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 Mr. Spokesly sat at a little distance from the large table in the Transport Office and listened to the gentleman with four rings of gold lace on his sleeve.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Mr. Spokesly sat at a little distance from the large table in the Transport Office and listened to the gentleman with four rings of gold lace on his sleeve.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Mr. Spokesly sat at a little distance from the large table in the Transport Office and listened to the gentleman with four rings of gold lace on his sleeve.
Basra
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was explaining that they needed a third mate for a ship going to Basra and Mr. Spokesly would just do for the job if he would waive his right to a passage home and go to Port Said instead.
beard
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From this reading The transport officer was a naval captain; with a beard, a brisk decisive manner, and a very foul briar pipe.
briar
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From this reading The transport officer was a naval captain; with a beard, a brisk decisive manner, and a very foul briar pipe.
briskadjectiveUS /brɪsk/
energetic and quick
From this reading The transport officer was a naval captain; with a beard, a brisk decisive manner, and a very foul briar pipe.
building
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a lofty and desolate place in the yellow stucco building opposite the dock entrance.
captainnounUS /ˈcaptain/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The transport officer was a naval captain; with a beard, a brisk decisive manner, and a very foul briar pipe.
decisive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The transport officer was a naval captain; with a beard, a brisk decisive manner, and a very foul briar pipe.
decorated
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From this reading It was at this point that Mr. Spokesly, rather shaky still from his immersion and extensively decorated with pieces of plaster, took a hand.
desolate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a lofty and desolate place in the yellow stucco building opposite the dock entrance.
distance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Spokesly sat at a little distance from the large table in the Transport Office and listened to the gentleman with four rings of gold lace on his sleeve.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading He was explaining that they needed a third mate for a ship going to Basra and Mr. Spokesly would just do for the job if he would waive his right to a passage home and go to Port Said instead.
dock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a lofty and desolate place in the yellow stucco building opposite the dock entrance.
entrance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a lofty and desolate place in the yellow stucco building opposite the dock entrance.
explaining
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was explaining that they needed a third mate for a ship going to Basra and Mr. Spokesly would just do for the job if he would waive his right to a passage home and go to Port Said instead.
extensively
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was at this point that Mr. Spokesly, rather shaky still from his immersion and extensively decorated with pieces of plaster, took a hand.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He was explaining that they needed a third mate for a ship going to Basra and Mr. Spokesly would just do for the job if he would waive his right to a passage home and go to Port Said instead.
foul
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The transport officer was a naval captain; with a beard, a brisk decisive manner, and a very foul briar pipe.
four
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Spokesly sat at a little distance from the large table in the Transport Office and listened to the gentleman with four rings of gold lace on his sleeve.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Mr. Spokesly sat at a little distance from the large table in the Transport Office and listened to the gentleman with four rings of gold lace on his sleeve.
gentlemannounUS /ˈgentleman/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Mr. Spokesly sat at a little distance from the large table in the Transport Office and listened to the gentleman with four rings of gold lace on his sleeve.
go
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was explaining that they needed a third mate for a ship going to Basra and Mr. Spokesly would just do for the job if he would waive his right to a passage home and go to Port Said instead.
going
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was explaining that they needed a third mate for a ship going to Basra and Mr. Spokesly would just do for the job if he would waive his right to a passage home and go to Port Said instead.
gold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Spokesly sat at a little distance from the large table in the Transport Office and listened to the gentleman with four rings of gold lace on his sleeve.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was at this point that Mr. Spokesly, rather shaky still from his immersion and extensively decorated with pieces of plaster, took a hand.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was explaining that they needed a third mate for a ship going to Basra and Mr. Spokesly would just do for the job if he would waive his right to a passage home and go to Port Said instead.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Mr. Spokesly sat at a little distance from the large table in the Transport Office and listened to the gentleman with four rings of gold lace on his sleeve.
home
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was explaining that they needed a third mate for a ship going to Basra and Mr. Spokesly would just do for the job if he would waive his right to a passage home and go to Port Said instead.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading He was explaining that they needed a third mate for a ship going to Basra and Mr. Spokesly would just do for the job if he would waive his right to a passage home and go to Port Said instead.
immersion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was at this point that Mr. Spokesly, rather shaky still from his immersion and extensively decorated with pieces of plaster, took a hand.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Mr. Spokesly sat at a little distance from the large table in the Transport Office and listened to the gentleman with four rings of gold lace on his sleeve.
instead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was explaining that they needed a third mate for a ship going to Basra and Mr. Spokesly would just do for the job if he would waive his right to a passage home and go to Port Said instead.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a lofty and desolate place in the yellow stucco building opposite the dock entrance.
job
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was explaining that they needed a third mate for a ship going to Basra and Mr. Spokesly would just do for the job if he would waive his right to a passage home and go to Port Said instead.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was explaining that they needed a third mate for a ship going to Basra and Mr. Spokesly would just do for the job if he would waive his right to a passage home and go to Port Said instead.
lace
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Spokesly sat at a little distance from the large table in the Transport Office and listened to the gentleman with four rings of gold lace on his sleeve.
large
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Spokesly sat at a little distance from the large table in the Transport Office and listened to the gentleman with four rings of gold lace on his sleeve.
listened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Spokesly sat at a little distance from the large table in the Transport Office and listened to the gentleman with four rings of gold lace on his sleeve.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Mr. Spokesly sat at a little distance from the large table in the Transport Office and listened to the gentleman with four rings of gold lace on his sleeve.
lofty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a lofty and desolate place in the yellow stucco building opposite the dock entrance.
manner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The transport officer was a naval captain; with a beard, a brisk decisive manner, and a very foul briar pipe.
mate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was explaining that they needed a third mate for a ship going to Basra and Mr. Spokesly would just do for the job if he would waive his right to a passage home and go to Port Said instead.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Spokesly sat at a little distance from the large table in the Transport Office and listened to the gentleman with four rings of gold lace on his sleeve.
naval
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The transport officer was a naval captain; with a beard, a brisk decisive manner, and a very foul briar pipe.
needed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was explaining that they needed a third mate for a ship going to Basra and Mr. Spokesly would just do for the job if he would waive his right to a passage home and go to Port Said instead.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Mr. Spokesly sat at a little distance from the large table in the Transport Office and listened to the gentleman with four rings of gold lace on his sleeve.
Office
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Spokesly sat at a little distance from the large table in the Transport Office and listened to the gentleman with four rings of gold lace on his sleeve.
officer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The transport officer was a naval captain; with a beard, a brisk decisive manner, and a very foul briar pipe.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Mr. Spokesly sat at a little distance from the large table in the Transport Office and listened to the gentleman with four rings of gold lace on his sleeve.
opposite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a lofty and desolate place in the yellow stucco building opposite the dock entrance.
passagenounUS /ˈpassage/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He was explaining that they needed a third mate for a ship going to Basra and Mr. Spokesly would just do for the job if he would waive his right to a passage home and go to Port Said instead.
pieces
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was at this point that Mr. Spokesly, rather shaky still from his immersion and extensively decorated with pieces of plaster, took a hand.
pipe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The transport officer was a naval captain; with a beard, a brisk decisive manner, and a very foul briar pipe.
place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a lofty and desolate place in the yellow stucco building opposite the dock entrance.
plasternounUS /ˈplæstər/
a soft material used to cover and protect a wound
From this reading It was at this point that Mr. Spokesly, rather shaky still from his immersion and extensively decorated with pieces of plaster, took a hand.
pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/
the main matter or purpose being discussed
From this reading It was at this point that Mr. Spokesly, rather shaky still from his immersion and extensively decorated with pieces of plaster, took a hand.
Port
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was explaining that they needed a third mate for a ship going to Basra and Mr. Spokesly would just do for the job if he would waive his right to a passage home and go to Port Said instead.
rather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was at this point that Mr. Spokesly, rather shaky still from his immersion and extensively decorated with pieces of plaster, took a hand.
rightnounUS /right/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was explaining that they needed a third mate for a ship going to Basra and Mr. Spokesly would just do for the job if he would waive his right to a passage home and go to Port Said instead.
rings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Spokesly sat at a little distance from the large table in the Transport Office and listened to the gentleman with four rings of gold lace on his sleeve.
Said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was explaining that they needed a third mate for a ship going to Basra and Mr. Spokesly would just do for the job if he would waive his right to a passage home and go to Port Said instead.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Spokesly sat at a little distance from the large table in the Transport Office and listened to the gentleman with four rings of gold lace on his sleeve.
shaky
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was at this point that Mr. Spokesly, rather shaky still from his immersion and extensively decorated with pieces of plaster, took a hand.
shipnounUS /ship/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was explaining that they needed a third mate for a ship going to Basra and Mr. Spokesly would just do for the job if he would waive his right to a passage home and go to Port Said instead.
sleeve
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Spokesly sat at a little distance from the large table in the Transport Office and listened to the gentleman with four rings of gold lace on his sleeve.
Spokesly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Spokesly sat at a little distance from the large table in the Transport Office and listened to the gentleman with four rings of gold lace on his sleeve.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was at this point that Mr. Spokesly, rather shaky still from his immersion and extensively decorated with pieces of plaster, took a hand.
stucco
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a lofty and desolate place in the yellow stucco building opposite the dock entrance.
table
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Spokesly sat at a little distance from the large table in the Transport Office and listened to the gentleman with four rings of gold lace on his sleeve.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He was explaining that they needed a third mate for a ship going to Basra and Mr. Spokesly would just do for the job if he would waive his right to a passage home and go to Port Said instead.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Mr. Spokesly sat at a little distance from the large table in the Transport Office and listened to the gentleman with four rings of gold lace on his sleeve.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was explaining that they needed a third mate for a ship going to Basra and Mr. Spokesly would just do for the job if he would waive his right to a passage home and go to Port Said instead.
thirdnounUS /third/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He was explaining that they needed a third mate for a ship going to Basra and Mr. Spokesly would just do for the job if he would waive his right to a passage home and go to Port Said instead.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It was at this point that Mr. Spokesly, rather shaky still from his immersion and extensively decorated with pieces of plaster, took a hand.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Mr. Spokesly sat at a little distance from the large table in the Transport Office and listened to the gentleman with four rings of gold lace on his sleeve.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was at this point that Mr. Spokesly, rather shaky still from his immersion and extensively decorated with pieces of plaster, took a hand.
Transport
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Mr. Spokesly sat at a little distance from the large table in the Transport Office and listened to the gentleman with four rings of gold lace on his sleeve.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The transport officer was a naval captain; with a beard, a brisk decisive manner, and a very foul briar pipe.
waive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was explaining that they needed a third mate for a ship going to Basra and Mr. Spokesly would just do for the job if he would waive his right to a passage home and go to Port Said instead.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a lofty and desolate place in the yellow stucco building opposite the dock entrance.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Mr. Spokesly sat at a little distance from the large table in the Transport Office and listened to the gentleman with four rings of gold lace on his sleeve.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He was explaining that they needed a third mate for a ship going to Basra and Mr. Spokesly would just do for the job if he would waive his right to a passage home and go to Port Said instead.
yellow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a lofty and desolate place in the yellow stucco building opposite the dock entrance.
