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 “I don’t think,” said he, “that we shall succeed in finding out a system of directing them.
able
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You may readily understand that I have occupied my mind with this subject, which was, necessarily, so interesting to me, but I have not been able to solve the problem with the appliances now known to mechanical science.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading One day the conversation turned upon the means of directing balloons, and the doctor was asked his opinion about it.
all
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From this reading I am familiar with all the plans attempted and proposed, and not one has succeeded, not one is practicable.
amauxiliary verbUS /æm/
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading I am familiar with all the plans attempted and proposed, and not one has succeeded, not one is practicable.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Thus passed the long evenings on the forecastle in merry chat, and during the same time the doctor went on with his instructive discourses.
appliances
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You may readily understand that I have occupied my mind with this subject, which was, necessarily, so interesting to me, but I have not been able to solve the problem with the appliances now known to mechanical science.
askednounUS /asked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading One day the conversation turned upon the means of directing balloons, and the doctor was asked his opinion about it.
attempted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I am familiar with all the plans attempted and proposed, and not one has succeeded, not one is practicable.
balloons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One day the conversation turned upon the means of directing balloons, and the doctor was asked his opinion about it.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading You may readily understand that I have occupied my mind with this subject, which was, necessarily, so interesting to me, but I have not been able to solve the problem with the appliances now known to mechanical science.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading You may readily understand that I have occupied my mind with this subject, which was, necessarily, so interesting to me, but I have not been able to solve the problem with the appliances now known to mechanical science.
chat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thus passed the long evenings on the forecastle in merry chat, and during the same time the doctor went on with his instructive discourses.
conversation
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From this reading One day the conversation turned upon the means of directing balloons, and the doctor was asked his opinion about it.
day
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From this reading One day the conversation turned upon the means of directing balloons, and the doctor was asked his opinion about it.
directing
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From this reading One day the conversation turned upon the means of directing balloons, and the doctor was asked his opinion about it.
discourses
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From this reading Thus passed the long evenings on the forecastle in merry chat, and during the same time the doctor went on with his instructive discourses.
doctornounUS /doctor/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Thus passed the long evenings on the forecastle in merry chat, and during the same time the doctor went on with his instructive discourses.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I don’t think,” said he, “that we shall succeed in finding out a system of directing them.
duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading Thus passed the long evenings on the forecastle in merry chat, and during the same time the doctor went on with his instructive discourses.
evenings
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From this reading Thus passed the long evenings on the forecastle in merry chat, and during the same time the doctor went on with his instructive discourses.
familiar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I am familiar with all the plans attempted and proposed, and not one has succeeded, not one is practicable.
finding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I don’t think,” said he, “that we shall succeed in finding out a system of directing them.
forecastlenounUS /ˈforecastle/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Thus passed the long evenings on the forecastle in merry chat, and during the same time the doctor went on with his instructive discourses.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I am familiar with all the plans attempted and proposed, and not one has succeeded, not one is practicable.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading You may readily understand that I have occupied my mind with this subject, which was, necessarily, so interesting to me, but I have not been able to solve the problem with the appliances now known to mechanical science.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “I don’t think,” said he, “that we shall succeed in finding out a system of directing them.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Thus passed the long evenings on the forecastle in merry chat, and during the same time the doctor went on with his instructive discourses.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I don’t think,” said he, “that we shall succeed in finding out a system of directing them.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Thus passed the long evenings on the forecastle in merry chat, and during the same time the doctor went on with his instructive discourses.
instructive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thus passed the long evenings on the forecastle in merry chat, and during the same time the doctor went on with his instructive discourses.
interesting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You may readily understand that I have occupied my mind with this subject, which was, necessarily, so interesting to me, but I have not been able to solve the problem with the appliances now known to mechanical science.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I am familiar with all the plans attempted and proposed, and not one has succeeded, not one is practicable.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading One day the conversation turned upon the means of directing balloons, and the doctor was asked his opinion about it.
known
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You may readily understand that I have occupied my mind with this subject, which was, necessarily, so interesting to me, but I have not been able to solve the problem with the appliances now known to mechanical science.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Thus passed the long evenings on the forecastle in merry chat, and during the same time the doctor went on with his instructive discourses.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading You may readily understand that I have occupied my mind with this subject, which was, necessarily, so interesting to me, but I have not been able to solve the problem with the appliances now known to mechanical science.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading You may readily understand that I have occupied my mind with this subject, which was, necessarily, so interesting to me, but I have not been able to solve the problem with the appliances now known to mechanical science.
means
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One day the conversation turned upon the means of directing balloons, and the doctor was asked his opinion about it.
mechanical
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You may readily understand that I have occupied my mind with this subject, which was, necessarily, so interesting to me, but I have not been able to solve the problem with the appliances now known to mechanical science.
merry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thus passed the long evenings on the forecastle in merry chat, and during the same time the doctor went on with his instructive discourses.
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading You may readily understand that I have occupied my mind with this subject, which was, necessarily, so interesting to me, but I have not been able to solve the problem with the appliances now known to mechanical science.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading You may readily understand that I have occupied my mind with this subject, which was, necessarily, so interesting to me, but I have not been able to solve the problem with the appliances now known to mechanical science.
necessarily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You may readily understand that I have occupied my mind with this subject, which was, necessarily, so interesting to me, but I have not been able to solve the problem with the appliances now known to mechanical science.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I am familiar with all the plans attempted and proposed, and not one has succeeded, not one is practicable.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You may readily understand that I have occupied my mind with this subject, which was, necessarily, so interesting to me, but I have not been able to solve the problem with the appliances now known to mechanical science.
occupied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You may readily understand that I have occupied my mind with this subject, which was, necessarily, so interesting to me, but I have not been able to solve the problem with the appliances now known to mechanical science.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading One day the conversation turned upon the means of directing balloons, and the doctor was asked his opinion about it.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Thus passed the long evenings on the forecastle in merry chat, and during the same time the doctor went on with his instructive discourses.
OnepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One day the conversation turned upon the means of directing balloons, and the doctor was asked his opinion about it.
opinion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One day the conversation turned upon the means of directing balloons, and the doctor was asked his opinion about it.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I don’t think,” said he, “that we shall succeed in finding out a system of directing them.
passednounUS /passed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Thus passed the long evenings on the forecastle in merry chat, and during the same time the doctor went on with his instructive discourses.
plans
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I am familiar with all the plans attempted and proposed, and not one has succeeded, not one is practicable.
practicable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I am familiar with all the plans attempted and proposed, and not one has succeeded, not one is practicable.
problem
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You may readily understand that I have occupied my mind with this subject, which was, necessarily, so interesting to me, but I have not been able to solve the problem with the appliances now known to mechanical science.
proposed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I am familiar with all the plans attempted and proposed, and not one has succeeded, not one is practicable.
readilynounUS /readily/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading You may readily understand that I have occupied my mind with this subject, which was, necessarily, so interesting to me, but I have not been able to solve the problem with the appliances now known to mechanical science.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I don’t think,” said he, “that we shall succeed in finding out a system of directing them.
samenounUS /same/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Thus passed the long evenings on the forecastle in merry chat, and during the same time the doctor went on with his instructive discourses.
science
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You may readily understand that I have occupied my mind with this subject, which was, necessarily, so interesting to me, but I have not been able to solve the problem with the appliances now known to mechanical science.
shallmodal verbUS /ʃæl/
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading “I don’t think,” said he, “that we shall succeed in finding out a system of directing them.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading You may readily understand that I have occupied my mind with this subject, which was, necessarily, so interesting to me, but I have not been able to solve the problem with the appliances now known to mechanical science.
solve
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You may readily understand that I have occupied my mind with this subject, which was, necessarily, so interesting to me, but I have not been able to solve the problem with the appliances now known to mechanical science.
subject
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You may readily understand that I have occupied my mind with this subject, which was, necessarily, so interesting to me, but I have not been able to solve the problem with the appliances now known to mechanical science.
succeed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I don’t think,” said he, “that we shall succeed in finding out a system of directing them.
succeeded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I am familiar with all the plans attempted and proposed, and not one has succeeded, not one is practicable.
system
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I don’t think,” said he, “that we shall succeed in finding out a system of directing them.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “I don’t think,” said he, “that we shall succeed in finding out a system of directing them.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Thus passed the long evenings on the forecastle in merry chat, and during the same time the doctor went on with his instructive discourses.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading “I don’t think,” said he, “that we shall succeed in finding out a system of directing them.
thinknounUS /think/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “I don’t think,” said he, “that we shall succeed in finding out a system of directing them.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading You may readily understand that I have occupied my mind with this subject, which was, necessarily, so interesting to me, but I have not been able to solve the problem with the appliances now known to mechanical science.
Thus
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thus passed the long evenings on the forecastle in merry chat, and during the same time the doctor went on with his instructive discourses.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Thus passed the long evenings on the forecastle in merry chat, and during the same time the doctor went on with his instructive discourses.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading You may readily understand that I have occupied my mind with this subject, which was, necessarily, so interesting to me, but I have not been able to solve the problem with the appliances now known to mechanical science.
turned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One day the conversation turned upon the means of directing balloons, and the doctor was asked his opinion about it.
understandnounUS /understand/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading You may readily understand that I have occupied my mind with this subject, which was, necessarily, so interesting to me, but I have not been able to solve the problem with the appliances now known to mechanical science.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading One day the conversation turned upon the means of directing balloons, and the doctor was asked his opinion about it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading One day the conversation turned upon the means of directing balloons, and the doctor was asked his opinion about it.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading “I don’t think,” said he, “that we shall succeed in finding out a system of directing them.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Thus passed the long evenings on the forecastle in merry chat, and during the same time the doctor went on with his instructive discourses.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading You may readily understand that I have occupied my mind with this subject, which was, necessarily, so interesting to me, but I have not been able to solve the problem with the appliances now known to mechanical science.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Thus passed the long evenings on the forecastle in merry chat, and during the same time the doctor went on with his instructive discourses.
YoupronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading You may readily understand that I have occupied my mind with this subject, which was, necessarily, so interesting to me, but I have not been able to solve the problem with the appliances now known to mechanical science.
