Chapter XV

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading ACROSS THE SOUTHERN ALPS “A wretched invention, forsooth, for people who wish to push on is ‘a line of retreat,’ an everlasting inducement to look behind, when they should have enough to do in looking ahead.”—NANSEN.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading ACROSS THE SOUTHERN ALPS “A wretched invention, forsooth, for people who wish to push on is ‘a line of retreat,’ an everlasting inducement to look behind, when they should have enough to do in looking ahead.”—NANSEN.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When we were on the Hochstetter Dome, and subsequently, when we climbed Haidinger and De la Bêche, we saw, far below us, the silver streaks of rivers winding seaward through the sombre forests, and cast longing eyes adown the western slopes of the Alps.

later than; following

From this reading After our ascent of De la Bêche and the Minarets it was decided to try over the Lendenfeld Saddle, and down the left-hand branch of the Wataroa River.

at or in the front

From this reading ACROSS THE SOUTHERN ALPS “A wretched invention, forsooth, for people who wish to push on is ‘a line of retreat,’ an everlasting inducement to look behind, when they should have enough to do in looking ahead.”—NANSEN.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading And what better way could we go than by some unknown pass at the head of the largest and most splendid of all our glaciers?

a large mountain system in south-central Europe; scenic beauty and winter sports make them a popular tourist attraction

From this reading ACROSS THE SOUTHERN ALPS “A wretched invention, forsooth, for people who wish to push on is ‘a line of retreat,’ an everlasting inducement to look behind, when they should have enough to do in looking ahead.”—NANSEN.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading ACROSS THE SOUTHERN ALPS “A wretched invention, forsooth, for people who wish to push on is ‘a line of retreat,’ an everlasting inducement to look behind, when they should have enough to do in looking ahead.”—NANSEN.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading When we were on the Hochstetter Dome, and subsequently, when we climbed Haidinger and De la Bêche, we saw, far below us, the silver streaks of rivers winding seaward through the sombre forests, and cast longing eyes adown the western slopes of the Alps.

an upward slope or grade (as in a road)

From this reading After our ascent of De la Bêche and the Minarets it was decided to try over the Lendenfeld Saddle, and down the left-hand branch of the Wataroa River.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading And what better way could we go than by some unknown pass at the head of the largest and most splendid of all our glaciers?

at or toward the back of something

From this reading ACROSS THE SOUTHERN ALPS “A wretched invention, forsooth, for people who wish to push on is ‘a line of retreat,’ an everlasting inducement to look behind, when they should have enough to do in looking ahead.”—NANSEN.

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading When we were on the Hochstetter Dome, and subsequently, when we climbed Haidinger and De la Bêche, we saw, far below us, the silver streaks of rivers winding seaward through the sombre forests, and cast longing eyes adown the western slopes of the Alps.

(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another

From this reading And what better way could we go than by some unknown pass at the head of the largest and most splendid of all our glaciers?

a division of some larger or more complex organization

From this reading After our ascent of De la Bêche and the Minarets it was decided to try over the Lendenfeld Saddle, and down the left-hand branch of the Wataroa River.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading And what better way could we go than by some unknown pass at the head of the largest and most splendid of all our glaciers?

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When we were on the Hochstetter Dome, and subsequently, when we climbed Haidinger and De la Bêche, we saw, far below us, the silver streaks of rivers winding seaward through the sombre forests, and cast longing eyes adown the western slopes of the Alps.

put or send forth

From this reading When we were on the Hochstetter Dome, and subsequently, when we climbed Haidinger and De la Bêche, we saw, far below us, the silver streaks of rivers winding seaward through the sombre forests, and cast longing eyes adown the western slopes of the Alps.

past form of “climb” — go upward with gradual or continuous progress

From this reading When we were on the Hochstetter Dome, and subsequently, when we climbed Haidinger and De la Bêche, we saw, far below us, the silver streaks of rivers winding seaward through the sombre forests, and cast longing eyes adown the western slopes of the Alps.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading And what better way could we go than by some unknown pass at the head of the largest and most splendid of all our glaciers?

a Mid-Atlantic state; one of the original 13 colonies

From this reading When we were on the Hochstetter Dome, and subsequently, when we climbed Haidinger and De la Bêche, we saw, far below us, the silver streaks of rivers winding seaward through the sombre forests, and cast longing eyes adown the western slopes of the Alps.

recognizable; marked

From this reading After our ascent of De la Bêche and the Minarets it was decided to try over the Lendenfeld Saddle, and down the left-hand branch of the Wataroa River.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading ACROSS THE SOUTHERN ALPS “A wretched invention, forsooth, for people who wish to push on is ‘a line of retreat,’ an everlasting inducement to look behind, when they should have enough to do in looking ahead.”—NANSEN.

a concave shape whose distinguishing characteristic is that the concavity faces downward

From this reading When we were on the Hochstetter Dome, and subsequently, when we climbed Haidinger and De la Bêche, we saw, far below us, the silver streaks of rivers winding seaward through the sombre forests, and cast longing eyes adown the western slopes of the Alps.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading After our ascent of De la Bêche and the Minarets it was decided to try over the Lendenfeld Saddle, and down the left-hand branch of the Wataroa River.

an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose

From this reading ACROSS THE SOUTHERN ALPS “A wretched invention, forsooth, for people who wish to push on is ‘a line of retreat,’ an everlasting inducement to look behind, when they should have enough to do in looking ahead.”—NANSEN.

continuing forever or indefinitely

From this reading ACROSS THE SOUTHERN ALPS “A wretched invention, forsooth, for people who wish to push on is ‘a line of retreat,’ an everlasting inducement to look behind, when they should have enough to do in looking ahead.”—NANSEN.

opinion or judgment

From this reading When we were on the Hochstetter Dome, and subsequently, when we climbed Haidinger and De la Bêche, we saw, far below us, the silver streaks of rivers winding seaward through the sombre forests, and cast longing eyes adown the western slopes of the Alps.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading When we were on the Hochstetter Dome, and subsequently, when we climbed Haidinger and De la Bêche, we saw, far below us, the silver streaks of rivers winding seaward through the sombre forests, and cast longing eyes adown the western slopes of the Alps.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading ACROSS THE SOUTHERN ALPS “A wretched invention, forsooth, for people who wish to push on is ‘a line of retreat,’ an everlasting inducement to look behind, when they should have enough to do in looking ahead.”—NANSEN.

plural of “forest” — the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area

From this reading When we were on the Hochstetter Dome, and subsequently, when we climbed Haidinger and De la Bêche, we saw, far below us, the silver streaks of rivers winding seaward through the sombre forests, and cast longing eyes adown the western slopes of the Alps.

an archaic word originally meaning “in truth” but now usually used to express disbelief

From this reading ACROSS THE SOUTHERN ALPS “A wretched invention, forsooth, for people who wish to push on is ‘a line of retreat,’ an everlasting inducement to look behind, when they should have enough to do in looking ahead.”—NANSEN.

plural of “glacier” — a slowly moving mass of ice

From this reading And what better way could we go than by some unknown pass at the head of the largest and most splendid of all our glaciers?

change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically

From this reading The more we saw the more we wished to go over.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When we were on the Hochstetter Dome, and subsequently, when we climbed Haidinger and De la Bêche, we saw, far below us, the silver streaks of rivers winding seaward through the sombre forests, and cast longing eyes adown the western slopes of the Alps.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading ACROSS THE SOUTHERN ALPS “A wretched invention, forsooth, for people who wish to push on is ‘a line of retreat,’ an everlasting inducement to look behind, when they should have enough to do in looking ahead.”—NANSEN.

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains

From this reading And what better way could we go than by some unknown pass at the head of the largest and most splendid of all our glaciers?

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading When we were on the Hochstetter Dome, and subsequently, when we climbed Haidinger and De la Bêche, we saw, far below us, the silver streaks of rivers winding seaward through the sombre forests, and cast longing eyes adown the western slopes of the Alps.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading ACROSS THE SOUTHERN ALPS “A wretched invention, forsooth, for people who wish to push on is ‘a line of retreat,’ an everlasting inducement to look behind, when they should have enough to do in looking ahead.”—NANSEN.

a positive motivational influence

From this reading ACROSS THE SOUTHERN ALPS “A wretched invention, forsooth, for people who wish to push on is ‘a line of retreat,’ an everlasting inducement to look behind, when they should have enough to do in looking ahead.”—NANSEN.

the creation of something in the mind

From this reading ACROSS THE SOUTHERN ALPS “A wretched invention, forsooth, for people who wish to push on is ‘a line of retreat,’ an everlasting inducement to look behind, when they should have enough to do in looking ahead.”—NANSEN.

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading ACROSS THE SOUTHERN ALPS “A wretched invention, forsooth, for people who wish to push on is ‘a line of retreat,’ an everlasting inducement to look behind, when they should have enough to do in looking ahead.”—NANSEN.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading After our ascent of De la Bêche and the Minarets it was decided to try over the Lendenfeld Saddle, and down the left-hand branch of the Wataroa River.

a white soft metallic element that tarnishes readily; occurs in rare earth minerals and is usually classified as a rare earth

From this reading When we were on the Hochstetter Dome, and subsequently, when we climbed Haidinger and De la Bêche, we saw, far below us, the silver streaks of rivers winding seaward through the sombre forests, and cast longing eyes adown the western slopes of the Alps.

superlative of “large” — above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading And what better way could we go than by some unknown pass at the head of the largest and most splendid of all our glaciers?

intended for the left hand

From this reading After our ascent of De la Bêche and the Minarets it was decided to try over the Lendenfeld Saddle, and down the left-hand branch of the Wataroa River.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading After our ascent of De la Bêche and the Minarets it was decided to try over the Lendenfeld Saddle, and down the left-hand branch of the Wataroa River.

a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading ACROSS THE SOUTHERN ALPS “A wretched invention, forsooth, for people who wish to push on is ‘a line of retreat,’ an everlasting inducement to look behind, when they should have enough to do in looking ahead.”—NANSEN.

prolonged unfulfilled desire or need

From this reading When we were on the Hochstetter Dome, and subsequently, when we climbed Haidinger and De la Bêche, we saw, far below us, the silver streaks of rivers winding seaward through the sombre forests, and cast longing eyes adown the western slopes of the Alps.

perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards

From this reading ACROSS THE SOUTHERN ALPS “A wretched invention, forsooth, for people who wish to push on is ‘a line of retreat,’ an everlasting inducement to look behind, when they should have enough to do in looking ahead.”—NANSEN.

the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

From this reading ACROSS THE SOUTHERN ALPS “A wretched invention, forsooth, for people who wish to push on is ‘a line of retreat,’ an everlasting inducement to look behind, when they should have enough to do in looking ahead.”—NANSEN.

plural of “minaret” — slender tower with balconies

From this reading After our ascent of De la Bêche and the Minarets it was decided to try over the Lendenfeld Saddle, and down the left-hand branch of the Wataroa River.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading The more we saw the more we wished to go over.

used to form the superlative

From this reading And what better way could we go than by some unknown pass at the head of the largest and most splendid of all our glaciers?

Norwegian explorer of the Arctic and director of the League of Nations relief program for refugees of World War I (1861-1930)

From this reading ACROSS THE SOUTHERN ALPS “A wretched invention, forsooth, for people who wish to push on is ‘a line of retreat,’ an everlasting inducement to look behind, when they should have enough to do in looking ahead.”—NANSEN.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading ACROSS THE SOUTHERN ALPS “A wretched invention, forsooth, for people who wish to push on is ‘a line of retreat,’ an everlasting inducement to look behind, when they should have enough to do in looking ahead.”—NANSEN.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading ACROSS THE SOUTHERN ALPS “A wretched invention, forsooth, for people who wish to push on is ‘a line of retreat,’ an everlasting inducement to look behind, when they should have enough to do in looking ahead.”—NANSEN.

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading And what better way could we go than by some unknown pass at the head of the largest and most splendid of all our glaciers?

above and across; more than

From this reading The more we saw the more we wished to go over.

go across or through

From this reading And what better way could we go than by some unknown pass at the head of the largest and most splendid of all our glaciers?

(plural) any group of human beings (men or women or children) collectively

From this reading ACROSS THE SOUTHERN ALPS “A wretched invention, forsooth, for people who wish to push on is ‘a line of retreat,’ an everlasting inducement to look behind, when they should have enough to do in looking ahead.”—NANSEN.

move with force

From this reading ACROSS THE SOUTHERN ALPS “A wretched invention, forsooth, for people who wish to push on is ‘a line of retreat,’ an everlasting inducement to look behind, when they should have enough to do in looking ahead.”—NANSEN.

(military) withdrawal of troops to a more favorable position to escape the enemy's superior forces or after a defeat

From this reading ACROSS THE SOUTHERN ALPS “A wretched invention, forsooth, for people who wish to push on is ‘a line of retreat,’ an everlasting inducement to look behind, when they should have enough to do in looking ahead.”—NANSEN.

a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading After our ascent of De la Bêche and the Minarets it was decided to try over the Lendenfeld Saddle, and down the left-hand branch of the Wataroa River.

plural of “river” — a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)

From this reading When we were on the Hochstetter Dome, and subsequently, when we climbed Haidinger and De la Bêche, we saw, far below us, the silver streaks of rivers winding seaward through the sombre forests, and cast longing eyes adown the western slopes of the Alps.

put a saddle on

From this reading After our ascent of De la Bêche and the Minarets it was decided to try over the Lendenfeld Saddle, and down the left-hand branch of the Wataroa River.

cut with a saw

From this reading When we were on the Hochstetter Dome, and subsequently, when we climbed Haidinger and De la Bêche, we saw, far below us, the silver streaks of rivers winding seaward through the sombre forests, and cast longing eyes adown the western slopes of the Alps.

(of winds) coming from the land

From this reading When we were on the Hochstetter Dome, and subsequently, when we climbed Haidinger and De la Bêche, we saw, far below us, the silver streaks of rivers winding seaward through the sombre forests, and cast longing eyes adown the western slopes of the Alps.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading ACROSS THE SOUTHERN ALPS “A wretched invention, forsooth, for people who wish to push on is ‘a line of retreat,’ an everlasting inducement to look behind, when they should have enough to do in looking ahead.”—NANSEN.

a soft white precious univalent metallic element having the highest electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal; occurs in argentite and in free form; used in coins and jewelry and tableware and photography

From this reading When we were on the Hochstetter Dome, and subsequently, when we climbed Haidinger and De la Bêche, we saw, far below us, the silver streaks of rivers winding seaward through the sombre forests, and cast longing eyes adown the western slopes of the Alps.

plural of “slope” — an elevated geological formation

From this reading When we were on the Hochstetter Dome, and subsequently, when we climbed Haidinger and De la Bêche, we saw, far below us, the silver streaks of rivers winding seaward through the sombre forests, and cast longing eyes adown the western slopes of the Alps.

lacking brightness or color; dull

From this reading When we were on the Hochstetter Dome, and subsequently, when we climbed Haidinger and De la Bêche, we saw, far below us, the silver streaks of rivers winding seaward through the sombre forests, and cast longing eyes adown the western slopes of the Alps.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading And what better way could we go than by some unknown pass at the head of the largest and most splendid of all our glaciers?

in or characteristic of a region of the United States south of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading ACROSS THE SOUTHERN ALPS “A wretched invention, forsooth, for people who wish to push on is ‘a line of retreat,’ an everlasting inducement to look behind, when they should have enough to do in looking ahead.”—NANSEN.

having great beauty and splendor

From this reading And what better way could we go than by some unknown pass at the head of the largest and most splendid of all our glaciers?

plural of “streak” — an unbroken series of events

From this reading When we were on the Hochstetter Dome, and subsequently, when we climbed Haidinger and De la Bêche, we saw, far below us, the silver streaks of rivers winding seaward through the sombre forests, and cast longing eyes adown the western slopes of the Alps.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading When we were on the Hochstetter Dome, and subsequently, when we climbed Haidinger and De la Bêche, we saw, far below us, the silver streaks of rivers winding seaward through the sombre forests, and cast longing eyes adown the western slopes of the Alps.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading And what better way could we go than by some unknown pass at the head of the largest and most splendid of all our glaciers?

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading ACROSS THE SOUTHERN ALPS “A wretched invention, forsooth, for people who wish to push on is ‘a line of retreat,’ an everlasting inducement to look behind, when they should have enough to do in looking ahead.”—NANSEN.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading ACROSS THE SOUTHERN ALPS “A wretched invention, forsooth, for people who wish to push on is ‘a line of retreat,’ an everlasting inducement to look behind, when they should have enough to do in looking ahead.”—NANSEN.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading When we were on the Hochstetter Dome, and subsequently, when we climbed Haidinger and De la Bêche, we saw, far below us, the silver streaks of rivers winding seaward through the sombre forests, and cast longing eyes adown the western slopes of the Alps.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading ACROSS THE SOUTHERN ALPS “A wretched invention, forsooth, for people who wish to push on is ‘a line of retreat,’ an everlasting inducement to look behind, when they should have enough to do in looking ahead.”—NANSEN.

make an effort or attempt

From this reading After our ascent of De la Bêche and the Minarets it was decided to try over the Lendenfeld Saddle, and down the left-hand branch of the Wataroa River.

not known

From this reading And what better way could we go than by some unknown pass at the head of the largest and most splendid of all our glaciers?

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading When we were on the Hochstetter Dome, and subsequently, when we climbed Haidinger and De la Bêche, we saw, far below us, the silver streaks of rivers winding seaward through the sombre forests, and cast longing eyes adown the western slopes of the Alps.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading After our ascent of De la Bêche and the Minarets it was decided to try over the Lendenfeld Saddle, and down the left-hand branch of the Wataroa River.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading After our ascent of De la Bêche and the Minarets it was decided to try over the Lendenfeld Saddle, and down the left-hand branch of the Wataroa River.

how something is done or how it happens

From this reading And what better way could we go than by some unknown pass at the head of the largest and most splendid of all our glaciers?

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading When we were on the Hochstetter Dome, and subsequently, when we climbed Haidinger and De la Bêche, we saw, far below us, the silver streaks of rivers winding seaward through the sombre forests, and cast longing eyes adown the western slopes of the Alps.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading When we were on the Hochstetter Dome, and subsequently, when we climbed Haidinger and De la Bêche, we saw, far below us, the silver streaks of rivers winding seaward through the sombre forests, and cast longing eyes adown the western slopes of the Alps.

relating to or characteristic of the western parts of the world or the West as opposed to the eastern or oriental parts

From this reading When we were on the Hochstetter Dome, and subsequently, when we climbed Haidinger and De la Bêche, we saw, far below us, the silver streaks of rivers winding seaward through the sombre forests, and cast longing eyes adown the western slopes of the Alps.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading And what better way could we go than by some unknown pass at the head of the largest and most splendid of all our glaciers?

at the time that

From this reading ACROSS THE SOUTHERN ALPS “A wretched invention, forsooth, for people who wish to push on is ‘a line of retreat,’ an everlasting inducement to look behind, when they should have enough to do in looking ahead.”—NANSEN.

which person or people

From this reading ACROSS THE SOUTHERN ALPS “A wretched invention, forsooth, for people who wish to push on is ‘a line of retreat,’ an everlasting inducement to look behind, when they should have enough to do in looking ahead.”—NANSEN.

marked by repeated turns and bends

From this reading When we were on the Hochstetter Dome, and subsequently, when we climbed Haidinger and De la Bêche, we saw, far below us, the silver streaks of rivers winding seaward through the sombre forests, and cast longing eyes adown the western slopes of the Alps.

hope for; have a wish

From this reading ACROSS THE SOUTHERN ALPS “A wretched invention, forsooth, for people who wish to push on is ‘a line of retreat,’ an everlasting inducement to look behind, when they should have enough to do in looking ahead.”—NANSEN.

past form of “wish” — hope for; have a wish

From this reading The more we saw the more we wished to go over.

of very poor quality or condition

From this reading ACROSS THE SOUTHERN ALPS “A wretched invention, forsooth, for people who wish to push on is ‘a line of retreat,’ an everlasting inducement to look behind, when they should have enough to do in looking ahead.”—NANSEN.