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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 It was quite true that a vessel was in sight, hardly more than six miles from the shore; but owing to the increase in the earth’s convexity, and the consequent limitation of the range of vision, the rigging of the topmasts alone was visible above the water.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading It was quite true that a vessel was in sight, hardly more than six miles from the shore; but owing to the increase in the earth’s convexity, and the consequent limitation of the range of vision, the rigging of the topmasts alone was visible above the water.
alonenounUS /alone/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was quite true that a vessel was in sight, hardly more than six miles from the shore; but owing to the increase in the earth’s convexity, and the consequent limitation of the range of vision, the rigging of the topmasts alone was visible above the water.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading This was enough, however, to indicate that the ship was a schooner--an impression that was confirmed when, two hours later, she came entirely in sight.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was quite true that a vessel was in sight, hardly more than six miles from the shore; but owing to the increase in the earth’s convexity, and the consequent limitation of the range of vision, the rigging of the topmasts alone was visible above the water.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading “Impossible, sir!” rejoined Ben Zoof; “there are no signs of smoke.”
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Fast as his legs could carry him, Servadac had made his way to the top of the cliff.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading “The _Dobryna_!” exclaimed Servadac, keeping his eye unmoved at his telescope.
Ben
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From this reading “Impossible, sir!” rejoined Ben Zoof; “there are no signs of smoke.”
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was quite true that a vessel was in sight, hardly more than six miles from the shore; but owing to the increase in the earth’s convexity, and the consequent limitation of the range of vision, the rigging of the topmasts alone was visible above the water.
came
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From this reading This was enough, however, to indicate that the ship was a schooner--an impression that was confirmed when, two hours later, she came entirely in sight.
carry
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From this reading Fast as his legs could carry him, Servadac had made his way to the top of the cliff.
cliff
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From this reading Fast as his legs could carry him, Servadac had made his way to the top of the cliff.
confirmed
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From this reading This was enough, however, to indicate that the ship was a schooner--an impression that was confirmed when, two hours later, she came entirely in sight.
consequent
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From this reading It was quite true that a vessel was in sight, hardly more than six miles from the shore; but owing to the increase in the earth’s convexity, and the consequent limitation of the range of vision, the rigging of the topmasts alone was visible above the water.
convexity
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was quite true that a vessel was in sight, hardly more than six miles from the shore; but owing to the increase in the earth’s convexity, and the consequent limitation of the range of vision, the rigging of the topmasts alone was visible above the water.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Fast as his legs could carry him, Servadac had made his way to the top of the cliff.
Dobryna
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From this reading “The _Dobryna_!” exclaimed Servadac, keeping his eye unmoved at his telescope.
earth's
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From this reading It was quite true that a vessel was in sight, hardly more than six miles from the shore; but owing to the increase in the earth’s convexity, and the consequent limitation of the range of vision, the rigging of the topmasts alone was visible above the water.
enough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was enough, however, to indicate that the ship was a schooner--an impression that was confirmed when, two hours later, she came entirely in sight.
entirelynounUS /ˈentirely/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading This was enough, however, to indicate that the ship was a schooner--an impression that was confirmed when, two hours later, she came entirely in sight.
exclaimed
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From this reading “The _Dobryna_!” exclaimed Servadac, keeping his eye unmoved at his telescope.
eye
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From this reading “The _Dobryna_!” exclaimed Servadac, keeping his eye unmoved at his telescope.
Fast
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From this reading Fast as his legs could carry him, Servadac had made his way to the top of the cliff.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading It was quite true that a vessel was in sight, hardly more than six miles from the shore; but owing to the increase in the earth’s convexity, and the consequent limitation of the range of vision, the rigging of the topmasts alone was visible above the water.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Fast as his legs could carry him, Servadac had made his way to the top of the cliff.
hardly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was quite true that a vessel was in sight, hardly more than six miles from the shore; but owing to the increase in the earth’s convexity, and the consequent limitation of the range of vision, the rigging of the topmasts alone was visible above the water.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Fast as his legs could carry him, Servadac had made his way to the top of the cliff.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Fast as his legs could carry him, Servadac had made his way to the top of the cliff.
hours
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was enough, however, to indicate that the ship was a schooner--an impression that was confirmed when, two hours later, she came entirely in sight.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading This was enough, however, to indicate that the ship was a schooner--an impression that was confirmed when, two hours later, she came entirely in sight.
Impossible
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From this reading “Impossible, sir!” rejoined Ben Zoof; “there are no signs of smoke.”
impression
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From this reading This was enough, however, to indicate that the ship was a schooner--an impression that was confirmed when, two hours later, she came entirely in sight.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was quite true that a vessel was in sight, hardly more than six miles from the shore; but owing to the increase in the earth’s convexity, and the consequent limitation of the range of vision, the rigging of the topmasts alone was visible above the water.
increase
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From this reading It was quite true that a vessel was in sight, hardly more than six miles from the shore; but owing to the increase in the earth’s convexity, and the consequent limitation of the range of vision, the rigging of the topmasts alone was visible above the water.
indicate
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From this reading This was enough, however, to indicate that the ship was a schooner--an impression that was confirmed when, two hours later, she came entirely in sight.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was quite true that a vessel was in sight, hardly more than six miles from the shore; but owing to the increase in the earth’s convexity, and the consequent limitation of the range of vision, the rigging of the topmasts alone was visible above the water.
keeping
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From this reading “The _Dobryna_!” exclaimed Servadac, keeping his eye unmoved at his telescope.
later
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was enough, however, to indicate that the ship was a schooner--an impression that was confirmed when, two hours later, she came entirely in sight.
legs
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From this reading Fast as his legs could carry him, Servadac had made his way to the top of the cliff.
limitation
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From this reading It was quite true that a vessel was in sight, hardly more than six miles from the shore; but owing to the increase in the earth’s convexity, and the consequent limitation of the range of vision, the rigging of the topmasts alone was visible above the water.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fast as his legs could carry him, Servadac had made his way to the top of the cliff.
miles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was quite true that a vessel was in sight, hardly more than six miles from the shore; but owing to the increase in the earth’s convexity, and the consequent limitation of the range of vision, the rigging of the topmasts alone was visible above the water.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was quite true that a vessel was in sight, hardly more than six miles from the shore; but owing to the increase in the earth’s convexity, and the consequent limitation of the range of vision, the rigging of the topmasts alone was visible above the water.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading “Impossible, sir!” rejoined Ben Zoof; “there are no signs of smoke.”
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Fast as his legs could carry him, Servadac had made his way to the top of the cliff.
owing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was quite true that a vessel was in sight, hardly more than six miles from the shore; but owing to the increase in the earth’s convexity, and the consequent limitation of the range of vision, the rigging of the topmasts alone was visible above the water.
quitenounUS /quite/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was quite true that a vessel was in sight, hardly more than six miles from the shore; but owing to the increase in the earth’s convexity, and the consequent limitation of the range of vision, the rigging of the topmasts alone was visible above the water.
range
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was quite true that a vessel was in sight, hardly more than six miles from the shore; but owing to the increase in the earth’s convexity, and the consequent limitation of the range of vision, the rigging of the topmasts alone was visible above the water.
rejoinednounUS /ˈrejoined/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading “Impossible, sir!” rejoined Ben Zoof; “there are no signs of smoke.”
rigging
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was quite true that a vessel was in sight, hardly more than six miles from the shore; but owing to the increase in the earth’s convexity, and the consequent limitation of the range of vision, the rigging of the topmasts alone was visible above the water.
schoonernounUS /ˈskuːnər/
a sailing ship with two or more masts
From this reading This was enough, however, to indicate that the ship was a schooner--an impression that was confirmed when, two hours later, she came entirely in sight.
Servadac
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fast as his legs could carry him, Servadac had made his way to the top of the cliff.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading This was enough, however, to indicate that the ship was a schooner--an impression that was confirmed when, two hours later, she came entirely in sight.
shipnounUS /ship/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This was enough, however, to indicate that the ship was a schooner--an impression that was confirmed when, two hours later, she came entirely in sight.
shore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was quite true that a vessel was in sight, hardly more than six miles from the shore; but owing to the increase in the earth’s convexity, and the consequent limitation of the range of vision, the rigging of the topmasts alone was visible above the water.
sight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was quite true that a vessel was in sight, hardly more than six miles from the shore; but owing to the increase in the earth’s convexity, and the consequent limitation of the range of vision, the rigging of the topmasts alone was visible above the water.
signs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Impossible, sir!” rejoined Ben Zoof; “there are no signs of smoke.”
sir
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Impossible, sir!” rejoined Ben Zoof; “there are no signs of smoke.”
six
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was quite true that a vessel was in sight, hardly more than six miles from the shore; but owing to the increase in the earth’s convexity, and the consequent limitation of the range of vision, the rigging of the topmasts alone was visible above the water.
smoke
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Impossible, sir!” rejoined Ben Zoof; “there are no signs of smoke.”
telescope
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “The _Dobryna_!” exclaimed Servadac, keeping his eye unmoved at his telescope.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading It was quite true that a vessel was in sight, hardly more than six miles from the shore; but owing to the increase in the earth’s convexity, and the consequent limitation of the range of vision, the rigging of the topmasts alone was visible above the water.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was quite true that a vessel was in sight, hardly more than six miles from the shore; but owing to the increase in the earth’s convexity, and the consequent limitation of the range of vision, the rigging of the topmasts alone was visible above the water.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Fast as his legs could carry him, Servadac had made his way to the top of the cliff.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Impossible, sir!” rejoined Ben Zoof; “there are no signs of smoke.”
ThisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This was enough, however, to indicate that the ship was a schooner--an impression that was confirmed when, two hours later, she came entirely in sight.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Fast as his legs could carry him, Servadac had made his way to the top of the cliff.
top
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fast as his legs could carry him, Servadac had made his way to the top of the cliff.
topmasts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was quite true that a vessel was in sight, hardly more than six miles from the shore; but owing to the increase in the earth’s convexity, and the consequent limitation of the range of vision, the rigging of the topmasts alone was visible above the water.
true
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was quite true that a vessel was in sight, hardly more than six miles from the shore; but owing to the increase in the earth’s convexity, and the consequent limitation of the range of vision, the rigging of the topmasts alone was visible above the water.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This was enough, however, to indicate that the ship was a schooner--an impression that was confirmed when, two hours later, she came entirely in sight.
unmoved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “The _Dobryna_!” exclaimed Servadac, keeping his eye unmoved at his telescope.
vessel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was quite true that a vessel was in sight, hardly more than six miles from the shore; but owing to the increase in the earth’s convexity, and the consequent limitation of the range of vision, the rigging of the topmasts alone was visible above the water.
visible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was quite true that a vessel was in sight, hardly more than six miles from the shore; but owing to the increase in the earth’s convexity, and the consequent limitation of the range of vision, the rigging of the topmasts alone was visible above the water.
vision
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was quite true that a vessel was in sight, hardly more than six miles from the shore; but owing to the increase in the earth’s convexity, and the consequent limitation of the range of vision, the rigging of the topmasts alone was visible above the water.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was quite true that a vessel was in sight, hardly more than six miles from the shore; but owing to the increase in the earth’s convexity, and the consequent limitation of the range of vision, the rigging of the topmasts alone was visible above the water.
water
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was quite true that a vessel was in sight, hardly more than six miles from the shore; but owing to the increase in the earth’s convexity, and the consequent limitation of the range of vision, the rigging of the topmasts alone was visible above the water.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Fast as his legs could carry him, Servadac had made his way to the top of the cliff.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading This was enough, however, to indicate that the ship was a schooner--an impression that was confirmed when, two hours later, she came entirely in sight.
Zoof
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Impossible, sir!” rejoined Ben Zoof; “there are no signs of smoke.”
