Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
1855
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Israel Potter: His Fifty Years of Exile’ (1855), first printed as a serial in Putnam’s, is an historical romance of the American Revolution, based on the hero’s own account of his adventures, as given in a little volume picked up by Mr. Melville at a book-stall.
1856
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those in the former periodical were collected in a volume as Piazza Tales (1856); and of these ‘Benito Cereno’ and ‘The Bell Tower’ are equal to his best previous efforts.
1857
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘The Confidence Man’ (1857), his last serious effort in prose fiction, does not seem to require criticism.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Those in the former periodical were collected in a volume as Piazza Tales (1856); and of these ‘Benito Cereno’ and ‘The Bell Tower’ are equal to his best previous efforts.
account
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Israel Potter: His Fifty Years of Exile’ (1855), first printed as a serial in Putnam’s, is an historical romance of the American Revolution, based on the hero’s own account of his adventures, as given in a little volume picked up by Mr. Melville at a book-stall.
adventures
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Israel Potter: His Fifty Years of Exile’ (1855), first printed as a serial in Putnam’s, is an historical romance of the American Revolution, based on the hero’s own account of his adventures, as given in a little volume picked up by Mr. Melville at a book-stall.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After this Mr. Melville contributed several short stories to Putnam’s Monthly and Harper’s Magazine.
American
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Israel Potter: His Fifty Years of Exile’ (1855), first printed as a serial in Putnam’s, is an historical romance of the American Revolution, based on the hero’s own account of his adventures, as given in a little volume picked up by Mr. Melville at a book-stall.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading ‘Israel Potter: His Fifty Years of Exile’ (1855), first printed as a serial in Putnam’s, is an historical romance of the American Revolution, based on the hero’s own account of his adventures, as given in a little volume picked up by Mr. Melville at a book-stall.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading After this Mr. Melville contributed several short stories to Putnam’s Monthly and Harper’s Magazine.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Those in the former periodical were collected in a volume as Piazza Tales (1856); and of these ‘Benito Cereno’ and ‘The Bell Tower’ are equal to his best previous efforts.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Those in the former periodical were collected in a volume as Piazza Tales (1856); and of these ‘Benito Cereno’ and ‘The Bell Tower’ are equal to his best previous efforts.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading ‘Israel Potter: His Fifty Years of Exile’ (1855), first printed as a serial in Putnam’s, is an historical romance of the American Revolution, based on the hero’s own account of his adventures, as given in a little volume picked up by Mr. Melville at a book-stall.
author
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The story is well told, but the book is hardly worthy of the author of ‘Typee.’
based
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Israel Potter: His Fifty Years of Exile’ (1855), first printed as a serial in Putnam’s, is an historical romance of the American Revolution, based on the hero’s own account of his adventures, as given in a little volume picked up by Mr. Melville at a book-stall.
Bell
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those in the former periodical were collected in a volume as Piazza Tales (1856); and of these ‘Benito Cereno’ and ‘The Bell Tower’ are equal to his best previous efforts.
Benito
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those in the former periodical were collected in a volume as Piazza Tales (1856); and of these ‘Benito Cereno’ and ‘The Bell Tower’ are equal to his best previous efforts.
best
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those in the former periodical were collected in a volume as Piazza Tales (1856); and of these ‘Benito Cereno’ and ‘The Bell Tower’ are equal to his best previous efforts.
book
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The story is well told, but the book is hardly worthy of the author of ‘Typee.’
book-stall
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Israel Potter: His Fifty Years of Exile’ (1855), first printed as a serial in Putnam’s, is an historical romance of the American Revolution, based on the hero’s own account of his adventures, as given in a little volume picked up by Mr. Melville at a book-stall.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The story is well told, but the book is hardly worthy of the author of ‘Typee.’
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading ‘Israel Potter: His Fifty Years of Exile’ (1855), first printed as a serial in Putnam’s, is an historical romance of the American Revolution, based on the hero’s own account of his adventures, as given in a little volume picked up by Mr. Melville at a book-stall.
Cereno
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those in the former periodical were collected in a volume as Piazza Tales (1856); and of these ‘Benito Cereno’ and ‘The Bell Tower’ are equal to his best previous efforts.
collected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those in the former periodical were collected in a volume as Piazza Tales (1856); and of these ‘Benito Cereno’ and ‘The Bell Tower’ are equal to his best previous efforts.
ConfidencenounUS /ˈconfidence/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading ‘The Confidence Man’ (1857), his last serious effort in prose fiction, does not seem to require criticism.
contributed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After this Mr. Melville contributed several short stories to Putnam’s Monthly and Harper’s Magazine.
criticism
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘The Confidence Man’ (1857), his last serious effort in prose fiction, does not seem to require criticism.
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading ‘The Confidence Man’ (1857), his last serious effort in prose fiction, does not seem to require criticism.
effort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘The Confidence Man’ (1857), his last serious effort in prose fiction, does not seem to require criticism.
efforts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those in the former periodical were collected in a volume as Piazza Tales (1856); and of these ‘Benito Cereno’ and ‘The Bell Tower’ are equal to his best previous efforts.
equal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those in the former periodical were collected in a volume as Piazza Tales (1856); and of these ‘Benito Cereno’ and ‘The Bell Tower’ are equal to his best previous efforts.
Exile
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Israel Potter: His Fifty Years of Exile’ (1855), first printed as a serial in Putnam’s, is an historical romance of the American Revolution, based on the hero’s own account of his adventures, as given in a little volume picked up by Mr. Melville at a book-stall.
fiction
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘The Confidence Man’ (1857), his last serious effort in prose fiction, does not seem to require criticism.
Fifty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Israel Potter: His Fifty Years of Exile’ (1855), first printed as a serial in Putnam’s, is an historical romance of the American Revolution, based on the hero’s own account of his adventures, as given in a little volume picked up by Mr. Melville at a book-stall.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ‘Israel Potter: His Fifty Years of Exile’ (1855), first printed as a serial in Putnam’s, is an historical romance of the American Revolution, based on the hero’s own account of his adventures, as given in a little volume picked up by Mr. Melville at a book-stall.
former
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those in the former periodical were collected in a volume as Piazza Tales (1856); and of these ‘Benito Cereno’ and ‘The Bell Tower’ are equal to his best previous efforts.
given
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Israel Potter: His Fifty Years of Exile’ (1855), first printed as a serial in Putnam’s, is an historical romance of the American Revolution, based on the hero’s own account of his adventures, as given in a little volume picked up by Mr. Melville at a book-stall.
hardly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The story is well told, but the book is hardly worthy of the author of ‘Typee.’
Harper's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After this Mr. Melville contributed several short stories to Putnam’s Monthly and Harper’s Magazine.
hero's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Israel Potter: His Fifty Years of Exile’ (1855), first printed as a serial in Putnam’s, is an historical romance of the American Revolution, based on the hero’s own account of his adventures, as given in a little volume picked up by Mr. Melville at a book-stall.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Those in the former periodical were collected in a volume as Piazza Tales (1856); and of these ‘Benito Cereno’ and ‘The Bell Tower’ are equal to his best previous efforts.
historical
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Israel Potter: His Fifty Years of Exile’ (1855), first printed as a serial in Putnam’s, is an historical romance of the American Revolution, based on the hero’s own account of his adventures, as given in a little volume picked up by Mr. Melville at a book-stall.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Those in the former periodical were collected in a volume as Piazza Tales (1856); and of these ‘Benito Cereno’ and ‘The Bell Tower’ are equal to his best previous efforts.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading ‘Israel Potter: His Fifty Years of Exile’ (1855), first printed as a serial in Putnam’s, is an historical romance of the American Revolution, based on the hero’s own account of his adventures, as given in a little volume picked up by Mr. Melville at a book-stall.
Israel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Israel Potter: His Fifty Years of Exile’ (1855), first printed as a serial in Putnam’s, is an historical romance of the American Revolution, based on the hero’s own account of his adventures, as given in a little volume picked up by Mr. Melville at a book-stall.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ‘The Confidence Man’ (1857), his last serious effort in prose fiction, does not seem to require criticism.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ‘Israel Potter: His Fifty Years of Exile’ (1855), first printed as a serial in Putnam’s, is an historical romance of the American Revolution, based on the hero’s own account of his adventures, as given in a little volume picked up by Mr. Melville at a book-stall.
Magazine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After this Mr. Melville contributed several short stories to Putnam’s Monthly and Harper’s Magazine.
Man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘The Confidence Man’ (1857), his last serious effort in prose fiction, does not seem to require criticism.
Melville
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After this Mr. Melville contributed several short stories to Putnam’s Monthly and Harper’s Magazine.
Monthly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After this Mr. Melville contributed several short stories to Putnam’s Monthly and Harper’s Magazine.
Mr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After this Mr. Melville contributed several short stories to Putnam’s Monthly and Harper’s Magazine.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading ‘The Confidence Man’ (1857), his last serious effort in prose fiction, does not seem to require criticism.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Those in the former periodical were collected in a volume as Piazza Tales (1856); and of these ‘Benito Cereno’ and ‘The Bell Tower’ are equal to his best previous efforts.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading ‘Israel Potter: His Fifty Years of Exile’ (1855), first printed as a serial in Putnam’s, is an historical romance of the American Revolution, based on the hero’s own account of his adventures, as given in a little volume picked up by Mr. Melville at a book-stall.
own
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Israel Potter: His Fifty Years of Exile’ (1855), first printed as a serial in Putnam’s, is an historical romance of the American Revolution, based on the hero’s own account of his adventures, as given in a little volume picked up by Mr. Melville at a book-stall.
periodical
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those in the former periodical were collected in a volume as Piazza Tales (1856); and of these ‘Benito Cereno’ and ‘The Bell Tower’ are equal to his best previous efforts.
Piazza
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those in the former periodical were collected in a volume as Piazza Tales (1856); and of these ‘Benito Cereno’ and ‘The Bell Tower’ are equal to his best previous efforts.
picked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Israel Potter: His Fifty Years of Exile’ (1855), first printed as a serial in Putnam’s, is an historical romance of the American Revolution, based on the hero’s own account of his adventures, as given in a little volume picked up by Mr. Melville at a book-stall.
Potter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Israel Potter: His Fifty Years of Exile’ (1855), first printed as a serial in Putnam’s, is an historical romance of the American Revolution, based on the hero’s own account of his adventures, as given in a little volume picked up by Mr. Melville at a book-stall.
previous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those in the former periodical were collected in a volume as Piazza Tales (1856); and of these ‘Benito Cereno’ and ‘The Bell Tower’ are equal to his best previous efforts.
printednounUS /printed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading ‘Israel Potter: His Fifty Years of Exile’ (1855), first printed as a serial in Putnam’s, is an historical romance of the American Revolution, based on the hero’s own account of his adventures, as given in a little volume picked up by Mr. Melville at a book-stall.
prose
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘The Confidence Man’ (1857), his last serious effort in prose fiction, does not seem to require criticism.
Putnam's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After this Mr. Melville contributed several short stories to Putnam’s Monthly and Harper’s Magazine.
require
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘The Confidence Man’ (1857), his last serious effort in prose fiction, does not seem to require criticism.
Revolution
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Israel Potter: His Fifty Years of Exile’ (1855), first printed as a serial in Putnam’s, is an historical romance of the American Revolution, based on the hero’s own account of his adventures, as given in a little volume picked up by Mr. Melville at a book-stall.
romance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Israel Potter: His Fifty Years of Exile’ (1855), first printed as a serial in Putnam’s, is an historical romance of the American Revolution, based on the hero’s own account of his adventures, as given in a little volume picked up by Mr. Melville at a book-stall.
seem
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘The Confidence Man’ (1857), his last serious effort in prose fiction, does not seem to require criticism.
serial
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Israel Potter: His Fifty Years of Exile’ (1855), first printed as a serial in Putnam’s, is an historical romance of the American Revolution, based on the hero’s own account of his adventures, as given in a little volume picked up by Mr. Melville at a book-stall.
serious
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘The Confidence Man’ (1857), his last serious effort in prose fiction, does not seem to require criticism.
several
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After this Mr. Melville contributed several short stories to Putnam’s Monthly and Harper’s Magazine.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/
brief or direct in expression
From this reading After this Mr. Melville contributed several short stories to Putnam’s Monthly and Harper’s Magazine.
stories
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After this Mr. Melville contributed several short stories to Putnam’s Monthly and Harper’s Magazine.
story
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The story is well told, but the book is hardly worthy of the author of ‘Typee.’
Tales
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those in the former periodical were collected in a volume as Piazza Tales (1856); and of these ‘Benito Cereno’ and ‘The Bell Tower’ are equal to his best previous efforts.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Those in the former periodical were collected in a volume as Piazza Tales (1856); and of these ‘Benito Cereno’ and ‘The Bell Tower’ are equal to his best previous efforts.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading Those in the former periodical were collected in a volume as Piazza Tales (1856); and of these ‘Benito Cereno’ and ‘The Bell Tower’ are equal to his best previous efforts.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading After this Mr. Melville contributed several short stories to Putnam’s Monthly and Harper’s Magazine.
ThosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading Those in the former periodical were collected in a volume as Piazza Tales (1856); and of these ‘Benito Cereno’ and ‘The Bell Tower’ are equal to his best previous efforts.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading After this Mr. Melville contributed several short stories to Putnam’s Monthly and Harper’s Magazine.
toldnounUS /told/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The story is well told, but the book is hardly worthy of the author of ‘Typee.’
Tower
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those in the former periodical were collected in a volume as Piazza Tales (1856); and of these ‘Benito Cereno’ and ‘The Bell Tower’ are equal to his best previous efforts.
Typee
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The story is well told, but the book is hardly worthy of the author of ‘Typee.’
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Israel Potter: His Fifty Years of Exile’ (1855), first printed as a serial in Putnam’s, is an historical romance of the American Revolution, based on the hero’s own account of his adventures, as given in a little volume picked up by Mr. Melville at a book-stall.
volume
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Those in the former periodical were collected in a volume as Piazza Tales (1856); and of these ‘Benito Cereno’ and ‘The Bell Tower’ are equal to his best previous efforts.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The story is well told, but the book is hardly worthy of the author of ‘Typee.’
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Those in the former periodical were collected in a volume as Piazza Tales (1856); and of these ‘Benito Cereno’ and ‘The Bell Tower’ are equal to his best previous efforts.
worthyadjectiveUS /ˈwɜːr.ði/
Having or showing the qualities or abilities that merit recognition in character or magic.
From this reading The story is well told, but the book is hardly worthy of the author of ‘Typee.’
Years
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading ‘Israel Potter: His Fifty Years of Exile’ (1855), first printed as a serial in Putnam’s, is an historical romance of the American Revolution, based on the hero’s own account of his adventures, as given in a little volume picked up by Mr. Melville at a book-stall.