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adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading To the left was a hard skyline unbroken by a sail.
air
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From this reading Alleyne stood by the tiller, looking backwards, the fresh wind full in his teeth, the crisp winter air tingling on his face and blowing his yellow curls from under his bassinet.
Alban's
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From this reading The island already lay like a cloud behind them, while right in front was St. Alban's Head, with Portland looming mistily in the farthest distance.
Alleyne
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From this reading Alleyne stood by the tiller, looking backwards, the fresh wind full in his teeth, the crisp winter air tingling on his face and blowing his yellow curls from under his bassinet.
alreadynounUS /already/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The island already lay like a cloud behind them, while right in front was St. Alban's Head, with Portland looming mistily in the farthest distance.
althoughnounUS /ˈalthough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The three vessels had been sweeping swiftly westwards, the cog still well to the front, although the galleys were slowly drawing in upon either quarter.
ancestors
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His cheeks were flushed and his eyes shining, for the blood of a hundred fighting Saxon ancestors was beginning to stir in his veins.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Alleyne stood by the tiller, looking backwards, the fresh wind full in his teeth, the crisp winter air tingling on his face and blowing his yellow curls from under his bassinet.
backwards
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From this reading Alleyne stood by the tiller, looking backwards, the fresh wind full in his teeth, the crisp winter air tingling on his face and blowing his yellow curls from under his bassinet.
bassinet
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From this reading Alleyne stood by the tiller, looking backwards, the fresh wind full in his teeth, the crisp winter air tingling on his face and blowing his yellow curls from under his bassinet.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The three vessels had been sweeping swiftly westwards, the cog still well to the front, although the galleys were slowly drawing in upon either quarter.
beginningnounUS /ˈbeginning/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading His cheeks were flushed and his eyes shining, for the blood of a hundred fighting Saxon ancestors was beginning to stir in his veins.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading The island already lay like a cloud behind them, while right in front was St. Alban's Head, with Portland looming mistily in the farthest distance.
bloodnounUS /blood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading His cheeks were flushed and his eyes shining, for the blood of a hundred fighting Saxon ancestors was beginning to stir in his veins.
blowing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alleyne stood by the tiller, looking backwards, the fresh wind full in his teeth, the crisp winter air tingling on his face and blowing his yellow curls from under his bassinet.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading To the left was a hard skyline unbroken by a sail.
cheeks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His cheeks were flushed and his eyes shining, for the blood of a hundred fighting Saxon ancestors was beginning to stir in his veins.
cloud
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The island already lay like a cloud behind them, while right in front was St. Alban's Head, with Portland looming mistily in the farthest distance.
cog
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The three vessels had been sweeping swiftly westwards, the cog still well to the front, although the galleys were slowly drawing in upon either quarter.
crisp
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alleyne stood by the tiller, looking backwards, the fresh wind full in his teeth, the crisp winter air tingling on his face and blowing his yellow curls from under his bassinet.
curls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alleyne stood by the tiller, looking backwards, the fresh wind full in his teeth, the crisp winter air tingling on his face and blowing his yellow curls from under his bassinet.
distance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The island already lay like a cloud behind them, while right in front was St. Alban's Head, with Portland looming mistily in the farthest distance.
drawing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The three vessels had been sweeping swiftly westwards, the cog still well to the front, although the galleys were slowly drawing in upon either quarter.
eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/
one or the other of two
From this reading The three vessels had been sweeping swiftly westwards, the cog still well to the front, although the galleys were slowly drawing in upon either quarter.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His cheeks were flushed and his eyes shining, for the blood of a hundred fighting Saxon ancestors was beginning to stir in his veins.
face
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alleyne stood by the tiller, looking backwards, the fresh wind full in his teeth, the crisp winter air tingling on his face and blowing his yellow curls from under his bassinet.
farthest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The island already lay like a cloud behind them, while right in front was St. Alban's Head, with Portland looming mistily in the farthest distance.
fighting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His cheeks were flushed and his eyes shining, for the blood of a hundred fighting Saxon ancestors was beginning to stir in his veins.
flushed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His cheeks were flushed and his eyes shining, for the blood of a hundred fighting Saxon ancestors was beginning to stir in his veins.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading His cheeks were flushed and his eyes shining, for the blood of a hundred fighting Saxon ancestors was beginning to stir in his veins.
fresh
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alleyne stood by the tiller, looking backwards, the fresh wind full in his teeth, the crisp winter air tingling on his face and blowing his yellow curls from under his bassinet.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Alleyne stood by the tiller, looking backwards, the fresh wind full in his teeth, the crisp winter air tingling on his face and blowing his yellow curls from under his bassinet.
front
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The three vessels had been sweeping swiftly westwards, the cog still well to the front, although the galleys were slowly drawing in upon either quarter.
full
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alleyne stood by the tiller, looking backwards, the fresh wind full in his teeth, the crisp winter air tingling on his face and blowing his yellow curls from under his bassinet.
galleys
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The three vessels had been sweeping swiftly westwards, the cog still well to the front, although the galleys were slowly drawing in upon either quarter.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The three vessels had been sweeping swiftly westwards, the cog still well to the front, although the galleys were slowly drawing in upon either quarter.
hard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To the left was a hard skyline unbroken by a sail.
Head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The island already lay like a cloud behind them, while right in front was St. Alban's Head, with Portland looming mistily in the farthest distance.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Alleyne stood by the tiller, looking backwards, the fresh wind full in his teeth, the crisp winter air tingling on his face and blowing his yellow curls from under his bassinet.
hundred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His cheeks were flushed and his eyes shining, for the blood of a hundred fighting Saxon ancestors was beginning to stir in his veins.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The three vessels had been sweeping swiftly westwards, the cog still well to the front, although the galleys were slowly drawing in upon either quarter.
island
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The island already lay like a cloud behind them, while right in front was St. Alban's Head, with Portland looming mistily in the farthest distance.
lay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The island already lay like a cloud behind them, while right in front was St. Alban's Head, with Portland looming mistily in the farthest distance.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading To the left was a hard skyline unbroken by a sail.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The island already lay like a cloud behind them, while right in front was St. Alban's Head, with Portland looming mistily in the farthest distance.
looking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alleyne stood by the tiller, looking backwards, the fresh wind full in his teeth, the crisp winter air tingling on his face and blowing his yellow curls from under his bassinet.
looming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The island already lay like a cloud behind them, while right in front was St. Alban's Head, with Portland looming mistily in the farthest distance.
mistily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The island already lay like a cloud behind them, while right in front was St. Alban's Head, with Portland looming mistily in the farthest distance.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading His cheeks were flushed and his eyes shining, for the blood of a hundred fighting Saxon ancestors was beginning to stir in his veins.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Alleyne stood by the tiller, looking backwards, the fresh wind full in his teeth, the crisp winter air tingling on his face and blowing his yellow curls from under his bassinet.
Portland
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The island already lay like a cloud behind them, while right in front was St. Alban's Head, with Portland looming mistily in the farthest distance.
quarter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The three vessels had been sweeping swiftly westwards, the cog still well to the front, although the galleys were slowly drawing in upon either quarter.
rightnounUS /right/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The island already lay like a cloud behind them, while right in front was St. Alban's Head, with Portland looming mistily in the farthest distance.
sailnounUS /sail/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading To the left was a hard skyline unbroken by a sail.
Saxon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His cheeks were flushed and his eyes shining, for the blood of a hundred fighting Saxon ancestors was beginning to stir in his veins.
shining
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His cheeks were flushed and his eyes shining, for the blood of a hundred fighting Saxon ancestors was beginning to stir in his veins.
skyline
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To the left was a hard skyline unbroken by a sail.
slowly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The three vessels had been sweeping swiftly westwards, the cog still well to the front, although the galleys were slowly drawing in upon either quarter.
St
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The island already lay like a cloud behind them, while right in front was St. Alban's Head, with Portland looming mistily in the farthest distance.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The three vessels had been sweeping swiftly westwards, the cog still well to the front, although the galleys were slowly drawing in upon either quarter.
stir
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His cheeks were flushed and his eyes shining, for the blood of a hundred fighting Saxon ancestors was beginning to stir in his veins.
stoodnounUS /stood/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Alleyne stood by the tiller, looking backwards, the fresh wind full in his teeth, the crisp winter air tingling on his face and blowing his yellow curls from under his bassinet.
sweeping
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The three vessels had been sweeping swiftly westwards, the cog still well to the front, although the galleys were slowly drawing in upon either quarter.
swiftly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The three vessels had been sweeping swiftly westwards, the cog still well to the front, although the galleys were slowly drawing in upon either quarter.
teeth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alleyne stood by the tiller, looking backwards, the fresh wind full in his teeth, the crisp winter air tingling on his face and blowing his yellow curls from under his bassinet.
ThedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The three vessels had been sweeping swiftly westwards, the cog still well to the front, although the galleys were slowly drawing in upon either quarter.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The island already lay like a cloud behind them, while right in front was St. Alban's Head, with Portland looming mistily in the farthest distance.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The three vessels had been sweeping swiftly westwards, the cog still well to the front, although the galleys were slowly drawing in upon either quarter.
tiller
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alleyne stood by the tiller, looking backwards, the fresh wind full in his teeth, the crisp winter air tingling on his face and blowing his yellow curls from under his bassinet.
tingling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alleyne stood by the tiller, looking backwards, the fresh wind full in his teeth, the crisp winter air tingling on his face and blowing his yellow curls from under his bassinet.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The three vessels had been sweeping swiftly westwards, the cog still well to the front, although the galleys were slowly drawing in upon either quarter.
unbroken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To the left was a hard skyline unbroken by a sail.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading Alleyne stood by the tiller, looking backwards, the fresh wind full in his teeth, the crisp winter air tingling on his face and blowing his yellow curls from under his bassinet.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The three vessels had been sweeping swiftly westwards, the cog still well to the front, although the galleys were slowly drawing in upon either quarter.
veins
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading His cheeks were flushed and his eyes shining, for the blood of a hundred fighting Saxon ancestors was beginning to stir in his veins.
vessels
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The three vessels had been sweeping swiftly westwards, the cog still well to the front, although the galleys were slowly drawing in upon either quarter.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading To the left was a hard skyline unbroken by a sail.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The three vessels had been sweeping swiftly westwards, the cog still well to the front, although the galleys were slowly drawing in upon either quarter.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The three vessels had been sweeping swiftly westwards, the cog still well to the front, although the galleys were slowly drawing in upon either quarter.
westwards
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The three vessels had been sweeping swiftly westwards, the cog still well to the front, although the galleys were slowly drawing in upon either quarter.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading The island already lay like a cloud behind them, while right in front was St. Alban's Head, with Portland looming mistily in the farthest distance.
windnounUS /wind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Alleyne stood by the tiller, looking backwards, the fresh wind full in his teeth, the crisp winter air tingling on his face and blowing his yellow curls from under his bassinet.
winter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alleyne stood by the tiller, looking backwards, the fresh wind full in his teeth, the crisp winter air tingling on his face and blowing his yellow curls from under his bassinet.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The island already lay like a cloud behind them, while right in front was St. Alban's Head, with Portland looming mistily in the farthest distance.
yellow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Alleyne stood by the tiller, looking backwards, the fresh wind full in his teeth, the crisp winter air tingling on his face and blowing his yellow curls from under his bassinet.
