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 I decided to make a sheltered cove, and turn out the last reef I had put in, satisfied that I could keep close enough under this sail to avoid the savage sea in the middle of the lake.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Waddie was reclining upon one of the berths, as comfortable as though he had been in his father’s house, while I was again shivering with the cold and wet to the skin.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Even as close-hauled as she could be under the double-reefed mainsail, the _Belle_ flew on her course; but under this short sail she did not labor so heavily as before, and I had no fear but that she would make tolerably good weather of it.
anticipated
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I had anticipated, I found comparatively smooth water under the lee of the west shore; but, with two reefs in the mainsail, I found it impossible to lie close enough to the wind to avoid running out into the heavy sea.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Even as close-hauled as she could be under the double-reefed mainsail, the _Belle_ flew on her course; but under this short sail she did not labor so heavily as before, and I had no fear but that she would make tolerably good weather of it.
avoid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I had anticipated, I found comparatively smooth water under the lee of the west shore; but, with two reefs in the mainsail, I found it impossible to lie close enough to the wind to avoid running out into the heavy sea.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Even as close-hauled as she could be under the double-reefed mainsail, the _Belle_ flew on her course; but under this short sail she did not labor so heavily as before, and I had no fear but that she would make tolerably good weather of it.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Waddie was reclining upon one of the berths, as comfortable as though he had been in his father’s house, while I was again shivering with the cold and wet to the skin.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Even as close-hauled as she could be under the double-reefed mainsail, the _Belle_ flew on her course; but under this short sail she did not labor so heavily as before, and I had no fear but that she would make tolerably good weather of it.
Belle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even as close-hauled as she could be under the double-reefed mainsail, the _Belle_ flew on her course; but under this short sail she did not labor so heavily as before, and I had no fear but that she would make tolerably good weather of it.
berthsplural nounUS /bɜrθs/
sleeping places on a ship
From this reading Waddie was reclining upon one of the berths, as comfortable as though he had been in his father’s house, while I was again shivering with the cold and wet to the skin.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Even as close-hauled as she could be under the double-reefed mainsail, the _Belle_ flew on her course; but under this short sail she did not labor so heavily as before, and I had no fear but that she would make tolerably good weather of it.
close
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I had anticipated, I found comparatively smooth water under the lee of the west shore; but, with two reefs in the mainsail, I found it impossible to lie close enough to the wind to avoid running out into the heavy sea.
close-hauled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even as close-hauled as she could be under the double-reefed mainsail, the _Belle_ flew on her course; but under this short sail she did not labor so heavily as before, and I had no fear but that she would make tolerably good weather of it.
cold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Waddie was reclining upon one of the berths, as comfortable as though he had been in his father’s house, while I was again shivering with the cold and wet to the skin.
comfortable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Waddie was reclining upon one of the berths, as comfortable as though he had been in his father’s house, while I was again shivering with the cold and wet to the skin.
comparatively
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I had anticipated, I found comparatively smooth water under the lee of the west shore; but, with two reefs in the mainsail, I found it impossible to lie close enough to the wind to avoid running out into the heavy sea.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Even as close-hauled as she could be under the double-reefed mainsail, the _Belle_ flew on her course; but under this short sail she did not labor so heavily as before, and I had no fear but that she would make tolerably good weather of it.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Even as close-hauled as she could be under the double-reefed mainsail, the _Belle_ flew on her course; but under this short sail she did not labor so heavily as before, and I had no fear but that she would make tolerably good weather of it.
cove
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I decided to make a sheltered cove, and turn out the last reef I had put in, satisfied that I could keep close enough under this sail to avoid the savage sea in the middle of the lake.
decided
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I decided to make a sheltered cove, and turn out the last reef I had put in, satisfied that I could keep close enough under this sail to avoid the savage sea in the middle of the lake.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Even as close-hauled as she could be under the double-reefed mainsail, the _Belle_ flew on her course; but under this short sail she did not labor so heavily as before, and I had no fear but that she would make tolerably good weather of it.
double-reefed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even as close-hauled as she could be under the double-reefed mainsail, the _Belle_ flew on her course; but under this short sail she did not labor so heavily as before, and I had no fear but that she would make tolerably good weather of it.
enough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I had anticipated, I found comparatively smooth water under the lee of the west shore; but, with two reefs in the mainsail, I found it impossible to lie close enough to the wind to avoid running out into the heavy sea.
EvennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Even as close-hauled as she could be under the double-reefed mainsail, the _Belle_ flew on her course; but under this short sail she did not labor so heavily as before, and I had no fear but that she would make tolerably good weather of it.
father's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Waddie was reclining upon one of the berths, as comfortable as though he had been in his father’s house, while I was again shivering with the cold and wet to the skin.
fear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even as close-hauled as she could be under the double-reefed mainsail, the _Belle_ flew on her course; but under this short sail she did not labor so heavily as before, and I had no fear but that she would make tolerably good weather of it.
flew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even as close-hauled as she could be under the double-reefed mainsail, the _Belle_ flew on her course; but under this short sail she did not labor so heavily as before, and I had no fear but that she would make tolerably good weather of it.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As I had anticipated, I found comparatively smooth water under the lee of the west shore; but, with two reefs in the mainsail, I found it impossible to lie close enough to the wind to avoid running out into the heavy sea.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Even as close-hauled as she could be under the double-reefed mainsail, the _Belle_ flew on her course; but under this short sail she did not labor so heavily as before, and I had no fear but that she would make tolerably good weather of it.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Even as close-hauled as she could be under the double-reefed mainsail, the _Belle_ flew on her course; but under this short sail she did not labor so heavily as before, and I had no fear but that she would make tolerably good weather of it.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Waddie was reclining upon one of the berths, as comfortable as though he had been in his father’s house, while I was again shivering with the cold and wet to the skin.
heavily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even as close-hauled as she could be under the double-reefed mainsail, the _Belle_ flew on her course; but under this short sail she did not labor so heavily as before, and I had no fear but that she would make tolerably good weather of it.
heavy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I had anticipated, I found comparatively smooth water under the lee of the west shore; but, with two reefs in the mainsail, I found it impossible to lie close enough to the wind to avoid running out into the heavy sea.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Even as close-hauled as she could be under the double-reefed mainsail, the _Belle_ flew on her course; but under this short sail she did not labor so heavily as before, and I had no fear but that she would make tolerably good weather of it.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Waddie was reclining upon one of the berths, as comfortable as though he had been in his father’s house, while I was again shivering with the cold and wet to the skin.
house
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Waddie was reclining upon one of the berths, as comfortable as though he had been in his father’s house, while I was again shivering with the cold and wet to the skin.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Even as close-hauled as she could be under the double-reefed mainsail, the _Belle_ flew on her course; but under this short sail she did not labor so heavily as before, and I had no fear but that she would make tolerably good weather of it.
impossible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I had anticipated, I found comparatively smooth water under the lee of the west shore; but, with two reefs in the mainsail, I found it impossible to lie close enough to the wind to avoid running out into the heavy sea.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading As I had anticipated, I found comparatively smooth water under the lee of the west shore; but, with two reefs in the mainsail, I found it impossible to lie close enough to the wind to avoid running out into the heavy sea.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading As I had anticipated, I found comparatively smooth water under the lee of the west shore; but, with two reefs in the mainsail, I found it impossible to lie close enough to the wind to avoid running out into the heavy sea.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Even as close-hauled as she could be under the double-reefed mainsail, the _Belle_ flew on her course; but under this short sail she did not labor so heavily as before, and I had no fear but that she would make tolerably good weather of it.
keep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I decided to make a sheltered cove, and turn out the last reef I had put in, satisfied that I could keep close enough under this sail to avoid the savage sea in the middle of the lake.
labor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even as close-hauled as she could be under the double-reefed mainsail, the _Belle_ flew on her course; but under this short sail she did not labor so heavily as before, and I had no fear but that she would make tolerably good weather of it.
lake
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I decided to make a sheltered cove, and turn out the last reef I had put in, satisfied that I could keep close enough under this sail to avoid the savage sea in the middle of the lake.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I decided to make a sheltered cove, and turn out the last reef I had put in, satisfied that I could keep close enough under this sail to avoid the savage sea in the middle of the lake.
lee
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I had anticipated, I found comparatively smooth water under the lee of the west shore; but, with two reefs in the mainsail, I found it impossible to lie close enough to the wind to avoid running out into the heavy sea.
lie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I had anticipated, I found comparatively smooth water under the lee of the west shore; but, with two reefs in the mainsail, I found it impossible to lie close enough to the wind to avoid running out into the heavy sea.
mainsail
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even as close-hauled as she could be under the double-reefed mainsail, the _Belle_ flew on her course; but under this short sail she did not labor so heavily as before, and I had no fear but that she would make tolerably good weather of it.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Even as close-hauled as she could be under the double-reefed mainsail, the _Belle_ flew on her course; but under this short sail she did not labor so heavily as before, and I had no fear but that she would make tolerably good weather of it.
middle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I decided to make a sheltered cove, and turn out the last reef I had put in, satisfied that I could keep close enough under this sail to avoid the savage sea in the middle of the lake.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Even as close-hauled as she could be under the double-reefed mainsail, the _Belle_ flew on her course; but under this short sail she did not labor so heavily as before, and I had no fear but that she would make tolerably good weather of it.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Even as close-hauled as she could be under the double-reefed mainsail, the _Belle_ flew on her course; but under this short sail she did not labor so heavily as before, and I had no fear but that she would make tolerably good weather of it.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Even as close-hauled as she could be under the double-reefed mainsail, the _Belle_ flew on her course; but under this short sail she did not labor so heavily as before, and I had no fear but that she would make tolerably good weather of it.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Even as close-hauled as she could be under the double-reefed mainsail, the _Belle_ flew on her course; but under this short sail she did not labor so heavily as before, and I had no fear but that she would make tolerably good weather of it.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Waddie was reclining upon one of the berths, as comfortable as though he had been in his father’s house, while I was again shivering with the cold and wet to the skin.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I had anticipated, I found comparatively smooth water under the lee of the west shore; but, with two reefs in the mainsail, I found it impossible to lie close enough to the wind to avoid running out into the heavy sea.
put
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I decided to make a sheltered cove, and turn out the last reef I had put in, satisfied that I could keep close enough under this sail to avoid the savage sea in the middle of the lake.
reclining
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Waddie was reclining upon one of the berths, as comfortable as though he had been in his father’s house, while I was again shivering with the cold and wet to the skin.
reef
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I decided to make a sheltered cove, and turn out the last reef I had put in, satisfied that I could keep close enough under this sail to avoid the savage sea in the middle of the lake.
reefs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I had anticipated, I found comparatively smooth water under the lee of the west shore; but, with two reefs in the mainsail, I found it impossible to lie close enough to the wind to avoid running out into the heavy sea.
resolutions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I supposed he was working up his good resolutions.
runningnounUS /ˈrunning/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading As I had anticipated, I found comparatively smooth water under the lee of the west shore; but, with two reefs in the mainsail, I found it impossible to lie close enough to the wind to avoid running out into the heavy sea.
sailnounUS /sail/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Even as close-hauled as she could be under the double-reefed mainsail, the _Belle_ flew on her course; but under this short sail she did not labor so heavily as before, and I had no fear but that she would make tolerably good weather of it.
satisfied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I decided to make a sheltered cove, and turn out the last reef I had put in, satisfied that I could keep close enough under this sail to avoid the savage sea in the middle of the lake.
savage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I decided to make a sheltered cove, and turn out the last reef I had put in, satisfied that I could keep close enough under this sail to avoid the savage sea in the middle of the lake.
sea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I had anticipated, I found comparatively smooth water under the lee of the west shore; but, with two reefs in the mainsail, I found it impossible to lie close enough to the wind to avoid running out into the heavy sea.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Even as close-hauled as she could be under the double-reefed mainsail, the _Belle_ flew on her course; but under this short sail she did not labor so heavily as before, and I had no fear but that she would make tolerably good weather of it.
sheltered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I decided to make a sheltered cove, and turn out the last reef I had put in, satisfied that I could keep close enough under this sail to avoid the savage sea in the middle of the lake.
shivering
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Waddie was reclining upon one of the berths, as comfortable as though he had been in his father’s house, while I was again shivering with the cold and wet to the skin.
shore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I had anticipated, I found comparatively smooth water under the lee of the west shore; but, with two reefs in the mainsail, I found it impossible to lie close enough to the wind to avoid running out into the heavy sea.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/
brief or direct in expression
From this reading Even as close-hauled as she could be under the double-reefed mainsail, the _Belle_ flew on her course; but under this short sail she did not labor so heavily as before, and I had no fear but that she would make tolerably good weather of it.
skin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Waddie was reclining upon one of the berths, as comfortable as though he had been in his father’s house, while I was again shivering with the cold and wet to the skin.
smooth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I had anticipated, I found comparatively smooth water under the lee of the west shore; but, with two reefs in the mainsail, I found it impossible to lie close enough to the wind to avoid running out into the heavy sea.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Even as close-hauled as she could be under the double-reefed mainsail, the _Belle_ flew on her course; but under this short sail she did not labor so heavily as before, and I had no fear but that she would make tolerably good weather of it.
supposed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I supposed he was working up his good resolutions.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Even as close-hauled as she could be under the double-reefed mainsail, the _Belle_ flew on her course; but under this short sail she did not labor so heavily as before, and I had no fear but that she would make tolerably good weather of it.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Even as close-hauled as she could be under the double-reefed mainsail, the _Belle_ flew on her course; but under this short sail she did not labor so heavily as before, and I had no fear but that she would make tolerably good weather of it.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Even as close-hauled as she could be under the double-reefed mainsail, the _Belle_ flew on her course; but under this short sail she did not labor so heavily as before, and I had no fear but that she would make tolerably good weather of it.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading Waddie was reclining upon one of the berths, as comfortable as though he had been in his father’s house, while I was again shivering with the cold and wet to the skin.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading As I had anticipated, I found comparatively smooth water under the lee of the west shore; but, with two reefs in the mainsail, I found it impossible to lie close enough to the wind to avoid running out into the heavy sea.
tolerably
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even as close-hauled as she could be under the double-reefed mainsail, the _Belle_ flew on her course; but under this short sail she did not labor so heavily as before, and I had no fear but that she would make tolerably good weather of it.
turn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I decided to make a sheltered cove, and turn out the last reef I had put in, satisfied that I could keep close enough under this sail to avoid the savage sea in the middle of the lake.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I had anticipated, I found comparatively smooth water under the lee of the west shore; but, with two reefs in the mainsail, I found it impossible to lie close enough to the wind to avoid running out into the heavy sea.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Even as close-hauled as she could be under the double-reefed mainsail, the _Belle_ flew on her course; but under this short sail she did not labor so heavily as before, and I had no fear but that she would make tolerably good weather of it.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I supposed he was working up his good resolutions.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Waddie was reclining upon one of the berths, as comfortable as though he had been in his father’s house, while I was again shivering with the cold and wet to the skin.
Waddie
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Waddie was reclining upon one of the berths, as comfortable as though he had been in his father’s house, while I was again shivering with the cold and wet to the skin.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Waddie was reclining upon one of the berths, as comfortable as though he had been in his father’s house, while I was again shivering with the cold and wet to the skin.
water
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I had anticipated, I found comparatively smooth water under the lee of the west shore; but, with two reefs in the mainsail, I found it impossible to lie close enough to the wind to avoid running out into the heavy sea.
weather
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Even as close-hauled as she could be under the double-reefed mainsail, the _Belle_ flew on her course; but under this short sail she did not labor so heavily as before, and I had no fear but that she would make tolerably good weather of it.
west
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As I had anticipated, I found comparatively smooth water under the lee of the west shore; but, with two reefs in the mainsail, I found it impossible to lie close enough to the wind to avoid running out into the heavy sea.
wet
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Waddie was reclining upon one of the berths, as comfortable as though he had been in his father’s house, while I was again shivering with the cold and wet to the skin.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Waddie was reclining upon one of the berths, as comfortable as though he had been in his father’s house, while I was again shivering with the cold and wet to the skin.
windnounUS /wind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As I had anticipated, I found comparatively smooth water under the lee of the west shore; but, with two reefs in the mainsail, I found it impossible to lie close enough to the wind to avoid running out into the heavy sea.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading As I had anticipated, I found comparatively smooth water under the lee of the west shore; but, with two reefs in the mainsail, I found it impossible to lie close enough to the wind to avoid running out into the heavy sea.
working
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I supposed he was working up his good resolutions.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Even as close-hauled as she could be under the double-reefed mainsail, the _Belle_ flew on her course; but under this short sail she did not labor so heavily as before, and I had no fear but that she would make tolerably good weather of it.
