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Chapter XXIV
A NIGHT ON AN ICE-SLOPE At the base of the rocks there was a narrow ledge on which, huddled together, the three men could sit side by side. Garratt Skinner began to clear the snow from the ledge with his ice-ax; but Walter Hine sank down at once and Pierre Delouvain, who might have shown a better spirit, promptly followed his example. "What is the use?" he whispered. "We shall all die to-night.... I have a wife and family....
Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Garratt Skinner began to clear the snow from the ledge with his ice-ax; but Walter Hine sank down at once and Pierre Delouvain, who might have shown a better spirit, promptly followed his example.”
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading “A NIGHT ON AN ICE-SLOPE At the base of the rocks there was a narrow ledge on which, huddled together, the three men could sit side by side.”
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading “Garratt Skinner began to clear the snow from the ledge with his ice-ax; but Walter Hine sank down at once and Pierre Delouvain, who might have shown a better spirit, promptly followed his example.”
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading “Garratt Skinner began to clear the snow from the ledge with his ice-ax; but Walter Hine sank down at once and Pierre Delouvain, who might have shown a better spirit, promptly followed his example.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “Garratt Skinner began to clear the snow from the ledge with his ice-ax; but Walter Hine sank down at once and Pierre Delouvain, who might have shown a better spirit, promptly followed his example.”
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading “"We shall all die to-night....”
Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A NIGHT ON AN ICE-SLOPE At the base of the rocks there was a narrow ledge on which, huddled together, the three men could sit side by side.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "We shall all die to-night....
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A NIGHT ON AN ICE-SLOPE At the base of the rocks there was a narrow ledge on which, huddled together, the three men could sit side by side.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Garratt Skinner began to clear the snow from the ledge with his ice-ax; but Walter Hine sank down at once and Pierre Delouvain, who might have shown a better spirit, promptly followed his example.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A NIGHT ON AN ICE-SLOPE At the base of the rocks there was a narrow ledge on which, huddled together, the three men could sit side by side.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A NIGHT ON AN ICE-SLOPE At the base of the rocks there was a narrow ledge on which, huddled together, the three men could sit side by side.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Garratt Skinner began to clear the snow from the ledge with his ice-ax; but Walter Hine sank down at once and Pierre Delouvain, who might have shown a better spirit, promptly followed his example.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Garratt Skinner began to clear the snow from the ledge with his ice-ax; but Walter Hine sank down at once and Pierre Delouvain, who might have shown a better spirit, promptly followed his example.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Garratt Skinner began to clear the snow from the ledge with his ice-ax; but Walter Hine sank down at once and Pierre Delouvain, who might have shown a better spirit, promptly followed his example.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A NIGHT ON AN ICE-SLOPE At the base of the rocks there was a narrow ledge on which, huddled together, the three men could sit side by side.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Garratt Skinner began to clear the snow from the ledge with his ice-ax; but Walter Hine sank down at once and Pierre Delouvain, who might have shown a better spirit, promptly followed his example.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading A NIGHT ON AN ICE-SLOPE At the base of the rocks there was a narrow ledge on which, huddled together, the three men could sit side by side.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Garratt Skinner began to clear the snow from the ledge with his ice-ax; but Walter Hine sank down at once and Pierre Delouvain, who might have shown a better spirit, promptly followed his example.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "We shall all die to-night....
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Garratt Skinner began to clear the snow from the ledge with his ice-ax; but Walter Hine sank down at once and Pierre Delouvain, who might have shown a better spirit, promptly followed his example.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Garratt Skinner began to clear the snow from the ledge with his ice-ax; but Walter Hine sank down at once and Pierre Delouvain, who might have shown a better spirit, promptly followed his example.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have a wife and family....
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Garratt Skinner began to clear the snow from the ledge with his ice-ax; but Walter Hine sank down at once and Pierre Delouvain, who might have shown a better spirit, promptly followed his example.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Garratt Skinner began to clear the snow from the ledge with his ice-ax; but Walter Hine sank down at once and Pierre Delouvain, who might have shown a better spirit, promptly followed his example.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Garratt Skinner began to clear the snow from the ledge with his ice-ax; but Walter Hine sank down at once and Pierre Delouvain, who might have shown a better spirit, promptly followed his example.
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Garratt Skinner began to clear the snow from the ledge with his ice-ax; but Walter Hine sank down at once and Pierre Delouvain, who might have shown a better spirit, promptly followed his example.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "What is the use?" he whispered.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Garratt Skinner began to clear the snow from the ledge with his ice-ax; but Walter Hine sank down at once and Pierre Delouvain, who might have shown a better spirit, promptly followed his example.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Garratt Skinner began to clear the snow from the ledge with his ice-ax; but Walter Hine sank down at once and Pierre Delouvain, who might have shown a better spirit, promptly followed his example.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A NIGHT ON AN ICE-SLOPE At the base of the rocks there was a narrow ledge on which, huddled together, the three men could sit side by side.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading I have a wife and family....
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Garratt Skinner began to clear the snow from the ledge with his ice-ax; but Walter Hine sank down at once and Pierre Delouvain, who might have shown a better spirit, promptly followed his example.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A NIGHT ON AN ICE-SLOPE At the base of the rocks there was a narrow ledge on which, huddled together, the three men could sit side by side.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "What is the use?" he whispered.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A NIGHT ON AN ICE-SLOPE At the base of the rocks there was a narrow ledge on which, huddled together, the three men could sit side by side.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A NIGHT ON AN ICE-SLOPE At the base of the rocks there was a narrow ledge on which, huddled together, the three men could sit side by side.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Garratt Skinner began to clear the snow from the ledge with his ice-ax; but Walter Hine sank down at once and Pierre Delouvain, who might have shown a better spirit, promptly followed his example.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A NIGHT ON AN ICE-SLOPE At the base of the rocks there was a narrow ledge on which, huddled together, the three men could sit side by side.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A NIGHT ON AN ICE-SLOPE At the base of the rocks there was a narrow ledge on which, huddled together, the three men could sit side by side.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A NIGHT ON AN ICE-SLOPE At the base of the rocks there was a narrow ledge on which, huddled together, the three men could sit side by side.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A NIGHT ON AN ICE-SLOPE At the base of the rocks there was a narrow ledge on which, huddled together, the three men could sit side by side.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Garratt Skinner began to clear the snow from the ledge with his ice-ax; but Walter Hine sank down at once and Pierre Delouvain, who might have shown a better spirit, promptly followed his example.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Garratt Skinner began to clear the snow from the ledge with his ice-ax; but Walter Hine sank down at once and Pierre Delouvain, who might have shown a better spirit, promptly followed his example.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Garratt Skinner began to clear the snow from the ledge with his ice-ax; but Walter Hine sank down at once and Pierre Delouvain, who might have shown a better spirit, promptly followed his example.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A NIGHT ON AN ICE-SLOPE At the base of the rocks there was a narrow ledge on which, huddled together, the three men could sit side by side.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Garratt Skinner began to clear the snow from the ledge with his ice-ax; but Walter Hine sank down at once and Pierre Delouvain, who might have shown a better spirit, promptly followed his example.
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading "We shall all die to-night....
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Garratt Skinner began to clear the snow from the ledge with his ice-ax; but Walter Hine sank down at once and Pierre Delouvain, who might have shown a better spirit, promptly followed his example.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A NIGHT ON AN ICE-SLOPE At the base of the rocks there was a narrow ledge on which, huddled together, the three men could sit side by side.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A NIGHT ON AN ICE-SLOPE At the base of the rocks there was a narrow ledge on which, huddled together, the three men could sit side by side.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Garratt Skinner began to clear the snow from the ledge with his ice-ax; but Walter Hine sank down at once and Pierre Delouvain, who might have shown a better spirit, promptly followed his example.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Garratt Skinner began to clear the snow from the ledge with his ice-ax; but Walter Hine sank down at once and Pierre Delouvain, who might have shown a better spirit, promptly followed his example.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Garratt Skinner began to clear the snow from the ledge with his ice-ax; but Walter Hine sank down at once and Pierre Delouvain, who might have shown a better spirit, promptly followed his example.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A NIGHT ON AN ICE-SLOPE At the base of the rocks there was a narrow ledge on which, huddled together, the three men could sit side by side.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A NIGHT ON AN ICE-SLOPE At the base of the rocks there was a narrow ledge on which, huddled together, the three men could sit side by side.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A NIGHT ON AN ICE-SLOPE At the base of the rocks there was a narrow ledge on which, huddled together, the three men could sit side by side.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Garratt Skinner began to clear the snow from the ledge with his ice-ax; but Walter Hine sank down at once and Pierre Delouvain, who might have shown a better spirit, promptly followed his example.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "We shall all die to-night....
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A NIGHT ON AN ICE-SLOPE At the base of the rocks there was a narrow ledge on which, huddled together, the three men could sit side by side.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "What is the use?" he whispered.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Garratt Skinner began to clear the snow from the ledge with his ice-ax; but Walter Hine sank down at once and Pierre Delouvain, who might have shown a better spirit, promptly followed his example.
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A NIGHT ON AN ICE-SLOPE At the base of the rocks there was a narrow ledge on which, huddled together, the three men could sit side by side.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading "We shall all die to-night....
used to ask for information about something
From this reading "What is the use?" he whispered.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A NIGHT ON AN ICE-SLOPE At the base of the rocks there was a narrow ledge on which, huddled together, the three men could sit side by side.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "What is the use?" he whispered.
which person or people
From this reading Garratt Skinner began to clear the snow from the ledge with his ice-ax; but Walter Hine sank down at once and Pierre Delouvain, who might have shown a better spirit, promptly followed his example.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading I have a wife and family....
in the company of; together with
From this reading Garratt Skinner began to clear the snow from the ledge with his ice-ax; but Walter Hine sank down at once and Pierre Delouvain, who might have shown a better spirit, promptly followed his example.
