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adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The best, like all good things, has gone for ever, and this best way was for a thing called a capstan to have sticking out from it, movable, and fitted into its upper rim, other things called capstan-bars.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The best, like all good things, has gone for ever, and this best way was for a thing called a capstan to have sticking out from it, movable, and fitted into its upper rim, other things called capstan-bars.
always
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Personally I should call it “Getting It up,” but I have always seen it in print called “weighing anchor”—and if it is in print one must bow to it.
anchor
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From this reading Personally I should call it “Getting It up,” but I have always seen it in print called “weighing anchor”—and if it is in print one must bow to it.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Personally I should call it “Getting It up,” but I have always seen it in print called “weighing anchor”—and if it is in print one must bow to it.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There are many ways of doing it.
best
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The best, like all good things, has gone for ever, and this best way was for a thing called a capstan to have sticking out from it, movable, and fitted into its upper rim, other things called capstan-bars.
bow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Personally I should call it “Getting It up,” but I have always seen it in print called “weighing anchor”—and if it is in print one must bow to it.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Personally I should call it “Getting It up,” but I have always seen it in print called “weighing anchor”—and if it is in print one must bow to it.
call
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From this reading Personally I should call it “Getting It up,” but I have always seen it in print called “weighing anchor”—and if it is in print one must bow to it.
called
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From this reading Personally I should call it “Getting It up,” but I have always seen it in print called “weighing anchor”—and if it is in print one must bow to it.
capstan
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From this reading The best, like all good things, has gone for ever, and this best way was for a thing called a capstan to have sticking out from it, movable, and fitted into its upper rim, other things called capstan-bars.
capstan-bars
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The best, like all good things, has gone for ever, and this best way was for a thing called a capstan to have sticking out from it, movable, and fitted into its upper rim, other things called capstan-bars.
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It does weigh.
doing
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From this reading There are many ways of doing it.
evernounUS /ever/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The best, like all good things, has gone for ever, and this best way was for a thing called a capstan to have sticking out from it, movable, and fitted into its upper rim, other things called capstan-bars.
fiddle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These, men would push singing a song, while on the top of the capstan sat a man playing the fiddle, or the flute, or some other instrument of music.
fittedadjectiveUS /ˈfɪtɪd/
prepared and equipped for a particular purpose
From this reading The best, like all good things, has gone for ever, and this best way was for a thing called a capstan to have sticking out from it, movable, and fitted into its upper rim, other things called capstan-bars.
flute
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These, men would push singing a song, while on the top of the capstan sat a man playing the fiddle, or the flute, or some other instrument of music.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The best, like all good things, has gone for ever, and this best way was for a thing called a capstan to have sticking out from it, movable, and fitted into its upper rim, other things called capstan-bars.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The best, like all good things, has gone for ever, and this best way was for a thing called a capstan to have sticking out from it, movable, and fitted into its upper rim, other things called capstan-bars.
Getting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Personally I should call it “Getting It up,” but I have always seen it in print called “weighing anchor”—and if it is in print one must bow to it.
gone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The best, like all good things, has gone for ever, and this best way was for a thing called a capstan to have sticking out from it, movable, and fitted into its upper rim, other things called capstan-bars.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The best, like all good things, has gone for ever, and this best way was for a thing called a capstan to have sticking out from it, movable, and fitted into its upper rim, other things called capstan-bars.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The best, like all good things, has gone for ever, and this best way was for a thing called a capstan to have sticking out from it, movable, and fitted into its upper rim, other things called capstan-bars.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Personally I should call it “Getting It up,” but I have always seen it in print called “weighing anchor”—and if it is in print one must bow to it.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Personally I should call it “Getting It up,” but I have always seen it in print called “weighing anchor”—and if it is in print one must bow to it.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Personally I should call it “Getting It up,” but I have always seen it in print called “weighing anchor”—and if it is in print one must bow to it.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Personally I should call it “Getting It up,” but I have always seen it in print called “weighing anchor”—and if it is in print one must bow to it.
instrument
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These, men would push singing a song, while on the top of the capstan sat a man playing the fiddle, or the flute, or some other instrument of music.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The best, like all good things, has gone for ever, and this best way was for a thing called a capstan to have sticking out from it, movable, and fitted into its upper rim, other things called capstan-bars.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Personally I should call it “Getting It up,” but I have always seen it in print called “weighing anchor”—and if it is in print one must bow to it.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Personally I should call it “Getting It up,” but I have always seen it in print called “weighing anchor”—and if it is in print one must bow to it.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The best, like all good things, has gone for ever, and this best way was for a thing called a capstan to have sticking out from it, movable, and fitted into its upper rim, other things called capstan-bars.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The best, like all good things, has gone for ever, and this best way was for a thing called a capstan to have sticking out from it, movable, and fitted into its upper rim, other things called capstan-bars.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These, men would push singing a song, while on the top of the capstan sat a man playing the fiddle, or the flute, or some other instrument of music.
many
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From this reading There are many ways of doing it.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These, men would push singing a song, while on the top of the capstan sat a man playing the fiddle, or the flute, or some other instrument of music.
movable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The best, like all good things, has gone for ever, and this best way was for a thing called a capstan to have sticking out from it, movable, and fitted into its upper rim, other things called capstan-bars.
music
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These, men would push singing a song, while on the top of the capstan sat a man playing the fiddle, or the flute, or some other instrument of music.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Personally I should call it “Getting It up,” but I have always seen it in print called “weighing anchor”—and if it is in print one must bow to it.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There are many ways of doing it.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading These, men would push singing a song, while on the top of the capstan sat a man playing the fiddle, or the flute, or some other instrument of music.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Personally I should call it “Getting It up,” but I have always seen it in print called “weighing anchor”—and if it is in print one must bow to it.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading These, men would push singing a song, while on the top of the capstan sat a man playing the fiddle, or the flute, or some other instrument of music.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The best, like all good things, has gone for ever, and this best way was for a thing called a capstan to have sticking out from it, movable, and fitted into its upper rim, other things called capstan-bars.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The best, like all good things, has gone for ever, and this best way was for a thing called a capstan to have sticking out from it, movable, and fitted into its upper rim, other things called capstan-bars.
Personally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Personally I should call it “Getting It up,” but I have always seen it in print called “weighing anchor”—and if it is in print one must bow to it.
playing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These, men would push singing a song, while on the top of the capstan sat a man playing the fiddle, or the flute, or some other instrument of music.
print
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Personally I should call it “Getting It up,” but I have always seen it in print called “weighing anchor”—and if it is in print one must bow to it.
push
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These, men would push singing a song, while on the top of the capstan sat a man playing the fiddle, or the flute, or some other instrument of music.
rim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The best, like all good things, has gone for ever, and this best way was for a thing called a capstan to have sticking out from it, movable, and fitted into its upper rim, other things called capstan-bars.
sat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These, men would push singing a song, while on the top of the capstan sat a man playing the fiddle, or the flute, or some other instrument of music.
seen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Personally I should call it “Getting It up,” but I have always seen it in print called “weighing anchor”—and if it is in print one must bow to it.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading Personally I should call it “Getting It up,” but I have always seen it in print called “weighing anchor”—and if it is in print one must bow to it.
singing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These, men would push singing a song, while on the top of the capstan sat a man playing the fiddle, or the flute, or some other instrument of music.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These, men would push singing a song, while on the top of the capstan sat a man playing the fiddle, or the flute, or some other instrument of music.
song
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These, men would push singing a song, while on the top of the capstan sat a man playing the fiddle, or the flute, or some other instrument of music.
sticking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The best, like all good things, has gone for ever, and this best way was for a thing called a capstan to have sticking out from it, movable, and fitted into its upper rim, other things called capstan-bars.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The best, like all good things, has gone for ever, and this best way was for a thing called a capstan to have sticking out from it, movable, and fitted into its upper rim, other things called capstan-bars.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are many ways of doing it.
ThesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading These, men would push singing a song, while on the top of the capstan sat a man playing the fiddle, or the flute, or some other instrument of music.
thingnounUS /thing/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The best, like all good things, has gone for ever, and this best way was for a thing called a capstan to have sticking out from it, movable, and fitted into its upper rim, other things called capstan-bars.
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The best, like all good things, has gone for ever, and this best way was for a thing called a capstan to have sticking out from it, movable, and fitted into its upper rim, other things called capstan-bars.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The best, like all good things, has gone for ever, and this best way was for a thing called a capstan to have sticking out from it, movable, and fitted into its upper rim, other things called capstan-bars.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Personally I should call it “Getting It up,” but I have always seen it in print called “weighing anchor”—and if it is in print one must bow to it.
top
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These, men would push singing a song, while on the top of the capstan sat a man playing the fiddle, or the flute, or some other instrument of music.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Personally I should call it “Getting It up,” but I have always seen it in print called “weighing anchor”—and if it is in print one must bow to it.
upper
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The best, like all good things, has gone for ever, and this best way was for a thing called a capstan to have sticking out from it, movable, and fitted into its upper rim, other things called capstan-bars.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The best, like all good things, has gone for ever, and this best way was for a thing called a capstan to have sticking out from it, movable, and fitted into its upper rim, other things called capstan-bars.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The best, like all good things, has gone for ever, and this best way was for a thing called a capstan to have sticking out from it, movable, and fitted into its upper rim, other things called capstan-bars.
ways
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There are many ways of doing it.
weigh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It does weigh.
weighing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Personally I should call it “Getting It up,” but I have always seen it in print called “weighing anchor”—and if it is in print one must bow to it.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading These, men would push singing a song, while on the top of the capstan sat a man playing the fiddle, or the flute, or some other instrument of music.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading These, men would push singing a song, while on the top of the capstan sat a man playing the fiddle, or the flute, or some other instrument of music.
