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Chapter XXIII

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Context Illustration Reading 1/18 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
OPERATIONS IN THE HOLD OF THE LA MOTTE.
The La Motte, under a reefed mainsail and a single jib, worked very well in the heavy sea to which she was soon fully exposed when she had made a short distance from the beach off which she had been anchored.
Mr. Jepson had found some boards under the fore-scuttle in the forecastle, with which he had covered the hatches.
On the top of them he had placed a plank, used for rolling barrels or other freight ashore, which bore equally on all the boards.
Then with a handspike he worked the spare anchor upon this plank.
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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.

Ready About

Chapter XXIII

Reading 1/18 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
OPERATIONS IN THE HOLD OF THE LA MOTTE.
Line 2
The La Motte, under a reefed mainsail and a single jib, worked very well in the heavy sea to which she was soon fully exposed when she had made a short distance from the beach off which she had been anchored.
Line 3
Mr. Jepson had found some boards under the fore-scuttle in the forecastle, with which he had covered the hatches.
Line 4
On the top of them he had placed a plank, used for rolling barrels or other freight ashore, which bore equally on all the boards.
Line 5
Then with a handspike he worked the spare anchor upon this plank.

Learner Dictionary

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

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “The La Motte, under a reefed mainsail and a single jib, worked very well in the heavy sea to which she was soon fully exposed when she had made a short distance from the beach off which she had been anchored.”

Equally noun US /ˈequally/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “On the top of them he had placed a plank, used for rolling barrels or other freight ashore, which bore equally on all the boards.”

Exposed adjective US /ɪkˈspəʊzd/

left open to danger or view left open to danger or public view

From this reading “The La Motte, under a reefed mainsail and a single jib, worked very well in the heavy sea to which she was soon fully exposed when she had made a short distance from the beach off which she had been anchored.”

Forecastle noun US /ˈforecastle/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “Mr. Jepson had found some boards under the fore-scuttle in the forecastle, with which he had covered the hatches.”

Found noun US /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Mr. Jepson had found some boards under the fore-scuttle in the forecastle, with which he had covered the hatches.”

Hatches noun US /ˈhatches/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “Mr. Jepson had found some boards under the fore-scuttle in the forecastle, with which he had covered the hatches.”

Short adjective US /ʃɔrt/

brief or direct in expression

From this reading “The La Motte, under a reefed mainsail and a single jib, worked very well in the heavy sea to which she was soon fully exposed when she had made a short distance from the beach off which she had been anchored.”

Soon noun US /soon/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The La Motte, under a reefed mainsail and a single jib, worked very well in the heavy sea to which she was soon fully exposed when she had made a short distance from the beach off which she had been anchored.”

Under preposition US /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading “The La Motte, under a reefed mainsail and a single jib, worked very well in the heavy sea to which she was soon fully exposed when she had made a short distance from the beach off which she had been anchored.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “Then with a handspike he worked the spare anchor upon this plank.”

Well noun US /well/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The La Motte, under a reefed mainsail and a single jib, worked very well in the heavy sea to which she was soon fully exposed when she had made a short distance from the beach off which she had been anchored.”

All words in this reading · 69

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 The La Motte, under a reefed mainsail and a single jib, worked very well in the heavy sea to which she was soon fully exposed when she had made a short distance from the beach off which she had been anchored.

all

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

From this reading On the top of them he had placed a plank, used for rolling barrels or other freight ashore, which bore equally on all the boards.

anchor

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

From this reading Then with a handspike he worked the spare anchor upon this plank.

anchored

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

From this reading The La Motte, under a reefed mainsail and a single jib, worked very well in the heavy sea to which she was soon fully exposed when she had made a short distance from the beach off which she had been anchored.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The La Motte, under a reefed mainsail and a single jib, worked very well in the heavy sea to which she was soon fully exposed when she had made a short distance from the beach off which she had been anchored.

ashore

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

From this reading On the top of them he had placed a plank, used for rolling barrels or other freight ashore, which bore equally on all the boards.

barrels

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

From this reading On the top of them he had placed a plank, used for rolling barrels or other freight ashore, which bore equally on all the boards.

beach

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

From this reading The La Motte, under a reefed mainsail and a single jib, worked very well in the heavy sea to which she was soon fully exposed when she had made a short distance from the beach off which she had been anchored.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The La Motte, under a reefed mainsail and a single jib, worked very well in the heavy sea to which she was soon fully exposed when she had made a short distance from the beach off which she had been anchored.

boards

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

From this reading Mr. Jepson had found some boards under the fore-scuttle in the forecastle, with which he had covered the hatches.

bore

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

From this reading On the top of them he had placed a plank, used for rolling barrels or other freight ashore, which bore equally on all the boards.

covered

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

From this reading Mr. Jepson had found some boards under the fore-scuttle in the forecastle, with which he had covered the hatches.

distance

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

From this reading The La Motte, under a reefed mainsail and a single jib, worked very well in the heavy sea to which she was soon fully exposed when she had made a short distance from the beach off which she had been anchored.

equallynounUS /ˈequally/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading On the top of them he had placed a plank, used for rolling barrels or other freight ashore, which bore equally on all the boards.

exposedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspəʊzd/

left open to danger or view left open to danger or public view

From this reading The La Motte, under a reefed mainsail and a single jib, worked very well in the heavy sea to which she was soon fully exposed when she had made a short distance from the beach off which she had been anchored.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading On the top of them he had placed a plank, used for rolling barrels or other freight ashore, which bore equally on all the boards.

fore-scuttle

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

From this reading Mr. Jepson had found some boards under the fore-scuttle in the forecastle, with which he had covered the hatches.

forecastlenounUS /ˈforecastle/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading Mr. Jepson had found some boards under the fore-scuttle in the forecastle, with which he had covered the hatches.

foundnounUS /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Mr. Jepson had found some boards under the fore-scuttle in the forecastle, with which he had covered the hatches.

freight

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

From this reading On the top of them he had placed a plank, used for rolling barrels or other freight ashore, which bore equally on all the boards.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The La Motte, under a reefed mainsail and a single jib, worked very well in the heavy sea to which she was soon fully exposed when she had made a short distance from the beach off which she had been anchored.

fully

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

From this reading The La Motte, under a reefed mainsail and a single jib, worked very well in the heavy sea to which she was soon fully exposed when she had made a short distance from the beach off which she had been anchored.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading The La Motte, under a reefed mainsail and a single jib, worked very well in the heavy sea to which she was soon fully exposed when she had made a short distance from the beach off which she had been anchored.

handspike

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

From this reading Then with a handspike he worked the spare anchor upon this plank.

hatchesnounUS /ˈhatches/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading Mr. Jepson had found some boards under the fore-scuttle in the forecastle, with which he had covered the hatches.

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Mr. Jepson had found some boards under the fore-scuttle in the forecastle, with which he had covered the hatches.

heavy

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

From this reading The La Motte, under a reefed mainsail and a single jib, worked very well in the heavy sea to which she was soon fully exposed when she had made a short distance from the beach off which she had been anchored.

HOLD

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

From this reading OPERATIONS IN THE HOLD OF THE LA MOTTE.

INprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading OPERATIONS IN THE HOLD OF THE LA MOTTE.

Jepson

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

From this reading Mr. Jepson had found some boards under the fore-scuttle in the forecastle, with which he had covered the hatches.

jib

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

From this reading The La Motte, under a reefed mainsail and a single jib, worked very well in the heavy sea to which she was soon fully exposed when she had made a short distance from the beach off which she had been anchored.

LA

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

From this reading OPERATIONS IN THE HOLD OF THE LA MOTTE.

made

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

From this reading The La Motte, under a reefed mainsail and a single jib, worked very well in the heavy sea to which she was soon fully exposed when she had made a short distance from the beach off which she had been anchored.

mainsail

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

From this reading The La Motte, under a reefed mainsail and a single jib, worked very well in the heavy sea to which she was soon fully exposed when she had made a short distance from the beach off which she had been anchored.

MOTTE

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

From this reading OPERATIONS IN THE HOLD OF THE LA MOTTE.

Mr

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

From this reading Mr. Jepson had found some boards under the fore-scuttle in the forecastle, with which he had covered the hatches.

OFprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading OPERATIONS IN THE HOLD OF THE LA MOTTE.

off

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

From this reading The La Motte, under a reefed mainsail and a single jib, worked very well in the heavy sea to which she was soon fully exposed when she had made a short distance from the beach off which she had been anchored.

OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On the top of them he had placed a plank, used for rolling barrels or other freight ashore, which bore equally on all the boards.

OPERATIONS

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

From this reading OPERATIONS IN THE HOLD OF THE LA MOTTE.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading On the top of them he had placed a plank, used for rolling barrels or other freight ashore, which bore equally on all the boards.

other

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

From this reading On the top of them he had placed a plank, used for rolling barrels or other freight ashore, which bore equally on all the boards.

placed

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

From this reading On the top of them he had placed a plank, used for rolling barrels or other freight ashore, which bore equally on all the boards.

plank

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

From this reading On the top of them he had placed a plank, used for rolling barrels or other freight ashore, which bore equally on all the boards.

reefed

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

From this reading The La Motte, under a reefed mainsail and a single jib, worked very well in the heavy sea to which she was soon fully exposed when she had made a short distance from the beach off which she had been anchored.

rolling

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

From this reading On the top of them he had placed a plank, used for rolling barrels or other freight ashore, which bore equally on all the boards.

sea

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

From this reading The La Motte, under a reefed mainsail and a single jib, worked very well in the heavy sea to which she was soon fully exposed when she had made a short distance from the beach off which she had been anchored.

shepronounUS /ʃiː/

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

From this reading The La Motte, under a reefed mainsail and a single jib, worked very well in the heavy sea to which she was soon fully exposed when she had made a short distance from the beach off which she had been anchored.

shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/

brief or direct in expression

From this reading The La Motte, under a reefed mainsail and a single jib, worked very well in the heavy sea to which she was soon fully exposed when she had made a short distance from the beach off which she had been anchored.

single

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

From this reading The La Motte, under a reefed mainsail and a single jib, worked very well in the heavy sea to which she was soon fully exposed when she had made a short distance from the beach off which she had been anchored.

some

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

From this reading Mr. Jepson had found some boards under the fore-scuttle in the forecastle, with which he had covered the hatches.

soon

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

From this reading The La Motte, under a reefed mainsail and a single jib, worked very well in the heavy sea to which she was soon fully exposed when she had made a short distance from the beach off which she had been anchored.

spare

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

From this reading Then with a handspike he worked the spare anchor upon this plank.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading OPERATIONS IN THE HOLD OF THE LA MOTTE.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading On the top of them he had placed a plank, used for rolling barrels or other freight ashore, which bore equally on all the boards.

Then

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

From this reading Then with a handspike he worked the spare anchor upon this plank.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

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

From this reading Then with a handspike he worked the spare anchor upon this plank.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading The La Motte, under a reefed mainsail and a single jib, worked very well in the heavy sea to which she was soon fully exposed when she had made a short distance from the beach off which she had been anchored.

top

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

From this reading On the top of them he had placed a plank, used for rolling barrels or other freight ashore, which bore equally on all the boards.

underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/

below or beneath something; less than

From this reading The La Motte, under a reefed mainsail and a single jib, worked very well in the heavy sea to which she was soon fully exposed when she had made a short distance from the beach off which she had been anchored.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading Then with a handspike he worked the spare anchor upon this plank.

used

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

From this reading On the top of them he had placed a plank, used for rolling barrels or other freight ashore, which bore equally on all the boards.

very

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

From this reading The La Motte, under a reefed mainsail and a single jib, worked very well in the heavy sea to which she was soon fully exposed when she had made a short distance from the beach off which she had been anchored.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The La Motte, under a reefed mainsail and a single jib, worked very well in the heavy sea to which she was soon fully exposed when she had made a short distance from the beach off which she had been anchored.

well

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

From this reading The La Motte, under a reefed mainsail and a single jib, worked very well in the heavy sea to which she was soon fully exposed when she had made a short distance from the beach off which she had been anchored.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading The La Motte, under a reefed mainsail and a single jib, worked very well in the heavy sea to which she was soon fully exposed when she had made a short distance from the beach off which she had been anchored.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading The La Motte, under a reefed mainsail and a single jib, worked very well in the heavy sea to which she was soon fully exposed when she had made a short distance from the beach off which she had been anchored.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Mr. Jepson had found some boards under the fore-scuttle in the forecastle, with which he had covered the hatches.

worked

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

From this reading The La Motte, under a reefed mainsail and a single jib, worked very well in the heavy sea to which she was soon fully exposed when she had made a short distance from the beach off which she had been anchored.