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 Towards midnight, a sound in the water made our hearts beat.
advantage
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From this reading It was this which made us so anxious, for there were such a few hours in the day during which the pirates could attack us, and they had been so unexpectedly repulsed, we had but little doubt they would attempt a night assault if possible, and for this the tide now suited very well, and we could not hope that they would be ignorant of the advantage.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Either the pirates meant to storm us at night, or Smart and the captain were attempting to join us.
anxious
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From this reading It was this which made us so anxious, for there were such a few hours in the day during which the pirates could attack us, and they had been so unexpectedly repulsed, we had but little doubt they would attempt a night assault if possible, and for this the tide now suited very well, and we could not hope that they would be ignorant of the advantage.
any
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From this reading The tide was ebbing, though our rock was still wholly surrounded by water, yet not sufficient to make the sharks any protection to us.
assault
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From this reading It was this which made us so anxious, for there were such a few hours in the day during which the pirates could attack us, and they had been so unexpectedly repulsed, we had but little doubt they would attempt a night assault if possible, and for this the tide now suited very well, and we could not hope that they would be ignorant of the advantage.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Either the pirates meant to storm us at night, or Smart and the captain were attempting to join us.
attack
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From this reading It was this which made us so anxious, for there were such a few hours in the day during which the pirates could attack us, and they had been so unexpectedly repulsed, we had but little doubt they would attempt a night assault if possible, and for this the tide now suited very well, and we could not hope that they would be ignorant of the advantage.
attempt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was this which made us so anxious, for there were such a few hours in the day during which the pirates could attack us, and they had been so unexpectedly repulsed, we had but little doubt they would attempt a night assault if possible, and for this the tide now suited very well, and we could not hope that they would be ignorant of the advantage.
attempting
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From this reading Either the pirates meant to storm us at night, or Smart and the captain were attempting to join us.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It was this which made us so anxious, for there were such a few hours in the day during which the pirates could attack us, and they had been so unexpectedly repulsed, we had but little doubt they would attempt a night assault if possible, and for this the tide now suited very well, and we could not hope that they would be ignorant of the advantage.
beat
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From this reading Towards midnight, a sound in the water made our hearts beat.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading It was this which made us so anxious, for there were such a few hours in the day during which the pirates could attack us, and they had been so unexpectedly repulsed, we had but little doubt they would attempt a night assault if possible, and for this the tide now suited very well, and we could not hope that they would be ignorant of the advantage.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was this which made us so anxious, for there were such a few hours in the day during which the pirates could attack us, and they had been so unexpectedly repulsed, we had but little doubt they would attempt a night assault if possible, and for this the tide now suited very well, and we could not hope that they would be ignorant of the advantage.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The tide was ebbing, though our rock was still wholly surrounded by water, yet not sufficient to make the sharks any protection to us.
Calling
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From this reading Calling the girls, we set them to watch the rope ladder, which we let down on the one side, while we watched the pathway on the other.
captainnounUS /ˈcaptain/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Either the pirates meant to storm us at night, or Smart and the captain were attempting to join us.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading It was this which made us so anxious, for there were such a few hours in the day during which the pirates could attack us, and they had been so unexpectedly repulsed, we had but little doubt they would attempt a night assault if possible, and for this the tide now suited very well, and we could not hope that they would be ignorant of the advantage.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was this which made us so anxious, for there were such a few hours in the day during which the pirates could attack us, and they had been so unexpectedly repulsed, we had but little doubt they would attempt a night assault if possible, and for this the tide now suited very well, and we could not hope that they would be ignorant of the advantage.
doubt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was this which made us so anxious, for there were such a few hours in the day during which the pirates could attack us, and they had been so unexpectedly repulsed, we had but little doubt they would attempt a night assault if possible, and for this the tide now suited very well, and we could not hope that they would be ignorant of the advantage.
down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Calling the girls, we set them to watch the rope ladder, which we let down on the one side, while we watched the pathway on the other.
duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading It was this which made us so anxious, for there were such a few hours in the day during which the pirates could attack us, and they had been so unexpectedly repulsed, we had but little doubt they would attempt a night assault if possible, and for this the tide now suited very well, and we could not hope that they would be ignorant of the advantage.
ebbing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tide was ebbing, though our rock was still wholly surrounded by water, yet not sufficient to make the sharks any protection to us.
EitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/
one or the other of two
From this reading Either the pirates meant to storm us at night, or Smart and the captain were attempting to join us.
few
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was this which made us so anxious, for there were such a few hours in the day during which the pirates could attack us, and they had been so unexpectedly repulsed, we had but little doubt they would attempt a night assault if possible, and for this the tide now suited very well, and we could not hope that they would be ignorant of the advantage.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was this which made us so anxious, for there were such a few hours in the day during which the pirates could attack us, and they had been so unexpectedly repulsed, we had but little doubt they would attempt a night assault if possible, and for this the tide now suited very well, and we could not hope that they would be ignorant of the advantage.
girls
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Calling the girls, we set them to watch the rope ladder, which we let down on the one side, while we watched the pathway on the other.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It was this which made us so anxious, for there were such a few hours in the day during which the pirates could attack us, and they had been so unexpectedly repulsed, we had but little doubt they would attempt a night assault if possible, and for this the tide now suited very well, and we could not hope that they would be ignorant of the advantage.
hearts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Towards midnight, a sound in the water made our hearts beat.
hope
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was this which made us so anxious, for there were such a few hours in the day during which the pirates could attack us, and they had been so unexpectedly repulsed, we had but little doubt they would attempt a night assault if possible, and for this the tide now suited very well, and we could not hope that they would be ignorant of the advantage.
hours
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was this which made us so anxious, for there were such a few hours in the day during which the pirates could attack us, and they had been so unexpectedly repulsed, we had but little doubt they would attempt a night assault if possible, and for this the tide now suited very well, and we could not hope that they would be ignorant of the advantage.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading It was this which made us so anxious, for there were such a few hours in the day during which the pirates could attack us, and they had been so unexpectedly repulsed, we had but little doubt they would attempt a night assault if possible, and for this the tide now suited very well, and we could not hope that they would be ignorant of the advantage.
ignorantnounUS /ˈignorant/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading It was this which made us so anxious, for there were such a few hours in the day during which the pirates could attack us, and they had been so unexpectedly repulsed, we had but little doubt they would attempt a night assault if possible, and for this the tide now suited very well, and we could not hope that they would be ignorant of the advantage.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Towards midnight, a sound in the water made our hearts beat.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was this which made us so anxious, for there were such a few hours in the day during which the pirates could attack us, and they had been so unexpectedly repulsed, we had but little doubt they would attempt a night assault if possible, and for this the tide now suited very well, and we could not hope that they would be ignorant of the advantage.
join
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Either the pirates meant to storm us at night, or Smart and the captain were attempting to join us.
ladder
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Calling the girls, we set them to watch the rope ladder, which we let down on the one side, while we watched the pathway on the other.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading Calling the girls, we set them to watch the rope ladder, which we let down on the one side, while we watched the pathway on the other.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was this which made us so anxious, for there were such a few hours in the day during which the pirates could attack us, and they had been so unexpectedly repulsed, we had but little doubt they would attempt a night assault if possible, and for this the tide now suited very well, and we could not hope that they would be ignorant of the advantage.
made
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Towards midnight, a sound in the water made our hearts beat.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The tide was ebbing, though our rock was still wholly surrounded by water, yet not sufficient to make the sharks any protection to us.
meant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Either the pirates meant to storm us at night, or Smart and the captain were attempting to join us.
midnight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Towards midnight, a sound in the water made our hearts beat.
night
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Either the pirates meant to storm us at night, or Smart and the captain were attempting to join us.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The tide was ebbing, though our rock was still wholly surrounded by water, yet not sufficient to make the sharks any protection to us.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was this which made us so anxious, for there were such a few hours in the day during which the pirates could attack us, and they had been so unexpectedly repulsed, we had but little doubt they would attempt a night assault if possible, and for this the tide now suited very well, and we could not hope that they would be ignorant of the advantage.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was this which made us so anxious, for there were such a few hours in the day during which the pirates could attack us, and they had been so unexpectedly repulsed, we had but little doubt they would attempt a night assault if possible, and for this the tide now suited very well, and we could not hope that they would be ignorant of the advantage.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Calling the girls, we set them to watch the rope ladder, which we let down on the one side, while we watched the pathway on the other.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Calling the girls, we set them to watch the rope ladder, which we let down on the one side, while we watched the pathway on the other.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Either the pirates meant to storm us at night, or Smart and the captain were attempting to join us.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Calling the girls, we set them to watch the rope ladder, which we let down on the one side, while we watched the pathway on the other.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Towards midnight, a sound in the water made our hearts beat.
pathway
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Calling the girls, we set them to watch the rope ladder, which we let down on the one side, while we watched the pathway on the other.
piratesnounUS /ˈpirates/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Either the pirates meant to storm us at night, or Smart and the captain were attempting to join us.
possible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was this which made us so anxious, for there were such a few hours in the day during which the pirates could attack us, and they had been so unexpectedly repulsed, we had but little doubt they would attempt a night assault if possible, and for this the tide now suited very well, and we could not hope that they would be ignorant of the advantage.
protection
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tide was ebbing, though our rock was still wholly surrounded by water, yet not sufficient to make the sharks any protection to us.
repulsed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was this which made us so anxious, for there were such a few hours in the day during which the pirates could attack us, and they had been so unexpectedly repulsed, we had but little doubt they would attempt a night assault if possible, and for this the tide now suited very well, and we could not hope that they would be ignorant of the advantage.
rock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tide was ebbing, though our rock was still wholly surrounded by water, yet not sufficient to make the sharks any protection to us.
rope
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Calling the girls, we set them to watch the rope ladder, which we let down on the one side, while we watched the pathway on the other.
set
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Calling the girls, we set them to watch the rope ladder, which we let down on the one side, while we watched the pathway on the other.
sharks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tide was ebbing, though our rock was still wholly surrounded by water, yet not sufficient to make the sharks any protection to us.
side
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Calling the girls, we set them to watch the rope ladder, which we let down on the one side, while we watched the pathway on the other.
Smart
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Either the pirates meant to storm us at night, or Smart and the captain were attempting to join us.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It was this which made us so anxious, for there were such a few hours in the day during which the pirates could attack us, and they had been so unexpectedly repulsed, we had but little doubt they would attempt a night assault if possible, and for this the tide now suited very well, and we could not hope that they would be ignorant of the advantage.
sound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Towards midnight, a sound in the water made our hearts beat.
stillnounUS /still/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The tide was ebbing, though our rock was still wholly surrounded by water, yet not sufficient to make the sharks any protection to us.
storm
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Either the pirates meant to storm us at night, or Smart and the captain were attempting to join us.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading It was this which made us so anxious, for there were such a few hours in the day during which the pirates could attack us, and they had been so unexpectedly repulsed, we had but little doubt they would attempt a night assault if possible, and for this the tide now suited very well, and we could not hope that they would be ignorant of the advantage.
sufficient
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tide was ebbing, though our rock was still wholly surrounded by water, yet not sufficient to make the sharks any protection to us.
suited
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was this which made us so anxious, for there were such a few hours in the day during which the pirates could attack us, and they had been so unexpectedly repulsed, we had but little doubt they would attempt a night assault if possible, and for this the tide now suited very well, and we could not hope that they would be ignorant of the advantage.
surrounded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tide was ebbing, though our rock was still wholly surrounded by water, yet not sufficient to make the sharks any protection to us.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was this which made us so anxious, for there were such a few hours in the day during which the pirates could attack us, and they had been so unexpectedly repulsed, we had but little doubt they would attempt a night assault if possible, and for this the tide now suited very well, and we could not hope that they would be ignorant of the advantage.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Towards midnight, a sound in the water made our hearts beat.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Calling the girls, we set them to watch the rope ladder, which we let down on the one side, while we watched the pathway on the other.
there
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was this which made us so anxious, for there were such a few hours in the day during which the pirates could attack us, and they had been so unexpectedly repulsed, we had but little doubt they would attempt a night assault if possible, and for this the tide now suited very well, and we could not hope that they would be ignorant of the advantage.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was this which made us so anxious, for there were such a few hours in the day during which the pirates could attack us, and they had been so unexpectedly repulsed, we had but little doubt they would attempt a night assault if possible, and for this the tide now suited very well, and we could not hope that they would be ignorant of the advantage.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It was this which made us so anxious, for there were such a few hours in the day during which the pirates could attack us, and they had been so unexpectedly repulsed, we had but little doubt they would attempt a night assault if possible, and for this the tide now suited very well, and we could not hope that they would be ignorant of the advantage.
thoughconjunctionUS /ðoʊ/
in spite of the fact that
From this reading The tide was ebbing, though our rock was still wholly surrounded by water, yet not sufficient to make the sharks any protection to us.
tide
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tide was ebbing, though our rock was still wholly surrounded by water, yet not sufficient to make the sharks any protection to us.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Either the pirates meant to storm us at night, or Smart and the captain were attempting to join us.
TowardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/
in the direction of
From this reading Towards midnight, a sound in the water made our hearts beat.
unexpectedly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was this which made us so anxious, for there were such a few hours in the day during which the pirates could attack us, and they had been so unexpectedly repulsed, we had but little doubt they would attempt a night assault if possible, and for this the tide now suited very well, and we could not hope that they would be ignorant of the advantage.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Either the pirates meant to storm us at night, or Smart and the captain were attempting to join us.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was this which made us so anxious, for there were such a few hours in the day during which the pirates could attack us, and they had been so unexpectedly repulsed, we had but little doubt they would attempt a night assault if possible, and for this the tide now suited very well, and we could not hope that they would be ignorant of the advantage.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The tide was ebbing, though our rock was still wholly surrounded by water, yet not sufficient to make the sharks any protection to us.
watch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Calling the girls, we set them to watch the rope ladder, which we let down on the one side, while we watched the pathway on the other.
watched
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Calling the girls, we set them to watch the rope ladder, which we let down on the one side, while we watched the pathway on the other.
water
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Towards midnight, a sound in the water made our hearts beat.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Calling the girls, we set them to watch the rope ladder, which we let down on the one side, while we watched the pathway on the other.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was this which made us so anxious, for there were such a few hours in the day during which the pirates could attack us, and they had been so unexpectedly repulsed, we had but little doubt they would attempt a night assault if possible, and for this the tide now suited very well, and we could not hope that they would be ignorant of the advantage.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Either the pirates meant to storm us at night, or Smart and the captain were attempting to join us.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Calling the girls, we set them to watch the rope ladder, which we let down on the one side, while we watched the pathway on the other.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Calling the girls, we set them to watch the rope ladder, which we let down on the one side, while we watched the pathway on the other.
wholly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tide was ebbing, though our rock was still wholly surrounded by water, yet not sufficient to make the sharks any protection to us.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It was this which made us so anxious, for there were such a few hours in the day during which the pirates could attack us, and they had been so unexpectedly repulsed, we had but little doubt they would attempt a night assault if possible, and for this the tide now suited very well, and we could not hope that they would be ignorant of the advantage.
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading The tide was ebbing, though our rock was still wholly surrounded by water, yet not sufficient to make the sharks any protection to us.
