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 From his mighty bulk the whale affords a most congenial theme whereon to enlarge, amplify, and generally expatiate.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Not to tell over again his furlongs from spiracle to tail, and the yards he measures about the waist; only think of the gigantic involutions of his intestines, where they lie in him like great cables and hausers coiled away in the subterranean orlop-deck of a line-of-battle-ship.
affords
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From his mighty bulk the whale affords a most congenial theme whereon to enlarge, amplify, and generally expatiate.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Not to tell over again his furlongs from spiracle to tail, and the yards he measures about the waist; only think of the gigantic involutions of his intestines, where they lie in him like great cables and hausers coiled away in the subterranean orlop-deck of a line-of-battle-ship.
amplify
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From this reading From his mighty bulk the whale affords a most congenial theme whereon to enlarge, amplify, and generally expatiate.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading From his mighty bulk the whale affords a most congenial theme whereon to enlarge, amplify, and generally expatiate.
approve
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From this reading Since I have undertaken to manhandle this Leviathan, it behoves me to approve myself omnisciently exhaustive in the enterprise; not overlooking the minutest seminal germs of his blood, and spinning him out to the uttermost coil of his bowels.
away
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From this reading Not to tell over again his furlongs from spiracle to tail, and the yards he measures about the waist; only think of the gigantic involutions of his intestines, where they lie in him like great cables and hausers coiled away in the subterranean orlop-deck of a line-of-battle-ship.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading By good rights he should only be treated of in imperial folio.
behoves
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From this reading Since I have undertaken to manhandle this Leviathan, it behoves me to approve myself omnisciently exhaustive in the enterprise; not overlooking the minutest seminal germs of his blood, and spinning him out to the uttermost coil of his bowels.
bloodnounUS /blood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Since I have undertaken to manhandle this Leviathan, it behoves me to approve myself omnisciently exhaustive in the enterprise; not overlooking the minutest seminal germs of his blood, and spinning him out to the uttermost coil of his bowels.
bowels
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since I have undertaken to manhandle this Leviathan, it behoves me to approve myself omnisciently exhaustive in the enterprise; not overlooking the minutest seminal germs of his blood, and spinning him out to the uttermost coil of his bowels.
bulk
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From his mighty bulk the whale affords a most congenial theme whereon to enlarge, amplify, and generally expatiate.
ByprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading By good rights he should only be treated of in imperial folio.
cables
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From this reading Not to tell over again his furlongs from spiracle to tail, and the yards he measures about the waist; only think of the gigantic involutions of his intestines, where they lie in him like great cables and hausers coiled away in the subterranean orlop-deck of a line-of-battle-ship.
coil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since I have undertaken to manhandle this Leviathan, it behoves me to approve myself omnisciently exhaustive in the enterprise; not overlooking the minutest seminal germs of his blood, and spinning him out to the uttermost coil of his bowels.
coiled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not to tell over again his furlongs from spiracle to tail, and the yards he measures about the waist; only think of the gigantic involutions of his intestines, where they lie in him like great cables and hausers coiled away in the subterranean orlop-deck of a line-of-battle-ship.
compress
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Would you, you could not compress him.
congenial
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From this reading From his mighty bulk the whale affords a most congenial theme whereon to enlarge, amplify, and generally expatiate.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Would you, you could not compress him.
enlarge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From his mighty bulk the whale affords a most congenial theme whereon to enlarge, amplify, and generally expatiate.
enterprise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since I have undertaken to manhandle this Leviathan, it behoves me to approve myself omnisciently exhaustive in the enterprise; not overlooking the minutest seminal germs of his blood, and spinning him out to the uttermost coil of his bowels.
exhaustive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since I have undertaken to manhandle this Leviathan, it behoves me to approve myself omnisciently exhaustive in the enterprise; not overlooking the minutest seminal germs of his blood, and spinning him out to the uttermost coil of his bowels.
expatiate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From his mighty bulk the whale affords a most congenial theme whereon to enlarge, amplify, and generally expatiate.
folio
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By good rights he should only be treated of in imperial folio.
FromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From his mighty bulk the whale affords a most congenial theme whereon to enlarge, amplify, and generally expatiate.
furlongs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not to tell over again his furlongs from spiracle to tail, and the yards he measures about the waist; only think of the gigantic involutions of his intestines, where they lie in him like great cables and hausers coiled away in the subterranean orlop-deck of a line-of-battle-ship.
generally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From his mighty bulk the whale affords a most congenial theme whereon to enlarge, amplify, and generally expatiate.
germs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since I have undertaken to manhandle this Leviathan, it behoves me to approve myself omnisciently exhaustive in the enterprise; not overlooking the minutest seminal germs of his blood, and spinning him out to the uttermost coil of his bowels.
gigantic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not to tell over again his furlongs from spiracle to tail, and the yards he measures about the waist; only think of the gigantic involutions of his intestines, where they lie in him like great cables and hausers coiled away in the subterranean orlop-deck of a line-of-battle-ship.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading By good rights he should only be treated of in imperial folio.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Not to tell over again his furlongs from spiracle to tail, and the yards he measures about the waist; only think of the gigantic involutions of his intestines, where they lie in him like great cables and hausers coiled away in the subterranean orlop-deck of a line-of-battle-ship.
hausers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not to tell over again his furlongs from spiracle to tail, and the yards he measures about the waist; only think of the gigantic involutions of his intestines, where they lie in him like great cables and hausers coiled away in the subterranean orlop-deck of a line-of-battle-ship.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Since I have undertaken to manhandle this Leviathan, it behoves me to approve myself omnisciently exhaustive in the enterprise; not overlooking the minutest seminal germs of his blood, and spinning him out to the uttermost coil of his bowels.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading By good rights he should only be treated of in imperial folio.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Would you, you could not compress him.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading From his mighty bulk the whale affords a most congenial theme whereon to enlarge, amplify, and generally expatiate.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Since I have undertaken to manhandle this Leviathan, it behoves me to approve myself omnisciently exhaustive in the enterprise; not overlooking the minutest seminal germs of his blood, and spinning him out to the uttermost coil of his bowels.
imperial
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By good rights he should only be treated of in imperial folio.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading By good rights he should only be treated of in imperial folio.
intestines
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not to tell over again his furlongs from spiracle to tail, and the yards he measures about the waist; only think of the gigantic involutions of his intestines, where they lie in him like great cables and hausers coiled away in the subterranean orlop-deck of a line-of-battle-ship.
involutions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not to tell over again his furlongs from spiracle to tail, and the yards he measures about the waist; only think of the gigantic involutions of his intestines, where they lie in him like great cables and hausers coiled away in the subterranean orlop-deck of a line-of-battle-ship.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Since I have undertaken to manhandle this Leviathan, it behoves me to approve myself omnisciently exhaustive in the enterprise; not overlooking the minutest seminal germs of his blood, and spinning him out to the uttermost coil of his bowels.
Leviathan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since I have undertaken to manhandle this Leviathan, it behoves me to approve myself omnisciently exhaustive in the enterprise; not overlooking the minutest seminal germs of his blood, and spinning him out to the uttermost coil of his bowels.
lie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not to tell over again his furlongs from spiracle to tail, and the yards he measures about the waist; only think of the gigantic involutions of his intestines, where they lie in him like great cables and hausers coiled away in the subterranean orlop-deck of a line-of-battle-ship.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not to tell over again his furlongs from spiracle to tail, and the yards he measures about the waist; only think of the gigantic involutions of his intestines, where they lie in him like great cables and hausers coiled away in the subterranean orlop-deck of a line-of-battle-ship.
line-of-battle-ship
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not to tell over again his furlongs from spiracle to tail, and the yards he measures about the waist; only think of the gigantic involutions of his intestines, where they lie in him like great cables and hausers coiled away in the subterranean orlop-deck of a line-of-battle-ship.
manhandle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since I have undertaken to manhandle this Leviathan, it behoves me to approve myself omnisciently exhaustive in the enterprise; not overlooking the minutest seminal germs of his blood, and spinning him out to the uttermost coil of his bowels.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Since I have undertaken to manhandle this Leviathan, it behoves me to approve myself omnisciently exhaustive in the enterprise; not overlooking the minutest seminal germs of his blood, and spinning him out to the uttermost coil of his bowels.
measures
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not to tell over again his furlongs from spiracle to tail, and the yards he measures about the waist; only think of the gigantic involutions of his intestines, where they lie in him like great cables and hausers coiled away in the subterranean orlop-deck of a line-of-battle-ship.
mightyadjectiveUS /ˈmaɪti/
having or showing great strength or force or intensity
From this reading From his mighty bulk the whale affords a most congenial theme whereon to enlarge, amplify, and generally expatiate.
minutest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since I have undertaken to manhandle this Leviathan, it behoves me to approve myself omnisciently exhaustive in the enterprise; not overlooking the minutest seminal germs of his blood, and spinning him out to the uttermost coil of his bowels.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From his mighty bulk the whale affords a most congenial theme whereon to enlarge, amplify, and generally expatiate.
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading Since I have undertaken to manhandle this Leviathan, it behoves me to approve myself omnisciently exhaustive in the enterprise; not overlooking the minutest seminal germs of his blood, and spinning him out to the uttermost coil of his bowels.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Would you, you could not compress him.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading By good rights he should only be treated of in imperial folio.
omnisciently
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since I have undertaken to manhandle this Leviathan, it behoves me to approve myself omnisciently exhaustive in the enterprise; not overlooking the minutest seminal germs of his blood, and spinning him out to the uttermost coil of his bowels.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By good rights he should only be treated of in imperial folio.
orlop-deck
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not to tell over again his furlongs from spiracle to tail, and the yards he measures about the waist; only think of the gigantic involutions of his intestines, where they lie in him like great cables and hausers coiled away in the subterranean orlop-deck of a line-of-battle-ship.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since I have undertaken to manhandle this Leviathan, it behoves me to approve myself omnisciently exhaustive in the enterprise; not overlooking the minutest seminal germs of his blood, and spinning him out to the uttermost coil of his bowels.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Not to tell over again his furlongs from spiracle to tail, and the yards he measures about the waist; only think of the gigantic involutions of his intestines, where they lie in him like great cables and hausers coiled away in the subterranean orlop-deck of a line-of-battle-ship.
overlooking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since I have undertaken to manhandle this Leviathan, it behoves me to approve myself omnisciently exhaustive in the enterprise; not overlooking the minutest seminal germs of his blood, and spinning him out to the uttermost coil of his bowels.
rights
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By good rights he should only be treated of in imperial folio.
seminal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since I have undertaken to manhandle this Leviathan, it behoves me to approve myself omnisciently exhaustive in the enterprise; not overlooking the minutest seminal germs of his blood, and spinning him out to the uttermost coil of his bowels.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading By good rights he should only be treated of in imperial folio.
SinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading Since I have undertaken to manhandle this Leviathan, it behoves me to approve myself omnisciently exhaustive in the enterprise; not overlooking the minutest seminal germs of his blood, and spinning him out to the uttermost coil of his bowels.
spinningnounUS /ˈspɪnɪŋ/
the act of making thread from fibers
From this reading Since I have undertaken to manhandle this Leviathan, it behoves me to approve myself omnisciently exhaustive in the enterprise; not overlooking the minutest seminal germs of his blood, and spinning him out to the uttermost coil of his bowels.
spiracle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not to tell over again his furlongs from spiracle to tail, and the yards he measures about the waist; only think of the gigantic involutions of his intestines, where they lie in him like great cables and hausers coiled away in the subterranean orlop-deck of a line-of-battle-ship.
subterraneanadjectiveUS /ˌsʌb.təˈreɪ.ni.ən/
Existing, occurring, or done under the earth's surface.
From this reading Not to tell over again his furlongs from spiracle to tail, and the yards he measures about the waist; only think of the gigantic involutions of his intestines, where they lie in him like great cables and hausers coiled away in the subterranean orlop-deck of a line-of-battle-ship.
tail
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not to tell over again his furlongs from spiracle to tail, and the yards he measures about the waist; only think of the gigantic involutions of his intestines, where they lie in him like great cables and hausers coiled away in the subterranean orlop-deck of a line-of-battle-ship.
tellnounUS /tell/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Not to tell over again his furlongs from spiracle to tail, and the yards he measures about the waist; only think of the gigantic involutions of his intestines, where they lie in him like great cables and hausers coiled away in the subterranean orlop-deck of a line-of-battle-ship.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading From his mighty bulk the whale affords a most congenial theme whereon to enlarge, amplify, and generally expatiate.
theme
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From his mighty bulk the whale affords a most congenial theme whereon to enlarge, amplify, and generally expatiate.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Not to tell over again his furlongs from spiracle to tail, and the yards he measures about the waist; only think of the gigantic involutions of his intestines, where they lie in him like great cables and hausers coiled away in the subterranean orlop-deck of a line-of-battle-ship.
thinknounUS /think/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Not to tell over again his furlongs from spiracle to tail, and the yards he measures about the waist; only think of the gigantic involutions of his intestines, where they lie in him like great cables and hausers coiled away in the subterranean orlop-deck of a line-of-battle-ship.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Since I have undertaken to manhandle this Leviathan, it behoves me to approve myself omnisciently exhaustive in the enterprise; not overlooking the minutest seminal germs of his blood, and spinning him out to the uttermost coil of his bowels.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading From his mighty bulk the whale affords a most congenial theme whereon to enlarge, amplify, and generally expatiate.
treated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By good rights he should only be treated of in imperial folio.
undertaken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since I have undertaken to manhandle this Leviathan, it behoves me to approve myself omnisciently exhaustive in the enterprise; not overlooking the minutest seminal germs of his blood, and spinning him out to the uttermost coil of his bowels.
uttermost
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Since I have undertaken to manhandle this Leviathan, it behoves me to approve myself omnisciently exhaustive in the enterprise; not overlooking the minutest seminal germs of his blood, and spinning him out to the uttermost coil of his bowels.
waist
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not to tell over again his furlongs from spiracle to tail, and the yards he measures about the waist; only think of the gigantic involutions of his intestines, where they lie in him like great cables and hausers coiled away in the subterranean orlop-deck of a line-of-battle-ship.
whale
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From his mighty bulk the whale affords a most congenial theme whereon to enlarge, amplify, and generally expatiate.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading Not to tell over again his furlongs from spiracle to tail, and the yards he measures about the waist; only think of the gigantic involutions of his intestines, where they lie in him like great cables and hausers coiled away in the subterranean orlop-deck of a line-of-battle-ship.
whereon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading From his mighty bulk the whale affords a most congenial theme whereon to enlarge, amplify, and generally expatiate.
Wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Would you, you could not compress him.
yards
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Not to tell over again his furlongs from spiracle to tail, and the yards he measures about the waist; only think of the gigantic involutions of his intestines, where they lie in him like great cables and hausers coiled away in the subterranean orlop-deck of a line-of-battle-ship.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Would you, you could not compress him.