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 He now came to the resolution of acquainting the first of the men who should come down with my situation, thinking it better to let me take my chance with the mutineers than perish of thirst in the hold,—for it had been ten days since I was first imprisoned, and my jug of water was not a plentiful supply even for four.
abandoned
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From this reading For some minutes after the cook had left the forecastle, Augustus abandoned himself to despair, never hoping to leave the berth alive.
acquainting
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From this reading He now came to the resolution of acquainting the first of the men who should come down with my situation, thinking it better to let me take my chance with the mutineers than perish of thirst in the hold,—for it had been ten days since I was first imprisoned, and my jug of water was not a plentiful supply even for four.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading For some minutes after the cook had left the forecastle, Augustus abandoned himself to despair, never hoping to leave the berth alive.
alive
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From this reading For some minutes after the cook had left the forecastle, Augustus abandoned himself to despair, never hoping to leave the berth alive.
all
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From this reading As he was thinking on this subject, the idea came all at once into his head that it might be possible to communicate with me by the way of the main hold.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He now came to the resolution of acquainting the first of the men who should come down with my situation, thinking it better to let me take my chance with the mutineers than perish of thirst in the hold,—for it had been ten days since I was first imprisoned, and my jug of water was not a plentiful supply even for four.
any
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From this reading In any other circumstances, the difficulty and hazard of the undertaking would have prevented him from attempting it; but now he had, at all events, little prospect of life, and consequently little to lose, he bent his whole mind, therefore, upon the task.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As he was thinking on this subject, the idea came all at once into his head that it might be possible to communicate with me by the way of the main hold.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading As he was thinking on this subject, the idea came all at once into his head that it might be possible to communicate with me by the way of the main hold.
attempting
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From this reading In any other circumstances, the difficulty and hazard of the undertaking would have prevented him from attempting it; but now he had, at all events, little prospect of life, and consequently little to lose, he bent his whole mind, therefore, upon the task.
Augustus
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From this reading For some minutes after the cook had left the forecastle, Augustus abandoned himself to despair, never hoping to leave the berth alive.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading As he was thinking on this subject, the idea came all at once into his head that it might be possible to communicate with me by the way of the main hold.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He now came to the resolution of acquainting the first of the men who should come down with my situation, thinking it better to let me take my chance with the mutineers than perish of thirst in the hold,—for it had been ten days since I was first imprisoned, and my jug of water was not a plentiful supply even for four.
bent
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From this reading In any other circumstances, the difficulty and hazard of the undertaking would have prevented him from attempting it; but now he had, at all events, little prospect of life, and consequently little to lose, he bent his whole mind, therefore, upon the task.
berthnounUS /bɜrθ/
a job or position on a ship
From this reading For some minutes after the cook had left the forecastle, Augustus abandoned himself to despair, never hoping to leave the berth alive.
better
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From this reading He now came to the resolution of acquainting the first of the men who should come down with my situation, thinking it better to let me take my chance with the mutineers than perish of thirst in the hold,—for it had been ten days since I was first imprisoned, and my jug of water was not a plentiful supply even for four.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading In any other circumstances, the difficulty and hazard of the undertaking would have prevented him from attempting it; but now he had, at all events, little prospect of life, and consequently little to lose, he bent his whole mind, therefore, upon the task.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading As he was thinking on this subject, the idea came all at once into his head that it might be possible to communicate with me by the way of the main hold.
came
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From this reading He now came to the resolution of acquainting the first of the men who should come down with my situation, thinking it better to let me take my chance with the mutineers than perish of thirst in the hold,—for it had been ten days since I was first imprisoned, and my jug of water was not a plentiful supply even for four.
chance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He now came to the resolution of acquainting the first of the men who should come down with my situation, thinking it better to let me take my chance with the mutineers than perish of thirst in the hold,—for it had been ten days since I was first imprisoned, and my jug of water was not a plentiful supply even for four.
circumstances
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From this reading In any other circumstances, the difficulty and hazard of the undertaking would have prevented him from attempting it; but now he had, at all events, little prospect of life, and consequently little to lose, he bent his whole mind, therefore, upon the task.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He now came to the resolution of acquainting the first of the men who should come down with my situation, thinking it better to let me take my chance with the mutineers than perish of thirst in the hold,—for it had been ten days since I was first imprisoned, and my jug of water was not a plentiful supply even for four.
communicate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he was thinking on this subject, the idea came all at once into his head that it might be possible to communicate with me by the way of the main hold.
consequently
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From this reading In any other circumstances, the difficulty and hazard of the undertaking would have prevented him from attempting it; but now he had, at all events, little prospect of life, and consequently little to lose, he bent his whole mind, therefore, upon the task.
consideration
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From this reading His handcuffs were the first consideration.
cook
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From this reading For some minutes after the cook had left the forecastle, Augustus abandoned himself to despair, never hoping to leave the berth alive.
days
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He now came to the resolution of acquainting the first of the men who should come down with my situation, thinking it better to let me take my chance with the mutineers than perish of thirst in the hold,—for it had been ten days since I was first imprisoned, and my jug of water was not a plentiful supply even for four.
despair
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For some minutes after the cook had left the forecastle, Augustus abandoned himself to despair, never hoping to leave the berth alive.
difficulty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In any other circumstances, the difficulty and hazard of the undertaking would have prevented him from attempting it; but now he had, at all events, little prospect of life, and consequently little to lose, he bent his whole mind, therefore, upon the task.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He now came to the resolution of acquainting the first of the men who should come down with my situation, thinking it better to let me take my chance with the mutineers than perish of thirst in the hold,—for it had been ten days since I was first imprisoned, and my jug of water was not a plentiful supply even for four.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He now came to the resolution of acquainting the first of the men who should come down with my situation, thinking it better to let me take my chance with the mutineers than perish of thirst in the hold,—for it had been ten days since I was first imprisoned, and my jug of water was not a plentiful supply even for four.
events
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From this reading In any other circumstances, the difficulty and hazard of the undertaking would have prevented him from attempting it; but now he had, at all events, little prospect of life, and consequently little to lose, he bent his whole mind, therefore, upon the task.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He now came to the resolution of acquainting the first of the men who should come down with my situation, thinking it better to let me take my chance with the mutineers than perish of thirst in the hold,—for it had been ten days since I was first imprisoned, and my jug of water was not a plentiful supply even for four.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For some minutes after the cook had left the forecastle, Augustus abandoned himself to despair, never hoping to leave the berth alive.
forecastlenounUS /ˈforecastle/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading For some minutes after the cook had left the forecastle, Augustus abandoned himself to despair, never hoping to leave the berth alive.
four
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He now came to the resolution of acquainting the first of the men who should come down with my situation, thinking it better to let me take my chance with the mutineers than perish of thirst in the hold,—for it had been ten days since I was first imprisoned, and my jug of water was not a plentiful supply even for four.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading In any other circumstances, the difficulty and hazard of the undertaking would have prevented him from attempting it; but now he had, at all events, little prospect of life, and consequently little to lose, he bent his whole mind, therefore, upon the task.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading For some minutes after the cook had left the forecastle, Augustus abandoned himself to despair, never hoping to leave the berth alive.
handcuffs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His handcuffs were the first consideration.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading In any other circumstances, the difficulty and hazard of the undertaking would have prevented him from attempting it; but now he had, at all events, little prospect of life, and consequently little to lose, he bent his whole mind, therefore, upon the task.
hazard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In any other circumstances, the difficulty and hazard of the undertaking would have prevented him from attempting it; but now he had, at all events, little prospect of life, and consequently little to lose, he bent his whole mind, therefore, upon the task.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He now came to the resolution of acquainting the first of the men who should come down with my situation, thinking it better to let me take my chance with the mutineers than perish of thirst in the hold,—for it had been ten days since I was first imprisoned, and my jug of water was not a plentiful supply even for four.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he was thinking on this subject, the idea came all at once into his head that it might be possible to communicate with me by the way of the main hold.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading In any other circumstances, the difficulty and hazard of the undertaking would have prevented him from attempting it; but now he had, at all events, little prospect of life, and consequently little to lose, he bent his whole mind, therefore, upon the task.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading For some minutes after the cook had left the forecastle, Augustus abandoned himself to despair, never hoping to leave the berth alive.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading As he was thinking on this subject, the idea came all at once into his head that it might be possible to communicate with me by the way of the main hold.
hold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He now came to the resolution of acquainting the first of the men who should come down with my situation, thinking it better to let me take my chance with the mutineers than perish of thirst in the hold,—for it had been ten days since I was first imprisoned, and my jug of water was not a plentiful supply even for four.
hoping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For some minutes after the cook had left the forecastle, Augustus abandoned himself to despair, never hoping to leave the berth alive.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading He now came to the resolution of acquainting the first of the men who should come down with my situation, thinking it better to let me take my chance with the mutineers than perish of thirst in the hold,—for it had been ten days since I was first imprisoned, and my jug of water was not a plentiful supply even for four.
idea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he was thinking on this subject, the idea came all at once into his head that it might be possible to communicate with me by the way of the main hold.
imprisoned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He now came to the resolution of acquainting the first of the men who should come down with my situation, thinking it better to let me take my chance with the mutineers than perish of thirst in the hold,—for it had been ten days since I was first imprisoned, and my jug of water was not a plentiful supply even for four.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading He now came to the resolution of acquainting the first of the men who should come down with my situation, thinking it better to let me take my chance with the mutineers than perish of thirst in the hold,—for it had been ten days since I was first imprisoned, and my jug of water was not a plentiful supply even for four.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading As he was thinking on this subject, the idea came all at once into his head that it might be possible to communicate with me by the way of the main hold.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He now came to the resolution of acquainting the first of the men who should come down with my situation, thinking it better to let me take my chance with the mutineers than perish of thirst in the hold,—for it had been ten days since I was first imprisoned, and my jug of water was not a plentiful supply even for four.
jug
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He now came to the resolution of acquainting the first of the men who should come down with my situation, thinking it better to let me take my chance with the mutineers than perish of thirst in the hold,—for it had been ten days since I was first imprisoned, and my jug of water was not a plentiful supply even for four.
leave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For some minutes after the cook had left the forecastle, Augustus abandoned himself to despair, never hoping to leave the berth alive.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For some minutes after the cook had left the forecastle, Augustus abandoned himself to despair, never hoping to leave the berth alive.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading He now came to the resolution of acquainting the first of the men who should come down with my situation, thinking it better to let me take my chance with the mutineers than perish of thirst in the hold,—for it had been ten days since I was first imprisoned, and my jug of water was not a plentiful supply even for four.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In any other circumstances, the difficulty and hazard of the undertaking would have prevented him from attempting it; but now he had, at all events, little prospect of life, and consequently little to lose, he bent his whole mind, therefore, upon the task.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In any other circumstances, the difficulty and hazard of the undertaking would have prevented him from attempting it; but now he had, at all events, little prospect of life, and consequently little to lose, he bent his whole mind, therefore, upon the task.
lose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In any other circumstances, the difficulty and hazard of the undertaking would have prevented him from attempting it; but now he had, at all events, little prospect of life, and consequently little to lose, he bent his whole mind, therefore, upon the task.
main
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he was thinking on this subject, the idea came all at once into his head that it might be possible to communicate with me by the way of the main hold.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He now came to the resolution of acquainting the first of the men who should come down with my situation, thinking it better to let me take my chance with the mutineers than perish of thirst in the hold,—for it had been ten days since I was first imprisoned, and my jug of water was not a plentiful supply even for four.
men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He now came to the resolution of acquainting the first of the men who should come down with my situation, thinking it better to let me take my chance with the mutineers than perish of thirst in the hold,—for it had been ten days since I was first imprisoned, and my jug of water was not a plentiful supply even for four.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading As he was thinking on this subject, the idea came all at once into his head that it might be possible to communicate with me by the way of the main hold.
mindnounUS /mind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In any other circumstances, the difficulty and hazard of the undertaking would have prevented him from attempting it; but now he had, at all events, little prospect of life, and consequently little to lose, he bent his whole mind, therefore, upon the task.
minutes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For some minutes after the cook had left the forecastle, Augustus abandoned himself to despair, never hoping to leave the berth alive.
mutineersnounUS /ˈmutineers/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading He now came to the resolution of acquainting the first of the men who should come down with my situation, thinking it better to let me take my chance with the mutineers than perish of thirst in the hold,—for it had been ten days since I was first imprisoned, and my jug of water was not a plentiful supply even for four.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading He now came to the resolution of acquainting the first of the men who should come down with my situation, thinking it better to let me take my chance with the mutineers than perish of thirst in the hold,—for it had been ten days since I was first imprisoned, and my jug of water was not a plentiful supply even for four.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For some minutes after the cook had left the forecastle, Augustus abandoned himself to despair, never hoping to leave the berth alive.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He now came to the resolution of acquainting the first of the men who should come down with my situation, thinking it better to let me take my chance with the mutineers than perish of thirst in the hold,—for it had been ten days since I was first imprisoned, and my jug of water was not a plentiful supply even for four.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He now came to the resolution of acquainting the first of the men who should come down with my situation, thinking it better to let me take my chance with the mutineers than perish of thirst in the hold,—for it had been ten days since I was first imprisoned, and my jug of water was not a plentiful supply even for four.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He now came to the resolution of acquainting the first of the men who should come down with my situation, thinking it better to let me take my chance with the mutineers than perish of thirst in the hold,—for it had been ten days since I was first imprisoned, and my jug of water was not a plentiful supply even for four.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading As he was thinking on this subject, the idea came all at once into his head that it might be possible to communicate with me by the way of the main hold.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he was thinking on this subject, the idea came all at once into his head that it might be possible to communicate with me by the way of the main hold.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In any other circumstances, the difficulty and hazard of the undertaking would have prevented him from attempting it; but now he had, at all events, little prospect of life, and consequently little to lose, he bent his whole mind, therefore, upon the task.
perish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He now came to the resolution of acquainting the first of the men who should come down with my situation, thinking it better to let me take my chance with the mutineers than perish of thirst in the hold,—for it had been ten days since I was first imprisoned, and my jug of water was not a plentiful supply even for four.
plentiful
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He now came to the resolution of acquainting the first of the men who should come down with my situation, thinking it better to let me take my chance with the mutineers than perish of thirst in the hold,—for it had been ten days since I was first imprisoned, and my jug of water was not a plentiful supply even for four.
possible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he was thinking on this subject, the idea came all at once into his head that it might be possible to communicate with me by the way of the main hold.
prevented
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In any other circumstances, the difficulty and hazard of the undertaking would have prevented him from attempting it; but now he had, at all events, little prospect of life, and consequently little to lose, he bent his whole mind, therefore, upon the task.
prospect
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In any other circumstances, the difficulty and hazard of the undertaking would have prevented him from attempting it; but now he had, at all events, little prospect of life, and consequently little to lose, he bent his whole mind, therefore, upon the task.
resolution
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He now came to the resolution of acquainting the first of the men who should come down with my situation, thinking it better to let me take my chance with the mutineers than perish of thirst in the hold,—for it had been ten days since I was first imprisoned, and my jug of water was not a plentiful supply even for four.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading He now came to the resolution of acquainting the first of the men who should come down with my situation, thinking it better to let me take my chance with the mutineers than perish of thirst in the hold,—for it had been ten days since I was first imprisoned, and my jug of water was not a plentiful supply even for four.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading He now came to the resolution of acquainting the first of the men who should come down with my situation, thinking it better to let me take my chance with the mutineers than perish of thirst in the hold,—for it had been ten days since I was first imprisoned, and my jug of water was not a plentiful supply even for four.
situation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He now came to the resolution of acquainting the first of the men who should come down with my situation, thinking it better to let me take my chance with the mutineers than perish of thirst in the hold,—for it had been ten days since I was first imprisoned, and my jug of water was not a plentiful supply even for four.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For some minutes after the cook had left the forecastle, Augustus abandoned himself to despair, never hoping to leave the berth alive.
subject
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he was thinking on this subject, the idea came all at once into his head that it might be possible to communicate with me by the way of the main hold.
supply
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He now came to the resolution of acquainting the first of the men who should come down with my situation, thinking it better to let me take my chance with the mutineers than perish of thirst in the hold,—for it had been ten days since I was first imprisoned, and my jug of water was not a plentiful supply even for four.
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He now came to the resolution of acquainting the first of the men who should come down with my situation, thinking it better to let me take my chance with the mutineers than perish of thirst in the hold,—for it had been ten days since I was first imprisoned, and my jug of water was not a plentiful supply even for four.
task
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In any other circumstances, the difficulty and hazard of the undertaking would have prevented him from attempting it; but now he had, at all events, little prospect of life, and consequently little to lose, he bent his whole mind, therefore, upon the task.
ten
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He now came to the resolution of acquainting the first of the men who should come down with my situation, thinking it better to let me take my chance with the mutineers than perish of thirst in the hold,—for it had been ten days since I was first imprisoned, and my jug of water was not a plentiful supply even for four.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He now came to the resolution of acquainting the first of the men who should come down with my situation, thinking it better to let me take my chance with the mutineers than perish of thirst in the hold,—for it had been ten days since I was first imprisoned, and my jug of water was not a plentiful supply even for four.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading As he was thinking on this subject, the idea came all at once into his head that it might be possible to communicate with me by the way of the main hold.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading For some minutes after the cook had left the forecastle, Augustus abandoned himself to despair, never hoping to leave the berth alive.
thereforeadverbUS /ˈðerfɔːr/
for that reason; as a result
From this reading In any other circumstances, the difficulty and hazard of the undertaking would have prevented him from attempting it; but now he had, at all events, little prospect of life, and consequently little to lose, he bent his whole mind, therefore, upon the task.
thinkingnounUS /thinking/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He now came to the resolution of acquainting the first of the men who should come down with my situation, thinking it better to let me take my chance with the mutineers than perish of thirst in the hold,—for it had been ten days since I was first imprisoned, and my jug of water was not a plentiful supply even for four.
thirst
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He now came to the resolution of acquainting the first of the men who should come down with my situation, thinking it better to let me take my chance with the mutineers than perish of thirst in the hold,—for it had been ten days since I was first imprisoned, and my jug of water was not a plentiful supply even for four.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading As he was thinking on this subject, the idea came all at once into his head that it might be possible to communicate with me by the way of the main hold.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading For some minutes after the cook had left the forecastle, Augustus abandoned himself to despair, never hoping to leave the berth alive.
undertakingnounUS /ˌʌndərˈteɪkɪŋ/
a serious task, project, or venture that someone agrees to do
From this reading In any other circumstances, the difficulty and hazard of the undertaking would have prevented him from attempting it; but now he had, at all events, little prospect of life, and consequently little to lose, he bent his whole mind, therefore, upon the task.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading In any other circumstances, the difficulty and hazard of the undertaking would have prevented him from attempting it; but now he had, at all events, little prospect of life, and consequently little to lose, he bent his whole mind, therefore, upon the task.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He now came to the resolution of acquainting the first of the men who should come down with my situation, thinking it better to let me take my chance with the mutineers than perish of thirst in the hold,—for it had been ten days since I was first imprisoned, and my jug of water was not a plentiful supply even for four.
water
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He now came to the resolution of acquainting the first of the men who should come down with my situation, thinking it better to let me take my chance with the mutineers than perish of thirst in the hold,—for it had been ten days since I was first imprisoned, and my jug of water was not a plentiful supply even for four.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As he was thinking on this subject, the idea came all at once into his head that it might be possible to communicate with me by the way of the main hold.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading His handcuffs were the first consideration.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading He now came to the resolution of acquainting the first of the men who should come down with my situation, thinking it better to let me take my chance with the mutineers than perish of thirst in the hold,—for it had been ten days since I was first imprisoned, and my jug of water was not a plentiful supply even for four.
whole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In any other circumstances, the difficulty and hazard of the undertaking would have prevented him from attempting it; but now he had, at all events, little prospect of life, and consequently little to lose, he bent his whole mind, therefore, upon the task.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading He now came to the resolution of acquainting the first of the men who should come down with my situation, thinking it better to let me take my chance with the mutineers than perish of thirst in the hold,—for it had been ten days since I was first imprisoned, and my jug of water was not a plentiful supply even for four.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading In any other circumstances, the difficulty and hazard of the undertaking would have prevented him from attempting it; but now he had, at all events, little prospect of life, and consequently little to lose, he bent his whole mind, therefore, upon the task.
