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 There were no boats towing astern; all were, as I have said, on board, and at each tack the cutter was generally put about a mile or more distant from the land, on each side of the Firth.
able
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even if I could have dropped from the side unseen, and escaped the fire of small arms that would certainly salute a fugitive from the watch on deck, I doubted my being able to swim so far as the shore.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading There were no boats towing astern; all were, as I have said, on board, and at each tack the cutter was generally put about a mile or more distant from the land, on each side of the Firth.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading But as the night was coming on, and cloudily too, my heart began to lighten with a hope which was doomed to be crushed, when Mr. Cranky, at nine o'clock, after the night-watch was set, ordered all the pressed men below.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were no boats towing astern; all were, as I have said, on board, and at each tack the cutter was generally put about a mile or more distant from the land, on each side of the Firth.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There were no boats towing astern; all were, as I have said, on board, and at each tack the cutter was generally put about a mile or more distant from the land, on each side of the Firth.
arms
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even if I could have dropped from the side unseen, and escaped the fire of small arms that would certainly salute a fugitive from the watch on deck, I doubted my being able to swim so far as the shore.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading There were no boats towing astern; all were, as I have said, on board, and at each tack the cutter was generally put about a mile or more distant from the land, on each side of the Firth.
astern
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were no boats towing astern; all were, as I have said, on board, and at each tack the cutter was generally put about a mile or more distant from the land, on each side of the Firth.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading There were no boats towing astern; all were, as I have said, on board, and at each tack the cutter was generally put about a mile or more distant from the land, on each side of the Firth.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Moreover, I might only be able to make a part of the coast where inaccessible rocks rose sheer from the water.
begannounUS /began/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But as the night was coming on, and cloudily too, my heart began to lighten with a hope which was doomed to be crushed, when Mr. Cranky, at nine o'clock, after the night-watch was set, ordered all the pressed men below.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Even if I could have dropped from the side unseen, and escaped the fire of small arms that would certainly salute a fugitive from the watch on deck, I doubted my being able to swim so far as the shore.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading But as the night was coming on, and cloudily too, my heart began to lighten with a hope which was doomed to be crushed, when Mr. Cranky, at nine o'clock, after the night-watch was set, ordered all the pressed men below.
board
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were no boats towing astern; all were, as I have said, on board, and at each tack the cutter was generally put about a mile or more distant from the land, on each side of the Firth.
boats
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were no boats towing astern; all were, as I have said, on board, and at each tack the cutter was generally put about a mile or more distant from the land, on each side of the Firth.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But as the night was coming on, and cloudily too, my heart began to lighten with a hope which was doomed to be crushed, when Mr. Cranky, at nine o'clock, after the night-watch was set, ordered all the pressed men below.
certainly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even if I could have dropped from the side unseen, and escaped the fire of small arms that would certainly salute a fugitive from the watch on deck, I doubted my being able to swim so far as the shore.
cloudily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as the night was coming on, and cloudily too, my heart began to lighten with a hope which was doomed to be crushed, when Mr. Cranky, at nine o'clock, after the night-watch was set, ordered all the pressed men below.
coast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Moreover, I might only be able to make a part of the coast where inaccessible rocks rose sheer from the water.
coming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as the night was coming on, and cloudily too, my heart began to lighten with a hope which was doomed to be crushed, when Mr. Cranky, at nine o'clock, after the night-watch was set, ordered all the pressed men below.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Even if I could have dropped from the side unseen, and escaped the fire of small arms that would certainly salute a fugitive from the watch on deck, I doubted my being able to swim so far as the shore.
Cranky
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as the night was coming on, and cloudily too, my heart began to lighten with a hope which was doomed to be crushed, when Mr. Cranky, at nine o'clock, after the night-watch was set, ordered all the pressed men below.
crushed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as the night was coming on, and cloudily too, my heart began to lighten with a hope which was doomed to be crushed, when Mr. Cranky, at nine o'clock, after the night-watch was set, ordered all the pressed men below.
cutter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were no boats towing astern; all were, as I have said, on board, and at each tack the cutter was generally put about a mile or more distant from the land, on each side of the Firth.
deck
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even if I could have dropped from the side unseen, and escaped the fire of small arms that would certainly salute a fugitive from the watch on deck, I doubted my being able to swim so far as the shore.
distantadjectiveUS /ˈdɪstənt/
not friendly or close
From this reading There were no boats towing astern; all were, as I have said, on board, and at each tack the cutter was generally put about a mile or more distant from the land, on each side of the Firth.
doomed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as the night was coming on, and cloudily too, my heart began to lighten with a hope which was doomed to be crushed, when Mr. Cranky, at nine o'clock, after the night-watch was set, ordered all the pressed men below.
doubted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even if I could have dropped from the side unseen, and escaped the fire of small arms that would certainly salute a fugitive from the watch on deck, I doubted my being able to swim so far as the shore.
dropped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even if I could have dropped from the side unseen, and escaped the fire of small arms that would certainly salute a fugitive from the watch on deck, I doubted my being able to swim so far as the shore.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading There were no boats towing astern; all were, as I have said, on board, and at each tack the cutter was generally put about a mile or more distant from the land, on each side of the Firth.
escaped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even if I could have dropped from the side unseen, and escaped the fire of small arms that would certainly salute a fugitive from the watch on deck, I doubted my being able to swim so far as the shore.
EvennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Even if I could have dropped from the side unseen, and escaped the fire of small arms that would certainly salute a fugitive from the watch on deck, I doubted my being able to swim so far as the shore.
far
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even if I could have dropped from the side unseen, and escaped the fire of small arms that would certainly salute a fugitive from the watch on deck, I doubted my being able to swim so far as the shore.
fire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even if I could have dropped from the side unseen, and escaped the fire of small arms that would certainly salute a fugitive from the watch on deck, I doubted my being able to swim so far as the shore.
Firth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were no boats towing astern; all were, as I have said, on board, and at each tack the cutter was generally put about a mile or more distant from the land, on each side of the Firth.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading There were no boats towing astern; all were, as I have said, on board, and at each tack the cutter was generally put about a mile or more distant from the land, on each side of the Firth.
fugitive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even if I could have dropped from the side unseen, and escaped the fire of small arms that would certainly salute a fugitive from the watch on deck, I doubted my being able to swim so far as the shore.
generally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were no boats towing astern; all were, as I have said, on board, and at each tack the cutter was generally put about a mile or more distant from the land, on each side of the Firth.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading There were no boats towing astern; all were, as I have said, on board, and at each tack the cutter was generally put about a mile or more distant from the land, on each side of the Firth.
heart
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as the night was coming on, and cloudily too, my heart began to lighten with a hope which was doomed to be crushed, when Mr. Cranky, at nine o'clock, after the night-watch was set, ordered all the pressed men below.
hope
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as the night was coming on, and cloudily too, my heart began to lighten with a hope which was doomed to be crushed, when Mr. Cranky, at nine o'clock, after the night-watch was set, ordered all the pressed men below.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading There were no boats towing astern; all were, as I have said, on board, and at each tack the cutter was generally put about a mile or more distant from the land, on each side of the Firth.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Even if I could have dropped from the side unseen, and escaped the fire of small arms that would certainly salute a fugitive from the watch on deck, I doubted my being able to swim so far as the shore.
inaccessible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Moreover, I might only be able to make a part of the coast where inaccessible rocks rose sheer from the water.
JACK
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JACK THE MARINE.
land
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were no boats towing astern; all were, as I have said, on board, and at each tack the cutter was generally put about a mile or more distant from the land, on each side of the Firth.
lighten
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as the night was coming on, and cloudily too, my heart began to lighten with a hope which was doomed to be crushed, when Mr. Cranky, at nine o'clock, after the night-watch was set, ordered all the pressed men below.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Moreover, I might only be able to make a part of the coast where inaccessible rocks rose sheer from the water.
MARINE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JACK THE MARINE.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as the night was coming on, and cloudily too, my heart began to lighten with a hope which was doomed to be crushed, when Mr. Cranky, at nine o'clock, after the night-watch was set, ordered all the pressed men below.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Moreover, I might only be able to make a part of the coast where inaccessible rocks rose sheer from the water.
mile
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were no boats towing astern; all were, as I have said, on board, and at each tack the cutter was generally put about a mile or more distant from the land, on each side of the Firth.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were no boats towing astern; all were, as I have said, on board, and at each tack the cutter was generally put about a mile or more distant from the land, on each side of the Firth.
MoreoveradverbUS /mɔːˈroʊvər/
in addition to what has just been said
From this reading Moreover, I might only be able to make a part of the coast where inaccessible rocks rose sheer from the water.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as the night was coming on, and cloudily too, my heart began to lighten with a hope which was doomed to be crushed, when Mr. Cranky, at nine o'clock, after the night-watch was set, ordered all the pressed men below.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Even if I could have dropped from the side unseen, and escaped the fire of small arms that would certainly salute a fugitive from the watch on deck, I doubted my being able to swim so far as the shore.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as the night was coming on, and cloudily too, my heart began to lighten with a hope which was doomed to be crushed, when Mr. Cranky, at nine o'clock, after the night-watch was set, ordered all the pressed men below.
night-watch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as the night was coming on, and cloudily too, my heart began to lighten with a hope which was doomed to be crushed, when Mr. Cranky, at nine o'clock, after the night-watch was set, ordered all the pressed men below.
nine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as the night was coming on, and cloudily too, my heart began to lighten with a hope which was doomed to be crushed, when Mr. Cranky, at nine o'clock, after the night-watch was set, ordered all the pressed men below.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading There were no boats towing astern; all were, as I have said, on board, and at each tack the cutter was generally put about a mile or more distant from the land, on each side of the Firth.
o'clock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as the night was coming on, and cloudily too, my heart began to lighten with a hope which was doomed to be crushed, when Mr. Cranky, at nine o'clock, after the night-watch was set, ordered all the pressed men below.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There were no boats towing astern; all were, as I have said, on board, and at each tack the cutter was generally put about a mile or more distant from the land, on each side of the Firth.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading There were no boats towing astern; all were, as I have said, on board, and at each tack the cutter was generally put about a mile or more distant from the land, on each side of the Firth.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Moreover, I might only be able to make a part of the coast where inaccessible rocks rose sheer from the water.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading There were no boats towing astern; all were, as I have said, on board, and at each tack the cutter was generally put about a mile or more distant from the land, on each side of the Firth.
ordered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as the night was coming on, and cloudily too, my heart began to lighten with a hope which was doomed to be crushed, when Mr. Cranky, at nine o'clock, after the night-watch was set, ordered all the pressed men below.
partnounUS /part/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Moreover, I might only be able to make a part of the coast where inaccessible rocks rose sheer from the water.
pressed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as the night was coming on, and cloudily too, my heart began to lighten with a hope which was doomed to be crushed, when Mr. Cranky, at nine o'clock, after the night-watch was set, ordered all the pressed men below.
put
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were no boats towing astern; all were, as I have said, on board, and at each tack the cutter was generally put about a mile or more distant from the land, on each side of the Firth.
rocks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Moreover, I might only be able to make a part of the coast where inaccessible rocks rose sheer from the water.
rose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Moreover, I might only be able to make a part of the coast where inaccessible rocks rose sheer from the water.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were no boats towing astern; all were, as I have said, on board, and at each tack the cutter was generally put about a mile or more distant from the land, on each side of the Firth.
salute
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even if I could have dropped from the side unseen, and escaped the fire of small arms that would certainly salute a fugitive from the watch on deck, I doubted my being able to swim so far as the shore.
set
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as the night was coming on, and cloudily too, my heart began to lighten with a hope which was doomed to be crushed, when Mr. Cranky, at nine o'clock, after the night-watch was set, ordered all the pressed men below.
sheer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Moreover, I might only be able to make a part of the coast where inaccessible rocks rose sheer from the water.
shore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even if I could have dropped from the side unseen, and escaped the fire of small arms that would certainly salute a fugitive from the watch on deck, I doubted my being able to swim so far as the shore.
side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were no boats towing astern; all were, as I have said, on board, and at each tack the cutter was generally put about a mile or more distant from the land, on each side of the Firth.
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even if I could have dropped from the side unseen, and escaped the fire of small arms that would certainly salute a fugitive from the watch on deck, I doubted my being able to swim so far as the shore.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Even if I could have dropped from the side unseen, and escaped the fire of small arms that would certainly salute a fugitive from the watch on deck, I doubted my being able to swim so far as the shore.
swim
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even if I could have dropped from the side unseen, and escaped the fire of small arms that would certainly salute a fugitive from the watch on deck, I doubted my being able to swim so far as the shore.
tack
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were no boats towing astern; all were, as I have said, on board, and at each tack the cutter was generally put about a mile or more distant from the land, on each side of the Firth.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Even if I could have dropped from the side unseen, and escaped the fire of small arms that would certainly salute a fugitive from the watch on deck, I doubted my being able to swim so far as the shore.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading JACK THE MARINE.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were no boats towing astern; all were, as I have said, on board, and at each tack the cutter was generally put about a mile or more distant from the land, on each side of the Firth.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Even if I could have dropped from the side unseen, and escaped the fire of small arms that would certainly salute a fugitive from the watch on deck, I doubted my being able to swim so far as the shore.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But as the night was coming on, and cloudily too, my heart began to lighten with a hope which was doomed to be crushed, when Mr. Cranky, at nine o'clock, after the night-watch was set, ordered all the pressed men below.
towing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were no boats towing astern; all were, as I have said, on board, and at each tack the cutter was generally put about a mile or more distant from the land, on each side of the Firth.
unseen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even if I could have dropped from the side unseen, and escaped the fire of small arms that would certainly salute a fugitive from the watch on deck, I doubted my being able to swim so far as the shore.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading There were no boats towing astern; all were, as I have said, on board, and at each tack the cutter was generally put about a mile or more distant from the land, on each side of the Firth.
watch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even if I could have dropped from the side unseen, and escaped the fire of small arms that would certainly salute a fugitive from the watch on deck, I doubted my being able to swim so far as the shore.
water
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Moreover, I might only be able to make a part of the coast where inaccessible rocks rose sheer from the water.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There were no boats towing astern; all were, as I have said, on board, and at each tack the cutter was generally put about a mile or more distant from the land, on each side of the Firth.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading But as the night was coming on, and cloudily too, my heart began to lighten with a hope which was doomed to be crushed, when Mr. Cranky, at nine o'clock, after the night-watch was set, ordered all the pressed men below.
whereconjunctionUS /wer/
in or at the place that
From this reading Moreover, I might only be able to make a part of the coast where inaccessible rocks rose sheer from the water.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading But as the night was coming on, and cloudily too, my heart began to lighten with a hope which was doomed to be crushed, when Mr. Cranky, at nine o'clock, after the night-watch was set, ordered all the pressed men below.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading But as the night was coming on, and cloudily too, my heart began to lighten with a hope which was doomed to be crushed, when Mr. Cranky, at nine o'clock, after the night-watch was set, ordered all the pressed men below.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Even if I could have dropped from the side unseen, and escaped the fire of small arms that would certainly salute a fugitive from the watch on deck, I doubted my being able to swim so far as the shore.
