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Blake's Burden
Blake's Burden

Chapter XXIII

Cover illustration for Blake's Burden
Context Illustration Reading 1/23 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
THE CARIBOU When Blake was awakened by Harding, the cold was almost unendurable, and it cost him a determined effort to rise from the hollow he had scraped out of the snow and lined with spruce twigs close beside the fire.
He had not been warm there, and it was significant that the snow was dry, but sleep had brought him relief from discomfort and he had found getting up the greatest hardship of the trying journey.
In answer to his drowsy questions, Harding said he had once or twice heard a wolf howl in the distance, but that was all, and then lay down, leaving Blake on guard.
He sat with his back to a snowbank which afforded some shelter and imagined from his sensations that the temperature must be about fifty degrees below zero.
The frost bit through him, stiffening his muscles until he felt that if vigorous movement were demanded of him he would be incapable of it, and dulling his brain.
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LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Blake's Burden

Chapter XXIII

Reading 1/23 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
THE CARIBOU When Blake was awakened by Harding, the cold was almost unendurable, and it cost him a determined effort to rise from the hollow he had scraped out of the snow and lined with spruce twigs close beside the fire.
Line 2
He had not been warm there, and it was significant that the snow was dry, but sleep had brought him relief from discomfort and he had found getting up the greatest hardship of the trying journey.
Line 3
In answer to his drowsy questions, Harding said he had once or twice heard a wolf howl in the distance, but that was all, and then lay down, leaving Blake on guard.
Line 4
He sat with his back to a snowbank which afforded some shelter and imagined from his sensations that the temperature must be about fifty degrees below zero.
Line 5
The frost bit through him, stiffening his muscles until he felt that if vigorous movement were demanded of him he would be incapable of it, and dulling his brain.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “He sat with his back to a snowbank which afforded some shelter and imagined from his sensations that the temperature must be about fifty degrees below zero.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “He had not been warm there, and it was significant that the snow was dry, but sleep had brought him relief from discomfort and he had found getting up the greatest hardship of the trying journey.”

Below preposition US /bɪˈloʊ/

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading “He sat with his back to a snowbank which afforded some shelter and imagined from his sensations that the temperature must be about fifty degrees below zero.”

Beside preposition US /bɪˈsaɪd/

next to; at the side of

From this reading “THE CARIBOU When Blake was awakened by Harding, the cold was almost unendurable, and it cost him a determined effort to rise from the hollow he had scraped out of the snow and lined with spruce twigs close beside the fire.”

Brought noun US /ˈbrought/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “He had not been warm there, and it was significant that the snow was dry, but sleep had brought him relief from discomfort and he had found getting up the greatest hardship of the trying journey.”

Determined adjective US /dɪˈtɜrmɪnd/

having firmly decided to do something

From this reading “THE CARIBOU When Blake was awakened by Harding, the cold was almost unendurable, and it cost him a determined effort to rise from the hollow he had scraped out of the snow and lined with spruce twigs close beside the fire.”

Found noun US /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He had not been warm there, and it was significant that the snow was dry, but sleep had brought him relief from discomfort and he had found getting up the greatest hardship of the trying journey.”

Journey noun US /ˈjourney/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “He had not been warm there, and it was significant that the snow was dry, but sleep had brought him relief from discomfort and he had found getting up the greatest hardship of the trying journey.”

Must modal verb US /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading “He sat with his back to a snowbank which afforded some shelter and imagined from his sensations that the temperature must be about fifty degrees below zero.”

Once noun US /once/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “In answer to his drowsy questions, Harding said he had once or twice heard a wolf howl in the distance, but that was all, and then lay down, leaving Blake on guard.”

Relief noun US /rɪˈliːf/

a feeling of comfort after worry or pain

From this reading “He had not been warm there, and it was significant that the snow was dry, but sleep had brought him relief from discomfort and he had found getting up the greatest hardship of the trying journey.”

Through noun US /ˈthrough/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “The frost bit through him, stiffening his muscles until he felt that if vigorous movement were demanded of him he would be incapable of it, and dulling his brain.”

Until preposition US /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading “The frost bit through him, stiffening his muscles until he felt that if vigorous movement were demanded of him he would be incapable of it, and dulling his brain.”

Would modal verb US /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading “The frost bit through him, stiffening his muscles until he felt that if vigorous movement were demanded of him he would be incapable of it, and dulling his brain.”

All words in this reading · 107

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 THE CARIBOU When Blake was awakened by Harding, the cold was almost unendurable, and it cost him a determined effort to rise from the hollow he had scraped out of the snow and lined with spruce twigs close beside the fire.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading He sat with his back to a snowbank which afforded some shelter and imagined from his sensations that the temperature must be about fifty degrees below zero.

afforded

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

From this reading He sat with his back to a snowbank which afforded some shelter and imagined from his sensations that the temperature must be about fifty degrees below zero.

all

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

From this reading In answer to his drowsy questions, Harding said he had once or twice heard a wolf howl in the distance, but that was all, and then lay down, leaving Blake on guard.

almost

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

From this reading THE CARIBOU When Blake was awakened by Harding, the cold was almost unendurable, and it cost him a determined effort to rise from the hollow he had scraped out of the snow and lined with spruce twigs close beside the fire.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading THE CARIBOU When Blake was awakened by Harding, the cold was almost unendurable, and it cost him a determined effort to rise from the hollow he had scraped out of the snow and lined with spruce twigs close beside the fire.

answer

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

From this reading In answer to his drowsy questions, Harding said he had once or twice heard a wolf howl in the distance, but that was all, and then lay down, leaving Blake on guard.

awakened

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

From this reading THE CARIBOU When Blake was awakened by Harding, the cold was almost unendurable, and it cost him a determined effort to rise from the hollow he had scraped out of the snow and lined with spruce twigs close beside the fire.

back

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

From this reading He sat with his back to a snowbank which afforded some shelter and imagined from his sensations that the temperature must be about fifty degrees below zero.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading He sat with his back to a snowbank which afforded some shelter and imagined from his sensations that the temperature must be about fifty degrees below zero.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading He had not been warm there, and it was significant that the snow was dry, but sleep had brought him relief from discomfort and he had found getting up the greatest hardship of the trying journey.

belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading He sat with his back to a snowbank which afforded some shelter and imagined from his sensations that the temperature must be about fifty degrees below zero.

besideprepositionUS /bɪˈsaɪd/

next to; at the side of

From this reading THE CARIBOU When Blake was awakened by Harding, the cold was almost unendurable, and it cost him a determined effort to rise from the hollow he had scraped out of the snow and lined with spruce twigs close beside the fire.

bit

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

From this reading The frost bit through him, stiffening his muscles until he felt that if vigorous movement were demanded of him he would be incapable of it, and dulling his brain.

Blake

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

From this reading THE CARIBOU When Blake was awakened by Harding, the cold was almost unendurable, and it cost him a determined effort to rise from the hollow he had scraped out of the snow and lined with spruce twigs close beside the fire.

brain

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

From this reading The frost bit through him, stiffening his muscles until he felt that if vigorous movement were demanded of him he would be incapable of it, and dulling his brain.

broughtnounUS /ˈbrought/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading He had not been warm there, and it was significant that the snow was dry, but sleep had brought him relief from discomfort and he had found getting up the greatest hardship of the trying journey.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading He had not been warm there, and it was significant that the snow was dry, but sleep had brought him relief from discomfort and he had found getting up the greatest hardship of the trying journey.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading THE CARIBOU When Blake was awakened by Harding, the cold was almost unendurable, and it cost him a determined effort to rise from the hollow he had scraped out of the snow and lined with spruce twigs close beside the fire.

CARIBOU

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

From this reading THE CARIBOU When Blake was awakened by Harding, the cold was almost unendurable, and it cost him a determined effort to rise from the hollow he had scraped out of the snow and lined with spruce twigs close beside the fire.

close

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

From this reading THE CARIBOU When Blake was awakened by Harding, the cold was almost unendurable, and it cost him a determined effort to rise from the hollow he had scraped out of the snow and lined with spruce twigs close beside the fire.

cold

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

From this reading THE CARIBOU When Blake was awakened by Harding, the cold was almost unendurable, and it cost him a determined effort to rise from the hollow he had scraped out of the snow and lined with spruce twigs close beside the fire.

cost

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

From this reading THE CARIBOU When Blake was awakened by Harding, the cold was almost unendurable, and it cost him a determined effort to rise from the hollow he had scraped out of the snow and lined with spruce twigs close beside the fire.

degrees

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

From this reading He sat with his back to a snowbank which afforded some shelter and imagined from his sensations that the temperature must be about fifty degrees below zero.

demanded

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

From this reading The frost bit through him, stiffening his muscles until he felt that if vigorous movement were demanded of him he would be incapable of it, and dulling his brain.

determinedadjectiveUS /dɪˈtɜrmɪnd/

having firmly decided to do something

From this reading THE CARIBOU When Blake was awakened by Harding, the cold was almost unendurable, and it cost him a determined effort to rise from the hollow he had scraped out of the snow and lined with spruce twigs close beside the fire.

discomfort

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

From this reading He had not been warm there, and it was significant that the snow was dry, but sleep had brought him relief from discomfort and he had found getting up the greatest hardship of the trying journey.

distance

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

From this reading In answer to his drowsy questions, Harding said he had once or twice heard a wolf howl in the distance, but that was all, and then lay down, leaving Blake on guard.

down

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

From this reading In answer to his drowsy questions, Harding said he had once or twice heard a wolf howl in the distance, but that was all, and then lay down, leaving Blake on guard.

drowsy

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

From this reading In answer to his drowsy questions, Harding said he had once or twice heard a wolf howl in the distance, but that was all, and then lay down, leaving Blake on guard.

dry

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

From this reading He had not been warm there, and it was significant that the snow was dry, but sleep had brought him relief from discomfort and he had found getting up the greatest hardship of the trying journey.

dulling

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

From this reading The frost bit through him, stiffening his muscles until he felt that if vigorous movement were demanded of him he would be incapable of it, and dulling his brain.

effort

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

From this reading THE CARIBOU When Blake was awakened by Harding, the cold was almost unendurable, and it cost him a determined effort to rise from the hollow he had scraped out of the snow and lined with spruce twigs close beside the fire.

felt

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

From this reading The frost bit through him, stiffening his muscles until he felt that if vigorous movement were demanded of him he would be incapable of it, and dulling his brain.

fifty

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

From this reading He sat with his back to a snowbank which afforded some shelter and imagined from his sensations that the temperature must be about fifty degrees below zero.

fire

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

From this reading THE CARIBOU When Blake was awakened by Harding, the cold was almost unendurable, and it cost him a determined effort to rise from the hollow he had scraped out of the snow and lined with spruce twigs close beside the fire.

foundnounUS /found/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He had not been warm there, and it was significant that the snow was dry, but sleep had brought him relief from discomfort and he had found getting up the greatest hardship of the trying journey.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading THE CARIBOU When Blake was awakened by Harding, the cold was almost unendurable, and it cost him a determined effort to rise from the hollow he had scraped out of the snow and lined with spruce twigs close beside the fire.

frost

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

From this reading The frost bit through him, stiffening his muscles until he felt that if vigorous movement were demanded of him he would be incapable of it, and dulling his brain.

getting

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

From this reading He had not been warm there, and it was significant that the snow was dry, but sleep had brought him relief from discomfort and he had found getting up the greatest hardship of the trying journey.

greatest

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

From this reading He had not been warm there, and it was significant that the snow was dry, but sleep had brought him relief from discomfort and he had found getting up the greatest hardship of the trying journey.

guard

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

From this reading In answer to his drowsy questions, Harding said he had once or twice heard a wolf howl in the distance, but that was all, and then lay down, leaving Blake on guard.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading THE CARIBOU When Blake was awakened by Harding, the cold was almost unendurable, and it cost him a determined effort to rise from the hollow he had scraped out of the snow and lined with spruce twigs close beside the fire.

Harding

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

From this reading THE CARIBOU When Blake was awakened by Harding, the cold was almost unendurable, and it cost him a determined effort to rise from the hollow he had scraped out of the snow and lined with spruce twigs close beside the fire.

hardship

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

From this reading He had not been warm there, and it was significant that the snow was dry, but sleep had brought him relief from discomfort and he had found getting up the greatest hardship of the trying journey.

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading THE CARIBOU When Blake was awakened by Harding, the cold was almost unendurable, and it cost him a determined effort to rise from the hollow he had scraped out of the snow and lined with spruce twigs close beside the fire.

heard

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

From this reading In answer to his drowsy questions, Harding said he had once or twice heard a wolf howl in the distance, but that was all, and then lay down, leaving Blake on guard.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading THE CARIBOU When Blake was awakened by Harding, the cold was almost unendurable, and it cost him a determined effort to rise from the hollow he had scraped out of the snow and lined with spruce twigs close beside the fire.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading In answer to his drowsy questions, Harding said he had once or twice heard a wolf howl in the distance, but that was all, and then lay down, leaving Blake on guard.

hollow

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

From this reading THE CARIBOU When Blake was awakened by Harding, the cold was almost unendurable, and it cost him a determined effort to rise from the hollow he had scraped out of the snow and lined with spruce twigs close beside the fire.

howl

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

From this reading In answer to his drowsy questions, Harding said he had once or twice heard a wolf howl in the distance, but that was all, and then lay down, leaving Blake on guard.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading The frost bit through him, stiffening his muscles until he felt that if vigorous movement were demanded of him he would be incapable of it, and dulling his brain.

imagined

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

From this reading He sat with his back to a snowbank which afforded some shelter and imagined from his sensations that the temperature must be about fifty degrees below zero.

InprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading In answer to his drowsy questions, Harding said he had once or twice heard a wolf howl in the distance, but that was all, and then lay down, leaving Blake on guard.

incapable

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

From this reading The frost bit through him, stiffening his muscles until he felt that if vigorous movement were demanded of him he would be incapable of it, and dulling his brain.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading THE CARIBOU When Blake was awakened by Harding, the cold was almost unendurable, and it cost him a determined effort to rise from the hollow he had scraped out of the snow and lined with spruce twigs close beside the fire.

journeynounUS /ˈjourney/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading He had not been warm there, and it was significant that the snow was dry, but sleep had brought him relief from discomfort and he had found getting up the greatest hardship of the trying journey.

lay

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

From this reading In answer to his drowsy questions, Harding said he had once or twice heard a wolf howl in the distance, but that was all, and then lay down, leaving Blake on guard.

leaving

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

From this reading In answer to his drowsy questions, Harding said he had once or twice heard a wolf howl in the distance, but that was all, and then lay down, leaving Blake on guard.

lined

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

From this reading THE CARIBOU When Blake was awakened by Harding, the cold was almost unendurable, and it cost him a determined effort to rise from the hollow he had scraped out of the snow and lined with spruce twigs close beside the fire.

movement

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

From this reading The frost bit through him, stiffening his muscles until he felt that if vigorous movement were demanded of him he would be incapable of it, and dulling his brain.

muscles

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

From this reading The frost bit through him, stiffening his muscles until he felt that if vigorous movement were demanded of him he would be incapable of it, and dulling his brain.

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading He sat with his back to a snowbank which afforded some shelter and imagined from his sensations that the temperature must be about fifty degrees below zero.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He had not been warm there, and it was significant that the snow was dry, but sleep had brought him relief from discomfort and he had found getting up the greatest hardship of the trying journey.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE CARIBOU When Blake was awakened by Harding, the cold was almost unendurable, and it cost him a determined effort to rise from the hollow he had scraped out of the snow and lined with spruce twigs close beside the fire.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading In answer to his drowsy questions, Harding said he had once or twice heard a wolf howl in the distance, but that was all, and then lay down, leaving Blake on guard.

once

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

From this reading In answer to his drowsy questions, Harding said he had once or twice heard a wolf howl in the distance, but that was all, and then lay down, leaving Blake on guard.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading In answer to his drowsy questions, Harding said he had once or twice heard a wolf howl in the distance, but that was all, and then lay down, leaving Blake on guard.

out

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

From this reading THE CARIBOU When Blake was awakened by Harding, the cold was almost unendurable, and it cost him a determined effort to rise from the hollow he had scraped out of the snow and lined with spruce twigs close beside the fire.

questions

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

From this reading In answer to his drowsy questions, Harding said he had once or twice heard a wolf howl in the distance, but that was all, and then lay down, leaving Blake on guard.

reliefnounUS /rɪˈliːf/

a feeling of comfort after worry or pain

From this reading He had not been warm there, and it was significant that the snow was dry, but sleep had brought him relief from discomfort and he had found getting up the greatest hardship of the trying journey.

rise

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

From this reading THE CARIBOU When Blake was awakened by Harding, the cold was almost unendurable, and it cost him a determined effort to rise from the hollow he had scraped out of the snow and lined with spruce twigs close beside the fire.

said

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

From this reading In answer to his drowsy questions, Harding said he had once or twice heard a wolf howl in the distance, but that was all, and then lay down, leaving Blake on guard.

sat

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

From this reading He sat with his back to a snowbank which afforded some shelter and imagined from his sensations that the temperature must be about fifty degrees below zero.

scraped

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

From this reading THE CARIBOU When Blake was awakened by Harding, the cold was almost unendurable, and it cost him a determined effort to rise from the hollow he had scraped out of the snow and lined with spruce twigs close beside the fire.

sensations

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

From this reading He sat with his back to a snowbank which afforded some shelter and imagined from his sensations that the temperature must be about fifty degrees below zero.

shelter

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

From this reading He sat with his back to a snowbank which afforded some shelter and imagined from his sensations that the temperature must be about fifty degrees below zero.

significant

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

From this reading He had not been warm there, and it was significant that the snow was dry, but sleep had brought him relief from discomfort and he had found getting up the greatest hardship of the trying journey.

sleep

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

From this reading He had not been warm there, and it was significant that the snow was dry, but sleep had brought him relief from discomfort and he had found getting up the greatest hardship of the trying journey.

snow

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

From this reading THE CARIBOU When Blake was awakened by Harding, the cold was almost unendurable, and it cost him a determined effort to rise from the hollow he had scraped out of the snow and lined with spruce twigs close beside the fire.

snowbank

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

From this reading He sat with his back to a snowbank which afforded some shelter and imagined from his sensations that the temperature must be about fifty degrees below zero.

some

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

From this reading He sat with his back to a snowbank which afforded some shelter and imagined from his sensations that the temperature must be about fifty degrees below zero.

spruce

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

From this reading THE CARIBOU When Blake was awakened by Harding, the cold was almost unendurable, and it cost him a determined effort to rise from the hollow he had scraped out of the snow and lined with spruce twigs close beside the fire.

stiffening

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

From this reading The frost bit through him, stiffening his muscles until he felt that if vigorous movement were demanded of him he would be incapable of it, and dulling his brain.

temperature

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

From this reading He sat with his back to a snowbank which afforded some shelter and imagined from his sensations that the temperature must be about fifty degrees below zero.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He had not been warm there, and it was significant that the snow was dry, but sleep had brought him relief from discomfort and he had found getting up the greatest hardship of the trying journey.

THEdeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading THE CARIBOU When Blake was awakened by Harding, the cold was almost unendurable, and it cost him a determined effort to rise from the hollow he had scraped out of the snow and lined with spruce twigs close beside the fire.

then

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

From this reading In answer to his drowsy questions, Harding said he had once or twice heard a wolf howl in the distance, but that was all, and then lay down, leaving Blake on guard.

there

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

From this reading He had not been warm there, and it was significant that the snow was dry, but sleep had brought him relief from discomfort and he had found getting up the greatest hardship of the trying journey.

throughnounUS /ˈthrough/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading The frost bit through him, stiffening his muscles until he felt that if vigorous movement were demanded of him he would be incapable of it, and dulling his brain.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading THE CARIBOU When Blake was awakened by Harding, the cold was almost unendurable, and it cost him a determined effort to rise from the hollow he had scraped out of the snow and lined with spruce twigs close beside the fire.

trying

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

From this reading He had not been warm there, and it was significant that the snow was dry, but sleep had brought him relief from discomfort and he had found getting up the greatest hardship of the trying journey.

twice

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

From this reading In answer to his drowsy questions, Harding said he had once or twice heard a wolf howl in the distance, but that was all, and then lay down, leaving Blake on guard.

twigs

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

From this reading THE CARIBOU When Blake was awakened by Harding, the cold was almost unendurable, and it cost him a determined effort to rise from the hollow he had scraped out of the snow and lined with spruce twigs close beside the fire.

unendurable

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

From this reading THE CARIBOU When Blake was awakened by Harding, the cold was almost unendurable, and it cost him a determined effort to rise from the hollow he had scraped out of the snow and lined with spruce twigs close beside the fire.

untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/

up to a particular time

From this reading The frost bit through him, stiffening his muscles until he felt that if vigorous movement were demanded of him he would be incapable of it, and dulling his brain.

up

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

From this reading He had not been warm there, and it was significant that the snow was dry, but sleep had brought him relief from discomfort and he had found getting up the greatest hardship of the trying journey.

vigorous

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

From this reading The frost bit through him, stiffening his muscles until he felt that if vigorous movement were demanded of him he would be incapable of it, and dulling his brain.

warm

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

From this reading He had not been warm there, and it was significant that the snow was dry, but sleep had brought him relief from discomfort and he had found getting up the greatest hardship of the trying journey.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading THE CARIBOU When Blake was awakened by Harding, the cold was almost unendurable, and it cost him a determined effort to rise from the hollow he had scraped out of the snow and lined with spruce twigs close beside the fire.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

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

From this reading The frost bit through him, stiffening his muscles until he felt that if vigorous movement were demanded of him he would be incapable of it, and dulling his brain.

WhenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading THE CARIBOU When Blake was awakened by Harding, the cold was almost unendurable, and it cost him a determined effort to rise from the hollow he had scraped out of the snow and lined with spruce twigs close beside the fire.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading He sat with his back to a snowbank which afforded some shelter and imagined from his sensations that the temperature must be about fifty degrees below zero.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading THE CARIBOU When Blake was awakened by Harding, the cold was almost unendurable, and it cost him a determined effort to rise from the hollow he had scraped out of the snow and lined with spruce twigs close beside the fire.

wolf

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

From this reading In answer to his drowsy questions, Harding said he had once or twice heard a wolf howl in the distance, but that was all, and then lay down, leaving Blake on guard.

wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading The frost bit through him, stiffening his muscles until he felt that if vigorous movement were demanded of him he would be incapable of it, and dulling his brain.

zero

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

From this reading He sat with his back to a snowbank which afforded some shelter and imagined from his sensations that the temperature must be about fifty degrees below zero.