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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 Thorvald might be stubborn, but he was not a fool.
aimed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now they must paddle back along the inner side of the reef to locate the beaches, for fronting them on this side of the well-protected island were cliffs as formidable as those which guarded the first of the chain at which they had aimed.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading Now they must paddle back along the inner side of the reef to locate the beaches, for fronting them on this side of the well-protected island were cliffs as formidable as those which guarded the first of the chain at which they had aimed.
AndconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading And his training and skill in such maneuvers was proved when the canoe rode in a rising swell in and by those rocks to gain the safety, in seconds, of the calm lagoon.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Now they must paddle back along the inner side of the reef to locate the beaches, for fronting them on this side of the well-protected island were cliffs as formidable as those which guarded the first of the chain at which they had aimed.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Now they must paddle back along the inner side of the reef to locate the beaches, for fronting them on this side of the well-protected island were cliffs as formidable as those which guarded the first of the chain at which they had aimed.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now they must paddle back along the inner side of the reef to locate the beaches, for fronting them on this side of the well-protected island were cliffs as formidable as those which guarded the first of the chain at which they had aimed.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Thorvald might be stubborn, but he was not a fool.
beaches
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From this reading Now they must paddle back along the inner side of the reef to locate the beaches, for fronting them on this side of the well-protected island were cliffs as formidable as those which guarded the first of the chain at which they had aimed.
bed
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From this reading Shann glanced now and then over the side of the boat, hoping in these shallows to sight the sea bed or some of the inhabitants of these waters.
boat
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From this reading Shann glanced now and then over the side of the boat, hoping in these shallows to sight the sea bed or some of the inhabitants of these waters.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Thorvald might be stubborn, but he was not a fool.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading And his training and skill in such maneuvers was proved when the canoe rode in a rising swell in and by those rocks to gain the safety, in seconds, of the calm lagoon.
calm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And his training and skill in such maneuvers was proved when the canoe rode in a rising swell in and by those rocks to gain the safety, in seconds, of the calm lagoon.
canoe
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From this reading And his training and skill in such maneuvers was proved when the canoe rode in a rising swell in and by those rocks to gain the safety, in seconds, of the calm lagoon.
chain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now they must paddle back along the inner side of the reef to locate the beaches, for fronting them on this side of the well-protected island were cliffs as formidable as those which guarded the first of the chain at which they had aimed.
cliffs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now they must paddle back along the inner side of the reef to locate the beaches, for fronting them on this side of the well-protected island were cliffs as formidable as those which guarded the first of the chain at which they had aimed.
comment
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From this reading Shann sighed with relief, but ventured no comment.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Now they must paddle back along the inner side of the reef to locate the beaches, for fronting them on this side of the well-protected island were cliffs as formidable as those which guarded the first of the chain at which they had aimed.
foolnounUS /fool/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Thorvald might be stubborn, but he was not a fool.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Now they must paddle back along the inner side of the reef to locate the beaches, for fronting them on this side of the well-protected island were cliffs as formidable as those which guarded the first of the chain at which they had aimed.
formidableadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrmɪdəbəl/
very difficult to deal with or overcome
From this reading Now they must paddle back along the inner side of the reef to locate the beaches, for fronting them on this side of the well-protected island were cliffs as formidable as those which guarded the first of the chain at which they had aimed.
fronting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now they must paddle back along the inner side of the reef to locate the beaches, for fronting them on this side of the well-protected island were cliffs as formidable as those which guarded the first of the chain at which they had aimed.
gain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And his training and skill in such maneuvers was proved when the canoe rode in a rising swell in and by those rocks to gain the safety, in seconds, of the calm lagoon.
glanced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Shann glanced now and then over the side of the boat, hoping in these shallows to sight the sea bed or some of the inhabitants of these waters.
guarded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now they must paddle back along the inner side of the reef to locate the beaches, for fronting them on this side of the well-protected island were cliffs as formidable as those which guarded the first of the chain at which they had aimed.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Now they must paddle back along the inner side of the reef to locate the beaches, for fronting them on this side of the well-protected island were cliffs as formidable as those which guarded the first of the chain at which they had aimed.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Thorvald might be stubborn, but he was not a fool.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading And his training and skill in such maneuvers was proved when the canoe rode in a rising swell in and by those rocks to gain the safety, in seconds, of the calm lagoon.
hoping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Shann glanced now and then over the side of the boat, hoping in these shallows to sight the sea bed or some of the inhabitants of these waters.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading And his training and skill in such maneuvers was proved when the canoe rode in a rising swell in and by those rocks to gain the safety, in seconds, of the calm lagoon.
inhabitants
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Shann glanced now and then over the side of the boat, hoping in these shallows to sight the sea bed or some of the inhabitants of these waters.
inner
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now they must paddle back along the inner side of the reef to locate the beaches, for fronting them on this side of the well-protected island were cliffs as formidable as those which guarded the first of the chain at which they had aimed.
island
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now they must paddle back along the inner side of the reef to locate the beaches, for fronting them on this side of the well-protected island were cliffs as formidable as those which guarded the first of the chain at which they had aimed.
lagoon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And his training and skill in such maneuvers was proved when the canoe rode in a rising swell in and by those rocks to gain the safety, in seconds, of the calm lagoon.
locate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now they must paddle back along the inner side of the reef to locate the beaches, for fronting them on this side of the well-protected island were cliffs as formidable as those which guarded the first of the chain at which they had aimed.
maneuvers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And his training and skill in such maneuvers was proved when the canoe rode in a rising swell in and by those rocks to gain the safety, in seconds, of the calm lagoon.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Thorvald might be stubborn, but he was not a fool.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Now they must paddle back along the inner side of the reef to locate the beaches, for fronting them on this side of the well-protected island were cliffs as formidable as those which guarded the first of the chain at which they had aimed.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading Shann sighed with relief, but ventured no comment.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Thorvald might be stubborn, but he was not a fool.
Now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now they must paddle back along the inner side of the reef to locate the beaches, for fronting them on this side of the well-protected island were cliffs as formidable as those which guarded the first of the chain at which they had aimed.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading And his training and skill in such maneuvers was proved when the canoe rode in a rising swell in and by those rocks to gain the safety, in seconds, of the calm lagoon.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Now they must paddle back along the inner side of the reef to locate the beaches, for fronting them on this side of the well-protected island were cliffs as formidable as those which guarded the first of the chain at which they had aimed.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Shann glanced now and then over the side of the boat, hoping in these shallows to sight the sea bed or some of the inhabitants of these waters.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Shann glanced now and then over the side of the boat, hoping in these shallows to sight the sea bed or some of the inhabitants of these waters.
paddle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now they must paddle back along the inner side of the reef to locate the beaches, for fronting them on this side of the well-protected island were cliffs as formidable as those which guarded the first of the chain at which they had aimed.
proved
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And his training and skill in such maneuvers was proved when the canoe rode in a rising swell in and by those rocks to gain the safety, in seconds, of the calm lagoon.
reef
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now they must paddle back along the inner side of the reef to locate the beaches, for fronting them on this side of the well-protected island were cliffs as formidable as those which guarded the first of the chain at which they had aimed.
reliefnounUS /rɪˈliːf/
a feeling of comfort after worry or pain
From this reading Shann sighed with relief, but ventured no comment.
rising
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And his training and skill in such maneuvers was proved when the canoe rode in a rising swell in and by those rocks to gain the safety, in seconds, of the calm lagoon.
rocks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And his training and skill in such maneuvers was proved when the canoe rode in a rising swell in and by those rocks to gain the safety, in seconds, of the calm lagoon.
rode
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And his training and skill in such maneuvers was proved when the canoe rode in a rising swell in and by those rocks to gain the safety, in seconds, of the calm lagoon.
safety
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And his training and skill in such maneuvers was proved when the canoe rode in a rising swell in and by those rocks to gain the safety, in seconds, of the calm lagoon.
sea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Shann glanced now and then over the side of the boat, hoping in these shallows to sight the sea bed or some of the inhabitants of these waters.
seconds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And his training and skill in such maneuvers was proved when the canoe rode in a rising swell in and by those rocks to gain the safety, in seconds, of the calm lagoon.
shallows
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Shann glanced now and then over the side of the boat, hoping in these shallows to sight the sea bed or some of the inhabitants of these waters.
Shann
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Shann sighed with relief, but ventured no comment.
side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now they must paddle back along the inner side of the reef to locate the beaches, for fronting them on this side of the well-protected island were cliffs as formidable as those which guarded the first of the chain at which they had aimed.
sighed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Shann sighed with relief, but ventured no comment.
sight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Shann glanced now and then over the side of the boat, hoping in these shallows to sight the sea bed or some of the inhabitants of these waters.
skill
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And his training and skill in such maneuvers was proved when the canoe rode in a rising swell in and by those rocks to gain the safety, in seconds, of the calm lagoon.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Shann glanced now and then over the side of the boat, hoping in these shallows to sight the sea bed or some of the inhabitants of these waters.
stubborn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thorvald might be stubborn, but he was not a fool.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading And his training and skill in such maneuvers was proved when the canoe rode in a rising swell in and by those rocks to gain the safety, in seconds, of the calm lagoon.
swell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And his training and skill in such maneuvers was proved when the canoe rode in a rising swell in and by those rocks to gain the safety, in seconds, of the calm lagoon.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading And his training and skill in such maneuvers was proved when the canoe rode in a rising swell in and by those rocks to gain the safety, in seconds, of the calm lagoon.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Now they must paddle back along the inner side of the reef to locate the beaches, for fronting them on this side of the well-protected island were cliffs as formidable as those which guarded the first of the chain at which they had aimed.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Shann glanced now and then over the side of the boat, hoping in these shallows to sight the sea bed or some of the inhabitants of these waters.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Shann glanced now and then over the side of the boat, hoping in these shallows to sight the sea bed or some of the inhabitants of these waters.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Now they must paddle back along the inner side of the reef to locate the beaches, for fronting them on this side of the well-protected island were cliffs as formidable as those which guarded the first of the chain at which they had aimed.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Now they must paddle back along the inner side of the reef to locate the beaches, for fronting them on this side of the well-protected island were cliffs as formidable as those which guarded the first of the chain at which they had aimed.
Thorvald
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thorvald might be stubborn, but he was not a fool.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading And his training and skill in such maneuvers was proved when the canoe rode in a rising swell in and by those rocks to gain the safety, in seconds, of the calm lagoon.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading And his training and skill in such maneuvers was proved when the canoe rode in a rising swell in and by those rocks to gain the safety, in seconds, of the calm lagoon.
training
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And his training and skill in such maneuvers was proved when the canoe rode in a rising swell in and by those rocks to gain the safety, in seconds, of the calm lagoon.
ventured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Shann sighed with relief, but ventured no comment.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Thorvald might be stubborn, but he was not a fool.
waters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Shann glanced now and then over the side of the boat, hoping in these shallows to sight the sea bed or some of the inhabitants of these waters.
well-protected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Now they must paddle back along the inner side of the reef to locate the beaches, for fronting them on this side of the well-protected island were cliffs as formidable as those which guarded the first of the chain at which they had aimed.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Now they must paddle back along the inner side of the reef to locate the beaches, for fronting them on this side of the well-protected island were cliffs as formidable as those which guarded the first of the chain at which they had aimed.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading And his training and skill in such maneuvers was proved when the canoe rode in a rising swell in and by those rocks to gain the safety, in seconds, of the calm lagoon.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Now they must paddle back along the inner side of the reef to locate the beaches, for fronting them on this side of the well-protected island were cliffs as formidable as those which guarded the first of the chain at which they had aimed.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Shann sighed with relief, but ventured no comment.
