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The Story of the White-Rock Cove
The Story of the White-Rock Cove

Chapter VII

Cover illustration for The Story of the White-Rock Cove
Context Illustration Reading 1/19 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE MISSING SHIP.
In the meantime Ralph had been busy getting all the things ready for our sail; so we took our places in the boat, and stood out to sea.
The wind being steadily off shore, our progress was rapid; we bounded lightly over the water, and had soon placed some distance between us and the Cove.
George sat at the helm, keeping a keen look out in every direction; whilst Aleck, Ralph, and I, strained our eyes in fruitless efforts to discover the tiny white sail we were longing to see.
The glorious sunshine dancing and sparkling on the water seemed to mock the gloomy heavy-heartedness that was darkening the hours of our long anticipated holiday.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Story of the White-Rock Cove

Chapter VII

Reading 1/19 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE MISSING SHIP.
Line 2
In the meantime Ralph had been busy getting all the things ready for our sail; so we took our places in the boat, and stood out to sea.
Line 3
The wind being steadily off shore, our progress was rapid; we bounded lightly over the water, and had soon placed some distance between us and the Cove.
Line 4
George sat at the helm, keeping a keen look out in every direction; whilst Aleck, Ralph, and I, strained our eyes in fruitless efforts to discover the tiny white sail we were longing to see.
Line 5
The glorious sunshine dancing and sparkling on the water seemed to mock the gloomy heavy-heartedness that was darkening the hours of our long anticipated holiday.

Learner Dictionary

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

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “In the meantime Ralph had been busy getting all the things ready for our sail; so we took our places in the boat, and stood out to sea.”

Being auxiliary verb US /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading “The wind being steadily off shore, our progress was rapid; we bounded lightly over the water, and had soon placed some distance between us and the Cove.”

Between preposition US /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading “The wind being steadily off shore, our progress was rapid; we bounded lightly over the water, and had soon placed some distance between us and the Cove.”

Every determiner US /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading “George sat at the helm, keeping a keen look out in every direction; whilst Aleck, Ralph, and I, strained our eyes in fruitless efforts to discover the tiny white sail we were longing to see.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The glorious sunshine dancing and sparkling on the water seemed to mock the gloomy heavy-heartedness that was darkening the hours of our long anticipated holiday.”

Look noun US /look/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “George sat at the helm, keeping a keen look out in every direction; whilst Aleck, Ralph, and I, strained our eyes in fruitless efforts to discover the tiny white sail we were longing to see.”

Meantime noun US /ˈmiːntaɪm/

the period of time while something else is happening

From this reading “In the meantime Ralph had been busy getting all the things ready for our sail; so we took our places in the boat, and stood out to sea.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “The wind being steadily off shore, our progress was rapid; we bounded lightly over the water, and had soon placed some distance between us and the Cove.”

Sail noun US /sail/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “In the meantime Ralph had been busy getting all the things ready for our sail; so we took our places in the boat, and stood out to sea.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The glorious sunshine dancing and sparkling on the water seemed to mock the gloomy heavy-heartedness that was darkening the hours of our long anticipated holiday.”

SHIP noun US /ship/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “THE MISSING SHIP.”

Soon noun US /soon/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The wind being steadily off shore, our progress was rapid; we bounded lightly over the water, and had soon placed some distance between us and the Cove.”

Stood noun US /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “In the meantime Ralph had been busy getting all the things ready for our sail; so we took our places in the boat, and stood out to sea.”

Took noun US /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “In the meantime Ralph had been busy getting all the things ready for our sail; so we took our places in the boat, and stood out to sea.”

Whilst conjunction US /waɪlst/

an old and formal word for “while”

From this reading “George sat at the helm, keeping a keen look out in every direction; whilst Aleck, Ralph, and I, strained our eyes in fruitless efforts to discover the tiny white sail we were longing to see.”

Wind noun US /wind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The wind being steadily off shore, our progress was rapid; we bounded lightly over the water, and had soon placed some distance between us and the Cove.”

All words in this reading · 84

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 George sat at the helm, keeping a keen look out in every direction; whilst Aleck, Ralph, and I, strained our eyes in fruitless efforts to discover the tiny white sail we were longing to see.

Aleck

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

From this reading George sat at the helm, keeping a keen look out in every direction; whilst Aleck, Ralph, and I, strained our eyes in fruitless efforts to discover the tiny white sail we were longing to see.

all

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

From this reading In the meantime Ralph had been busy getting all the things ready for our sail; so we took our places in the boat, and stood out to sea.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading In the meantime Ralph had been busy getting all the things ready for our sail; so we took our places in the boat, and stood out to sea.

anticipated

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

From this reading The glorious sunshine dancing and sparkling on the water seemed to mock the gloomy heavy-heartedness that was darkening the hours of our long anticipated holiday.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading George sat at the helm, keeping a keen look out in every direction; whilst Aleck, Ralph, and I, strained our eyes in fruitless efforts to discover the tiny white sail we were longing to see.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading In the meantime Ralph had been busy getting all the things ready for our sail; so we took our places in the boat, and stood out to sea.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading The wind being steadily off shore, our progress was rapid; we bounded lightly over the water, and had soon placed some distance between us and the Cove.

betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/

in the space, time, or range separating two things

From this reading The wind being steadily off shore, our progress was rapid; we bounded lightly over the water, and had soon placed some distance between us and the Cove.

boat

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

From this reading In the meantime Ralph had been busy getting all the things ready for our sail; so we took our places in the boat, and stood out to sea.

bounded

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

From this reading The wind being steadily off shore, our progress was rapid; we bounded lightly over the water, and had soon placed some distance between us and the Cove.

busy

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

From this reading In the meantime Ralph had been busy getting all the things ready for our sail; so we took our places in the boat, and stood out to sea.

Cove

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

From this reading The wind being steadily off shore, our progress was rapid; we bounded lightly over the water, and had soon placed some distance between us and the Cove.

dancing

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

From this reading The glorious sunshine dancing and sparkling on the water seemed to mock the gloomy heavy-heartedness that was darkening the hours of our long anticipated holiday.

darkening

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

From this reading The glorious sunshine dancing and sparkling on the water seemed to mock the gloomy heavy-heartedness that was darkening the hours of our long anticipated holiday.

direction

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

From this reading George sat at the helm, keeping a keen look out in every direction; whilst Aleck, Ralph, and I, strained our eyes in fruitless efforts to discover the tiny white sail we were longing to see.

discover

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

From this reading George sat at the helm, keeping a keen look out in every direction; whilst Aleck, Ralph, and I, strained our eyes in fruitless efforts to discover the tiny white sail we were longing to see.

distance

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

From this reading The wind being steadily off shore, our progress was rapid; we bounded lightly over the water, and had soon placed some distance between us and the Cove.

efforts

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

From this reading George sat at the helm, keeping a keen look out in every direction; whilst Aleck, Ralph, and I, strained our eyes in fruitless efforts to discover the tiny white sail we were longing to see.

everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading George sat at the helm, keeping a keen look out in every direction; whilst Aleck, Ralph, and I, strained our eyes in fruitless efforts to discover the tiny white sail we were longing to see.

eyes

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

From this reading George sat at the helm, keeping a keen look out in every direction; whilst Aleck, Ralph, and I, strained our eyes in fruitless efforts to discover the tiny white sail we were longing to see.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading In the meantime Ralph had been busy getting all the things ready for our sail; so we took our places in the boat, and stood out to sea.

fruitless

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

From this reading George sat at the helm, keeping a keen look out in every direction; whilst Aleck, Ralph, and I, strained our eyes in fruitless efforts to discover the tiny white sail we were longing to see.

George

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

From this reading George sat at the helm, keeping a keen look out in every direction; whilst Aleck, Ralph, and I, strained our eyes in fruitless efforts to discover the tiny white sail we were longing to see.

getting

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

From this reading In the meantime Ralph had been busy getting all the things ready for our sail; so we took our places in the boat, and stood out to sea.

gloomy

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

From this reading The glorious sunshine dancing and sparkling on the water seemed to mock the gloomy heavy-heartedness that was darkening the hours of our long anticipated holiday.

glorious

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

From this reading The glorious sunshine dancing and sparkling on the water seemed to mock the gloomy heavy-heartedness that was darkening the hours of our long anticipated holiday.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading In the meantime Ralph had been busy getting all the things ready for our sail; so we took our places in the boat, and stood out to sea.

heavy-heartedness

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

From this reading The glorious sunshine dancing and sparkling on the water seemed to mock the gloomy heavy-heartedness that was darkening the hours of our long anticipated holiday.

helm

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

From this reading George sat at the helm, keeping a keen look out in every direction; whilst Aleck, Ralph, and I, strained our eyes in fruitless efforts to discover the tiny white sail we were longing to see.

holiday

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

From this reading The glorious sunshine dancing and sparkling on the water seemed to mock the gloomy heavy-heartedness that was darkening the hours of our long anticipated holiday.

hours

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

From this reading The glorious sunshine dancing and sparkling on the water seemed to mock the gloomy heavy-heartedness that was darkening the hours of our long anticipated holiday.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading George sat at the helm, keeping a keen look out in every direction; whilst Aleck, Ralph, and I, strained our eyes in fruitless efforts to discover the tiny white sail we were longing to see.

InprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading In the meantime Ralph had been busy getting all the things ready for our sail; so we took our places in the boat, and stood out to sea.

keen

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

From this reading George sat at the helm, keeping a keen look out in every direction; whilst Aleck, Ralph, and I, strained our eyes in fruitless efforts to discover the tiny white sail we were longing to see.

keeping

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

From this reading George sat at the helm, keeping a keen look out in every direction; whilst Aleck, Ralph, and I, strained our eyes in fruitless efforts to discover the tiny white sail we were longing to see.

lightly

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

From this reading The wind being steadily off shore, our progress was rapid; we bounded lightly over the water, and had soon placed some distance between us and the Cove.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The glorious sunshine dancing and sparkling on the water seemed to mock the gloomy heavy-heartedness that was darkening the hours of our long anticipated holiday.

longing

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

From this reading George sat at the helm, keeping a keen look out in every direction; whilst Aleck, Ralph, and I, strained our eyes in fruitless efforts to discover the tiny white sail we were longing to see.

looknounUS /look/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading George sat at the helm, keeping a keen look out in every direction; whilst Aleck, Ralph, and I, strained our eyes in fruitless efforts to discover the tiny white sail we were longing to see.

meantimenounUS /ˈmiːntaɪm/

the period of time while something else is happening

From this reading In the meantime Ralph had been busy getting all the things ready for our sail; so we took our places in the boat, and stood out to sea.

MISSING

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

From this reading THE MISSING SHIP.

mock

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

From this reading The glorious sunshine dancing and sparkling on the water seemed to mock the gloomy heavy-heartedness that was darkening the hours of our long anticipated holiday.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The glorious sunshine dancing and sparkling on the water seemed to mock the gloomy heavy-heartedness that was darkening the hours of our long anticipated holiday.

off

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

From this reading The wind being steadily off shore, our progress was rapid; we bounded lightly over the water, and had soon placed some distance between us and the Cove.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The glorious sunshine dancing and sparkling on the water seemed to mock the gloomy heavy-heartedness that was darkening the hours of our long anticipated holiday.

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading In the meantime Ralph had been busy getting all the things ready for our sail; so we took our places in the boat, and stood out to sea.

out

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

From this reading In the meantime Ralph had been busy getting all the things ready for our sail; so we took our places in the boat, and stood out to sea.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading The wind being steadily off shore, our progress was rapid; we bounded lightly over the water, and had soon placed some distance between us and the Cove.

placed

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

From this reading The wind being steadily off shore, our progress was rapid; we bounded lightly over the water, and had soon placed some distance between us and the Cove.

places

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

From this reading In the meantime Ralph had been busy getting all the things ready for our sail; so we took our places in the boat, and stood out to sea.

progress

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

From this reading The wind being steadily off shore, our progress was rapid; we bounded lightly over the water, and had soon placed some distance between us and the Cove.

Ralph

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

From this reading In the meantime Ralph had been busy getting all the things ready for our sail; so we took our places in the boat, and stood out to sea.

rapid

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

From this reading The wind being steadily off shore, our progress was rapid; we bounded lightly over the water, and had soon placed some distance between us and the Cove.

ready

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

From this reading In the meantime Ralph had been busy getting all the things ready for our sail; so we took our places in the boat, and stood out to sea.

sailnounUS /sail/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading In the meantime Ralph had been busy getting all the things ready for our sail; so we took our places in the boat, and stood out to sea.

sat

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

From this reading George sat at the helm, keeping a keen look out in every direction; whilst Aleck, Ralph, and I, strained our eyes in fruitless efforts to discover the tiny white sail we were longing to see.

sea

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

From this reading In the meantime Ralph had been busy getting all the things ready for our sail; so we took our places in the boat, and stood out to sea.

see

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

From this reading George sat at the helm, keeping a keen look out in every direction; whilst Aleck, Ralph, and I, strained our eyes in fruitless efforts to discover the tiny white sail we were longing to see.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The glorious sunshine dancing and sparkling on the water seemed to mock the gloomy heavy-heartedness that was darkening the hours of our long anticipated holiday.

SHIPnounUS /ship/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading THE MISSING SHIP.

shore

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

From this reading The wind being steadily off shore, our progress was rapid; we bounded lightly over the water, and had soon placed some distance between us and the Cove.

soconjunctionUS /soʊ/

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading In the meantime Ralph had been busy getting all the things ready for our sail; so we took our places in the boat, and stood out to sea.

some

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

From this reading The wind being steadily off shore, our progress was rapid; we bounded lightly over the water, and had soon placed some distance between us and the Cove.

soon

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

From this reading The wind being steadily off shore, our progress was rapid; we bounded lightly over the water, and had soon placed some distance between us and the Cove.

sparkling

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

From this reading The glorious sunshine dancing and sparkling on the water seemed to mock the gloomy heavy-heartedness that was darkening the hours of our long anticipated holiday.

steadily

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

From this reading The wind being steadily off shore, our progress was rapid; we bounded lightly over the water, and had soon placed some distance between us and the Cove.

stoodnounUS /stood/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading In the meantime Ralph had been busy getting all the things ready for our sail; so we took our places in the boat, and stood out to sea.

strained

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

From this reading George sat at the helm, keeping a keen look out in every direction; whilst Aleck, Ralph, and I, strained our eyes in fruitless efforts to discover the tiny white sail we were longing to see.

sunshine

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

From this reading The glorious sunshine dancing and sparkling on the water seemed to mock the gloomy heavy-heartedness that was darkening the hours of our long anticipated holiday.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The glorious sunshine dancing and sparkling on the water seemed to mock the gloomy heavy-heartedness that was darkening the hours of our long anticipated holiday.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE MISSING SHIP.

things

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

From this reading In the meantime Ralph had been busy getting all the things ready for our sail; so we took our places in the boat, and stood out to sea.

tiny

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

From this reading George sat at the helm, keeping a keen look out in every direction; whilst Aleck, Ralph, and I, strained our eyes in fruitless efforts to discover the tiny white sail we were longing to see.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading In the meantime Ralph had been busy getting all the things ready for our sail; so we took our places in the boat, and stood out to sea.

tooknounUS /took/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading In the meantime Ralph had been busy getting all the things ready for our sail; so we took our places in the boat, and stood out to sea.

uspronounUS /ʌs/

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading The wind being steadily off shore, our progress was rapid; we bounded lightly over the water, and had soon placed some distance between us and the Cove.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The wind being steadily off shore, our progress was rapid; we bounded lightly over the water, and had soon placed some distance between us and the Cove.

water

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

From this reading The wind being steadily off shore, our progress was rapid; we bounded lightly over the water, and had soon placed some distance between us and the Cove.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading In the meantime Ralph had been busy getting all the things ready for our sail; so we took our places in the boat, and stood out to sea.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading George sat at the helm, keeping a keen look out in every direction; whilst Aleck, Ralph, and I, strained our eyes in fruitless efforts to discover the tiny white sail we were longing to see.

whilstconjunctionUS /waɪlst/

an old and formal word for “while”

From this reading George sat at the helm, keeping a keen look out in every direction; whilst Aleck, Ralph, and I, strained our eyes in fruitless efforts to discover the tiny white sail we were longing to see.

white

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

From this reading George sat at the helm, keeping a keen look out in every direction; whilst Aleck, Ralph, and I, strained our eyes in fruitless efforts to discover the tiny white sail we were longing to see.

windnounUS /wind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The wind being steadily off shore, our progress was rapid; we bounded lightly over the water, and had soon placed some distance between us and the Cove.