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 By and by, through the glass the stranger’s boats and manned mast-heads proved her a whale-ship.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here be it said, that like the vessels of military marines, the ships of the American Whale Fleet have each a private signal; all which signals being collected in a book with the names of the respective vessels attached, every captain is provided with it.
American
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here be it said, that like the vessels of military marines, the ships of the American Whale Fleet have each a private signal; all which signals being collected in a book with the names of the respective vessels attached, every captain is provided with it.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Hand in hand, ship and breeze blew on; but the breeze came faster than the ship, and soon the Pequod began to rock.
apparently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as she was so far to windward, and shooting by, apparently making a passage to some other ground, the Pequod could not hope to reach her.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading But as she was so far to windward, and shooting by, apparently making a passage to some other ground, the Pequod could not hope to reach her.
attached
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here be it said, that like the vessels of military marines, the ships of the American Whale Fleet have each a private signal; all which signals being collected in a book with the names of the respective vessels attached, every captain is provided with it.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading So the signal was set to see what response would be made.
begannounUS /began/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Hand in hand, ship and breeze blew on; but the breeze came faster than the ship, and soon the Pequod began to rock.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Here be it said, that like the vessels of military marines, the ships of the American Whale Fleet have each a private signal; all which signals being collected in a book with the names of the respective vessels attached, every captain is provided with it.
blew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hand in hand, ship and breeze blew on; but the breeze came faster than the ship, and soon the Pequod began to rock.
boats
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By and by, through the glass the stranger’s boats and manned mast-heads proved her a whale-ship.
book
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here be it said, that like the vessels of military marines, the ships of the American Whale Fleet have each a private signal; all which signals being collected in a book with the names of the respective vessels attached, every captain is provided with it.
breeze
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hand in hand, ship and breeze blew on; but the breeze came faster than the ship, and soon the Pequod began to rock.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Hand in hand, ship and breeze blew on; but the breeze came faster than the ship, and soon the Pequod began to rock.
ByprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading By and by, through the glass the stranger’s boats and manned mast-heads proved her a whale-ship.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hand in hand, ship and breeze blew on; but the breeze came faster than the ship, and soon the Pequod began to rock.
captainnounUS /ˈcaptain/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Here be it said, that like the vessels of military marines, the ships of the American Whale Fleet have each a private signal; all which signals being collected in a book with the names of the respective vessels attached, every captain is provided with it.
collected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here be it said, that like the vessels of military marines, the ships of the American Whale Fleet have each a private signal; all which signals being collected in a book with the names of the respective vessels attached, every captain is provided with it.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading But as she was so far to windward, and shooting by, apparently making a passage to some other ground, the Pequod could not hope to reach her.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading Here be it said, that like the vessels of military marines, the ships of the American Whale Fleet have each a private signal; all which signals being collected in a book with the names of the respective vessels attached, every captain is provided with it.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Here be it said, that like the vessels of military marines, the ships of the American Whale Fleet have each a private signal; all which signals being collected in a book with the names of the respective vessels attached, every captain is provided with it.
far
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as she was so far to windward, and shooting by, apparently making a passage to some other ground, the Pequod could not hope to reach her.
faster
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hand in hand, ship and breeze blew on; but the breeze came faster than the ship, and soon the Pequod began to rock.
Fleet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here be it said, that like the vessels of military marines, the ships of the American Whale Fleet have each a private signal; all which signals being collected in a book with the names of the respective vessels attached, every captain is provided with it.
glass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By and by, through the glass the stranger’s boats and manned mast-heads proved her a whale-ship.
ground
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as she was so far to windward, and shooting by, apparently making a passage to some other ground, the Pequod could not hope to reach her.
Hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hand in hand, ship and breeze blew on; but the breeze came faster than the ship, and soon the Pequod began to rock.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Here be it said, that like the vessels of military marines, the ships of the American Whale Fleet have each a private signal; all which signals being collected in a book with the names of the respective vessels attached, every captain is provided with it.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading By and by, through the glass the stranger’s boats and manned mast-heads proved her a whale-ship.
HerenounUS /here/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Here be it said, that like the vessels of military marines, the ships of the American Whale Fleet have each a private signal; all which signals being collected in a book with the names of the respective vessels attached, every captain is provided with it.
hope
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as she was so far to windward, and shooting by, apparently making a passage to some other ground, the Pequod could not hope to reach her.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Hand in hand, ship and breeze blew on; but the breeze came faster than the ship, and soon the Pequod began to rock.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Here be it said, that like the vessels of military marines, the ships of the American Whale Fleet have each a private signal; all which signals being collected in a book with the names of the respective vessels attached, every captain is provided with it.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Here be it said, that like the vessels of military marines, the ships of the American Whale Fleet have each a private signal; all which signals being collected in a book with the names of the respective vessels attached, every captain is provided with it.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here be it said, that like the vessels of military marines, the ships of the American Whale Fleet have each a private signal; all which signals being collected in a book with the names of the respective vessels attached, every captain is provided with it.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So the signal was set to see what response would be made.
making
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as she was so far to windward, and shooting by, apparently making a passage to some other ground, the Pequod could not hope to reach her.
manned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By and by, through the glass the stranger’s boats and manned mast-heads proved her a whale-ship.
marines
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here be it said, that like the vessels of military marines, the ships of the American Whale Fleet have each a private signal; all which signals being collected in a book with the names of the respective vessels attached, every captain is provided with it.
mast-heads
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By and by, through the glass the stranger’s boats and manned mast-heads proved her a whale-ship.
military
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here be it said, that like the vessels of military marines, the ships of the American Whale Fleet have each a private signal; all which signals being collected in a book with the names of the respective vessels attached, every captain is provided with it.
names
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here be it said, that like the vessels of military marines, the ships of the American Whale Fleet have each a private signal; all which signals being collected in a book with the names of the respective vessels attached, every captain is provided with it.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But as she was so far to windward, and shooting by, apparently making a passage to some other ground, the Pequod could not hope to reach her.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Here be it said, that like the vessels of military marines, the ships of the American Whale Fleet have each a private signal; all which signals being collected in a book with the names of the respective vessels attached, every captain is provided with it.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Hand in hand, ship and breeze blew on; but the breeze came faster than the ship, and soon the Pequod began to rock.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as she was so far to windward, and shooting by, apparently making a passage to some other ground, the Pequod could not hope to reach her.
passagenounUS /ˈpassage/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading But as she was so far to windward, and shooting by, apparently making a passage to some other ground, the Pequod could not hope to reach her.
Pequod
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hand in hand, ship and breeze blew on; but the breeze came faster than the ship, and soon the Pequod began to rock.
private
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here be it said, that like the vessels of military marines, the ships of the American Whale Fleet have each a private signal; all which signals being collected in a book with the names of the respective vessels attached, every captain is provided with it.
proved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By and by, through the glass the stranger’s boats and manned mast-heads proved her a whale-ship.
provided
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here be it said, that like the vessels of military marines, the ships of the American Whale Fleet have each a private signal; all which signals being collected in a book with the names of the respective vessels attached, every captain is provided with it.
reach
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as she was so far to windward, and shooting by, apparently making a passage to some other ground, the Pequod could not hope to reach her.
respective
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here be it said, that like the vessels of military marines, the ships of the American Whale Fleet have each a private signal; all which signals being collected in a book with the names of the respective vessels attached, every captain is provided with it.
response
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So the signal was set to see what response would be made.
rock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hand in hand, ship and breeze blew on; but the breeze came faster than the ship, and soon the Pequod began to rock.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here be it said, that like the vessels of military marines, the ships of the American Whale Fleet have each a private signal; all which signals being collected in a book with the names of the respective vessels attached, every captain is provided with it.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So the signal was set to see what response would be made.
set
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So the signal was set to see what response would be made.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But as she was so far to windward, and shooting by, apparently making a passage to some other ground, the Pequod could not hope to reach her.
shipnounUS /ship/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Hand in hand, ship and breeze blew on; but the breeze came faster than the ship, and soon the Pequod began to rock.
ships
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here be it said, that like the vessels of military marines, the ships of the American Whale Fleet have each a private signal; all which signals being collected in a book with the names of the respective vessels attached, every captain is provided with it.
shootingnounUS /ˈshooting/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading But as she was so far to windward, and shooting by, apparently making a passage to some other ground, the Pequod could not hope to reach her.
signal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading So the signal was set to see what response would be made.
signals
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here be it said, that like the vessels of military marines, the ships of the American Whale Fleet have each a private signal; all which signals being collected in a book with the names of the respective vessels attached, every captain is provided with it.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading But as she was so far to windward, and shooting by, apparently making a passage to some other ground, the Pequod could not hope to reach her.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as she was so far to windward, and shooting by, apparently making a passage to some other ground, the Pequod could not hope to reach her.
soon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Hand in hand, ship and breeze blew on; but the breeze came faster than the ship, and soon the Pequod began to rock.
stranger's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By and by, through the glass the stranger’s boats and manned mast-heads proved her a whale-ship.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Hand in hand, ship and breeze blew on; but the breeze came faster than the ship, and soon the Pequod began to rock.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Here be it said, that like the vessels of military marines, the ships of the American Whale Fleet have each a private signal; all which signals being collected in a book with the names of the respective vessels attached, every captain is provided with it.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Hand in hand, ship and breeze blew on; but the breeze came faster than the ship, and soon the Pequod began to rock.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading By and by, through the glass the stranger’s boats and manned mast-heads proved her a whale-ship.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Hand in hand, ship and breeze blew on; but the breeze came faster than the ship, and soon the Pequod began to rock.
vessels
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here be it said, that like the vessels of military marines, the ships of the American Whale Fleet have each a private signal; all which signals being collected in a book with the names of the respective vessels attached, every captain is provided with it.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But as she was so far to windward, and shooting by, apparently making a passage to some other ground, the Pequod could not hope to reach her.
Whale
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Here be it said, that like the vessels of military marines, the ships of the American Whale Fleet have each a private signal; all which signals being collected in a book with the names of the respective vessels attached, every captain is provided with it.
whale-ship
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By and by, through the glass the stranger’s boats and manned mast-heads proved her a whale-ship.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading So the signal was set to see what response would be made.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Here be it said, that like the vessels of military marines, the ships of the American Whale Fleet have each a private signal; all which signals being collected in a book with the names of the respective vessels attached, every captain is provided with it.
windwardnounUS /ˈwindward/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading But as she was so far to windward, and shooting by, apparently making a passage to some other ground, the Pequod could not hope to reach her.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Here be it said, that like the vessels of military marines, the ships of the American Whale Fleet have each a private signal; all which signals being collected in a book with the names of the respective vessels attached, every captain is provided with it.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading So the signal was set to see what response would be made.