Chapter XXI · Chapter 21

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

From this reading At two o’clock P.M. Hobson and Black took the height of the sun above the horizon with the sextant, and they hoped to recommence the same operation the next morning towards ten o’clock A.M., so as to be able to infer from the two altitudes obtained the exact point of the Arctic Ocean then occupied by their island.

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading At two o’clock P.M. Hobson and Black took the height of the sun above the horizon with the sextant, and they hoped to recommence the same operation the next morning towards ten o’clock A.M., so as to be able to infer from the two altitudes obtained the exact point of the Arctic Ocean then occupied by their island.

higher than, or over, something

From this reading At two o’clock P.M. Hobson and Black took the height of the sun above the horizon with the sextant, and they hoped to recommence the same operation the next morning towards ten o’clock A.M., so as to be able to infer from the two altitudes obtained the exact point of the Arctic Ocean then occupied by their island.

later than; following

From this reading For the longitude, the altitude of the sun must be ascertained before and after noon, and two hour angles must be measured.

plural of “agent” — an active and efficient cause; capable of producing a certain effect

From this reading unexpected and novel situation in which the agents of the Company now found themselves, and Hobson did so with his chart before him.

prior to a specified or implied time

From this reading He could not ascertain the longitude of Victoria Island—the original name being retained—until the next day, and the latitude had already been taken.

elevation especially above sea level or above the earth's surface

From this reading For the longitude, the altitude of the sun must be ascertained before and after noon, and two hour angles must be measured.

plural of “altitude” — elevation especially above sea level or above the earth's surface

From this reading At two o’clock P.M. Hobson and Black took the height of the sun above the horizon with the sextant, and they hoped to recommence the same operation the next morning towards ten o’clock A.M., so as to be able to infer from the two altitudes obtained the exact point of the Arctic Ocean then occupied by their island.

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

From this reading unexpected and novel situation in which the agents of the Company now found themselves, and Hobson did so with his chart before him.

plural of “angle” — the space between two lines or planes that intersect; the inclination of one line to another; measured in degrees or radians

From this reading For the longitude, the altitude of the sun must be ascertained before and after noon, and two hour angles must be measured.

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

From this reading At two o’clock P.M. Hobson and Black took the height of the sun above the horizon with the sextant, and they hoped to recommence the same operation the next morning towards ten o’clock A.M., so as to be able to infer from the two altitudes obtained the exact point of the Arctic Ocean then occupied by their island.

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

From this reading At two o’clock P.M. Hobson and Black took the height of the sun above the horizon with the sextant, and they hoped to recommence the same operation the next morning towards ten o’clock A.M., so as to be able to infer from the two altitudes obtained the exact point of the Arctic Ocean then occupied by their island.

establish after a calculation, investigation, experiment, survey, or study

From this reading He could not ascertain the longitude of Victoria Island—the original name being retained—until the next day, and the latitude had already been taken.

discovered or determined by scientific observation

From this reading For the longitude, the altitude of the sun must be ascertained before and after noon, and two hour angles must be measured.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading At two o’clock P.M. Hobson and Black took the height of the sun above the horizon with the sextant, and they hoped to recommence the same operation the next morning towards ten o’clock A.M., so as to be able to infer from the two altitudes obtained the exact point of the Arctic Ocean then occupied by their island.

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

From this reading For the longitude, the altitude of the sun must be ascertained before and after noon, and two hour angles must be measured.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading He could not ascertain the longitude of Victoria Island—the original name being retained—until the next day, and the latitude had already been taken.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading unexpected and novel situation in which the agents of the Company now found themselves, and Hobson did so with his chart before him.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading He could not ascertain the longitude of Victoria Island—the original name being retained—until the next day, and the latitude had already been taken.

being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light

From this reading At two o’clock P.M. Hobson and Black took the height of the sun above the horizon with the sextant, and they hoped to recommence the same operation the next morning towards ten o’clock A.M., so as to be able to infer from the two altitudes obtained the exact point of the Arctic Ocean then occupied by their island.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The party did not, however, at once return to the fort, but remained talking together for some little time on the promontory.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading At two o’clock P.M. Hobson and Black took the height of the sun above the horizon with the sextant, and they hoped to recommence the same operation the next morning towards ten o’clock A.M., so as to be able to infer from the two altitudes obtained the exact point of the Arctic Ocean then occupied by their island.

a visual display of information

From this reading unexpected and novel situation in which the agents of the Company now found themselves, and Hobson did so with his chart before him.

an institution created to conduct business

From this reading unexpected and novel situation in which the agents of the Company now found themselves, and Hobson did so with his chart before him.

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

From this reading He could not ascertain the longitude of Victoria Island—the original name being retained—until the next day, and the latitude had already been taken.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading He could not ascertain the longitude of Victoria Island—the original name being retained—until the next day, and the latitude had already been taken.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading unexpected and novel situation in which the agents of the Company now found themselves, and Hobson did so with his chart before him.

Strictly particular and correct.

From this reading At two o’clock P.M. Hobson and Black took the height of the sun above the horizon with the sextant, and they hoped to recommence the same operation the next morning towards ten o’clock A.M., so as to be able to infer from the two altitudes obtained the exact point of the Arctic Ocean then occupied by their island.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For the longitude, the altitude of the sun must be ascertained before and after noon, and two hour angles must be measured.

a fortified military post where troops are stationed

From this reading The party did not, however, at once return to the fort, but remained talking together for some little time on the promontory.

set up or found

From this reading unexpected and novel situation in which the agents of the Company now found themselves, and Hobson did so with his chart before him.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading At two o’clock P.M. Hobson and Black took the height of the sun above the horizon with the sextant, and they hoped to recommence the same operation the next morning towards ten o’clock A.M., so as to be able to infer from the two altitudes obtained the exact point of the Arctic Ocean then occupied by their island.

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

From this reading He could not ascertain the longitude of Victoria Island—the original name being retained—until the next day, and the latitude had already been taken.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading He could not ascertain the longitude of Victoria Island—the original name being retained—until the next day, and the latitude had already been taken.

the vertical dimension of extension; distance from the base of something to the top

From this reading At two o’clock P.M. Hobson and Black took the height of the sun above the horizon with the sextant, and they hoped to recommence the same operation the next morning towards ten o’clock A.M., so as to be able to infer from the two altitudes obtained the exact point of the Arctic Ocean then occupied by their island.

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading unexpected and novel situation in which the agents of the Company now found themselves, and Hobson did so with his chart before him.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading unexpected and novel situation in which the agents of the Company now found themselves, and Hobson did so with his chart before him.

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

From this reading unexpected and novel situation in which the agents of the Company now found themselves, and Hobson did so with his chart before him.

past form of “hope” — expect and wish

From this reading At two o’clock P.M. Hobson and Black took the height of the sun above the horizon with the sextant, and they hoped to recommence the same operation the next morning towards ten o’clock A.M., so as to be able to infer from the two altitudes obtained the exact point of the Arctic Ocean then occupied by their island.

the line at which the sky and Earth appear to meet

From this reading At two o’clock P.M. Hobson and Black took the height of the sun above the horizon with the sextant, and they hoped to recommence the same operation the next morning towards ten o’clock A.M., so as to be able to infer from the two altitudes obtained the exact point of the Arctic Ocean then occupied by their island.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading For the longitude, the altitude of the sun must be ascertained before and after noon, and two hour angles must be measured.

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading The party did not, however, at once return to the fort, but remained talking together for some little time on the promontory.

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

From this reading unexpected and novel situation in which the agents of the Company now found themselves, and Hobson did so with his chart before him.

reason by deduction; establish by deduction

From this reading At two o’clock P.M. Hobson and Black took the height of the sun above the horizon with the sextant, and they hoped to recommence the same operation the next morning towards ten o’clock A.M., so as to be able to infer from the two altitudes obtained the exact point of the Arctic Ocean then occupied by their island.

a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water

From this reading He could not ascertain the longitude of Victoria Island—the original name being retained—until the next day, and the latitude had already been taken.

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

From this reading He could not ascertain the longitude of Victoria Island—the original name being retained—until the next day, and the latitude had already been taken.

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

From this reading The party did not, however, at once return to the fort, but remained talking together for some little time on the promontory.

the angular distance between a point on any meridian and the prime meridian at Greenwich

From this reading He could not ascertain the longitude of Victoria Island—the original name being retained—until the next day, and the latitude had already been taken.

the basic unit of length adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites (approximately 1.094 yards)

From this reading At two o’clock P.M. Hobson and Black took the height of the sun above the horizon with the sextant, and they hoped to recommence the same operation the next morning towards ten o’clock A.M., so as to be able to infer from the two altitudes obtained the exact point of the Arctic Ocean then occupied by their island.

having notes of fixed rhythmic value

From this reading For the longitude, the altitude of the sun must be ascertained before and after noon, and two hour angles must be measured.

the time period between dawn and noon

From this reading At two o’clock P.M. Hobson and Black took the height of the sun above the horizon with the sextant, and they hoped to recommence the same operation the next morning towards ten o’clock A.M., so as to be able to infer from the two altitudes obtained the exact point of the Arctic Ocean then occupied by their island.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading For the longitude, the altitude of the sun must be ascertained before and after noon, and two hour angles must be measured.

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading He could not ascertain the longitude of Victoria Island—the original name being retained—until the next day, and the latitude had already been taken.

immediately following in time or order

From this reading He could not ascertain the longitude of Victoria Island—the original name being retained—until the next day, and the latitude had already been taken.

the middle of the day

From this reading For the longitude, the altitude of the sun must be ascertained before and after noon, and two hour angles must be measured.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading He could not ascertain the longitude of Victoria Island—the original name being retained—until the next day, and the latitude had already been taken.

an extended fictional work in prose; usually in the form of a story

From this reading unexpected and novel situation in which the agents of the Company now found themselves, and Hobson did so with his chart before him.

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

From this reading unexpected and novel situation in which the agents of the Company now found themselves, and Hobson did so with his chart before him.

according to the clock

From this reading At two o’clock P.M. Hobson and Black took the height of the sun above the horizon with the sextant, and they hoped to recommence the same operation the next morning towards ten o’clock A.M., so as to be able to infer from the two altitudes obtained the exact point of the Arctic Ocean then occupied by their island.

past form of “obtain” — come into possession of

From this reading At two o’clock P.M. Hobson and Black took the height of the sun above the horizon with the sextant, and they hoped to recommence the same operation the next morning towards ten o’clock A.M., so as to be able to infer from the two altitudes obtained the exact point of the Arctic Ocean then occupied by their island.

held or filled or in use

From this reading At two o’clock P.M. Hobson and Black took the height of the sun above the horizon with the sextant, and they hoped to recommence the same operation the next morning towards ten o’clock A.M., so as to be able to infer from the two altitudes obtained the exact point of the Arctic Ocean then occupied by their island.

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

From this reading At two o’clock P.M. Hobson and Black took the height of the sun above the horizon with the sextant, and they hoped to recommence the same operation the next morning towards ten o’clock A.M., so as to be able to infer from the two altitudes obtained the exact point of the Arctic Ocean then occupied by their island.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading unexpected and novel situation in which the agents of the Company now found themselves, and Hobson did so with his chart before him.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The party did not, however, at once return to the fort, but remained talking together for some little time on the promontory.

on one occasion

From this reading The party did not, however, at once return to the fort, but remained talking together for some little time on the promontory.

the state of being in effect or being operative

From this reading At two o’clock P.M. Hobson and Black took the height of the sun above the horizon with the sextant, and they hoped to recommence the same operation the next morning towards ten o’clock A.M., so as to be able to infer from the two altitudes obtained the exact point of the Arctic Ocean then occupied by their island.

preceding all others in time or being as first made or performed

From this reading He could not ascertain the longitude of Victoria Island—the original name being retained—until the next day, and the latitude had already been taken.

a multivalent nonmetallic element of the nitrogen family that occurs commonly in inorganic phosphate rocks and as organic phosphates in all living cells; is highly reactive and occurs in several allotropic forms

From this reading At two o’clock P.M. Hobson and Black took the height of the sun above the horizon with the sextant, and they hoped to recommence the same operation the next morning towards ten o’clock A.M., so as to be able to infer from the two altitudes obtained the exact point of the Arctic Ocean then occupied by their island.

an organization to gain political power

From this reading The party did not, however, at once return to the fort, but remained talking together for some little time on the promontory.

a geometric element that has position but no extension

From this reading At two o’clock P.M. Hobson and Black took the height of the sun above the horizon with the sextant, and they hoped to recommence the same operation the next morning towards ten o’clock A.M., so as to be able to infer from the two altitudes obtained the exact point of the Arctic Ocean then occupied by their island.

a natural elevation (especially a rocky one that juts out into the sea)

From this reading The party did not, however, at once return to the fort, but remained talking together for some little time on the promontory.

cause to start anew

From this reading At two o’clock P.M. Hobson and Black took the height of the sun above the horizon with the sextant, and they hoped to recommence the same operation the next morning towards ten o’clock A.M., so as to be able to infer from the two altitudes obtained the exact point of the Arctic Ocean then occupied by their island.

past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state

From this reading The party did not, however, at once return to the fort, but remained talking together for some little time on the promontory.

continued in your keeping or use or memory

From this reading He could not ascertain the longitude of Victoria Island—the original name being retained—until the next day, and the latitude had already been taken.

go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before

From this reading The party did not, however, at once return to the fort, but remained talking together for some little time on the promontory.

Identical; not different.

From this reading At two o’clock P.M. Hobson and Black took the height of the sun above the horizon with the sextant, and they hoped to recommence the same operation the next morning towards ten o’clock A.M., so as to be able to infer from the two altitudes obtained the exact point of the Arctic Ocean then occupied by their island.

a unit of angular distance equal to 60 degrees

From this reading At two o’clock P.M. Hobson and Black took the height of the sun above the horizon with the sextant, and they hoped to recommence the same operation the next morning towards ten o’clock A.M., so as to be able to infer from the two altitudes obtained the exact point of the Arctic Ocean then occupied by their island.

the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time

From this reading unexpected and novel situation in which the agents of the Company now found themselves, and Hobson did so with his chart before him.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading unexpected and novel situation in which the agents of the Company now found themselves, and Hobson did so with his chart before him.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading The party did not, however, at once return to the fort, but remained talking together for some little time on the promontory.

the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system

From this reading For the longitude, the altitude of the sun must be ascertained before and after noon, and two hour angles must be measured.

understood in a certain way; made sense of

From this reading He could not ascertain the longitude of Victoria Island—the original name being retained—until the next day, and the latitude had already been taken.

an exchange of ideas via conversation

From this reading The party did not, however, at once return to the fort, but remained talking together for some little time on the promontory.

the cardinal number that is the sum of nine and one; the base of the decimal system

From this reading At two o’clock P.M. Hobson and Black took the height of the sun above the horizon with the sextant, and they hoped to recommence the same operation the next morning towards ten o’clock A.M., so as to be able to infer from the two altitudes obtained the exact point of the Arctic Ocean then occupied by their island.

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

From this reading unexpected and novel situation in which the agents of the Company now found themselves, and Hobson did so with his chart before him.

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading At two o’clock P.M. Hobson and Black took the height of the sun above the horizon with the sextant, and they hoped to recommence the same operation the next morning towards ten o’clock A.M., so as to be able to infer from the two altitudes obtained the exact point of the Arctic Ocean then occupied by their island.

used when the people doing the action are also its object

From this reading unexpected and novel situation in which the agents of the Company now found themselves, and Hobson did so with his chart before him.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading At two o’clock P.M. Hobson and Black took the height of the sun above the horizon with the sextant, and they hoped to recommence the same operation the next morning towards ten o’clock A.M., so as to be able to infer from the two altitudes obtained the exact point of the Arctic Ocean then occupied by their island.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading At two o’clock P.M. Hobson and Black took the height of the sun above the horizon with the sextant, and they hoped to recommence the same operation the next morning towards ten o’clock A.M., so as to be able to infer from the two altitudes obtained the exact point of the Arctic Ocean then occupied by their island.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading The party did not, however, at once return to the fort, but remained talking together for some little time on the promontory.

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

From this reading At two o’clock P.M. Hobson and Black took the height of the sun above the horizon with the sextant, and they hoped to recommence the same operation the next morning towards ten o’clock A.M., so as to be able to infer from the two altitudes obtained the exact point of the Arctic Ocean then occupied by their island.

in contact with each other or in proximity

From this reading The party did not, however, at once return to the fort, but remained talking together for some little time on the promontory.

inflected form of “take” — carry out

From this reading At two o’clock P.M. Hobson and Black took the height of the sun above the horizon with the sextant, and they hoped to recommence the same operation the next morning towards ten o’clock A.M., so as to be able to infer from the two altitudes obtained the exact point of the Arctic Ocean then occupied by their island.

in the direction of

From this reading At two o’clock P.M. Hobson and Black took the height of the sun above the horizon with the sextant, and they hoped to recommence the same operation the next morning towards ten o’clock A.M., so as to be able to infer from the two altitudes obtained the exact point of the Arctic Ocean then occupied by their island.

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

From this reading For the longitude, the altitude of the sun must be ascertained before and after noon, and two hour angles must be measured.

not expected or anticipated

From this reading unexpected and novel situation in which the agents of the Company now found themselves, and Hobson did so with his chart before him.

up to a particular time

From this reading He could not ascertain the longitude of Victoria Island—the original name being retained—until the next day, and the latitude had already been taken.

queen of Great Britain and Ireland and empress of India from 1837 to 1901; the last Hanoverian ruler of England (1819-1901)

From this reading He could not ascertain the longitude of Victoria Island—the original name being retained—until the next day, and the latitude had already been taken.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading unexpected and novel situation in which the agents of the Company now found themselves, and Hobson did so with his chart before him.

in the company of; together with

From this reading unexpected and novel situation in which the agents of the Company now found themselves, and Hobson did so with his chart before him.