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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 BURKE AND HIS CHISEL That night George Burke went off his watch at twelve o'clock, and a few minutes after he had been relieved, he did something he had never done before--he deserted his ship.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading BURKE AND HIS CHISEL That night George Burke went off his watch at twelve o'clock, and a few minutes after he had been relieved, he did something he had never done before--he deserted his ship.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was a very dark night, and he reached the water unseen, and as quietly as if he had been an otter going fishing.
ANDconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading BURKE AND HIS CHISEL That night George Burke went off his watch at twelve o'clock, and a few minutes after he had been relieved, he did something he had never done before--he deserted his ship.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was a very dark night, and he reached the water unseen, and as quietly as if he had been an otter going fishing.
astern
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With his shoes and a little bundle of clothes on his head, he very quietly slipped down a line he had fastened astern.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading BURKE AND HIS CHISEL That night George Burke went off his watch at twelve o'clock, and a few minutes after he had been relieved, he did something he had never done before--he deserted his ship.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading BURKE AND HIS CHISEL That night George Burke went off his watch at twelve o'clock, and a few minutes after he had been relieved, he did something he had never done before--he deserted his ship.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading BURKE AND HIS CHISEL That night George Burke went off his watch at twelve o'clock, and a few minutes after he had been relieved, he did something he had never done before--he deserted his ship.
bundlenounUS /ˈbʌndəl/
a group of things tied or wrapped together
From this reading With his shoes and a little bundle of clothes on his head, he very quietly slipped down a line he had fastened astern.
BURKE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BURKE AND HIS CHISEL That night George Burke went off his watch at twelve o'clock, and a few minutes after he had been relieved, he did something he had never done before--he deserted his ship.
CHISEL
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From this reading BURKE AND HIS CHISEL That night George Burke went off his watch at twelve o'clock, and a few minutes after he had been relieved, he did something he had never done before--he deserted his ship.
clothes
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From this reading With his shoes and a little bundle of clothes on his head, he very quietly slipped down a line he had fastened astern.
cold-chisel
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From this reading As soon as he was on land, he dressed, and then went for a lantern, a hammer, and a cold-chisel, which he had left at a convenient spot.
convenient
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From this reading As soon as he was on land, he dressed, and then went for a lantern, a hammer, and a cold-chisel, which he had left at a convenient spot.
dark
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a very dark night, and he reached the water unseen, and as quietly as if he had been an otter going fishing.
desertedverbUS /dɪˈzɜːrtɪd/
left a place or vessel without intending to return
From this reading BURKE AND HIS CHISEL That night George Burke went off his watch at twelve o'clock, and a few minutes after he had been relieved, he did something he had never done before--he deserted his ship.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading BURKE AND HIS CHISEL That night George Burke went off his watch at twelve o'clock, and a few minutes after he had been relieved, he did something he had never done before--he deserted his ship.
donenounUS /done/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading BURKE AND HIS CHISEL That night George Burke went off his watch at twelve o'clock, and a few minutes after he had been relieved, he did something he had never done before--he deserted his ship.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With his shoes and a little bundle of clothes on his head, he very quietly slipped down a line he had fastened astern.
dressed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as he was on land, he dressed, and then went for a lantern, a hammer, and a cold-chisel, which he had left at a convenient spot.
fastened
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From this reading With his shoes and a little bundle of clothes on his head, he very quietly slipped down a line he had fastened astern.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BURKE AND HIS CHISEL That night George Burke went off his watch at twelve o'clock, and a few minutes after he had been relieved, he did something he had never done before--he deserted his ship.
FirstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading First swimming, and then wading, he reached the shore.
fishing
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From this reading It was a very dark night, and he reached the water unseen, and as quietly as if he had been an otter going fishing.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading As soon as he was on land, he dressed, and then went for a lantern, a hammer, and a cold-chisel, which he had left at a convenient spot.
George
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BURKE AND HIS CHISEL That night George Burke went off his watch at twelve o'clock, and a few minutes after he had been relieved, he did something he had never done before--he deserted his ship.
going
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a very dark night, and he reached the water unseen, and as quietly as if he had been an otter going fishing.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading BURKE AND HIS CHISEL That night George Burke went off his watch at twelve o'clock, and a few minutes after he had been relieved, he did something he had never done before--he deserted his ship.
hammer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as he was on land, he dressed, and then went for a lantern, a hammer, and a cold-chisel, which he had left at a convenient spot.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading BURKE AND HIS CHISEL That night George Burke went off his watch at twelve o'clock, and a few minutes after he had been relieved, he did something he had never done before--he deserted his ship.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With his shoes and a little bundle of clothes on his head, he very quietly slipped down a line he had fastened astern.
HISdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading BURKE AND HIS CHISEL That night George Burke went off his watch at twelve o'clock, and a few minutes after he had been relieved, he did something he had never done before--he deserted his ship.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading It was a very dark night, and he reached the water unseen, and as quietly as if he had been an otter going fishing.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was a very dark night, and he reached the water unseen, and as quietly as if he had been an otter going fishing.
land
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as he was on land, he dressed, and then went for a lantern, a hammer, and a cold-chisel, which he had left at a convenient spot.
lantern
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as he was on land, he dressed, and then went for a lantern, a hammer, and a cold-chisel, which he had left at a convenient spot.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As soon as he was on land, he dressed, and then went for a lantern, a hammer, and a cold-chisel, which he had left at a convenient spot.
line
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With his shoes and a little bundle of clothes on his head, he very quietly slipped down a line he had fastened astern.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading With his shoes and a little bundle of clothes on his head, he very quietly slipped down a line he had fastened astern.
minutes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BURKE AND HIS CHISEL That night George Burke went off his watch at twelve o'clock, and a few minutes after he had been relieved, he did something he had never done before--he deserted his ship.
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading BURKE AND HIS CHISEL That night George Burke went off his watch at twelve o'clock, and a few minutes after he had been relieved, he did something he had never done before--he deserted his ship.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BURKE AND HIS CHISEL That night George Burke went off his watch at twelve o'clock, and a few minutes after he had been relieved, he did something he had never done before--he deserted his ship.
o'clock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BURKE AND HIS CHISEL That night George Burke went off his watch at twelve o'clock, and a few minutes after he had been relieved, he did something he had never done before--he deserted his ship.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading With his shoes and a little bundle of clothes on his head, he very quietly slipped down a line he had fastened astern.
off
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BURKE AND HIS CHISEL That night George Burke went off his watch at twelve o'clock, and a few minutes after he had been relieved, he did something he had never done before--he deserted his ship.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading With his shoes and a little bundle of clothes on his head, he very quietly slipped down a line he had fastened astern.
otter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a very dark night, and he reached the water unseen, and as quietly as if he had been an otter going fishing.
quietly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With his shoes and a little bundle of clothes on his head, he very quietly slipped down a line he had fastened astern.
reached
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a very dark night, and he reached the water unseen, and as quietly as if he had been an otter going fishing.
relievednounUS /ˈrelieved/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading BURKE AND HIS CHISEL That night George Burke went off his watch at twelve o'clock, and a few minutes after he had been relieved, he did something he had never done before--he deserted his ship.
shipnounUS /ship/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading BURKE AND HIS CHISEL That night George Burke went off his watch at twelve o'clock, and a few minutes after he had been relieved, he did something he had never done before--he deserted his ship.
shoes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With his shoes and a little bundle of clothes on his head, he very quietly slipped down a line he had fastened astern.
shore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading First swimming, and then wading, he reached the shore.
slipped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With his shoes and a little bundle of clothes on his head, he very quietly slipped down a line he had fastened astern.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading BURKE AND HIS CHISEL That night George Burke went off his watch at twelve o'clock, and a few minutes after he had been relieved, he did something he had never done before--he deserted his ship.
soon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as he was on land, he dressed, and then went for a lantern, a hammer, and a cold-chisel, which he had left at a convenient spot.
spot
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As soon as he was on land, he dressed, and then went for a lantern, a hammer, and a cold-chisel, which he had left at a convenient spot.
swimming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading First swimming, and then wading, he reached the shore.
ThatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading BURKE AND HIS CHISEL That night George Burke went off his watch at twelve o'clock, and a few minutes after he had been relieved, he did something he had never done before--he deserted his ship.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It was a very dark night, and he reached the water unseen, and as quietly as if he had been an otter going fishing.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading First swimming, and then wading, he reached the shore.
twelve
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BURKE AND HIS CHISEL That night George Burke went off his watch at twelve o'clock, and a few minutes after he had been relieved, he did something he had never done before--he deserted his ship.
unseen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a very dark night, and he reached the water unseen, and as quietly as if he had been an otter going fishing.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With his shoes and a little bundle of clothes on his head, he very quietly slipped down a line he had fastened astern.
wading
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading First swimming, and then wading, he reached the shore.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was a very dark night, and he reached the water unseen, and as quietly as if he had been an otter going fishing.
watch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading BURKE AND HIS CHISEL That night George Burke went off his watch at twelve o'clock, and a few minutes after he had been relieved, he did something he had never done before--he deserted his ship.
water
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a very dark night, and he reached the water unseen, and as quietly as if he had been an otter going fishing.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading BURKE AND HIS CHISEL That night George Burke went off his watch at twelve o'clock, and a few minutes after he had been relieved, he did something he had never done before--he deserted his ship.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading As soon as he was on land, he dressed, and then went for a lantern, a hammer, and a cold-chisel, which he had left at a convenient spot.
WithprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading With his shoes and a little bundle of clothes on his head, he very quietly slipped down a line he had fastened astern.
