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Midshipman Merrill
Midshipman Merrill

Chapter XXVIII · A Letter from Home

Cover illustration for Midshipman Merrill
Context Illustration Reading 1/19 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Mark Merrill had passed his first year in his fight for fame, and he had won against every obstacle placed in his path.
The humble fisher lad, “entered at large for gallant services rendered,” but coming from the rock-bound coast of Maine, the nursery of hero sailors, as is, in fact, the whole coast of New England, had cast his anchor to windward and thus kept himself off the breakers.
It had held firm, and he had been landed as the master mind of his class.
Thanks to a splendid physique he had passed the surgeon, and his gratitude went out whole-souled to his noble mother, because her teachings had enabled him to know sufficient of books to enter upon his career as a cadet.
Thanks to his splendid training as a sailor, a fisher lad, and mail-carrier in the roughest weather, he had the constitution, training and endurance to face every hardship, and thus had won victory in sports as well as in the study hall.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Midshipman Merrill

Chapter XXVIII · A Letter from Home

Reading 1/19 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Mark Merrill had passed his first year in his fight for fame, and he had won against every obstacle placed in his path.
Line 2
The humble fisher lad, “entered at large for gallant services rendered,” but coming from the rock-bound coast of Maine, the nursery of hero sailors, as is, in fact, the whole coast of New England, had cast his anchor to windward and thus kept himself off the breakers.
Line 3
It had held firm, and he had been landed as the master mind of his class.
Line 4
Thanks to a splendid physique he had passed the surgeon, and his gratitude went out whole-souled to his noble mother, because her teachings had enabled him to know sufficient of books to enter upon his career as a cadet.
Line 5
Thanks to his splendid training as a sailor, a fisher lad, and mail-carrier in the roughest weather, he had the constitution, training and endurance to face every hardship, and thus had won victory in sports as well as in the study hall.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

Against preposition US /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading “Mark Merrill had passed his first year in his fight for fame, and he had won against every obstacle placed in his path.”

Because conjunction US /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading “Thanks to a splendid physique he had passed the surgeon, and his gratitude went out whole-souled to his noble mother, because her teachings had enabled him to know sufficient of books to enter upon his career as a cadet.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “It had held firm, and he had been landed as the master mind of his class.”

Books noun US /bʊks/

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading “Thanks to a splendid physique he had passed the surgeon, and his gratitude went out whole-souled to his noble mother, because her teachings had enabled him to know sufficient of books to enter upon his career as a cadet.”

Every determiner US /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading “Mark Merrill had passed his first year in his fight for fame, and he had won against every obstacle placed in his path.”

First noun US /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Mark Merrill had passed his first year in his fight for fame, and he had won against every obstacle placed in his path.”

Himself pronoun US /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading “The humble fisher lad, “entered at large for gallant services rendered,” but coming from the rock-bound coast of Maine, the nursery of hero sailors, as is, in fact, the whole coast of New England, had cast his anchor to windward and thus kept himself off the breakers.”

Know noun US /know/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Thanks to a splendid physique he had passed the surgeon, and his gratitude went out whole-souled to his noble mother, because her teachings had enabled him to know sufficient of books to enter upon his career as a cadet.”

Mind noun US /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It had held firm, and he had been landed as the master mind of his class.”

Passed noun US /passed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Mark Merrill had passed his first year in his fight for fame, and he had won against every obstacle placed in his path.”

Roughest noun US /ˈroughest/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “Thanks to his splendid training as a sailor, a fisher lad, and mail-carrier in the roughest weather, he had the constitution, training and endurance to face every hardship, and thus had won victory in sports as well as in the study hall.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “Thanks to a splendid physique he had passed the surgeon, and his gratitude went out whole-souled to his noble mother, because her teachings had enabled him to know sufficient of books to enter upon his career as a cadet.”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Thanks to his splendid training as a sailor, a fisher lad, and mail-carrier in the roughest weather, he had the constitution, training and endurance to face every hardship, and thus had won victory in sports as well as in the study hall.”

Went noun US /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Thanks to a splendid physique he had passed the surgeon, and his gratitude went out whole-souled to his noble mother, because her teachings had enabled him to know sufficient of books to enter upon his career as a cadet.”

Windward noun US /ˈwindward/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “The humble fisher lad, “entered at large for gallant services rendered,” but coming from the rock-bound coast of Maine, the nursery of hero sailors, as is, in fact, the whole coast of New England, had cast his anchor to windward and thus kept himself off the breakers.”

All words in this reading · 99

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 Thanks to a splendid physique he had passed the surgeon, and his gratitude went out whole-souled to his noble mother, because her teachings had enabled him to know sufficient of books to enter upon his career as a cadet.

againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading Mark Merrill had passed his first year in his fight for fame, and he had won against every obstacle placed in his path.

anchor

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The humble fisher lad, “entered at large for gallant services rendered,” but coming from the rock-bound coast of Maine, the nursery of hero sailors, as is, in fact, the whole coast of New England, had cast his anchor to windward and thus kept himself off the breakers.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading Mark Merrill had passed his first year in his fight for fame, and he had won against every obstacle placed in his path.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading The humble fisher lad, “entered at large for gallant services rendered,” but coming from the rock-bound coast of Maine, the nursery of hero sailors, as is, in fact, the whole coast of New England, had cast his anchor to windward and thus kept himself off the breakers.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The humble fisher lad, “entered at large for gallant services rendered,” but coming from the rock-bound coast of Maine, the nursery of hero sailors, as is, in fact, the whole coast of New England, had cast his anchor to windward and thus kept himself off the breakers.

becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading Thanks to a splendid physique he had passed the surgeon, and his gratitude went out whole-souled to his noble mother, because her teachings had enabled him to know sufficient of books to enter upon his career as a cadet.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading It had held firm, and he had been landed as the master mind of his class.

booksnounUS /bʊks/

Bound written or printed works.

From this reading Thanks to a splendid physique he had passed the surgeon, and his gratitude went out whole-souled to his noble mother, because her teachings had enabled him to know sufficient of books to enter upon his career as a cadet.

breakers

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The humble fisher lad, “entered at large for gallant services rendered,” but coming from the rock-bound coast of Maine, the nursery of hero sailors, as is, in fact, the whole coast of New England, had cast his anchor to windward and thus kept himself off the breakers.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The humble fisher lad, “entered at large for gallant services rendered,” but coming from the rock-bound coast of Maine, the nursery of hero sailors, as is, in fact, the whole coast of New England, had cast his anchor to windward and thus kept himself off the breakers.

cadet

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thanks to a splendid physique he had passed the surgeon, and his gratitude went out whole-souled to his noble mother, because her teachings had enabled him to know sufficient of books to enter upon his career as a cadet.

career

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thanks to a splendid physique he had passed the surgeon, and his gratitude went out whole-souled to his noble mother, because her teachings had enabled him to know sufficient of books to enter upon his career as a cadet.

cast

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The humble fisher lad, “entered at large for gallant services rendered,” but coming from the rock-bound coast of Maine, the nursery of hero sailors, as is, in fact, the whole coast of New England, had cast his anchor to windward and thus kept himself off the breakers.

class

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It had held firm, and he had been landed as the master mind of his class.

coast

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The humble fisher lad, “entered at large for gallant services rendered,” but coming from the rock-bound coast of Maine, the nursery of hero sailors, as is, in fact, the whole coast of New England, had cast his anchor to windward and thus kept himself off the breakers.

coming

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The humble fisher lad, “entered at large for gallant services rendered,” but coming from the rock-bound coast of Maine, the nursery of hero sailors, as is, in fact, the whole coast of New England, had cast his anchor to windward and thus kept himself off the breakers.

constitution

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thanks to his splendid training as a sailor, a fisher lad, and mail-carrier in the roughest weather, he had the constitution, training and endurance to face every hardship, and thus had won victory in sports as well as in the study hall.

enabled

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thanks to a splendid physique he had passed the surgeon, and his gratitude went out whole-souled to his noble mother, because her teachings had enabled him to know sufficient of books to enter upon his career as a cadet.

endurance

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thanks to his splendid training as a sailor, a fisher lad, and mail-carrier in the roughest weather, he had the constitution, training and endurance to face every hardship, and thus had won victory in sports as well as in the study hall.

England

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The humble fisher lad, “entered at large for gallant services rendered,” but coming from the rock-bound coast of Maine, the nursery of hero sailors, as is, in fact, the whole coast of New England, had cast his anchor to windward and thus kept himself off the breakers.

enter

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thanks to a splendid physique he had passed the surgeon, and his gratitude went out whole-souled to his noble mother, because her teachings had enabled him to know sufficient of books to enter upon his career as a cadet.

entered

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The humble fisher lad, “entered at large for gallant services rendered,” but coming from the rock-bound coast of Maine, the nursery of hero sailors, as is, in fact, the whole coast of New England, had cast his anchor to windward and thus kept himself off the breakers.

everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading Mark Merrill had passed his first year in his fight for fame, and he had won against every obstacle placed in his path.

face

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thanks to his splendid training as a sailor, a fisher lad, and mail-carrier in the roughest weather, he had the constitution, training and endurance to face every hardship, and thus had won victory in sports as well as in the study hall.

fact

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The humble fisher lad, “entered at large for gallant services rendered,” but coming from the rock-bound coast of Maine, the nursery of hero sailors, as is, in fact, the whole coast of New England, had cast his anchor to windward and thus kept himself off the breakers.

fame

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Mark Merrill had passed his first year in his fight for fame, and he had won against every obstacle placed in his path.

fight

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Mark Merrill had passed his first year in his fight for fame, and he had won against every obstacle placed in his path.

firm

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It had held firm, and he had been landed as the master mind of his class.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Mark Merrill had passed his first year in his fight for fame, and he had won against every obstacle placed in his path.

fisher

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The humble fisher lad, “entered at large for gallant services rendered,” but coming from the rock-bound coast of Maine, the nursery of hero sailors, as is, in fact, the whole coast of New England, had cast his anchor to windward and thus kept himself off the breakers.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Mark Merrill had passed his first year in his fight for fame, and he had won against every obstacle placed in his path.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The humble fisher lad, “entered at large for gallant services rendered,” but coming from the rock-bound coast of Maine, the nursery of hero sailors, as is, in fact, the whole coast of New England, had cast his anchor to windward and thus kept himself off the breakers.

gallant

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The humble fisher lad, “entered at large for gallant services rendered,” but coming from the rock-bound coast of Maine, the nursery of hero sailors, as is, in fact, the whole coast of New England, had cast his anchor to windward and thus kept himself off the breakers.

gratitude

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thanks to a splendid physique he had passed the surgeon, and his gratitude went out whole-souled to his noble mother, because her teachings had enabled him to know sufficient of books to enter upon his career as a cadet.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Mark Merrill had passed his first year in his fight for fame, and he had won against every obstacle placed in his path.

hall

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thanks to his splendid training as a sailor, a fisher lad, and mail-carrier in the roughest weather, he had the constitution, training and endurance to face every hardship, and thus had won victory in sports as well as in the study hall.

hardship

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thanks to his splendid training as a sailor, a fisher lad, and mail-carrier in the roughest weather, he had the constitution, training and endurance to face every hardship, and thus had won victory in sports as well as in the study hall.

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Mark Merrill had passed his first year in his fight for fame, and he had won against every obstacle placed in his path.

held

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It had held firm, and he had been landed as the master mind of his class.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Thanks to a splendid physique he had passed the surgeon, and his gratitude went out whole-souled to his noble mother, because her teachings had enabled him to know sufficient of books to enter upon his career as a cadet.

hero

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The humble fisher lad, “entered at large for gallant services rendered,” but coming from the rock-bound coast of Maine, the nursery of hero sailors, as is, in fact, the whole coast of New England, had cast his anchor to windward and thus kept himself off the breakers.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Thanks to a splendid physique he had passed the surgeon, and his gratitude went out whole-souled to his noble mother, because her teachings had enabled him to know sufficient of books to enter upon his career as a cadet.

himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading The humble fisher lad, “entered at large for gallant services rendered,” but coming from the rock-bound coast of Maine, the nursery of hero sailors, as is, in fact, the whole coast of New England, had cast his anchor to windward and thus kept himself off the breakers.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Mark Merrill had passed his first year in his fight for fame, and he had won against every obstacle placed in his path.

humble

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The humble fisher lad, “entered at large for gallant services rendered,” but coming from the rock-bound coast of Maine, the nursery of hero sailors, as is, in fact, the whole coast of New England, had cast his anchor to windward and thus kept himself off the breakers.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Mark Merrill had passed his first year in his fight for fame, and he had won against every obstacle placed in his path.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading The humble fisher lad, “entered at large for gallant services rendered,” but coming from the rock-bound coast of Maine, the nursery of hero sailors, as is, in fact, the whole coast of New England, had cast his anchor to windward and thus kept himself off the breakers.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It had held firm, and he had been landed as the master mind of his class.

kept

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The humble fisher lad, “entered at large for gallant services rendered,” but coming from the rock-bound coast of Maine, the nursery of hero sailors, as is, in fact, the whole coast of New England, had cast his anchor to windward and thus kept himself off the breakers.

knownounUS /know/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Thanks to a splendid physique he had passed the surgeon, and his gratitude went out whole-souled to his noble mother, because her teachings had enabled him to know sufficient of books to enter upon his career as a cadet.

lad

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The humble fisher lad, “entered at large for gallant services rendered,” but coming from the rock-bound coast of Maine, the nursery of hero sailors, as is, in fact, the whole coast of New England, had cast his anchor to windward and thus kept himself off the breakers.

landed

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It had held firm, and he had been landed as the master mind of his class.

large

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The humble fisher lad, “entered at large for gallant services rendered,” but coming from the rock-bound coast of Maine, the nursery of hero sailors, as is, in fact, the whole coast of New England, had cast his anchor to windward and thus kept himself off the breakers.

mail-carrier

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thanks to his splendid training as a sailor, a fisher lad, and mail-carrier in the roughest weather, he had the constitution, training and endurance to face every hardship, and thus had won victory in sports as well as in the study hall.

Maine

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The humble fisher lad, “entered at large for gallant services rendered,” but coming from the rock-bound coast of Maine, the nursery of hero sailors, as is, in fact, the whole coast of New England, had cast his anchor to windward and thus kept himself off the breakers.

Mark

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Mark Merrill had passed his first year in his fight for fame, and he had won against every obstacle placed in his path.

master

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It had held firm, and he had been landed as the master mind of his class.

Merrill

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Mark Merrill had passed his first year in his fight for fame, and he had won against every obstacle placed in his path.

mindnounUS /mind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It had held firm, and he had been landed as the master mind of his class.

mother

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thanks to a splendid physique he had passed the surgeon, and his gratitude went out whole-souled to his noble mother, because her teachings had enabled him to know sufficient of books to enter upon his career as a cadet.

New

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The humble fisher lad, “entered at large for gallant services rendered,” but coming from the rock-bound coast of Maine, the nursery of hero sailors, as is, in fact, the whole coast of New England, had cast his anchor to windward and thus kept himself off the breakers.

noble

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thanks to a splendid physique he had passed the surgeon, and his gratitude went out whole-souled to his noble mother, because her teachings had enabled him to know sufficient of books to enter upon his career as a cadet.

nursery

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The humble fisher lad, “entered at large for gallant services rendered,” but coming from the rock-bound coast of Maine, the nursery of hero sailors, as is, in fact, the whole coast of New England, had cast his anchor to windward and thus kept himself off the breakers.

obstacle

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Mark Merrill had passed his first year in his fight for fame, and he had won against every obstacle placed in his path.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The humble fisher lad, “entered at large for gallant services rendered,” but coming from the rock-bound coast of Maine, the nursery of hero sailors, as is, in fact, the whole coast of New England, had cast his anchor to windward and thus kept himself off the breakers.

off

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The humble fisher lad, “entered at large for gallant services rendered,” but coming from the rock-bound coast of Maine, the nursery of hero sailors, as is, in fact, the whole coast of New England, had cast his anchor to windward and thus kept himself off the breakers.

out

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thanks to a splendid physique he had passed the surgeon, and his gratitude went out whole-souled to his noble mother, because her teachings had enabled him to know sufficient of books to enter upon his career as a cadet.

passednounUS /passed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Mark Merrill had passed his first year in his fight for fame, and he had won against every obstacle placed in his path.

path

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Mark Merrill had passed his first year in his fight for fame, and he had won against every obstacle placed in his path.

physique

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thanks to a splendid physique he had passed the surgeon, and his gratitude went out whole-souled to his noble mother, because her teachings had enabled him to know sufficient of books to enter upon his career as a cadet.

placed

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Mark Merrill had passed his first year in his fight for fame, and he had won against every obstacle placed in his path.

rendered

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The humble fisher lad, “entered at large for gallant services rendered,” but coming from the rock-bound coast of Maine, the nursery of hero sailors, as is, in fact, the whole coast of New England, had cast his anchor to windward and thus kept himself off the breakers.

rock-bound

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The humble fisher lad, “entered at large for gallant services rendered,” but coming from the rock-bound coast of Maine, the nursery of hero sailors, as is, in fact, the whole coast of New England, had cast his anchor to windward and thus kept himself off the breakers.

roughestnounUS /ˈroughest/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading Thanks to his splendid training as a sailor, a fisher lad, and mail-carrier in the roughest weather, he had the constitution, training and endurance to face every hardship, and thus had won victory in sports as well as in the study hall.

sailor

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thanks to his splendid training as a sailor, a fisher lad, and mail-carrier in the roughest weather, he had the constitution, training and endurance to face every hardship, and thus had won victory in sports as well as in the study hall.

sailors

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The humble fisher lad, “entered at large for gallant services rendered,” but coming from the rock-bound coast of Maine, the nursery of hero sailors, as is, in fact, the whole coast of New England, had cast his anchor to windward and thus kept himself off the breakers.

services

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The humble fisher lad, “entered at large for gallant services rendered,” but coming from the rock-bound coast of Maine, the nursery of hero sailors, as is, in fact, the whole coast of New England, had cast his anchor to windward and thus kept himself off the breakers.

splendid

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thanks to a splendid physique he had passed the surgeon, and his gratitude went out whole-souled to his noble mother, because her teachings had enabled him to know sufficient of books to enter upon his career as a cadet.

sports

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thanks to his splendid training as a sailor, a fisher lad, and mail-carrier in the roughest weather, he had the constitution, training and endurance to face every hardship, and thus had won victory in sports as well as in the study hall.

study

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thanks to his splendid training as a sailor, a fisher lad, and mail-carrier in the roughest weather, he had the constitution, training and endurance to face every hardship, and thus had won victory in sports as well as in the study hall.

sufficient

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thanks to a splendid physique he had passed the surgeon, and his gratitude went out whole-souled to his noble mother, because her teachings had enabled him to know sufficient of books to enter upon his career as a cadet.

surgeon

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thanks to a splendid physique he had passed the surgeon, and his gratitude went out whole-souled to his noble mother, because her teachings had enabled him to know sufficient of books to enter upon his career as a cadet.

teachings

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thanks to a splendid physique he had passed the surgeon, and his gratitude went out whole-souled to his noble mother, because her teachings had enabled him to know sufficient of books to enter upon his career as a cadet.

Thanks

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thanks to a splendid physique he had passed the surgeon, and his gratitude went out whole-souled to his noble mother, because her teachings had enabled him to know sufficient of books to enter upon his career as a cadet.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading The humble fisher lad, “entered at large for gallant services rendered,” but coming from the rock-bound coast of Maine, the nursery of hero sailors, as is, in fact, the whole coast of New England, had cast his anchor to windward and thus kept himself off the breakers.

thus

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The humble fisher lad, “entered at large for gallant services rendered,” but coming from the rock-bound coast of Maine, the nursery of hero sailors, as is, in fact, the whole coast of New England, had cast his anchor to windward and thus kept himself off the breakers.

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading The humble fisher lad, “entered at large for gallant services rendered,” but coming from the rock-bound coast of Maine, the nursery of hero sailors, as is, in fact, the whole coast of New England, had cast his anchor to windward and thus kept himself off the breakers.

training

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thanks to his splendid training as a sailor, a fisher lad, and mail-carrier in the roughest weather, he had the constitution, training and endurance to face every hardship, and thus had won victory in sports as well as in the study hall.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Thanks to a splendid physique he had passed the surgeon, and his gratitude went out whole-souled to his noble mother, because her teachings had enabled him to know sufficient of books to enter upon his career as a cadet.

victory

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thanks to his splendid training as a sailor, a fisher lad, and mail-carrier in the roughest weather, he had the constitution, training and endurance to face every hardship, and thus had won victory in sports as well as in the study hall.

weather

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thanks to his splendid training as a sailor, a fisher lad, and mail-carrier in the roughest weather, he had the constitution, training and endurance to face every hardship, and thus had won victory in sports as well as in the study hall.

well

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thanks to his splendid training as a sailor, a fisher lad, and mail-carrier in the roughest weather, he had the constitution, training and endurance to face every hardship, and thus had won victory in sports as well as in the study hall.

wentnounUS /went/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Thanks to a splendid physique he had passed the surgeon, and his gratitude went out whole-souled to his noble mother, because her teachings had enabled him to know sufficient of books to enter upon his career as a cadet.

whole

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From this reading The humble fisher lad, “entered at large for gallant services rendered,” but coming from the rock-bound coast of Maine, the nursery of hero sailors, as is, in fact, the whole coast of New England, had cast his anchor to windward and thus kept himself off the breakers.

whole-souled

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Thanks to a splendid physique he had passed the surgeon, and his gratitude went out whole-souled to his noble mother, because her teachings had enabled him to know sufficient of books to enter upon his career as a cadet.

windwardnounUS /ˈwindward/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading The humble fisher lad, “entered at large for gallant services rendered,” but coming from the rock-bound coast of Maine, the nursery of hero sailors, as is, in fact, the whole coast of New England, had cast his anchor to windward and thus kept himself off the breakers.

won

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From this reading Mark Merrill had passed his first year in his fight for fame, and he had won against every obstacle placed in his path.

year

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From this reading Mark Merrill had passed his first year in his fight for fame, and he had won against every obstacle placed in his path.