The Old Man and The Sea by Ernest Hemingway- page 49

Sometimes he lost the scent.

• Sometimes: occasionally, now and then [ˈsəmˌtaɪmz]
• he: refers to the shark [hi]
• lost: past tense of 'lose', meaning to misplace or be deprived of something [lɔst]
• the scent: the smell or odor being tracked [ðə sɛnt]

But he would pick it up again, or have just a trace of it, and he swam fast and hard on the course.

• But: however; used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something that has been said previously [bət]
• he: refers to the shark [hi]
• would pick it up again: would find the scent again [wʊd pɪk ɪt əp əˈgɛn]
• or: used to introduce another possibility [ər]
• have: to possess or experience [hæv]
• just a trace of it: only a small amount of the scent [ʤɪst ə treɪs əv ɪt]
• and: used to connect words or phrases [ənd]
• he: refers to the shark [hi]
• swam: past tense of 'swim', meaning to move through water [swæm]
• fast: at high speed [fæst]
• and: used to connect words or phrases [ənd]
• hard: with great effort or force [hɑrd]
• on the course: following the intended path or direction [ɔn ðə kɔrs]

He was a very big Make shark built to swim as fast as the fastest fish in the sea and everything about him was beautiful except his jaws.

• He: refers to the shark [hi]
• was: past tense of 'be' [wɑz]
• a very big: extremely large in size [ə ˈvɛri bɪg]
• Make: likely a typo, should be 'Mako', referring to the Mako shark species [meɪk]
• shark: a type of fish known for its predatory nature [ʃɑrk]
• built: designed or constructed [bɪlt]
• to swim: for the purpose of swimming [tɪ swɪm]
• as fast as: equally fast as [ɛz fæst ɛz]
• the fastest fish: the fish with the highest speed [ðə ˈfæstəst fɪʃ]
• in the sea: in the ocean [ɪn ðə si]
• and: used to connect words or phrases [ənd]
• everything: all things [ˈɛvriˌθɪŋ]
• about him: relating to the shark [əˈbaʊt ɪm]
• was: past tense of 'be' [wɑz]
• beautiful: pleasing to the senses or mind [ˈbjutəfəl]
• except: not including; excluding [ɪkˈsɛpt]
• his jaws: the mouth of the shark, especially the powerful biting structures [hɪz ʤɔz]

His back was as blue as a sword fish's and his belly was silver and his hide was smooth and handsome.

• His: refers to the shark's [hɪz]
• back: the upper part of the shark's body [bæk]
• was: past tense of 'be' [wɑz]
• as blue as: having the same blue color as [ɛz blu ɛz]
• a sword fish's: belonging to a swordfish [ə sɔrd ˈfɪʃɪz]
• and: used to connect words or phrases [ənd]
• his: refers to the shark's [hɪz]
• belly: the underside of the shark's body [ˈbɛli]
• was: past tense of 'be' [wɑz]
• silver: having a shiny, grayish-white color [ˈsɪlvər]
• and: used to connect words or phrases [ənd]
• his: refers to the shark's [hɪz]
• hide: the skin of the shark [haɪd]
• was: past tense of 'be' [wɑz]
• smooth: having an even surface; not rough [smuð]
• and: used to connect words or phrases [ənd]
• handsome: attractive or good-looking [ˈhænsəm]

He was built as a sword fish except for his huge jaws which were tight shut now as he swam fast, just under the surface with his high dorsal fin knifing through the water without wavering.

• He: refers to the shark [hi]
• was built: was constructed or designed [wɑz bɪlt]
• as a sword fish: similar to a swordfish in design [ɛz ə sɔrd fɪʃ]
• except: not including; excluding [ɪkˈsɛpt]
• for his huge jaws: excluding the shark's very large mouth [fər hɪz juʤ ʤɔz]
• which: referring to the jaws [wɪʧ]
• were: past tense of 'be' [wər]
• tight shut: firmly closed [taɪt ʃət]
• now: at the present time [naʊ]
• as: while [ɛz]
• he: refers to the shark [hi]
• swam: past tense of 'swim', meaning to move through water [swæm]
• fast: at high speed [fæst]
• just: only [ʤɪst]
• under the surface: below the top layer of the water [ˈəndər ðə ˈsərfəs]
• with: having or possessing [wɪθ]
• his high dorsal fin: the tall fin on the shark's back [hɪz haɪ ˈdɔrsəl fɪn]
• knifing: cutting through like a knife [ˈnaɪfɪŋ]
• through the water: moving through the water [θru ðə ˈwɔtər]
• without wavering: without moving unsteadily or fluctuating [wɪˈθaʊt ˈweɪvərɪŋ]

Inside the closed double lip of his jaws all of his eight rows of teeth were slanted inwards.

• Inside: within [ˌɪnˈsaɪd]
• the closed double lip: the tightly shut mouth of the shark [ðə kloʊzd ˈdəbəl lɪp]
• of his jaws: belonging to the shark's mouth [əv hɪz ʤɔz]
• all: every one of [ɔl]
• of his eight rows of teeth: referring to the multiple rows of teeth in the shark's mouth [əv hɪz eɪt roʊz əv tiθ]
• were: past tense of 'be' [wər]
• slanted inwards: angled toward the inside [sˈlænɪd inwards]

They were not the ordinary pyramid-shaped teeth of most sharks.

• They: refers to the teeth [ðeɪ]
• were not: were not [wər nɑt]
• the ordinary: the usual or typical [ðə ˈɔrdəˌnɛri]
• pyramid-shaped teeth: teeth shaped like pyramids [pyramid-shaped tiθ]
• of most sharks: belonging to the majority of sharks [əv moʊst ʃɑrks]

They were shaped like a man's fingers when they are crisped like claws.

• They: refers to the teeth [ðeɪ]
• were shaped: had the form of [wər ʃeɪpt]
• like a man's fingers: similar to human fingers [laɪk ə mænz ˈfɪŋgərz]
• when: at the time that [wɪn]
• they are crisped: when the fingers are bent or curled [ðeɪ ər crisped]
• like claws: resembling the sharp, curved nails of an animal [laɪk klɔz]

They were nearly as long as the fingers of the old man and they had razor-sharp cutting edges on both sides.

• They: refers to the teeth [ðeɪ]
• were nearly: almost [wər ˈnɪrli]
• as long as: having the same length as [ɛz lɔŋ ɛz]
• the fingers of the old man: the fingers belonging to the old man [ðə ˈfɪŋgərz əv ðə oʊld mæn]
• and: used to connect words or phrases [ənd]
• they: refers to the teeth [ðeɪ]
• had: possessed [hæd]
• razor-sharp: extremely sharp [razor-sharp]
• cutting edges: the sharp parts used for cutting [ˈkətɪŋ ˈɛʤɪz]
• on both sides: on each side [ɔn boʊθ saɪdz]

This was a fish built to feed on all the fishes in the sea, that were so fast and strong and well armed that they had no other enemy.

• This: refers to the shark [ðɪs]
• was: past tense of 'be' [wɑz]
• a fish: an animal that lives in water [ə fɪʃ]
• built: designed or constructed [bɪlt]
• to feed on: to eat [tɪ fid ɔn]
• all the fishes: every fish [ɔl ðə ˈfɪʃɪz]
• in the sea: in the ocean [ɪn ðə si]
• that: which [ðət]
• were: past tense of 'be' [wər]
• so fast: extremely quick [soʊ fæst]
• and: used to connect words or phrases [ənd]
• strong: having great physical power [strɔŋ]
• and: used to connect words or phrases [ənd]
• well armed: having good defenses [wɛl ɑrmd]
• that: to such a degree that [ðət]
• they: refers to the fishes [ðeɪ]
• had: possessed [hæd]
• no other enemy: no other predator [noʊ ˈəðər ˈɛnəmi]

Now he speeded up as he smelled the fresher scent and his blue dorsal fin cut the water.

• Now: at the present time [naʊ]
• he: refers to the shark [hi]
• speeded up: increased speed [ˈspidɪd əp]
• as: because [ɛz]
• he: refers to the shark [hi]
• smelled: detected the scent of [smɛld]
• the fresher scent: a more recent or stronger smell [ðə ˈfrɛʃər sɛnt]
• and: used to connect words or phrases [ənd]
• his blue dorsal fin: the blue fin on the shark's back [hɪz blu ˈdɔrsəl fɪn]
• cut the water: moved through the water [kət ðə ˈwɔtər]

When the old man saw him coming he knew that this was a shark that had no fear at all and would do exactly what he wished.

• When: at the time or occasion that [wɪn]
• the old man: a man who is advanced in age [ðə oʊld mæn]
• saw: past tense of 'see', meaning to perceive with the eyes [sɔ]
• him: referring to a male person or animal previously mentioned [ɪm]
• coming: approaching or moving towards a place [ˈkəmɪŋ]
• he: referring to the old man [hi]
• knew: past tense of 'know', meaning to be aware of something [nu]
• that: introducing a subordinate clause [ðət]
• this: referring to the shark [ðɪs]
• was: past tense of 'is', indicating existence or state of being [wɑz]
• a shark: a type of fish known for its predatory nature [ə ʃɑrk]
• that: introducing a relative clause [ðət]
• had: past tense of 'have', indicating possession or experience [hæd]
• no fear: absence of fear; fearless [noʊ fɪr]
• at all: in any way; to any extent [æt ɔl]
• and: connecting two clauses or phrases [ənd]
• would: expressing a conditional or future action [wʊd]
• do: to perform or execute an action [du]
• exactly: in a precise manner [ɪgˈzæktli]
• what: referring to the action or thing that [wət]
• he: referring to the shark [hi]
• wished: past tense of 'wish', meaning to desire or want [wɪʃt]

He prepared the harpoon and made the rope fast while he watched the shark come on.

• He: referring to the old man [hi]
• prepared: past tense of 'prepare', meaning to get ready [priˈpɛrd]
• the harpoon: a spear-like weapon used for hunting large fish [ðə hɑrˈpun]
• and: connecting two actions [ənd]
• made: past tense of 'make', meaning to create or prepare [meɪd]
• the rope: a thick cord made of twisted strands [ðə roʊp]
• fast: securely fixed or attached [fæst]
• while: during the time that [waɪl]
• he: referring to the old man [hi]
• watched: past tense of 'watch', meaning to observe [wɔʧt]
• the shark: a type of fish known for its predatory nature [ðə ʃɑrk]
• come on: to advance or approach [kəm ɔn]

The rope was short as it lacked what he had cut away to lash the fish.

• The rope: a thick cord made of twisted strands [ðə roʊp]
• was: past tense of 'is', indicating a state of being [wɑz]
• short: of limited length [ʃɔrt]
• as: because [ɛz]
• it: referring to the rope [ɪt]
• lacked: was without; did not have [lækt]
• what: referring to the portion [wət]
• he: referring to the old man [hi]
• had cut away: had removed by cutting [hæd kət əˈweɪ]
• to lash: to tie or bind securely [tɪ læʃ]
• the fish: the large fish that the old man caught [ðə fɪʃ]

The old man's head was clear and good now and he was full of resolution but he had little hope.

• The old man's: Possessive form indicating belonging to the old man [ðə oʊld mænz]
• head: The part of the body above the neck [hɛd]
• was: Past tense of 'is', indicating a state of being [wɑz]
• clear: Free from confusion; lucid [klɪr]
• and: Connecting two adjectives [ənd]
• good: Of high quality; positive [gʊd]
• now: At the present time [naʊ]
• and: Connecting two clauses [ənd]
• he: Referring to the old man [hi]
• was: Past tense of 'is', indicating a state of being [wɑz]
• full of: Containing a lot of [fʊl əv]
• resolution: Firm determination to do something [ˌrɛzəˈluʃən]
• but: Introducing a contrast [bət]
• he: Referring to the old man [hi]
• had: Past tense of 'have', indicating possession [hæd]
• little hope: Not much expectation of success [ˈlɪtəl hoʊp]

It was too good to last, he thought.

• It: Referring to the situation [ɪt]
• was: Past tense of 'is', indicating a state of being [wɑz]
• too good: Excessively good [tu gʊd]
• to last: To continue for a long time [tɪ læst]
• he: Referring to the old man [hi]
• thought: Past tense of 'think', meaning to have an opinion [θɔt]

He took one look at the great fish as he watched the shark close in.

• He: Referring to the old man [hi]
• took: Past tense of 'take', meaning to perform an action [tʊk]
• one look: A single glance [wən lʊk]
• at: Expressing direction or location [æt]
• the great fish: The large fish that the old man caught [ðə greɪt fɪʃ]
• as: While [ɛz]
• he: Referring to the old man [hi]
• watched: Past tense of 'watch', meaning to observe [wɔʧt]
• the shark: A type of predatory fish [ðə ʃɑrk]
• close in: To approach closely [kloʊz ɪn]

It might as well have been a dream, he thought.

• It: Referring to the situation [ɪt]
• might as well: Used to suggest doing something because there is no better alternative [maɪt ɛz wɛl]
• have been: Past participle of 'be', used in conditional sentences [hæv bɪn]
• a dream: A series of thoughts, images, and sensations occurring in a person's mind during sleep [ə drim]
• he: Referring to the old man [hi]
• thought: Past tense of 'think', meaning to have an opinion [θɔt]

I cannot keep him from hitting me but maybe I can get him.

• I: Referring to the speaker (the old man [aɪ]
• cannot: Contraction of 'cannot', meaning unable to [ˈkænɑt]
• keep: Prevent [kip]
• him: Referring to the shark [ɪm]
• from hitting: From striking or attacking [frəm ˈhɪtɪŋ]
• me: Referring to the speaker (the old man [mi]
• but: Introducing a contrast [bət]
• maybe: Perhaps; possibly [ˈmeɪbi]
• I: Referring to the speaker (the old man [aɪ]
• can: Able to [kən]
• get: Strike or catch [gɪt]
• him: Referring to the shark [ɪm]

Dentuso, he thought.

• Dentuso: A Spanish word for a type of shark, specifically one with large teeth [dentuso]
• he: Referring to the old man [hi]
• thought: Past tense of 'think', meaning to have an opinion [θɔt]

Bad luck to your mother.

• Bad luck: Misfortune [bæd lək]
• to: Expressing direction or recipient [tɪ]
• your mother: The shark's mother [jʊr ˈməðər]

The shark closed fast astern and when he hit the fish the old man saw his mouth open and his strange eyes and the clicking chop of the teeth as he drove forward in the meat just above the tail.

• The: Definite article, referring to a specific shark [ðə]
• shark: A large predatory fish [ʃɑrk]
• closed: Moved; approached [kloʊzd]
• fast: Quickly; rapidly [fæst]
• astern: At or towards the rear of the boat [astern]
• and: Conjunction, connecting two clauses [ənd]
• when: Conjunction, indicating a time [wɪn]
• he: Pronoun, referring to the shark [hi]
• hit: Struck; impacted [hɪt]
• the: Definite article, referring to a specific fish [ðə]
• fish: The marlin that the old man caught [fɪʃ]
• the: Definite article, referring to a specific old man [ðə]
• old man: The main character in the story [oʊld mæn]
• saw: Observed; witnessed [sɔ]
• his: Possessive pronoun, referring to the shark [hɪz]
• mouth: The opening in the shark's head used for feeding [maʊθ]
• open: Extended; not closed [ˈoʊpən]
• and: Conjunction, connecting two elements [ənd]
• his: Possessive pronoun, referring to the shark [hɪz]
• strange: Unusual; peculiar [streɪnʤ]
• eyes: Organs of sight [aɪz]
• and: Conjunction, connecting two elements [ənd]
• the: Definite article, referring to a specific clicking chop [ðə]
• clicking: A sharp, clicking sound [ˈklɪkɪŋ]
• chop: A cutting motion [ʧɑp]
• of: Preposition, indicating possession or origin [əv]
• the: Definite article, referring to specific teeth [ðə]
• teeth: Hard, bony structures in the mouth used for biting [tiθ]
• as: As; while [ɛz]
• he: Pronoun, referring to the shark [hi]
• drove: Thrust; forced [droʊv]
• forward: Ahead; in a forward direction [ˈfɔrwərd]
• in: Preposition, indicating location [ɪn]
• the: Definite article, referring to specific meat [ðə]
• meat: The flesh of the fish [mit]
• just: Exactly; precisely [ʤɪst]
• above: Over; higher than [əˈbəv]
• the: Definite article, referring to a specific tail [ðə]
• tail: The rear appendage of the fish [teɪl]

The shark's head was out of water and his back was coming out and the old man could hear the noise of skin and flesh ripping on the big fish when he rammed the harpoon down onto the shark's head at a spot where the line between his eyes intersected with the line that ran straight back from his nose.

• The: Definite article, referring to a specific shark [ðə]
• shark's: Possessive form of shark [sharks]
• head: The upper part of the shark's body [hɛd]
• was: Past tense of 'to be' [wɑz]
• out: Outside; beyond [aʊt]
• of: Preposition, indicating separation or removal [əv]
• water: The liquid that covers most of the Earth's surface [ˈwɔtər]
• and: Conjunction, connecting two clauses [ənd]
• his: Possessive pronoun, referring to the shark [hɪz]
• back: The upper part of the shark's body [bæk]
• was: Past tense of 'to be' [wɑz]
• coming: Appearing; emerging [ˈkəmɪŋ]
• out: Outside; beyond [aʊt]
• and: Conjunction, connecting two clauses [ənd]
• the: Definite article, referring to a specific old man [ðə]
• old man: The main character in the story [oʊld mæn]
• could: Past tense of 'can', indicating ability [kʊd]
• hear: Perceive with the ear [hir]
• the: Definite article, referring to a specific noise [ðə]
• noise: A sound [nɔɪz]
• of: Preposition, indicating origin or composition [əv]
• skin: The outer layer of tissue covering the body [skɪn]
• and: Conjunction, connecting two elements [ənd]
• flesh: The soft substance of the body [flɛʃ]
• ripping: Tearing; splitting [ˈrɪpɪŋ]
• on: Preposition, indicating contact or location [ɔn]
• the: Definite article, referring to a specific big fish [ðə]
• big fish: The marlin [bɪg fɪʃ]
• when: When; at the time that [wɪn]
• he: Pronoun, referring to the old man [hi]
• rammed: Forcibly pushed [ræmd]
• the: Definite article, referring to a specific harpoon [ðə]
• harpoon: A spear-like weapon used for hunting large fish [hɑrˈpun]
• down: Downward; forcefully [daʊn]
• onto: Upon; on top of [ˈɔntu]
• the: Definite article, referring to a specific shark [ðə]
• shark's: Possessive form of shark [sharks]
• head: The upper part of the shark's body [hɛd]
• at: Preposition, indicating location [æt]
• a: Indefinite article, referring to a spot [ə]
• spot: A specific place [spɑt]
• where: Where; at the place that [wɛr]
• the: Definite article, referring to a specific line [ðə]
• line: An imaginary line [laɪn]
• between: In the space separating [bɪtˈwin]
• his: Possessive pronoun, referring to the shark [hɪz]
• eyes: Organs of sight [aɪz]
• intersected: Crossed; met [ˌɪntərˈsɛktɪd]
• with: Together with; along with [wɪθ]
• the: Definite article, referring to a specific line [ðə]
• line: An imaginary line [laɪn]
• that: That; which [ðət]
• ran: Extended; went [ræn]
• straight: Directly; without bending [streɪt]
• back: Rearward; in the opposite direction [bæk]
• from: Originating from [frəm]
• his: Possessive pronoun, referring to the shark [hɪz]
• nose: The part of the face used for smelling [noʊz]

There were no such lines.

• There: Used to indicate existence [ðɛr]
• were: Past tense of 'to be', plural [wər]
• no: Not any; none [noʊ]
• such: Of this kind; like this [səʧ]
• lines: Imaginary lines [laɪnz]

There was only the heavy sharp blue head and the big eyes and the clicking, thrusting all-swallowing jaws.

• There: Used to indicate existence [ðɛr]
• was: Past tense of 'to be', singular [wɑz]
• only: Solely; just [ˈoʊnli]
• the: Definite article, referring to a specific head [ðə]
• heavy: Of great weight; ponderous [ˈhɛvi]
• sharp: Having a cutting edge or point [ʃɑrp]
• blue: A color [blu]
• head: The upper part of the shark's body [hɛd]
• and: Conjunction, connecting two elements [ənd]
• the: Definite article, referring to specific eyes [ðə]
• big: Large; of great size [bɪg]
• eyes: Organs of sight [aɪz]
• and: Conjunction, connecting two elements [ənd]
• the: Definite article, referring to a specific clicking [ðə]
• clicking: A sharp, clicking sound [ˈklɪkɪŋ]
• thrusting: Pushing forcefully [θˈrəstɪŋ]
• all-swallowing: Swallowing everything [all-swallowing]
• jaws: The mouth of the shark [ʤɔz]

But that was the location of the brain and the old man hit it.

• But: However; nevertheless [bət]
• that: That; the one mentioned [ðət]
• was: Past tense of 'to be' [wɑz]
• the: Definite article, referring to a specific location [ðə]
• location: A place; a position [loʊˈkeɪʃən]
• of: Preposition, indicating possession or origin [əv]
• the: Definite article, referring to a specific brain [ðə]
• brain: The organ of the shark's body responsible for thought and control [breɪn]
• and: Conjunction, connecting two clauses [ənd]
• the: Definite article, referring to a specific old man [ðə]
• old man: The main character in the story [oʊld mæn]
• hit: Struck; impacted [hɪt]
• it: Pronoun, referring to the shark's head/brain [ɪt]

He hit it with his blood mushed hands driving a good harpoon with all his strength.

• He: Pronoun, referring to the old man [hi]
• hit: Struck; impacted [hɪt]
• it: Pronoun, referring to the shark's head/brain [ɪt]
• with: Using; by means of [wɪθ]
• his: Possessive pronoun, referring to the old man [hɪz]
• blood: The red fluid circulating in the body [bləd]
• mushed: Crushed; softened [mushed]
• hands: The parts of the body at the end of the arms [hænz]
• driving: Forcing; pushing [ˈdraɪvɪŋ]
• a: Indefinite article, referring to a harpoon [ə]
• good: Effective; well-made [gʊd]
• harpoon: A spear-like weapon used for hunting large fish [hɑrˈpun]
• with: Using; by means of [wɪθ]
• all: All of; the whole of [ɔl]
• his: Possessive pronoun, referring to the old man [hɪz]
• strength: Physical power [strɛŋθ]

He hit it without hope but with resolution and complete malignancy.

• He: Pronoun, referring to the old man [hi]
• hit: Struck; impacted [hɪt]
• it: Pronoun, referring to the shark's head/brain [ɪt]
• without: Lacking; not having [wɪˈθaʊt]
• hope: A feeling of expectation and desire [hoʊp]
• but: But; however [bət]
• with: With; accompanied by [wɪθ]
• resolution: Firm determination [ˌrɛzəˈluʃən]
• and: And; in addition to [ənd]
• complete: Total; absolute [kəmˈplit]
• malignancy: Intense ill will or hatred [məˈlɪgnənsi]