Chapter XXVI · Chapter 26

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

From this reading We now found ourselves in the wide and desolate Antarctic Ocean, in a latitude exceeding eighty-four degrees, in a frail canoe, and with no provision but the three turtles.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading There were six or seven islands in sight belonging to the same group, and distant from each other about five or six leagues; but upon neither of these had we any intention to venture.

concurrence of opinion

From this reading In coming from the northward in the _Jane Guy_ we had been gradually leaving behind us the severest regions of ice—this, however little it maybe in accordance with the generally received notions respecting the Antarctic, was a fact—experience would not permit us to deny.

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

From this reading We now found ourselves in the wide and desolate Antarctic Ocean, in a latitude exceeding eighty-four degrees, in a frail canoe, and with no provision but the three turtles.

the region around the south pole: Antarctica and surrounding waters

From this reading We now found ourselves in the wide and desolate Antarctic Ocean, in a latitude exceeding eighty-four degrees, in a frail canoe, and with no provision but the three turtles.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading There were six or seven islands in sight belonging to the same group, and distant from each other about five or six leagues; but upon neither of these had we any intention to venture.

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

From this reading The long polar winter, too, could not be considered as far distant, and it became necessary that we should deliberate well upon the course to be pursued.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading To attempt, therefore, getting back would be folly—especially at so late a period of the season.

earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something

From this reading To attempt, therefore, getting back would be folly—especially at so late a period of the season.

in or to or toward a former location

From this reading To attempt, therefore, getting back would be folly—especially at so late a period of the season.

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

From this reading The long polar winter, too, could not be considered as far distant, and it became necessary that we should deliberate well upon the course to be pursued.

inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition

From this reading The long polar winter, too, could not be considered as far distant, and it became necessary that we should deliberate well upon the course to be pursued.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading In coming from the northward in the _Jane Guy_ we had been gradually leaving behind us the severest regions of ice—this, however little it maybe in accordance with the generally received notions respecting the Antarctic, was a fact—experience would not permit us to deny.

at or toward the back of something

From this reading In coming from the northward in the _Jane Guy_ we had been gradually leaving behind us the severest regions of ice—this, however little it maybe in accordance with the generally received notions respecting the Antarctic, was a fact—experience would not permit us to deny.

happiness felt in a secure relationship

From this reading There were six or seven islands in sight belonging to the same group, and distant from each other about five or six leagues; but upon neither of these had we any intention to venture.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading We now found ourselves in the wide and desolate Antarctic Ocean, in a latitude exceeding eighty-four degrees, in a frail canoe, and with no provision but the three turtles.

small and light boat; pointed at both ends; propelled with a paddle

From this reading We now found ourselves in the wide and desolate Antarctic Ocean, in a latitude exceeding eighty-four degrees, in a frail canoe, and with no provision but the three turtles.

the act of drawing spatially closer to something

From this reading In coming from the northward in the _Jane Guy_ we had been gradually leaving behind us the severest regions of ice—this, however little it maybe in accordance with the generally received notions respecting the Antarctic, was a fact—experience would not permit us to deny.

carefully weighed

From this reading The long polar winter, too, could not be considered as far distant, and it became necessary that we should deliberate well upon the course to be pursued.

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

From this reading The long polar winter, too, could not be considered as far distant, and it became necessary that we should deliberate well upon the course to be pursued.

education imparted in a series of lessons or meetings

From this reading The long polar winter, too, could not be considered as far distant, and it became necessary that we should deliberate well upon the course to be pursued.

plural of “degree” — a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality

From this reading We now found ourselves in the wide and desolate Antarctic Ocean, in a latitude exceeding eighty-four degrees, in a frail canoe, and with no provision but the three turtles.

carefully thought out in advance

From this reading The long polar winter, too, could not be considered as far distant, and it became necessary that we should deliberate well upon the course to be pursued.

declare untrue; contradict

From this reading In coming from the northward in the _Jane Guy_ we had been gradually leaving behind us the severest regions of ice—this, however little it maybe in accordance with the generally received notions respecting the Antarctic, was a fact—experience would not permit us to deny.

providing no shelter or sustenance

From this reading We now found ourselves in the wide and desolate Antarctic Ocean, in a latitude exceeding eighty-four degrees, in a frail canoe, and with no provision but the three turtles.

separated in space or coming from or going to a distance

From this reading The long polar winter, too, could not be considered as far distant, and it became necessary that we should deliberate well upon the course to be pursued.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading There were six or seven islands in sight belonging to the same group, and distant from each other about five or six leagues; but upon neither of these had we any intention to venture.

being four more than eighty

From this reading We now found ourselves in the wide and desolate Antarctic Ocean, in a latitude exceeding eighty-four degrees, in a frail canoe, and with no provision but the three turtles.

to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common

From this reading To attempt, therefore, getting back would be folly—especially at so late a period of the season.

far beyond what is usual in magnitude or degree

From this reading We now found ourselves in the wide and desolate Antarctic Ocean, in a latitude exceeding eighty-four degrees, in a frail canoe, and with no provision but the three turtles.

undergo or live through a difficult experience

From this reading In coming from the northward in the _Jane Guy_ we had been gradually leaving behind us the severest regions of ice—this, however little it maybe in accordance with the generally received notions respecting the Antarctic, was a fact—experience would not permit us to deny.

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred

From this reading In coming from the northward in the _Jane Guy_ we had been gradually leaving behind us the severest regions of ice—this, however little it maybe in accordance with the generally received notions respecting the Antarctic, was a fact—experience would not permit us to deny.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading The long polar winter, too, could not be considered as far distant, and it became necessary that we should deliberate well upon the course to be pursued.

the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one

From this reading There were six or seven islands in sight belonging to the same group, and distant from each other about five or six leagues; but upon neither of these had we any intention to venture.

the trait of acting stupidly or rashly

From this reading To attempt, therefore, getting back would be folly—especially at so late a period of the season.

set up or found

From this reading We now found ourselves in the wide and desolate Antarctic Ocean, in a latitude exceeding eighty-four degrees, in a frail canoe, and with no provision but the three turtles.

physically weak

From this reading We now found ourselves in the wide and desolate Antarctic Ocean, in a latitude exceeding eighty-four degrees, in a frail canoe, and with no provision but the three turtles.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading There were six or seven islands in sight belonging to the same group, and distant from each other about five or six leagues; but upon neither of these had we any intention to venture.

usually; as a rule

From this reading In coming from the northward in the _Jane Guy_ we had been gradually leaving behind us the severest regions of ice—this, however little it maybe in accordance with the generally received notions respecting the Antarctic, was a fact—experience would not permit us to deny.

the act of acquiring something

From this reading To attempt, therefore, getting back would be folly—especially at so late a period of the season.

in a gradual manner

From this reading In coming from the northward in the _Jane Guy_ we had been gradually leaving behind us the severest regions of ice—this, however little it maybe in accordance with the generally received notions respecting the Antarctic, was a fact—experience would not permit us to deny.

any number of entities (members) considered as a unit

From this reading There were six or seven islands in sight belonging to the same group, and distant from each other about five or six leagues; but upon neither of these had we any intention to venture.

an informal term for a youth or man

From this reading In coming from the northward in the _Jane Guy_ we had been gradually leaving behind us the severest regions of ice—this, however little it maybe in accordance with the generally received notions respecting the Antarctic, was a fact—experience would not permit us to deny.

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

From this reading There were six or seven islands in sight belonging to the same group, and distant from each other about five or six leagues; but upon neither of these had we any intention to venture.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading In coming from the northward in the _Jane Guy_ we had been gradually leaving behind us the severest regions of ice—this, however little it maybe in accordance with the generally received notions respecting the Antarctic, was a fact—experience would not permit us to deny.

water frozen in the solid state

From this reading In coming from the northward in the _Jane Guy_ we had been gradually leaving behind us the severest regions of ice—this, however little it maybe in accordance with the generally received notions respecting the Antarctic, was a fact—experience would not permit us to deny.

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

From this reading We now found ourselves in the wide and desolate Antarctic Ocean, in a latitude exceeding eighty-four degrees, in a frail canoe, and with no provision but the three turtles.

an anticipated outcome that is intended or that guides your planned actions

From this reading There were six or seven islands in sight belonging to the same group, and distant from each other about five or six leagues; but upon neither of these had we any intention to venture.

plural of “island” — a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water

From this reading There were six or seven islands in sight belonging to the same group, and distant from each other about five or six leagues; but upon neither of these had we any intention to venture.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading The long polar winter, too, could not be considered as far distant, and it became necessary that we should deliberate well upon the course to be pursued.

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

From this reading In coming from the northward in the _Jane Guy_ we had been gradually leaving behind us the severest regions of ice—this, however little it maybe in accordance with the generally received notions respecting the Antarctic, was a fact—experience would not permit us to deny.

being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time

From this reading To attempt, therefore, getting back would be folly—especially at so late a period of the season.

the angular distance between an imaginary line around a heavenly body parallel to its equator and the equator itself

From this reading We now found ourselves in the wide and desolate Antarctic Ocean, in a latitude exceeding eighty-four degrees, in a frail canoe, and with no provision but the three turtles.

plural of “league” — an association of sports teams that organizes matches for its members

From this reading There were six or seven islands in sight belonging to the same group, and distant from each other about five or six leagues; but upon neither of these had we any intention to venture.

the act of departing

From this reading In coming from the northward in the _Jane Guy_ we had been gradually leaving behind us the severest regions of ice—this, however little it maybe in accordance with the generally received notions respecting the Antarctic, was a fact—experience would not permit us to deny.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading In coming from the northward in the _Jane Guy_ we had been gradually leaving behind us the severest regions of ice—this, however little it maybe in accordance with the generally received notions respecting the Antarctic, was a fact—experience would not permit us to deny.

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 The long polar winter, too, could not be considered as far distant, and it became necessary that we should deliberate well upon the course to be pursued.

by chance

From this reading In coming from the northward in the _Jane Guy_ we had been gradually leaving behind us the severest regions of ice—this, however little it maybe in accordance with the generally received notions respecting the Antarctic, was a fact—experience would not permit us to deny.

absolutely essential

From this reading The long polar winter, too, could not be considered as far distant, and it became necessary that we should deliberate well upon the course to be pursued.

not one and not the other of two

From this reading There were six or seven islands in sight belonging to the same group, and distant from each other about five or six leagues; but upon neither of these had we any intention to venture.

not any; not one

From this reading We now found ourselves in the wide and desolate Antarctic Ocean, in a latitude exceeding eighty-four degrees, in a frail canoe, and with no provision but the three turtles.

in a northern direction

From this reading In coming from the northward in the _Jane Guy_ we had been gradually leaving behind us the severest regions of ice—this, however little it maybe in accordance with the generally received notions respecting the Antarctic, was a fact—experience would not permit us to deny.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading The long polar winter, too, could not be considered as far distant, and it became necessary that we should deliberate well upon the course to be pursued.

plural of “notion” — a vague idea in which some confidence is placed

From this reading In coming from the northward in the _Jane Guy_ we had been gradually leaving behind us the severest regions of ice—this, however little it maybe in accordance with the generally received notions respecting the Antarctic, was a fact—experience would not permit us to deny.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading We now found ourselves in the wide and desolate Antarctic Ocean, in a latitude exceeding eighty-four degrees, in a frail canoe, and with no provision but the three turtles.

a large body of water constituting a principal part of the hydrosphere

From this reading We now found ourselves in the wide and desolate Antarctic Ocean, in a latitude exceeding eighty-four degrees, in a frail canoe, and with no provision but the three turtles.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading There were six or seven islands in sight belonging to the same group, and distant from each other about five or six leagues; but upon neither of these had we any intention to venture.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading There were six or seven islands in sight belonging to the same group, and distant from each other about five or six leagues; but upon neither of these had we any intention to venture.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading There were six or seven islands in sight belonging to the same group, and distant from each other about five or six leagues; but upon neither of these had we any intention to venture.

used when we are both doing the action and receiving it

From this reading We now found ourselves in the wide and desolate Antarctic Ocean, in a latitude exceeding eighty-four degrees, in a frail canoe, and with no provision but the three turtles.

an amount of time

From this reading To attempt, therefore, getting back would be folly—especially at so late a period of the season.

a legal document giving official permission to do something

From this reading In coming from the northward in the _Jane Guy_ we had been gradually leaving behind us the severest regions of ice—this, however little it maybe in accordance with the generally received notions respecting the Antarctic, was a fact—experience would not permit us to deny.

having a pair of equal and opposite charges

From this reading The long polar winter, too, could not be considered as far distant, and it became necessary that we should deliberate well upon the course to be pursued.

a stipulated condition

From this reading We now found ourselves in the wide and desolate Antarctic Ocean, in a latitude exceeding eighty-four degrees, in a frail canoe, and with no provision but the three turtles.

a person who is being chased

From this reading The long polar winter, too, could not be considered as far distant, and it became necessary that we should deliberate well upon the course to be pursued.

conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers

From this reading In coming from the northward in the _Jane Guy_ we had been gradually leaving behind us the severest regions of ice—this, however little it maybe in accordance with the generally received notions respecting the Antarctic, was a fact—experience would not permit us to deny.

plural of “region” — the extended spatial location of something

From this reading In coming from the northward in the _Jane Guy_ we had been gradually leaving behind us the severest regions of ice—this, however little it maybe in accordance with the generally received notions respecting the Antarctic, was a fact—experience would not permit us to deny.

-ing form of “respect” — regard highly; think much of

From this reading In coming from the northward in the _Jane Guy_ we had been gradually leaving behind us the severest regions of ice—this, however little it maybe in accordance with the generally received notions respecting the Antarctic, was a fact—experience would not permit us to deny.

Identical; not different.

From this reading There were six or seven islands in sight belonging to the same group, and distant from each other about five or six leagues; but upon neither of these had we any intention to venture.

a period of the year marked by special events or activities in some field

From this reading To attempt, therefore, getting back would be folly—especially at so late a period of the season.

the cardinal number that is the sum of six and one

From this reading There were six or seven islands in sight belonging to the same group, and distant from each other about five or six leagues; but upon neither of these had we any intention to venture.

superlative of “severe” — intensely or extremely bad or unpleasant in degree or quality

From this reading In coming from the northward in the _Jane Guy_ we had been gradually leaving behind us the severest regions of ice—this, however little it maybe in accordance with the generally received notions respecting the Antarctic, was a fact—experience would not permit us to deny.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading The long polar winter, too, could not be considered as far distant, and it became necessary that we should deliberate well upon the course to be pursued.

an instance of visual perception

From this reading There were six or seven islands in sight belonging to the same group, and distant from each other about five or six leagues; but upon neither of these had we any intention to venture.

the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one

From this reading There were six or seven islands in sight belonging to the same group, and distant from each other about five or six leagues; but upon neither of these had we any intention to venture.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading To attempt, therefore, getting back would be folly—especially at so late a period of the season.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading The long polar winter, too, could not be considered as far distant, and it became necessary that we should deliberate well upon the course to be pursued.

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

From this reading We now found ourselves in the wide and desolate Antarctic Ocean, in a latitude exceeding eighty-four degrees, in a frail canoe, and with no provision but the three turtles.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There were six or seven islands in sight belonging to the same group, and distant from each other about five or six leagues; but upon neither of these had we any intention to venture.

for that reason; as a result

From this reading To attempt, therefore, getting back would be folly—especially at so late a period of the season.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading There were six or seven islands in sight belonging to the same group, and distant from each other about five or six leagues; but upon neither of these had we any intention to venture.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading In coming from the northward in the _Jane Guy_ we had been gradually leaving behind us the severest regions of ice—this, however little it maybe in accordance with the generally received notions respecting the Antarctic, was a fact—experience would not permit us to deny.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading We now found ourselves in the wide and desolate Antarctic Ocean, in a latitude exceeding eighty-four degrees, in a frail canoe, and with no provision but the three turtles.

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

From this reading The long polar winter, too, could not be considered as far distant, and it became necessary that we should deliberate well upon the course to be pursued.

to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits

From this reading The long polar winter, too, could not be considered as far distant, and it became necessary that we should deliberate well upon the course to be pursued.

plural of “turtle” — a sweater or jersey with a high close-fitting collar

From this reading We now found ourselves in the wide and desolate Antarctic Ocean, in a latitude exceeding eighty-four degrees, in a frail canoe, and with no provision but the three turtles.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading The long polar winter, too, could not be considered as far distant, and it became necessary that we should deliberate well upon the course to be pursued.

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

From this reading In coming from the northward in the _Jane Guy_ we had been gradually leaving behind us the severest regions of ice—this, however little it maybe in accordance with the generally received notions respecting the Antarctic, was a fact—experience would not permit us to deny.

any venturesome undertaking especially one with an uncertain outcome

From this reading There were six or seven islands in sight belonging to the same group, and distant from each other about five or six leagues; but upon neither of these had we any intention to venture.

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

From this reading In coming from the northward in the _Jane Guy_ we had been gradually leaving behind us the severest regions of ice—this, however little it maybe in accordance with the generally received notions respecting the Antarctic, was a fact—experience would not permit us to deny.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading We now found ourselves in the wide and desolate Antarctic Ocean, in a latitude exceeding eighty-four degrees, in a frail canoe, and with no provision but the three turtles.

(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 The long polar winter, too, could not be considered as far distant, and it became necessary that we should deliberate well upon the course to be pursued.

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

From this reading There were six or seven islands in sight belonging to the same group, and distant from each other about five or six leagues; but upon neither of these had we any intention to venture.

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading We now found ourselves in the wide and desolate Antarctic Ocean, in a latitude exceeding eighty-four degrees, in a frail canoe, and with no provision but the three turtles.

the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox

From this reading The long polar winter, too, could not be considered as far distant, and it became necessary that we should deliberate well upon the course to be pursued.

in the company of; together with

From this reading We now found ourselves in the wide and desolate Antarctic Ocean, in a latitude exceeding eighty-four degrees, in a frail canoe, and with no provision but the three turtles.

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

From this reading In coming from the northward in the _Jane Guy_ we had been gradually leaving behind us the severest regions of ice—this, however little it maybe in accordance with the generally received notions respecting the Antarctic, was a fact—experience would not permit us to deny.