used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading COASTING FIVE MILES IN FIVE MINUTES In spite of their faintness and weakness from hunger and exhaustion, Phil and Serge were so stimulated by the emergency that within half an hour they had dug a cavity in the great drift sufficiently large to hold the three dogs as well as themselves.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading COASTING FIVE MILES IN FIVE MINUTES In spite of their faintness and weakness from hunger and exhaustion, Phil and Serge were so stimulated by the emergency that within half an hour they had dug a cavity in the great drift sufficiently large to hold the three dogs as well as themselves.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading COASTING FIVE MILES IN FIVE MINUTES In spite of their faintness and weakness from hunger and exhaustion, Phil and Serge were so stimulated by the emergency that within half an hour they had dug a cavity in the great drift sufficiently large to hold the three dogs as well as themselves.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading COASTING FIVE MILES IN FIVE MINUTES In spite of their faintness and weakness from hunger and exhaustion, Phil and Serge were so stimulated by the emergency that within half an hour they had dug a cavity in the great drift sufficiently large to hold the three dogs as well as themselves.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The shivering dogs crept in and curled up at their feet.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The sledge was left outside, and the opening was closed as well as might be by the slab of compacted snow that had been cut from it.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The sledge was left outside, and the opening was closed as well as might be by the slab of compacted snow that had been cut from it.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading COASTING FIVE MILES IN FIVE MINUTES In spite of their faintness and weakness from hunger and exhaustion, Phil and Serge were so stimulated by the emergency that within half an hour they had dug a cavity in the great drift sufficiently large to hold the three dogs as well as themselves.
cavitynounUS /ˈkævəti/
a sizeable hole (usually in the ground)
From this reading COASTING FIVE MILES IN FIVE MINUTES In spite of their faintness and weakness from hunger and exhaustion, Phil and Serge were so stimulated by the emergency that within half an hour they had dug a cavity in the great drift sufficiently large to hold the three dogs as well as themselves.
a natural or artificial enclosed space
From this reading Into this diminutive chamber they dragged their robes and sleeping-bags.
not open or affording passage or access
From this reading The sledge was left outside, and the opening was closed as well as might be by the slab of compacted snow that had been cut from it.
COASTINGverbUS /ˈkoʊstɪŋ/
-ing form of “coast” — move effortlessly; by force of gravity
From this reading COASTING FIVE MILES IN FIVE MINUTES In spite of their faintness and weakness from hunger and exhaustion, Phil and Serge were so stimulated by the emergency that within half an hour they had dug a cavity in the great drift sufficiently large to hold the three dogs as well as themselves.
compactedverbUS /kəmˈpæktɪd/
past form of “compact” — have the property of being packable or of compacting easily
From this reading The sledge was left outside, and the opening was closed as well as might be by the slab of compacted snow that had been cut from it.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The excavation was driven straight for a few feet, and then turned to one side, where it was so enlarged that they could either lie down or sit up.
inflected form of “creep” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground
From this reading The shivering dogs crept in and curled up at their feet.
curledadjectiveUS /kɜːrld/
(of hair) making curls or having been made to curl
From this reading The shivering dogs crept in and curled up at their feet.
separate with or as if with an instrument
From this reading The sledge was left outside, and the opening was closed as well as might be by the slab of compacted snow that had been cut from it.
diminutiveadjectiveUS /dɪˈmɪnjətɪv/
very small
From this reading Into this diminutive chamber they dragged their robes and sleeping-bags.
plural of “dog” — a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds
From this reading COASTING FIVE MILES IN FIVE MINUTES In spite of their faintness and weakness from hunger and exhaustion, Phil and Serge were so stimulated by the emergency that within half an hour they had dug a cavity in the great drift sufficiently large to hold the three dogs as well as themselves.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The excavation was driven straight for a few feet, and then turned to one side, where it was so enlarged that they could either lie down or sit up.
inflected form of “drag” — pull, as against a resistance
From this reading Into this diminutive chamber they dragged their robes and sleeping-bags.
driftverbUS /drɪft/
be in motion due to some air or water current
From this reading COASTING FIVE MILES IN FIVE MINUTES In spite of their faintness and weakness from hunger and exhaustion, Phil and Serge were so stimulated by the emergency that within half an hour they had dug a cavity in the great drift sufficiently large to hold the three dogs as well as themselves.
compelled forcibly by an outside agency
From this reading The excavation was driven straight for a few feet, and then turned to one side, where it was so enlarged that they could either lie down or sit up.
dugnounUS /dʌɡ/
an udder or breast or teat
From this reading COASTING FIVE MILES IN FIVE MINUTES In spite of their faintness and weakness from hunger and exhaustion, Phil and Serge were so stimulated by the emergency that within half an hour they had dug a cavity in the great drift sufficiently large to hold the three dogs as well as themselves.
one or the other of two
From this reading The excavation was driven straight for a few feet, and then turned to one side, where it was so enlarged that they could either lie down or sit up.
emergencynounUS /ɪˈmɜːrdʒənsi/
a sudden unforeseen crisis (usually involving danger) that requires immediate action
From this reading COASTING FIVE MILES IN FIVE MINUTES In spite of their faintness and weakness from hunger and exhaustion, Phil and Serge were so stimulated by the emergency that within half an hour they had dug a cavity in the great drift sufficiently large to hold the three dogs as well as themselves.
enlargedadjectiveUS /ˌenˈlɑːrdʒd/
(of an organ or body part) excessively enlarged as a result of increased size in the constituent cells
From this reading The excavation was driven straight for a few feet, and then turned to one side, where it was so enlarged that they could either lie down or sit up.
excavationnounUS /ˌekskəˈveɪʃən/
the act of digging
From this reading The excavation was driven straight for a few feet, and then turned to one side, where it was so enlarged that they could either lie down or sit up.
exhaustionnounUS /ɪɡˈzɔːstʃən/
extreme fatigue
From this reading COASTING FIVE MILES IN FIVE MINUTES In spite of their faintness and weakness from hunger and exhaustion, Phil and Serge were so stimulated by the emergency that within half an hour they had dug a cavity in the great drift sufficiently large to hold the three dogs as well as themselves.
faintnessnounUS /ˈfeɪntnəs/
a feeling of faintness and of being ready to swoon
From this reading COASTING FIVE MILES IN FIVE MINUTES In spite of their faintness and weakness from hunger and exhaustion, Phil and Serge were so stimulated by the emergency that within half an hour they had dug a cavity in the great drift sufficiently large to hold the three dogs as well as themselves.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading The excavation was driven straight for a few feet, and then turned to one side, where it was so enlarged that they could either lie down or sit up.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading The excavation was driven straight for a few feet, and then turned to one side, where it was so enlarged that they could either lie down or sit up.
the cardinal number that is the sum of four and one
From this reading COASTING FIVE MILES IN FIVE MINUTES In spite of their faintness and weakness from hunger and exhaustion, Phil and Serge were so stimulated by the emergency that within half an hour they had dug a cavity in the great drift sufficiently large to hold the three dogs as well as themselves.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The excavation was driven straight for a few feet, and then turned to one side, where it was so enlarged that they could either lie down or sit up.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading COASTING FIVE MILES IN FIVE MINUTES In spite of their faintness and weakness from hunger and exhaustion, Phil and Serge were so stimulated by the emergency that within half an hour they had dug a cavity in the great drift sufficiently large to hold the three dogs as well as themselves.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading COASTING FIVE MILES IN FIVE MINUTES In spite of their faintness and weakness from hunger and exhaustion, Phil and Serge were so stimulated by the emergency that within half an hour they had dug a cavity in the great drift sufficiently large to hold the three dogs as well as themselves.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading COASTING FIVE MILES IN FIVE MINUTES In spite of their faintness and weakness from hunger and exhaustion, Phil and Serge were so stimulated by the emergency that within half an hour they had dug a cavity in the great drift sufficiently large to hold the three dogs as well as themselves.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading COASTING FIVE MILES IN FIVE MINUTES In spite of their faintness and weakness from hunger and exhaustion, Phil and Serge were so stimulated by the emergency that within half an hour they had dug a cavity in the great drift sufficiently large to hold the three dogs as well as themselves.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading COASTING FIVE MILES IN FIVE MINUTES In spite of their faintness and weakness from hunger and exhaustion, Phil and Serge were so stimulated by the emergency that within half an hour they had dug a cavity in the great drift sufficiently large to hold the three dogs as well as themselves.
a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day
From this reading COASTING FIVE MILES IN FIVE MINUTES In spite of their faintness and weakness from hunger and exhaustion, Phil and Serge were so stimulated by the emergency that within half an hour they had dug a cavity in the great drift sufficiently large to hold the three dogs as well as themselves.
hungernounUS /ˈhʌŋɡər/
a physiological need for food; the consequence of food deprivation
From this reading COASTING FIVE MILES IN FIVE MINUTES In spite of their faintness and weakness from hunger and exhaustion, Phil and Serge were so stimulated by the emergency that within half an hour they had dug a cavity in the great drift sufficiently large to hold the three dogs as well as themselves.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading COASTING FIVE MILES IN FIVE MINUTES In spite of their faintness and weakness from hunger and exhaustion, Phil and Serge were so stimulated by the emergency that within half an hour they had dug a cavity in the great drift sufficiently large to hold the three dogs as well as themselves.
IntoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Into this diminutive chamber they dragged their robes and sleeping-bags.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The excavation was driven straight for a few feet, and then turned to one side, where it was so enlarged that they could either lie down or sit up.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading COASTING FIVE MILES IN FIVE MINUTES In spite of their faintness and weakness from hunger and exhaustion, Phil and Serge were so stimulated by the emergency that within half an hour they had dug a cavity in the great drift sufficiently large to hold the three dogs as well as themselves.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading The sledge was left outside, and the opening was closed as well as might be by the slab of compacted snow that had been cut from it.
be located or situated somewhere; occupy a certain position
From this reading The excavation was driven straight for a few feet, and then turned to one side, where it was so enlarged that they could either lie down or sit up.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading The sledge was left outside, and the opening was closed as well as might be by the slab of compacted snow that had been cut from it.
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading COASTING FIVE MILES IN FIVE MINUTES In spite of their faintness and weakness from hunger and exhaustion, Phil and Serge were so stimulated by the emergency that within half an hour they had dug a cavity in the great drift sufficiently large to hold the three dogs as well as themselves.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading COASTING FIVE MILES IN FIVE MINUTES In spite of their faintness and weakness from hunger and exhaustion, Phil and Serge were so stimulated by the emergency that within half an hour they had dug a cavity in the great drift sufficiently large to hold the three dogs as well as themselves.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading COASTING FIVE MILES IN FIVE MINUTES In spite of their faintness and weakness from hunger and exhaustion, Phil and Serge were so stimulated by the emergency that within half an hour they had dug a cavity in the great drift sufficiently large to hold the three dogs as well as themselves.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The excavation was driven straight for a few feet, and then turned to one side, where it was so enlarged that they could either lie down or sit up.
an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading The sledge was left outside, and the opening was closed as well as might be by the slab of compacted snow that had been cut from it.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The excavation was driven straight for a few feet, and then turned to one side, where it was so enlarged that they could either lie down or sit up.
relating to or being on or near the outer side or limit
From this reading The sledge was left outside, and the opening was closed as well as might be by the slab of compacted snow that had been cut from it.
Phil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading COASTING FIVE MILES IN FIVE MINUTES In spite of their faintness and weakness from hunger and exhaustion, Phil and Serge were so stimulated by the emergency that within half an hour they had dug a cavity in the great drift sufficiently large to hold the three dogs as well as themselves.
robesnounUS /roʊbz/
plural of “robe” — any loose flowing garment
From this reading Into this diminutive chamber they dragged their robes and sleeping-bags.
SergenounUS /sɜːrdʒ/
a twilled woolen fabric
From this reading COASTING FIVE MILES IN FIVE MINUTES In spite of their faintness and weakness from hunger and exhaustion, Phil and Serge were so stimulated by the emergency that within half an hour they had dug a cavity in the great drift sufficiently large to hold the three dogs as well as themselves.
shiveringnounUS /ˈʃɪvərɪŋ/
a sensation of cold that often marks the start of an infection and the development of a fever
From this reading The shivering dogs crept in and curled up at their feet.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading The excavation was driven straight for a few feet, and then turned to one side, where it was so enlarged that they could either lie down or sit up.
be seated
From this reading The excavation was driven straight for a few feet, and then turned to one side, where it was so enlarged that they could either lie down or sit up.
slabnounUS /slæb/
block consisting of a thick piece of something
From this reading The sledge was left outside, and the opening was closed as well as might be by the slab of compacted snow that had been cut from it.
sledgeverbUS /sledʒ/
transport in a sleigh
From this reading The sledge was left outside, and the opening was closed as well as might be by the slab of compacted snow that had been cut from it.
sleeping-bags
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Into this diminutive chamber they dragged their robes and sleeping-bags.
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading The sledge was left outside, and the opening was closed as well as might be by the slab of compacted snow that had been cut from it.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading COASTING FIVE MILES IN FIVE MINUTES In spite of their faintness and weakness from hunger and exhaustion, Phil and Serge were so stimulated by the emergency that within half an hour they had dug a cavity in the great drift sufficiently large to hold the three dogs as well as themselves.
feeling a need to see others suffer
From this reading COASTING FIVE MILES IN FIVE MINUTES In spite of their faintness and weakness from hunger and exhaustion, Phil and Serge were so stimulated by the emergency that within half an hour they had dug a cavity in the great drift sufficiently large to hold the three dogs as well as themselves.
stimulatedadjectiveUS /ˈstɪmjəleɪtɪd/
emotionally aroused
From this reading COASTING FIVE MILES IN FIVE MINUTES In spite of their faintness and weakness from hunger and exhaustion, Phil and Serge were so stimulated by the emergency that within half an hour they had dug a cavity in the great drift sufficiently large to hold the three dogs as well as themselves.
successive (without a break)
From this reading The excavation was driven straight for a few feet, and then turned to one side, where it was so enlarged that they could either lie down or sit up.
to a sufficient degree
From this reading COASTING FIVE MILES IN FIVE MINUTES In spite of their faintness and weakness from hunger and exhaustion, Phil and Serge were so stimulated by the emergency that within half an hour they had dug a cavity in the great drift sufficiently large to hold the three dogs as well as themselves.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading COASTING FIVE MILES IN FIVE MINUTES In spite of their faintness and weakness from hunger and exhaustion, Phil and Serge were so stimulated by the emergency that within half an hour they had dug a cavity in the great drift sufficiently large to hold the three dogs as well as themselves.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading COASTING FIVE MILES IN FIVE MINUTES In spite of their faintness and weakness from hunger and exhaustion, Phil and Serge were so stimulated by the emergency that within half an hour they had dug a cavity in the great drift sufficiently large to hold the three dogs as well as themselves.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading COASTING FIVE MILES IN FIVE MINUTES In spite of their faintness and weakness from hunger and exhaustion, Phil and Serge were so stimulated by the emergency that within half an hour they had dug a cavity in the great drift sufficiently large to hold the three dogs as well as themselves.
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading COASTING FIVE MILES IN FIVE MINUTES In spite of their faintness and weakness from hunger and exhaustion, Phil and Serge were so stimulated by the emergency that within half an hour they had dug a cavity in the great drift sufficiently large to hold the three dogs as well as themselves.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading The excavation was driven straight for a few feet, and then turned to one side, where it was so enlarged that they could either lie down or sit up.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading COASTING FIVE MILES IN FIVE MINUTES In spite of their faintness and weakness from hunger and exhaustion, Phil and Serge were so stimulated by the emergency that within half an hour they had dug a cavity in the great drift sufficiently large to hold the three dogs as well as themselves.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Into this diminutive chamber they dragged their robes and sleeping-bags.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading COASTING FIVE MILES IN FIVE MINUTES In spite of their faintness and weakness from hunger and exhaustion, Phil and Serge were so stimulated by the emergency that within half an hour they had dug a cavity in the great drift sufficiently large to hold the three dogs as well as themselves.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading COASTING FIVE MILES IN FIVE MINUTES In spite of their faintness and weakness from hunger and exhaustion, Phil and Serge were so stimulated by the emergency that within half an hour they had dug a cavity in the great drift sufficiently large to hold the three dogs as well as themselves.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading The excavation was driven straight for a few feet, and then turned to one side, where it was so enlarged that they could either lie down or sit up.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The excavation was driven straight for a few feet, and then turned to one side, where it was so enlarged that they could either lie down or sit up.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The excavation was driven straight for a few feet, and then turned to one side, where it was so enlarged that they could either lie down or sit up.
a flaw or weak point
From this reading COASTING FIVE MILES IN FIVE MINUTES In spite of their faintness and weakness from hunger and exhaustion, Phil and Serge were so stimulated by the emergency that within half an hour they had dug a cavity in the great drift sufficiently large to hold the three dogs as well as themselves.
(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 COASTING FIVE MILES IN FIVE MINUTES In spite of their faintness and weakness from hunger and exhaustion, Phil and Serge were so stimulated by the emergency that within half an hour they had dug a cavity in the great drift sufficiently large to hold the three dogs as well as themselves.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading COASTING FIVE MILES IN FIVE MINUTES In spite of their faintness and weakness from hunger and exhaustion, Phil and Serge were so stimulated by the emergency that within half an hour they had dug a cavity in the great drift sufficiently large to hold the three dogs as well as themselves.
in or at the place that
From this reading The excavation was driven straight for a few feet, and then turned to one side, where it was so enlarged that they could either lie down or sit up.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading COASTING FIVE MILES IN FIVE MINUTES In spite of their faintness and weakness from hunger and exhaustion, Phil and Serge were so stimulated by the emergency that within half an hour they had dug a cavity in the great drift sufficiently large to hold the three dogs as well as themselves.
