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 He looked over the sea at the Craglevin, which had settled a little at the stern, and was rolling heavily; but she was still a magnificent battleship, with the red cross of England floating over her.
accepted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This offer was immediately accepted, for if his ship was really to be destroyed, the captain felt that he would like to do it himself.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He could not help the thought that if this motor mystery should amount to nothing, there was no reason why the Craglevin should not be towed into port, and be made again the grand warship that she had been.
allowing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As this remark was somewhat enigmatical, the director went on to say that if it would be any gratification to the captain to destroy his vessel with his own hands, instead of allowing this to be done by an enemy, he was at liberty to do so.
amountverbUS /əˈmaʊnt/
to reach or total a particular quantity or value
From this reading He could not help the thought that if this motor mystery should amount to nothing, there was no reason why the Craglevin should not be towed into port, and be made again the grand warship that she had been.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading As this remark was somewhat enigmatical, the director went on to say that if it would be any gratification to the captain to destroy his vessel with his own hands, instead of allowing this to be done by an enemy, he was at liberty to do so.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When the calculations had been made and the indicator set, the captain was shown the button he must press, and stood waiting for the signal.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As this remark was somewhat enigmatical, the director went on to say that if it would be any gratification to the captain to destroy his vessel with his own hands, instead of allowing this to be done by an enemy, he was at liberty to do so.
AsconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As this remark was somewhat enigmatical, the director went on to say that if it would be any gratification to the captain to destroy his vessel with his own hands, instead of allowing this to be done by an enemy, he was at liberty to do so.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading As this remark was somewhat enigmatical, the director went on to say that if it would be any gratification to the captain to destroy his vessel with his own hands, instead of allowing this to be done by an enemy, he was at liberty to do so.
battleship
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He looked over the sea at the Craglevin, which had settled a little at the stern, and was rolling heavily; but she was still a magnificent battleship, with the red cross of England floating over her.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading As this remark was somewhat enigmatical, the director went on to say that if it would be any gratification to the captain to destroy his vessel with his own hands, instead of allowing this to be done by an enemy, he was at liberty to do so.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading When the calculations had been made and the indicator set, the captain was shown the button he must press, and stood waiting for the signal.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He looked over the sea at the Craglevin, which had settled a little at the stern, and was rolling heavily; but she was still a magnificent battleship, with the red cross of England floating over her.
button
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the calculations had been made and the indicator set, the captain was shown the button he must press, and stood waiting for the signal.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading As this remark was somewhat enigmatical, the director went on to say that if it would be any gratification to the captain to destroy his vessel with his own hands, instead of allowing this to be done by an enemy, he was at liberty to do so.
calculations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the calculations had been made and the indicator set, the captain was shown the button he must press, and stood waiting for the signal.
captainnounUS /ˈcaptain/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading As this remark was somewhat enigmatical, the director went on to say that if it would be any gratification to the captain to destroy his vessel with his own hands, instead of allowing this to be done by an enemy, he was at liberty to do so.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He could not help the thought that if this motor mystery should amount to nothing, there was no reason why the Craglevin should not be towed into port, and be made again the grand warship that she had been.
Craglevin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He looked over the sea at the Craglevin, which had settled a little at the stern, and was rolling heavily; but she was still a magnificent battleship, with the red cross of England floating over her.
cross
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He looked over the sea at the Craglevin, which had settled a little at the stern, and was rolling heavily; but she was still a magnificent battleship, with the red cross of England floating over her.
destroy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As this remark was somewhat enigmatical, the director went on to say that if it would be any gratification to the captain to destroy his vessel with his own hands, instead of allowing this to be done by an enemy, he was at liberty to do so.
destroyed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This offer was immediately accepted, for if his ship was really to be destroyed, the captain felt that he would like to do it himself.
director
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As this remark was somewhat enigmatical, the director went on to say that if it would be any gratification to the captain to destroy his vessel with his own hands, instead of allowing this to be done by an enemy, he was at liberty to do so.
doauxiliary verbUS /duː/
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading As this remark was somewhat enigmatical, the director went on to say that if it would be any gratification to the captain to destroy his vessel with his own hands, instead of allowing this to be done by an enemy, he was at liberty to do so.
donenounUS /done/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As this remark was somewhat enigmatical, the director went on to say that if it would be any gratification to the captain to destroy his vessel with his own hands, instead of allowing this to be done by an enemy, he was at liberty to do so.
enemy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As this remark was somewhat enigmatical, the director went on to say that if it would be any gratification to the captain to destroy his vessel with his own hands, instead of allowing this to be done by an enemy, he was at liberty to do so.
England
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He looked over the sea at the Craglevin, which had settled a little at the stern, and was rolling heavily; but she was still a magnificent battleship, with the red cross of England floating over her.
enigmatical
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As this remark was somewhat enigmatical, the director went on to say that if it would be any gratification to the captain to destroy his vessel with his own hands, instead of allowing this to be done by an enemy, he was at liberty to do so.
felt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This offer was immediately accepted, for if his ship was really to be destroyed, the captain felt that he would like to do it himself.
floating
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He looked over the sea at the Craglevin, which had settled a little at the stern, and was rolling heavily; but she was still a magnificent battleship, with the red cross of England floating over her.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading This offer was immediately accepted, for if his ship was really to be destroyed, the captain felt that he would like to do it himself.
grand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could not help the thought that if this motor mystery should amount to nothing, there was no reason why the Craglevin should not be towed into port, and be made again the grand warship that she had been.
gratification
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As this remark was somewhat enigmatical, the director went on to say that if it would be any gratification to the captain to destroy his vessel with his own hands, instead of allowing this to be done by an enemy, he was at liberty to do so.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading When the calculations had been made and the indicator set, the captain was shown the button he must press, and stood waiting for the signal.
handsplural nounUS /hændz/
members of a ship’s crew
From this reading As this remark was somewhat enigmatical, the director went on to say that if it would be any gratification to the captain to destroy his vessel with his own hands, instead of allowing this to be done by an enemy, he was at liberty to do so.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As this remark was somewhat enigmatical, the director went on to say that if it would be any gratification to the captain to destroy his vessel with his own hands, instead of allowing this to be done by an enemy, he was at liberty to do so.
heavily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He looked over the sea at the Craglevin, which had settled a little at the stern, and was rolling heavily; but she was still a magnificent battleship, with the red cross of England floating over her.
helpnounUS /help/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He could not help the thought that if this motor mystery should amount to nothing, there was no reason why the Craglevin should not be towed into port, and be made again the grand warship that she had been.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading He looked over the sea at the Craglevin, which had settled a little at the stern, and was rolling heavily; but she was still a magnificent battleship, with the red cross of England floating over her.
himselfpronounUS /hɪmˈself/
used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object
From this reading This offer was immediately accepted, for if his ship was really to be destroyed, the captain felt that he would like to do it himself.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading As this remark was somewhat enigmatical, the director went on to say that if it would be any gratification to the captain to destroy his vessel with his own hands, instead of allowing this to be done by an enemy, he was at liberty to do so.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading As this remark was somewhat enigmatical, the director went on to say that if it would be any gratification to the captain to destroy his vessel with his own hands, instead of allowing this to be done by an enemy, he was at liberty to do so.
immediately
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This offer was immediately accepted, for if his ship was really to be destroyed, the captain felt that he would like to do it himself.
indicator
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the calculations had been made and the indicator set, the captain was shown the button he must press, and stood waiting for the signal.
instead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As this remark was somewhat enigmatical, the director went on to say that if it would be any gratification to the captain to destroy his vessel with his own hands, instead of allowing this to be done by an enemy, he was at liberty to do so.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading He could not help the thought that if this motor mystery should amount to nothing, there was no reason why the Craglevin should not be towed into port, and be made again the grand warship that she had been.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading As this remark was somewhat enigmatical, the director went on to say that if it would be any gratification to the captain to destroy his vessel with his own hands, instead of allowing this to be done by an enemy, he was at liberty to do so.
libertynounUS /ˈlɪb.ər.ti/
The state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions on one's way of life.
From this reading As this remark was somewhat enigmatical, the director went on to say that if it would be any gratification to the captain to destroy his vessel with his own hands, instead of allowing this to be done by an enemy, he was at liberty to do so.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This offer was immediately accepted, for if his ship was really to be destroyed, the captain felt that he would like to do it himself.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He looked over the sea at the Craglevin, which had settled a little at the stern, and was rolling heavily; but she was still a magnificent battleship, with the red cross of England floating over her.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He looked over the sea at the Craglevin, which had settled a little at the stern, and was rolling heavily; but she was still a magnificent battleship, with the red cross of England floating over her.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the calculations had been made and the indicator set, the captain was shown the button he must press, and stood waiting for the signal.
magnificent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He looked over the sea at the Craglevin, which had settled a little at the stern, and was rolling heavily; but she was still a magnificent battleship, with the red cross of England floating over her.
motor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could not help the thought that if this motor mystery should amount to nothing, there was no reason why the Craglevin should not be towed into port, and be made again the grand warship that she had been.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading When the calculations had been made and the indicator set, the captain was shown the button he must press, and stood waiting for the signal.
mystery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could not help the thought that if this motor mystery should amount to nothing, there was no reason why the Craglevin should not be towed into port, and be made again the grand warship that she had been.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading He could not help the thought that if this motor mystery should amount to nothing, there was no reason why the Craglevin should not be towed into port, and be made again the grand warship that she had been.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He could not help the thought that if this motor mystery should amount to nothing, there was no reason why the Craglevin should not be towed into port, and be made again the grand warship that she had been.
nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
not one thing; not anything
From this reading He could not help the thought that if this motor mystery should amount to nothing, there was no reason why the Craglevin should not be towed into port, and be made again the grand warship that she had been.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading As this remark was somewhat enigmatical, the director went on to say that if it would be any gratification to the captain to destroy his vessel with his own hands, instead of allowing this to be done by an enemy, he was at liberty to do so.
offer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This offer was immediately accepted, for if his ship was really to be destroyed, the captain felt that he would like to do it himself.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading As this remark was somewhat enigmatical, the director went on to say that if it would be any gratification to the captain to destroy his vessel with his own hands, instead of allowing this to be done by an enemy, he was at liberty to do so.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading He looked over the sea at the Craglevin, which had settled a little at the stern, and was rolling heavily; but she was still a magnificent battleship, with the red cross of England floating over her.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As this remark was somewhat enigmatical, the director went on to say that if it would be any gratification to the captain to destroy his vessel with his own hands, instead of allowing this to be done by an enemy, he was at liberty to do so.
port
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could not help the thought that if this motor mystery should amount to nothing, there was no reason why the Craglevin should not be towed into port, and be made again the grand warship that she had been.
press
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the calculations had been made and the indicator set, the captain was shown the button he must press, and stood waiting for the signal.
really
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This offer was immediately accepted, for if his ship was really to be destroyed, the captain felt that he would like to do it himself.
reason
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could not help the thought that if this motor mystery should amount to nothing, there was no reason why the Craglevin should not be towed into port, and be made again the grand warship that she had been.
red
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He looked over the sea at the Craglevin, which had settled a little at the stern, and was rolling heavily; but she was still a magnificent battleship, with the red cross of England floating over her.
remark
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As this remark was somewhat enigmatical, the director went on to say that if it would be any gratification to the captain to destroy his vessel with his own hands, instead of allowing this to be done by an enemy, he was at liberty to do so.
rolling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He looked over the sea at the Craglevin, which had settled a little at the stern, and was rolling heavily; but she was still a magnificent battleship, with the red cross of England floating over her.
say
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As this remark was somewhat enigmatical, the director went on to say that if it would be any gratification to the captain to destroy his vessel with his own hands, instead of allowing this to be done by an enemy, he was at liberty to do so.
sea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He looked over the sea at the Craglevin, which had settled a little at the stern, and was rolling heavily; but she was still a magnificent battleship, with the red cross of England floating over her.
set
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the calculations had been made and the indicator set, the captain was shown the button he must press, and stood waiting for the signal.
settled
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He looked over the sea at the Craglevin, which had settled a little at the stern, and was rolling heavily; but she was still a magnificent battleship, with the red cross of England floating over her.
shepronounUS /ʃiː/
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He looked over the sea at the Craglevin, which had settled a little at the stern, and was rolling heavily; but she was still a magnificent battleship, with the red cross of England floating over her.
shipnounUS /ship/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading This offer was immediately accepted, for if his ship was really to be destroyed, the captain felt that he would like to do it himself.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading He could not help the thought that if this motor mystery should amount to nothing, there was no reason why the Craglevin should not be towed into port, and be made again the grand warship that she had been.
shown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the calculations had been made and the indicator set, the captain was shown the button he must press, and stood waiting for the signal.
signal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the calculations had been made and the indicator set, the captain was shown the button he must press, and stood waiting for the signal.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading As this remark was somewhat enigmatical, the director went on to say that if it would be any gratification to the captain to destroy his vessel with his own hands, instead of allowing this to be done by an enemy, he was at liberty to do so.
somewhat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As this remark was somewhat enigmatical, the director went on to say that if it would be any gratification to the captain to destroy his vessel with his own hands, instead of allowing this to be done by an enemy, he was at liberty to do so.
stern
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He looked over the sea at the Craglevin, which had settled a little at the stern, and was rolling heavily; but she was still a magnificent battleship, with the red cross of England floating over her.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He looked over the sea at the Craglevin, which had settled a little at the stern, and was rolling heavily; but she was still a magnificent battleship, with the red cross of England floating over her.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When the calculations had been made and the indicator set, the captain was shown the button he must press, and stood waiting for the signal.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading As this remark was somewhat enigmatical, the director went on to say that if it would be any gratification to the captain to destroy his vessel with his own hands, instead of allowing this to be done by an enemy, he was at liberty to do so.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading As this remark was somewhat enigmatical, the director went on to say that if it would be any gratification to the captain to destroy his vessel with his own hands, instead of allowing this to be done by an enemy, he was at liberty to do so.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could not help the thought that if this motor mystery should amount to nothing, there was no reason why the Craglevin should not be towed into port, and be made again the grand warship that she had been.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading As this remark was somewhat enigmatical, the director went on to say that if it would be any gratification to the captain to destroy his vessel with his own hands, instead of allowing this to be done by an enemy, he was at liberty to do so.
thoughtnounUS /thought/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He could not help the thought that if this motor mystery should amount to nothing, there was no reason why the Craglevin should not be towed into port, and be made again the grand warship that she had been.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading As this remark was somewhat enigmatical, the director went on to say that if it would be any gratification to the captain to destroy his vessel with his own hands, instead of allowing this to be done by an enemy, he was at liberty to do so.
towed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could not help the thought that if this motor mystery should amount to nothing, there was no reason why the Craglevin should not be towed into port, and be made again the grand warship that she had been.
vessel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading As this remark was somewhat enigmatical, the director went on to say that if it would be any gratification to the captain to destroy his vessel with his own hands, instead of allowing this to be done by an enemy, he was at liberty to do so.
waiting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When the calculations had been made and the indicator set, the captain was shown the button he must press, and stood waiting for the signal.
warship
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could not help the thought that if this motor mystery should amount to nothing, there was no reason why the Craglevin should not be towed into port, and be made again the grand warship that she had been.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As this remark was somewhat enigmatical, the director went on to say that if it would be any gratification to the captain to destroy his vessel with his own hands, instead of allowing this to be done by an enemy, he was at liberty to do so.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading As this remark was somewhat enigmatical, the director went on to say that if it would be any gratification to the captain to destroy his vessel with his own hands, instead of allowing this to be done by an enemy, he was at liberty to do so.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When the calculations had been made and the indicator set, the captain was shown the button he must press, and stood waiting for the signal.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading He looked over the sea at the Craglevin, which had settled a little at the stern, and was rolling heavily; but she was still a magnificent battleship, with the red cross of England floating over her.
why
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could not help the thought that if this motor mystery should amount to nothing, there was no reason why the Craglevin should not be towed into port, and be made again the grand warship that she had been.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading As this remark was somewhat enigmatical, the director went on to say that if it would be any gratification to the captain to destroy his vessel with his own hands, instead of allowing this to be done by an enemy, he was at liberty to do so.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading As this remark was somewhat enigmatical, the director went on to say that if it would be any gratification to the captain to destroy his vessel with his own hands, instead of allowing this to be done by an enemy, he was at liberty to do so.
