used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The tide-leads, which one year ago had afforded a precarious passage to the vessel, now barely admitted our whale-boat; and, as we forced her through the broken ice, she showed such signs of hard usage, that I had her hauled up upon the land-belt and housed under the cliffs at Six-mile Ravine.
inflected form of “admit” — declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of
From this reading The tide-leads, which one year ago had afforded a precarious passage to the vessel, now barely admitted our whale-boat; and, as we forced her through the broken ice, she showed such signs of hard usage, that I had her hauled up upon the land-belt and housed under the cliffs at Six-mile Ravine.
affordedverbUS /əˈfɔːrdəd/
past form of “afford” — be able to spare or give up
From this reading The tide-leads, which one year ago had afforded a precarious passage to the vessel, now barely admitted our whale-boat; and, as we forced her through the broken ice, she showed such signs of hard usage, that I had her hauled up upon the land-belt and housed under the cliffs at Six-mile Ravine.
in the past
From this reading The tide-leads, which one year ago had afforded a precarious passage to the vessel, now barely admitted our whale-boat; and, as we forced her through the broken ice, she showed such signs of hard usage, that I had her hauled up upon the land-belt and housed under the cliffs at Six-mile Ravine.
aidedadjectiveUS /ˈeɪdəd/
having help; often used as a combining form
From this reading We crossed the rocks on foot, aided by our jumping-poles, and startled our shipmates by our sudden appearance.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading Our little party had grown fat and strong upon the auks and eiders and scurvy-grass; and surmises were rife among us as to the condition of our comrades and the prospects of our ice-bound ship.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Our little party had grown fat and strong upon the auks and eiders and scurvy-grass; and surmises were rife among us as to the condition of our comrades and the prospects of our ice-bound ship.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading We crossed the rocks on foot, aided by our jumping-poles, and startled our shipmates by our sudden appearance.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Our little party had grown fat and strong upon the auks and eiders and scurvy-grass; and surmises were rife among us as to the condition of our comrades and the prospects of our ice-bound ship.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The tide-leads, which one year ago had afforded a precarious passage to the vessel, now barely admitted our whale-boat; and, as we forced her through the broken ice, she showed such signs of hard usage, that I had her hauled up upon the land-belt and housed under the cliffs at Six-mile Ravine.
auks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our little party had grown fat and strong upon the auks and eiders and scurvy-grass; and surmises were rife among us as to the condition of our comrades and the prospects of our ice-bound ship.
barelyadverbUS /ˈberli/
only a very short time before
From this reading The tide-leads, which one year ago had afforded a precarious passage to the vessel, now barely admitted our whale-boat; and, as we forced her through the broken ice, she showed such signs of hard usage, that I had her hauled up upon the land-belt and housed under the cliffs at Six-mile Ravine.
brignounUS /brɪɡ/
two-masted sailing vessel square-rigged on both masts
From this reading It was with mingled feelings that we neared the brig.
physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split
From this reading The tide-leads, which one year ago had afforded a precarious passage to the vessel, now barely admitted our whale-boat; and, as we forced her through the broken ice, she showed such signs of hard usage, that I had her hauled up upon the land-belt and housed under the cliffs at Six-mile Ravine.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading We crossed the rocks on foot, aided by our jumping-poles, and startled our shipmates by our sudden appearance.
cliffsnounUS /klɪfs/
plural of “cliff” — a steep high face of rock
From this reading The tide-leads, which one year ago had afforded a precarious passage to the vessel, now barely admitted our whale-boat; and, as we forced her through the broken ice, she showed such signs of hard usage, that I had her hauled up upon the land-belt and housed under the cliffs at Six-mile Ravine.
plural of “comrade” — a friend who is frequently in the company of another
From this reading Our little party had grown fat and strong upon the auks and eiders and scurvy-grass; and surmises were rife among us as to the condition of our comrades and the prospects of our ice-bound ship.
a state at a particular time
From this reading Our little party had grown fat and strong upon the auks and eiders and scurvy-grass; and surmises were rife among us as to the condition of our comrades and the prospects of our ice-bound ship.
the men and women who man a vehicle (ship, aircraft, etc.)
From this reading THE SECOND WINTER--DEPARTURE OF HALF OF THE CREW.
placed crosswise
From this reading We crossed the rocks on foot, aided by our jumping-poles, and startled our shipmates by our sudden appearance.
the act of departing
From this reading THE SECOND WINTER--DEPARTURE OF HALF OF THE CREW.
eiders
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our little party had grown fat and strong upon the auks and eiders and scurvy-grass; and surmises were rife among us as to the condition of our comrades and the prospects of our ice-bound ship.
having an (over)abundance of flesh
From this reading Our little party had grown fat and strong upon the auks and eiders and scurvy-grass; and surmises were rife among us as to the condition of our comrades and the prospects of our ice-bound ship.
emotional or moral sensitivity (especially in relation to personal principles or dignity)
From this reading It was with mingled feelings that we neared the brig.
the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading We crossed the rocks on foot, aided by our jumping-poles, and startled our shipmates by our sudden appearance.
produced by or subjected to forcing
From this reading The tide-leads, which one year ago had afforded a precarious passage to the vessel, now barely admitted our whale-boat; and, as we forced her through the broken ice, she showed such signs of hard usage, that I had her hauled up upon the land-belt and housed under the cliffs at Six-mile Ravine.
(of animals) fully developed
From this reading Our little party had grown fat and strong upon the auks and eiders and scurvy-grass; and surmises were rife among us as to the condition of our comrades and the prospects of our ice-bound ship.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Our little party had grown fat and strong upon the auks and eiders and scurvy-grass; and surmises were rife among us as to the condition of our comrades and the prospects of our ice-bound ship.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading THE SECOND WINTER--DEPARTURE OF HALF OF THE CREW.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading The tide-leads, which one year ago had afforded a precarious passage to the vessel, now barely admitted our whale-boat; and, as we forced her through the broken ice, she showed such signs of hard usage, that I had her hauled up upon the land-belt and housed under the cliffs at Six-mile Ravine.
hauledverbUS /hɔːld/
past form of “haul” — draw slowly or heavily
From this reading The tide-leads, which one year ago had afforded a precarious passage to the vessel, now barely admitted our whale-boat; and, as we forced her through the broken ice, she showed such signs of hard usage, that I had her hauled up upon the land-belt and housed under the cliffs at Six-mile Ravine.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading The tide-leads, which one year ago had afforded a precarious passage to the vessel, now barely admitted our whale-boat; and, as we forced her through the broken ice, she showed such signs of hard usage, that I had her hauled up upon the land-belt and housed under the cliffs at Six-mile Ravine.
housedverbUS /haʊzd/
past form of “house” — contain or cover
From this reading The tide-leads, which one year ago had afforded a precarious passage to the vessel, now barely admitted our whale-boat; and, as we forced her through the broken ice, she showed such signs of hard usage, that I had her hauled up upon the land-belt and housed under the cliffs at Six-mile Ravine.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading The tide-leads, which one year ago had afforded a precarious passage to the vessel, now barely admitted our whale-boat; and, as we forced her through the broken ice, she showed such signs of hard usage, that I had her hauled up upon the land-belt and housed under the cliffs at Six-mile Ravine.
water frozen in the solid state
From this reading The tide-leads, which one year ago had afforded a precarious passage to the vessel, now barely admitted our whale-boat; and, as we forced her through the broken ice, she showed such signs of hard usage, that I had her hauled up upon the land-belt and housed under the cliffs at Six-mile Ravine.
ice-bound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our little party had grown fat and strong upon the auks and eiders and scurvy-grass; and surmises were rife among us as to the condition of our comrades and the prospects of our ice-bound ship.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was with mingled feelings that we neared the brig.
jumping-poles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We crossed the rocks on foot, aided by our jumping-poles, and startled our shipmates by our sudden appearance.
land-belt
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tide-leads, which one year ago had afforded a precarious passage to the vessel, now barely admitted our whale-boat; and, as we forced her through the broken ice, she showed such signs of hard usage, that I had her hauled up upon the land-belt and housed under the cliffs at Six-mile Ravine.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Our little party had grown fat and strong upon the auks and eiders and scurvy-grass; and surmises were rife among us as to the condition of our comrades and the prospects of our ice-bound ship.
past form of “mingle” — to bring or combine together or with something else
From this reading It was with mingled feelings that we neared the brig.
nearedverbUS /nɪrd/
past form of “near” — move towards
From this reading It was with mingled feelings that we neared the brig.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The tide-leads, which one year ago had afforded a precarious passage to the vessel, now barely admitted our whale-boat; and, as we forced her through the broken ice, she showed such signs of hard usage, that I had her hauled up upon the land-belt and housed under the cliffs at Six-mile Ravine.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE SECOND WINTER--DEPARTURE OF HALF OF THE CREW.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading We crossed the rocks on foot, aided by our jumping-poles, and startled our shipmates by our sudden appearance.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The tide-leads, which one year ago had afforded a precarious passage to the vessel, now barely admitted our whale-boat; and, as we forced her through the broken ice, she showed such signs of hard usage, that I had her hauled up upon the land-belt and housed under the cliffs at Six-mile Ravine.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Our little party had grown fat and strong upon the auks and eiders and scurvy-grass; and surmises were rife among us as to the condition of our comrades and the prospects of our ice-bound ship.
an organization to gain political power
From this reading Our little party had grown fat and strong upon the auks and eiders and scurvy-grass; and surmises were rife among us as to the condition of our comrades and the prospects of our ice-bound ship.
the act of passing from one state or place to the next
From this reading The tide-leads, which one year ago had afforded a precarious passage to the vessel, now barely admitted our whale-boat; and, as we forced her through the broken ice, she showed such signs of hard usage, that I had her hauled up upon the land-belt and housed under the cliffs at Six-mile Ravine.
precariousadjectiveUS /priˈkeriəs/
affording no ease or reassurance
From this reading The tide-leads, which one year ago had afforded a precarious passage to the vessel, now barely admitted our whale-boat; and, as we forced her through the broken ice, she showed such signs of hard usage, that I had her hauled up upon the land-belt and housed under the cliffs at Six-mile Ravine.
prospectsnounUS /ˈprɑːspekts/
plural of “prospect” — the possibility of future success
From this reading Our little party had grown fat and strong upon the auks and eiders and scurvy-grass; and surmises were rife among us as to the condition of our comrades and the prospects of our ice-bound ship.
RavinenounUS /rəˈviːn/
a deep narrow steep-sided valley (especially one formed by running water)
From this reading The tide-leads, which one year ago had afforded a precarious passage to the vessel, now barely admitted our whale-boat; and, as we forced her through the broken ice, she showed such signs of hard usage, that I had her hauled up upon the land-belt and housed under the cliffs at Six-mile Ravine.
rifeadjectiveUS /raɪf/
most frequent or common
From this reading Our little party had grown fat and strong upon the auks and eiders and scurvy-grass; and surmises were rife among us as to the condition of our comrades and the prospects of our ice-bound ship.
plural of “rock” — a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading We crossed the rocks on foot, aided by our jumping-poles, and startled our shipmates by our sudden appearance.
scurvy-grass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our little party had grown fat and strong upon the auks and eiders and scurvy-grass; and surmises were rife among us as to the condition of our comrades and the prospects of our ice-bound ship.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading THE SECOND WINTER--DEPARTURE OF HALF OF THE CREW.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The tide-leads, which one year ago had afforded a precarious passage to the vessel, now barely admitted our whale-boat; and, as we forced her through the broken ice, she showed such signs of hard usage, that I had her hauled up upon the land-belt and housed under the cliffs at Six-mile Ravine.
transport commercially
From this reading Our little party had grown fat and strong upon the auks and eiders and scurvy-grass; and surmises were rife among us as to the condition of our comrades and the prospects of our ice-bound ship.
shipmatesnounUS /ˈʃɪpmeɪts/
plural of “shipmate” — an associate on the same ship with you
From this reading We crossed the rocks on foot, aided by our jumping-poles, and startled our shipmates by our sudden appearance.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading The tide-leads, which one year ago had afforded a precarious passage to the vessel, now barely admitted our whale-boat; and, as we forced her through the broken ice, she showed such signs of hard usage, that I had her hauled up upon the land-belt and housed under the cliffs at Six-mile Ravine.
plural of “sign” — a perceptible indication of something not immediately apparent (as a visible clue that something has happened)
From this reading The tide-leads, which one year ago had afforded a precarious passage to the vessel, now barely admitted our whale-boat; and, as we forced her through the broken ice, she showed such signs of hard usage, that I had her hauled up upon the land-belt and housed under the cliffs at Six-mile Ravine.
Six-mile
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tide-leads, which one year ago had afforded a precarious passage to the vessel, now barely admitted our whale-boat; and, as we forced her through the broken ice, she showed such signs of hard usage, that I had her hauled up upon the land-belt and housed under the cliffs at Six-mile Ravine.
excited by sudden surprise or alarm and making a quick involuntary movement
From this reading We crossed the rocks on foot, aided by our jumping-poles, and startled our shipmates by our sudden appearance.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading Our little party had grown fat and strong upon the auks and eiders and scurvy-grass; and surmises were rife among us as to the condition of our comrades and the prospects of our ice-bound ship.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading The tide-leads, which one year ago had afforded a precarious passage to the vessel, now barely admitted our whale-boat; and, as we forced her through the broken ice, she showed such signs of hard usage, that I had her hauled up upon the land-belt and housed under the cliffs at Six-mile Ravine.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading We crossed the rocks on foot, aided by our jumping-poles, and startled our shipmates by our sudden appearance.
surmisesnounUS /sərˈmaɪzɪz/
plural of “surmise” — a message expressing an opinion based on incomplete evidence
From this reading Our little party had grown fat and strong upon the auks and eiders and scurvy-grass; and surmises were rife among us as to the condition of our comrades and the prospects of our ice-bound ship.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was with mingled feelings that we neared the brig.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE SECOND WINTER--DEPARTURE OF HALF OF THE CREW.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The tide-leads, which one year ago had afforded a precarious passage to the vessel, now barely admitted our whale-boat; and, as we forced her through the broken ice, she showed such signs of hard usage, that I had her hauled up upon the land-belt and housed under the cliffs at Six-mile Ravine.
tide-leads
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tide-leads, which one year ago had afforded a precarious passage to the vessel, now barely admitted our whale-boat; and, as we forced her through the broken ice, she showed such signs of hard usage, that I had her hauled up upon the land-belt and housed under the cliffs at Six-mile Ravine.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Our little party had grown fat and strong upon the auks and eiders and scurvy-grass; and surmises were rife among us as to the condition of our comrades and the prospects of our ice-bound ship.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading The tide-leads, which one year ago had afforded a precarious passage to the vessel, now barely admitted our whale-boat; and, as we forced her through the broken ice, she showed such signs of hard usage, that I had her hauled up upon the land-belt and housed under the cliffs at Six-mile Ravine.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The tide-leads, which one year ago had afforded a precarious passage to the vessel, now barely admitted our whale-boat; and, as we forced her through the broken ice, she showed such signs of hard usage, that I had her hauled up upon the land-belt and housed under the cliffs at Six-mile Ravine.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading Our little party had grown fat and strong upon the auks and eiders and scurvy-grass; and surmises were rife among us as to the condition of our comrades and the prospects of our ice-bound ship.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Our little party had grown fat and strong upon the auks and eiders and scurvy-grass; and surmises were rife among us as to the condition of our comrades and the prospects of our ice-bound ship.
usagenounUS /ˈjuːsədʒ/
the act of using
From this reading The tide-leads, which one year ago had afforded a precarious passage to the vessel, now barely admitted our whale-boat; and, as we forced her through the broken ice, she showed such signs of hard usage, that I had her hauled up upon the land-belt and housed under the cliffs at Six-mile Ravine.
a tube in which a body fluid circulates
From this reading The tide-leads, which one year ago had afforded a precarious passage to the vessel, now barely admitted our whale-boat; and, as we forced her through the broken ice, she showed such signs of hard usage, that I had her hauled up upon the land-belt and housed under the cliffs at Six-mile Ravine.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was with mingled feelings that we neared the brig.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading It was with mingled feelings that we neared the brig.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Our little party had grown fat and strong upon the auks and eiders and scurvy-grass; and surmises were rife among us as to the condition of our comrades and the prospects of our ice-bound ship.
whale-boat
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The tide-leads, which one year ago had afforded a precarious passage to the vessel, now barely admitted our whale-boat; and, as we forced her through the broken ice, she showed such signs of hard usage, that I had her hauled up upon the land-belt and housed under the cliffs at Six-mile Ravine.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The tide-leads, which one year ago had afforded a precarious passage to the vessel, now barely admitted our whale-boat; and, as we forced her through the broken ice, she showed such signs of hard usage, that I had her hauled up upon the land-belt and housed under the cliffs at Six-mile Ravine.
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading THE SECOND WINTER--DEPARTURE OF HALF OF THE CREW.
in the company of; together with
From this reading It was with mingled feelings that we neared the brig.
a period of time containing 365 (or 366) days
From this reading The tide-leads, which one year ago had afforded a precarious passage to the vessel, now barely admitted our whale-boat; and, as we forced her through the broken ice, she showed such signs of hard usage, that I had her hauled up upon the land-belt and housed under the cliffs at Six-mile Ravine.
