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 North we raced from the Bonin Islands to pick up the seal-herd, and north we hunted it for a hundred days into frosty, mitten weather and into and through vast fogs which hid the sun from us for a week at a time.
affairs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And here, by the very system of things, by the way life was organised and men transacted affairs, John Barleycorn reached out and tucked my arm in his.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading North we raced from the Bonin Islands to pick up the seal-herd, and north we hunted it for a hundred days into frosty, mitten weather and into and through vast fogs which hid the sun from us for a week at a time.
arm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And here, by the very system of things, by the way life was organised and men transacted affairs, John Barleycorn reached out and tucked my arm in his.
ashore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was eager to be ashore and see Japan, but the first day was devoted to ship's work, and not until evening did we sailors land.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading North we raced from the Bonin Islands to pick up the seal-herd, and north we hunted it for a hundred days into frosty, mitten weather and into and through vast fogs which hid the sun from us for a week at a time.
Barleycorn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And here, by the very system of things, by the way life was organised and men transacted affairs, John Barleycorn reached out and tucked my arm in his.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading I was eager to be ashore and see Japan, but the first day was devoted to ship's work, and not until evening did we sailors land.
big
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then we sailed south to Yokohama, with a big catch of skins in our salt and a heavy pay-day coming.
Bonin
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From this reading North we raced from the Bonin Islands to pick up the seal-herd, and north we hunted it for a hundred days into frosty, mitten weather and into and through vast fogs which hid the sun from us for a week at a time.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading I was eager to be ashore and see Japan, but the first day was devoted to ship's work, and not until evening did we sailors land.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading And here, by the very system of things, by the way life was organised and men transacted affairs, John Barleycorn reached out and tucked my arm in his.
catch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then we sailed south to Yokohama, with a big catch of skins in our salt and a heavy pay-day coming.
coming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then we sailed south to Yokohama, with a big catch of skins in our salt and a heavy pay-day coming.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was eager to be ashore and see Japan, but the first day was devoted to ship's work, and not until evening did we sailors land.
days
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading North we raced from the Bonin Islands to pick up the seal-herd, and north we hunted it for a hundred days into frosty, mitten weather and into and through vast fogs which hid the sun from us for a week at a time.
devoted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was eager to be ashore and see Japan, but the first day was devoted to ship's work, and not until evening did we sailors land.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading I was eager to be ashore and see Japan, but the first day was devoted to ship's work, and not until evening did we sailors land.
drink
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was wild and heavy work, without a drink or thought of drink.
eager
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was eager to be ashore and see Japan, but the first day was devoted to ship's work, and not until evening did we sailors land.
evening
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was eager to be ashore and see Japan, but the first day was devoted to ship's work, and not until evening did we sailors land.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I was eager to be ashore and see Japan, but the first day was devoted to ship's work, and not until evening did we sailors land.
fogs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading North we raced from the Bonin Islands to pick up the seal-herd, and north we hunted it for a hundred days into frosty, mitten weather and into and through vast fogs which hid the sun from us for a week at a time.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading North we raced from the Bonin Islands to pick up the seal-herd, and north we hunted it for a hundred days into frosty, mitten weather and into and through vast fogs which hid the sun from us for a week at a time.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading North we raced from the Bonin Islands to pick up the seal-herd, and north we hunted it for a hundred days into frosty, mitten weather and into and through vast fogs which hid the sun from us for a week at a time.
frosty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading North we raced from the Bonin Islands to pick up the seal-herd, and north we hunted it for a hundred days into frosty, mitten weather and into and through vast fogs which hid the sun from us for a week at a time.
heavy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was wild and heavy work, without a drink or thought of drink.
herenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading And here, by the very system of things, by the way life was organised and men transacted affairs, John Barleycorn reached out and tucked my arm in his.
hid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading North we raced from the Bonin Islands to pick up the seal-herd, and north we hunted it for a hundred days into frosty, mitten weather and into and through vast fogs which hid the sun from us for a week at a time.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading And here, by the very system of things, by the way life was organised and men transacted affairs, John Barleycorn reached out and tucked my arm in his.
hundred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading North we raced from the Bonin Islands to pick up the seal-herd, and north we hunted it for a hundred days into frosty, mitten weather and into and through vast fogs which hid the sun from us for a week at a time.
hunted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading North we raced from the Bonin Islands to pick up the seal-herd, and north we hunted it for a hundred days into frosty, mitten weather and into and through vast fogs which hid the sun from us for a week at a time.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I was eager to be ashore and see Japan, but the first day was devoted to ship's work, and not until evening did we sailors land.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Then we sailed south to Yokohama, with a big catch of skins in our salt and a heavy pay-day coming.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading North we raced from the Bonin Islands to pick up the seal-herd, and north we hunted it for a hundred days into frosty, mitten weather and into and through vast fogs which hid the sun from us for a week at a time.
Islands
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading North we raced from the Bonin Islands to pick up the seal-herd, and north we hunted it for a hundred days into frosty, mitten weather and into and through vast fogs which hid the sun from us for a week at a time.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading North we raced from the Bonin Islands to pick up the seal-herd, and north we hunted it for a hundred days into frosty, mitten weather and into and through vast fogs which hid the sun from us for a week at a time.
Japan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was eager to be ashore and see Japan, but the first day was devoted to ship's work, and not until evening did we sailors land.
John
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And here, by the very system of things, by the way life was organised and men transacted affairs, John Barleycorn reached out and tucked my arm in his.
land
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was eager to be ashore and see Japan, but the first day was devoted to ship's work, and not until evening did we sailors land.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading And here, by the very system of things, by the way life was organised and men transacted affairs, John Barleycorn reached out and tucked my arm in his.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And here, by the very system of things, by the way life was organised and men transacted affairs, John Barleycorn reached out and tucked my arm in his.
mitten
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading North we raced from the Bonin Islands to pick up the seal-herd, and north we hunted it for a hundred days into frosty, mitten weather and into and through vast fogs which hid the sun from us for a week at a time.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading And here, by the very system of things, by the way life was organised and men transacted affairs, John Barleycorn reached out and tucked my arm in his.
North
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading North we raced from the Bonin Islands to pick up the seal-herd, and north we hunted it for a hundred days into frosty, mitten weather and into and through vast fogs which hid the sun from us for a week at a time.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading I was eager to be ashore and see Japan, but the first day was devoted to ship's work, and not until evening did we sailors land.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was wild and heavy work, without a drink or thought of drink.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading It was wild and heavy work, without a drink or thought of drink.
organised
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And here, by the very system of things, by the way life was organised and men transacted affairs, John Barleycorn reached out and tucked my arm in his.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Then we sailed south to Yokohama, with a big catch of skins in our salt and a heavy pay-day coming.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And here, by the very system of things, by the way life was organised and men transacted affairs, John Barleycorn reached out and tucked my arm in his.
pay-day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then we sailed south to Yokohama, with a big catch of skins in our salt and a heavy pay-day coming.
pick
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading North we raced from the Bonin Islands to pick up the seal-herd, and north we hunted it for a hundred days into frosty, mitten weather and into and through vast fogs which hid the sun from us for a week at a time.
raced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading North we raced from the Bonin Islands to pick up the seal-herd, and north we hunted it for a hundred days into frosty, mitten weather and into and through vast fogs which hid the sun from us for a week at a time.
reached
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And here, by the very system of things, by the way life was organised and men transacted affairs, John Barleycorn reached out and tucked my arm in his.
sailed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then we sailed south to Yokohama, with a big catch of skins in our salt and a heavy pay-day coming.
sailors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was eager to be ashore and see Japan, but the first day was devoted to ship's work, and not until evening did we sailors land.
salt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then we sailed south to Yokohama, with a big catch of skins in our salt and a heavy pay-day coming.
seal-herd
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading North we raced from the Bonin Islands to pick up the seal-herd, and north we hunted it for a hundred days into frosty, mitten weather and into and through vast fogs which hid the sun from us for a week at a time.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was eager to be ashore and see Japan, but the first day was devoted to ship's work, and not until evening did we sailors land.
ship's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I was eager to be ashore and see Japan, but the first day was devoted to ship's work, and not until evening did we sailors land.
skins
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then we sailed south to Yokohama, with a big catch of skins in our salt and a heavy pay-day coming.
south
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then we sailed south to Yokohama, with a big catch of skins in our salt and a heavy pay-day coming.
sun
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading North we raced from the Bonin Islands to pick up the seal-herd, and north we hunted it for a hundred days into frosty, mitten weather and into and through vast fogs which hid the sun from us for a week at a time.
system
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And here, by the very system of things, by the way life was organised and men transacted affairs, John Barleycorn reached out and tucked my arm in his.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading North we raced from the Bonin Islands to pick up the seal-herd, and north we hunted it for a hundred days into frosty, mitten weather and into and through vast fogs which hid the sun from us for a week at a time.
Then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then we sailed south to Yokohama, with a big catch of skins in our salt and a heavy pay-day coming.
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And here, by the very system of things, by the way life was organised and men transacted affairs, John Barleycorn reached out and tucked my arm in his.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was wild and heavy work, without a drink or thought of drink.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading North we raced from the Bonin Islands to pick up the seal-herd, and north we hunted it for a hundred days into frosty, mitten weather and into and through vast fogs which hid the sun from us for a week at a time.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading North we raced from the Bonin Islands to pick up the seal-herd, and north we hunted it for a hundred days into frosty, mitten weather and into and through vast fogs which hid the sun from us for a week at a time.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading North we raced from the Bonin Islands to pick up the seal-herd, and north we hunted it for a hundred days into frosty, mitten weather and into and through vast fogs which hid the sun from us for a week at a time.
transacted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And here, by the very system of things, by the way life was organised and men transacted affairs, John Barleycorn reached out and tucked my arm in his.
tucked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And here, by the very system of things, by the way life was organised and men transacted affairs, John Barleycorn reached out and tucked my arm in his.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading I was eager to be ashore and see Japan, but the first day was devoted to ship's work, and not until evening did we sailors land.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading North we raced from the Bonin Islands to pick up the seal-herd, and north we hunted it for a hundred days into frosty, mitten weather and into and through vast fogs which hid the sun from us for a week at a time.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading North we raced from the Bonin Islands to pick up the seal-herd, and north we hunted it for a hundred days into frosty, mitten weather and into and through vast fogs which hid the sun from us for a week at a time.
vast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading North we raced from the Bonin Islands to pick up the seal-herd, and north we hunted it for a hundred days into frosty, mitten weather and into and through vast fogs which hid the sun from us for a week at a time.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And here, by the very system of things, by the way life was organised and men transacted affairs, John Barleycorn reached out and tucked my arm in his.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was wild and heavy work, without a drink or thought of drink.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And here, by the very system of things, by the way life was organised and men transacted affairs, John Barleycorn reached out and tucked my arm in his.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading North we raced from the Bonin Islands to pick up the seal-herd, and north we hunted it for a hundred days into frosty, mitten weather and into and through vast fogs which hid the sun from us for a week at a time.
weather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading North we raced from the Bonin Islands to pick up the seal-herd, and north we hunted it for a hundred days into frosty, mitten weather and into and through vast fogs which hid the sun from us for a week at a time.
week
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading North we raced from the Bonin Islands to pick up the seal-herd, and north we hunted it for a hundred days into frosty, mitten weather and into and through vast fogs which hid the sun from us for a week at a time.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading North we raced from the Bonin Islands to pick up the seal-herd, and north we hunted it for a hundred days into frosty, mitten weather and into and through vast fogs which hid the sun from us for a week at a time.
wild
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was wild and heavy work, without a drink or thought of drink.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Then we sailed south to Yokohama, with a big catch of skins in our salt and a heavy pay-day coming.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading It was wild and heavy work, without a drink or thought of drink.
work
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was wild and heavy work, without a drink or thought of drink.
Yokohama
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Then we sailed south to Yokohama, with a big catch of skins in our salt and a heavy pay-day coming.
