Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading But every seaman knew, at the time, that the Captain’s order was an unwise one in the extreme; perhaps worse than unwise.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The truth of this seemed evinced in the case of Mad Jack, during the gale, and especially at that perilous moment when he countermanded the Captain’s order at the helm.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The truth of this seemed evinced in the case of Mad Jack, during the gale, and especially at that perilous moment when he countermanded the Captain’s order at the helm.
away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By putting the helm _hard up_, the Captain was for _scudding_; that is, for flying away from the gale.
best
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In time of peril, like the needle to the loadstone, obedience, irrespective of rank, generally flies to him who is best fitted to command.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But every seaman knew, at the time, that the Captain’s order was an unwise one in the extreme; perhaps worse than unwise.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading These two orders given, by the Captain and his Lieutenant, exactly contrasted their characters.
CaptainnounUS /ˈcaptain/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading These two orders given, by the Captain and his Lieutenant, exactly contrasted their characters.
Captain's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The truth of this seemed evinced in the case of Mad Jack, during the gale, and especially at that perilous moment when he countermanded the Captain’s order at the helm.
case
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The truth of this seemed evinced in the case of Mad Jack, during the gale, and especially at that perilous moment when he countermanded the Captain’s order at the helm.
characters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These two orders given, by the Captain and his Lieutenant, exactly contrasted their characters.
command
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In time of peril, like the needle to the loadstone, obedience, irrespective of rank, generally flies to him who is best fitted to command.
contrasted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These two orders given, by the Captain and his Lieutenant, exactly contrasted their characters.
countermanded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The truth of this seemed evinced in the case of Mad Jack, during the gale, and especially at that perilous moment when he countermanded the Captain’s order at the helm.
duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading The truth of this seemed evinced in the case of Mad Jack, during the gale, and especially at that perilous moment when he countermanded the Captain’s order at the helm.
especially
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The truth of this seemed evinced in the case of Mad Jack, during the gale, and especially at that perilous moment when he countermanded the Captain’s order at the helm.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading But every seaman knew, at the time, that the Captain’s order was an unwise one in the extreme; perhaps worse than unwise.
evinced
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The truth of this seemed evinced in the case of Mad Jack, during the gale, and especially at that perilous moment when he countermanded the Captain’s order at the helm.
exactly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These two orders given, by the Captain and his Lieutenant, exactly contrasted their characters.
extreme
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But every seaman knew, at the time, that the Captain’s order was an unwise one in the extreme; perhaps worse than unwise.
fittedadjectiveUS /ˈfɪtɪd/
prepared and equipped for a particular purpose
From this reading In time of peril, like the needle to the loadstone, obedience, irrespective of rank, generally flies to him who is best fitted to command.
flies
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In time of peril, like the needle to the loadstone, obedience, irrespective of rank, generally flies to him who is best fitted to command.
flying
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By putting the helm _hard up_, the Captain was for _scudding_; that is, for flying away from the gale.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading By putting the helm _hard up_, the Captain was for _scudding_; that is, for flying away from the gale.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading By putting the helm _hard up_, the Captain was for _scudding_; that is, for flying away from the gale.
gale
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The truth of this seemed evinced in the case of Mad Jack, during the gale, and especially at that perilous moment when he countermanded the Captain’s order at the helm.
generally
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In time of peril, like the needle to the loadstone, obedience, irrespective of rank, generally flies to him who is best fitted to command.
given
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These two orders given, by the Captain and his Lieutenant, exactly contrasted their characters.
hard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By putting the helm _hard up_, the Captain was for _scudding_; that is, for flying away from the gale.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The truth of this seemed evinced in the case of Mad Jack, during the gale, and especially at that perilous moment when he countermanded the Captain’s order at the helm.
helm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The truth of this seemed evinced in the case of Mad Jack, during the gale, and especially at that perilous moment when he countermanded the Captain’s order at the helm.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading In time of peril, like the needle to the loadstone, obedience, irrespective of rank, generally flies to him who is best fitted to command.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading These two orders given, by the Captain and his Lieutenant, exactly contrasted their characters.
InprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading In time of peril, like the needle to the loadstone, obedience, irrespective of rank, generally flies to him who is best fitted to command.
irrespective
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In time of peril, like the needle to the loadstone, obedience, irrespective of rank, generally flies to him who is best fitted to command.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In time of peril, like the needle to the loadstone, obedience, irrespective of rank, generally flies to him who is best fitted to command.
Jack
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The truth of this seemed evinced in the case of Mad Jack, during the gale, and especially at that perilous moment when he countermanded the Captain’s order at the helm.
knew
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But every seaman knew, at the time, that the Captain’s order was an unwise one in the extreme; perhaps worse than unwise.
Lieutenant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These two orders given, by the Captain and his Lieutenant, exactly contrasted their characters.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In time of peril, like the needle to the loadstone, obedience, irrespective of rank, generally flies to him who is best fitted to command.
loadstone
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In time of peril, like the needle to the loadstone, obedience, irrespective of rank, generally flies to him who is best fitted to command.
Mad
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The truth of this seemed evinced in the case of Mad Jack, during the gale, and especially at that perilous moment when he countermanded the Captain’s order at the helm.
moment
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The truth of this seemed evinced in the case of Mad Jack, during the gale, and especially at that perilous moment when he countermanded the Captain’s order at the helm.
needle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In time of peril, like the needle to the loadstone, obedience, irrespective of rank, generally flies to him who is best fitted to command.
obedience
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In time of peril, like the needle to the loadstone, obedience, irrespective of rank, generally flies to him who is best fitted to command.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading In time of peril, like the needle to the loadstone, obedience, irrespective of rank, generally flies to him who is best fitted to command.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading But every seaman knew, at the time, that the Captain’s order was an unwise one in the extreme; perhaps worse than unwise.
ordernounUS /order/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The truth of this seemed evinced in the case of Mad Jack, during the gale, and especially at that perilous moment when he countermanded the Captain’s order at the helm.
orders
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These two orders given, by the Captain and his Lieutenant, exactly contrasted their characters.
perhaps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But every seaman knew, at the time, that the Captain’s order was an unwise one in the extreme; perhaps worse than unwise.
peril
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In time of peril, like the needle to the loadstone, obedience, irrespective of rank, generally flies to him who is best fitted to command.
perilous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The truth of this seemed evinced in the case of Mad Jack, during the gale, and especially at that perilous moment when he countermanded the Captain’s order at the helm.
putting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By putting the helm _hard up_, the Captain was for _scudding_; that is, for flying away from the gale.
rank
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In time of peril, like the needle to the loadstone, obedience, irrespective of rank, generally flies to him who is best fitted to command.
scudding
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By putting the helm _hard up_, the Captain was for _scudding_; that is, for flying away from the gale.
seaman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But every seaman knew, at the time, that the Captain’s order was an unwise one in the extreme; perhaps worse than unwise.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The truth of this seemed evinced in the case of Mad Jack, during the gale, and especially at that perilous moment when he countermanded the Captain’s order at the helm.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading But every seaman knew, at the time, that the Captain’s order was an unwise one in the extreme; perhaps worse than unwise.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The truth of this seemed evinced in the case of Mad Jack, during the gale, and especially at that perilous moment when he countermanded the Captain’s order at the helm.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading In time of peril, like the needle to the loadstone, obedience, irrespective of rank, generally flies to him who is best fitted to command.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading These two orders given, by the Captain and his Lieutenant, exactly contrasted their characters.
ThesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading These two orders given, by the Captain and his Lieutenant, exactly contrasted their characters.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The truth of this seemed evinced in the case of Mad Jack, during the gale, and especially at that perilous moment when he countermanded the Captain’s order at the helm.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In time of peril, like the needle to the loadstone, obedience, irrespective of rank, generally flies to him who is best fitted to command.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading In time of peril, like the needle to the loadstone, obedience, irrespective of rank, generally flies to him who is best fitted to command.
truth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The truth of this seemed evinced in the case of Mad Jack, during the gale, and especially at that perilous moment when he countermanded the Captain’s order at the helm.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading These two orders given, by the Captain and his Lieutenant, exactly contrasted their characters.
unwise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But every seaman knew, at the time, that the Captain’s order was an unwise one in the extreme; perhaps worse than unwise.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading By putting the helm _hard up_, the Captain was for _scudding_; that is, for flying away from the gale.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading But every seaman knew, at the time, that the Captain’s order was an unwise one in the extreme; perhaps worse than unwise.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading The truth of this seemed evinced in the case of Mad Jack, during the gale, and especially at that perilous moment when he countermanded the Captain’s order at the helm.
whopronounUS /huː/
which person or people
From this reading In time of peril, like the needle to the loadstone, obedience, irrespective of rank, generally flies to him who is best fitted to command.
worse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But every seaman knew, at the time, that the Captain’s order was an unwise one in the extreme; perhaps worse than unwise.
