Chapter XIV

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

From this reading AN ARCTIC CHRISTMAS Although the boys’ fathers had painted a picture of long and dreary months in the Arctic with the ship frozen in, and only the whalemen and Eskimos for company, the boys found it far from dull.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading Gathered in a circle about the contestants, the whalemen and the boys would clap and applaud, shout encouragement and roar with laughter as the stocky natives struggled and strained in friendly, good-natured contests.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading AN ARCTIC CHRISTMAS Although the boys’ fathers had painted a picture of long and dreary months in the Arctic with the ship frozen in, and only the whalemen and Eskimos for company, the boys found it far from dull.

occupy in an agreeable, entertaining or pleasant fashion

From this reading But even then there were things to amuse and interest the boys.

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

From this reading AN ARCTIC CHRISTMAS Although the boys’ fathers had painted a picture of long and dreary months in the Arctic with the ship frozen in, and only the whalemen and Eskimos for company, the boys found it far from dull.

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

From this reading AN ARCTIC CHRISTMAS Although the boys’ fathers had painted a picture of long and dreary months in the Arctic with the ship frozen in, and only the whalemen and Eskimos for company, the boys found it far from dull.

clap one's hands or shout after performances to indicate approval

From this reading Gathered in a circle about the contestants, the whalemen and the boys would clap and applaud, shout encouragement and roar with laughter as the stocky natives struggled and strained in friendly, good-natured contests.

the regions to the north of the Arctic Circle centered on the North Pole

From this reading AN ARCTIC CHRISTMAS Although the boys’ fathers had painted a picture of long and dreary months in the Arctic with the ship frozen in, and only the whalemen and Eskimos for company, the boys found it far from dull.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading A number of the native Eskimos were usually there, as well as those from Hebron, and the two lots of tribesmen were never tired of holding competitions of skill or strength.

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

From this reading To be sure there were many days when snowstorms raged and the wind howled, and no one stirred from the long house on the deck.

plural of “boy” — a youthful male person

From this reading AN ARCTIC CHRISTMAS Although the boys’ fathers had painted a picture of long and dreary months in the Arctic with the ship frozen in, and only the whalemen and Eskimos for company, the boys found it far from dull.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading But even then there were things to amuse and interest the boys.

period extending from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6

From this reading AN ARCTIC CHRISTMAS Although the boys’ fathers had painted a picture of long and dreary months in the Arctic with the ship frozen in, and only the whalemen and Eskimos for company, the boys found it far from dull.

ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point

From this reading Gathered in a circle about the contestants, the whalemen and the boys would clap and applaud, shout encouragement and roar with laughter as the stocky natives struggled and strained in friendly, good-natured contests.

put quickly or forcibly

From this reading Gathered in a circle about the contestants, the whalemen and the boys would clap and applaud, shout encouragement and roar with laughter as the stocky natives struggled and strained in friendly, good-natured contests.

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading AN ARCTIC CHRISTMAS Although the boys’ fathers had painted a picture of long and dreary months in the Arctic with the ship frozen in, and only the whalemen and Eskimos for company, the boys found it far from dull.

plural of “competition” — a business relation in which two parties compete to gain customers

From this reading A number of the native Eskimos were usually there, as well as those from Hebron, and the two lots of tribesmen were never tired of holding competitions of skill or strength.

plural of “contestant” — a person who participates in competitions

From this reading Gathered in a circle about the contestants, the whalemen and the boys would clap and applaud, shout encouragement and roar with laughter as the stocky natives struggled and strained in friendly, good-natured contests.

plural of “contest” — an occasion on which a winner is selected from among two or more contestants

From this reading Gathered in a circle about the contestants, the whalemen and the boys would clap and applaud, shout encouragement and roar with laughter as the stocky natives struggled and strained in friendly, good-natured contests.

the time during which someone's life continues

From this reading To be sure there were many days when snowstorms raged and the wind howled, and no one stirred from the long house on the deck.

any of various platforms built into a vessel

From this reading To be sure there were many days when snowstorms raged and the wind howled, and no one stirred from the long house on the deck.

lacking in liveliness or charm or surprise

From this reading AN ARCTIC CHRISTMAS Although the boys’ fathers had painted a picture of long and dreary months in the Arctic with the ship frozen in, and only the whalemen and Eskimos for company, the boys found it far from dull.

lacking in liveliness or animation

From this reading AN ARCTIC CHRISTMAS Although the boys’ fathers had painted a picture of long and dreary months in the Arctic with the ship frozen in, and only the whalemen and Eskimos for company, the boys found it far from dull.

the expression of approval and support

From this reading Gathered in a circle about the contestants, the whalemen and the boys would clap and applaud, shout encouragement and roar with laughter as the stocky natives struggled and strained in friendly, good-natured contests.

plural of “eskimo” — a member of a people inhabiting the Arctic (northern Canada or Greenland or Alaska or eastern Siberia); the Algonquians called them Eskimo (“eaters of raw flesh”) but they call themselves the Inuit (“the people”)

From this reading AN ARCTIC CHRISTMAS Although the boys’ fathers had painted a picture of long and dreary months in the Arctic with the ship frozen in, and only the whalemen and Eskimos for company, the boys found it far from dull.

divisible by two

From this reading But even then there were things to amuse and interest the boys.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading AN ARCTIC CHRISTMAS Although the boys’ fathers had painted a picture of long and dreary months in the Arctic with the ship frozen in, and only the whalemen and Eskimos for company, the boys found it far from dull.

plural of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)

From this reading AN ARCTIC CHRISTMAS Although the boys’ fathers had painted a picture of long and dreary months in the Arctic with the ship frozen in, and only the whalemen and Eskimos for company, the boys found it far from dull.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading AN ARCTIC CHRISTMAS Although the boys’ fathers had painted a picture of long and dreary months in the Arctic with the ship frozen in, and only the whalemen and Eskimos for company, the boys found it far from dull.

set up or found

From this reading AN ARCTIC CHRISTMAS Although the boys’ fathers had painted a picture of long and dreary months in the Arctic with the ship frozen in, and only the whalemen and Eskimos for company, the boys found it far from dull.

characteristic of or befitting a friend

From this reading Gathered in a circle about the contestants, the whalemen and the boys would clap and applaud, shout encouragement and roar with laughter as the stocky natives struggled and strained in friendly, good-natured contests.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading AN ARCTIC CHRISTMAS Although the boys’ fathers had painted a picture of long and dreary months in the Arctic with the ship frozen in, and only the whalemen and Eskimos for company, the boys found it far from dull.

turned into ice; affected by freezing or by long and severe cold

From this reading AN ARCTIC CHRISTMAS Although the boys’ fathers had painted a picture of long and dreary months in the Arctic with the ship frozen in, and only the whalemen and Eskimos for company, the boys found it far from dull.

brought together in one place

From this reading Gathered in a circle about the contestants, the whalemen and the boys would clap and applaud, shout encouragement and roar with laughter as the stocky natives struggled and strained in friendly, good-natured contests.

having an easygoing and cheerful disposition

From this reading Gathered in a circle about the contestants, the whalemen and the boys would clap and applaud, shout encouragement and roar with laughter as the stocky natives struggled and strained in friendly, good-natured contests.

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

From this reading AN ARCTIC CHRISTMAS Although the boys’ fathers had painted a picture of long and dreary months in the Arctic with the ship frozen in, and only the whalemen and Eskimos for company, the boys found it far from dull.

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

From this reading A number of the native Eskimos were usually there, as well as those from Hebron, and the two lots of tribesmen were never tired of holding competitions of skill or strength.

the act of retaining something

From this reading A number of the native Eskimos were usually there, as well as those from Hebron, and the two lots of tribesmen were never tired of holding competitions of skill or strength.

a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families

From this reading To be sure there were many days when snowstorms raged and the wind howled, and no one stirred from the long house on the deck.

past form of “howl” — emit long loud cries

From this reading To be sure there were many days when snowstorms raged and the wind howled, and no one stirred from the long house on the deck.

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

From this reading AN ARCTIC CHRISTMAS Although the boys’ fathers had painted a picture of long and dreary months in the Arctic with the ship frozen in, and only the whalemen and Eskimos for company, the boys found it far from dull.

a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something

From this reading But even then there were things to amuse and interest the boys.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading AN ARCTIC CHRISTMAS Although the boys’ fathers had painted a picture of long and dreary months in the Arctic with the ship frozen in, and only the whalemen and Eskimos for company, the boys found it far from dull.

the sound of laughing

From this reading Gathered in a circle about the contestants, the whalemen and the boys would clap and applaud, shout encouragement and roar with laughter as the stocky natives struggled and strained in friendly, good-natured contests.

primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified

From this reading AN ARCTIC CHRISTMAS Although the boys’ fathers had painted a picture of long and dreary months in the Arctic with the ship frozen in, and only the whalemen and Eskimos for company, the boys found it far from dull.

a large number or amount

From this reading A number of the native Eskimos were usually there, as well as those from Hebron, and the two lots of tribesmen were never tired of holding competitions of skill or strength.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number

From this reading To be sure there were many days when snowstorms raged and the wind howled, and no one stirred from the long house on the deck.

plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year

From this reading AN ARCTIC CHRISTMAS Although the boys’ fathers had painted a picture of long and dreary months in the Arctic with the ship frozen in, and only the whalemen and Eskimos for company, the boys found it far from dull.

characteristic of or existing by virtue of geographic origin

From this reading A number of the native Eskimos were usually there, as well as those from Hebron, and the two lots of tribesmen were never tired of holding competitions of skill or strength.

plural of “native” — an indigenous person who was born in a particular place

From this reading Gathered in a circle about the contestants, the whalemen and the boys would clap and applaud, shout encouragement and roar with laughter as the stocky natives struggled and strained in friendly, good-natured contests.

not ever; at no time in the past or future

From this reading A number of the native Eskimos were usually there, as well as those from Hebron, and the two lots of tribesmen were never tired of holding competitions of skill or strength.

not any; not one

From this reading To be sure there were many days when snowstorms raged and the wind howled, and no one stirred from the long house on the deck.

the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals

From this reading A number of the native Eskimos were usually there, as well as those from Hebron, and the two lots of tribesmen were never tired of holding competitions of skill or strength.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading AN ARCTIC CHRISTMAS Although the boys’ fathers had painted a picture of long and dreary months in the Arctic with the ship frozen in, and only the whalemen and Eskimos for company, the boys found it far from dull.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading To be sure there were many days when snowstorms raged and the wind howled, and no one stirred from the long house on the deck.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading To be sure there were many days when snowstorms raged and the wind howled, and no one stirred from the long house on the deck.

and nothing more

From this reading AN ARCTIC CHRISTMAS Although the boys’ fathers had painted a picture of long and dreary months in the Arctic with the ship frozen in, and only the whalemen and Eskimos for company, the boys found it far from dull.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading A number of the native Eskimos were usually there, as well as those from Hebron, and the two lots of tribesmen were never tired of holding competitions of skill or strength.

coated with paint

From this reading AN ARCTIC CHRISTMAS Although the boys’ fathers had painted a picture of long and dreary months in the Arctic with the ship frozen in, and only the whalemen and Eskimos for company, the boys found it far from dull.

a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface

From this reading AN ARCTIC CHRISTMAS Although the boys’ fathers had painted a picture of long and dreary months in the Arctic with the ship frozen in, and only the whalemen and Eskimos for company, the boys found it far from dull.

past form of “rage” — behave violently, as if in state of a great anger

From this reading To be sure there were many days when snowstorms raged and the wind howled, and no one stirred from the long house on the deck.

make a loud noise, as of wind, water, or vehicles

From this reading Gathered in a circle about the contestants, the whalemen and the boys would clap and applaud, shout encouragement and roar with laughter as the stocky natives struggled and strained in friendly, good-natured contests.

transport commercially

From this reading AN ARCTIC CHRISTMAS Although the boys’ fathers had painted a picture of long and dreary months in the Arctic with the ship frozen in, and only the whalemen and Eskimos for company, the boys found it far from dull.

utter in a loud voice; talk in a loud voice (usually denoting characteristic manner of speaking)

From this reading Gathered in a circle about the contestants, the whalemen and the boys would clap and applaud, shout encouragement and roar with laughter as the stocky natives struggled and strained in friendly, good-natured contests.

an ability that has been acquired by training

From this reading A number of the native Eskimos were usually there, as well as those from Hebron, and the two lots of tribesmen were never tired of holding competitions of skill or strength.

plural of “snowstorm” — a storm with widespread snowfall accompanied by strong winds

From this reading To be sure there were many days when snowstorms raged and the wind howled, and no one stirred from the long house on the deck.

being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion

From this reading To be sure there were many days when snowstorms raged and the wind howled, and no one stirred from the long house on the deck.

having a short and solid form or stature

From this reading Gathered in a circle about the contestants, the whalemen and the boys would clap and applaud, shout encouragement and roar with laughter as the stocky natives struggled and strained in friendly, good-natured contests.

lacking natural ease

From this reading Gathered in a circle about the contestants, the whalemen and the boys would clap and applaud, shout encouragement and roar with laughter as the stocky natives struggled and strained in friendly, good-natured contests.

the property of being physically or mentally strong

From this reading A number of the native Eskimos were usually there, as well as those from Hebron, and the two lots of tribesmen were never tired of holding competitions of skill or strength.

past form of “struggle” — make a strenuous or labored effort

From this reading Gathered in a circle about the contestants, the whalemen and the boys would clap and applaud, shout encouragement and roar with laughter as the stocky natives struggled and strained in friendly, good-natured contests.

having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured

From this reading To be sure there were many days when snowstorms raged and the wind howled, and no one stirred from the long house on the deck.

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

From this reading AN ARCTIC CHRISTMAS Although the boys’ fathers had painted a picture of long and dreary months in the Arctic with the ship frozen in, and only the whalemen and Eskimos for company, the boys found it far from dull.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading But even then there were things to amuse and interest the boys.

in or at that place or location

From this reading To be sure there were many days when snowstorms raged and the wind howled, and no one stirred from the long house on the deck.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading But even then there were things to amuse and interest the boys.

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading A number of the native Eskimos were usually there, as well as those from Hebron, and the two lots of tribesmen were never tired of holding competitions of skill or strength.

depleted of strength or energy

From this reading A number of the native Eskimos were usually there, as well as those from Hebron, and the two lots of tribesmen were never tired of holding competitions of skill or strength.

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

From this reading To be sure there were many days when snowstorms raged and the wind howled, and no one stirred from the long house on the deck.

plural of “tribesman” — someone who lives in a tribe

From this reading A number of the native Eskimos were usually there, as well as those from Hebron, and the two lots of tribesmen were never tired of holding competitions of skill or strength.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading A number of the native Eskimos were usually there, as well as those from Hebron, and the two lots of tribesmen were never tired of holding competitions of skill or strength.

under normal conditions

From this reading A number of the native Eskimos were usually there, as well as those from Hebron, and the two lots of tribesmen were never tired of holding competitions of skill or strength.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading A number of the native Eskimos were usually there, as well as those from Hebron, and the two lots of tribesmen were never tired of holding competitions of skill or strength.

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

From this reading To be sure there were many days when snowstorms raged and the wind howled, and no one stirred from the long house on the deck.

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

From this reading AN ARCTIC CHRISTMAS Although the boys’ fathers had painted a picture of long and dreary months in the Arctic with the ship frozen in, and only the whalemen and Eskimos for company, the boys found it far from dull.

at the time that

From this reading To be sure there were many days when snowstorms raged and the wind howled, and no one stirred from the long house on the deck.

air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure

From this reading To be sure there were many days when snowstorms raged and the wind howled, and no one stirred from the long house on the deck.

in the company of; together with

From this reading AN ARCTIC CHRISTMAS Although the boys’ fathers had painted a picture of long and dreary months in the Arctic with the ship frozen in, and only the whalemen and Eskimos for company, the boys found it far from dull.

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

From this reading Gathered in a circle about the contestants, the whalemen and the boys would clap and applaud, shout encouragement and roar with laughter as the stocky natives struggled and strained in friendly, good-natured contests.