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Moby-Dick; or, The Whale
Moby-Dick; or, The Whale

Chapter XXXV · The Mast-Head

The Mast-Head, section 1: It was during the more pleasant weather, that in due rotation with the other seamen my first mast-head came round. In most American whalemen the mast-heads are manned almost simult
Context Illustration Reading 1/13 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
It was during the more pleasant weather, that in due rotation with the other seamen my first mast-head came round.
In most American whalemen the mast-heads are manned almost simultaneously with the vessel’s leaving her port; even though she may have fifteen thousand miles, and more, to sail ere reaching her proper cruising ground.
And if, after a three, four, or five years’ voyage she is drawing nigh home with anything empty in her—say, an empty vial even—then, her mast-heads are kept manned to the last; and not till her skysail-poles sail in among the spires of the port, does she altogether relinquish the hope of capturing one whale more.
Now, as the business of standing mast-heads, ashore or afloat, is a very ancient and interesting one, let us in some measure expatiate here.
I take it, that the earliest standers of mast-heads were the old Egyptians; because, in all my researches, I find none prior to them.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Moby-Dick; or, The Whale

Chapter XXXV · The Mast-Head

Reading 1/13 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
It was during the more pleasant weather, that in due rotation with the other seamen my first mast-head came round.
Line 2
In most American whalemen the mast-heads are manned almost simultaneously with the vessel’s leaving her port; even though she may have fifteen thousand miles, and more, to sail ere reaching her proper cruising ground.
Line 3
And if, after a three, four, or five years’ voyage she is drawing nigh home with anything empty in her—say, an empty vial even—then, her mast-heads are kept manned to the last; and not till her skysail-poles sail in among the spires of the port, does she altogether relinquish the hope of capturing one whale more.
Line 4
Now, as the business of standing mast-heads, ashore or afloat, is a very ancient and interesting one, let us in some measure expatiate here.
Line 5
I take it, that the earliest standers of mast-heads were the old Egyptians; because, in all my researches, I find none prior to them.

Learner Dictionary

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

during preposition US /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading “It was during the more pleasant weather, that in due rotation with the other seamen my first mast-head came round.”

Collocations
It wasA source-grounded phrase from this reading.
was duringA source-grounded phrase from this reading.
All words in this reading · 110

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 And if, after a three, four, or five years’ voyage she is drawing nigh home with anything empty in her—say, an empty vial even—then, her mast-heads are kept manned to the last; and not till her skysail-poles sail in among the spires of the port, does she altogether relinquish the hope of capturing one whale more.

afloat

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

From this reading Now, as the business of standing mast-heads, ashore or afloat, is a very ancient and interesting one, let us in some measure expatiate here.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading And if, after a three, four, or five years’ voyage she is drawing nigh home with anything empty in her—say, an empty vial even—then, her mast-heads are kept manned to the last; and not till her skysail-poles sail in among the spires of the port, does she altogether relinquish the hope of capturing one whale more.

all

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

From this reading I take it, that the earliest standers of mast-heads were the old Egyptians; because, in all my researches, I find none prior to them.

almost

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

From this reading In most American whalemen the mast-heads are manned almost simultaneously with the vessel’s leaving her port; even though she may have fifteen thousand miles, and more, to sail ere reaching her proper cruising ground.

altogether

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

From this reading And if, after a three, four, or five years’ voyage she is drawing nigh home with anything empty in her—say, an empty vial even—then, her mast-heads are kept manned to the last; and not till her skysail-poles sail in among the spires of the port, does she altogether relinquish the hope of capturing one whale more.

American

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

From this reading In most American whalemen the mast-heads are manned almost simultaneously with the vessel’s leaving her port; even though she may have fifteen thousand miles, and more, to sail ere reaching her proper cruising ground.

amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading And if, after a three, four, or five years’ voyage she is drawing nigh home with anything empty in her—say, an empty vial even—then, her mast-heads are kept manned to the last; and not till her skysail-poles sail in among the spires of the port, does she altogether relinquish the hope of capturing one whale more.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading And if, after a three, four, or five years’ voyage she is drawing nigh home with anything empty in her—say, an empty vial even—then, her mast-heads are kept manned to the last; and not till her skysail-poles sail in among the spires of the port, does she altogether relinquish the hope of capturing one whale more.

ancientadjectiveUS /ˈeɪn.ʃənt/

Belonging to the very distant past and no longer in existence or deeply revered.

From this reading Now, as the business of standing mast-heads, ashore or afloat, is a very ancient and interesting one, let us in some measure expatiate here.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading In most American whalemen the mast-heads are manned almost simultaneously with the vessel’s leaving her port; even though she may have fifteen thousand miles, and more, to sail ere reaching her proper cruising ground.

anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/

any thing at all

From this reading And if, after a three, four, or five years’ voyage she is drawing nigh home with anything empty in her—say, an empty vial even—then, her mast-heads are kept manned to the last; and not till her skysail-poles sail in among the spires of the port, does she altogether relinquish the hope of capturing one whale more.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading In most American whalemen the mast-heads are manned almost simultaneously with the vessel’s leaving her port; even though she may have fifteen thousand miles, and more, to sail ere reaching her proper cruising ground.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading Now, as the business of standing mast-heads, ashore or afloat, is a very ancient and interesting one, let us in some measure expatiate here.

ashore

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

From this reading Now, as the business of standing mast-heads, ashore or afloat, is a very ancient and interesting one, let us in some measure expatiate here.

becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/

for the reason that

From this reading I take it, that the earliest standers of mast-heads were the old Egyptians; because, in all my researches, I find none prior to them.

business

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

From this reading Now, as the business of standing mast-heads, ashore or afloat, is a very ancient and interesting one, let us in some measure expatiate here.

came

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

From this reading It was during the more pleasant weather, that in due rotation with the other seamen my first mast-head came round.

capturing

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

From this reading And if, after a three, four, or five years’ voyage she is drawing nigh home with anything empty in her—say, an empty vial even—then, her mast-heads are kept manned to the last; and not till her skysail-poles sail in among the spires of the port, does she altogether relinquish the hope of capturing one whale more.

cruising

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

From this reading In most American whalemen the mast-heads are manned almost simultaneously with the vessel’s leaving her port; even though she may have fifteen thousand miles, and more, to sail ere reaching her proper cruising ground.

doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/

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

From this reading And if, after a three, four, or five years’ voyage she is drawing nigh home with anything empty in her—say, an empty vial even—then, her mast-heads are kept manned to the last; and not till her skysail-poles sail in among the spires of the port, does she altogether relinquish the hope of capturing one whale more.

drawing

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

From this reading And if, after a three, four, or five years’ voyage she is drawing nigh home with anything empty in her—say, an empty vial even—then, her mast-heads are kept manned to the last; and not till her skysail-poles sail in among the spires of the port, does she altogether relinquish the hope of capturing one whale more.

due

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

From this reading It was during the more pleasant weather, that in due rotation with the other seamen my first mast-head came round.

duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading It was during the more pleasant weather, that in due rotation with the other seamen my first mast-head came round.

earliest

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

From this reading I take it, that the earliest standers of mast-heads were the old Egyptians; because, in all my researches, I find none prior to them.

Egyptians

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

From this reading I take it, that the earliest standers of mast-heads were the old Egyptians; because, in all my researches, I find none prior to them.

empty

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

From this reading And if, after a three, four, or five years’ voyage she is drawing nigh home with anything empty in her—say, an empty vial even—then, her mast-heads are kept manned to the last; and not till her skysail-poles sail in among the spires of the port, does she altogether relinquish the hope of capturing one whale more.

ereconjunctionUS /er/

an old word for “before”

From this reading In most American whalemen the mast-heads are manned almost simultaneously with the vessel’s leaving her port; even though she may have fifteen thousand miles, and more, to sail ere reaching her proper cruising ground.

evennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading In most American whalemen the mast-heads are manned almost simultaneously with the vessel’s leaving her port; even though she may have fifteen thousand miles, and more, to sail ere reaching her proper cruising ground.

expatiate

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

From this reading Now, as the business of standing mast-heads, ashore or afloat, is a very ancient and interesting one, let us in some measure expatiate here.

fifteen

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

From this reading In most American whalemen the mast-heads are manned almost simultaneously with the vessel’s leaving her port; even though she may have fifteen thousand miles, and more, to sail ere reaching her proper cruising ground.

find

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

From this reading I take it, that the earliest standers of mast-heads were the old Egyptians; because, in all my researches, I find none prior to them.

firstnounUS /first/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was during the more pleasant weather, that in due rotation with the other seamen my first mast-head came round.

five

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

From this reading And if, after a three, four, or five years’ voyage she is drawing nigh home with anything empty in her—say, an empty vial even—then, her mast-heads are kept manned to the last; and not till her skysail-poles sail in among the spires of the port, does she altogether relinquish the hope of capturing one whale more.

four

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

From this reading And if, after a three, four, or five years’ voyage she is drawing nigh home with anything empty in her—say, an empty vial even—then, her mast-heads are kept manned to the last; and not till her skysail-poles sail in among the spires of the port, does she altogether relinquish the hope of capturing one whale more.

ground

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

From this reading In most American whalemen the mast-heads are manned almost simultaneously with the vessel’s leaving her port; even though she may have fifteen thousand miles, and more, to sail ere reaching her proper cruising ground.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading In most American whalemen the mast-heads are manned almost simultaneously with the vessel’s leaving her port; even though she may have fifteen thousand miles, and more, to sail ere reaching her proper cruising ground.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

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

From this reading In most American whalemen the mast-heads are manned almost simultaneously with the vessel’s leaving her port; even though she may have fifteen thousand miles, and more, to sail ere reaching her proper cruising ground.

herenounUS /here/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Now, as the business of standing mast-heads, ashore or afloat, is a very ancient and interesting one, let us in some measure expatiate here.

home

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

From this reading And if, after a three, four, or five years’ voyage she is drawing nigh home with anything empty in her—say, an empty vial even—then, her mast-heads are kept manned to the last; and not till her skysail-poles sail in among the spires of the port, does she altogether relinquish the hope of capturing one whale more.

hope

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

From this reading And if, after a three, four, or five years’ voyage she is drawing nigh home with anything empty in her—say, an empty vial even—then, her mast-heads are kept manned to the last; and not till her skysail-poles sail in among the spires of the port, does she altogether relinquish the hope of capturing one whale more.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading I take it, that the earliest standers of mast-heads were the old Egyptians; because, in all my researches, I find none prior to them.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading And if, after a three, four, or five years’ voyage she is drawing nigh home with anything empty in her—say, an empty vial even—then, her mast-heads are kept manned to the last; and not till her skysail-poles sail in among the spires of the port, does she altogether relinquish the hope of capturing one whale more.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading It was during the more pleasant weather, that in due rotation with the other seamen my first mast-head came round.

interesting

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

From this reading Now, as the business of standing mast-heads, ashore or afloat, is a very ancient and interesting one, let us in some measure expatiate here.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading And if, after a three, four, or five years’ voyage she is drawing nigh home with anything empty in her—say, an empty vial even—then, her mast-heads are kept manned to the last; and not till her skysail-poles sail in among the spires of the port, does she altogether relinquish the hope of capturing one whale more.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was during the more pleasant weather, that in due rotation with the other seamen my first mast-head came round.

kept

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

From this reading And if, after a three, four, or five years’ voyage she is drawing nigh home with anything empty in her—say, an empty vial even—then, her mast-heads are kept manned to the last; and not till her skysail-poles sail in among the spires of the port, does she altogether relinquish the hope of capturing one whale more.

lastnounUS /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading And if, after a three, four, or five years’ voyage she is drawing nigh home with anything empty in her—say, an empty vial even—then, her mast-heads are kept manned to the last; and not till her skysail-poles sail in among the spires of the port, does she altogether relinquish the hope of capturing one whale more.

leaving

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

From this reading In most American whalemen the mast-heads are manned almost simultaneously with the vessel’s leaving her port; even though she may have fifteen thousand miles, and more, to sail ere reaching her proper cruising ground.

letauxiliary verbUS /let/

used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker

From this reading Now, as the business of standing mast-heads, ashore or afloat, is a very ancient and interesting one, let us in some measure expatiate here.

manned

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

From this reading In most American whalemen the mast-heads are manned almost simultaneously with the vessel’s leaving her port; even though she may have fifteen thousand miles, and more, to sail ere reaching her proper cruising ground.

mast-head

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

From this reading It was during the more pleasant weather, that in due rotation with the other seamen my first mast-head came round.

mast-heads

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

From this reading In most American whalemen the mast-heads are manned almost simultaneously with the vessel’s leaving her port; even though she may have fifteen thousand miles, and more, to sail ere reaching her proper cruising ground.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading In most American whalemen the mast-heads are manned almost simultaneously with the vessel’s leaving her port; even though she may have fifteen thousand miles, and more, to sail ere reaching her proper cruising ground.

measure

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

From this reading Now, as the business of standing mast-heads, ashore or afloat, is a very ancient and interesting one, let us in some measure expatiate here.

miles

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

From this reading In most American whalemen the mast-heads are manned almost simultaneously with the vessel’s leaving her port; even though she may have fifteen thousand miles, and more, to sail ere reaching her proper cruising ground.

more

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

From this reading It was during the more pleasant weather, that in due rotation with the other seamen my first mast-head came round.

most

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

From this reading In most American whalemen the mast-heads are manned almost simultaneously with the vessel’s leaving her port; even though she may have fifteen thousand miles, and more, to sail ere reaching her proper cruising ground.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading It was during the more pleasant weather, that in due rotation with the other seamen my first mast-head came round.

nigh

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

From this reading And if, after a three, four, or five years’ voyage she is drawing nigh home with anything empty in her—say, an empty vial even—then, her mast-heads are kept manned to the last; and not till her skysail-poles sail in among the spires of the port, does she altogether relinquish the hope of capturing one whale more.

nonepronounUS /nʌn/

not one, and not any

From this reading I take it, that the earliest standers of mast-heads were the old Egyptians; because, in all my researches, I find none prior to them.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading And if, after a three, four, or five years’ voyage she is drawing nigh home with anything empty in her—say, an empty vial even—then, her mast-heads are kept manned to the last; and not till her skysail-poles sail in among the spires of the port, does she altogether relinquish the hope of capturing one whale more.

Now

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

From this reading Now, as the business of standing mast-heads, ashore or afloat, is a very ancient and interesting one, let us in some measure expatiate here.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading And if, after a three, four, or five years’ voyage she is drawing nigh home with anything empty in her—say, an empty vial even—then, her mast-heads are kept manned to the last; and not till her skysail-poles sail in among the spires of the port, does she altogether relinquish the hope of capturing one whale more.

old

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

From this reading I take it, that the earliest standers of mast-heads were the old Egyptians; because, in all my researches, I find none prior to them.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading And if, after a three, four, or five years’ voyage she is drawing nigh home with anything empty in her—say, an empty vial even—then, her mast-heads are kept manned to the last; and not till her skysail-poles sail in among the spires of the port, does she altogether relinquish the hope of capturing one whale more.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading And if, after a three, four, or five years’ voyage she is drawing nigh home with anything empty in her—say, an empty vial even—then, her mast-heads are kept manned to the last; and not till her skysail-poles sail in among the spires of the port, does she altogether relinquish the hope of capturing one whale more.

other

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

From this reading It was during the more pleasant weather, that in due rotation with the other seamen my first mast-head came round.

pleasantnounUS /pleasant/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was during the more pleasant weather, that in due rotation with the other seamen my first mast-head came round.

port

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

From this reading In most American whalemen the mast-heads are manned almost simultaneously with the vessel’s leaving her port; even though she may have fifteen thousand miles, and more, to sail ere reaching her proper cruising ground.

prior

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

From this reading I take it, that the earliest standers of mast-heads were the old Egyptians; because, in all my researches, I find none prior to them.

proper

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

From this reading In most American whalemen the mast-heads are manned almost simultaneously with the vessel’s leaving her port; even though she may have fifteen thousand miles, and more, to sail ere reaching her proper cruising ground.

reaching

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

From this reading In most American whalemen the mast-heads are manned almost simultaneously with the vessel’s leaving her port; even though she may have fifteen thousand miles, and more, to sail ere reaching her proper cruising ground.

relinquish

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

From this reading And if, after a three, four, or five years’ voyage she is drawing nigh home with anything empty in her—say, an empty vial even—then, her mast-heads are kept manned to the last; and not till her skysail-poles sail in among the spires of the port, does she altogether relinquish the hope of capturing one whale more.

researches

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

From this reading I take it, that the earliest standers of mast-heads were the old Egyptians; because, in all my researches, I find none prior to them.

rotation

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

From this reading It was during the more pleasant weather, that in due rotation with the other seamen my first mast-head came round.

round

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

From this reading It was during the more pleasant weather, that in due rotation with the other seamen my first mast-head came round.

sailnounUS /sail/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading In most American whalemen the mast-heads are manned almost simultaneously with the vessel’s leaving her port; even though she may have fifteen thousand miles, and more, to sail ere reaching her proper cruising ground.

say

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

From this reading And if, after a three, four, or five years’ voyage she is drawing nigh home with anything empty in her—say, an empty vial even—then, her mast-heads are kept manned to the last; and not till her skysail-poles sail in among the spires of the port, does she altogether relinquish the hope of capturing one whale more.

seamen

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

From this reading It was during the more pleasant weather, that in due rotation with the other seamen my first mast-head came round.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading In most American whalemen the mast-heads are manned almost simultaneously with the vessel’s leaving her port; even though she may have fifteen thousand miles, and more, to sail ere reaching her proper cruising ground.

simultaneously

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

From this reading In most American whalemen the mast-heads are manned almost simultaneously with the vessel’s leaving her port; even though she may have fifteen thousand miles, and more, to sail ere reaching her proper cruising ground.

skysail-poles

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

From this reading And if, after a three, four, or five years’ voyage she is drawing nigh home with anything empty in her—say, an empty vial even—then, her mast-heads are kept manned to the last; and not till her skysail-poles sail in among the spires of the port, does she altogether relinquish the hope of capturing one whale more.

some

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

From this reading Now, as the business of standing mast-heads, ashore or afloat, is a very ancient and interesting one, let us in some measure expatiate here.

spires

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

From this reading And if, after a three, four, or five years’ voyage she is drawing nigh home with anything empty in her—say, an empty vial even—then, her mast-heads are kept manned to the last; and not till her skysail-poles sail in among the spires of the port, does she altogether relinquish the hope of capturing one whale more.

standers

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

From this reading I take it, that the earliest standers of mast-heads were the old Egyptians; because, in all my researches, I find none prior to them.

standingnounUS /ˈstanding/

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

From this reading Now, as the business of standing mast-heads, ashore or afloat, is a very ancient and interesting one, let us in some measure expatiate here.

takenounUS /take/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading I take it, that the earliest standers of mast-heads were the old Egyptians; because, in all my researches, I find none prior to them.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading It was during the more pleasant weather, that in due rotation with the other seamen my first mast-head came round.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading It was during the more pleasant weather, that in due rotation with the other seamen my first mast-head came round.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading I take it, that the earliest standers of mast-heads were the old Egyptians; because, in all my researches, I find none prior to them.

then

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

From this reading And if, after a three, four, or five years’ voyage she is drawing nigh home with anything empty in her—say, an empty vial even—then, her mast-heads are kept manned to the last; and not till her skysail-poles sail in among the spires of the port, does she altogether relinquish the hope of capturing one whale more.

thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/

in spite of the fact that

From this reading In most American whalemen the mast-heads are manned almost simultaneously with the vessel’s leaving her port; even though she may have fifteen thousand miles, and more, to sail ere reaching her proper cruising ground.

thousand

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

From this reading In most American whalemen the mast-heads are manned almost simultaneously with the vessel’s leaving her port; even though she may have fifteen thousand miles, and more, to sail ere reaching her proper cruising ground.

three

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

From this reading And if, after a three, four, or five years’ voyage she is drawing nigh home with anything empty in her—say, an empty vial even—then, her mast-heads are kept manned to the last; and not till her skysail-poles sail in among the spires of the port, does she altogether relinquish the hope of capturing one whale more.

tillprepositionUS /tɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading And if, after a three, four, or five years’ voyage she is drawing nigh home with anything empty in her—say, an empty vial even—then, her mast-heads are kept manned to the last; and not till her skysail-poles sail in among the spires of the port, does she altogether relinquish the hope of capturing one whale more.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading In most American whalemen the mast-heads are manned almost simultaneously with the vessel’s leaving her port; even though she may have fifteen thousand miles, and more, to sail ere reaching her proper cruising ground.

uspronounUS /ʌs/

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Now, as the business of standing mast-heads, ashore or afloat, is a very ancient and interesting one, let us in some measure expatiate here.

very

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

From this reading Now, as the business of standing mast-heads, ashore or afloat, is a very ancient and interesting one, let us in some measure expatiate here.

vessel's

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

From this reading In most American whalemen the mast-heads are manned almost simultaneously with the vessel’s leaving her port; even though she may have fifteen thousand miles, and more, to sail ere reaching her proper cruising ground.

vial

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

From this reading And if, after a three, four, or five years’ voyage she is drawing nigh home with anything empty in her—say, an empty vial even—then, her mast-heads are kept manned to the last; and not till her skysail-poles sail in among the spires of the port, does she altogether relinquish the hope of capturing one whale more.

voyage

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

From this reading And if, after a three, four, or five years’ voyage she is drawing nigh home with anything empty in her—say, an empty vial even—then, her mast-heads are kept manned to the last; and not till her skysail-poles sail in among the spires of the port, does she altogether relinquish the hope of capturing one whale more.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading It was during the more pleasant weather, that in due rotation with the other seamen my first mast-head came round.

weather

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

From this reading It was during the more pleasant weather, that in due rotation with the other seamen my first mast-head came round.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading I take it, that the earliest standers of mast-heads were the old Egyptians; because, in all my researches, I find none prior to them.

whale

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

From this reading And if, after a three, four, or five years’ voyage she is drawing nigh home with anything empty in her—say, an empty vial even—then, her mast-heads are kept manned to the last; and not till her skysail-poles sail in among the spires of the port, does she altogether relinquish the hope of capturing one whale more.

whalemen

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

From this reading In most American whalemen the mast-heads are manned almost simultaneously with the vessel’s leaving her port; even though she may have fifteen thousand miles, and more, to sail ere reaching her proper cruising ground.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading It was during the more pleasant weather, that in due rotation with the other seamen my first mast-head came round.

years

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

From this reading And if, after a three, four, or five years’ voyage she is drawing nigh home with anything empty in her—say, an empty vial even—then, her mast-heads are kept manned to the last; and not till her skysail-poles sail in among the spires of the port, does she altogether relinquish the hope of capturing one whale more.