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 Crossing the deck, let us now have a good long look at the Right Whale’s head.
according
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From this reading But as you come nearer to this great head it begins to assume different aspects, according to your point of view.
ago
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From this reading Two hundred years ago an old Dutch voyager likened its shape to that of a shoemaker’s last.
all
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From this reading And in this same last or shoe, that old woman of the nursery tale, with the swarming brood, might very comfortably be lodged, she and all her progeny.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Two hundred years ago an old Dutch voyager likened its shape to that of a shoemaker’s last.
AndconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading And in this same last or shoe, that old woman of the nursery tale, with the swarming brood, might very comfortably be lodged, she and all her progeny.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As in general shape the noble Sperm Whale’s head may be compared to a Roman war-chariot (especially in front, where it is so broadly rounded); so, at a broad view, the Right Whale’s head bears a rather inelegant resemblance to a gigantic galliot-toed shoe.
aspects
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From this reading But as you come nearer to this great head it begins to assume different aspects, according to your point of view.
assume
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From this reading But as you come nearer to this great head it begins to assume different aspects, according to your point of view.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Crossing the deck, let us now have a good long look at the Right Whale’s head.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading As in general shape the noble Sperm Whale’s head may be compared to a Roman war-chariot (especially in front, where it is so broadly rounded); so, at a broad view, the Right Whale’s head bears a rather inelegant resemblance to a gigantic galliot-toed shoe.
bears
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As in general shape the noble Sperm Whale’s head may be compared to a Roman war-chariot (especially in front, where it is so broadly rounded); so, at a broad view, the Right Whale’s head bears a rather inelegant resemblance to a gigantic galliot-toed shoe.
begins
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From this reading But as you come nearer to this great head it begins to assume different aspects, according to your point of view.
broad
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From this reading As in general shape the noble Sperm Whale’s head may be compared to a Roman war-chariot (especially in front, where it is so broadly rounded); so, at a broad view, the Right Whale’s head bears a rather inelegant resemblance to a gigantic galliot-toed shoe.
broadly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As in general shape the noble Sperm Whale’s head may be compared to a Roman war-chariot (especially in front, where it is so broadly rounded); so, at a broad view, the Right Whale’s head bears a rather inelegant resemblance to a gigantic galliot-toed shoe.
brood
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And in this same last or shoe, that old woman of the nursery tale, with the swarming brood, might very comfortably be lodged, she and all her progeny.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But as you come nearer to this great head it begins to assume different aspects, according to your point of view.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But as you come nearer to this great head it begins to assume different aspects, according to your point of view.
comfortably
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And in this same last or shoe, that old woman of the nursery tale, with the swarming brood, might very comfortably be lodged, she and all her progeny.
compared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As in general shape the noble Sperm Whale’s head may be compared to a Roman war-chariot (especially in front, where it is so broadly rounded); so, at a broad view, the Right Whale’s head bears a rather inelegant resemblance to a gigantic galliot-toed shoe.
CrossingnounUS /ˈkrɔːsɪŋ/
traveling across
From this reading Crossing the deck, let us now have a good long look at the Right Whale’s head.
deck
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Crossing the deck, let us now have a good long look at the Right Whale’s head.
differentnounUS /ˈdifferent/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading But as you come nearer to this great head it begins to assume different aspects, according to your point of view.
Dutch
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From this reading Two hundred years ago an old Dutch voyager likened its shape to that of a shoemaker’s last.
especially
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As in general shape the noble Sperm Whale’s head may be compared to a Roman war-chariot (especially in front, where it is so broadly rounded); so, at a broad view, the Right Whale’s head bears a rather inelegant resemblance to a gigantic galliot-toed shoe.
front
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As in general shape the noble Sperm Whale’s head may be compared to a Roman war-chariot (especially in front, where it is so broadly rounded); so, at a broad view, the Right Whale’s head bears a rather inelegant resemblance to a gigantic galliot-toed shoe.
galliot-toed
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From this reading As in general shape the noble Sperm Whale’s head may be compared to a Roman war-chariot (especially in front, where it is so broadly rounded); so, at a broad view, the Right Whale’s head bears a rather inelegant resemblance to a gigantic galliot-toed shoe.
general
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As in general shape the noble Sperm Whale’s head may be compared to a Roman war-chariot (especially in front, where it is so broadly rounded); so, at a broad view, the Right Whale’s head bears a rather inelegant resemblance to a gigantic galliot-toed shoe.
gigantic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As in general shape the noble Sperm Whale’s head may be compared to a Roman war-chariot (especially in front, where it is so broadly rounded); so, at a broad view, the Right Whale’s head bears a rather inelegant resemblance to a gigantic galliot-toed shoe.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Crossing the deck, let us now have a good long look at the Right Whale’s head.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But as you come nearer to this great head it begins to assume different aspects, according to your point of view.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Crossing the deck, let us now have a good long look at the Right Whale’s head.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Crossing the deck, let us now have a good long look at the Right Whale’s head.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading And in this same last or shoe, that old woman of the nursery tale, with the swarming brood, might very comfortably be lodged, she and all her progeny.
hundred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two hundred years ago an old Dutch voyager likened its shape to that of a shoemaker’s last.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading As in general shape the noble Sperm Whale’s head may be compared to a Roman war-chariot (especially in front, where it is so broadly rounded); so, at a broad view, the Right Whale’s head bears a rather inelegant resemblance to a gigantic galliot-toed shoe.
inelegant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As in general shape the noble Sperm Whale’s head may be compared to a Roman war-chariot (especially in front, where it is so broadly rounded); so, at a broad view, the Right Whale’s head bears a rather inelegant resemblance to a gigantic galliot-toed shoe.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As in general shape the noble Sperm Whale’s head may be compared to a Roman war-chariot (especially in front, where it is so broadly rounded); so, at a broad view, the Right Whale’s head bears a rather inelegant resemblance to a gigantic galliot-toed shoe.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading As in general shape the noble Sperm Whale’s head may be compared to a Roman war-chariot (especially in front, where it is so broadly rounded); so, at a broad view, the Right Whale’s head bears a rather inelegant resemblance to a gigantic galliot-toed shoe.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Two hundred years ago an old Dutch voyager likened its shape to that of a shoemaker’s last.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Two hundred years ago an old Dutch voyager likened its shape to that of a shoemaker’s last.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading Crossing the deck, let us now have a good long look at the Right Whale’s head.
likened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two hundred years ago an old Dutch voyager likened its shape to that of a shoemaker’s last.
lodged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And in this same last or shoe, that old woman of the nursery tale, with the swarming brood, might very comfortably be lodged, she and all her progeny.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Crossing the deck, let us now have a good long look at the Right Whale’s head.
looknounUS /look/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Crossing the deck, let us now have a good long look at the Right Whale’s head.
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading As in general shape the noble Sperm Whale’s head may be compared to a Roman war-chariot (especially in front, where it is so broadly rounded); so, at a broad view, the Right Whale’s head bears a rather inelegant resemblance to a gigantic galliot-toed shoe.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading And in this same last or shoe, that old woman of the nursery tale, with the swarming brood, might very comfortably be lodged, she and all her progeny.
nearer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as you come nearer to this great head it begins to assume different aspects, according to your point of view.
noble
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As in general shape the noble Sperm Whale’s head may be compared to a Roman war-chariot (especially in front, where it is so broadly rounded); so, at a broad view, the Right Whale’s head bears a rather inelegant resemblance to a gigantic galliot-toed shoe.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Crossing the deck, let us now have a good long look at the Right Whale’s head.
nursery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And in this same last or shoe, that old woman of the nursery tale, with the swarming brood, might very comfortably be lodged, she and all her progeny.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Two hundred years ago an old Dutch voyager likened its shape to that of a shoemaker’s last.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two hundred years ago an old Dutch voyager likened its shape to that of a shoemaker’s last.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading And in this same last or shoe, that old woman of the nursery tale, with the swarming brood, might very comfortably be lodged, she and all her progeny.
pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/
the main matter or purpose being discussed
From this reading But as you come nearer to this great head it begins to assume different aspects, according to your point of view.
progeny
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And in this same last or shoe, that old woman of the nursery tale, with the swarming brood, might very comfortably be lodged, she and all her progeny.
rather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As in general shape the noble Sperm Whale’s head may be compared to a Roman war-chariot (especially in front, where it is so broadly rounded); so, at a broad view, the Right Whale’s head bears a rather inelegant resemblance to a gigantic galliot-toed shoe.
resemblance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As in general shape the noble Sperm Whale’s head may be compared to a Roman war-chariot (especially in front, where it is so broadly rounded); so, at a broad view, the Right Whale’s head bears a rather inelegant resemblance to a gigantic galliot-toed shoe.
RightnounUS /right/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Crossing the deck, let us now have a good long look at the Right Whale’s head.
Roman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As in general shape the noble Sperm Whale’s head may be compared to a Roman war-chariot (especially in front, where it is so broadly rounded); so, at a broad view, the Right Whale’s head bears a rather inelegant resemblance to a gigantic galliot-toed shoe.
rounded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As in general shape the noble Sperm Whale’s head may be compared to a Roman war-chariot (especially in front, where it is so broadly rounded); so, at a broad view, the Right Whale’s head bears a rather inelegant resemblance to a gigantic galliot-toed shoe.
samenounUS /same/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading And in this same last or shoe, that old woman of the nursery tale, with the swarming brood, might very comfortably be lodged, she and all her progeny.
shape
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As in general shape the noble Sperm Whale’s head may be compared to a Roman war-chariot (especially in front, where it is so broadly rounded); so, at a broad view, the Right Whale’s head bears a rather inelegant resemblance to a gigantic galliot-toed shoe.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading And in this same last or shoe, that old woman of the nursery tale, with the swarming brood, might very comfortably be lodged, she and all her progeny.
shoe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As in general shape the noble Sperm Whale’s head may be compared to a Roman war-chariot (especially in front, where it is so broadly rounded); so, at a broad view, the Right Whale’s head bears a rather inelegant resemblance to a gigantic galliot-toed shoe.
shoemaker's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two hundred years ago an old Dutch voyager likened its shape to that of a shoemaker’s last.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading As in general shape the noble Sperm Whale’s head may be compared to a Roman war-chariot (especially in front, where it is so broadly rounded); so, at a broad view, the Right Whale’s head bears a rather inelegant resemblance to a gigantic galliot-toed shoe.
Sperm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As in general shape the noble Sperm Whale’s head may be compared to a Roman war-chariot (especially in front, where it is so broadly rounded); so, at a broad view, the Right Whale’s head bears a rather inelegant resemblance to a gigantic galliot-toed shoe.
swarming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And in this same last or shoe, that old woman of the nursery tale, with the swarming brood, might very comfortably be lodged, she and all her progeny.
tale
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And in this same last or shoe, that old woman of the nursery tale, with the swarming brood, might very comfortably be lodged, she and all her progeny.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Two hundred years ago an old Dutch voyager likened its shape to that of a shoemaker’s last.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Crossing the deck, let us now have a good long look at the Right Whale’s head.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading And in this same last or shoe, that old woman of the nursery tale, with the swarming brood, might very comfortably be lodged, she and all her progeny.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading As in general shape the noble Sperm Whale’s head may be compared to a Roman war-chariot (especially in front, where it is so broadly rounded); so, at a broad view, the Right Whale’s head bears a rather inelegant resemblance to a gigantic galliot-toed shoe.
Two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two hundred years ago an old Dutch voyager likened its shape to that of a shoemaker’s last.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Crossing the deck, let us now have a good long look at the Right Whale’s head.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And in this same last or shoe, that old woman of the nursery tale, with the swarming brood, might very comfortably be lodged, she and all her progeny.
view
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As in general shape the noble Sperm Whale’s head may be compared to a Roman war-chariot (especially in front, where it is so broadly rounded); so, at a broad view, the Right Whale’s head bears a rather inelegant resemblance to a gigantic galliot-toed shoe.
voyager
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two hundred years ago an old Dutch voyager likened its shape to that of a shoemaker’s last.
war-chariot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As in general shape the noble Sperm Whale’s head may be compared to a Roman war-chariot (especially in front, where it is so broadly rounded); so, at a broad view, the Right Whale’s head bears a rather inelegant resemblance to a gigantic galliot-toed shoe.
Whale's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Crossing the deck, let us now have a good long look at the Right Whale’s head.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading As in general shape the noble Sperm Whale’s head may be compared to a Roman war-chariot (especially in front, where it is so broadly rounded); so, at a broad view, the Right Whale’s head bears a rather inelegant resemblance to a gigantic galliot-toed shoe.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading And in this same last or shoe, that old woman of the nursery tale, with the swarming brood, might very comfortably be lodged, she and all her progeny.
woman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And in this same last or shoe, that old woman of the nursery tale, with the swarming brood, might very comfortably be lodged, she and all her progeny.
years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Two hundred years ago an old Dutch voyager likened its shape to that of a shoemaker’s last.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading But as you come nearer to this great head it begins to assume different aspects, according to your point of view.
yourdeterminerUS /jɔːr/
belonging to the person or people being spoken to
From this reading But as you come nearer to this great head it begins to assume different aspects, according to your point of view.
