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 The rod bent up into a splendid arch, all its strength being now pitted against the power of the swimming fish.
addednounUS /added/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The latter, somewhat tired by its long flight, felt this added resistance of the rod, and unable to gain any more line, since there was no more to gain, and to ease itself of the strain, flung itself high into the air just as the last limit of the rod was reached.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading The rod bent up into a splendid arch, all its strength being now pitted against the power of the swimming fish.
air
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The latter, somewhat tired by its long flight, felt this added resistance of the rod, and unable to gain any more line, since there was no more to gain, and to ease itself of the strain, flung itself high into the air just as the last limit of the rod was reached.
all
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rod bent up into a splendid arch, all its strength being now pitted against the power of the swimming fish.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading At length John could go no farther with safety, and in desperation gave the fish the butt, as an angler says.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading At length John could go no farther with safety, and in desperation gave the fish the butt, as an angler says.
angler
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From this reading At length John could go no farther with safety, and in desperation gave the fish the butt, as an angler says.
any
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From this reading The latter, somewhat tired by its long flight, felt this added resistance of the rod, and unable to gain any more line, since there was no more to gain, and to ease itself of the strain, flung itself high into the air just as the last limit of the rod was reached.
apparently
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From this reading Down it came with a splash, but this time apparently confused; for as it fell on the water and chanced to head up-stream, it started directly back over the course it had come.
arch
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From this reading The rod bent up into a splendid arch, all its strength being now pitted against the power of the swimming fish.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading At length John could go no farther with safety, and in desperation gave the fish the butt, as an angler says.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At length John could go no farther with safety, and in desperation gave the fish the butt, as an angler says.
back
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From this reading Down it came with a splash, but this time apparently confused; for as it fell on the water and chanced to head up-stream, it started directly back over the course it had come.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The long slack of the line could not be recovered fast enough to follow it, but the hook held.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading The rod bent up into a splendid arch, all its strength being now pitted against the power of the swimming fish.
bent
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From this reading The rod bent up into a splendid arch, all its strength being now pitted against the power of the swimming fish.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Down it came with a splash, but this time apparently confused; for as it fell on the water and chanced to head up-stream, it started directly back over the course it had come.
butt
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From this reading At length John could go no farther with safety, and in desperation gave the fish the butt, as an angler says.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The latter, somewhat tired by its long flight, felt this added resistance of the rod, and unable to gain any more line, since there was no more to gain, and to ease itself of the strain, flung itself high into the air just as the last limit of the rod was reached.
came
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Down it came with a splash, but this time apparently confused; for as it fell on the water and chanced to head up-stream, it started directly back over the course it had come.
chanced
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From this reading Down it came with a splash, but this time apparently confused; for as it fell on the water and chanced to head up-stream, it started directly back over the course it had come.
comenounUS /come/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Down it came with a splash, but this time apparently confused; for as it fell on the water and chanced to head up-stream, it started directly back over the course it had come.
confused
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Down it came with a splash, but this time apparently confused; for as it fell on the water and chanced to head up-stream, it started directly back over the course it had come.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading At length John could go no farther with safety, and in desperation gave the fish the butt, as an angler says.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Down it came with a splash, but this time apparently confused; for as it fell on the water and chanced to head up-stream, it started directly back over the course it had come.
desperation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At length John could go no farther with safety, and in desperation gave the fish the butt, as an angler says.
directlynounUS /ˈdirectly/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Down it came with a splash, but this time apparently confused; for as it fell on the water and chanced to head up-stream, it started directly back over the course it had come.
Down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Down it came with a splash, but this time apparently confused; for as it fell on the water and chanced to head up-stream, it started directly back over the course it had come.
ease
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The latter, somewhat tired by its long flight, felt this added resistance of the rod, and unable to gain any more line, since there was no more to gain, and to ease itself of the strain, flung itself high into the air just as the last limit of the rod was reached.
enough
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The long slack of the line could not be recovered fast enough to follow it, but the hook held.
farther
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At length John could go no farther with safety, and in desperation gave the fish the butt, as an angler says.
fast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The long slack of the line could not be recovered fast enough to follow it, but the hook held.
fell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Down it came with a splash, but this time apparently confused; for as it fell on the water and chanced to head up-stream, it started directly back over the course it had come.
felt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The latter, somewhat tired by its long flight, felt this added resistance of the rod, and unable to gain any more line, since there was no more to gain, and to ease itself of the strain, flung itself high into the air just as the last limit of the rod was reached.
fish
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At length John could go no farther with safety, and in desperation gave the fish the butt, as an angler says.
flight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The latter, somewhat tired by its long flight, felt this added resistance of the rod, and unable to gain any more line, since there was no more to gain, and to ease itself of the strain, flung itself high into the air just as the last limit of the rod was reached.
flung
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The latter, somewhat tired by its long flight, felt this added resistance of the rod, and unable to gain any more line, since there was no more to gain, and to ease itself of the strain, flung itself high into the air just as the last limit of the rod was reached.
follow
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The long slack of the line could not be recovered fast enough to follow it, but the hook held.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Down it came with a splash, but this time apparently confused; for as it fell on the water and chanced to head up-stream, it started directly back over the course it had come.
gain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The latter, somewhat tired by its long flight, felt this added resistance of the rod, and unable to gain any more line, since there was no more to gain, and to ease itself of the strain, flung itself high into the air just as the last limit of the rod was reached.
gave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At length John could go no farther with safety, and in desperation gave the fish the butt, as an angler says.
go
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At length John could go no farther with safety, and in desperation gave the fish the butt, as an angler says.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Down it came with a splash, but this time apparently confused; for as it fell on the water and chanced to head up-stream, it started directly back over the course it had come.
head
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Down it came with a splash, but this time apparently confused; for as it fell on the water and chanced to head up-stream, it started directly back over the course it had come.
held
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The long slack of the line could not be recovered fast enough to follow it, but the hook held.
high
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The latter, somewhat tired by its long flight, felt this added resistance of the rod, and unable to gain any more line, since there was no more to gain, and to ease itself of the strain, flung itself high into the air just as the last limit of the rod was reached.
hook
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The long slack of the line could not be recovered fast enough to follow it, but the hook held.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading At length John could go no farther with safety, and in desperation gave the fish the butt, as an angler says.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The rod bent up into a splendid arch, all its strength being now pitted against the power of the swimming fish.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Down it came with a splash, but this time apparently confused; for as it fell on the water and chanced to head up-stream, it started directly back over the course it had come.
itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The rod bent up into a splendid arch, all its strength being now pitted against the power of the swimming fish.
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading The latter, somewhat tired by its long flight, felt this added resistance of the rod, and unable to gain any more line, since there was no more to gain, and to ease itself of the strain, flung itself high into the air just as the last limit of the rod was reached.
John
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At length John could go no farther with safety, and in desperation gave the fish the butt, as an angler says.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The latter, somewhat tired by its long flight, felt this added resistance of the rod, and unable to gain any more line, since there was no more to gain, and to ease itself of the strain, flung itself high into the air just as the last limit of the rod was reached.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The latter, somewhat tired by its long flight, felt this added resistance of the rod, and unable to gain any more line, since there was no more to gain, and to ease itself of the strain, flung itself high into the air just as the last limit of the rod was reached.
latter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The latter, somewhat tired by its long flight, felt this added resistance of the rod, and unable to gain any more line, since there was no more to gain, and to ease itself of the strain, flung itself high into the air just as the last limit of the rod was reached.
lengthnounUS /leŋθ/
a period of time or extent
From this reading At length John could go no farther with safety, and in desperation gave the fish the butt, as an angler says.
limit
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The latter, somewhat tired by its long flight, felt this added resistance of the rod, and unable to gain any more line, since there was no more to gain, and to ease itself of the strain, flung itself high into the air just as the last limit of the rod was reached.
line
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The latter, somewhat tired by its long flight, felt this added resistance of the rod, and unable to gain any more line, since there was no more to gain, and to ease itself of the strain, flung itself high into the air just as the last limit of the rod was reached.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The latter, somewhat tired by its long flight, felt this added resistance of the rod, and unable to gain any more line, since there was no more to gain, and to ease itself of the strain, flung itself high into the air just as the last limit of the rod was reached.
more
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The latter, somewhat tired by its long flight, felt this added resistance of the rod, and unable to gain any more line, since there was no more to gain, and to ease itself of the strain, flung itself high into the air just as the last limit of the rod was reached.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading At length John could go no farther with safety, and in desperation gave the fish the butt, as an angler says.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The long slack of the line could not be recovered fast enough to follow it, but the hook held.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rod bent up into a splendid arch, all its strength being now pitted against the power of the swimming fish.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The rod bent up into a splendid arch, all its strength being now pitted against the power of the swimming fish.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Down it came with a splash, but this time apparently confused; for as it fell on the water and chanced to head up-stream, it started directly back over the course it had come.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Down it came with a splash, but this time apparently confused; for as it fell on the water and chanced to head up-stream, it started directly back over the course it had come.
pitted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rod bent up into a splendid arch, all its strength being now pitted against the power of the swimming fish.
power
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rod bent up into a splendid arch, all its strength being now pitted against the power of the swimming fish.
reached
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The latter, somewhat tired by its long flight, felt this added resistance of the rod, and unable to gain any more line, since there was no more to gain, and to ease itself of the strain, flung itself high into the air just as the last limit of the rod was reached.
recovered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The long slack of the line could not be recovered fast enough to follow it, but the hook held.
resistance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The latter, somewhat tired by its long flight, felt this added resistance of the rod, and unable to gain any more line, since there was no more to gain, and to ease itself of the strain, flung itself high into the air just as the last limit of the rod was reached.
rod
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rod bent up into a splendid arch, all its strength being now pitted against the power of the swimming fish.
safety
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At length John could go no farther with safety, and in desperation gave the fish the butt, as an angler says.
says
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At length John could go no farther with safety, and in desperation gave the fish the butt, as an angler says.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading The latter, somewhat tired by its long flight, felt this added resistance of the rod, and unable to gain any more line, since there was no more to gain, and to ease itself of the strain, flung itself high into the air just as the last limit of the rod was reached.
slack
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The long slack of the line could not be recovered fast enough to follow it, but the hook held.
somewhat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The latter, somewhat tired by its long flight, felt this added resistance of the rod, and unable to gain any more line, since there was no more to gain, and to ease itself of the strain, flung itself high into the air just as the last limit of the rod was reached.
splash
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Down it came with a splash, but this time apparently confused; for as it fell on the water and chanced to head up-stream, it started directly back over the course it had come.
splendid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rod bent up into a splendid arch, all its strength being now pitted against the power of the swimming fish.
started
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Down it came with a splash, but this time apparently confused; for as it fell on the water and chanced to head up-stream, it started directly back over the course it had come.
strain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The latter, somewhat tired by its long flight, felt this added resistance of the rod, and unable to gain any more line, since there was no more to gain, and to ease itself of the strain, flung itself high into the air just as the last limit of the rod was reached.
strengthnounUS /ˈstrength/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The rod bent up into a splendid arch, all its strength being now pitted against the power of the swimming fish.
swimming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rod bent up into a splendid arch, all its strength being now pitted against the power of the swimming fish.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading At length John could go no farther with safety, and in desperation gave the fish the butt, as an angler says.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The latter, somewhat tired by its long flight, felt this added resistance of the rod, and unable to gain any more line, since there was no more to gain, and to ease itself of the strain, flung itself high into the air just as the last limit of the rod was reached.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The latter, somewhat tired by its long flight, felt this added resistance of the rod, and unable to gain any more line, since there was no more to gain, and to ease itself of the strain, flung itself high into the air just as the last limit of the rod was reached.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Down it came with a splash, but this time apparently confused; for as it fell on the water and chanced to head up-stream, it started directly back over the course it had come.
tired
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The latter, somewhat tired by its long flight, felt this added resistance of the rod, and unable to gain any more line, since there was no more to gain, and to ease itself of the strain, flung itself high into the air just as the last limit of the rod was reached.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The latter, somewhat tired by its long flight, felt this added resistance of the rod, and unable to gain any more line, since there was no more to gain, and to ease itself of the strain, flung itself high into the air just as the last limit of the rod was reached.
unable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The latter, somewhat tired by its long flight, felt this added resistance of the rod, and unable to gain any more line, since there was no more to gain, and to ease itself of the strain, flung itself high into the air just as the last limit of the rod was reached.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The rod bent up into a splendid arch, all its strength being now pitted against the power of the swimming fish.
up-stream
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Down it came with a splash, but this time apparently confused; for as it fell on the water and chanced to head up-stream, it started directly back over the course it had come.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The latter, somewhat tired by its long flight, felt this added resistance of the rod, and unable to gain any more line, since there was no more to gain, and to ease itself of the strain, flung itself high into the air just as the last limit of the rod was reached.
water
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Down it came with a splash, but this time apparently confused; for as it fell on the water and chanced to head up-stream, it started directly back over the course it had come.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading At length John could go no farther with safety, and in desperation gave the fish the butt, as an angler says.
