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adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was a Saturday night, and such a Sabbath as followed!
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading In the first place, the enormous cutting tackles, among other ponderous things comprising a cluster of blocks generally painted green, and which no single man can possibly lift—this vast bunch of grapes was swayed up to the main-top and firmly lashed to the lower mast-head, the strongest point anywhere above a ship’s deck.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ex officio professors of Sabbath breaking are all whalemen.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading In the first place, the enormous cutting tackles, among other ponderous things comprising a cluster of blocks generally painted green, and which no single man can possibly lift—this vast bunch of grapes was swayed up to the main-top and firmly lashed to the lower mast-head, the strongest point anywhere above a ship’s deck.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was a Saturday night, and such a Sabbath as followed!
anywhere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the first place, the enormous cutting tackles, among other ponderous things comprising a cluster of blocks generally painted green, and which no single man can possibly lift—this vast bunch of grapes was swayed up to the main-top and firmly lashed to the lower mast-head, the strongest point anywhere above a ship’s deck.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Ex officio professors of Sabbath breaking are all whalemen.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was a Saturday night, and such a Sabbath as followed!
blocks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the first place, the enormous cutting tackles, among other ponderous things comprising a cluster of blocks generally painted green, and which no single man can possibly lift—this vast bunch of grapes was swayed up to the main-top and firmly lashed to the lower mast-head, the strongest point anywhere above a ship’s deck.
breaking
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From this reading Ex officio professors of Sabbath breaking are all whalemen.
bunch
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From this reading In the first place, the enormous cutting tackles, among other ponderous things comprising a cluster of blocks generally painted green, and which no single man can possibly lift—this vast bunch of grapes was swayed up to the main-top and firmly lashed to the lower mast-head, the strongest point anywhere above a ship’s deck.
butcher
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ivory Pequod was turned into what seemed a shamble; every sailor a butcher.
canmodal verbUS /kæn/
to be able to, or to be allowed to
From this reading In the first place, the enormous cutting tackles, among other ponderous things comprising a cluster of blocks generally painted green, and which no single man can possibly lift—this vast bunch of grapes was swayed up to the main-top and firmly lashed to the lower mast-head, the strongest point anywhere above a ship’s deck.
cluster
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From this reading In the first place, the enormous cutting tackles, among other ponderous things comprising a cluster of blocks generally painted green, and which no single man can possibly lift—this vast bunch of grapes was swayed up to the main-top and firmly lashed to the lower mast-head, the strongest point anywhere above a ship’s deck.
comprising
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the first place, the enormous cutting tackles, among other ponderous things comprising a cluster of blocks generally painted green, and which no single man can possibly lift—this vast bunch of grapes was swayed up to the main-top and firmly lashed to the lower mast-head, the strongest point anywhere above a ship’s deck.
cutting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the first place, the enormous cutting tackles, among other ponderous things comprising a cluster of blocks generally painted green, and which no single man can possibly lift—this vast bunch of grapes was swayed up to the main-top and firmly lashed to the lower mast-head, the strongest point anywhere above a ship’s deck.
deck
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the first place, the enormous cutting tackles, among other ponderous things comprising a cluster of blocks generally painted green, and which no single man can possibly lift—this vast bunch of grapes was swayed up to the main-top and firmly lashed to the lower mast-head, the strongest point anywhere above a ship’s deck.
enormous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the first place, the enormous cutting tackles, among other ponderous things comprising a cluster of blocks generally painted green, and which no single man can possibly lift—this vast bunch of grapes was swayed up to the main-top and firmly lashed to the lower mast-head, the strongest point anywhere above a ship’s deck.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading The ivory Pequod was turned into what seemed a shamble; every sailor a butcher.
Ex
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From this reading Ex officio professors of Sabbath breaking are all whalemen.
firmly
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From this reading In the first place, the enormous cutting tackles, among other ponderous things comprising a cluster of blocks generally painted green, and which no single man can possibly lift—this vast bunch of grapes was swayed up to the main-top and firmly lashed to the lower mast-head, the strongest point anywhere above a ship’s deck.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In the first place, the enormous cutting tackles, among other ponderous things comprising a cluster of blocks generally painted green, and which no single man can possibly lift—this vast bunch of grapes was swayed up to the main-top and firmly lashed to the lower mast-head, the strongest point anywhere above a ship’s deck.
followed
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From this reading It was a Saturday night, and such a Sabbath as followed!
generally
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From this reading In the first place, the enormous cutting tackles, among other ponderous things comprising a cluster of blocks generally painted green, and which no single man can possibly lift—this vast bunch of grapes was swayed up to the main-top and firmly lashed to the lower mast-head, the strongest point anywhere above a ship’s deck.
gods
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You would have thought we were offering up ten thousand red oxen to the sea gods.
grapes
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From this reading In the first place, the enormous cutting tackles, among other ponderous things comprising a cluster of blocks generally painted green, and which no single man can possibly lift—this vast bunch of grapes was swayed up to the main-top and firmly lashed to the lower mast-head, the strongest point anywhere above a ship’s deck.
green
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the first place, the enormous cutting tackles, among other ponderous things comprising a cluster of blocks generally painted green, and which no single man can possibly lift—this vast bunch of grapes was swayed up to the main-top and firmly lashed to the lower mast-head, the strongest point anywhere above a ship’s deck.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading You would have thought we were offering up ten thousand red oxen to the sea gods.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the first place, the enormous cutting tackles, among other ponderous things comprising a cluster of blocks generally painted green, and which no single man can possibly lift—this vast bunch of grapes was swayed up to the main-top and firmly lashed to the lower mast-head, the strongest point anywhere above a ship’s deck.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The ivory Pequod was turned into what seemed a shamble; every sailor a butcher.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a Saturday night, and such a Sabbath as followed!
ivory
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ivory Pequod was turned into what seemed a shamble; every sailor a butcher.
lashed
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From this reading In the first place, the enormous cutting tackles, among other ponderous things comprising a cluster of blocks generally painted green, and which no single man can possibly lift—this vast bunch of grapes was swayed up to the main-top and firmly lashed to the lower mast-head, the strongest point anywhere above a ship’s deck.
lift
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the first place, the enormous cutting tackles, among other ponderous things comprising a cluster of blocks generally painted green, and which no single man can possibly lift—this vast bunch of grapes was swayed up to the main-top and firmly lashed to the lower mast-head, the strongest point anywhere above a ship’s deck.
lower
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the first place, the enormous cutting tackles, among other ponderous things comprising a cluster of blocks generally painted green, and which no single man can possibly lift—this vast bunch of grapes was swayed up to the main-top and firmly lashed to the lower mast-head, the strongest point anywhere above a ship’s deck.
main-top
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the first place, the enormous cutting tackles, among other ponderous things comprising a cluster of blocks generally painted green, and which no single man can possibly lift—this vast bunch of grapes was swayed up to the main-top and firmly lashed to the lower mast-head, the strongest point anywhere above a ship’s deck.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the first place, the enormous cutting tackles, among other ponderous things comprising a cluster of blocks generally painted green, and which no single man can possibly lift—this vast bunch of grapes was swayed up to the main-top and firmly lashed to the lower mast-head, the strongest point anywhere above a ship’s deck.
mast-head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the first place, the enormous cutting tackles, among other ponderous things comprising a cluster of blocks generally painted green, and which no single man can possibly lift—this vast bunch of grapes was swayed up to the main-top and firmly lashed to the lower mast-head, the strongest point anywhere above a ship’s deck.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a Saturday night, and such a Sabbath as followed!
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading In the first place, the enormous cutting tackles, among other ponderous things comprising a cluster of blocks generally painted green, and which no single man can possibly lift—this vast bunch of grapes was swayed up to the main-top and firmly lashed to the lower mast-head, the strongest point anywhere above a ship’s deck.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Ex officio professors of Sabbath breaking are all whalemen.
offering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You would have thought we were offering up ten thousand red oxen to the sea gods.
officio
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ex officio professors of Sabbath breaking are all whalemen.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the first place, the enormous cutting tackles, among other ponderous things comprising a cluster of blocks generally painted green, and which no single man can possibly lift—this vast bunch of grapes was swayed up to the main-top and firmly lashed to the lower mast-head, the strongest point anywhere above a ship’s deck.
oxen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You would have thought we were offering up ten thousand red oxen to the sea gods.
painted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the first place, the enormous cutting tackles, among other ponderous things comprising a cluster of blocks generally painted green, and which no single man can possibly lift—this vast bunch of grapes was swayed up to the main-top and firmly lashed to the lower mast-head, the strongest point anywhere above a ship’s deck.
Pequod
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ivory Pequod was turned into what seemed a shamble; every sailor a butcher.
place
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the first place, the enormous cutting tackles, among other ponderous things comprising a cluster of blocks generally painted green, and which no single man can possibly lift—this vast bunch of grapes was swayed up to the main-top and firmly lashed to the lower mast-head, the strongest point anywhere above a ship’s deck.
pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/
the main matter or purpose being discussed
From this reading In the first place, the enormous cutting tackles, among other ponderous things comprising a cluster of blocks generally painted green, and which no single man can possibly lift—this vast bunch of grapes was swayed up to the main-top and firmly lashed to the lower mast-head, the strongest point anywhere above a ship’s deck.
ponderous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the first place, the enormous cutting tackles, among other ponderous things comprising a cluster of blocks generally painted green, and which no single man can possibly lift—this vast bunch of grapes was swayed up to the main-top and firmly lashed to the lower mast-head, the strongest point anywhere above a ship’s deck.
possibly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the first place, the enormous cutting tackles, among other ponderous things comprising a cluster of blocks generally painted green, and which no single man can possibly lift—this vast bunch of grapes was swayed up to the main-top and firmly lashed to the lower mast-head, the strongest point anywhere above a ship’s deck.
professors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ex officio professors of Sabbath breaking are all whalemen.
red
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You would have thought we were offering up ten thousand red oxen to the sea gods.
Sabbath
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a Saturday night, and such a Sabbath as followed!
sailor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ivory Pequod was turned into what seemed a shamble; every sailor a butcher.
SaturdaynounUS /ˈsætərdi/
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading It was a Saturday night, and such a Sabbath as followed!
sea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You would have thought we were offering up ten thousand red oxen to the sea gods.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The ivory Pequod was turned into what seemed a shamble; every sailor a butcher.
shamble
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ivory Pequod was turned into what seemed a shamble; every sailor a butcher.
ship's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the first place, the enormous cutting tackles, among other ponderous things comprising a cluster of blocks generally painted green, and which no single man can possibly lift—this vast bunch of grapes was swayed up to the main-top and firmly lashed to the lower mast-head, the strongest point anywhere above a ship’s deck.
single
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the first place, the enormous cutting tackles, among other ponderous things comprising a cluster of blocks generally painted green, and which no single man can possibly lift—this vast bunch of grapes was swayed up to the main-top and firmly lashed to the lower mast-head, the strongest point anywhere above a ship’s deck.
strongest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the first place, the enormous cutting tackles, among other ponderous things comprising a cluster of blocks generally painted green, and which no single man can possibly lift—this vast bunch of grapes was swayed up to the main-top and firmly lashed to the lower mast-head, the strongest point anywhere above a ship’s deck.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading It was a Saturday night, and such a Sabbath as followed!
swayed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the first place, the enormous cutting tackles, among other ponderous things comprising a cluster of blocks generally painted green, and which no single man can possibly lift—this vast bunch of grapes was swayed up to the main-top and firmly lashed to the lower mast-head, the strongest point anywhere above a ship’s deck.
tackles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the first place, the enormous cutting tackles, among other ponderous things comprising a cluster of blocks generally painted green, and which no single man can possibly lift—this vast bunch of grapes was swayed up to the main-top and firmly lashed to the lower mast-head, the strongest point anywhere above a ship’s deck.
ten
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You would have thought we were offering up ten thousand red oxen to the sea gods.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The ivory Pequod was turned into what seemed a shamble; every sailor a butcher.
things
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the first place, the enormous cutting tackles, among other ponderous things comprising a cluster of blocks generally painted green, and which no single man can possibly lift—this vast bunch of grapes was swayed up to the main-top and firmly lashed to the lower mast-head, the strongest point anywhere above a ship’s deck.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading In the first place, the enormous cutting tackles, among other ponderous things comprising a cluster of blocks generally painted green, and which no single man can possibly lift—this vast bunch of grapes was swayed up to the main-top and firmly lashed to the lower mast-head, the strongest point anywhere above a ship’s deck.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading You would have thought we were offering up ten thousand red oxen to the sea gods.
thousand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You would have thought we were offering up ten thousand red oxen to the sea gods.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading You would have thought we were offering up ten thousand red oxen to the sea gods.
turned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The ivory Pequod was turned into what seemed a shamble; every sailor a butcher.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading You would have thought we were offering up ten thousand red oxen to the sea gods.
vast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the first place, the enormous cutting tackles, among other ponderous things comprising a cluster of blocks generally painted green, and which no single man can possibly lift—this vast bunch of grapes was swayed up to the main-top and firmly lashed to the lower mast-head, the strongest point anywhere above a ship’s deck.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a Saturday night, and such a Sabbath as followed!
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading You would have thought we were offering up ten thousand red oxen to the sea gods.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading You would have thought we were offering up ten thousand red oxen to the sea gods.
whalemen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ex officio professors of Sabbath breaking are all whalemen.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading The ivory Pequod was turned into what seemed a shamble; every sailor a butcher.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading In the first place, the enormous cutting tackles, among other ponderous things comprising a cluster of blocks generally painted green, and which no single man can possibly lift—this vast bunch of grapes was swayed up to the main-top and firmly lashed to the lower mast-head, the strongest point anywhere above a ship’s deck.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading You would have thought we were offering up ten thousand red oxen to the sea gods.
YoupronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading You would have thought we were offering up ten thousand red oxen to the sea gods.
