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 Any thoughtful observer who has ever seen a school of sperm whales, numbering several hundreds, and understood, from the configuration of their jaws, that they must of necessity feed upon large creatures, can never after feel difficulty in believing that, in order to supply the enormous demand for food made by these whales, their prey must be imposing in size and abundant in quantity.
able
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Surgeon Beale, in his book on the sperm whale, only credits the cachalot with being able to swallow a man, but with all the respect due to so great a writer, I am bound to say that such masses as I have seen ejected from the stomach of the dying whale could only have entered a throat to which a man was as a pill is to us.
abundant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Any thoughtful observer who has ever seen a school of sperm whales, numbering several hundreds, and understood, from the configuration of their jaws, that they must of necessity feed upon large creatures, can never after feel difficulty in believing that, in order to supply the enormous demand for food made by these whales, their prey must be imposing in size and abundant in quantity.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Any thoughtful observer who has ever seen a school of sperm whales, numbering several hundreds, and understood, from the configuration of their jaws, that they must of necessity feed upon large creatures, can never after feel difficulty in believing that, in order to supply the enormous demand for food made by these whales, their prey must be imposing in size and abundant in quantity.
albacore
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From this reading But seeing him, when wounded, vomiting huge masses of white substance, my curiosity was aroused, and when I saw that these masses were parts of a mighty creature almost identical in structure with the small squid so often picked up on deck, where it falls in its frantic efforts to escape from dolphins (_Coryphæna_), albacore, or bonito, my amazement was great.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Surgeon Beale, in his book on the sperm whale, only credits the cachalot with being able to swallow a man, but with all the respect due to so great a writer, I am bound to say that such masses as I have seen ejected from the stomach of the dying whale could only have entered a throat to which a man was as a pill is to us.
almost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But seeing him, when wounded, vomiting huge masses of white substance, my curiosity was aroused, and when I saw that these masses were parts of a mighty creature almost identical in structure with the small squid so often picked up on deck, where it falls in its frantic efforts to escape from dolphins (_Coryphæna_), albacore, or bonito, my amazement was great.
amauxiliary verbUS /æm/
the form of “be” used with “I”
From this reading Surgeon Beale, in his book on the sperm whale, only credits the cachalot with being able to swallow a man, but with all the respect due to so great a writer, I am bound to say that such masses as I have seen ejected from the stomach of the dying whale could only have entered a throat to which a man was as a pill is to us.
amazement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But seeing him, when wounded, vomiting huge masses of white substance, my curiosity was aroused, and when I saw that these masses were parts of a mighty creature almost identical in structure with the small squid so often picked up on deck, where it falls in its frantic efforts to escape from dolphins (_Coryphæna_), albacore, or bonito, my amazement was great.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Any thoughtful observer who has ever seen a school of sperm whales, numbering several hundreds, and understood, from the configuration of their jaws, that they must of necessity feed upon large creatures, can never after feel difficulty in believing that, in order to supply the enormous demand for food made by these whales, their prey must be imposing in size and abundant in quantity.
Any
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From this reading Any thoughtful observer who has ever seen a school of sperm whales, numbering several hundreds, and understood, from the configuration of their jaws, that they must of necessity feed upon large creatures, can never after feel difficulty in believing that, in order to supply the enormous demand for food made by these whales, their prey must be imposing in size and abundant in quantity.
aroused
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But seeing him, when wounded, vomiting huge masses of white substance, my curiosity was aroused, and when I saw that these masses were parts of a mighty creature almost identical in structure with the small squid so often picked up on deck, where it falls in its frantic efforts to escape from dolphins (_Coryphæna_), albacore, or bonito, my amazement was great.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Surgeon Beale, in his book on the sperm whale, only credits the cachalot with being able to swallow a man, but with all the respect due to so great a writer, I am bound to say that such masses as I have seen ejected from the stomach of the dying whale could only have entered a throat to which a man was as a pill is to us.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Any thoughtful observer who has ever seen a school of sperm whales, numbering several hundreds, and understood, from the configuration of their jaws, that they must of necessity feed upon large creatures, can never after feel difficulty in believing that, in order to supply the enormous demand for food made by these whales, their prey must be imposing in size and abundant in quantity.
Beale
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Surgeon Beale, in his book on the sperm whale, only credits the cachalot with being able to swallow a man, but with all the respect due to so great a writer, I am bound to say that such masses as I have seen ejected from the stomach of the dying whale could only have entered a throat to which a man was as a pill is to us.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Surgeon Beale, in his book on the sperm whale, only credits the cachalot with being able to swallow a man, but with all the respect due to so great a writer, I am bound to say that such masses as I have seen ejected from the stomach of the dying whale could only have entered a throat to which a man was as a pill is to us.
believing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Any thoughtful observer who has ever seen a school of sperm whales, numbering several hundreds, and understood, from the configuration of their jaws, that they must of necessity feed upon large creatures, can never after feel difficulty in believing that, in order to supply the enormous demand for food made by these whales, their prey must be imposing in size and abundant in quantity.
bonito
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But seeing him, when wounded, vomiting huge masses of white substance, my curiosity was aroused, and when I saw that these masses were parts of a mighty creature almost identical in structure with the small squid so often picked up on deck, where it falls in its frantic efforts to escape from dolphins (_Coryphæna_), albacore, or bonito, my amazement was great.
book
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Surgeon Beale, in his book on the sperm whale, only credits the cachalot with being able to swallow a man, but with all the respect due to so great a writer, I am bound to say that such masses as I have seen ejected from the stomach of the dying whale could only have entered a throat to which a man was as a pill is to us.
bound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Surgeon Beale, in his book on the sperm whale, only credits the cachalot with being able to swallow a man, but with all the respect due to so great a writer, I am bound to say that such masses as I have seen ejected from the stomach of the dying whale could only have entered a throat to which a man was as a pill is to us.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But seeing him, when wounded, vomiting huge masses of white substance, my curiosity was aroused, and when I saw that these masses were parts of a mighty creature almost identical in structure with the small squid so often picked up on deck, where it falls in its frantic efforts to escape from dolphins (_Coryphæna_), albacore, or bonito, my amazement was great.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Any thoughtful observer who has ever seen a school of sperm whales, numbering several hundreds, and understood, from the configuration of their jaws, that they must of necessity feed upon large creatures, can never after feel difficulty in believing that, in order to supply the enormous demand for food made by these whales, their prey must be imposing in size and abundant in quantity.
cachalot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On my first meeting with the cachalot, on terms of mutual destruction, I knew nothing of his habits, and cared less.
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading Any thoughtful observer who has ever seen a school of sperm whales, numbering several hundreds, and understood, from the configuration of their jaws, that they must of necessity feed upon large creatures, can never after feel difficulty in believing that, in order to supply the enormous demand for food made by these whales, their prey must be imposing in size and abundant in quantity.
cared
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From this reading On my first meeting with the cachalot, on terms of mutual destruction, I knew nothing of his habits, and cared less.
configuration
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From this reading Any thoughtful observer who has ever seen a school of sperm whales, numbering several hundreds, and understood, from the configuration of their jaws, that they must of necessity feed upon large creatures, can never after feel difficulty in believing that, in order to supply the enormous demand for food made by these whales, their prey must be imposing in size and abundant in quantity.
Coryphæna
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But seeing him, when wounded, vomiting huge masses of white substance, my curiosity was aroused, and when I saw that these masses were parts of a mighty creature almost identical in structure with the small squid so often picked up on deck, where it falls in its frantic efforts to escape from dolphins (_Coryphæna_), albacore, or bonito, my amazement was great.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Surgeon Beale, in his book on the sperm whale, only credits the cachalot with being able to swallow a man, but with all the respect due to so great a writer, I am bound to say that such masses as I have seen ejected from the stomach of the dying whale could only have entered a throat to which a man was as a pill is to us.
creaturenounUS /ˈcreature/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading But seeing him, when wounded, vomiting huge masses of white substance, my curiosity was aroused, and when I saw that these masses were parts of a mighty creature almost identical in structure with the small squid so often picked up on deck, where it falls in its frantic efforts to escape from dolphins (_Coryphæna_), albacore, or bonito, my amazement was great.
creatures
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Any thoughtful observer who has ever seen a school of sperm whales, numbering several hundreds, and understood, from the configuration of their jaws, that they must of necessity feed upon large creatures, can never after feel difficulty in believing that, in order to supply the enormous demand for food made by these whales, their prey must be imposing in size and abundant in quantity.
credits
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Surgeon Beale, in his book on the sperm whale, only credits the cachalot with being able to swallow a man, but with all the respect due to so great a writer, I am bound to say that such masses as I have seen ejected from the stomach of the dying whale could only have entered a throat to which a man was as a pill is to us.
curiosity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But seeing him, when wounded, vomiting huge masses of white substance, my curiosity was aroused, and when I saw that these masses were parts of a mighty creature almost identical in structure with the small squid so often picked up on deck, where it falls in its frantic efforts to escape from dolphins (_Coryphæna_), albacore, or bonito, my amazement was great.
deck
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But seeing him, when wounded, vomiting huge masses of white substance, my curiosity was aroused, and when I saw that these masses were parts of a mighty creature almost identical in structure with the small squid so often picked up on deck, where it falls in its frantic efforts to escape from dolphins (_Coryphæna_), albacore, or bonito, my amazement was great.
demand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Any thoughtful observer who has ever seen a school of sperm whales, numbering several hundreds, and understood, from the configuration of their jaws, that they must of necessity feed upon large creatures, can never after feel difficulty in believing that, in order to supply the enormous demand for food made by these whales, their prey must be imposing in size and abundant in quantity.
destruction
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On my first meeting with the cachalot, on terms of mutual destruction, I knew nothing of his habits, and cared less.
difficulty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Any thoughtful observer who has ever seen a school of sperm whales, numbering several hundreds, and understood, from the configuration of their jaws, that they must of necessity feed upon large creatures, can never after feel difficulty in believing that, in order to supply the enormous demand for food made by these whales, their prey must be imposing in size and abundant in quantity.
dolphins
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But seeing him, when wounded, vomiting huge masses of white substance, my curiosity was aroused, and when I saw that these masses were parts of a mighty creature almost identical in structure with the small squid so often picked up on deck, where it falls in its frantic efforts to escape from dolphins (_Coryphæna_), albacore, or bonito, my amazement was great.
due
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Surgeon Beale, in his book on the sperm whale, only credits the cachalot with being able to swallow a man, but with all the respect due to so great a writer, I am bound to say that such masses as I have seen ejected from the stomach of the dying whale could only have entered a throat to which a man was as a pill is to us.
dying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Surgeon Beale, in his book on the sperm whale, only credits the cachalot with being able to swallow a man, but with all the respect due to so great a writer, I am bound to say that such masses as I have seen ejected from the stomach of the dying whale could only have entered a throat to which a man was as a pill is to us.
efforts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But seeing him, when wounded, vomiting huge masses of white substance, my curiosity was aroused, and when I saw that these masses were parts of a mighty creature almost identical in structure with the small squid so often picked up on deck, where it falls in its frantic efforts to escape from dolphins (_Coryphæna_), albacore, or bonito, my amazement was great.
ejected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Surgeon Beale, in his book on the sperm whale, only credits the cachalot with being able to swallow a man, but with all the respect due to so great a writer, I am bound to say that such masses as I have seen ejected from the stomach of the dying whale could only have entered a throat to which a man was as a pill is to us.
enormous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Any thoughtful observer who has ever seen a school of sperm whales, numbering several hundreds, and understood, from the configuration of their jaws, that they must of necessity feed upon large creatures, can never after feel difficulty in believing that, in order to supply the enormous demand for food made by these whales, their prey must be imposing in size and abundant in quantity.
entered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Surgeon Beale, in his book on the sperm whale, only credits the cachalot with being able to swallow a man, but with all the respect due to so great a writer, I am bound to say that such masses as I have seen ejected from the stomach of the dying whale could only have entered a throat to which a man was as a pill is to us.
escape
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But seeing him, when wounded, vomiting huge masses of white substance, my curiosity was aroused, and when I saw that these masses were parts of a mighty creature almost identical in structure with the small squid so often picked up on deck, where it falls in its frantic efforts to escape from dolphins (_Coryphæna_), albacore, or bonito, my amazement was great.
evernounUS /ever/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Any thoughtful observer who has ever seen a school of sperm whales, numbering several hundreds, and understood, from the configuration of their jaws, that they must of necessity feed upon large creatures, can never after feel difficulty in believing that, in order to supply the enormous demand for food made by these whales, their prey must be imposing in size and abundant in quantity.
falls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But seeing him, when wounded, vomiting huge masses of white substance, my curiosity was aroused, and when I saw that these masses were parts of a mighty creature almost identical in structure with the small squid so often picked up on deck, where it falls in its frantic efforts to escape from dolphins (_Coryphæna_), albacore, or bonito, my amazement was great.
feed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Any thoughtful observer who has ever seen a school of sperm whales, numbering several hundreds, and understood, from the configuration of their jaws, that they must of necessity feed upon large creatures, can never after feel difficulty in believing that, in order to supply the enormous demand for food made by these whales, their prey must be imposing in size and abundant in quantity.
feel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Any thoughtful observer who has ever seen a school of sperm whales, numbering several hundreds, and understood, from the configuration of their jaws, that they must of necessity feed upon large creatures, can never after feel difficulty in believing that, in order to supply the enormous demand for food made by these whales, their prey must be imposing in size and abundant in quantity.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading On my first meeting with the cachalot, on terms of mutual destruction, I knew nothing of his habits, and cared less.
food
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Any thoughtful observer who has ever seen a school of sperm whales, numbering several hundreds, and understood, from the configuration of their jaws, that they must of necessity feed upon large creatures, can never after feel difficulty in believing that, in order to supply the enormous demand for food made by these whales, their prey must be imposing in size and abundant in quantity.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Any thoughtful observer who has ever seen a school of sperm whales, numbering several hundreds, and understood, from the configuration of their jaws, that they must of necessity feed upon large creatures, can never after feel difficulty in believing that, in order to supply the enormous demand for food made by these whales, their prey must be imposing in size and abundant in quantity.
fragments
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some of these fragments were truly heroic in size.
frantic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But seeing him, when wounded, vomiting huge masses of white substance, my curiosity was aroused, and when I saw that these masses were parts of a mighty creature almost identical in structure with the small squid so often picked up on deck, where it falls in its frantic efforts to escape from dolphins (_Coryphæna_), albacore, or bonito, my amazement was great.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Any thoughtful observer who has ever seen a school of sperm whales, numbering several hundreds, and understood, from the configuration of their jaws, that they must of necessity feed upon large creatures, can never after feel difficulty in believing that, in order to supply the enormous demand for food made by these whales, their prey must be imposing in size and abundant in quantity.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But seeing him, when wounded, vomiting huge masses of white substance, my curiosity was aroused, and when I saw that these masses were parts of a mighty creature almost identical in structure with the small squid so often picked up on deck, where it falls in its frantic efforts to escape from dolphins (_Coryphæna_), albacore, or bonito, my amazement was great.
habits
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On my first meeting with the cachalot, on terms of mutual destruction, I knew nothing of his habits, and cared less.
hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/
the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Any thoughtful observer who has ever seen a school of sperm whales, numbering several hundreds, and understood, from the configuration of their jaws, that they must of necessity feed upon large creatures, can never after feel difficulty in believing that, in order to supply the enormous demand for food made by these whales, their prey must be imposing in size and abundant in quantity.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Surgeon Beale, in his book on the sperm whale, only credits the cachalot with being able to swallow a man, but with all the respect due to so great a writer, I am bound to say that such masses as I have seen ejected from the stomach of the dying whale could only have entered a throat to which a man was as a pill is to us.
heroic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some of these fragments were truly heroic in size.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading But seeing him, when wounded, vomiting huge masses of white substance, my curiosity was aroused, and when I saw that these masses were parts of a mighty creature almost identical in structure with the small squid so often picked up on deck, where it falls in its frantic efforts to escape from dolphins (_Coryphæna_), albacore, or bonito, my amazement was great.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading On my first meeting with the cachalot, on terms of mutual destruction, I knew nothing of his habits, and cared less.
huge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But seeing him, when wounded, vomiting huge masses of white substance, my curiosity was aroused, and when I saw that these masses were parts of a mighty creature almost identical in structure with the small squid so often picked up on deck, where it falls in its frantic efforts to escape from dolphins (_Coryphæna_), albacore, or bonito, my amazement was great.
hundreds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Any thoughtful observer who has ever seen a school of sperm whales, numbering several hundreds, and understood, from the configuration of their jaws, that they must of necessity feed upon large creatures, can never after feel difficulty in believing that, in order to supply the enormous demand for food made by these whales, their prey must be imposing in size and abundant in quantity.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading On my first meeting with the cachalot, on terms of mutual destruction, I knew nothing of his habits, and cared less.
identical
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But seeing him, when wounded, vomiting huge masses of white substance, my curiosity was aroused, and when I saw that these masses were parts of a mighty creature almost identical in structure with the small squid so often picked up on deck, where it falls in its frantic efforts to escape from dolphins (_Coryphæna_), albacore, or bonito, my amazement was great.
imposing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Any thoughtful observer who has ever seen a school of sperm whales, numbering several hundreds, and understood, from the configuration of their jaws, that they must of necessity feed upon large creatures, can never after feel difficulty in believing that, in order to supply the enormous demand for food made by these whales, their prey must be imposing in size and abundant in quantity.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Any thoughtful observer who has ever seen a school of sperm whales, numbering several hundreds, and understood, from the configuration of their jaws, that they must of necessity feed upon large creatures, can never after feel difficulty in believing that, in order to supply the enormous demand for food made by these whales, their prey must be imposing in size and abundant in quantity.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Surgeon Beale, in his book on the sperm whale, only credits the cachalot with being able to swallow a man, but with all the respect due to so great a writer, I am bound to say that such masses as I have seen ejected from the stomach of the dying whale could only have entered a throat to which a man was as a pill is to us.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading But seeing him, when wounded, vomiting huge masses of white substance, my curiosity was aroused, and when I saw that these masses were parts of a mighty creature almost identical in structure with the small squid so often picked up on deck, where it falls in its frantic efforts to escape from dolphins (_Coryphæna_), albacore, or bonito, my amazement was great.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading But seeing him, when wounded, vomiting huge masses of white substance, my curiosity was aroused, and when I saw that these masses were parts of a mighty creature almost identical in structure with the small squid so often picked up on deck, where it falls in its frantic efforts to escape from dolphins (_Coryphæna_), albacore, or bonito, my amazement was great.
jaws
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Any thoughtful observer who has ever seen a school of sperm whales, numbering several hundreds, and understood, from the configuration of their jaws, that they must of necessity feed upon large creatures, can never after feel difficulty in believing that, in order to supply the enormous demand for food made by these whales, their prey must be imposing in size and abundant in quantity.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On my first meeting with the cachalot, on terms of mutual destruction, I knew nothing of his habits, and cared less.
large
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Any thoughtful observer who has ever seen a school of sperm whales, numbering several hundreds, and understood, from the configuration of their jaws, that they must of necessity feed upon large creatures, can never after feel difficulty in believing that, in order to supply the enormous demand for food made by these whales, their prey must be imposing in size and abundant in quantity.
less
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On my first meeting with the cachalot, on terms of mutual destruction, I knew nothing of his habits, and cared less.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Any thoughtful observer who has ever seen a school of sperm whales, numbering several hundreds, and understood, from the configuration of their jaws, that they must of necessity feed upon large creatures, can never after feel difficulty in believing that, in order to supply the enormous demand for food made by these whales, their prey must be imposing in size and abundant in quantity.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Surgeon Beale, in his book on the sperm whale, only credits the cachalot with being able to swallow a man, but with all the respect due to so great a writer, I am bound to say that such masses as I have seen ejected from the stomach of the dying whale could only have entered a throat to which a man was as a pill is to us.
masses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But seeing him, when wounded, vomiting huge masses of white substance, my curiosity was aroused, and when I saw that these masses were parts of a mighty creature almost identical in structure with the small squid so often picked up on deck, where it falls in its frantic efforts to escape from dolphins (_Coryphæna_), albacore, or bonito, my amazement was great.
meeting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On my first meeting with the cachalot, on terms of mutual destruction, I knew nothing of his habits, and cared less.
mighty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But seeing him, when wounded, vomiting huge masses of white substance, my curiosity was aroused, and when I saw that these masses were parts of a mighty creature almost identical in structure with the small squid so often picked up on deck, where it falls in its frantic efforts to escape from dolphins (_Coryphæna_), albacore, or bonito, my amazement was great.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Any thoughtful observer who has ever seen a school of sperm whales, numbering several hundreds, and understood, from the configuration of their jaws, that they must of necessity feed upon large creatures, can never after feel difficulty in believing that, in order to supply the enormous demand for food made by these whales, their prey must be imposing in size and abundant in quantity.
mutual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On my first meeting with the cachalot, on terms of mutual destruction, I knew nothing of his habits, and cared less.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading On my first meeting with the cachalot, on terms of mutual destruction, I knew nothing of his habits, and cared less.
necessity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Any thoughtful observer who has ever seen a school of sperm whales, numbering several hundreds, and understood, from the configuration of their jaws, that they must of necessity feed upon large creatures, can never after feel difficulty in believing that, in order to supply the enormous demand for food made by these whales, their prey must be imposing in size and abundant in quantity.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Any thoughtful observer who has ever seen a school of sperm whales, numbering several hundreds, and understood, from the configuration of their jaws, that they must of necessity feed upon large creatures, can never after feel difficulty in believing that, in order to supply the enormous demand for food made by these whales, their prey must be imposing in size and abundant in quantity.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading On my first meeting with the cachalot, on terms of mutual destruction, I knew nothing of his habits, and cared less.
numbering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Any thoughtful observer who has ever seen a school of sperm whales, numbering several hundreds, and understood, from the configuration of their jaws, that they must of necessity feed upon large creatures, can never after feel difficulty in believing that, in order to supply the enormous demand for food made by these whales, their prey must be imposing in size and abundant in quantity.
observer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Any thoughtful observer who has ever seen a school of sperm whales, numbering several hundreds, and understood, from the configuration of their jaws, that they must of necessity feed upon large creatures, can never after feel difficulty in believing that, in order to supply the enormous demand for food made by these whales, their prey must be imposing in size and abundant in quantity.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Any thoughtful observer who has ever seen a school of sperm whales, numbering several hundreds, and understood, from the configuration of their jaws, that they must of necessity feed upon large creatures, can never after feel difficulty in believing that, in order to supply the enormous demand for food made by these whales, their prey must be imposing in size and abundant in quantity.
often
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But seeing him, when wounded, vomiting huge masses of white substance, my curiosity was aroused, and when I saw that these masses were parts of a mighty creature almost identical in structure with the small squid so often picked up on deck, where it falls in its frantic efforts to escape from dolphins (_Coryphæna_), albacore, or bonito, my amazement was great.
OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On my first meeting with the cachalot, on terms of mutual destruction, I knew nothing of his habits, and cared less.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Surgeon Beale, in his book on the sperm whale, only credits the cachalot with being able to swallow a man, but with all the respect due to so great a writer, I am bound to say that such masses as I have seen ejected from the stomach of the dying whale could only have entered a throat to which a man was as a pill is to us.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading But seeing him, when wounded, vomiting huge masses of white substance, my curiosity was aroused, and when I saw that these masses were parts of a mighty creature almost identical in structure with the small squid so often picked up on deck, where it falls in its frantic efforts to escape from dolphins (_Coryphæna_), albacore, or bonito, my amazement was great.
ordernounUS /order/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Any thoughtful observer who has ever seen a school of sperm whales, numbering several hundreds, and understood, from the configuration of their jaws, that they must of necessity feed upon large creatures, can never after feel difficulty in believing that, in order to supply the enormous demand for food made by these whales, their prey must be imposing in size and abundant in quantity.
parts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But seeing him, when wounded, vomiting huge masses of white substance, my curiosity was aroused, and when I saw that these masses were parts of a mighty creature almost identical in structure with the small squid so often picked up on deck, where it falls in its frantic efforts to escape from dolphins (_Coryphæna_), albacore, or bonito, my amazement was great.
picked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But seeing him, when wounded, vomiting huge masses of white substance, my curiosity was aroused, and when I saw that these masses were parts of a mighty creature almost identical in structure with the small squid so often picked up on deck, where it falls in its frantic efforts to escape from dolphins (_Coryphæna_), albacore, or bonito, my amazement was great.
pill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Surgeon Beale, in his book on the sperm whale, only credits the cachalot with being able to swallow a man, but with all the respect due to so great a writer, I am bound to say that such masses as I have seen ejected from the stomach of the dying whale could only have entered a throat to which a man was as a pill is to us.
prey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Any thoughtful observer who has ever seen a school of sperm whales, numbering several hundreds, and understood, from the configuration of their jaws, that they must of necessity feed upon large creatures, can never after feel difficulty in believing that, in order to supply the enormous demand for food made by these whales, their prey must be imposing in size and abundant in quantity.
quantity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Any thoughtful observer who has ever seen a school of sperm whales, numbering several hundreds, and understood, from the configuration of their jaws, that they must of necessity feed upon large creatures, can never after feel difficulty in believing that, in order to supply the enormous demand for food made by these whales, their prey must be imposing in size and abundant in quantity.
respect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Surgeon Beale, in his book on the sperm whale, only credits the cachalot with being able to swallow a man, but with all the respect due to so great a writer, I am bound to say that such masses as I have seen ejected from the stomach of the dying whale could only have entered a throat to which a man was as a pill is to us.
saw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But seeing him, when wounded, vomiting huge masses of white substance, my curiosity was aroused, and when I saw that these masses were parts of a mighty creature almost identical in structure with the small squid so often picked up on deck, where it falls in its frantic efforts to escape from dolphins (_Coryphæna_), albacore, or bonito, my amazement was great.
say
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Surgeon Beale, in his book on the sperm whale, only credits the cachalot with being able to swallow a man, but with all the respect due to so great a writer, I am bound to say that such masses as I have seen ejected from the stomach of the dying whale could only have entered a throat to which a man was as a pill is to us.
school
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Any thoughtful observer who has ever seen a school of sperm whales, numbering several hundreds, and understood, from the configuration of their jaws, that they must of necessity feed upon large creatures, can never after feel difficulty in believing that, in order to supply the enormous demand for food made by these whales, their prey must be imposing in size and abundant in quantity.
seeing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But seeing him, when wounded, vomiting huge masses of white substance, my curiosity was aroused, and when I saw that these masses were parts of a mighty creature almost identical in structure with the small squid so often picked up on deck, where it falls in its frantic efforts to escape from dolphins (_Coryphæna_), albacore, or bonito, my amazement was great.
seen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Any thoughtful observer who has ever seen a school of sperm whales, numbering several hundreds, and understood, from the configuration of their jaws, that they must of necessity feed upon large creatures, can never after feel difficulty in believing that, in order to supply the enormous demand for food made by these whales, their prey must be imposing in size and abundant in quantity.
several
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Any thoughtful observer who has ever seen a school of sperm whales, numbering several hundreds, and understood, from the configuration of their jaws, that they must of necessity feed upon large creatures, can never after feel difficulty in believing that, in order to supply the enormous demand for food made by these whales, their prey must be imposing in size and abundant in quantity.
size
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Any thoughtful observer who has ever seen a school of sperm whales, numbering several hundreds, and understood, from the configuration of their jaws, that they must of necessity feed upon large creatures, can never after feel difficulty in believing that, in order to supply the enormous demand for food made by these whales, their prey must be imposing in size and abundant in quantity.
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But seeing him, when wounded, vomiting huge masses of white substance, my curiosity was aroused, and when I saw that these masses were parts of a mighty creature almost identical in structure with the small squid so often picked up on deck, where it falls in its frantic efforts to escape from dolphins (_Coryphæna_), albacore, or bonito, my amazement was great.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading But seeing him, when wounded, vomiting huge masses of white substance, my curiosity was aroused, and when I saw that these masses were parts of a mighty creature almost identical in structure with the small squid so often picked up on deck, where it falls in its frantic efforts to escape from dolphins (_Coryphæna_), albacore, or bonito, my amazement was great.
Some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some of these fragments were truly heroic in size.
sperm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Any thoughtful observer who has ever seen a school of sperm whales, numbering several hundreds, and understood, from the configuration of their jaws, that they must of necessity feed upon large creatures, can never after feel difficulty in believing that, in order to supply the enormous demand for food made by these whales, their prey must be imposing in size and abundant in quantity.
squid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But seeing him, when wounded, vomiting huge masses of white substance, my curiosity was aroused, and when I saw that these masses were parts of a mighty creature almost identical in structure with the small squid so often picked up on deck, where it falls in its frantic efforts to escape from dolphins (_Coryphæna_), albacore, or bonito, my amazement was great.
stomach
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Surgeon Beale, in his book on the sperm whale, only credits the cachalot with being able to swallow a man, but with all the respect due to so great a writer, I am bound to say that such masses as I have seen ejected from the stomach of the dying whale could only have entered a throat to which a man was as a pill is to us.
structure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But seeing him, when wounded, vomiting huge masses of white substance, my curiosity was aroused, and when I saw that these masses were parts of a mighty creature almost identical in structure with the small squid so often picked up on deck, where it falls in its frantic efforts to escape from dolphins (_Coryphæna_), albacore, or bonito, my amazement was great.
substancenounUS /ˈsʌbstəns/
wealth or financial means
From this reading But seeing him, when wounded, vomiting huge masses of white substance, my curiosity was aroused, and when I saw that these masses were parts of a mighty creature almost identical in structure with the small squid so often picked up on deck, where it falls in its frantic efforts to escape from dolphins (_Coryphæna_), albacore, or bonito, my amazement was great.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Surgeon Beale, in his book on the sperm whale, only credits the cachalot with being able to swallow a man, but with all the respect due to so great a writer, I am bound to say that such masses as I have seen ejected from the stomach of the dying whale could only have entered a throat to which a man was as a pill is to us.
supply
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Any thoughtful observer who has ever seen a school of sperm whales, numbering several hundreds, and understood, from the configuration of their jaws, that they must of necessity feed upon large creatures, can never after feel difficulty in believing that, in order to supply the enormous demand for food made by these whales, their prey must be imposing in size and abundant in quantity.
Surgeon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Surgeon Beale, in his book on the sperm whale, only credits the cachalot with being able to swallow a man, but with all the respect due to so great a writer, I am bound to say that such masses as I have seen ejected from the stomach of the dying whale could only have entered a throat to which a man was as a pill is to us.
swallow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Surgeon Beale, in his book on the sperm whale, only credits the cachalot with being able to swallow a man, but with all the respect due to so great a writer, I am bound to say that such masses as I have seen ejected from the stomach of the dying whale could only have entered a throat to which a man was as a pill is to us.
terms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On my first meeting with the cachalot, on terms of mutual destruction, I knew nothing of his habits, and cared less.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Any thoughtful observer who has ever seen a school of sperm whales, numbering several hundreds, and understood, from the configuration of their jaws, that they must of necessity feed upon large creatures, can never after feel difficulty in believing that, in order to supply the enormous demand for food made by these whales, their prey must be imposing in size and abundant in quantity.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Any thoughtful observer who has ever seen a school of sperm whales, numbering several hundreds, and understood, from the configuration of their jaws, that they must of necessity feed upon large creatures, can never after feel difficulty in believing that, in order to supply the enormous demand for food made by these whales, their prey must be imposing in size and abundant in quantity.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Any thoughtful observer who has ever seen a school of sperm whales, numbering several hundreds, and understood, from the configuration of their jaws, that they must of necessity feed upon large creatures, can never after feel difficulty in believing that, in order to supply the enormous demand for food made by these whales, their prey must be imposing in size and abundant in quantity.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Any thoughtful observer who has ever seen a school of sperm whales, numbering several hundreds, and understood, from the configuration of their jaws, that they must of necessity feed upon large creatures, can never after feel difficulty in believing that, in order to supply the enormous demand for food made by these whales, their prey must be imposing in size and abundant in quantity.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Any thoughtful observer who has ever seen a school of sperm whales, numbering several hundreds, and understood, from the configuration of their jaws, that they must of necessity feed upon large creatures, can never after feel difficulty in believing that, in order to supply the enormous demand for food made by these whales, their prey must be imposing in size and abundant in quantity.
thoughtful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Any thoughtful observer who has ever seen a school of sperm whales, numbering several hundreds, and understood, from the configuration of their jaws, that they must of necessity feed upon large creatures, can never after feel difficulty in believing that, in order to supply the enormous demand for food made by these whales, their prey must be imposing in size and abundant in quantity.
throatnounUS /θroʊt/
The passage at the back of the mouth.
From this reading Surgeon Beale, in his book on the sperm whale, only credits the cachalot with being able to swallow a man, but with all the respect due to so great a writer, I am bound to say that such masses as I have seen ejected from the stomach of the dying whale could only have entered a throat to which a man was as a pill is to us.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Any thoughtful observer who has ever seen a school of sperm whales, numbering several hundreds, and understood, from the configuration of their jaws, that they must of necessity feed upon large creatures, can never after feel difficulty in believing that, in order to supply the enormous demand for food made by these whales, their prey must be imposing in size and abundant in quantity.
truly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some of these fragments were truly heroic in size.
understood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Any thoughtful observer who has ever seen a school of sperm whales, numbering several hundreds, and understood, from the configuration of their jaws, that they must of necessity feed upon large creatures, can never after feel difficulty in believing that, in order to supply the enormous demand for food made by these whales, their prey must be imposing in size and abundant in quantity.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But seeing him, when wounded, vomiting huge masses of white substance, my curiosity was aroused, and when I saw that these masses were parts of a mighty creature almost identical in structure with the small squid so often picked up on deck, where it falls in its frantic efforts to escape from dolphins (_Coryphæna_), albacore, or bonito, my amazement was great.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Any thoughtful observer who has ever seen a school of sperm whales, numbering several hundreds, and understood, from the configuration of their jaws, that they must of necessity feed upon large creatures, can never after feel difficulty in believing that, in order to supply the enormous demand for food made by these whales, their prey must be imposing in size and abundant in quantity.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Surgeon Beale, in his book on the sperm whale, only credits the cachalot with being able to swallow a man, but with all the respect due to so great a writer, I am bound to say that such masses as I have seen ejected from the stomach of the dying whale could only have entered a throat to which a man was as a pill is to us.
vomiting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But seeing him, when wounded, vomiting huge masses of white substance, my curiosity was aroused, and when I saw that these masses were parts of a mighty creature almost identical in structure with the small squid so often picked up on deck, where it falls in its frantic efforts to escape from dolphins (_Coryphæna_), albacore, or bonito, my amazement was great.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But seeing him, when wounded, vomiting huge masses of white substance, my curiosity was aroused, and when I saw that these masses were parts of a mighty creature almost identical in structure with the small squid so often picked up on deck, where it falls in its frantic efforts to escape from dolphins (_Coryphæna_), albacore, or bonito, my amazement was great.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But seeing him, when wounded, vomiting huge masses of white substance, my curiosity was aroused, and when I saw that these masses were parts of a mighty creature almost identical in structure with the small squid so often picked up on deck, where it falls in its frantic efforts to escape from dolphins (_Coryphæna_), albacore, or bonito, my amazement was great.
whale
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Surgeon Beale, in his book on the sperm whale, only credits the cachalot with being able to swallow a man, but with all the respect due to so great a writer, I am bound to say that such masses as I have seen ejected from the stomach of the dying whale could only have entered a throat to which a man was as a pill is to us.
whales
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Any thoughtful observer who has ever seen a school of sperm whales, numbering several hundreds, and understood, from the configuration of their jaws, that they must of necessity feed upon large creatures, can never after feel difficulty in believing that, in order to supply the enormous demand for food made by these whales, their prey must be imposing in size and abundant in quantity.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading But seeing him, when wounded, vomiting huge masses of white substance, my curiosity was aroused, and when I saw that these masses were parts of a mighty creature almost identical in structure with the small squid so often picked up on deck, where it falls in its frantic efforts to escape from dolphins (_Coryphæna_), albacore, or bonito, my amazement was great.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading But seeing him, when wounded, vomiting huge masses of white substance, my curiosity was aroused, and when I saw that these masses were parts of a mighty creature almost identical in structure with the small squid so often picked up on deck, where it falls in its frantic efforts to escape from dolphins (_Coryphæna_), albacore, or bonito, my amazement was great.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Surgeon Beale, in his book on the sperm whale, only credits the cachalot with being able to swallow a man, but with all the respect due to so great a writer, I am bound to say that such masses as I have seen ejected from the stomach of the dying whale could only have entered a throat to which a man was as a pill is to us.
white
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But seeing him, when wounded, vomiting huge masses of white substance, my curiosity was aroused, and when I saw that these masses were parts of a mighty creature almost identical in structure with the small squid so often picked up on deck, where it falls in its frantic efforts to escape from dolphins (_Coryphæna_), albacore, or bonito, my amazement was great.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading Any thoughtful observer who has ever seen a school of sperm whales, numbering several hundreds, and understood, from the configuration of their jaws, that they must of necessity feed upon large creatures, can never after feel difficulty in believing that, in order to supply the enormous demand for food made by these whales, their prey must be imposing in size and abundant in quantity.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading On my first meeting with the cachalot, on terms of mutual destruction, I knew nothing of his habits, and cared less.
wounded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But seeing him, when wounded, vomiting huge masses of white substance, my curiosity was aroused, and when I saw that these masses were parts of a mighty creature almost identical in structure with the small squid so often picked up on deck, where it falls in its frantic efforts to escape from dolphins (_Coryphæna_), albacore, or bonito, my amazement was great.
writer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Surgeon Beale, in his book on the sperm whale, only credits the cachalot with being able to swallow a man, but with all the respect due to so great a writer, I am bound to say that such masses as I have seen ejected from the stomach of the dying whale could only have entered a throat to which a man was as a pill is to us.
