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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 If the Sperm Whale be physiognomically a Sphinx, to the phrenologist his brain seems that geometrical circle which it is impossible to square.
almost
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From this reading But in life—as we have elsewhere seen—this inclined plane is angularly filled up, and almost squared by the enormous superincumbent mass of the junk and sperm.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Unhinge the lower jaw, and the side view of this skull is as the side view of a moderately inclined plane resting throughout on a level base.
angularly
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From this reading But in life—as we have elsewhere seen—this inclined plane is angularly filled up, and almost squared by the enormous superincumbent mass of the junk and sperm.
anothernounUS /ˈanother/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading At the high end the skull forms a crater to bed that part of the mass; while under the long floor of this crater—in another cavity seldom exceeding ten inches in length and as many in depth—reposes the mere handful of this monster’s brain.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Unhinge the lower jaw, and the side view of this skull is as the side view of a moderately inclined plane resting throughout on a level base.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading In the full-grown creature the skull will measure at least twenty feet in length.
base
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From this reading Unhinge the lower jaw, and the side view of this skull is as the side view of a moderately inclined plane resting throughout on a level base.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading If the Sperm Whale be physiognomically a Sphinx, to the phrenologist his brain seems that geometrical circle which it is impossible to square.
bed
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From this reading At the high end the skull forms a crater to bed that part of the mass; while under the long floor of this crater—in another cavity seldom exceeding ten inches in length and as many in depth—reposes the mere handful of this monster’s brain.
brain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the Sperm Whale be physiognomically a Sphinx, to the phrenologist his brain seems that geometrical circle which it is impossible to square.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But in life—as we have elsewhere seen—this inclined plane is angularly filled up, and almost squared by the enormous superincumbent mass of the junk and sperm.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading But in life—as we have elsewhere seen—this inclined plane is angularly filled up, and almost squared by the enormous superincumbent mass of the junk and sperm.
cavity
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From this reading At the high end the skull forms a crater to bed that part of the mass; while under the long floor of this crater—in another cavity seldom exceeding ten inches in length and as many in depth—reposes the mere handful of this monster’s brain.
circle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the Sperm Whale be physiognomically a Sphinx, to the phrenologist his brain seems that geometrical circle which it is impossible to square.
crater
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From this reading At the high end the skull forms a crater to bed that part of the mass; while under the long floor of this crater—in another cavity seldom exceeding ten inches in length and as many in depth—reposes the mere handful of this monster’s brain.
creaturenounUS /ˈcreature/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading In the full-grown creature the skull will measure at least twenty feet in length.
depth
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From this reading At the high end the skull forms a crater to bed that part of the mass; while under the long floor of this crater—in another cavity seldom exceeding ten inches in length and as many in depth—reposes the mere handful of this monster’s brain.
elsewhere
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From this reading But in life—as we have elsewhere seen—this inclined plane is angularly filled up, and almost squared by the enormous superincumbent mass of the junk and sperm.
end
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From this reading At the high end the skull forms a crater to bed that part of the mass; while under the long floor of this crater—in another cavity seldom exceeding ten inches in length and as many in depth—reposes the mere handful of this monster’s brain.
enormous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But in life—as we have elsewhere seen—this inclined plane is angularly filled up, and almost squared by the enormous superincumbent mass of the junk and sperm.
exceeding
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From this reading At the high end the skull forms a crater to bed that part of the mass; while under the long floor of this crater—in another cavity seldom exceeding ten inches in length and as many in depth—reposes the mere handful of this monster’s brain.
feet
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From this reading In the full-grown creature the skull will measure at least twenty feet in length.
filled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But in life—as we have elsewhere seen—this inclined plane is angularly filled up, and almost squared by the enormous superincumbent mass of the junk and sperm.
floor
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From this reading At the high end the skull forms a crater to bed that part of the mass; while under the long floor of this crater—in another cavity seldom exceeding ten inches in length and as many in depth—reposes the mere handful of this monster’s brain.
forms
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From this reading At the high end the skull forms a crater to bed that part of the mass; while under the long floor of this crater—in another cavity seldom exceeding ten inches in length and as many in depth—reposes the mere handful of this monster’s brain.
full-grown
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From this reading In the full-grown creature the skull will measure at least twenty feet in length.
geometrical
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From this reading If the Sperm Whale be physiognomically a Sphinx, to the phrenologist his brain seems that geometrical circle which it is impossible to square.
handful
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From this reading At the high end the skull forms a crater to bed that part of the mass; while under the long floor of this crater—in another cavity seldom exceeding ten inches in length and as many in depth—reposes the mere handful of this monster’s brain.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading But in life—as we have elsewhere seen—this inclined plane is angularly filled up, and almost squared by the enormous superincumbent mass of the junk and sperm.
high
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From this reading At the high end the skull forms a crater to bed that part of the mass; while under the long floor of this crater—in another cavity seldom exceeding ten inches in length and as many in depth—reposes the mere handful of this monster’s brain.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading If the Sperm Whale be physiognomically a Sphinx, to the phrenologist his brain seems that geometrical circle which it is impossible to square.
IfconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If the Sperm Whale be physiognomically a Sphinx, to the phrenologist his brain seems that geometrical circle which it is impossible to square.
impossible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the Sperm Whale be physiognomically a Sphinx, to the phrenologist his brain seems that geometrical circle which it is impossible to square.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In the full-grown creature the skull will measure at least twenty feet in length.
inches
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From this reading At the high end the skull forms a crater to bed that part of the mass; while under the long floor of this crater—in another cavity seldom exceeding ten inches in length and as many in depth—reposes the mere handful of this monster’s brain.
inclined
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From this reading Unhinge the lower jaw, and the side view of this skull is as the side view of a moderately inclined plane resting throughout on a level base.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading If the Sperm Whale be physiognomically a Sphinx, to the phrenologist his brain seems that geometrical circle which it is impossible to square.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading If the Sperm Whale be physiognomically a Sphinx, to the phrenologist his brain seems that geometrical circle which it is impossible to square.
jaw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Unhinge the lower jaw, and the side view of this skull is as the side view of a moderately inclined plane resting throughout on a level base.
junknounUS /junk/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But in life—as we have elsewhere seen—this inclined plane is angularly filled up, and almost squared by the enormous superincumbent mass of the junk and sperm.
leastnounUS /least/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In the full-grown creature the skull will measure at least twenty feet in length.
lengthnounUS /leŋθ/
a period of time or extent
From this reading In the full-grown creature the skull will measure at least twenty feet in length.
level
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Unhinge the lower jaw, and the side view of this skull is as the side view of a moderately inclined plane resting throughout on a level base.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But in life—as we have elsewhere seen—this inclined plane is angularly filled up, and almost squared by the enormous superincumbent mass of the junk and sperm.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At the high end the skull forms a crater to bed that part of the mass; while under the long floor of this crater—in another cavity seldom exceeding ten inches in length and as many in depth—reposes the mere handful of this monster’s brain.
lower
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Unhinge the lower jaw, and the side view of this skull is as the side view of a moderately inclined plane resting throughout on a level base.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the high end the skull forms a crater to bed that part of the mass; while under the long floor of this crater—in another cavity seldom exceeding ten inches in length and as many in depth—reposes the mere handful of this monster’s brain.
mass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But in life—as we have elsewhere seen—this inclined plane is angularly filled up, and almost squared by the enormous superincumbent mass of the junk and sperm.
measure
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the full-grown creature the skull will measure at least twenty feet in length.
mere
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From this reading At the high end the skull forms a crater to bed that part of the mass; while under the long floor of this crater—in another cavity seldom exceeding ten inches in length and as many in depth—reposes the mere handful of this monster’s brain.
moderately
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Unhinge the lower jaw, and the side view of this skull is as the side view of a moderately inclined plane resting throughout on a level base.
monster's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the high end the skull forms a crater to bed that part of the mass; while under the long floor of this crater—in another cavity seldom exceeding ten inches in length and as many in depth—reposes the mere handful of this monster’s brain.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Unhinge the lower jaw, and the side view of this skull is as the side view of a moderately inclined plane resting throughout on a level base.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Unhinge the lower jaw, and the side view of this skull is as the side view of a moderately inclined plane resting throughout on a level base.
partnounUS /part/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At the high end the skull forms a crater to bed that part of the mass; while under the long floor of this crater—in another cavity seldom exceeding ten inches in length and as many in depth—reposes the mere handful of this monster’s brain.
phrenologist
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the Sperm Whale be physiognomically a Sphinx, to the phrenologist his brain seems that geometrical circle which it is impossible to square.
physiognomically
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the Sperm Whale be physiognomically a Sphinx, to the phrenologist his brain seems that geometrical circle which it is impossible to square.
plane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Unhinge the lower jaw, and the side view of this skull is as the side view of a moderately inclined plane resting throughout on a level base.
reposes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the high end the skull forms a crater to bed that part of the mass; while under the long floor of this crater—in another cavity seldom exceeding ten inches in length and as many in depth—reposes the mere handful of this monster’s brain.
restingnounUS /ˈresting/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Unhinge the lower jaw, and the side view of this skull is as the side view of a moderately inclined plane resting throughout on a level base.
seems
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the Sperm Whale be physiognomically a Sphinx, to the phrenologist his brain seems that geometrical circle which it is impossible to square.
seen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But in life—as we have elsewhere seen—this inclined plane is angularly filled up, and almost squared by the enormous superincumbent mass of the junk and sperm.
seldom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the high end the skull forms a crater to bed that part of the mass; while under the long floor of this crater—in another cavity seldom exceeding ten inches in length and as many in depth—reposes the mere handful of this monster’s brain.
side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Unhinge the lower jaw, and the side view of this skull is as the side view of a moderately inclined plane resting throughout on a level base.
skull
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the full-grown creature the skull will measure at least twenty feet in length.
SpermnounUS /spɜːrm/
the male reproductive cell; the male gamete
From this reading If the Sperm Whale be physiognomically a Sphinx, to the phrenologist his brain seems that geometrical circle which it is impossible to square.
Sphinx
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the Sperm Whale be physiognomically a Sphinx, to the phrenologist his brain seems that geometrical circle which it is impossible to square.
square
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the Sperm Whale be physiognomically a Sphinx, to the phrenologist his brain seems that geometrical circle which it is impossible to square.
squared
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But in life—as we have elsewhere seen—this inclined plane is angularly filled up, and almost squared by the enormous superincumbent mass of the junk and sperm.
superincumbent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But in life—as we have elsewhere seen—this inclined plane is angularly filled up, and almost squared by the enormous superincumbent mass of the junk and sperm.
ten
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At the high end the skull forms a crater to bed that part of the mass; while under the long floor of this crater—in another cavity seldom exceeding ten inches in length and as many in depth—reposes the mere handful of this monster’s brain.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading If the Sperm Whale be physiognomically a Sphinx, to the phrenologist his brain seems that geometrical circle which it is impossible to square.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading If the Sperm Whale be physiognomically a Sphinx, to the phrenologist his brain seems that geometrical circle which it is impossible to square.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Unhinge the lower jaw, and the side view of this skull is as the side view of a moderately inclined plane resting throughout on a level base.
throughoutprepositionUS /θruːˈaʊt/
in every part of a place, or for the whole of a period
From this reading Unhinge the lower jaw, and the side view of this skull is as the side view of a moderately inclined plane resting throughout on a level base.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading If the Sperm Whale be physiognomically a Sphinx, to the phrenologist his brain seems that geometrical circle which it is impossible to square.
twenty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In the full-grown creature the skull will measure at least twenty feet in length.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading At the high end the skull forms a crater to bed that part of the mass; while under the long floor of this crater—in another cavity seldom exceeding ten inches in length and as many in depth—reposes the mere handful of this monster’s brain.
Unhinge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Unhinge the lower jaw, and the side view of this skull is as the side view of a moderately inclined plane resting throughout on a level base.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But in life—as we have elsewhere seen—this inclined plane is angularly filled up, and almost squared by the enormous superincumbent mass of the junk and sperm.
view
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Unhinge the lower jaw, and the side view of this skull is as the side view of a moderately inclined plane resting throughout on a level base.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading But in life—as we have elsewhere seen—this inclined plane is angularly filled up, and almost squared by the enormous superincumbent mass of the junk and sperm.
Whale
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading If the Sperm Whale be physiognomically a Sphinx, to the phrenologist his brain seems that geometrical circle which it is impossible to square.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading If the Sperm Whale be physiognomically a Sphinx, to the phrenologist his brain seems that geometrical circle which it is impossible to square.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading At the high end the skull forms a crater to bed that part of the mass; while under the long floor of this crater—in another cavity seldom exceeding ten inches in length and as many in depth—reposes the mere handful of this monster’s brain.
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading In the full-grown creature the skull will measure at least twenty feet in length.
