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Dick Sands, the Boy Captain
Dick Sands, the Boy Captain

Chapter VIII

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Context Illustration Reading 1/25 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
A CATASTROPHE.
Experienced whaleman as he was, Captain Hull knew the difficulty of the task he had undertaken, he was alive to the importance of making his approach to the whale from the leeward, so that there should be no sound to apprize the creature of the proximity of the boat.
He had perfect confidence in his boatswain, and felt sure that he would take the proper course to insure a favourable result to the enterprise.
"We mustn't show ourselves too soon, Howick," he said.
"Certainly not," replied Howick, "I am going to skirt the edge of the discoloured water, and I shall take good care to get well to leeward."
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Dick Sands, the Boy Captain

Chapter VIII

Reading 1/25 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
A CATASTROPHE.
Line 2
Experienced whaleman as he was, Captain Hull knew the difficulty of the task he had undertaken, he was alive to the importance of making his approach to the whale from the leeward, so that there should be no sound to apprize the creature of the proximity of the boat.
Line 3
He had perfect confidence in his boatswain, and felt sure that he would take the proper course to insure a favourable result to the enterprise.
Line 4
"We mustn't show ourselves too soon, Howick," he said.
Line 5
"Certainly not," replied Howick, "I am going to skirt the edge of the discoloured water, and I shall take good care to get well to leeward."

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

Boatswain noun US /ˈboʊsən/

an officer responsible for deck crew and equipment

From this reading “He had perfect confidence in his boatswain, and felt sure that he would take the proper course to insure a favourable result to the enterprise.”

Captain noun US /ˈcaptain/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “Experienced whaleman as he was, Captain Hull knew the difficulty of the task he had undertaken, he was alive to the importance of making his approach to the whale from the leeward, so that there should be no sound to apprize the creature of the proximity of the boat.”

Confidence noun US /ˈconfidence/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “He had perfect confidence in his boatswain, and felt sure that he would take the proper course to insure a favourable result to the enterprise.”

Course noun US /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He had perfect confidence in his boatswain, and felt sure that he would take the proper course to insure a favourable result to the enterprise.”

Creature noun US /ˈcreature/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “Experienced whaleman as he was, Captain Hull knew the difficulty of the task he had undertaken, he was alive to the importance of making his approach to the whale from the leeward, so that there should be no sound to apprize the creature of the proximity of the boat.”

Good noun US /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"Certainly not," replied Howick, "I am going to skirt the edge of the discoloured water, and I shall take good care to get well to leeward."”

Ourselves pronoun US /aʊərˈselvz/

used when we are both doing the action and receiving it

From this reading “"We mustn't show ourselves too soon, Howick," he said.”

Replied noun US /replied/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"Certainly not," replied Howick, "I am going to skirt the edge of the discoloured water, and I shall take good care to get well to leeward."”

Shall modal verb US /ʃæl/

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading “"Certainly not," replied Howick, "I am going to skirt the edge of the discoloured water, and I shall take good care to get well to leeward."”

Soon noun US /soon/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"We mustn't show ourselves too soon, Howick," he said.”

Sure noun US /sure/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He had perfect confidence in his boatswain, and felt sure that he would take the proper course to insure a favourable result to the enterprise.”

Take noun US /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He had perfect confidence in his boatswain, and felt sure that he would take the proper course to insure a favourable result to the enterprise.”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “"Certainly not," replied Howick, "I am going to skirt the edge of the discoloured water, and I shall take good care to get well to leeward."”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading “He had perfect confidence in his boatswain, and felt sure that he would take the proper course to insure a favourable result to the enterprise.”

All words in this reading · 74

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 A CATASTROPHE.

alive

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Experienced whaleman as he was, Captain Hull knew the difficulty of the task he had undertaken, he was alive to the importance of making his approach to the whale from the leeward, so that there should be no sound to apprize the creature of the proximity of the boat.

amauxiliary verbUS /æm/

the form of “be” used with “I”

From this reading "Certainly not," replied Howick, "I am going to skirt the edge of the discoloured water, and I shall take good care to get well to leeward."

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading He had perfect confidence in his boatswain, and felt sure that he would take the proper course to insure a favourable result to the enterprise.

apprize

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Experienced whaleman as he was, Captain Hull knew the difficulty of the task he had undertaken, he was alive to the importance of making his approach to the whale from the leeward, so that there should be no sound to apprize the creature of the proximity of the boat.

approach

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Experienced whaleman as he was, Captain Hull knew the difficulty of the task he had undertaken, he was alive to the importance of making his approach to the whale from the leeward, so that there should be no sound to apprize the creature of the proximity of the boat.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading Experienced whaleman as he was, Captain Hull knew the difficulty of the task he had undertaken, he was alive to the importance of making his approach to the whale from the leeward, so that there should be no sound to apprize the creature of the proximity of the boat.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Experienced whaleman as he was, Captain Hull knew the difficulty of the task he had undertaken, he was alive to the importance of making his approach to the whale from the leeward, so that there should be no sound to apprize the creature of the proximity of the boat.

boat

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Experienced whaleman as he was, Captain Hull knew the difficulty of the task he had undertaken, he was alive to the importance of making his approach to the whale from the leeward, so that there should be no sound to apprize the creature of the proximity of the boat.

boatswainnounUS /ˈboʊsən/

an officer responsible for deck crew and equipment

From this reading He had perfect confidence in his boatswain, and felt sure that he would take the proper course to insure a favourable result to the enterprise.

CaptainnounUS /ˈcaptain/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading Experienced whaleman as he was, Captain Hull knew the difficulty of the task he had undertaken, he was alive to the importance of making his approach to the whale from the leeward, so that there should be no sound to apprize the creature of the proximity of the boat.

care

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "Certainly not," replied Howick, "I am going to skirt the edge of the discoloured water, and I shall take good care to get well to leeward."

CATASTROPHE

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A CATASTROPHE.

Certainly

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "Certainly not," replied Howick, "I am going to skirt the edge of the discoloured water, and I shall take good care to get well to leeward."

confidencenounUS /ˈconfidence/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading He had perfect confidence in his boatswain, and felt sure that he would take the proper course to insure a favourable result to the enterprise.

coursenounUS /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He had perfect confidence in his boatswain, and felt sure that he would take the proper course to insure a favourable result to the enterprise.

creaturenounUS /ˈcreature/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading Experienced whaleman as he was, Captain Hull knew the difficulty of the task he had undertaken, he was alive to the importance of making his approach to the whale from the leeward, so that there should be no sound to apprize the creature of the proximity of the boat.

difficulty

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Experienced whaleman as he was, Captain Hull knew the difficulty of the task he had undertaken, he was alive to the importance of making his approach to the whale from the leeward, so that there should be no sound to apprize the creature of the proximity of the boat.

discoloured

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "Certainly not," replied Howick, "I am going to skirt the edge of the discoloured water, and I shall take good care to get well to leeward."

edge

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "Certainly not," replied Howick, "I am going to skirt the edge of the discoloured water, and I shall take good care to get well to leeward."

enterprise

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He had perfect confidence in his boatswain, and felt sure that he would take the proper course to insure a favourable result to the enterprise.

Experienced

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Experienced whaleman as he was, Captain Hull knew the difficulty of the task he had undertaken, he was alive to the importance of making his approach to the whale from the leeward, so that there should be no sound to apprize the creature of the proximity of the boat.

favourable

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He had perfect confidence in his boatswain, and felt sure that he would take the proper course to insure a favourable result to the enterprise.

felt

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He had perfect confidence in his boatswain, and felt sure that he would take the proper course to insure a favourable result to the enterprise.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Experienced whaleman as he was, Captain Hull knew the difficulty of the task he had undertaken, he was alive to the importance of making his approach to the whale from the leeward, so that there should be no sound to apprize the creature of the proximity of the boat.

get

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "Certainly not," replied Howick, "I am going to skirt the edge of the discoloured water, and I shall take good care to get well to leeward."

going

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "Certainly not," replied Howick, "I am going to skirt the edge of the discoloured water, and I shall take good care to get well to leeward."

goodnounUS /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "Certainly not," replied Howick, "I am going to skirt the edge of the discoloured water, and I shall take good care to get well to leeward."

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Experienced whaleman as he was, Captain Hull knew the difficulty of the task he had undertaken, he was alive to the importance of making his approach to the whale from the leeward, so that there should be no sound to apprize the creature of the proximity of the boat.

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Experienced whaleman as he was, Captain Hull knew the difficulty of the task he had undertaken, he was alive to the importance of making his approach to the whale from the leeward, so that there should be no sound to apprize the creature of the proximity of the boat.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Experienced whaleman as he was, Captain Hull knew the difficulty of the task he had undertaken, he was alive to the importance of making his approach to the whale from the leeward, so that there should be no sound to apprize the creature of the proximity of the boat.

Howick

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "We mustn't show ourselves too soon, Howick," he said.

Hull

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Experienced whaleman as he was, Captain Hull knew the difficulty of the task he had undertaken, he was alive to the importance of making his approach to the whale from the leeward, so that there should be no sound to apprize the creature of the proximity of the boat.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading "Certainly not," replied Howick, "I am going to skirt the edge of the discoloured water, and I shall take good care to get well to leeward."

importance

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Experienced whaleman as he was, Captain Hull knew the difficulty of the task he had undertaken, he was alive to the importance of making his approach to the whale from the leeward, so that there should be no sound to apprize the creature of the proximity of the boat.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading He had perfect confidence in his boatswain, and felt sure that he would take the proper course to insure a favourable result to the enterprise.

insure

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He had perfect confidence in his boatswain, and felt sure that he would take the proper course to insure a favourable result to the enterprise.

knew

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Experienced whaleman as he was, Captain Hull knew the difficulty of the task he had undertaken, he was alive to the importance of making his approach to the whale from the leeward, so that there should be no sound to apprize the creature of the proximity of the boat.

leeward

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Experienced whaleman as he was, Captain Hull knew the difficulty of the task he had undertaken, he was alive to the importance of making his approach to the whale from the leeward, so that there should be no sound to apprize the creature of the proximity of the boat.

making

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Experienced whaleman as he was, Captain Hull knew the difficulty of the task he had undertaken, he was alive to the importance of making his approach to the whale from the leeward, so that there should be no sound to apprize the creature of the proximity of the boat.

mustn't

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "We mustn't show ourselves too soon, Howick," he said.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading Experienced whaleman as he was, Captain Hull knew the difficulty of the task he had undertaken, he was alive to the importance of making his approach to the whale from the leeward, so that there should be no sound to apprize the creature of the proximity of the boat.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading "Certainly not," replied Howick, "I am going to skirt the edge of the discoloured water, and I shall take good care to get well to leeward."

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Experienced whaleman as he was, Captain Hull knew the difficulty of the task he had undertaken, he was alive to the importance of making his approach to the whale from the leeward, so that there should be no sound to apprize the creature of the proximity of the boat.

ourselvespronounUS /aʊərˈselvz/

used when we are both doing the action and receiving it

From this reading "We mustn't show ourselves too soon, Howick," he said.

perfect

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He had perfect confidence in his boatswain, and felt sure that he would take the proper course to insure a favourable result to the enterprise.

proper

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He had perfect confidence in his boatswain, and felt sure that he would take the proper course to insure a favourable result to the enterprise.

proximity

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Experienced whaleman as he was, Captain Hull knew the difficulty of the task he had undertaken, he was alive to the importance of making his approach to the whale from the leeward, so that there should be no sound to apprize the creature of the proximity of the boat.

repliednounUS /replied/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading "Certainly not," replied Howick, "I am going to skirt the edge of the discoloured water, and I shall take good care to get well to leeward."

result

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He had perfect confidence in his boatswain, and felt sure that he would take the proper course to insure a favourable result to the enterprise.

said

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "We mustn't show ourselves too soon, Howick," he said.

shallmodal verbUS /ʃæl/

used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest

From this reading "Certainly not," replied Howick, "I am going to skirt the edge of the discoloured water, and I shall take good care to get well to leeward."

shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading Experienced whaleman as he was, Captain Hull knew the difficulty of the task he had undertaken, he was alive to the importance of making his approach to the whale from the leeward, so that there should be no sound to apprize the creature of the proximity of the boat.

show

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "We mustn't show ourselves too soon, Howick," he said.

skirt

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "Certainly not," replied Howick, "I am going to skirt the edge of the discoloured water, and I shall take good care to get well to leeward."

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading Experienced whaleman as he was, Captain Hull knew the difficulty of the task he had undertaken, he was alive to the importance of making his approach to the whale from the leeward, so that there should be no sound to apprize the creature of the proximity of the boat.

soon

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "We mustn't show ourselves too soon, Howick," he said.

sound

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Experienced whaleman as he was, Captain Hull knew the difficulty of the task he had undertaken, he was alive to the importance of making his approach to the whale from the leeward, so that there should be no sound to apprize the creature of the proximity of the boat.

surenounUS /sure/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He had perfect confidence in his boatswain, and felt sure that he would take the proper course to insure a favourable result to the enterprise.

takenounUS /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He had perfect confidence in his boatswain, and felt sure that he would take the proper course to insure a favourable result to the enterprise.

task

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Experienced whaleman as he was, Captain Hull knew the difficulty of the task he had undertaken, he was alive to the importance of making his approach to the whale from the leeward, so that there should be no sound to apprize the creature of the proximity of the boat.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading Experienced whaleman as he was, Captain Hull knew the difficulty of the task he had undertaken, he was alive to the importance of making his approach to the whale from the leeward, so that there should be no sound to apprize the creature of the proximity of the boat.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading Experienced whaleman as he was, Captain Hull knew the difficulty of the task he had undertaken, he was alive to the importance of making his approach to the whale from the leeward, so that there should be no sound to apprize the creature of the proximity of the boat.

there

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Experienced whaleman as he was, Captain Hull knew the difficulty of the task he had undertaken, he was alive to the importance of making his approach to the whale from the leeward, so that there should be no sound to apprize the creature of the proximity of the boat.

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading Experienced whaleman as he was, Captain Hull knew the difficulty of the task he had undertaken, he was alive to the importance of making his approach to the whale from the leeward, so that there should be no sound to apprize the creature of the proximity of the boat.

too

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "We mustn't show ourselves too soon, Howick," he said.

undertaken

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Experienced whaleman as he was, Captain Hull knew the difficulty of the task he had undertaken, he was alive to the importance of making his approach to the whale from the leeward, so that there should be no sound to apprize the creature of the proximity of the boat.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Experienced whaleman as he was, Captain Hull knew the difficulty of the task he had undertaken, he was alive to the importance of making his approach to the whale from the leeward, so that there should be no sound to apprize the creature of the proximity of the boat.

water

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "Certainly not," replied Howick, "I am going to skirt the edge of the discoloured water, and I shall take good care to get well to leeward."

WepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading "We mustn't show ourselves too soon, Howick," he said.

well

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "Certainly not," replied Howick, "I am going to skirt the edge of the discoloured water, and I shall take good care to get well to leeward."

whale

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Experienced whaleman as he was, Captain Hull knew the difficulty of the task he had undertaken, he was alive to the importance of making his approach to the whale from the leeward, so that there should be no sound to apprize the creature of the proximity of the boat.

whaleman

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Experienced whaleman as he was, Captain Hull knew the difficulty of the task he had undertaken, he was alive to the importance of making his approach to the whale from the leeward, so that there should be no sound to apprize the creature of the proximity of the boat.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading He had perfect confidence in his boatswain, and felt sure that he would take the proper course to insure a favourable result to the enterprise.