Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
22nd
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From this reading It was the 22nd of November; the departure was to take place in ten days.
400,000
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From this reading It was, in fact, nothing less than the loading of the Columbiad, and the introduction into it of 400,000 pounds of gun-cotton.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading One operation alone remained to be accomplished to bring all to a happy termination; an operation delicate and perilous, requiring infinite precautions, and against the success of which Captain Nicholl had laid his third bet.
accomplished
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From this reading One operation alone remained to be accomplished to bring all to a happy termination; an operation delicate and perilous, requiring infinite precautions, and against the success of which Captain Nicholl had laid his third bet.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading One operation alone remained to be accomplished to bring all to a happy termination; an operation delicate and perilous, requiring infinite precautions, and against the success of which Captain Nicholl had laid his third bet.
all
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From this reading One operation alone remained to be accomplished to bring all to a happy termination; an operation delicate and perilous, requiring infinite precautions, and against the success of which Captain Nicholl had laid his third bet.
alonenounUS /alone/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading One operation alone remained to be accomplished to bring all to a happy termination; an operation delicate and perilous, requiring infinite precautions, and against the success of which Captain Nicholl had laid his third bet.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading One operation alone remained to be accomplished to bring all to a happy termination; an operation delicate and perilous, requiring infinite precautions, and against the success of which Captain Nicholl had laid his third bet.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading One operation alone remained to be accomplished to bring all to a happy termination; an operation delicate and perilous, requiring infinite precautions, and against the success of which Captain Nicholl had laid his third bet.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nicholl had thought, not perhaps without reason, that the handling of such formidable quantities of pyroxyle would, in all probability, involve a grave catastrophe; and at any rate, that this immense mass of eminently inflammable matter would inevitably ignite when submitted to the pressure of the projectile.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Nicholl had thought, not perhaps without reason, that the handling of such formidable quantities of pyroxyle would, in all probability, involve a grave catastrophe; and at any rate, that this immense mass of eminently inflammable matter would inevitably ignite when submitted to the pressure of the projectile.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading One operation alone remained to be accomplished to bring all to a happy termination; an operation delicate and perilous, requiring infinite precautions, and against the success of which Captain Nicholl had laid his third bet.
bet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One operation alone remained to be accomplished to bring all to a happy termination; an operation delicate and perilous, requiring infinite precautions, and against the success of which Captain Nicholl had laid his third bet.
bring
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From this reading One operation alone remained to be accomplished to bring all to a happy termination; an operation delicate and perilous, requiring infinite precautions, and against the success of which Captain Nicholl had laid his third bet.
CaptainnounUS /ˈcaptain/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading One operation alone remained to be accomplished to bring all to a happy termination; an operation delicate and perilous, requiring infinite precautions, and against the success of which Captain Nicholl had laid his third bet.
catastrophe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nicholl had thought, not perhaps without reason, that the handling of such formidable quantities of pyroxyle would, in all probability, involve a grave catastrophe; and at any rate, that this immense mass of eminently inflammable matter would inevitably ignite when submitted to the pressure of the projectile.
Columbiad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was, in fact, nothing less than the loading of the Columbiad, and the introduction into it of 400,000 pounds of gun-cotton.
days
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the 22nd of November; the departure was to take place in ten days.
delicate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One operation alone remained to be accomplished to bring all to a happy termination; an operation delicate and perilous, requiring infinite precautions, and against the success of which Captain Nicholl had laid his third bet.
departure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the 22nd of November; the departure was to take place in ten days.
DETAILSnounUS /ˈdetails/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading FINAL DETAILS.
eminently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nicholl had thought, not perhaps without reason, that the handling of such formidable quantities of pyroxyle would, in all probability, involve a grave catastrophe; and at any rate, that this immense mass of eminently inflammable matter would inevitably ignite when submitted to the pressure of the projectile.
fact
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was, in fact, nothing less than the loading of the Columbiad, and the introduction into it of 400,000 pounds of gun-cotton.
FINAL
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading FINAL DETAILS.
formidableadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrmɪdəbəl/
very difficult to deal with or overcome
From this reading Nicholl had thought, not perhaps without reason, that the handling of such formidable quantities of pyroxyle would, in all probability, involve a grave catastrophe; and at any rate, that this immense mass of eminently inflammable matter would inevitably ignite when submitted to the pressure of the projectile.
grave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nicholl had thought, not perhaps without reason, that the handling of such formidable quantities of pyroxyle would, in all probability, involve a grave catastrophe; and at any rate, that this immense mass of eminently inflammable matter would inevitably ignite when submitted to the pressure of the projectile.
gun-cotton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was, in fact, nothing less than the loading of the Columbiad, and the introduction into it of 400,000 pounds of gun-cotton.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading One operation alone remained to be accomplished to bring all to a happy termination; an operation delicate and perilous, requiring infinite precautions, and against the success of which Captain Nicholl had laid his third bet.
handling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nicholl had thought, not perhaps without reason, that the handling of such formidable quantities of pyroxyle would, in all probability, involve a grave catastrophe; and at any rate, that this immense mass of eminently inflammable matter would inevitably ignite when submitted to the pressure of the projectile.
happy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One operation alone remained to be accomplished to bring all to a happy termination; an operation delicate and perilous, requiring infinite precautions, and against the success of which Captain Nicholl had laid his third bet.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading One operation alone remained to be accomplished to bring all to a happy termination; an operation delicate and perilous, requiring infinite precautions, and against the success of which Captain Nicholl had laid his third bet.
ignite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nicholl had thought, not perhaps without reason, that the handling of such formidable quantities of pyroxyle would, in all probability, involve a grave catastrophe; and at any rate, that this immense mass of eminently inflammable matter would inevitably ignite when submitted to the pressure of the projectile.
immense
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nicholl had thought, not perhaps without reason, that the handling of such formidable quantities of pyroxyle would, in all probability, involve a grave catastrophe; and at any rate, that this immense mass of eminently inflammable matter would inevitably ignite when submitted to the pressure of the projectile.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was the 22nd of November; the departure was to take place in ten days.
inevitably
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nicholl had thought, not perhaps without reason, that the handling of such formidable quantities of pyroxyle would, in all probability, involve a grave catastrophe; and at any rate, that this immense mass of eminently inflammable matter would inevitably ignite when submitted to the pressure of the projectile.
infinite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One operation alone remained to be accomplished to bring all to a happy termination; an operation delicate and perilous, requiring infinite precautions, and against the success of which Captain Nicholl had laid his third bet.
inflammable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nicholl had thought, not perhaps without reason, that the handling of such formidable quantities of pyroxyle would, in all probability, involve a grave catastrophe; and at any rate, that this immense mass of eminently inflammable matter would inevitably ignite when submitted to the pressure of the projectile.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading It was, in fact, nothing less than the loading of the Columbiad, and the introduction into it of 400,000 pounds of gun-cotton.
introduction
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was, in fact, nothing less than the loading of the Columbiad, and the introduction into it of 400,000 pounds of gun-cotton.
involve
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nicholl had thought, not perhaps without reason, that the handling of such formidable quantities of pyroxyle would, in all probability, involve a grave catastrophe; and at any rate, that this immense mass of eminently inflammable matter would inevitably ignite when submitted to the pressure of the projectile.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was the 22nd of November; the departure was to take place in ten days.
laid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One operation alone remained to be accomplished to bring all to a happy termination; an operation delicate and perilous, requiring infinite precautions, and against the success of which Captain Nicholl had laid his third bet.
less
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was, in fact, nothing less than the loading of the Columbiad, and the introduction into it of 400,000 pounds of gun-cotton.
loading
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was, in fact, nothing less than the loading of the Columbiad, and the introduction into it of 400,000 pounds of gun-cotton.
mass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nicholl had thought, not perhaps without reason, that the handling of such formidable quantities of pyroxyle would, in all probability, involve a grave catastrophe; and at any rate, that this immense mass of eminently inflammable matter would inevitably ignite when submitted to the pressure of the projectile.
matter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nicholl had thought, not perhaps without reason, that the handling of such formidable quantities of pyroxyle would, in all probability, involve a grave catastrophe; and at any rate, that this immense mass of eminently inflammable matter would inevitably ignite when submitted to the pressure of the projectile.
Nicholl
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One operation alone remained to be accomplished to bring all to a happy termination; an operation delicate and perilous, requiring infinite precautions, and against the success of which Captain Nicholl had laid his third bet.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Nicholl had thought, not perhaps without reason, that the handling of such formidable quantities of pyroxyle would, in all probability, involve a grave catastrophe; and at any rate, that this immense mass of eminently inflammable matter would inevitably ignite when submitted to the pressure of the projectile.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading It was, in fact, nothing less than the loading of the Columbiad, and the introduction into it of 400,000 pounds of gun-cotton.
November
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the 22nd of November; the departure was to take place in ten days.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was the 22nd of November; the departure was to take place in ten days.
OnepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One operation alone remained to be accomplished to bring all to a happy termination; an operation delicate and perilous, requiring infinite precautions, and against the success of which Captain Nicholl had laid his third bet.
operation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One operation alone remained to be accomplished to bring all to a happy termination; an operation delicate and perilous, requiring infinite precautions, and against the success of which Captain Nicholl had laid his third bet.
perhaps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nicholl had thought, not perhaps without reason, that the handling of such formidable quantities of pyroxyle would, in all probability, involve a grave catastrophe; and at any rate, that this immense mass of eminently inflammable matter would inevitably ignite when submitted to the pressure of the projectile.
perilous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One operation alone remained to be accomplished to bring all to a happy termination; an operation delicate and perilous, requiring infinite precautions, and against the success of which Captain Nicholl had laid his third bet.
place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the 22nd of November; the departure was to take place in ten days.
pounds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was, in fact, nothing less than the loading of the Columbiad, and the introduction into it of 400,000 pounds of gun-cotton.
precautionsplural nounUS /prɪˈkɔʃənz/
actions taken to prevent danger
From this reading One operation alone remained to be accomplished to bring all to a happy termination; an operation delicate and perilous, requiring infinite precautions, and against the success of which Captain Nicholl had laid his third bet.
pressure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nicholl had thought, not perhaps without reason, that the handling of such formidable quantities of pyroxyle would, in all probability, involve a grave catastrophe; and at any rate, that this immense mass of eminently inflammable matter would inevitably ignite when submitted to the pressure of the projectile.
probability
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nicholl had thought, not perhaps without reason, that the handling of such formidable quantities of pyroxyle would, in all probability, involve a grave catastrophe; and at any rate, that this immense mass of eminently inflammable matter would inevitably ignite when submitted to the pressure of the projectile.
projectile
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nicholl had thought, not perhaps without reason, that the handling of such formidable quantities of pyroxyle would, in all probability, involve a grave catastrophe; and at any rate, that this immense mass of eminently inflammable matter would inevitably ignite when submitted to the pressure of the projectile.
pyroxyle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nicholl had thought, not perhaps without reason, that the handling of such formidable quantities of pyroxyle would, in all probability, involve a grave catastrophe; and at any rate, that this immense mass of eminently inflammable matter would inevitably ignite when submitted to the pressure of the projectile.
quantities
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nicholl had thought, not perhaps without reason, that the handling of such formidable quantities of pyroxyle would, in all probability, involve a grave catastrophe; and at any rate, that this immense mass of eminently inflammable matter would inevitably ignite when submitted to the pressure of the projectile.
rate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nicholl had thought, not perhaps without reason, that the handling of such formidable quantities of pyroxyle would, in all probability, involve a grave catastrophe; and at any rate, that this immense mass of eminently inflammable matter would inevitably ignite when submitted to the pressure of the projectile.
reason
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nicholl had thought, not perhaps without reason, that the handling of such formidable quantities of pyroxyle would, in all probability, involve a grave catastrophe; and at any rate, that this immense mass of eminently inflammable matter would inevitably ignite when submitted to the pressure of the projectile.
remainednounUS /ˈremained/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading One operation alone remained to be accomplished to bring all to a happy termination; an operation delicate and perilous, requiring infinite precautions, and against the success of which Captain Nicholl had laid his third bet.
requiring
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One operation alone remained to be accomplished to bring all to a happy termination; an operation delicate and perilous, requiring infinite precautions, and against the success of which Captain Nicholl had laid his third bet.
submitted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nicholl had thought, not perhaps without reason, that the handling of such formidable quantities of pyroxyle would, in all probability, involve a grave catastrophe; and at any rate, that this immense mass of eminently inflammable matter would inevitably ignite when submitted to the pressure of the projectile.
success
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One operation alone remained to be accomplished to bring all to a happy termination; an operation delicate and perilous, requiring infinite precautions, and against the success of which Captain Nicholl had laid his third bet.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Nicholl had thought, not perhaps without reason, that the handling of such formidable quantities of pyroxyle would, in all probability, involve a grave catastrophe; and at any rate, that this immense mass of eminently inflammable matter would inevitably ignite when submitted to the pressure of the projectile.
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was the 22nd of November; the departure was to take place in ten days.
ten
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was the 22nd of November; the departure was to take place in ten days.
termination
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One operation alone remained to be accomplished to bring all to a happy termination; an operation delicate and perilous, requiring infinite precautions, and against the success of which Captain Nicholl had laid his third bet.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading It was, in fact, nothing less than the loading of the Columbiad, and the introduction into it of 400,000 pounds of gun-cotton.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Nicholl had thought, not perhaps without reason, that the handling of such formidable quantities of pyroxyle would, in all probability, involve a grave catastrophe; and at any rate, that this immense mass of eminently inflammable matter would inevitably ignite when submitted to the pressure of the projectile.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was the 22nd of November; the departure was to take place in ten days.
thirdnounUS /third/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading One operation alone remained to be accomplished to bring all to a happy termination; an operation delicate and perilous, requiring infinite precautions, and against the success of which Captain Nicholl had laid his third bet.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Nicholl had thought, not perhaps without reason, that the handling of such formidable quantities of pyroxyle would, in all probability, involve a grave catastrophe; and at any rate, that this immense mass of eminently inflammable matter would inevitably ignite when submitted to the pressure of the projectile.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Nicholl had thought, not perhaps without reason, that the handling of such formidable quantities of pyroxyle would, in all probability, involve a grave catastrophe; and at any rate, that this immense mass of eminently inflammable matter would inevitably ignite when submitted to the pressure of the projectile.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was the 22nd of November; the departure was to take place in ten days.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was the 22nd of November; the departure was to take place in ten days.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading Nicholl had thought, not perhaps without reason, that the handling of such formidable quantities of pyroxyle would, in all probability, involve a grave catastrophe; and at any rate, that this immense mass of eminently inflammable matter would inevitably ignite when submitted to the pressure of the projectile.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading One operation alone remained to be accomplished to bring all to a happy termination; an operation delicate and perilous, requiring infinite precautions, and against the success of which Captain Nicholl had laid his third bet.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Nicholl had thought, not perhaps without reason, that the handling of such formidable quantities of pyroxyle would, in all probability, involve a grave catastrophe; and at any rate, that this immense mass of eminently inflammable matter would inevitably ignite when submitted to the pressure of the projectile.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Nicholl had thought, not perhaps without reason, that the handling of such formidable quantities of pyroxyle would, in all probability, involve a grave catastrophe; and at any rate, that this immense mass of eminently inflammable matter would inevitably ignite when submitted to the pressure of the projectile.
