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The Cruise of the "Cachalot" Round the World After Sperm Whales
The Cruise of the "Cachalot" Round the World After Sperm Whales

Chapter XIII · "Bowhead" Fishing

Cover illustration for The Cruise of the "Cachalot" Round the World After Sperm Whales
Context Illustration Reading 1/39 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Day and night being now only distinguishable by the aid of the clock, a constant look-out aloft was kept all through the twenty-four hours, watch and watch, but whales were apparently very scarce.
We did a good deal of "pelagic" sealing; that is, catching seals swimming.
But the total number obtained was not great, for these creatures are only gregarious when at their rocky haunts during the breeding season, or among the ice just before that season begins.
Our sealing, therefore, was only a way of passing the time in the absence of nobler game, to be abandoned at once with whales in sight.
It was on the ninth or tenth morning after our arrival on the grounds that a bowhead was raised, And two boats sent after him.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
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A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Cruise of the "Cachalot" Round the World After Sperm Whales

Chapter XIII · "Bowhead" Fishing

Reading 1/39 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Day and night being now only distinguishable by the aid of the clock, a constant look-out aloft was kept all through the twenty-four hours, watch and watch, but whales were apparently very scarce.
Line 2
We did a good deal of "pelagic" sealing; that is, catching seals swimming.
Line 3
But the total number obtained was not great, for these creatures are only gregarious when at their rocky haunts during the breeding season, or among the ice just before that season begins.
Line 4
Our sealing, therefore, was only a way of passing the time in the absence of nobler game, to be abandoned at once with whales in sight.
Line 5
It was on the ninth or tenth morning after our arrival on the grounds that a bowhead was raised, And two boats sent after him.

Learner Dictionary

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

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “It was on the ninth or tenth morning after our arrival on the grounds that a bowhead was raised, And two boats sent after him.”

Among preposition US /əˈmʌŋ/

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading “But the total number obtained was not great, for these creatures are only gregarious when at their rocky haunts during the breeding season, or among the ice just before that season begins.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “But the total number obtained was not great, for these creatures are only gregarious when at their rocky haunts during the breeding season, or among the ice just before that season begins.”

Being auxiliary verb US /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading “Day and night being now only distinguishable by the aid of the clock, a constant look-out aloft was kept all through the twenty-four hours, watch and watch, but whales were apparently very scarce.”

During preposition US /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading “But the total number obtained was not great, for these creatures are only gregarious when at their rocky haunts during the breeding season, or among the ice just before that season begins.”

Good noun US /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “We did a good deal of "pelagic" sealing; that is, catching seals swimming.”

Great noun US /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “But the total number obtained was not great, for these creatures are only gregarious when at their rocky haunts during the breeding season, or among the ice just before that season begins.”

Morning noun US /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “It was on the ninth or tenth morning after our arrival on the grounds that a bowhead was raised, And two boats sent after him.”

Once noun US /once/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Our sealing, therefore, was only a way of passing the time in the absence of nobler game, to be abandoned at once with whales in sight.”

Scarce adjective US /skɛrs/

hard to find or in short supply

From this reading “Day and night being now only distinguishable by the aid of the clock, a constant look-out aloft was kept all through the twenty-four hours, watch and watch, but whales were apparently very scarce.”

Therefore adverb US /ˈðerfɔːr/

for that reason; as a result

From this reading “Our sealing, therefore, was only a way of passing the time in the absence of nobler game, to be abandoned at once with whales in sight.”

These determiner US /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading “But the total number obtained was not great, for these creatures are only gregarious when at their rocky haunts during the breeding season, or among the ice just before that season begins.”

Through noun US /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading “Day and night being now only distinguishable by the aid of the clock, a constant look-out aloft was kept all through the twenty-four hours, watch and watch, but whales were apparently very scarce.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Our sealing, therefore, was only a way of passing the time in the absence of nobler game, to be abandoned at once with whales in sight.”

All words in this reading · 93

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 Day and night being now only distinguishable by the aid of the clock, a constant look-out aloft was kept all through the twenty-four hours, watch and watch, but whales were apparently very scarce.

abandoned

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

From this reading Our sealing, therefore, was only a way of passing the time in the absence of nobler game, to be abandoned at once with whales in sight.

absence

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

From this reading Our sealing, therefore, was only a way of passing the time in the absence of nobler game, to be abandoned at once with whales in sight.

afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading It was on the ninth or tenth morning after our arrival on the grounds that a bowhead was raised, And two boats sent after him.

aid

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

From this reading Day and night being now only distinguishable by the aid of the clock, a constant look-out aloft was kept all through the twenty-four hours, watch and watch, but whales were apparently very scarce.

all

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

From this reading Day and night being now only distinguishable by the aid of the clock, a constant look-out aloft was kept all through the twenty-four hours, watch and watch, but whales were apparently very scarce.

aloft

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

From this reading Day and night being now only distinguishable by the aid of the clock, a constant look-out aloft was kept all through the twenty-four hours, watch and watch, but whales were apparently very scarce.

amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading But the total number obtained was not great, for these creatures are only gregarious when at their rocky haunts during the breeding season, or among the ice just before that season begins.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading Day and night being now only distinguishable by the aid of the clock, a constant look-out aloft was kept all through the twenty-four hours, watch and watch, but whales were apparently very scarce.

apparently

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

From this reading Day and night being now only distinguishable by the aid of the clock, a constant look-out aloft was kept all through the twenty-four hours, watch and watch, but whales were apparently very scarce.

areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/

the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading But the total number obtained was not great, for these creatures are only gregarious when at their rocky haunts during the breeding season, or among the ice just before that season begins.

arrival

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

From this reading It was on the ninth or tenth morning after our arrival on the grounds that a bowhead was raised, And two boats sent after him.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading But the total number obtained was not great, for these creatures are only gregarious when at their rocky haunts during the breeding season, or among the ice just before that season begins.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading Our sealing, therefore, was only a way of passing the time in the absence of nobler game, to be abandoned at once with whales in sight.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading But the total number obtained was not great, for these creatures are only gregarious when at their rocky haunts during the breeding season, or among the ice just before that season begins.

begins

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

From this reading But the total number obtained was not great, for these creatures are only gregarious when at their rocky haunts during the breeding season, or among the ice just before that season begins.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading Day and night being now only distinguishable by the aid of the clock, a constant look-out aloft was kept all through the twenty-four hours, watch and watch, but whales were apparently very scarce.

boats

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

From this reading It was on the ninth or tenth morning after our arrival on the grounds that a bowhead was raised, And two boats sent after him.

bowhead

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

From this reading It was on the ninth or tenth morning after our arrival on the grounds that a bowhead was raised, And two boats sent after him.

breeding

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

From this reading But the total number obtained was not great, for these creatures are only gregarious when at their rocky haunts during the breeding season, or among the ice just before that season begins.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Day and night being now only distinguishable by the aid of the clock, a constant look-out aloft was kept all through the twenty-four hours, watch and watch, but whales were apparently very scarce.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Day and night being now only distinguishable by the aid of the clock, a constant look-out aloft was kept all through the twenty-four hours, watch and watch, but whales were apparently very scarce.

catching

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

From this reading We did a good deal of "pelagic" sealing; that is, catching seals swimming.

clock

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

From this reading Day and night being now only distinguishable by the aid of the clock, a constant look-out aloft was kept all through the twenty-four hours, watch and watch, but whales were apparently very scarce.

constant

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

From this reading Day and night being now only distinguishable by the aid of the clock, a constant look-out aloft was kept all through the twenty-four hours, watch and watch, but whales were apparently very scarce.

creatures

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

From this reading But the total number obtained was not great, for these creatures are only gregarious when at their rocky haunts during the breeding season, or among the ice just before that season begins.

Day

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

From this reading Day and night being now only distinguishable by the aid of the clock, a constant look-out aloft was kept all through the twenty-four hours, watch and watch, but whales were apparently very scarce.

deal

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

From this reading We did a good deal of "pelagic" sealing; that is, catching seals swimming.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading We did a good deal of "pelagic" sealing; that is, catching seals swimming.

distinguishable

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

From this reading Day and night being now only distinguishable by the aid of the clock, a constant look-out aloft was kept all through the twenty-four hours, watch and watch, but whales were apparently very scarce.

duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading But the total number obtained was not great, for these creatures are only gregarious when at their rocky haunts during the breeding season, or among the ice just before that season begins.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading But the total number obtained was not great, for these creatures are only gregarious when at their rocky haunts during the breeding season, or among the ice just before that season begins.

game

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

From this reading Our sealing, therefore, was only a way of passing the time in the absence of nobler game, to be abandoned at once with whales in sight.

goodnounUS /good/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading We did a good deal of "pelagic" sealing; that is, catching seals swimming.

greatnounUS /great/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading But the total number obtained was not great, for these creatures are only gregarious when at their rocky haunts during the breeding season, or among the ice just before that season begins.

gregarious

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

From this reading But the total number obtained was not great, for these creatures are only gregarious when at their rocky haunts during the breeding season, or among the ice just before that season begins.

grounds

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

From this reading It was on the ninth or tenth morning after our arrival on the grounds that a bowhead was raised, And two boats sent after him.

haunts

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

From this reading But the total number obtained was not great, for these creatures are only gregarious when at their rocky haunts during the breeding season, or among the ice just before that season begins.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading It was on the ninth or tenth morning after our arrival on the grounds that a bowhead was raised, And two boats sent after him.

hours

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

From this reading Day and night being now only distinguishable by the aid of the clock, a constant look-out aloft was kept all through the twenty-four hours, watch and watch, but whales were apparently very scarce.

ice

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

From this reading But the total number obtained was not great, for these creatures are only gregarious when at their rocky haunts during the breeding season, or among the ice just before that season begins.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading Our sealing, therefore, was only a way of passing the time in the absence of nobler game, to be abandoned at once with whales in sight.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading We did a good deal of "pelagic" sealing; that is, catching seals swimming.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was on the ninth or tenth morning after our arrival on the grounds that a bowhead was raised, And two boats sent after him.

just

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

From this reading But the total number obtained was not great, for these creatures are only gregarious when at their rocky haunts during the breeding season, or among the ice just before that season begins.

kept

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

From this reading Day and night being now only distinguishable by the aid of the clock, a constant look-out aloft was kept all through the twenty-four hours, watch and watch, but whales were apparently very scarce.

look-out

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

From this reading Day and night being now only distinguishable by the aid of the clock, a constant look-out aloft was kept all through the twenty-four hours, watch and watch, but whales were apparently very scarce.

morningnounUS /morning/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading It was on the ninth or tenth morning after our arrival on the grounds that a bowhead was raised, And two boats sent after him.

night

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

From this reading Day and night being now only distinguishable by the aid of the clock, a constant look-out aloft was kept all through the twenty-four hours, watch and watch, but whales were apparently very scarce.

ninth

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

From this reading It was on the ninth or tenth morning after our arrival on the grounds that a bowhead was raised, And two boats sent after him.

nobler

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

From this reading Our sealing, therefore, was only a way of passing the time in the absence of nobler game, to be abandoned at once with whales in sight.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading But the total number obtained was not great, for these creatures are only gregarious when at their rocky haunts during the breeding season, or among the ice just before that season begins.

now

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

From this reading Day and night being now only distinguishable by the aid of the clock, a constant look-out aloft was kept all through the twenty-four hours, watch and watch, but whales were apparently very scarce.

number

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

From this reading But the total number obtained was not great, for these creatures are only gregarious when at their rocky haunts during the breeding season, or among the ice just before that season begins.

obtained

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

From this reading But the total number obtained was not great, for these creatures are only gregarious when at their rocky haunts during the breeding season, or among the ice just before that season begins.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Day and night being now only distinguishable by the aid of the clock, a constant look-out aloft was kept all through the twenty-four hours, watch and watch, but whales were apparently very scarce.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It was on the ninth or tenth morning after our arrival on the grounds that a bowhead was raised, And two boats sent after him.

once

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

From this reading Our sealing, therefore, was only a way of passing the time in the absence of nobler game, to be abandoned at once with whales in sight.

only

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

From this reading Day and night being now only distinguishable by the aid of the clock, a constant look-out aloft was kept all through the twenty-four hours, watch and watch, but whales were apparently very scarce.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading But the total number obtained was not great, for these creatures are only gregarious when at their rocky haunts during the breeding season, or among the ice just before that season begins.

OurdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading Our sealing, therefore, was only a way of passing the time in the absence of nobler game, to be abandoned at once with whales in sight.

passing

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

From this reading Our sealing, therefore, was only a way of passing the time in the absence of nobler game, to be abandoned at once with whales in sight.

pelagic

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

From this reading We did a good deal of "pelagic" sealing; that is, catching seals swimming.

raised

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

From this reading It was on the ninth or tenth morning after our arrival on the grounds that a bowhead was raised, And two boats sent after him.

rocky

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

From this reading But the total number obtained was not great, for these creatures are only gregarious when at their rocky haunts during the breeding season, or among the ice just before that season begins.

scarceadjectiveUS /skɛrs/

hard to find or in short supply

From this reading Day and night being now only distinguishable by the aid of the clock, a constant look-out aloft was kept all through the twenty-four hours, watch and watch, but whales were apparently very scarce.

sealing

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

From this reading We did a good deal of "pelagic" sealing; that is, catching seals swimming.

seals

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

From this reading We did a good deal of "pelagic" sealing; that is, catching seals swimming.

season

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

From this reading But the total number obtained was not great, for these creatures are only gregarious when at their rocky haunts during the breeding season, or among the ice just before that season begins.

sent

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

From this reading It was on the ninth or tenth morning after our arrival on the grounds that a bowhead was raised, And two boats sent after him.

sight

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

From this reading Our sealing, therefore, was only a way of passing the time in the absence of nobler game, to be abandoned at once with whales in sight.

swimming

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

From this reading We did a good deal of "pelagic" sealing; that is, catching seals swimming.

tenth

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

From this reading It was on the ninth or tenth morning after our arrival on the grounds that a bowhead was raised, And two boats sent after him.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading We did a good deal of "pelagic" sealing; that is, catching seals swimming.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading Day and night being now only distinguishable by the aid of the clock, a constant look-out aloft was kept all through the twenty-four hours, watch and watch, but whales were apparently very scarce.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading But the total number obtained was not great, for these creatures are only gregarious when at their rocky haunts during the breeding season, or among the ice just before that season begins.

thereforeadverbUS /ˈðerfɔːr/

for that reason; as a result

From this reading Our sealing, therefore, was only a way of passing the time in the absence of nobler game, to be abandoned at once with whales in sight.

thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading But the total number obtained was not great, for these creatures are only gregarious when at their rocky haunts during the breeding season, or among the ice just before that season begins.

throughnounUS /ˈthrough/

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

From this reading Day and night being now only distinguishable by the aid of the clock, a constant look-out aloft was kept all through the twenty-four hours, watch and watch, but whales were apparently very scarce.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading Our sealing, therefore, was only a way of passing the time in the absence of nobler game, to be abandoned at once with whales in sight.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading Our sealing, therefore, was only a way of passing the time in the absence of nobler game, to be abandoned at once with whales in sight.

total

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

From this reading But the total number obtained was not great, for these creatures are only gregarious when at their rocky haunts during the breeding season, or among the ice just before that season begins.

twenty-four

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

From this reading Day and night being now only distinguishable by the aid of the clock, a constant look-out aloft was kept all through the twenty-four hours, watch and watch, but whales were apparently very scarce.

two

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

From this reading It was on the ninth or tenth morning after our arrival on the grounds that a bowhead was raised, And two boats sent after him.

very

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

From this reading Day and night being now only distinguishable by the aid of the clock, a constant look-out aloft was kept all through the twenty-four hours, watch and watch, but whales were apparently very scarce.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading Day and night being now only distinguishable by the aid of the clock, a constant look-out aloft was kept all through the twenty-four hours, watch and watch, but whales were apparently very scarce.

watch

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

From this reading Day and night being now only distinguishable by the aid of the clock, a constant look-out aloft was kept all through the twenty-four hours, watch and watch, but whales were apparently very scarce.

way

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

From this reading Our sealing, therefore, was only a way of passing the time in the absence of nobler game, to be abandoned at once with whales in sight.

WepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading We did a good deal of "pelagic" sealing; that is, catching seals swimming.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading Day and night being now only distinguishable by the aid of the clock, a constant look-out aloft was kept all through the twenty-four hours, watch and watch, but whales were apparently very scarce.

whales

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

From this reading Day and night being now only distinguishable by the aid of the clock, a constant look-out aloft was kept all through the twenty-four hours, watch and watch, but whales were apparently very scarce.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading But the total number obtained was not great, for these creatures are only gregarious when at their rocky haunts during the breeding season, or among the ice just before that season begins.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading Our sealing, therefore, was only a way of passing the time in the absence of nobler game, to be abandoned at once with whales in sight.