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 Running down the companionway, I found myself among a crowd of excited deck hands, most of whom, with many of the passengers, were pushing toward the starboard rail, whence could be seen the gloom of the forest along shore.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading For the first instant after the shock of the boat upon the impaling snag I stood irresolute; the next, I was busy with plans for escape.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading Running down the companionway, I found myself among a crowd of excited deck hands, most of whom, with many of the passengers, were pushing toward the starboard rail, whence could be seen the gloom of the forest along shore.
alongside
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The gangway door on the opposite side of the boat was open, and as I looked out I could see the long white arms of the giant snag reaching alongside.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading Running down the companionway, I found myself among a crowd of excited deck hands, most of whom, with many of the passengers, were pushing toward the starboard rail, whence could be seen the gloom of the forest along shore.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The gangway door on the opposite side of the boat was open, and as I looked out I could see the long white arms of the giant snag reaching alongside.
arms
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From this reading The gangway door on the opposite side of the boat was open, and as I looked out I could see the long white arms of the giant snag reaching alongside.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The gangway door on the opposite side of the boat was open, and as I looked out I could see the long white arms of the giant snag reaching alongside.
bar
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From this reading Without much plan or premeditation I sprang out, and making good my hold upon the nearest limb as I plunged, found myself, to my surprise, standing in not more than four feet of water, the foot of the bar evidently running down well under the boat.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Running down the companionway, I found myself among a crowd of excited deck hands, most of whom, with many of the passengers, were pushing toward the starboard rail, whence could be seen the gloom of the forest along shore.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading THE FACE IN THE FIRELIGHT Sudden disaster usually brings sudden calm, the pause before resolution or resignation.
boat
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From this reading For the first instant after the shock of the boat upon the impaling snag I stood irresolute; the next, I was busy with plans for escape.
brings
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From this reading THE FACE IN THE FIRELIGHT Sudden disaster usually brings sudden calm, the pause before resolution or resignation.
busy
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From this reading For the first instant after the shock of the boat upon the impaling snag I stood irresolute; the next, I was busy with plans for escape.
calm
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From this reading THE FACE IN THE FIRELIGHT Sudden disaster usually brings sudden calm, the pause before resolution or resignation.
companionway
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From this reading Running down the companionway, I found myself among a crowd of excited deck hands, most of whom, with many of the passengers, were pushing toward the starboard rail, whence could be seen the gloom of the forest along shore.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading Running down the companionway, I found myself among a crowd of excited deck hands, most of whom, with many of the passengers, were pushing toward the starboard rail, whence could be seen the gloom of the forest along shore.
crowd
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From this reading Running down the companionway, I found myself among a crowd of excited deck hands, most of whom, with many of the passengers, were pushing toward the starboard rail, whence could be seen the gloom of the forest along shore.
deck
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From this reading Running down the companionway, I found myself among a crowd of excited deck hands, most of whom, with many of the passengers, were pushing toward the starboard rail, whence could be seen the gloom of the forest along shore.
disaster
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FACE IN THE FIRELIGHT Sudden disaster usually brings sudden calm, the pause before resolution or resignation.
door
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From this reading The gangway door on the opposite side of the boat was open, and as I looked out I could see the long white arms of the giant snag reaching alongside.
down
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From this reading Running down the companionway, I found myself among a crowd of excited deck hands, most of whom, with many of the passengers, were pushing toward the starboard rail, whence could be seen the gloom of the forest along shore.
escape
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From this reading For the first instant after the shock of the boat upon the impaling snag I stood irresolute; the next, I was busy with plans for escape.
evidently
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From this reading Without much plan or premeditation I sprang out, and making good my hold upon the nearest limb as I plunged, found myself, to my surprise, standing in not more than four feet of water, the foot of the bar evidently running down well under the boat.
excitedadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsaɪtɪd/
very enthusiastic or eager
From this reading Running down the companionway, I found myself among a crowd of excited deck hands, most of whom, with many of the passengers, were pushing toward the starboard rail, whence could be seen the gloom of the forest along shore.
FACE
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From this reading THE FACE IN THE FIRELIGHT Sudden disaster usually brings sudden calm, the pause before resolution or resignation.
feet
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From this reading Without much plan or premeditation I sprang out, and making good my hold upon the nearest limb as I plunged, found myself, to my surprise, standing in not more than four feet of water, the foot of the bar evidently running down well under the boat.
FIRELIGHT
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From this reading THE FACE IN THE FIRELIGHT Sudden disaster usually brings sudden calm, the pause before resolution or resignation.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For the first instant after the shock of the boat upon the impaling snag I stood irresolute; the next, I was busy with plans for escape.
footnounUS /foot/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Without much plan or premeditation I sprang out, and making good my hold upon the nearest limb as I plunged, found myself, to my surprise, standing in not more than four feet of water, the foot of the bar evidently running down well under the boat.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For the first instant after the shock of the boat upon the impaling snag I stood irresolute; the next, I was busy with plans for escape.
forest
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From this reading Running down the companionway, I found myself among a crowd of excited deck hands, most of whom, with many of the passengers, were pushing toward the starboard rail, whence could be seen the gloom of the forest along shore.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Running down the companionway, I found myself among a crowd of excited deck hands, most of whom, with many of the passengers, were pushing toward the starboard rail, whence could be seen the gloom of the forest along shore.
four
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without much plan or premeditation I sprang out, and making good my hold upon the nearest limb as I plunged, found myself, to my surprise, standing in not more than four feet of water, the foot of the bar evidently running down well under the boat.
gangway
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The gangway door on the opposite side of the boat was open, and as I looked out I could see the long white arms of the giant snag reaching alongside.
giant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The gangway door on the opposite side of the boat was open, and as I looked out I could see the long white arms of the giant snag reaching alongside.
gloom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Running down the companionway, I found myself among a crowd of excited deck hands, most of whom, with many of the passengers, were pushing toward the starboard rail, whence could be seen the gloom of the forest along shore.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Without much plan or premeditation I sprang out, and making good my hold upon the nearest limb as I plunged, found myself, to my surprise, standing in not more than four feet of water, the foot of the bar evidently running down well under the boat.
handsplural nounUS /hændz/
members of a ship’s crew
From this reading Running down the companionway, I found myself among a crowd of excited deck hands, most of whom, with many of the passengers, were pushing toward the starboard rail, whence could be seen the gloom of the forest along shore.
hold
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without much plan or premeditation I sprang out, and making good my hold upon the nearest limb as I plunged, found myself, to my surprise, standing in not more than four feet of water, the foot of the bar evidently running down well under the boat.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading For the first instant after the shock of the boat upon the impaling snag I stood irresolute; the next, I was busy with plans for escape.
impaling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the first instant after the shock of the boat upon the impaling snag I stood irresolute; the next, I was busy with plans for escape.
INprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE FACE IN THE FIRELIGHT Sudden disaster usually brings sudden calm, the pause before resolution or resignation.
instant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the first instant after the shock of the boat upon the impaling snag I stood irresolute; the next, I was busy with plans for escape.
irresolute
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the first instant after the shock of the boat upon the impaling snag I stood irresolute; the next, I was busy with plans for escape.
limb
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From this reading Without much plan or premeditation I sprang out, and making good my hold upon the nearest limb as I plunged, found myself, to my surprise, standing in not more than four feet of water, the foot of the bar evidently running down well under the boat.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The gangway door on the opposite side of the boat was open, and as I looked out I could see the long white arms of the giant snag reaching alongside.
lookednounUS /looked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The gangway door on the opposite side of the boat was open, and as I looked out I could see the long white arms of the giant snag reaching alongside.
making
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without much plan or premeditation I sprang out, and making good my hold upon the nearest limb as I plunged, found myself, to my surprise, standing in not more than four feet of water, the foot of the bar evidently running down well under the boat.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Running down the companionway, I found myself among a crowd of excited deck hands, most of whom, with many of the passengers, were pushing toward the starboard rail, whence could be seen the gloom of the forest along shore.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without much plan or premeditation I sprang out, and making good my hold upon the nearest limb as I plunged, found myself, to my surprise, standing in not more than four feet of water, the foot of the bar evidently running down well under the boat.
most
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Running down the companionway, I found myself among a crowd of excited deck hands, most of whom, with many of the passengers, were pushing toward the starboard rail, whence could be seen the gloom of the forest along shore.
much
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without much plan or premeditation I sprang out, and making good my hold upon the nearest limb as I plunged, found myself, to my surprise, standing in not more than four feet of water, the foot of the bar evidently running down well under the boat.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Without much plan or premeditation I sprang out, and making good my hold upon the nearest limb as I plunged, found myself, to my surprise, standing in not more than four feet of water, the foot of the bar evidently running down well under the boat.
myselfpronounUS /ˌmaɪˈself/
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading Running down the companionway, I found myself among a crowd of excited deck hands, most of whom, with many of the passengers, were pushing toward the starboard rail, whence could be seen the gloom of the forest along shore.
nearest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without much plan or premeditation I sprang out, and making good my hold upon the nearest limb as I plunged, found myself, to my surprise, standing in not more than four feet of water, the foot of the bar evidently running down well under the boat.
nextnounUS /next/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For the first instant after the shock of the boat upon the impaling snag I stood irresolute; the next, I was busy with plans for escape.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Without much plan or premeditation I sprang out, and making good my hold upon the nearest limb as I plunged, found myself, to my surprise, standing in not more than four feet of water, the foot of the bar evidently running down well under the boat.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading For the first instant after the shock of the boat upon the impaling snag I stood irresolute; the next, I was busy with plans for escape.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The gangway door on the opposite side of the boat was open, and as I looked out I could see the long white arms of the giant snag reaching alongside.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading The gangway door on the opposite side of the boat was open, and as I looked out I could see the long white arms of the giant snag reaching alongside.
opposite
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The gangway door on the opposite side of the boat was open, and as I looked out I could see the long white arms of the giant snag reaching alongside.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading THE FACE IN THE FIRELIGHT Sudden disaster usually brings sudden calm, the pause before resolution or resignation.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The gangway door on the opposite side of the boat was open, and as I looked out I could see the long white arms of the giant snag reaching alongside.
passengers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Running down the companionway, I found myself among a crowd of excited deck hands, most of whom, with many of the passengers, were pushing toward the starboard rail, whence could be seen the gloom of the forest along shore.
pause
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FACE IN THE FIRELIGHT Sudden disaster usually brings sudden calm, the pause before resolution or resignation.
plan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without much plan or premeditation I sprang out, and making good my hold upon the nearest limb as I plunged, found myself, to my surprise, standing in not more than four feet of water, the foot of the bar evidently running down well under the boat.
plans
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the first instant after the shock of the boat upon the impaling snag I stood irresolute; the next, I was busy with plans for escape.
plunged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without much plan or premeditation I sprang out, and making good my hold upon the nearest limb as I plunged, found myself, to my surprise, standing in not more than four feet of water, the foot of the bar evidently running down well under the boat.
premeditation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without much plan or premeditation I sprang out, and making good my hold upon the nearest limb as I plunged, found myself, to my surprise, standing in not more than four feet of water, the foot of the bar evidently running down well under the boat.
pushing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Running down the companionway, I found myself among a crowd of excited deck hands, most of whom, with many of the passengers, were pushing toward the starboard rail, whence could be seen the gloom of the forest along shore.
rail
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Running down the companionway, I found myself among a crowd of excited deck hands, most of whom, with many of the passengers, were pushing toward the starboard rail, whence could be seen the gloom of the forest along shore.
reaching
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The gangway door on the opposite side of the boat was open, and as I looked out I could see the long white arms of the giant snag reaching alongside.
resignation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FACE IN THE FIRELIGHT Sudden disaster usually brings sudden calm, the pause before resolution or resignation.
resolution
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FACE IN THE FIRELIGHT Sudden disaster usually brings sudden calm, the pause before resolution or resignation.
RunningnounUS /ˈrunning/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Running down the companionway, I found myself among a crowd of excited deck hands, most of whom, with many of the passengers, were pushing toward the starboard rail, whence could be seen the gloom of the forest along shore.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The gangway door on the opposite side of the boat was open, and as I looked out I could see the long white arms of the giant snag reaching alongside.
seen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Running down the companionway, I found myself among a crowd of excited deck hands, most of whom, with many of the passengers, were pushing toward the starboard rail, whence could be seen the gloom of the forest along shore.
shock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the first instant after the shock of the boat upon the impaling snag I stood irresolute; the next, I was busy with plans for escape.
shore
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Running down the companionway, I found myself among a crowd of excited deck hands, most of whom, with many of the passengers, were pushing toward the starboard rail, whence could be seen the gloom of the forest along shore.
side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The gangway door on the opposite side of the boat was open, and as I looked out I could see the long white arms of the giant snag reaching alongside.
snag
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the first instant after the shock of the boat upon the impaling snag I stood irresolute; the next, I was busy with plans for escape.
sprang
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without much plan or premeditation I sprang out, and making good my hold upon the nearest limb as I plunged, found myself, to my surprise, standing in not more than four feet of water, the foot of the bar evidently running down well under the boat.
standingnounUS /ˈstanding/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Without much plan or premeditation I sprang out, and making good my hold upon the nearest limb as I plunged, found myself, to my surprise, standing in not more than four feet of water, the foot of the bar evidently running down well under the boat.
starboard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Running down the companionway, I found myself among a crowd of excited deck hands, most of whom, with many of the passengers, were pushing toward the starboard rail, whence could be seen the gloom of the forest along shore.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading For the first instant after the shock of the boat upon the impaling snag I stood irresolute; the next, I was busy with plans for escape.
SuddennounUS /sudden/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE FACE IN THE FIRELIGHT Sudden disaster usually brings sudden calm, the pause before resolution or resignation.
surprise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without much plan or premeditation I sprang out, and making good my hold upon the nearest limb as I plunged, found myself, to my surprise, standing in not more than four feet of water, the foot of the bar evidently running down well under the boat.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Without much plan or premeditation I sprang out, and making good my hold upon the nearest limb as I plunged, found myself, to my surprise, standing in not more than four feet of water, the foot of the bar evidently running down well under the boat.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE FACE IN THE FIRELIGHT Sudden disaster usually brings sudden calm, the pause before resolution or resignation.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Without much plan or premeditation I sprang out, and making good my hold upon the nearest limb as I plunged, found myself, to my surprise, standing in not more than four feet of water, the foot of the bar evidently running down well under the boat.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading Running down the companionway, I found myself among a crowd of excited deck hands, most of whom, with many of the passengers, were pushing toward the starboard rail, whence could be seen the gloom of the forest along shore.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Without much plan or premeditation I sprang out, and making good my hold upon the nearest limb as I plunged, found myself, to my surprise, standing in not more than four feet of water, the foot of the bar evidently running down well under the boat.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading For the first instant after the shock of the boat upon the impaling snag I stood irresolute; the next, I was busy with plans for escape.
usually
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FACE IN THE FIRELIGHT Sudden disaster usually brings sudden calm, the pause before resolution or resignation.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading For the first instant after the shock of the boat upon the impaling snag I stood irresolute; the next, I was busy with plans for escape.
water
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without much plan or premeditation I sprang out, and making good my hold upon the nearest limb as I plunged, found myself, to my surprise, standing in not more than four feet of water, the foot of the bar evidently running down well under the boat.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Without much plan or premeditation I sprang out, and making good my hold upon the nearest limb as I plunged, found myself, to my surprise, standing in not more than four feet of water, the foot of the bar evidently running down well under the boat.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Running down the companionway, I found myself among a crowd of excited deck hands, most of whom, with many of the passengers, were pushing toward the starboard rail, whence could be seen the gloom of the forest along shore.
whenceadverbUS /wens/
an old word meaning “from where”
From this reading Running down the companionway, I found myself among a crowd of excited deck hands, most of whom, with many of the passengers, were pushing toward the starboard rail, whence could be seen the gloom of the forest along shore.
white
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The gangway door on the opposite side of the boat was open, and as I looked out I could see the long white arms of the giant snag reaching alongside.
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Running down the companionway, I found myself among a crowd of excited deck hands, most of whom, with many of the passengers, were pushing toward the starboard rail, whence could be seen the gloom of the forest along shore.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading For the first instant after the shock of the boat upon the impaling snag I stood irresolute; the next, I was busy with plans for escape.
WithoutprepositionUS /wɪˈθaʊt/
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading Without much plan or premeditation I sprang out, and making good my hold upon the nearest limb as I plunged, found myself, to my surprise, standing in not more than four feet of water, the foot of the bar evidently running down well under the boat.
