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 The most that could be done was to keep the ship dead before it, to prevent her broaching-to, and to have a care that she kept clear of those rocks and of that bottom, for which Nanny Sidley had so much pined.
amidprepositionUS /əˈmɪd/
in the middle of; surrounded by
From this reading Several islands had been passed, looking tranquil and smiling amid the fury of the tempest; but it was impossible to haul up for any one among them.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading Several islands had been passed, looking tranquil and smiling amid the fury of the tempest; but it was impossible to haul up for any one among them.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading At sunset, the speck presented by the reefed top-sail of the corvette had sunk beneath the horizon, in the southern board, and that ship was seen no longer.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Several islands had been passed, looking tranquil and smiling amid the fury of the tempest; but it was impossible to haul up for any one among them.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At sunset, the speck presented by the reefed top-sail of the corvette had sunk beneath the horizon, in the southern board, and that ship was seen no longer.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The most that could be done was to keep the ship dead before it, to prevent her broaching-to, and to have a care that she kept clear of those rocks and of that bottom, for which Nanny Sidley had so much pined.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Several islands had been passed, looking tranquil and smiling amid the fury of the tempest; but it was impossible to haul up for any one among them.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading The most that could be done was to keep the ship dead before it, to prevent her broaching-to, and to have a care that she kept clear of those rocks and of that bottom, for which Nanny Sidley had so much pined.
beneathprepositionUS /bɪˈniːθ/
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading At sunset, the speck presented by the reefed top-sail of the corvette had sunk beneath the horizon, in the southern board, and that ship was seen no longer.
board
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At sunset, the speck presented by the reefed top-sail of the corvette had sunk beneath the horizon, in the southern board, and that ship was seen no longer.
boatswainnounUS /ˈboʊsən/
an officer responsible for deck crew and equipment
From this reading Good boatswain, have care.
bottom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The most that could be done was to keep the ship dead before it, to prevent her broaching-to, and to have a care that she kept clear of those rocks and of that bottom, for which Nanny Sidley had so much pined.
broaching-to
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The most that could be done was to keep the ship dead before it, to prevent her broaching-to, and to have a care that she kept clear of those rocks and of that bottom, for which Nanny Sidley had so much pined.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Several islands had been passed, looking tranquil and smiling amid the fury of the tempest; but it was impossible to haul up for any one among them.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading At sunset, the speck presented by the reefed top-sail of the corvette had sunk beneath the horizon, in the southern board, and that ship was seen no longer.
care
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Good boatswain, have care.
clear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The most that could be done was to keep the ship dead before it, to prevent her broaching-to, and to have a care that she kept clear of those rocks and of that bottom, for which Nanny Sidley had so much pined.
corvette
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At sunset, the speck presented by the reefed top-sail of the corvette had sunk beneath the horizon, in the southern board, and that ship was seen no longer.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The most that could be done was to keep the ship dead before it, to prevent her broaching-to, and to have a care that she kept clear of those rocks and of that bottom, for which Nanny Sidley had so much pined.
deadnounUS /dead/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The most that could be done was to keep the ship dead before it, to prevent her broaching-to, and to have a care that she kept clear of those rocks and of that bottom, for which Nanny Sidley had so much pined.
donenounUS /done/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The most that could be done was to keep the ship dead before it, to prevent her broaching-to, and to have a care that she kept clear of those rocks and of that bottom, for which Nanny Sidley had so much pined.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Several islands had been passed, looking tranquil and smiling amid the fury of the tempest; but it was impossible to haul up for any one among them.
fury
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Several islands had been passed, looking tranquil and smiling amid the fury of the tempest; but it was impossible to haul up for any one among them.
GoodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Good boatswain, have care.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading At sunset, the speck presented by the reefed top-sail of the corvette had sunk beneath the horizon, in the southern board, and that ship was seen no longer.
haul
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Several islands had been passed, looking tranquil and smiling amid the fury of the tempest; but it was impossible to haul up for any one among them.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Good boatswain, have care.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The most that could be done was to keep the ship dead before it, to prevent her broaching-to, and to have a care that she kept clear of those rocks and of that bottom, for which Nanny Sidley had so much pined.
horizon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At sunset, the speck presented by the reefed top-sail of the corvette had sunk beneath the horizon, in the southern board, and that ship was seen no longer.
impossible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Several islands had been passed, looking tranquil and smiling amid the fury of the tempest; but it was impossible to haul up for any one among them.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading At sunset, the speck presented by the reefed top-sail of the corvette had sunk beneath the horizon, in the southern board, and that ship was seen no longer.
islands
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Several islands had been passed, looking tranquil and smiling amid the fury of the tempest; but it was impossible to haul up for any one among them.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Several islands had been passed, looking tranquil and smiling amid the fury of the tempest; but it was impossible to haul up for any one among them.
keep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The most that could be done was to keep the ship dead before it, to prevent her broaching-to, and to have a care that she kept clear of those rocks and of that bottom, for which Nanny Sidley had so much pined.
kept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The most that could be done was to keep the ship dead before it, to prevent her broaching-to, and to have a care that she kept clear of those rocks and of that bottom, for which Nanny Sidley had so much pined.
longer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At sunset, the speck presented by the reefed top-sail of the corvette had sunk beneath the horizon, in the southern board, and that ship was seen no longer.
looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Several islands had been passed, looking tranquil and smiling amid the fury of the tempest; but it was impossible to haul up for any one among them.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The most that could be done was to keep the ship dead before it, to prevent her broaching-to, and to have a care that she kept clear of those rocks and of that bottom, for which Nanny Sidley had so much pined.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The most that could be done was to keep the ship dead before it, to prevent her broaching-to, and to have a care that she kept clear of those rocks and of that bottom, for which Nanny Sidley had so much pined.
Nanny
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The most that could be done was to keep the ship dead before it, to prevent her broaching-to, and to have a care that she kept clear of those rocks and of that bottom, for which Nanny Sidley had so much pined.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading At sunset, the speck presented by the reefed top-sail of the corvette had sunk beneath the horizon, in the southern board, and that ship was seen no longer.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading At sunset, the speck presented by the reefed top-sail of the corvette had sunk beneath the horizon, in the southern board, and that ship was seen no longer.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Several islands had been passed, looking tranquil and smiling amid the fury of the tempest; but it was impossible to haul up for any one among them.
passednounUS /passed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Several islands had been passed, looking tranquil and smiling amid the fury of the tempest; but it was impossible to haul up for any one among them.
pined
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The most that could be done was to keep the ship dead before it, to prevent her broaching-to, and to have a care that she kept clear of those rocks and of that bottom, for which Nanny Sidley had so much pined.
presented
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At sunset, the speck presented by the reefed top-sail of the corvette had sunk beneath the horizon, in the southern board, and that ship was seen no longer.
prevent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The most that could be done was to keep the ship dead before it, to prevent her broaching-to, and to have a care that she kept clear of those rocks and of that bottom, for which Nanny Sidley had so much pined.
reefed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At sunset, the speck presented by the reefed top-sail of the corvette had sunk beneath the horizon, in the southern board, and that ship was seen no longer.
rocks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The most that could be done was to keep the ship dead before it, to prevent her broaching-to, and to have a care that she kept clear of those rocks and of that bottom, for which Nanny Sidley had so much pined.
seen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At sunset, the speck presented by the reefed top-sail of the corvette had sunk beneath the horizon, in the southern board, and that ship was seen no longer.
Several
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Several islands had been passed, looking tranquil and smiling amid the fury of the tempest; but it was impossible to haul up for any one among them.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The most that could be done was to keep the ship dead before it, to prevent her broaching-to, and to have a care that she kept clear of those rocks and of that bottom, for which Nanny Sidley had so much pined.
shipnounUS /ship/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At sunset, the speck presented by the reefed top-sail of the corvette had sunk beneath the horizon, in the southern board, and that ship was seen no longer.
Sidley
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The most that could be done was to keep the ship dead before it, to prevent her broaching-to, and to have a care that she kept clear of those rocks and of that bottom, for which Nanny Sidley had so much pined.
smiling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Several islands had been passed, looking tranquil and smiling amid the fury of the tempest; but it was impossible to haul up for any one among them.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The most that could be done was to keep the ship dead before it, to prevent her broaching-to, and to have a care that she kept clear of those rocks and of that bottom, for which Nanny Sidley had so much pined.
southern
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At sunset, the speck presented by the reefed top-sail of the corvette had sunk beneath the horizon, in the southern board, and that ship was seen no longer.
speck
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At sunset, the speck presented by the reefed top-sail of the corvette had sunk beneath the horizon, in the southern board, and that ship was seen no longer.
sunk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At sunset, the speck presented by the reefed top-sail of the corvette had sunk beneath the horizon, in the southern board, and that ship was seen no longer.
sunset
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At sunset, the speck presented by the reefed top-sail of the corvette had sunk beneath the horizon, in the southern board, and that ship was seen no longer.
TEMPEST
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading TEMPEST.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading At sunset, the speck presented by the reefed top-sail of the corvette had sunk beneath the horizon, in the southern board, and that ship was seen no longer.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading At sunset, the speck presented by the reefed top-sail of the corvette had sunk beneath the horizon, in the southern board, and that ship was seen no longer.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Several islands had been passed, looking tranquil and smiling amid the fury of the tempest; but it was impossible to haul up for any one among them.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading The most that could be done was to keep the ship dead before it, to prevent her broaching-to, and to have a care that she kept clear of those rocks and of that bottom, for which Nanny Sidley had so much pined.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Several islands had been passed, looking tranquil and smiling amid the fury of the tempest; but it was impossible to haul up for any one among them.
top-sail
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At sunset, the speck presented by the reefed top-sail of the corvette had sunk beneath the horizon, in the southern board, and that ship was seen no longer.
tranquil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Several islands had been passed, looking tranquil and smiling amid the fury of the tempest; but it was impossible to haul up for any one among them.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Several islands had been passed, looking tranquil and smiling amid the fury of the tempest; but it was impossible to haul up for any one among them.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading At sunset, the speck presented by the reefed top-sail of the corvette had sunk beneath the horizon, in the southern board, and that ship was seen no longer.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The most that could be done was to keep the ship dead before it, to prevent her broaching-to, and to have a care that she kept clear of those rocks and of that bottom, for which Nanny Sidley had so much pined.