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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 He also sang, but with a deep and hollow voice; his chant was mournful and his melodies full of sadness.
accompanied
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From this reading He never accompanied himself upon any instrument, and never retired without concluding his song.
also
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From this reading He also sang, but with a deep and hollow voice; his chant was mournful and his melodies full of sadness.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He also sang, but with a deep and hollow voice; his chant was mournful and his melodies full of sadness.
any
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From this reading He never accompanied himself upon any instrument, and never retired without concluding his song.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading That day he was gloomier than usual; he was standing upright, as though by enchantment, upon a bare and slippery rock, and he cast scornful glances upon the women who were looking at him and laughing.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading That day he was gloomier than usual; he was standing upright, as though by enchantment, upon a bare and slippery rock, and he cast scornful glances upon the women who were looking at him and laughing.
bare
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From this reading That day he was gloomier than usual; he was standing upright, as though by enchantment, upon a bare and slippery rock, and he cast scornful glances upon the women who were looking at him and laughing.
Bastiano
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From this reading One only had courage enough or passion enough to brave the mockery; this was Bastiano, the most formidable diver of that coast.
billows
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From this reading The sun, which was plunging into the sea like a globe of fire, shed its light full upon his stern features, and the evening breeze, as it lightly rippled the billows, set the fluttering reeds waving at his feet.
brave
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From this reading One only had courage enough or passion enough to brave the mockery; this was Bastiano, the most formidable diver of that coast.
breeze
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From this reading The sun, which was plunging into the sea like a globe of fire, shed its light full upon his stern features, and the evening breeze, as it lightly rippled the billows, set the fluttering reeds waving at his feet.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He also sang, but with a deep and hollow voice; his chant was mournful and his melodies full of sadness.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading That day he was gloomier than usual; he was standing upright, as though by enchantment, upon a bare and slippery rock, and he cast scornful glances upon the women who were looking at him and laughing.
cast
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From this reading That day he was gloomier than usual; he was standing upright, as though by enchantment, upon a bare and slippery rock, and he cast scornful glances upon the women who were looking at him and laughing.
chant
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From this reading He also sang, but with a deep and hollow voice; his chant was mournful and his melodies full of sadness.
coast
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From this reading One only had courage enough or passion enough to brave the mockery; this was Bastiano, the most formidable diver of that coast.
concluding
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From this reading He never accompanied himself upon any instrument, and never retired without concluding his song.
courage
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From this reading One only had courage enough or passion enough to brave the mockery; this was Bastiano, the most formidable diver of that coast.
day
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From this reading That day he was gloomier than usual; he was standing upright, as though by enchantment, upon a bare and slippery rock, and he cast scornful glances upon the women who were looking at him and laughing.
deep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He also sang, but with a deep and hollow voice; his chant was mournful and his melodies full of sadness.
diver
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From this reading One only had courage enough or passion enough to brave the mockery; this was Bastiano, the most formidable diver of that coast.
enchantmentnounUS /ɪnˈtʃæntmənt/
a magic spell or the state caused by one
From this reading That day he was gloomier than usual; he was standing upright, as though by enchantment, upon a bare and slippery rock, and he cast scornful glances upon the women who were looking at him and laughing.
enough
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From this reading One only had courage enough or passion enough to brave the mockery; this was Bastiano, the most formidable diver of that coast.
evening
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From this reading The sun, which was plunging into the sea like a globe of fire, shed its light full upon his stern features, and the evening breeze, as it lightly rippled the billows, set the fluttering reeds waving at his feet.
features
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sun, which was plunging into the sea like a globe of fire, shed its light full upon his stern features, and the evening breeze, as it lightly rippled the billows, set the fluttering reeds waving at his feet.
feet
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From this reading The sun, which was plunging into the sea like a globe of fire, shed its light full upon his stern features, and the evening breeze, as it lightly rippled the billows, set the fluttering reeds waving at his feet.
fire
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From this reading The sun, which was plunging into the sea like a globe of fire, shed its light full upon his stern features, and the evening breeze, as it lightly rippled the billows, set the fluttering reeds waving at his feet.
flutteringverbUS /ˈflʌtərɪŋ/
moving with quick light beats or trembles
From this reading The sun, which was plunging into the sea like a globe of fire, shed its light full upon his stern features, and the evening breeze, as it lightly rippled the billows, set the fluttering reeds waving at his feet.
formidableadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrmɪdəbəl/
very difficult to deal with or overcome
From this reading One only had courage enough or passion enough to brave the mockery; this was Bastiano, the most formidable diver of that coast.
full
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From this reading He also sang, but with a deep and hollow voice; his chant was mournful and his melodies full of sadness.
glances
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From this reading That day he was gloomier than usual; he was standing upright, as though by enchantment, upon a bare and slippery rock, and he cast scornful glances upon the women who were looking at him and laughing.
globe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sun, which was plunging into the sea like a globe of fire, shed its light full upon his stern features, and the evening breeze, as it lightly rippled the billows, set the fluttering reeds waving at his feet.
gloomier
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That day he was gloomier than usual; he was standing upright, as though by enchantment, upon a bare and slippery rock, and he cast scornful glances upon the women who were looking at him and laughing.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading One only had courage enough or passion enough to brave the mockery; this was Bastiano, the most formidable diver of that coast.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He also sang, but with a deep and hollow voice; his chant was mournful and his melodies full of sadness.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading That day he was gloomier than usual; he was standing upright, as though by enchantment, upon a bare and slippery rock, and he cast scornful glances upon the women who were looking at him and laughing.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading He never accompanied himself upon any instrument, and never retired without concluding his song.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading He also sang, but with a deep and hollow voice; his chant was mournful and his melodies full of sadness.
hollow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He also sang, but with a deep and hollow voice; his chant was mournful and his melodies full of sadness.
instrument
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From this reading He never accompanied himself upon any instrument, and never retired without concluding his song.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The sun, which was plunging into the sea like a globe of fire, shed its light full upon his stern features, and the evening breeze, as it lightly rippled the billows, set the fluttering reeds waving at his feet.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The sun, which was plunging into the sea like a globe of fire, shed its light full upon his stern features, and the evening breeze, as it lightly rippled the billows, set the fluttering reeds waving at his feet.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The sun, which was plunging into the sea like a globe of fire, shed its light full upon his stern features, and the evening breeze, as it lightly rippled the billows, set the fluttering reeds waving at his feet.
laughing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That day he was gloomier than usual; he was standing upright, as though by enchantment, upon a bare and slippery rock, and he cast scornful glances upon the women who were looking at him and laughing.
light
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sun, which was plunging into the sea like a globe of fire, shed its light full upon his stern features, and the evening breeze, as it lightly rippled the billows, set the fluttering reeds waving at his feet.
lightly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sun, which was plunging into the sea like a globe of fire, shed its light full upon his stern features, and the evening breeze, as it lightly rippled the billows, set the fluttering reeds waving at his feet.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sun, which was plunging into the sea like a globe of fire, shed its light full upon his stern features, and the evening breeze, as it lightly rippled the billows, set the fluttering reeds waving at his feet.
looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That day he was gloomier than usual; he was standing upright, as though by enchantment, upon a bare and slippery rock, and he cast scornful glances upon the women who were looking at him and laughing.
melodies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He also sang, but with a deep and hollow voice; his chant was mournful and his melodies full of sadness.
mockery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One only had courage enough or passion enough to brave the mockery; this was Bastiano, the most formidable diver of that coast.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One only had courage enough or passion enough to brave the mockery; this was Bastiano, the most formidable diver of that coast.
mournful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He also sang, but with a deep and hollow voice; his chant was mournful and his melodies full of sadness.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He never accompanied himself upon any instrument, and never retired without concluding his song.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading One only had courage enough or passion enough to brave the mockery; this was Bastiano, the most formidable diver of that coast.
OnepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One only had courage enough or passion enough to brave the mockery; this was Bastiano, the most formidable diver of that coast.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One only had courage enough or passion enough to brave the mockery; this was Bastiano, the most formidable diver of that coast.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading One only had courage enough or passion enough to brave the mockery; this was Bastiano, the most formidable diver of that coast.
passion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One only had courage enough or passion enough to brave the mockery; this was Bastiano, the most formidable diver of that coast.
plunging
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sun, which was plunging into the sea like a globe of fire, shed its light full upon his stern features, and the evening breeze, as it lightly rippled the billows, set the fluttering reeds waving at his feet.
reeds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sun, which was plunging into the sea like a globe of fire, shed its light full upon his stern features, and the evening breeze, as it lightly rippled the billows, set the fluttering reeds waving at his feet.
retiredverbUS /rɪˈtaɪərd/
went away to a private place
From this reading He never accompanied himself upon any instrument, and never retired without concluding his song.
rippled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sun, which was plunging into the sea like a globe of fire, shed its light full upon his stern features, and the evening breeze, as it lightly rippled the billows, set the fluttering reeds waving at his feet.
rock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That day he was gloomier than usual; he was standing upright, as though by enchantment, upon a bare and slippery rock, and he cast scornful glances upon the women who were looking at him and laughing.
sadness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He also sang, but with a deep and hollow voice; his chant was mournful and his melodies full of sadness.
sang
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He also sang, but with a deep and hollow voice; his chant was mournful and his melodies full of sadness.
scornful
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From this reading That day he was gloomier than usual; he was standing upright, as though by enchantment, upon a bare and slippery rock, and he cast scornful glances upon the women who were looking at him and laughing.
sea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sun, which was plunging into the sea like a globe of fire, shed its light full upon his stern features, and the evening breeze, as it lightly rippled the billows, set the fluttering reeds waving at his feet.
set
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sun, which was plunging into the sea like a globe of fire, shed its light full upon his stern features, and the evening breeze, as it lightly rippled the billows, set the fluttering reeds waving at his feet.
shed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sun, which was plunging into the sea like a globe of fire, shed its light full upon his stern features, and the evening breeze, as it lightly rippled the billows, set the fluttering reeds waving at his feet.
slippery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That day he was gloomier than usual; he was standing upright, as though by enchantment, upon a bare and slippery rock, and he cast scornful glances upon the women who were looking at him and laughing.
song
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He never accompanied himself upon any instrument, and never retired without concluding his song.
standingnounUS /ˈstanding/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading That day he was gloomier than usual; he was standing upright, as though by enchantment, upon a bare and slippery rock, and he cast scornful glances upon the women who were looking at him and laughing.
stern
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sun, which was plunging into the sea like a globe of fire, shed its light full upon his stern features, and the evening breeze, as it lightly rippled the billows, set the fluttering reeds waving at his feet.
sun
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sun, which was plunging into the sea like a globe of fire, shed its light full upon his stern features, and the evening breeze, as it lightly rippled the billows, set the fluttering reeds waving at his feet.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading That day he was gloomier than usual; he was standing upright, as though by enchantment, upon a bare and slippery rock, and he cast scornful glances upon the women who were looking at him and laughing.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading One only had courage enough or passion enough to brave the mockery; this was Bastiano, the most formidable diver of that coast.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading One only had courage enough or passion enough to brave the mockery; this was Bastiano, the most formidable diver of that coast.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading One only had courage enough or passion enough to brave the mockery; this was Bastiano, the most formidable diver of that coast.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading That day he was gloomier than usual; he was standing upright, as though by enchantment, upon a bare and slippery rock, and he cast scornful glances upon the women who were looking at him and laughing.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading One only had courage enough or passion enough to brave the mockery; this was Bastiano, the most formidable diver of that coast.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading He never accompanied himself upon any instrument, and never retired without concluding his song.
upright
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That day he was gloomier than usual; he was standing upright, as though by enchantment, upon a bare and slippery rock, and he cast scornful glances upon the women who were looking at him and laughing.
usual
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That day he was gloomier than usual; he was standing upright, as though by enchantment, upon a bare and slippery rock, and he cast scornful glances upon the women who were looking at him and laughing.
voice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He also sang, but with a deep and hollow voice; his chant was mournful and his melodies full of sadness.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading One only had courage enough or passion enough to brave the mockery; this was Bastiano, the most formidable diver of that coast.
waving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The sun, which was plunging into the sea like a globe of fire, shed its light full upon his stern features, and the evening breeze, as it lightly rippled the billows, set the fluttering reeds waving at his feet.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading That day he was gloomier than usual; he was standing upright, as though by enchantment, upon a bare and slippery rock, and he cast scornful glances upon the women who were looking at him and laughing.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The sun, which was plunging into the sea like a globe of fire, shed its light full upon his stern features, and the evening breeze, as it lightly rippled the billows, set the fluttering reeds waving at his feet.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading That day he was gloomier than usual; he was standing upright, as though by enchantment, upon a bare and slippery rock, and he cast scornful glances upon the women who were looking at him and laughing.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading He also sang, but with a deep and hollow voice; his chant was mournful and his melodies full of sadness.
withoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading He never accompanied himself upon any instrument, and never retired without concluding his song.
women
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading That day he was gloomier than usual; he was standing upright, as though by enchantment, upon a bare and slippery rock, and he cast scornful glances upon the women who were looking at him and laughing.