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Moby-Dick; or, The Whale
Moby-Dick; or, The Whale

Chapter CV · Does The Whale’S Magnitude Diminish?—Will He Perish?

Does The Whale’S Magnitude Diminish?—Will He Perish?, section 1: Inasmuch, then, as this Leviathan comes floundering down upon us from the head-waters of the Eternities, it may be fitly inquired, whether, in the long course of his generations, h
Context Illustration Reading 1/8 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Inasmuch, then, as this Leviathan comes floundering down upon us from the head-waters of the Eternities, it may be fitly inquired, whether, in the long course of his generations, he has not degenerated from the original bulk of his sires.
But upon investigation we find, that not only are the whales of the present day superior in magnitude to those whose fossil remains are found in the Tertiary system (embracing a distinct geological period prior to man), but of the whales found in that Tertiary system, those belonging to its latter formations exceed in size those of its earlier ones.
Of all the pre-adamite whales yet exhumed, by far the largest is the Alabama one mentioned in the last chapter, and that was less than seventy feet in length in the skeleton.
Whereas, we have already seen, that the tape-measure gives seventy-two feet for the skeleton of a large sized modern whale.
And I have heard, on whalemen’s authority, that Sperm Whales have been captured near a hundred feet long at the time of capture.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Moby-Dick; or, The Whale

Chapter CV · Does The Whale’S Magnitude Diminish?—Will He Perish?

Reading 1/8 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Inasmuch, then, as this Leviathan comes floundering down upon us from the head-waters of the Eternities, it may be fitly inquired, whether, in the long course of his generations, he has not degenerated from the original bulk of his sires.
Line 2
But upon investigation we find, that not only are the whales of the present day superior in magnitude to those whose fossil remains are found in the Tertiary system (embracing a distinct geological period prior to man), but of the whales found in that Tertiary system, those belonging to its latter formations exceed in size those of its earlier ones.
Line 3
Of all the pre-adamite whales yet exhumed, by far the largest is the Alabama one mentioned in the last chapter, and that was less than seventy feet in length in the skeleton.
Line 4
Whereas, we have already seen, that the tape-measure gives seventy-two feet for the skeleton of a large sized modern whale.
Line 5
And I have heard, on whalemen’s authority, that Sperm Whales have been captured near a hundred feet long at the time of capture.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

leviathan noun US /ləˈvaɪəθən/

the largest or most massive thing of its kind

From this reading “Inasmuch, then, as this Leviathan comes floundering down upon us from the head-waters of the Eternities, it may be fitly inquired, whether, in the long course of his generations, he has not degenerated from the original bulk of his sires.”

Collocations
Inasmuch thenA source-grounded phrase from this reading.
then asA source-grounded phrase from this reading.
All words in this reading · 114

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 But upon investigation we find, that not only are the whales of the present day superior in magnitude to those whose fossil remains are found in the Tertiary system (embracing a distinct geological period prior to man), but of the whales found in that Tertiary system, those belonging to its latter formations exceed in size those of its earlier ones.

Alabama

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Of all the pre-adamite whales yet exhumed, by far the largest is the Alabama one mentioned in the last chapter, and that was less than seventy feet in length in the skeleton.

all

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Of all the pre-adamite whales yet exhumed, by far the largest is the Alabama one mentioned in the last chapter, and that was less than seventy feet in length in the skeleton.

alreadynounUS /already/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Whereas, we have already seen, that the tape-measure gives seventy-two feet for the skeleton of a large sized modern whale.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading Of all the pre-adamite whales yet exhumed, by far the largest is the Alabama one mentioned in the last chapter, and that was less than seventy feet in length in the skeleton.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading But upon investigation we find, that not only are the whales of the present day superior in magnitude to those whose fossil remains are found in the Tertiary system (embracing a distinct geological period prior to man), but of the whales found in that Tertiary system, those belonging to its latter formations exceed in size those of its earlier ones.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading Inasmuch, then, as this Leviathan comes floundering down upon us from the head-waters of the Eternities, it may be fitly inquired, whether, in the long course of his generations, he has not degenerated from the original bulk of his sires.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading And I have heard, on whalemen’s authority, that Sperm Whales have been captured near a hundred feet long at the time of capture.

authority

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And I have heard, on whalemen’s authority, that Sperm Whales have been captured near a hundred feet long at the time of capture.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Inasmuch, then, as this Leviathan comes floundering down upon us from the head-waters of the Eternities, it may be fitly inquired, whether, in the long course of his generations, he has not degenerated from the original bulk of his sires.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading And I have heard, on whalemen’s authority, that Sperm Whales have been captured near a hundred feet long at the time of capture.

belonging

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But upon investigation we find, that not only are the whales of the present day superior in magnitude to those whose fossil remains are found in the Tertiary system (embracing a distinct geological period prior to man), but of the whales found in that Tertiary system, those belonging to its latter formations exceed in size those of its earlier ones.

bulk

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Inasmuch, then, as this Leviathan comes floundering down upon us from the head-waters of the Eternities, it may be fitly inquired, whether, in the long course of his generations, he has not degenerated from the original bulk of his sires.

ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But upon investigation we find, that not only are the whales of the present day superior in magnitude to those whose fossil remains are found in the Tertiary system (embracing a distinct geological period prior to man), but of the whales found in that Tertiary system, those belonging to its latter formations exceed in size those of its earlier ones.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Of all the pre-adamite whales yet exhumed, by far the largest is the Alabama one mentioned in the last chapter, and that was less than seventy feet in length in the skeleton.

capture

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And I have heard, on whalemen’s authority, that Sperm Whales have been captured near a hundred feet long at the time of capture.

captured

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And I have heard, on whalemen’s authority, that Sperm Whales have been captured near a hundred feet long at the time of capture.

chapter

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Of all the pre-adamite whales yet exhumed, by far the largest is the Alabama one mentioned in the last chapter, and that was less than seventy feet in length in the skeleton.

comes

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Inasmuch, then, as this Leviathan comes floundering down upon us from the head-waters of the Eternities, it may be fitly inquired, whether, in the long course of his generations, he has not degenerated from the original bulk of his sires.

coursenounUS /course/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Inasmuch, then, as this Leviathan comes floundering down upon us from the head-waters of the Eternities, it may be fitly inquired, whether, in the long course of his generations, he has not degenerated from the original bulk of his sires.

day

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But upon investigation we find, that not only are the whales of the present day superior in magnitude to those whose fossil remains are found in the Tertiary system (embracing a distinct geological period prior to man), but of the whales found in that Tertiary system, those belonging to its latter formations exceed in size those of its earlier ones.

degenerated

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Inasmuch, then, as this Leviathan comes floundering down upon us from the head-waters of the Eternities, it may be fitly inquired, whether, in the long course of his generations, he has not degenerated from the original bulk of his sires.

distinct

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But upon investigation we find, that not only are the whales of the present day superior in magnitude to those whose fossil remains are found in the Tertiary system (embracing a distinct geological period prior to man), but of the whales found in that Tertiary system, those belonging to its latter formations exceed in size those of its earlier ones.

down

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Inasmuch, then, as this Leviathan comes floundering down upon us from the head-waters of the Eternities, it may be fitly inquired, whether, in the long course of his generations, he has not degenerated from the original bulk of his sires.

earlier

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But upon investigation we find, that not only are the whales of the present day superior in magnitude to those whose fossil remains are found in the Tertiary system (embracing a distinct geological period prior to man), but of the whales found in that Tertiary system, those belonging to its latter formations exceed in size those of its earlier ones.

embracing

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But upon investigation we find, that not only are the whales of the present day superior in magnitude to those whose fossil remains are found in the Tertiary system (embracing a distinct geological period prior to man), but of the whales found in that Tertiary system, those belonging to its latter formations exceed in size those of its earlier ones.

Eternities

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Inasmuch, then, as this Leviathan comes floundering down upon us from the head-waters of the Eternities, it may be fitly inquired, whether, in the long course of his generations, he has not degenerated from the original bulk of his sires.

exceed

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But upon investigation we find, that not only are the whales of the present day superior in magnitude to those whose fossil remains are found in the Tertiary system (embracing a distinct geological period prior to man), but of the whales found in that Tertiary system, those belonging to its latter formations exceed in size those of its earlier ones.

exhumed

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Of all the pre-adamite whales yet exhumed, by far the largest is the Alabama one mentioned in the last chapter, and that was less than seventy feet in length in the skeleton.

far

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Of all the pre-adamite whales yet exhumed, by far the largest is the Alabama one mentioned in the last chapter, and that was less than seventy feet in length in the skeleton.

feet

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Of all the pre-adamite whales yet exhumed, by far the largest is the Alabama one mentioned in the last chapter, and that was less than seventy feet in length in the skeleton.

find

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But upon investigation we find, that not only are the whales of the present day superior in magnitude to those whose fossil remains are found in the Tertiary system (embracing a distinct geological period prior to man), but of the whales found in that Tertiary system, those belonging to its latter formations exceed in size those of its earlier ones.

fitly

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Inasmuch, then, as this Leviathan comes floundering down upon us from the head-waters of the Eternities, it may be fitly inquired, whether, in the long course of his generations, he has not degenerated from the original bulk of his sires.

floundering

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Inasmuch, then, as this Leviathan comes floundering down upon us from the head-waters of the Eternities, it may be fitly inquired, whether, in the long course of his generations, he has not degenerated from the original bulk of his sires.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Whereas, we have already seen, that the tape-measure gives seventy-two feet for the skeleton of a large sized modern whale.

formations

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But upon investigation we find, that not only are the whales of the present day superior in magnitude to those whose fossil remains are found in the Tertiary system (embracing a distinct geological period prior to man), but of the whales found in that Tertiary system, those belonging to its latter formations exceed in size those of its earlier ones.

fossil

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But upon investigation we find, that not only are the whales of the present day superior in magnitude to those whose fossil remains are found in the Tertiary system (embracing a distinct geological period prior to man), but of the whales found in that Tertiary system, those belonging to its latter formations exceed in size those of its earlier ones.

foundnounUS /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But upon investigation we find, that not only are the whales of the present day superior in magnitude to those whose fossil remains are found in the Tertiary system (embracing a distinct geological period prior to man), but of the whales found in that Tertiary system, those belonging to its latter formations exceed in size those of its earlier ones.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading Inasmuch, then, as this Leviathan comes floundering down upon us from the head-waters of the Eternities, it may be fitly inquired, whether, in the long course of his generations, he has not degenerated from the original bulk of his sires.

generations

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Inasmuch, then, as this Leviathan comes floundering down upon us from the head-waters of the Eternities, it may be fitly inquired, whether, in the long course of his generations, he has not degenerated from the original bulk of his sires.

geological

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But upon investigation we find, that not only are the whales of the present day superior in magnitude to those whose fossil remains are found in the Tertiary system (embracing a distinct geological period prior to man), but of the whales found in that Tertiary system, those belonging to its latter formations exceed in size those of its earlier ones.

gives

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Whereas, we have already seen, that the tape-measure gives seventy-two feet for the skeleton of a large sized modern whale.

hasauxiliary verbUS /hæz/

the form of “have” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Inasmuch, then, as this Leviathan comes floundering down upon us from the head-waters of the Eternities, it may be fitly inquired, whether, in the long course of his generations, he has not degenerated from the original bulk of his sires.

haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading Whereas, we have already seen, that the tape-measure gives seventy-two feet for the skeleton of a large sized modern whale.

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Inasmuch, then, as this Leviathan comes floundering down upon us from the head-waters of the Eternities, it may be fitly inquired, whether, in the long course of his generations, he has not degenerated from the original bulk of his sires.

head-waters

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Inasmuch, then, as this Leviathan comes floundering down upon us from the head-waters of the Eternities, it may be fitly inquired, whether, in the long course of his generations, he has not degenerated from the original bulk of his sires.

heard

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And I have heard, on whalemen’s authority, that Sperm Whales have been captured near a hundred feet long at the time of capture.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading Inasmuch, then, as this Leviathan comes floundering down upon us from the head-waters of the Eternities, it may be fitly inquired, whether, in the long course of his generations, he has not degenerated from the original bulk of his sires.

hundred

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And I have heard, on whalemen’s authority, that Sperm Whales have been captured near a hundred feet long at the time of capture.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading And I have heard, on whalemen’s authority, that Sperm Whales have been captured near a hundred feet long at the time of capture.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Inasmuch, then, as this Leviathan comes floundering down upon us from the head-waters of the Eternities, it may be fitly inquired, whether, in the long course of his generations, he has not degenerated from the original bulk of his sires.

Inasmuch

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Inasmuch, then, as this Leviathan comes floundering down upon us from the head-waters of the Eternities, it may be fitly inquired, whether, in the long course of his generations, he has not degenerated from the original bulk of his sires.

inquirednounUS /ˈinquired/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading Inasmuch, then, as this Leviathan comes floundering down upon us from the head-waters of the Eternities, it may be fitly inquired, whether, in the long course of his generations, he has not degenerated from the original bulk of his sires.

investigation

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But upon investigation we find, that not only are the whales of the present day superior in magnitude to those whose fossil remains are found in the Tertiary system (embracing a distinct geological period prior to man), but of the whales found in that Tertiary system, those belonging to its latter formations exceed in size those of its earlier ones.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Of all the pre-adamite whales yet exhumed, by far the largest is the Alabama one mentioned in the last chapter, and that was less than seventy feet in length in the skeleton.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Inasmuch, then, as this Leviathan comes floundering down upon us from the head-waters of the Eternities, it may be fitly inquired, whether, in the long course of his generations, he has not degenerated from the original bulk of his sires.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading But upon investigation we find, that not only are the whales of the present day superior in magnitude to those whose fossil remains are found in the Tertiary system (embracing a distinct geological period prior to man), but of the whales found in that Tertiary system, those belonging to its latter formations exceed in size those of its earlier ones.

large

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Whereas, we have already seen, that the tape-measure gives seventy-two feet for the skeleton of a large sized modern whale.

largest

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Of all the pre-adamite whales yet exhumed, by far the largest is the Alabama one mentioned in the last chapter, and that was less than seventy feet in length in the skeleton.

lastnounUS /last/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Of all the pre-adamite whales yet exhumed, by far the largest is the Alabama one mentioned in the last chapter, and that was less than seventy feet in length in the skeleton.

latter

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But upon investigation we find, that not only are the whales of the present day superior in magnitude to those whose fossil remains are found in the Tertiary system (embracing a distinct geological period prior to man), but of the whales found in that Tertiary system, those belonging to its latter formations exceed in size those of its earlier ones.

lengthnounUS /leŋθ/

a period of time or extent

From this reading Of all the pre-adamite whales yet exhumed, by far the largest is the Alabama one mentioned in the last chapter, and that was less than seventy feet in length in the skeleton.

less

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Of all the pre-adamite whales yet exhumed, by far the largest is the Alabama one mentioned in the last chapter, and that was less than seventy feet in length in the skeleton.

LeviathannounUS /ləˈvaɪəθən/

the largest or most massive thing of its kind

From this reading Inasmuch, then, as this Leviathan comes floundering down upon us from the head-waters of the Eternities, it may be fitly inquired, whether, in the long course of his generations, he has not degenerated from the original bulk of his sires.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Inasmuch, then, as this Leviathan comes floundering down upon us from the head-waters of the Eternities, it may be fitly inquired, whether, in the long course of his generations, he has not degenerated from the original bulk of his sires.

magnitude

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But upon investigation we find, that not only are the whales of the present day superior in magnitude to those whose fossil remains are found in the Tertiary system (embracing a distinct geological period prior to man), but of the whales found in that Tertiary system, those belonging to its latter formations exceed in size those of its earlier ones.

man

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But upon investigation we find, that not only are the whales of the present day superior in magnitude to those whose fossil remains are found in the Tertiary system (embracing a distinct geological period prior to man), but of the whales found in that Tertiary system, those belonging to its latter formations exceed in size those of its earlier ones.

maymodal verbUS /meɪ/

used to say something is possible, or to give permission

From this reading Inasmuch, then, as this Leviathan comes floundering down upon us from the head-waters of the Eternities, it may be fitly inquired, whether, in the long course of his generations, he has not degenerated from the original bulk of his sires.

mentioned

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Of all the pre-adamite whales yet exhumed, by far the largest is the Alabama one mentioned in the last chapter, and that was less than seventy feet in length in the skeleton.

modern

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Whereas, we have already seen, that the tape-measure gives seventy-two feet for the skeleton of a large sized modern whale.

near

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And I have heard, on whalemen’s authority, that Sperm Whales have been captured near a hundred feet long at the time of capture.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Inasmuch, then, as this Leviathan comes floundering down upon us from the head-waters of the Eternities, it may be fitly inquired, whether, in the long course of his generations, he has not degenerated from the original bulk of his sires.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Inasmuch, then, as this Leviathan comes floundering down upon us from the head-waters of the Eternities, it may be fitly inquired, whether, in the long course of his generations, he has not degenerated from the original bulk of his sires.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading And I have heard, on whalemen’s authority, that Sperm Whales have been captured near a hundred feet long at the time of capture.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Of all the pre-adamite whales yet exhumed, by far the largest is the Alabama one mentioned in the last chapter, and that was less than seventy feet in length in the skeleton.

ones

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But upon investigation we find, that not only are the whales of the present day superior in magnitude to those whose fossil remains are found in the Tertiary system (embracing a distinct geological period prior to man), but of the whales found in that Tertiary system, those belonging to its latter formations exceed in size those of its earlier ones.

only

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But upon investigation we find, that not only are the whales of the present day superior in magnitude to those whose fossil remains are found in the Tertiary system (embracing a distinct geological period prior to man), but of the whales found in that Tertiary system, those belonging to its latter formations exceed in size those of its earlier ones.

original

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Inasmuch, then, as this Leviathan comes floundering down upon us from the head-waters of the Eternities, it may be fitly inquired, whether, in the long course of his generations, he has not degenerated from the original bulk of his sires.

period

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But upon investigation we find, that not only are the whales of the present day superior in magnitude to those whose fossil remains are found in the Tertiary system (embracing a distinct geological period prior to man), but of the whales found in that Tertiary system, those belonging to its latter formations exceed in size those of its earlier ones.

pre-adamite

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Of all the pre-adamite whales yet exhumed, by far the largest is the Alabama one mentioned in the last chapter, and that was less than seventy feet in length in the skeleton.

present

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But upon investigation we find, that not only are the whales of the present day superior in magnitude to those whose fossil remains are found in the Tertiary system (embracing a distinct geological period prior to man), but of the whales found in that Tertiary system, those belonging to its latter formations exceed in size those of its earlier ones.

prior

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But upon investigation we find, that not only are the whales of the present day superior in magnitude to those whose fossil remains are found in the Tertiary system (embracing a distinct geological period prior to man), but of the whales found in that Tertiary system, those belonging to its latter formations exceed in size those of its earlier ones.

remains

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But upon investigation we find, that not only are the whales of the present day superior in magnitude to those whose fossil remains are found in the Tertiary system (embracing a distinct geological period prior to man), but of the whales found in that Tertiary system, those belonging to its latter formations exceed in size those of its earlier ones.

seen

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Whereas, we have already seen, that the tape-measure gives seventy-two feet for the skeleton of a large sized modern whale.

seventy

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Of all the pre-adamite whales yet exhumed, by far the largest is the Alabama one mentioned in the last chapter, and that was less than seventy feet in length in the skeleton.

seventy-two

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Whereas, we have already seen, that the tape-measure gives seventy-two feet for the skeleton of a large sized modern whale.

sires

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Inasmuch, then, as this Leviathan comes floundering down upon us from the head-waters of the Eternities, it may be fitly inquired, whether, in the long course of his generations, he has not degenerated from the original bulk of his sires.

size

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But upon investigation we find, that not only are the whales of the present day superior in magnitude to those whose fossil remains are found in the Tertiary system (embracing a distinct geological period prior to man), but of the whales found in that Tertiary system, those belonging to its latter formations exceed in size those of its earlier ones.

sized

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Whereas, we have already seen, that the tape-measure gives seventy-two feet for the skeleton of a large sized modern whale.

skeleton

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Of all the pre-adamite whales yet exhumed, by far the largest is the Alabama one mentioned in the last chapter, and that was less than seventy feet in length in the skeleton.

Sperm

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And I have heard, on whalemen’s authority, that Sperm Whales have been captured near a hundred feet long at the time of capture.

superior

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But upon investigation we find, that not only are the whales of the present day superior in magnitude to those whose fossil remains are found in the Tertiary system (embracing a distinct geological period prior to man), but of the whales found in that Tertiary system, those belonging to its latter formations exceed in size those of its earlier ones.

system

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But upon investigation we find, that not only are the whales of the present day superior in magnitude to those whose fossil remains are found in the Tertiary system (embracing a distinct geological period prior to man), but of the whales found in that Tertiary system, those belonging to its latter formations exceed in size those of its earlier ones.

tape-measure

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Whereas, we have already seen, that the tape-measure gives seventy-two feet for the skeleton of a large sized modern whale.

Tertiary

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But upon investigation we find, that not only are the whales of the present day superior in magnitude to those whose fossil remains are found in the Tertiary system (embracing a distinct geological period prior to man), but of the whales found in that Tertiary system, those belonging to its latter formations exceed in size those of its earlier ones.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Of all the pre-adamite whales yet exhumed, by far the largest is the Alabama one mentioned in the last chapter, and that was less than seventy feet in length in the skeleton.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading But upon investigation we find, that not only are the whales of the present day superior in magnitude to those whose fossil remains are found in the Tertiary system (embracing a distinct geological period prior to man), but of the whales found in that Tertiary system, those belonging to its latter formations exceed in size those of its earlier ones.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading Inasmuch, then, as this Leviathan comes floundering down upon us from the head-waters of the Eternities, it may be fitly inquired, whether, in the long course of his generations, he has not degenerated from the original bulk of his sires.

then

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Inasmuch, then, as this Leviathan comes floundering down upon us from the head-waters of the Eternities, it may be fitly inquired, whether, in the long course of his generations, he has not degenerated from the original bulk of his sires.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading Inasmuch, then, as this Leviathan comes floundering down upon us from the head-waters of the Eternities, it may be fitly inquired, whether, in the long course of his generations, he has not degenerated from the original bulk of his sires.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading But upon investigation we find, that not only are the whales of the present day superior in magnitude to those whose fossil remains are found in the Tertiary system (embracing a distinct geological period prior to man), but of the whales found in that Tertiary system, those belonging to its latter formations exceed in size those of its earlier ones.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading And I have heard, on whalemen’s authority, that Sperm Whales have been captured near a hundred feet long at the time of capture.

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading But upon investigation we find, that not only are the whales of the present day superior in magnitude to those whose fossil remains are found in the Tertiary system (embracing a distinct geological period prior to man), but of the whales found in that Tertiary system, those belonging to its latter formations exceed in size those of its earlier ones.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Inasmuch, then, as this Leviathan comes floundering down upon us from the head-waters of the Eternities, it may be fitly inquired, whether, in the long course of his generations, he has not degenerated from the original bulk of his sires.

uspronounUS /ʌs/

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Inasmuch, then, as this Leviathan comes floundering down upon us from the head-waters of the Eternities, it may be fitly inquired, whether, in the long course of his generations, he has not degenerated from the original bulk of his sires.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Of all the pre-adamite whales yet exhumed, by far the largest is the Alabama one mentioned in the last chapter, and that was less than seventy feet in length in the skeleton.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading But upon investigation we find, that not only are the whales of the present day superior in magnitude to those whose fossil remains are found in the Tertiary system (embracing a distinct geological period prior to man), but of the whales found in that Tertiary system, those belonging to its latter formations exceed in size those of its earlier ones.

whale

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Whereas, we have already seen, that the tape-measure gives seventy-two feet for the skeleton of a large sized modern whale.

whalemen's

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading And I have heard, on whalemen’s authority, that Sperm Whales have been captured near a hundred feet long at the time of capture.

whales

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading But upon investigation we find, that not only are the whales of the present day superior in magnitude to those whose fossil remains are found in the Tertiary system (embracing a distinct geological period prior to man), but of the whales found in that Tertiary system, those belonging to its latter formations exceed in size those of its earlier ones.

WhereasconjunctionUS /weˈræz/

in contrast with the fact that

From this reading Whereas, we have already seen, that the tape-measure gives seventy-two feet for the skeleton of a large sized modern whale.

whetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/

used to introduce two or more possibilities

From this reading Inasmuch, then, as this Leviathan comes floundering down upon us from the head-waters of the Eternities, it may be fitly inquired, whether, in the long course of his generations, he has not degenerated from the original bulk of his sires.

whosedeterminerUS /huːz/

belonging to which person

From this reading But upon investigation we find, that not only are the whales of the present day superior in magnitude to those whose fossil remains are found in the Tertiary system (embracing a distinct geological period prior to man), but of the whales found in that Tertiary system, those belonging to its latter formations exceed in size those of its earlier ones.

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading Of all the pre-adamite whales yet exhumed, by far the largest is the Alabama one mentioned in the last chapter, and that was less than seventy feet in length in the skeleton.