used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It would be a fearful undertaking, but hesitation was impossible.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading But six hundred miles now separated it from inhabited countries, six hundred miles which would have to be traversed in sledges across the solidified surface of the sea, amongst the icebergs which the cold would build up, in the bitterest months of the Arctic winter.
surrounded by; in the company of
From this reading But six hundred miles now separated it from inhabited countries, six hundred miles which would have to be traversed in sledges across the solidified surface of the sea, amongst the icebergs which the cold would build up, in the bitterest months of the Arctic winter.
anchornounUS /ˈæŋkər/
a mechanical device that prevents a vessel from moving
From this reading To use Sergeant Long’s expression, the island had “cast anchor,” and was as stationary as when the isthmus connected it with the mainland.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading To use Sergeant Long’s expression, the island had “cast anchor,” and was as stationary as when the isthmus connected it with the mainland.
ArcticnounUS /ˈɑːrktɪk/
the regions to the north of the Arctic Circle centered on the North Pole
From this reading But six hundred miles now separated it from inhabited countries, six hundred miles which would have to be traversed in sledges across the solidified surface of the sea, amongst the icebergs which the cold would build up, in the bitterest months of the Arctic winter.
ardentlyadverbUS /ˈɑːrdəntli/
in an ardent manner
From this reading The winter, for which Lieutenant Hobson had so ardently longed, had come at last, and arrested the fatal march of the island to the north.
arrestedverbUS /ərˈestɪd/
past form of “arrest” — take into custody
From this reading The winter, for which Lieutenant Hobson had so ardently longed, had come at last, and arrested the fatal march of the island to the north.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading To use Sergeant Long’s expression, the island had “cast anchor,” and was as stationary as when the isthmus connected it with the mainland.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The winter, for which Lieutenant Hobson had so ardently longed, had come at last, and arrested the fatal march of the island to the north.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading But six hundred miles now separated it from inhabited countries, six hundred miles which would have to be traversed in sledges across the solidified surface of the sea, amongst the icebergs which the cold would build up, in the bitterest months of the Arctic winter.
bitterestadjectiveUS /ˈbɪtərəst/
superlative of “bitter” — marked by strong resentment or cynicism
From this reading But six hundred miles now separated it from inhabited countries, six hundred miles which would have to be traversed in sledges across the solidified surface of the sea, amongst the icebergs which the cold would build up, in the bitterest months of the Arctic winter.
make by combining materials and parts
From this reading But six hundred miles now separated it from inhabited countries, six hundred miles which would have to be traversed in sledges across the solidified surface of the sea, amongst the icebergs which the cold would build up, in the bitterest months of the Arctic winter.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But six hundred miles now separated it from inhabited countries, six hundred miles which would have to be traversed in sledges across the solidified surface of the sea, amongst the icebergs which the cold would build up, in the bitterest months of the Arctic winter.
put or send forth
From this reading To use Sergeant Long’s expression, the island had “cast anchor,” and was as stationary as when the isthmus connected it with the mainland.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading But six hundred miles now separated it from inhabited countries, six hundred miles which would have to be traversed in sledges across the solidified surface of the sea, amongst the icebergs which the cold would build up, in the bitterest months of the Arctic winter.
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading The winter, for which Lieutenant Hobson had so ardently longed, had come at last, and arrested the fatal march of the island to the north.
being joined in close association
From this reading To use Sergeant Long’s expression, the island had “cast anchor,” and was as stationary as when the isthmus connected it with the mainland.
countriesnounUS /ˈkʌntriz/
plural of “country” — a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading But six hundred miles now separated it from inhabited countries, six hundred miles which would have to be traversed in sledges across the solidified surface of the sea, amongst the icebergs which the cold would build up, in the bitterest months of the Arctic winter.
the feelings expressed on a person's face
From this reading To use Sergeant Long’s expression, the island had “cast anchor,” and was as stationary as when the isthmus connected it with the mainland.
fataladjectiveUS /ˈfeɪtəl/
bringing death
From this reading The winter, for which Lieutenant Hobson had so ardently longed, had come at last, and arrested the fatal march of the island to the north.
experiencing or showing fear
From this reading It would be a fearful undertaking, but hesitation was impossible.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The winter, for which Lieutenant Hobson had so ardently longed, had come at last, and arrested the fatal march of the island to the north.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading But six hundred miles now separated it from inhabited countries, six hundred miles which would have to be traversed in sledges across the solidified surface of the sea, amongst the icebergs which the cold would build up, in the bitterest months of the Arctic winter.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading To use Sergeant Long’s expression, the island had “cast anchor,” and was as stationary as when the isthmus connected it with the mainland.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading But six hundred miles now separated it from inhabited countries, six hundred miles which would have to be traversed in sledges across the solidified surface of the sea, amongst the icebergs which the cold would build up, in the bitterest months of the Arctic winter.
indecision in speech or action
From this reading It would be a fearful undertaking, but hesitation was impossible.
Hobson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The winter, for which Lieutenant Hobson had so ardently longed, had come at last, and arrested the fatal march of the island to the north.
ten 10s
From this reading But six hundred miles now separated it from inhabited countries, six hundred miles which would have to be traversed in sledges across the solidified surface of the sea, amongst the icebergs which the cold would build up, in the bitterest months of the Arctic winter.
icebergsnounUS /ˈaɪsbərɡz/
plural of “iceberg” — a large mass of ice floating at sea; usually broken off of a polar glacier
From this reading But six hundred miles now separated it from inhabited countries, six hundred miles which would have to be traversed in sledges across the solidified surface of the sea, amongst the icebergs which the cold would build up, in the bitterest months of the Arctic winter.
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading It would be a fearful undertaking, but hesitation was impossible.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading But six hundred miles now separated it from inhabited countries, six hundred miles which would have to be traversed in sledges across the solidified surface of the sea, amongst the icebergs which the cold would build up, in the bitterest months of the Arctic winter.
inhabitedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈhæbətəd/
having inhabitants; lived in
From this reading But six hundred miles now separated it from inhabited countries, six hundred miles which would have to be traversed in sledges across the solidified surface of the sea, amongst the icebergs which the cold would build up, in the bitterest months of the Arctic winter.
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading To use Sergeant Long’s expression, the island had “cast anchor,” and was as stationary as when the isthmus connected it with the mainland.
isthmusnounUS /ˈɪsməs/
a relatively narrow strip of land (with water on both sides) connecting two larger land areas
From this reading To use Sergeant Long’s expression, the island had “cast anchor,” and was as stationary as when the isthmus connected it with the mainland.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading To use Sergeant Long’s expression, the island had “cast anchor,” and was as stationary as when the isthmus connected it with the mainland.
immediately past
From this reading The winter, for which Lieutenant Hobson had so ardently longed, had come at last, and arrested the fatal march of the island to the north.
a commissioned military officer
From this reading The winter, for which Lieutenant Hobson had so ardently longed, had come at last, and arrested the fatal march of the island to the north.
Long's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To use Sergeant Long’s expression, the island had “cast anchor,” and was as stationary as when the isthmus connected it with the mainland.
past form of “long” — desire strongly or persistently
From this reading The winter, for which Lieutenant Hobson had so ardently longed, had come at last, and arrested the fatal march of the island to the north.
mainlandnounUS /ˈmeɪnlænd/
the main land mass of a country or continent; as distinguished from an island or peninsula
From this reading To use Sergeant Long’s expression, the island had “cast anchor,” and was as stationary as when the isthmus connected it with the mainland.
march in a procession
From this reading The winter, for which Lieutenant Hobson had so ardently longed, had come at last, and arrested the fatal march of the island to the north.
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading But six hundred miles now separated it from inhabited countries, six hundred miles which would have to be traversed in sledges across the solidified surface of the sea, amongst the icebergs which the cold would build up, in the bitterest months of the Arctic winter.
plural of “month” — one of the twelve divisions of the calendar year
From this reading But six hundred miles now separated it from inhabited countries, six hundred miles which would have to be traversed in sledges across the solidified surface of the sea, amongst the icebergs which the cold would build up, in the bitterest months of the Arctic winter.
the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading The winter, for which Lieutenant Hobson had so ardently longed, had come at last, and arrested the fatal march of the island to the north.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading But six hundred miles now separated it from inhabited countries, six hundred miles which would have to be traversed in sledges across the solidified surface of the sea, amongst the icebergs which the cold would build up, in the bitterest months of the Arctic winter.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But six hundred miles now separated it from inhabited countries, six hundred miles which would have to be traversed in sledges across the solidified surface of the sea, amongst the icebergs which the cold would build up, in the bitterest months of the Arctic winter.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading But six hundred miles now separated it from inhabited countries, six hundred miles which would have to be traversed in sledges across the solidified surface of the sea, amongst the icebergs which the cold would build up, in the bitterest months of the Arctic winter.
being or feeling set or kept apart from others
From this reading But six hundred miles now separated it from inhabited countries, six hundred miles which would have to be traversed in sledges across the solidified surface of the sea, amongst the icebergs which the cold would build up, in the bitterest months of the Arctic winter.
SergeantnounUS /ˈsɑːrdʒənt/
any of several noncommissioned officer ranks in the Army or Air Force or Marines ranking above a corporal
From this reading To use Sergeant Long’s expression, the island had “cast anchor,” and was as stationary as when the isthmus connected it with the mainland.
the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading situation.
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading But six hundred miles now separated it from inhabited countries, six hundred miles which would have to be traversed in sledges across the solidified surface of the sea, amongst the icebergs which the cold would build up, in the bitterest months of the Arctic winter.
sledges
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But six hundred miles now separated it from inhabited countries, six hundred miles which would have to be traversed in sledges across the solidified surface of the sea, amongst the icebergs which the cold would build up, in the bitterest months of the Arctic winter.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The winter, for which Lieutenant Hobson had so ardently longed, had come at last, and arrested the fatal march of the island to the north.
solidifiedadjectiveUS /səˈlɪdəfaɪd/
changed into a solid mass
From this reading But six hundred miles now separated it from inhabited countries, six hundred miles which would have to be traversed in sledges across the solidified surface of the sea, amongst the icebergs which the cold would build up, in the bitterest months of the Arctic winter.
stationaryadjectiveUS /ˈsteɪʃəneri/
standing still
From this reading To use Sergeant Long’s expression, the island had “cast anchor,” and was as stationary as when the isthmus connected it with the mainland.
the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary
From this reading But six hundred miles now separated it from inhabited countries, six hundred miles which would have to be traversed in sledges across the solidified surface of the sea, amongst the icebergs which the cold would build up, in the bitterest months of the Arctic winter.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading To use Sergeant Long’s expression, the island had “cast anchor,” and was as stationary as when the isthmus connected it with the mainland.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading To use Sergeant Long’s expression, the island had “cast anchor,” and was as stationary as when the isthmus connected it with the mainland.
traversedverbUS /ˈtrævərst/
past form of “traverse” — travel across or pass over
From this reading But six hundred miles now separated it from inhabited countries, six hundred miles which would have to be traversed in sledges across the solidified surface of the sea, amongst the icebergs which the cold would build up, in the bitterest months of the Arctic winter.
undertakingnounUS /ˈʌndərteɪkɪŋ/
any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
From this reading It would be a fearful undertaking, but hesitation was impossible.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading But six hundred miles now separated it from inhabited countries, six hundred miles which would have to be traversed in sledges across the solidified surface of the sea, amongst the icebergs which the cold would build up, in the bitterest months of the Arctic winter.
the act of using
From this reading To use Sergeant Long’s expression, the island had “cast anchor,” and was as stationary as when the isthmus connected it with the mainland.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading To use Sergeant Long’s expression, the island had “cast anchor,” and was as stationary as when the isthmus connected it with the mainland.
at the time that
From this reading To use Sergeant Long’s expression, the island had “cast anchor,” and was as stationary as when the isthmus connected it with the mainland.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading But six hundred miles now separated it from inhabited countries, six hundred miles which would have to be traversed in sledges across the solidified surface of the sea, amongst the icebergs which the cold would build up, in the bitterest months of the Arctic winter.
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading But six hundred miles now separated it from inhabited countries, six hundred miles which would have to be traversed in sledges across the solidified surface of the sea, amongst the icebergs which the cold would build up, in the bitterest months of the Arctic winter.
in the company of; together with
From this reading To use Sergeant Long’s expression, the island had “cast anchor,” and was as stationary as when the isthmus connected it with the mainland.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading But six hundred miles now separated it from inhabited countries, six hundred miles which would have to be traversed in sledges across the solidified surface of the sea, amongst the icebergs which the cold would build up, in the bitterest months of the Arctic winter.
