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
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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
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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.