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 There was a public library on board, paid for by government, and intrusted to the custody of one of the marine corporals, a little, dried-up man, of a somewhat literary turn.
accustomed
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From this reading He had once been a clerk in a post-office ashore; and, having been long accustomed to hand over letters when called for, he was now just the man to hand over books.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading One of my principal antidotes against _ennui_ in Rio, was reading.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading There was a public library on board, paid for by government, and intrusted to the custody of one of the marine corporals, a little, dried-up man, of a somewhat literary turn.
antidotes
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From this reading One of my principal antidotes against _ennui_ in Rio, was reading.
ashore
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From this reading He had once been a clerk in a post-office ashore; and, having been long accustomed to hand over letters when called for, he was now just the man to hand over books.
barrel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He kept them in a large cask on the berth-deck, and, when seeking a particular volume, had to capsize it like a barrel of potatoes.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He had once been a clerk in a post-office ashore; and, having been long accustomed to hand over letters when called for, he was now just the man to hand over books.
berth-deck
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He kept them in a large cask on the berth-deck, and, when seeking a particular volume, had to capsize it like a barrel of potatoes.
board
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nowhere does time pass more heavily than with most men-of-war’s-men on board their craft in harbour.
booksnounUS /bʊks/
Bound written or printed works.
From this reading He had once been a clerk in a post-office ashore; and, having been long accustomed to hand over letters when called for, he was now just the man to hand over books.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading There was a public library on board, paid for by government, and intrusted to the custody of one of the marine corporals, a little, dried-up man, of a somewhat literary turn.
called
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From this reading He had once been a clerk in a post-office ashore; and, having been long accustomed to hand over letters when called for, he was now just the man to hand over books.
capsize
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He kept them in a large cask on the berth-deck, and, when seeking a particular volume, had to capsize it like a barrel of potatoes.
cask
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He kept them in a large cask on the berth-deck, and, when seeking a particular volume, had to capsize it like a barrel of potatoes.
clerk
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From this reading He had once been a clerk in a post-office ashore; and, having been long accustomed to hand over letters when called for, he was now just the man to hand over books.
corporals
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From this reading There was a public library on board, paid for by government, and intrusted to the custody of one of the marine corporals, a little, dried-up man, of a somewhat literary turn.
craftnounUS /kræft/
a boat or ship in this chapter’s sailing situation
From this reading Nowhere does time pass more heavily than with most men-of-war’s-men on board their craft in harbour.
custody
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a public library on board, paid for by government, and intrusted to the custody of one of the marine corporals, a little, dried-up man, of a somewhat literary turn.
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Nowhere does time pass more heavily than with most men-of-war’s-men on board their craft in harbour.
dried-up
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From this reading There was a public library on board, paid for by government, and intrusted to the custody of one of the marine corporals, a little, dried-up man, of a somewhat literary turn.
ennui
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From this reading One of my principal antidotes against _ennui_ in Rio, was reading.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading There was a public library on board, paid for by government, and intrusted to the custody of one of the marine corporals, a little, dried-up man, of a somewhat literary turn.
government
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a public library on board, paid for by government, and intrusted to the custody of one of the marine corporals, a little, dried-up man, of a somewhat literary turn.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He had once been a clerk in a post-office ashore; and, having been long accustomed to hand over letters when called for, he was now just the man to hand over books.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had once been a clerk in a post-office ashore; and, having been long accustomed to hand over letters when called for, he was now just the man to hand over books.
harbour
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From this reading Nowhere does time pass more heavily than with most men-of-war’s-men on board their craft in harbour.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading He had once been a clerk in a post-office ashore; and, having been long accustomed to hand over letters when called for, he was now just the man to hand over books.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had once been a clerk in a post-office ashore; and, having been long accustomed to hand over letters when called for, he was now just the man to hand over books.
heavily
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nowhere does time pass more heavily than with most men-of-war’s-men on board their craft in harbour.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Nowhere does time pass more heavily than with most men-of-war’s-men on board their craft in harbour.
intrusted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a public library on board, paid for by government, and intrusted to the custody of one of the marine corporals, a little, dried-up man, of a somewhat literary turn.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading He kept them in a large cask on the berth-deck, and, when seeking a particular volume, had to capsize it like a barrel of potatoes.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had once been a clerk in a post-office ashore; and, having been long accustomed to hand over letters when called for, he was now just the man to hand over books.
kept
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He kept them in a large cask on the berth-deck, and, when seeking a particular volume, had to capsize it like a barrel of potatoes.
large
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He kept them in a large cask on the berth-deck, and, when seeking a particular volume, had to capsize it like a barrel of potatoes.
letters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had once been a clerk in a post-office ashore; and, having been long accustomed to hand over letters when called for, he was now just the man to hand over books.
library
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a public library on board, paid for by government, and intrusted to the custody of one of the marine corporals, a little, dried-up man, of a somewhat literary turn.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He kept them in a large cask on the berth-deck, and, when seeking a particular volume, had to capsize it like a barrel of potatoes.
literary
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From this reading There was a public library on board, paid for by government, and intrusted to the custody of one of the marine corporals, a little, dried-up man, of a somewhat literary turn.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There was a public library on board, paid for by government, and intrusted to the custody of one of the marine corporals, a little, dried-up man, of a somewhat literary turn.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He had once been a clerk in a post-office ashore; and, having been long accustomed to hand over letters when called for, he was now just the man to hand over books.
man
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a public library on board, paid for by government, and intrusted to the custody of one of the marine corporals, a little, dried-up man, of a somewhat literary turn.
marine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a public library on board, paid for by government, and intrusted to the custody of one of the marine corporals, a little, dried-up man, of a somewhat literary turn.
men-of-war's-men
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nowhere does time pass more heavily than with most men-of-war’s-men on board their craft in harbour.
more
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From this reading Nowhere does time pass more heavily than with most men-of-war’s-men on board their craft in harbour.
most
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From this reading Nowhere does time pass more heavily than with most men-of-war’s-men on board their craft in harbour.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading One of my principal antidotes against _ennui_ in Rio, was reading.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had once been a clerk in a post-office ashore; and, having been long accustomed to hand over letters when called for, he was now just the man to hand over books.
Nowhere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nowhere does time pass more heavily than with most men-of-war’s-men on board their craft in harbour.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading One of my principal antidotes against _ennui_ in Rio, was reading.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Nowhere does time pass more heavily than with most men-of-war’s-men on board their craft in harbour.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had once been a clerk in a post-office ashore; and, having been long accustomed to hand over letters when called for, he was now just the man to hand over books.
OnepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One of my principal antidotes against _ennui_ in Rio, was reading.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading He had once been a clerk in a post-office ashore; and, having been long accustomed to hand over letters when called for, he was now just the man to hand over books.
paid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a public library on board, paid for by government, and intrusted to the custody of one of the marine corporals, a little, dried-up man, of a somewhat literary turn.
particular
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He kept them in a large cask on the berth-deck, and, when seeking a particular volume, had to capsize it like a barrel of potatoes.
pass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Nowhere does time pass more heavily than with most men-of-war’s-men on board their craft in harbour.
post-office
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had once been a clerk in a post-office ashore; and, having been long accustomed to hand over letters when called for, he was now just the man to hand over books.
potatoes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He kept them in a large cask on the berth-deck, and, when seeking a particular volume, had to capsize it like a barrel of potatoes.
principal
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of my principal antidotes against _ennui_ in Rio, was reading.
public
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a public library on board, paid for by government, and intrusted to the custody of one of the marine corporals, a little, dried-up man, of a somewhat literary turn.
reading
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of my principal antidotes against _ennui_ in Rio, was reading.
Rio
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One of my principal antidotes against _ennui_ in Rio, was reading.
seeking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He kept them in a large cask on the berth-deck, and, when seeking a particular volume, had to capsize it like a barrel of potatoes.
somewhat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a public library on board, paid for by government, and intrusted to the custody of one of the marine corporals, a little, dried-up man, of a somewhat literary turn.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Nowhere does time pass more heavily than with most men-of-war’s-men on board their craft in harbour.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading There was a public library on board, paid for by government, and intrusted to the custody of one of the marine corporals, a little, dried-up man, of a somewhat literary turn.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Nowhere does time pass more heavily than with most men-of-war’s-men on board their craft in harbour.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading He kept them in a large cask on the berth-deck, and, when seeking a particular volume, had to capsize it like a barrel of potatoes.
There
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a public library on board, paid for by government, and intrusted to the custody of one of the marine corporals, a little, dried-up man, of a somewhat literary turn.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Nowhere does time pass more heavily than with most men-of-war’s-men on board their craft in harbour.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading There was a public library on board, paid for by government, and intrusted to the custody of one of the marine corporals, a little, dried-up man, of a somewhat literary turn.
turn
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There was a public library on board, paid for by government, and intrusted to the custody of one of the marine corporals, a little, dried-up man, of a somewhat literary turn.
volume
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He kept them in a large cask on the berth-deck, and, when seeking a particular volume, had to capsize it like a barrel of potatoes.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading One of my principal antidotes against _ennui_ in Rio, was reading.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading He had once been a clerk in a post-office ashore; and, having been long accustomed to hand over letters when called for, he was now just the man to hand over books.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Nowhere does time pass more heavily than with most men-of-war’s-men on board their craft in harbour.
