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Oliver Ellis
Oliver Ellis

Chapter XXXIII

Cover illustration for Oliver Ellis
Context Illustration Reading 1/15 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
SAVED!
A large double-banked frigate was now shortening sail about a mile from the coast, and a boat left her side as the mainyards were backed, and the courses hauled up.
Thus, I believed she was merely shortening sail, to permit a party of explorers to visit the island, and this surmise proved in the sequel to be a correct one.
On looking again, as she swung round, and the sunshine fell full upon her shivering maintopsail, I recognized a patch made in the sail where a ball from Fort Royal had pierced it, and by this mark knew her to be my old friend and habitation, the _Adder_.
The boat was soon midway between her and the beach; the bright blades of its sixteen oars were flashing like silver in the sunlight, as it sped along the rippling waves.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Oliver Ellis

Chapter XXXIII

Reading 1/15 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
SAVED!
/saved/
Line 2
A large double-banked frigate was now shortening sail about a mile from the coast, and a boat left her side as the mainyards were backed, and the courses hauled up.
Line 3
Thus, I believed she was merely shortening sail, to permit a party of explorers to visit the island, and this surmise proved in the sequel to be a correct one.
Line 4
On looking again, as she swung round, and the sunshine fell full upon her shivering maintopsail, I recognized a patch made in the sail where a ball from Fort Royal had pierced it, and by this mark knew her to be my old friend and habitation, the _Adder_.
Line 5
The boat was soon midway between her and the beach; the bright blades of its sixteen oars were flashing like silver in the sunlight, as it sped along the rippling waves.

Learner Dictionary

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

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “A large double-banked frigate was now shortening sail about a mile from the coast, and a boat left her side as the mainyards were backed, and the courses hauled up.”

Again noun US /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “On looking again, as she swung round, and the sunshine fell full upon her shivering maintopsail, I recognized a patch made in the sail where a ball from Fort Royal had pierced it, and by this mark knew her to be my old friend and habitation, the _Adder_.”

Along preposition US /əˈlɔːŋ/

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading “The boat was soon midway between her and the beach; the bright blades of its sixteen oars were flashing like silver in the sunlight, as it sped along the rippling waves.”

Between preposition US /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading “The boat was soon midway between her and the beach; the bright blades of its sixteen oars were flashing like silver in the sunlight, as it sped along the rippling waves.”

Left noun US /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A large double-banked frigate was now shortening sail about a mile from the coast, and a boat left her side as the mainyards were backed, and the courses hauled up.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “Thus, I believed she was merely shortening sail, to permit a party of explorers to visit the island, and this surmise proved in the sequel to be a correct one.”

Party noun US /party/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Thus, I believed she was merely shortening sail, to permit a party of explorers to visit the island, and this surmise proved in the sequel to be a correct one.”

Sail noun US /sail/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “A large double-banked frigate was now shortening sail about a mile from the coast, and a boat left her side as the mainyards were backed, and the courses hauled up.”

SAVED noun US /saved/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “SAVED!”

Silver noun US /silver/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The boat was soon midway between her and the beach; the bright blades of its sixteen oars were flashing like silver in the sunlight, as it sped along the rippling waves.”

Soon noun US /soon/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The boat was soon midway between her and the beach; the bright blades of its sixteen oars were flashing like silver in the sunlight, as it sped along the rippling waves.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “On looking again, as she swung round, and the sunshine fell full upon her shivering maintopsail, I recognized a patch made in the sail where a ball from Fort Royal had pierced it, and by this mark knew her to be my old friend and habitation, the _Adder_.”

All words in this reading · 92

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 A large double-banked frigate was now shortening sail about a mile from the coast, and a boat left her side as the mainyards were backed, and the courses hauled up.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading A large double-banked frigate was now shortening sail about a mile from the coast, and a boat left her side as the mainyards were backed, and the courses hauled up.

Adder

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

From this reading On looking again, as she swung round, and the sunshine fell full upon her shivering maintopsail, I recognized a patch made in the sail where a ball from Fort Royal had pierced it, and by this mark knew her to be my old friend and habitation, the _Adder_.

againnounUS /again/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading On looking again, as she swung round, and the sunshine fell full upon her shivering maintopsail, I recognized a patch made in the sail where a ball from Fort Royal had pierced it, and by this mark knew her to be my old friend and habitation, the _Adder_.

alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading The boat was soon midway between her and the beach; the bright blades of its sixteen oars were flashing like silver in the sunlight, as it sped along the rippling waves.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading A large double-banked frigate was now shortening sail about a mile from the coast, and a boat left her side as the mainyards were backed, and the courses hauled up.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading A large double-banked frigate was now shortening sail about a mile from the coast, and a boat left her side as the mainyards were backed, and the courses hauled up.

backed

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

From this reading A large double-banked frigate was now shortening sail about a mile from the coast, and a boat left her side as the mainyards were backed, and the courses hauled up.

ball

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

From this reading On looking again, as she swung round, and the sunshine fell full upon her shivering maintopsail, I recognized a patch made in the sail where a ball from Fort Royal had pierced it, and by this mark knew her to be my old friend and habitation, the _Adder_.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading Thus, I believed she was merely shortening sail, to permit a party of explorers to visit the island, and this surmise proved in the sequel to be a correct one.

beach

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

From this reading The boat was soon midway between her and the beach; the bright blades of its sixteen oars were flashing like silver in the sunlight, as it sped along the rippling waves.

believed

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

From this reading Thus, I believed she was merely shortening sail, to permit a party of explorers to visit the island, and this surmise proved in the sequel to be a correct one.

betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading The boat was soon midway between her and the beach; the bright blades of its sixteen oars were flashing like silver in the sunlight, as it sped along the rippling waves.

blades

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

From this reading The boat was soon midway between her and the beach; the bright blades of its sixteen oars were flashing like silver in the sunlight, as it sped along the rippling waves.

boat

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

From this reading A large double-banked frigate was now shortening sail about a mile from the coast, and a boat left her side as the mainyards were backed, and the courses hauled up.

bright

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

From this reading The boat was soon midway between her and the beach; the bright blades of its sixteen oars were flashing like silver in the sunlight, as it sped along the rippling waves.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading On looking again, as she swung round, and the sunshine fell full upon her shivering maintopsail, I recognized a patch made in the sail where a ball from Fort Royal had pierced it, and by this mark knew her to be my old friend and habitation, the _Adder_.

coast

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

From this reading A large double-banked frigate was now shortening sail about a mile from the coast, and a boat left her side as the mainyards were backed, and the courses hauled up.

correct

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

From this reading Thus, I believed she was merely shortening sail, to permit a party of explorers to visit the island, and this surmise proved in the sequel to be a correct one.

courses

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

From this reading A large double-banked frigate was now shortening sail about a mile from the coast, and a boat left her side as the mainyards were backed, and the courses hauled up.

double-banked

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

From this reading A large double-banked frigate was now shortening sail about a mile from the coast, and a boat left her side as the mainyards were backed, and the courses hauled up.

explorers

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

From this reading Thus, I believed she was merely shortening sail, to permit a party of explorers to visit the island, and this surmise proved in the sequel to be a correct one.

fell

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

From this reading On looking again, as she swung round, and the sunshine fell full upon her shivering maintopsail, I recognized a patch made in the sail where a ball from Fort Royal had pierced it, and by this mark knew her to be my old friend and habitation, the _Adder_.

flashing

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

From this reading The boat was soon midway between her and the beach; the bright blades of its sixteen oars were flashing like silver in the sunlight, as it sped along the rippling waves.

Fort

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

From this reading On looking again, as she swung round, and the sunshine fell full upon her shivering maintopsail, I recognized a patch made in the sail where a ball from Fort Royal had pierced it, and by this mark knew her to be my old friend and habitation, the _Adder_.

friend

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

From this reading On looking again, as she swung round, and the sunshine fell full upon her shivering maintopsail, I recognized a patch made in the sail where a ball from Fort Royal had pierced it, and by this mark knew her to be my old friend and habitation, the _Adder_.

frigate

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

From this reading A large double-banked frigate was now shortening sail about a mile from the coast, and a boat left her side as the mainyards were backed, and the courses hauled up.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading A large double-banked frigate was now shortening sail about a mile from the coast, and a boat left her side as the mainyards were backed, and the courses hauled up.

full

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

From this reading On looking again, as she swung round, and the sunshine fell full upon her shivering maintopsail, I recognized a patch made in the sail where a ball from Fort Royal had pierced it, and by this mark knew her to be my old friend and habitation, the _Adder_.

habitation

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

From this reading On looking again, as she swung round, and the sunshine fell full upon her shivering maintopsail, I recognized a patch made in the sail where a ball from Fort Royal had pierced it, and by this mark knew her to be my old friend and habitation, the _Adder_.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading On looking again, as she swung round, and the sunshine fell full upon her shivering maintopsail, I recognized a patch made in the sail where a ball from Fort Royal had pierced it, and by this mark knew her to be my old friend and habitation, the _Adder_.

hauled

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

From this reading A large double-banked frigate was now shortening sail about a mile from the coast, and a boat left her side as the mainyards were backed, and the courses hauled up.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading A large double-banked frigate was now shortening sail about a mile from the coast, and a boat left her side as the mainyards were backed, and the courses hauled up.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

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

From this reading Thus, I believed she was merely shortening sail, to permit a party of explorers to visit the island, and this surmise proved in the sequel to be a correct one.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Thus, I believed she was merely shortening sail, to permit a party of explorers to visit the island, and this surmise proved in the sequel to be a correct one.

island

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

From this reading Thus, I believed she was merely shortening sail, to permit a party of explorers to visit the island, and this surmise proved in the sequel to be a correct one.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading On looking again, as she swung round, and the sunshine fell full upon her shivering maintopsail, I recognized a patch made in the sail where a ball from Fort Royal had pierced it, and by this mark knew her to be my old friend and habitation, the _Adder_.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The boat was soon midway between her and the beach; the bright blades of its sixteen oars were flashing like silver in the sunlight, as it sped along the rippling waves.

knew

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

From this reading On looking again, as she swung round, and the sunshine fell full upon her shivering maintopsail, I recognized a patch made in the sail where a ball from Fort Royal had pierced it, and by this mark knew her to be my old friend and habitation, the _Adder_.

large

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

From this reading A large double-banked frigate was now shortening sail about a mile from the coast, and a boat left her side as the mainyards were backed, and the courses hauled up.

leftnounUS /left/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A large double-banked frigate was now shortening sail about a mile from the coast, and a boat left her side as the mainyards were backed, and the courses hauled up.

like

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

From this reading The boat was soon midway between her and the beach; the bright blades of its sixteen oars were flashing like silver in the sunlight, as it sped along the rippling waves.

looking

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

From this reading On looking again, as she swung round, and the sunshine fell full upon her shivering maintopsail, I recognized a patch made in the sail where a ball from Fort Royal had pierced it, and by this mark knew her to be my old friend and habitation, the _Adder_.

made

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

From this reading On looking again, as she swung round, and the sunshine fell full upon her shivering maintopsail, I recognized a patch made in the sail where a ball from Fort Royal had pierced it, and by this mark knew her to be my old friend and habitation, the _Adder_.

maintopsail

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

From this reading On looking again, as she swung round, and the sunshine fell full upon her shivering maintopsail, I recognized a patch made in the sail where a ball from Fort Royal had pierced it, and by this mark knew her to be my old friend and habitation, the _Adder_.

mainyards

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

From this reading A large double-banked frigate was now shortening sail about a mile from the coast, and a boat left her side as the mainyards were backed, and the courses hauled up.

mark

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

From this reading On looking again, as she swung round, and the sunshine fell full upon her shivering maintopsail, I recognized a patch made in the sail where a ball from Fort Royal had pierced it, and by this mark knew her to be my old friend and habitation, the _Adder_.

merely

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

From this reading Thus, I believed she was merely shortening sail, to permit a party of explorers to visit the island, and this surmise proved in the sequel to be a correct one.

midway

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

From this reading The boat was soon midway between her and the beach; the bright blades of its sixteen oars were flashing like silver in the sunlight, as it sped along the rippling waves.

mile

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

From this reading A large double-banked frigate was now shortening sail about a mile from the coast, and a boat left her side as the mainyards were backed, and the courses hauled up.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading On looking again, as she swung round, and the sunshine fell full upon her shivering maintopsail, I recognized a patch made in the sail where a ball from Fort Royal had pierced it, and by this mark knew her to be my old friend and habitation, the _Adder_.

now

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

From this reading A large double-banked frigate was now shortening sail about a mile from the coast, and a boat left her side as the mainyards were backed, and the courses hauled up.

oars

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

From this reading The boat was soon midway between her and the beach; the bright blades of its sixteen oars were flashing like silver in the sunlight, as it sped along the rippling waves.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Thus, I believed she was merely shortening sail, to permit a party of explorers to visit the island, and this surmise proved in the sequel to be a correct one.

old

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

From this reading On looking again, as she swung round, and the sunshine fell full upon her shivering maintopsail, I recognized a patch made in the sail where a ball from Fort Royal had pierced it, and by this mark knew her to be my old friend and habitation, the _Adder_.

OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On looking again, as she swung round, and the sunshine fell full upon her shivering maintopsail, I recognized a patch made in the sail where a ball from Fort Royal had pierced it, and by this mark knew her to be my old friend and habitation, the _Adder_.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Thus, I believed she was merely shortening sail, to permit a party of explorers to visit the island, and this surmise proved in the sequel to be a correct one.

partynounUS /party/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Thus, I believed she was merely shortening sail, to permit a party of explorers to visit the island, and this surmise proved in the sequel to be a correct one.

patch

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

From this reading On looking again, as she swung round, and the sunshine fell full upon her shivering maintopsail, I recognized a patch made in the sail where a ball from Fort Royal had pierced it, and by this mark knew her to be my old friend and habitation, the _Adder_.

permit

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

From this reading Thus, I believed she was merely shortening sail, to permit a party of explorers to visit the island, and this surmise proved in the sequel to be a correct one.

pierced

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

From this reading On looking again, as she swung round, and the sunshine fell full upon her shivering maintopsail, I recognized a patch made in the sail where a ball from Fort Royal had pierced it, and by this mark knew her to be my old friend and habitation, the _Adder_.

proved

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

From this reading Thus, I believed she was merely shortening sail, to permit a party of explorers to visit the island, and this surmise proved in the sequel to be a correct one.

recognized

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

From this reading On looking again, as she swung round, and the sunshine fell full upon her shivering maintopsail, I recognized a patch made in the sail where a ball from Fort Royal had pierced it, and by this mark knew her to be my old friend and habitation, the _Adder_.

rippling

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

From this reading The boat was soon midway between her and the beach; the bright blades of its sixteen oars were flashing like silver in the sunlight, as it sped along the rippling waves.

round

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

From this reading On looking again, as she swung round, and the sunshine fell full upon her shivering maintopsail, I recognized a patch made in the sail where a ball from Fort Royal had pierced it, and by this mark knew her to be my old friend and habitation, the _Adder_.

Royal

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

From this reading On looking again, as she swung round, and the sunshine fell full upon her shivering maintopsail, I recognized a patch made in the sail where a ball from Fort Royal had pierced it, and by this mark knew her to be my old friend and habitation, the _Adder_.

sailnounUS /sail/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading A large double-banked frigate was now shortening sail about a mile from the coast, and a boat left her side as the mainyards were backed, and the courses hauled up.

SAVEDnounUS /saved/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading SAVED!

sequel

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

From this reading Thus, I believed she was merely shortening sail, to permit a party of explorers to visit the island, and this surmise proved in the sequel to be a correct one.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Thus, I believed she was merely shortening sail, to permit a party of explorers to visit the island, and this surmise proved in the sequel to be a correct one.

shivering

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

From this reading On looking again, as she swung round, and the sunshine fell full upon her shivering maintopsail, I recognized a patch made in the sail where a ball from Fort Royal had pierced it, and by this mark knew her to be my old friend and habitation, the _Adder_.

shortening

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

From this reading A large double-banked frigate was now shortening sail about a mile from the coast, and a boat left her side as the mainyards were backed, and the courses hauled up.

side

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

From this reading A large double-banked frigate was now shortening sail about a mile from the coast, and a boat left her side as the mainyards were backed, and the courses hauled up.

silver

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

From this reading The boat was soon midway between her and the beach; the bright blades of its sixteen oars were flashing like silver in the sunlight, as it sped along the rippling waves.

sixteen

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

From this reading The boat was soon midway between her and the beach; the bright blades of its sixteen oars were flashing like silver in the sunlight, as it sped along the rippling waves.

soon

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

From this reading The boat was soon midway between her and the beach; the bright blades of its sixteen oars were flashing like silver in the sunlight, as it sped along the rippling waves.

sped

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

From this reading The boat was soon midway between her and the beach; the bright blades of its sixteen oars were flashing like silver in the sunlight, as it sped along the rippling waves.

sunlight

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

From this reading The boat was soon midway between her and the beach; the bright blades of its sixteen oars were flashing like silver in the sunlight, as it sped along the rippling waves.

sunshine

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

From this reading On looking again, as she swung round, and the sunshine fell full upon her shivering maintopsail, I recognized a patch made in the sail where a ball from Fort Royal had pierced it, and by this mark knew her to be my old friend and habitation, the _Adder_.

surmise

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

From this reading Thus, I believed she was merely shortening sail, to permit a party of explorers to visit the island, and this surmise proved in the sequel to be a correct one.

swung

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

From this reading On looking again, as she swung round, and the sunshine fell full upon her shivering maintopsail, I recognized a patch made in the sail where a ball from Fort Royal had pierced it, and by this mark knew her to be my old friend and habitation, the _Adder_.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading A large double-banked frigate was now shortening sail about a mile from the coast, and a boat left her side as the mainyards were backed, and the courses hauled up.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading Thus, I believed she was merely shortening sail, to permit a party of explorers to visit the island, and this surmise proved in the sequel to be a correct one.

Thus

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

From this reading Thus, I believed she was merely shortening sail, to permit a party of explorers to visit the island, and this surmise proved in the sequel to be a correct one.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Thus, I believed she was merely shortening sail, to permit a party of explorers to visit the island, and this surmise proved in the sequel to be a correct one.

up

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

From this reading A large double-banked frigate was now shortening sail about a mile from the coast, and a boat left her side as the mainyards were backed, and the courses hauled up.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading On looking again, as she swung round, and the sunshine fell full upon her shivering maintopsail, I recognized a patch made in the sail where a ball from Fort Royal had pierced it, and by this mark knew her to be my old friend and habitation, the _Adder_.

visit

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

From this reading Thus, I believed she was merely shortening sail, to permit a party of explorers to visit the island, and this surmise proved in the sequel to be a correct one.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading A large double-banked frigate was now shortening sail about a mile from the coast, and a boat left her side as the mainyards were backed, and the courses hauled up.

waves

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

From this reading The boat was soon midway between her and the beach; the bright blades of its sixteen oars were flashing like silver in the sunlight, as it sped along the rippling waves.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading A large double-banked frigate was now shortening sail about a mile from the coast, and a boat left her side as the mainyards were backed, and the courses hauled up.

whereconjunctionUS /wer/

in or at the place that

From this reading On looking again, as she swung round, and the sunshine fell full upon her shivering maintopsail, I recognized a patch made in the sail where a ball from Fort Royal had pierced it, and by this mark knew her to be my old friend and habitation, the _Adder_.