring existence, to engage the respect and affections of their lieutenants.
sympathy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This book is inscribed to those commanders under whom the author has had the honour to serve, who have achieved firmness without asperity, tact and sympathy without interference, and appreciation without fuss.
tact
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This book is inscribed to those commanders under whom the author has had the honour to serve, who have achieved firmness without asperity, tact and sympathy without interference, and appreciation without fuss.
tale
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This tale is an original invention.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading This book is inscribed to those commanders under whom the author has had the honour to serve, who have achieved firmness without asperity, tact and sympathy without interference, and appreciation without fuss.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading It is inscribed to these gentlemen because while they lack the gift of self-advertisement, they have contrived, in spite of the trials and exasperations of a seafaring existence, to engage the respect and affections of their lieutenants.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading It is inscribed to these gentlemen because while they lack the gift of self-advertisement, they have contrived, in spite of the trials and exasperations of a seafaring existence, to engage the respect and affections of their lieutenants.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It is inscribed to these gentlemen because while they lack the gift of self-advertisement, they have contrived, in spite of the trials and exasperations of a seafaring existence, to engage the respect and affections of their lieutenants.
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This book is inscribed to those commanders under whom the author has had the honour to serve, who have achieved firmness without asperity, tact and sympathy without interference, and appreciation without fuss.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading This book is inscribed to those commanders under whom the author has had the honour to serve, who have achieved firmness without asperity, tact and sympathy without interference, and appreciation without fuss.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading This book is inscribed to those commanders under whom the author has had the honour to serve, who have achieved firmness without asperity, tact and sympathy without interference, and appreciation without fuss.
topography
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The incidents and topography are imaginary.
trials
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It is inscribed to these gentlemen because while they lack the gift of self-advertisement, they have contrived, in spite of the trials and exasperations of a seafaring existence, to engage the respect and affections of their lieutenants.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading This book is inscribed to those commanders under whom the author has had the honour to serve, who have achieved firmness without asperity, tact and sympathy without interference, and appreciation without fuss.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading It is not founded upon fact, nor are the characters herein described portraits of actual persons.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading It is inscribed to these gentlemen because while they lack the gift of self-advertisement, they have contrived, in spite of the trials and exasperations of a seafaring existence, to engage the respect and affections of their lieutenants.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading This book is inscribed to those commanders under whom the author has had the honour to serve, who have achieved firmness without asperity, tact and sympathy without interference, and appreciation without fuss.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading This book is inscribed to those commanders under whom the author has had the honour to serve, who have achieved firmness without asperity, tact and sympathy without interference, and appreciation without fuss.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading This book is inscribed to those commanders under whom the author has had the honour to serve, who have achieved firmness without asperity, tact and sympathy without interference, and appreciation without fuss.
