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 BIG CONTRACT It was the day after the dance at the Catalina, and Austin was running into Las Palmas harbour in a powerful steam launch which had been lent him to convey certain documents to a Spanish steamer.
abandoning
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a boat astern of her, out of which a couple of Spanish peons seemed to be flinging the water, preparatory to abandoning the lighter to her fate, but Austin could see very little of the latter.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading A BIG CONTRACT It was the day after the dance at the Catalina, and Austin was running into Las Palmas harbour in a powerful steam launch which had been lent him to convey certain documents to a Spanish steamer.
also
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It also happened that the coaling company's new tug had broken down a few minutes earlier, and when the launch drove past the long mole the first thing Austin saw was a forty-ton coal lighter, loaded to the water's edge, drifting towards the reef.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A BIG CONTRACT It was the day after the dance at the Catalina, and Austin was running into Las Palmas harbour in a powerful steam launch which had been lent him to convey certain documents to a Spanish steamer.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The trade-breeze had veered a little further east that day, as it sometimes did, and the full drift of the long Atlantic sea came rolling inshore.
astern
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a boat astern of her, out of which a couple of Spanish peons seemed to be flinging the water, preparatory to abandoning the lighter to her fate, but Austin could see very little of the latter.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A BIG CONTRACT It was the day after the dance at the Catalina, and Austin was running into Las Palmas harbour in a powerful steam launch which had been lent him to convey certain documents to a Spanish steamer.
Atlantic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The trade-breeze had veered a little further east that day, as it sometimes did, and the full drift of the long Atlantic sea came rolling inshore.
Austin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A BIG CONTRACT It was the day after the dance at the Catalina, and Austin was running into Las Palmas harbour in a powerful steam launch which had been lent him to convey certain documents to a Spanish steamer.
away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The launch was wet with spray, which flew up in clouds as she lurched over the white-topped combers that burst in a chaotic spouting on a black volcanic reef not far away from her.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading There was a boat astern of her, out of which a couple of Spanish peons seemed to be flinging the water, preparatory to abandoning the lighter to her fate, but Austin could see very little of the latter.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading A BIG CONTRACT It was the day after the dance at the Catalina, and Austin was running into Las Palmas harbour in a powerful steam launch which had been lent him to convey certain documents to a Spanish steamer.
BIG
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A BIG CONTRACT It was the day after the dance at the Catalina, and Austin was running into Las Palmas harbour in a powerful steam launch which had been lent him to convey certain documents to a Spanish steamer.
black
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The launch was wet with spray, which flew up in clouds as she lurched over the white-topped combers that burst in a chaotic spouting on a black volcanic reef not far away from her.
boat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a boat astern of her, out of which a couple of Spanish peons seemed to be flinging the water, preparatory to abandoning the lighter to her fate, but Austin could see very little of the latter.
brokennounUS /broken/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It also happened that the coaling company's new tug had broken down a few minutes earlier, and when the launch drove past the long mole the first thing Austin saw was a forty-ton coal lighter, loaded to the water's edge, drifting towards the reef.
burst
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The launch was wet with spray, which flew up in clouds as she lurched over the white-topped combers that burst in a chaotic spouting on a black volcanic reef not far away from her.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading There was a boat astern of her, out of which a couple of Spanish peons seemed to be flinging the water, preparatory to abandoning the lighter to her fate, but Austin could see very little of the latter.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The trade-breeze had veered a little further east that day, as it sometimes did, and the full drift of the long Atlantic sea came rolling inshore.
Catalina
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A BIG CONTRACT It was the day after the dance at the Catalina, and Austin was running into Las Palmas harbour in a powerful steam launch which had been lent him to convey certain documents to a Spanish steamer.
certain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A BIG CONTRACT It was the day after the dance at the Catalina, and Austin was running into Las Palmas harbour in a powerful steam launch which had been lent him to convey certain documents to a Spanish steamer.
chaotic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The launch was wet with spray, which flew up in clouds as she lurched over the white-topped combers that burst in a chaotic spouting on a black volcanic reef not far away from her.
clouds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The launch was wet with spray, which flew up in clouds as she lurched over the white-topped combers that burst in a chaotic spouting on a black volcanic reef not far away from her.
coal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It also happened that the coaling company's new tug had broken down a few minutes earlier, and when the launch drove past the long mole the first thing Austin saw was a forty-ton coal lighter, loaded to the water's edge, drifting towards the reef.
coaling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It also happened that the coaling company's new tug had broken down a few minutes earlier, and when the launch drove past the long mole the first thing Austin saw was a forty-ton coal lighter, loaded to the water's edge, drifting towards the reef.
combers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The launch was wet with spray, which flew up in clouds as she lurched over the white-topped combers that burst in a chaotic spouting on a black volcanic reef not far away from her.
company's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It also happened that the coaling company's new tug had broken down a few minutes earlier, and when the launch drove past the long mole the first thing Austin saw was a forty-ton coal lighter, loaded to the water's edge, drifting towards the reef.
CONTRACT
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A BIG CONTRACT It was the day after the dance at the Catalina, and Austin was running into Las Palmas harbour in a powerful steam launch which had been lent him to convey certain documents to a Spanish steamer.
convey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A BIG CONTRACT It was the day after the dance at the Catalina, and Austin was running into Las Palmas harbour in a powerful steam launch which had been lent him to convey certain documents to a Spanish steamer.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading There was a boat astern of her, out of which a couple of Spanish peons seemed to be flinging the water, preparatory to abandoning the lighter to her fate, but Austin could see very little of the latter.
couplenounUS /ˈkʌpəl/
two people or things considered together
From this reading There was a boat astern of her, out of which a couple of Spanish peons seemed to be flinging the water, preparatory to abandoning the lighter to her fate, but Austin could see very little of the latter.
dance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A BIG CONTRACT It was the day after the dance at the Catalina, and Austin was running into Las Palmas harbour in a powerful steam launch which had been lent him to convey certain documents to a Spanish steamer.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A BIG CONTRACT It was the day after the dance at the Catalina, and Austin was running into Las Palmas harbour in a powerful steam launch which had been lent him to convey certain documents to a Spanish steamer.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The trade-breeze had veered a little further east that day, as it sometimes did, and the full drift of the long Atlantic sea came rolling inshore.
documents
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A BIG CONTRACT It was the day after the dance at the Catalina, and Austin was running into Las Palmas harbour in a powerful steam launch which had been lent him to convey certain documents to a Spanish steamer.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It also happened that the coaling company's new tug had broken down a few minutes earlier, and when the launch drove past the long mole the first thing Austin saw was a forty-ton coal lighter, loaded to the water's edge, drifting towards the reef.
drift
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The trade-breeze had veered a little further east that day, as it sometimes did, and the full drift of the long Atlantic sea came rolling inshore.
drifting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It also happened that the coaling company's new tug had broken down a few minutes earlier, and when the launch drove past the long mole the first thing Austin saw was a forty-ton coal lighter, loaded to the water's edge, drifting towards the reef.
drove
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It also happened that the coaling company's new tug had broken down a few minutes earlier, and when the launch drove past the long mole the first thing Austin saw was a forty-ton coal lighter, loaded to the water's edge, drifting towards the reef.
earlier
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It also happened that the coaling company's new tug had broken down a few minutes earlier, and when the launch drove past the long mole the first thing Austin saw was a forty-ton coal lighter, loaded to the water's edge, drifting towards the reef.
east
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The trade-breeze had veered a little further east that day, as it sometimes did, and the full drift of the long Atlantic sea came rolling inshore.
edge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It also happened that the coaling company's new tug had broken down a few minutes earlier, and when the launch drove past the long mole the first thing Austin saw was a forty-ton coal lighter, loaded to the water's edge, drifting towards the reef.
far
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The launch was wet with spray, which flew up in clouds as she lurched over the white-topped combers that burst in a chaotic spouting on a black volcanic reef not far away from her.
fate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a boat astern of her, out of which a couple of Spanish peons seemed to be flinging the water, preparatory to abandoning the lighter to her fate, but Austin could see very little of the latter.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It also happened that the coaling company's new tug had broken down a few minutes earlier, and when the launch drove past the long mole the first thing Austin saw was a forty-ton coal lighter, loaded to the water's edge, drifting towards the reef.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It also happened that the coaling company's new tug had broken down a few minutes earlier, and when the launch drove past the long mole the first thing Austin saw was a forty-ton coal lighter, loaded to the water's edge, drifting towards the reef.
flew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The launch was wet with spray, which flew up in clouds as she lurched over the white-topped combers that burst in a chaotic spouting on a black volcanic reef not far away from her.
flinging
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a boat astern of her, out of which a couple of Spanish peons seemed to be flinging the water, preparatory to abandoning the lighter to her fate, but Austin could see very little of the latter.
forty-ton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It also happened that the coaling company's new tug had broken down a few minutes earlier, and when the launch drove past the long mole the first thing Austin saw was a forty-ton coal lighter, loaded to the water's edge, drifting towards the reef.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The launch was wet with spray, which flew up in clouds as she lurched over the white-topped combers that burst in a chaotic spouting on a black volcanic reef not far away from her.
full
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The trade-breeze had veered a little further east that day, as it sometimes did, and the full drift of the long Atlantic sea came rolling inshore.
further
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The trade-breeze had veered a little further east that day, as it sometimes did, and the full drift of the long Atlantic sea came rolling inshore.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A BIG CONTRACT It was the day after the dance at the Catalina, and Austin was running into Las Palmas harbour in a powerful steam launch which had been lent him to convey certain documents to a Spanish steamer.
happened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It also happened that the coaling company's new tug had broken down a few minutes earlier, and when the launch drove past the long mole the first thing Austin saw was a forty-ton coal lighter, loaded to the water's edge, drifting towards the reef.
harbour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A BIG CONTRACT It was the day after the dance at the Catalina, and Austin was running into Las Palmas harbour in a powerful steam launch which had been lent him to convey certain documents to a Spanish steamer.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The launch was wet with spray, which flew up in clouds as she lurched over the white-topped combers that burst in a chaotic spouting on a black volcanic reef not far away from her.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading A BIG CONTRACT It was the day after the dance at the Catalina, and Austin was running into Las Palmas harbour in a powerful steam launch which had been lent him to convey certain documents to a Spanish steamer.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A BIG CONTRACT It was the day after the dance at the Catalina, and Austin was running into Las Palmas harbour in a powerful steam launch which had been lent him to convey certain documents to a Spanish steamer.
inshore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The trade-breeze had veered a little further east that day, as it sometimes did, and the full drift of the long Atlantic sea came rolling inshore.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading A BIG CONTRACT It was the day after the dance at the Catalina, and Austin was running into Las Palmas harbour in a powerful steam launch which had been lent him to convey certain documents to a Spanish steamer.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A BIG CONTRACT It was the day after the dance at the Catalina, and Austin was running into Las Palmas harbour in a powerful steam launch which had been lent him to convey certain documents to a Spanish steamer.
Las
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A BIG CONTRACT It was the day after the dance at the Catalina, and Austin was running into Las Palmas harbour in a powerful steam launch which had been lent him to convey certain documents to a Spanish steamer.
latter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a boat astern of her, out of which a couple of Spanish peons seemed to be flinging the water, preparatory to abandoning the lighter to her fate, but Austin could see very little of the latter.
launch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A BIG CONTRACT It was the day after the dance at the Catalina, and Austin was running into Las Palmas harbour in a powerful steam launch which had been lent him to convey certain documents to a Spanish steamer.
lent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A BIG CONTRACT It was the day after the dance at the Catalina, and Austin was running into Las Palmas harbour in a powerful steam launch which had been lent him to convey certain documents to a Spanish steamer.
lighter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It also happened that the coaling company's new tug had broken down a few minutes earlier, and when the launch drove past the long mole the first thing Austin saw was a forty-ton coal lighter, loaded to the water's edge, drifting towards the reef.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The trade-breeze had veered a little further east that day, as it sometimes did, and the full drift of the long Atlantic sea came rolling inshore.
loaded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It also happened that the coaling company's new tug had broken down a few minutes earlier, and when the launch drove past the long mole the first thing Austin saw was a forty-ton coal lighter, loaded to the water's edge, drifting towards the reef.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The trade-breeze had veered a little further east that day, as it sometimes did, and the full drift of the long Atlantic sea came rolling inshore.
lurched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The launch was wet with spray, which flew up in clouds as she lurched over the white-topped combers that burst in a chaotic spouting on a black volcanic reef not far away from her.
minutes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It also happened that the coaling company's new tug had broken down a few minutes earlier, and when the launch drove past the long mole the first thing Austin saw was a forty-ton coal lighter, loaded to the water's edge, drifting towards the reef.
mole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It also happened that the coaling company's new tug had broken down a few minutes earlier, and when the launch drove past the long mole the first thing Austin saw was a forty-ton coal lighter, loaded to the water's edge, drifting towards the reef.
new
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It also happened that the coaling company's new tug had broken down a few minutes earlier, and when the launch drove past the long mole the first thing Austin saw was a forty-ton coal lighter, loaded to the water's edge, drifting towards the reef.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The launch was wet with spray, which flew up in clouds as she lurched over the white-topped combers that burst in a chaotic spouting on a black volcanic reef not far away from her.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The trade-breeze had veered a little further east that day, as it sometimes did, and the full drift of the long Atlantic sea came rolling inshore.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The launch was wet with spray, which flew up in clouds as she lurched over the white-topped combers that burst in a chaotic spouting on a black volcanic reef not far away from her.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a boat astern of her, out of which a couple of Spanish peons seemed to be flinging the water, preparatory to abandoning the lighter to her fate, but Austin could see very little of the latter.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The launch was wet with spray, which flew up in clouds as she lurched over the white-topped combers that burst in a chaotic spouting on a black volcanic reef not far away from her.
Palmas
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A BIG CONTRACT It was the day after the dance at the Catalina, and Austin was running into Las Palmas harbour in a powerful steam launch which had been lent him to convey certain documents to a Spanish steamer.
past
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It also happened that the coaling company's new tug had broken down a few minutes earlier, and when the launch drove past the long mole the first thing Austin saw was a forty-ton coal lighter, loaded to the water's edge, drifting towards the reef.
peons
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a boat astern of her, out of which a couple of Spanish peons seemed to be flinging the water, preparatory to abandoning the lighter to her fate, but Austin could see very little of the latter.
powerful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A BIG CONTRACT It was the day after the dance at the Catalina, and Austin was running into Las Palmas harbour in a powerful steam launch which had been lent him to convey certain documents to a Spanish steamer.
preparatory
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a boat astern of her, out of which a couple of Spanish peons seemed to be flinging the water, preparatory to abandoning the lighter to her fate, but Austin could see very little of the latter.
reef
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The launch was wet with spray, which flew up in clouds as she lurched over the white-topped combers that burst in a chaotic spouting on a black volcanic reef not far away from her.
rolling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The trade-breeze had veered a little further east that day, as it sometimes did, and the full drift of the long Atlantic sea came rolling inshore.
runningnounUS /ˈrunning/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading A BIG CONTRACT It was the day after the dance at the Catalina, and Austin was running into Las Palmas harbour in a powerful steam launch which had been lent him to convey certain documents to a Spanish steamer.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It also happened that the coaling company's new tug had broken down a few minutes earlier, and when the launch drove past the long mole the first thing Austin saw was a forty-ton coal lighter, loaded to the water's edge, drifting towards the reef.
sea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The trade-breeze had veered a little further east that day, as it sometimes did, and the full drift of the long Atlantic sea came rolling inshore.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a boat astern of her, out of which a couple of Spanish peons seemed to be flinging the water, preparatory to abandoning the lighter to her fate, but Austin could see very little of the latter.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There was a boat astern of her, out of which a couple of Spanish peons seemed to be flinging the water, preparatory to abandoning the lighter to her fate, but Austin could see very little of the latter.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The launch was wet with spray, which flew up in clouds as she lurched over the white-topped combers that burst in a chaotic spouting on a black volcanic reef not far away from her.
sometimes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The trade-breeze had veered a little further east that day, as it sometimes did, and the full drift of the long Atlantic sea came rolling inshore.
Spanish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A BIG CONTRACT It was the day after the dance at the Catalina, and Austin was running into Las Palmas harbour in a powerful steam launch which had been lent him to convey certain documents to a Spanish steamer.
spouting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The launch was wet with spray, which flew up in clouds as she lurched over the white-topped combers that burst in a chaotic spouting on a black volcanic reef not far away from her.
spray
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The launch was wet with spray, which flew up in clouds as she lurched over the white-topped combers that burst in a chaotic spouting on a black volcanic reef not far away from her.
steam
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A BIG CONTRACT It was the day after the dance at the Catalina, and Austin was running into Las Palmas harbour in a powerful steam launch which had been lent him to convey certain documents to a Spanish steamer.
steamer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A BIG CONTRACT It was the day after the dance at the Catalina, and Austin was running into Las Palmas harbour in a powerful steam launch which had been lent him to convey certain documents to a Spanish steamer.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The trade-breeze had veered a little further east that day, as it sometimes did, and the full drift of the long Atlantic sea came rolling inshore.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A BIG CONTRACT It was the day after the dance at the Catalina, and Austin was running into Las Palmas harbour in a powerful steam launch which had been lent him to convey certain documents to a Spanish steamer.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a boat astern of her, out of which a couple of Spanish peons seemed to be flinging the water, preparatory to abandoning the lighter to her fate, but Austin could see very little of the latter.
thingnounUS /thing/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It also happened that the coaling company's new tug had broken down a few minutes earlier, and when the launch drove past the long mole the first thing Austin saw was a forty-ton coal lighter, loaded to the water's edge, drifting towards the reef.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A BIG CONTRACT It was the day after the dance at the Catalina, and Austin was running into Las Palmas harbour in a powerful steam launch which had been lent him to convey certain documents to a Spanish steamer.
towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/
in the direction of
From this reading It also happened that the coaling company's new tug had broken down a few minutes earlier, and when the launch drove past the long mole the first thing Austin saw was a forty-ton coal lighter, loaded to the water's edge, drifting towards the reef.
trade-breeze
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The trade-breeze had veered a little further east that day, as it sometimes did, and the full drift of the long Atlantic sea came rolling inshore.
tug
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It also happened that the coaling company's new tug had broken down a few minutes earlier, and when the launch drove past the long mole the first thing Austin saw was a forty-ton coal lighter, loaded to the water's edge, drifting towards the reef.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The launch was wet with spray, which flew up in clouds as she lurched over the white-topped combers that burst in a chaotic spouting on a black volcanic reef not far away from her.
veered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The trade-breeze had veered a little further east that day, as it sometimes did, and the full drift of the long Atlantic sea came rolling inshore.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a boat astern of her, out of which a couple of Spanish peons seemed to be flinging the water, preparatory to abandoning the lighter to her fate, but Austin could see very little of the latter.
volcanic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The launch was wet with spray, which flew up in clouds as she lurched over the white-topped combers that burst in a chaotic spouting on a black volcanic reef not far away from her.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A BIG CONTRACT It was the day after the dance at the Catalina, and Austin was running into Las Palmas harbour in a powerful steam launch which had been lent him to convey certain documents to a Spanish steamer.
water
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a boat astern of her, out of which a couple of Spanish peons seemed to be flinging the water, preparatory to abandoning the lighter to her fate, but Austin could see very little of the latter.
water's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It also happened that the coaling company's new tug had broken down a few minutes earlier, and when the launch drove past the long mole the first thing Austin saw was a forty-ton coal lighter, loaded to the water's edge, drifting towards the reef.
wet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The launch was wet with spray, which flew up in clouds as she lurched over the white-topped combers that burst in a chaotic spouting on a black volcanic reef not far away from her.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading It also happened that the coaling company's new tug had broken down a few minutes earlier, and when the launch drove past the long mole the first thing Austin saw was a forty-ton coal lighter, loaded to the water's edge, drifting towards the reef.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A BIG CONTRACT It was the day after the dance at the Catalina, and Austin was running into Las Palmas harbour in a powerful steam launch which had been lent him to convey certain documents to a Spanish steamer.
white-topped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The launch was wet with spray, which flew up in clouds as she lurched over the white-topped combers that burst in a chaotic spouting on a black volcanic reef not far away from her.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The launch was wet with spray, which flew up in clouds as she lurched over the white-topped combers that burst in a chaotic spouting on a black volcanic reef not far away from her.
