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adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading I must now run back a little, and tell of my first going aloft at middle watch, when the sea was quite calm, and the breeze was mild.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading But I have heard that some ships carry still smaller sails, above the skysail; called _moon-sails,_ and _skyscrapers,_ and _cloud-rakers._ But I shall not believe in them till I see them; a _skysail_ seems high enough in all conscience; and the idea of any thing higher than that, seems preposterous.
all
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From this reading But I have heard that some ships carry still smaller sails, above the skysail; called _moon-sails,_ and _skyscrapers,_ and _cloud-rakers._ But I shall not believe in them till I see them; a _skysail_ seems high enough in all conscience; and the idea of any thing higher than that, seems preposterous.
almost
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From this reading Besides, it looks almost like tempting heaven, to brush the very firmament so, and almost put the eyes of the stars out; when a flaw of wind, too, might very soon take the conceit out of these cloud-defying _cloud-rakers._ Now, when the order was passed to loose the skysail, an old Dutch sailor came up to me, and said, “Buttons, my boy, it’s high time you be doing something; and it’s boy’s business, Buttons, to loose de royals, and not old men’s business, like me.
aloft
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From this reading I must now run back a little, and tell of my first going aloft at middle watch, when the sea was quite calm, and the breeze was mild.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Besides, it looks almost like tempting heaven, to brush the very firmament so, and almost put the eyes of the stars out; when a flaw of wind, too, might very soon take the conceit out of these cloud-defying _cloud-rakers._ Now, when the order was passed to loose the skysail, an old Dutch sailor came up to me, and said, “Buttons, my boy, it’s high time you be doing something; and it’s boy’s business, Buttons, to loose de royals, and not old men’s business, like me.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading I must now run back a little, and tell of my first going aloft at middle watch, when the sea was quite calm, and the breeze was mild.
any
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From this reading But I have heard that some ships carry still smaller sails, above the skysail; called _moon-sails,_ and _skyscrapers,_ and _cloud-rakers._ But I shall not believe in them till I see them; a _skysail_ seems high enough in all conscience; and the idea of any thing higher than that, seems preposterous.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading I must now run back a little, and tell of my first going aloft at middle watch, when the sea was quite calm, and the breeze was mild.
back
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From this reading I must now run back a little, and tell of my first going aloft at middle watch, when the sea was quite calm, and the breeze was mild.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Besides, it looks almost like tempting heaven, to brush the very firmament so, and almost put the eyes of the stars out; when a flaw of wind, too, might very soon take the conceit out of these cloud-defying _cloud-rakers._ Now, when the order was passed to loose the skysail, an old Dutch sailor came up to me, and said, “Buttons, my boy, it’s high time you be doing something; and it’s boy’s business, Buttons, to loose de royals, and not old men’s business, like me.
believenounUS /ˈbelieve/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading But I have heard that some ships carry still smaller sails, above the skysail; called _moon-sails,_ and _skyscrapers,_ and _cloud-rakers._ But I shall not believe in them till I see them; a _skysail_ seems high enough in all conscience; and the idea of any thing higher than that, seems preposterous.
BesidesprepositionUS /bɪˈsaɪdz/
in addition to; as well as
From this reading Besides, it looks almost like tempting heaven, to brush the very firmament so, and almost put the eyes of the stars out; when a flaw of wind, too, might very soon take the conceit out of these cloud-defying _cloud-rakers._ Now, when the order was passed to loose the skysail, an old Dutch sailor came up to me, and said, “Buttons, my boy, it’s high time you be doing something; and it’s boy’s business, Buttons, to loose de royals, and not old men’s business, like me.
bigger
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a very small sail, and from the forecastle looked no bigger than a cambric pocket-handkerchief.
boy
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From this reading Besides, it looks almost like tempting heaven, to brush the very firmament so, and almost put the eyes of the stars out; when a flaw of wind, too, might very soon take the conceit out of these cloud-defying _cloud-rakers._ Now, when the order was passed to loose the skysail, an old Dutch sailor came up to me, and said, “Buttons, my boy, it’s high time you be doing something; and it’s boy’s business, Buttons, to loose de royals, and not old men’s business, like me.
boy's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Besides, it looks almost like tempting heaven, to brush the very firmament so, and almost put the eyes of the stars out; when a flaw of wind, too, might very soon take the conceit out of these cloud-defying _cloud-rakers._ Now, when the order was passed to loose the skysail, an old Dutch sailor came up to me, and said, “Buttons, my boy, it’s high time you be doing something; and it’s boy’s business, Buttons, to loose de royals, and not old men’s business, like me.
breeze
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I must now run back a little, and tell of my first going aloft at middle watch, when the sea was quite calm, and the breeze was mild.
brush
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Besides, it looks almost like tempting heaven, to brush the very firmament so, and almost put the eyes of the stars out; when a flaw of wind, too, might very soon take the conceit out of these cloud-defying _cloud-rakers._ Now, when the order was passed to loose the skysail, an old Dutch sailor came up to me, and said, “Buttons, my boy, it’s high time you be doing something; and it’s boy’s business, Buttons, to loose de royals, and not old men’s business, like me.
business
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Besides, it looks almost like tempting heaven, to brush the very firmament so, and almost put the eyes of the stars out; when a flaw of wind, too, might very soon take the conceit out of these cloud-defying _cloud-rakers._ Now, when the order was passed to loose the skysail, an old Dutch sailor came up to me, and said, “Buttons, my boy, it’s high time you be doing something; and it’s boy’s business, Buttons, to loose de royals, and not old men’s business, like me.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But I have heard that some ships carry still smaller sails, above the skysail; called _moon-sails,_ and _skyscrapers,_ and _cloud-rakers._ But I shall not believe in them till I see them; a _skysail_ seems high enough in all conscience; and the idea of any thing higher than that, seems preposterous.
Buttons
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From this reading Besides, it looks almost like tempting heaven, to brush the very firmament so, and almost put the eyes of the stars out; when a flaw of wind, too, might very soon take the conceit out of these cloud-defying _cloud-rakers._ Now, when the order was passed to loose the skysail, an old Dutch sailor came up to me, and said, “Buttons, my boy, it’s high time you be doing something; and it’s boy’s business, Buttons, to loose de royals, and not old men’s business, like me.
called
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But I have heard that some ships carry still smaller sails, above the skysail; called _moon-sails,_ and _skyscrapers,_ and _cloud-rakers._ But I shall not believe in them till I see them; a _skysail_ seems high enough in all conscience; and the idea of any thing higher than that, seems preposterous.
calm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I must now run back a little, and tell of my first going aloft at middle watch, when the sea was quite calm, and the breeze was mild.
cambric
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From this reading It was a very small sail, and from the forecastle looked no bigger than a cambric pocket-handkerchief.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Besides, it looks almost like tempting heaven, to brush the very firmament so, and almost put the eyes of the stars out; when a flaw of wind, too, might very soon take the conceit out of these cloud-defying _cloud-rakers._ Now, when the order was passed to loose the skysail, an old Dutch sailor came up to me, and said, “Buttons, my boy, it’s high time you be doing something; and it’s boy’s business, Buttons, to loose de royals, and not old men’s business, like me.
carry
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But I have heard that some ships carry still smaller sails, above the skysail; called _moon-sails,_ and _skyscrapers,_ and _cloud-rakers._ But I shall not believe in them till I see them; a _skysail_ seems high enough in all conscience; and the idea of any thing higher than that, seems preposterous.
cloud-defying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Besides, it looks almost like tempting heaven, to brush the very firmament so, and almost put the eyes of the stars out; when a flaw of wind, too, might very soon take the conceit out of these cloud-defying _cloud-rakers._ Now, when the order was passed to loose the skysail, an old Dutch sailor came up to me, and said, “Buttons, my boy, it’s high time you be doing something; and it’s boy’s business, Buttons, to loose de royals, and not old men’s business, like me.
cloud-rakers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But I have heard that some ships carry still smaller sails, above the skysail; called _moon-sails,_ and _skyscrapers,_ and _cloud-rakers._ But I shall not believe in them till I see them; a _skysail_ seems high enough in all conscience; and the idea of any thing higher than that, seems preposterous.
conceit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Besides, it looks almost like tempting heaven, to brush the very firmament so, and almost put the eyes of the stars out; when a flaw of wind, too, might very soon take the conceit out of these cloud-defying _cloud-rakers._ Now, when the order was passed to loose the skysail, an old Dutch sailor came up to me, and said, “Buttons, my boy, it’s high time you be doing something; and it’s boy’s business, Buttons, to loose de royals, and not old men’s business, like me.
consciencenounUS /ˈkɑːnʃəns/
the inner sense of right and wrong
From this reading But I have heard that some ships carry still smaller sails, above the skysail; called _moon-sails,_ and _skyscrapers,_ and _cloud-rakers._ But I shall not believe in them till I see them; a _skysail_ seems high enough in all conscience; and the idea of any thing higher than that, seems preposterous.
de
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Besides, it looks almost like tempting heaven, to brush the very firmament so, and almost put the eyes of the stars out; when a flaw of wind, too, might very soon take the conceit out of these cloud-defying _cloud-rakers._ Now, when the order was passed to loose the skysail, an old Dutch sailor came up to me, and said, “Buttons, my boy, it’s high time you be doing something; and it’s boy’s business, Buttons, to loose de royals, and not old men’s business, like me.
deck
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From this reading The order was given to loose the _main-skysail,_ which is the fifth and highest sail from deck.
doing
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From this reading Besides, it looks almost like tempting heaven, to brush the very firmament so, and almost put the eyes of the stars out; when a flaw of wind, too, might very soon take the conceit out of these cloud-defying _cloud-rakers._ Now, when the order was passed to loose the skysail, an old Dutch sailor came up to me, and said, “Buttons, my boy, it’s high time you be doing something; and it’s boy’s business, Buttons, to loose de royals, and not old men’s business, like me.
Dutch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Besides, it looks almost like tempting heaven, to brush the very firmament so, and almost put the eyes of the stars out; when a flaw of wind, too, might very soon take the conceit out of these cloud-defying _cloud-rakers._ Now, when the order was passed to loose the skysail, an old Dutch sailor came up to me, and said, “Buttons, my boy, it’s high time you be doing something; and it’s boy’s business, Buttons, to loose de royals, and not old men’s business, like me.
enough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But I have heard that some ships carry still smaller sails, above the skysail; called _moon-sails,_ and _skyscrapers,_ and _cloud-rakers._ But I shall not believe in them till I see them; a _skysail_ seems high enough in all conscience; and the idea of any thing higher than that, seems preposterous.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Besides, it looks almost like tempting heaven, to brush the very firmament so, and almost put the eyes of the stars out; when a flaw of wind, too, might very soon take the conceit out of these cloud-defying _cloud-rakers._ Now, when the order was passed to loose the skysail, an old Dutch sailor came up to me, and said, “Buttons, my boy, it’s high time you be doing something; and it’s boy’s business, Buttons, to loose de royals, and not old men’s business, like me.
fifth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The order was given to loose the _main-skysail,_ which is the fifth and highest sail from deck.
firmament
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Besides, it looks almost like tempting heaven, to brush the very firmament so, and almost put the eyes of the stars out; when a flaw of wind, too, might very soon take the conceit out of these cloud-defying _cloud-rakers._ Now, when the order was passed to loose the skysail, an old Dutch sailor came up to me, and said, “Buttons, my boy, it’s high time you be doing something; and it’s boy’s business, Buttons, to loose de royals, and not old men’s business, like me.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I must now run back a little, and tell of my first going aloft at middle watch, when the sea was quite calm, and the breeze was mild.
flaw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Besides, it looks almost like tempting heaven, to brush the very firmament so, and almost put the eyes of the stars out; when a flaw of wind, too, might very soon take the conceit out of these cloud-defying _cloud-rakers._ Now, when the order was passed to loose the skysail, an old Dutch sailor came up to me, and said, “Buttons, my boy, it’s high time you be doing something; and it’s boy’s business, Buttons, to loose de royals, and not old men’s business, like me.
forecastlenounUS /ˈforecastle/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading It was a very small sail, and from the forecastle looked no bigger than a cambric pocket-handkerchief.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The order was given to loose the _main-skysail,_ which is the fifth and highest sail from deck.
given
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From this reading The order was given to loose the _main-skysail,_ which is the fifth and highest sail from deck.
going
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From this reading I must now run back a little, and tell of my first going aloft at middle watch, when the sea was quite calm, and the breeze was mild.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading But I have heard that some ships carry still smaller sails, above the skysail; called _moon-sails,_ and _skyscrapers,_ and _cloud-rakers._ But I shall not believe in them till I see them; a _skysail_ seems high enough in all conscience; and the idea of any thing higher than that, seems preposterous.
heard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But I have heard that some ships carry still smaller sails, above the skysail; called _moon-sails,_ and _skyscrapers,_ and _cloud-rakers._ But I shall not believe in them till I see them; a _skysail_ seems high enough in all conscience; and the idea of any thing higher than that, seems preposterous.
heaven
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Besides, it looks almost like tempting heaven, to brush the very firmament so, and almost put the eyes of the stars out; when a flaw of wind, too, might very soon take the conceit out of these cloud-defying _cloud-rakers._ Now, when the order was passed to loose the skysail, an old Dutch sailor came up to me, and said, “Buttons, my boy, it’s high time you be doing something; and it’s boy’s business, Buttons, to loose de royals, and not old men’s business, like me.
high
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But I have heard that some ships carry still smaller sails, above the skysail; called _moon-sails,_ and _skyscrapers,_ and _cloud-rakers._ But I shall not believe in them till I see them; a _skysail_ seems high enough in all conscience; and the idea of any thing higher than that, seems preposterous.
higher
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But I have heard that some ships carry still smaller sails, above the skysail; called _moon-sails,_ and _skyscrapers,_ and _cloud-rakers._ But I shall not believe in them till I see them; a _skysail_ seems high enough in all conscience; and the idea of any thing higher than that, seems preposterous.
highest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The order was given to loose the _main-skysail,_ which is the fifth and highest sail from deck.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I must now run back a little, and tell of my first going aloft at middle watch, when the sea was quite calm, and the breeze was mild.
idea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But I have heard that some ships carry still smaller sails, above the skysail; called _moon-sails,_ and _skyscrapers,_ and _cloud-rakers._ But I shall not believe in them till I see them; a _skysail_ seems high enough in all conscience; and the idea of any thing higher than that, seems preposterous.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But I have heard that some ships carry still smaller sails, above the skysail; called _moon-sails,_ and _skyscrapers,_ and _cloud-rakers._ But I shall not believe in them till I see them; a _skysail_ seems high enough in all conscience; and the idea of any thing higher than that, seems preposterous.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The order was given to loose the _main-skysail,_ which is the fifth and highest sail from deck.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a very small sail, and from the forecastle looked no bigger than a cambric pocket-handkerchief.
it's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Besides, it looks almost like tempting heaven, to brush the very firmament so, and almost put the eyes of the stars out; when a flaw of wind, too, might very soon take the conceit out of these cloud-defying _cloud-rakers._ Now, when the order was passed to loose the skysail, an old Dutch sailor came up to me, and said, “Buttons, my boy, it’s high time you be doing something; and it’s boy’s business, Buttons, to loose de royals, and not old men’s business, like me.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Besides, it looks almost like tempting heaven, to brush the very firmament so, and almost put the eyes of the stars out; when a flaw of wind, too, might very soon take the conceit out of these cloud-defying _cloud-rakers._ Now, when the order was passed to loose the skysail, an old Dutch sailor came up to me, and said, “Buttons, my boy, it’s high time you be doing something; and it’s boy’s business, Buttons, to loose de royals, and not old men’s business, like me.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I must now run back a little, and tell of my first going aloft at middle watch, when the sea was quite calm, and the breeze was mild.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was a very small sail, and from the forecastle looked no bigger than a cambric pocket-handkerchief.
looks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Besides, it looks almost like tempting heaven, to brush the very firmament so, and almost put the eyes of the stars out; when a flaw of wind, too, might very soon take the conceit out of these cloud-defying _cloud-rakers._ Now, when the order was passed to loose the skysail, an old Dutch sailor came up to me, and said, “Buttons, my boy, it’s high time you be doing something; and it’s boy’s business, Buttons, to loose de royals, and not old men’s business, like me.
loose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The order was given to loose the _main-skysail,_ which is the fifth and highest sail from deck.
main-skysail
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The order was given to loose the _main-skysail,_ which is the fifth and highest sail from deck.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Besides, it looks almost like tempting heaven, to brush the very firmament so, and almost put the eyes of the stars out; when a flaw of wind, too, might very soon take the conceit out of these cloud-defying _cloud-rakers._ Now, when the order was passed to loose the skysail, an old Dutch sailor came up to me, and said, “Buttons, my boy, it’s high time you be doing something; and it’s boy’s business, Buttons, to loose de royals, and not old men’s business, like me.
men's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Besides, it looks almost like tempting heaven, to brush the very firmament so, and almost put the eyes of the stars out; when a flaw of wind, too, might very soon take the conceit out of these cloud-defying _cloud-rakers._ Now, when the order was passed to loose the skysail, an old Dutch sailor came up to me, and said, “Buttons, my boy, it’s high time you be doing something; and it’s boy’s business, Buttons, to loose de royals, and not old men’s business, like me.
middle
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From this reading I must now run back a little, and tell of my first going aloft at middle watch, when the sea was quite calm, and the breeze was mild.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Besides, it looks almost like tempting heaven, to brush the very firmament so, and almost put the eyes of the stars out; when a flaw of wind, too, might very soon take the conceit out of these cloud-defying _cloud-rakers._ Now, when the order was passed to loose the skysail, an old Dutch sailor came up to me, and said, “Buttons, my boy, it’s high time you be doing something; and it’s boy’s business, Buttons, to loose de royals, and not old men’s business, like me.
mild
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I must now run back a little, and tell of my first going aloft at middle watch, when the sea was quite calm, and the breeze was mild.
moon-sails
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From this reading But I have heard that some ships carry still smaller sails, above the skysail; called _moon-sails,_ and _skyscrapers,_ and _cloud-rakers._ But I shall not believe in them till I see them; a _skysail_ seems high enough in all conscience; and the idea of any thing higher than that, seems preposterous.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading I must now run back a little, and tell of my first going aloft at middle watch, when the sea was quite calm, and the breeze was mild.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading I must now run back a little, and tell of my first going aloft at middle watch, when the sea was quite calm, and the breeze was mild.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading It was a very small sail, and from the forecastle looked no bigger than a cambric pocket-handkerchief.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But I have heard that some ships carry still smaller sails, above the skysail; called _moon-sails,_ and _skyscrapers,_ and _cloud-rakers._ But I shall not believe in them till I see them; a _skysail_ seems high enough in all conscience; and the idea of any thing higher than that, seems preposterous.
now
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From this reading I must now run back a little, and tell of my first going aloft at middle watch, when the sea was quite calm, and the breeze was mild.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading I must now run back a little, and tell of my first going aloft at middle watch, when the sea was quite calm, and the breeze was mild.
old
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Besides, it looks almost like tempting heaven, to brush the very firmament so, and almost put the eyes of the stars out; when a flaw of wind, too, might very soon take the conceit out of these cloud-defying _cloud-rakers._ Now, when the order was passed to loose the skysail, an old Dutch sailor came up to me, and said, “Buttons, my boy, it’s high time you be doing something; and it’s boy’s business, Buttons, to loose de royals, and not old men’s business, like me.
ordernounUS /order/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The order was given to loose the _main-skysail,_ which is the fifth and highest sail from deck.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Besides, it looks almost like tempting heaven, to brush the very firmament so, and almost put the eyes of the stars out; when a flaw of wind, too, might very soon take the conceit out of these cloud-defying _cloud-rakers._ Now, when the order was passed to loose the skysail, an old Dutch sailor came up to me, and said, “Buttons, my boy, it’s high time you be doing something; and it’s boy’s business, Buttons, to loose de royals, and not old men’s business, like me.
passednounUS /passed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Besides, it looks almost like tempting heaven, to brush the very firmament so, and almost put the eyes of the stars out; when a flaw of wind, too, might very soon take the conceit out of these cloud-defying _cloud-rakers._ Now, when the order was passed to loose the skysail, an old Dutch sailor came up to me, and said, “Buttons, my boy, it’s high time you be doing something; and it’s boy’s business, Buttons, to loose de royals, and not old men’s business, like me.
pocket-handkerchief
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a very small sail, and from the forecastle looked no bigger than a cambric pocket-handkerchief.
preposterous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But I have heard that some ships carry still smaller sails, above the skysail; called _moon-sails,_ and _skyscrapers,_ and _cloud-rakers._ But I shall not believe in them till I see them; a _skysail_ seems high enough in all conscience; and the idea of any thing higher than that, seems preposterous.
put
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Besides, it looks almost like tempting heaven, to brush the very firmament so, and almost put the eyes of the stars out; when a flaw of wind, too, might very soon take the conceit out of these cloud-defying _cloud-rakers._ Now, when the order was passed to loose the skysail, an old Dutch sailor came up to me, and said, “Buttons, my boy, it’s high time you be doing something; and it’s boy’s business, Buttons, to loose de royals, and not old men’s business, like me.
quitenounUS /quite/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I must now run back a little, and tell of my first going aloft at middle watch, when the sea was quite calm, and the breeze was mild.
royals
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Besides, it looks almost like tempting heaven, to brush the very firmament so, and almost put the eyes of the stars out; when a flaw of wind, too, might very soon take the conceit out of these cloud-defying _cloud-rakers._ Now, when the order was passed to loose the skysail, an old Dutch sailor came up to me, and said, “Buttons, my boy, it’s high time you be doing something; and it’s boy’s business, Buttons, to loose de royals, and not old men’s business, like me.
run
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I must now run back a little, and tell of my first going aloft at middle watch, when the sea was quite calm, and the breeze was mild.
said
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Besides, it looks almost like tempting heaven, to brush the very firmament so, and almost put the eyes of the stars out; when a flaw of wind, too, might very soon take the conceit out of these cloud-defying _cloud-rakers._ Now, when the order was passed to loose the skysail, an old Dutch sailor came up to me, and said, “Buttons, my boy, it’s high time you be doing something; and it’s boy’s business, Buttons, to loose de royals, and not old men’s business, like me.
sailnounUS /sail/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The order was given to loose the _main-skysail,_ which is the fifth and highest sail from deck.
sailor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Besides, it looks almost like tempting heaven, to brush the very firmament so, and almost put the eyes of the stars out; when a flaw of wind, too, might very soon take the conceit out of these cloud-defying _cloud-rakers._ Now, when the order was passed to loose the skysail, an old Dutch sailor came up to me, and said, “Buttons, my boy, it’s high time you be doing something; and it’s boy’s business, Buttons, to loose de royals, and not old men’s business, like me.
sails
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But I have heard that some ships carry still smaller sails, above the skysail; called _moon-sails,_ and _skyscrapers,_ and _cloud-rakers._ But I shall not believe in them till I see them; a _skysail_ seems high enough in all conscience; and the idea of any thing higher than that, seems preposterous.
sea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I must now run back a little, and tell of my first going aloft at middle watch, when the sea was quite calm, and the breeze was mild.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But I have heard that some ships carry still smaller sails, above the skysail; called _moon-sails,_ and _skyscrapers,_ and _cloud-rakers._ But I shall not believe in them till I see them; a _skysail_ seems high enough in all conscience; and the idea of any thing higher than that, seems preposterous.
seems
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But I have heard that some ships carry still smaller sails, above the skysail; called _moon-sails,_ and _skyscrapers,_ and _cloud-rakers._ But I shall not believe in them till I see them; a _skysail_ seems high enough in all conscience; and the idea of any thing higher than that, seems preposterous.
shallmodal verbUS /ʃæl/
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading But I have heard that some ships carry still smaller sails, above the skysail; called _moon-sails,_ and _skyscrapers,_ and _cloud-rakers._ But I shall not believe in them till I see them; a _skysail_ seems high enough in all conscience; and the idea of any thing higher than that, seems preposterous.
ships
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But I have heard that some ships carry still smaller sails, above the skysail; called _moon-sails,_ and _skyscrapers,_ and _cloud-rakers._ But I shall not believe in them till I see them; a _skysail_ seems high enough in all conscience; and the idea of any thing higher than that, seems preposterous.
skysail
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But I have heard that some ships carry still smaller sails, above the skysail; called _moon-sails,_ and _skyscrapers,_ and _cloud-rakers._ But I shall not believe in them till I see them; a _skysail_ seems high enough in all conscience; and the idea of any thing higher than that, seems preposterous.
skyscrapers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But I have heard that some ships carry still smaller sails, above the skysail; called _moon-sails,_ and _skyscrapers,_ and _cloud-rakers._ But I shall not believe in them till I see them; a _skysail_ seems high enough in all conscience; and the idea of any thing higher than that, seems preposterous.
small
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a very small sail, and from the forecastle looked no bigger than a cambric pocket-handkerchief.
smaller
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But I have heard that some ships carry still smaller sails, above the skysail; called _moon-sails,_ and _skyscrapers,_ and _cloud-rakers._ But I shall not believe in them till I see them; a _skysail_ seems high enough in all conscience; and the idea of any thing higher than that, seems preposterous.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Besides, it looks almost like tempting heaven, to brush the very firmament so, and almost put the eyes of the stars out; when a flaw of wind, too, might very soon take the conceit out of these cloud-defying _cloud-rakers._ Now, when the order was passed to loose the skysail, an old Dutch sailor came up to me, and said, “Buttons, my boy, it’s high time you be doing something; and it’s boy’s business, Buttons, to loose de royals, and not old men’s business, like me.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But I have heard that some ships carry still smaller sails, above the skysail; called _moon-sails,_ and _skyscrapers,_ and _cloud-rakers._ But I shall not believe in them till I see them; a _skysail_ seems high enough in all conscience; and the idea of any thing higher than that, seems preposterous.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Besides, it looks almost like tempting heaven, to brush the very firmament so, and almost put the eyes of the stars out; when a flaw of wind, too, might very soon take the conceit out of these cloud-defying _cloud-rakers._ Now, when the order was passed to loose the skysail, an old Dutch sailor came up to me, and said, “Buttons, my boy, it’s high time you be doing something; and it’s boy’s business, Buttons, to loose de royals, and not old men’s business, like me.
soon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Besides, it looks almost like tempting heaven, to brush the very firmament so, and almost put the eyes of the stars out; when a flaw of wind, too, might very soon take the conceit out of these cloud-defying _cloud-rakers._ Now, when the order was passed to loose the skysail, an old Dutch sailor came up to me, and said, “Buttons, my boy, it’s high time you be doing something; and it’s boy’s business, Buttons, to loose de royals, and not old men’s business, like me.
stars
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Besides, it looks almost like tempting heaven, to brush the very firmament so, and almost put the eyes of the stars out; when a flaw of wind, too, might very soon take the conceit out of these cloud-defying _cloud-rakers._ Now, when the order was passed to loose the skysail, an old Dutch sailor came up to me, and said, “Buttons, my boy, it’s high time you be doing something; and it’s boy’s business, Buttons, to loose de royals, and not old men’s business, like me.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But I have heard that some ships carry still smaller sails, above the skysail; called _moon-sails,_ and _skyscrapers,_ and _cloud-rakers._ But I shall not believe in them till I see them; a _skysail_ seems high enough in all conscience; and the idea of any thing higher than that, seems preposterous.
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Besides, it looks almost like tempting heaven, to brush the very firmament so, and almost put the eyes of the stars out; when a flaw of wind, too, might very soon take the conceit out of these cloud-defying _cloud-rakers._ Now, when the order was passed to loose the skysail, an old Dutch sailor came up to me, and said, “Buttons, my boy, it’s high time you be doing something; and it’s boy’s business, Buttons, to loose de royals, and not old men’s business, like me.
tellnounUS /tell/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading I must now run back a little, and tell of my first going aloft at middle watch, when the sea was quite calm, and the breeze was mild.
tempting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Besides, it looks almost like tempting heaven, to brush the very firmament so, and almost put the eyes of the stars out; when a flaw of wind, too, might very soon take the conceit out of these cloud-defying _cloud-rakers._ Now, when the order was passed to loose the skysail, an old Dutch sailor came up to me, and said, “Buttons, my boy, it’s high time you be doing something; and it’s boy’s business, Buttons, to loose de royals, and not old men’s business, like me.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading It was a very small sail, and from the forecastle looked no bigger than a cambric pocket-handkerchief.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But I have heard that some ships carry still smaller sails, above the skysail; called _moon-sails,_ and _skyscrapers,_ and _cloud-rakers._ But I shall not believe in them till I see them; a _skysail_ seems high enough in all conscience; and the idea of any thing higher than that, seems preposterous.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading I must now run back a little, and tell of my first going aloft at middle watch, when the sea was quite calm, and the breeze was mild.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading But I have heard that some ships carry still smaller sails, above the skysail; called _moon-sails,_ and _skyscrapers,_ and _cloud-rakers._ But I shall not believe in them till I see them; a _skysail_ seems high enough in all conscience; and the idea of any thing higher than that, seems preposterous.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Besides, it looks almost like tempting heaven, to brush the very firmament so, and almost put the eyes of the stars out; when a flaw of wind, too, might very soon take the conceit out of these cloud-defying _cloud-rakers._ Now, when the order was passed to loose the skysail, an old Dutch sailor came up to me, and said, “Buttons, my boy, it’s high time you be doing something; and it’s boy’s business, Buttons, to loose de royals, and not old men’s business, like me.
thingnounUS /thing/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But I have heard that some ships carry still smaller sails, above the skysail; called _moon-sails,_ and _skyscrapers,_ and _cloud-rakers._ But I shall not believe in them till I see them; a _skysail_ seems high enough in all conscience; and the idea of any thing higher than that, seems preposterous.
tillprepositionUS /tɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading But I have heard that some ships carry still smaller sails, above the skysail; called _moon-sails,_ and _skyscrapers,_ and _cloud-rakers._ But I shall not believe in them till I see them; a _skysail_ seems high enough in all conscience; and the idea of any thing higher than that, seems preposterous.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Besides, it looks almost like tempting heaven, to brush the very firmament so, and almost put the eyes of the stars out; when a flaw of wind, too, might very soon take the conceit out of these cloud-defying _cloud-rakers._ Now, when the order was passed to loose the skysail, an old Dutch sailor came up to me, and said, “Buttons, my boy, it’s high time you be doing something; and it’s boy’s business, Buttons, to loose de royals, and not old men’s business, like me.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The order was given to loose the _main-skysail,_ which is the fifth and highest sail from deck.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Besides, it looks almost like tempting heaven, to brush the very firmament so, and almost put the eyes of the stars out; when a flaw of wind, too, might very soon take the conceit out of these cloud-defying _cloud-rakers._ Now, when the order was passed to loose the skysail, an old Dutch sailor came up to me, and said, “Buttons, my boy, it’s high time you be doing something; and it’s boy’s business, Buttons, to loose de royals, and not old men’s business, like me.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Besides, it looks almost like tempting heaven, to brush the very firmament so, and almost put the eyes of the stars out; when a flaw of wind, too, might very soon take the conceit out of these cloud-defying _cloud-rakers._ Now, when the order was passed to loose the skysail, an old Dutch sailor came up to me, and said, “Buttons, my boy, it’s high time you be doing something; and it’s boy’s business, Buttons, to loose de royals, and not old men’s business, like me.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a very small sail, and from the forecastle looked no bigger than a cambric pocket-handkerchief.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading I must now run back a little, and tell of my first going aloft at middle watch, when the sea was quite calm, and the breeze was mild.
watch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I must now run back a little, and tell of my first going aloft at middle watch, when the sea was quite calm, and the breeze was mild.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading I must now run back a little, and tell of my first going aloft at middle watch, when the sea was quite calm, and the breeze was mild.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The order was given to loose the _main-skysail,_ which is the fifth and highest sail from deck.
windnounUS /wind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Besides, it looks almost like tempting heaven, to brush the very firmament so, and almost put the eyes of the stars out; when a flaw of wind, too, might very soon take the conceit out of these cloud-defying _cloud-rakers._ Now, when the order was passed to loose the skysail, an old Dutch sailor came up to me, and said, “Buttons, my boy, it’s high time you be doing something; and it’s boy’s business, Buttons, to loose de royals, and not old men’s business, like me.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Besides, it looks almost like tempting heaven, to brush the very firmament so, and almost put the eyes of the stars out; when a flaw of wind, too, might very soon take the conceit out of these cloud-defying _cloud-rakers._ Now, when the order was passed to loose the skysail, an old Dutch sailor came up to me, and said, “Buttons, my boy, it’s high time you be doing something; and it’s boy’s business, Buttons, to loose de royals, and not old men’s business, like me.
