used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was true that Doomsdorf kept but a perfunctory watch over Ned and Bess while they plied their trap lines.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading But long ago he had explained to them the hopelessness of attempting to load their backs with food and strike off across the ice on the slim chance of encountering some inhabited island.
in the past
From this reading But long ago he had explained to them the hopelessness of attempting to load their backs with food and strike off across the ice on the slim chance of encountering some inhabited island.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading In the first place, to venture out into that infinity of ice, where there was not a stick of fuel and the polar wind was an icy demon day and night, meant simply to die without great question or any considerable delay.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It was true that Doomsdorf kept but a perfunctory watch over Ned and Bess while they plied their trap lines.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading In the first place, to venture out into that infinity of ice, where there was not a stick of fuel and the polar wind was an icy demon day and night, meant simply to die without great question or any considerable delay.
attemptingverbUS /əˈtemptɪŋ/
-ing form of “attempt” — make an effort or attempt
From this reading But long ago he had explained to them the hopelessness of attempting to load their backs with food and strike off across the ice on the slim chance of encountering some inhabited island.
backsnounUS /bæks/
plural of “back” — the posterior part of a human (or animal) body from the neck to the end of the spine
From this reading But long ago he had explained to them the hopelessness of attempting to load their backs with food and strike off across the ice on the slim chance of encountering some inhabited island.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The plan, he had said, had not been worth a thought, and even now, in spite of his new courage, Ned found that it promised little.
Bess
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was true that Doomsdorf kept but a perfunctory watch over Ned and Bess while they plied their trap lines.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading The islands were many, but the gray ice between them insuperably broad and rough.
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading The islands were many, but the gray ice between them insuperably broad and rough.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was true that Doomsdorf kept but a perfunctory watch over Ned and Bess while they plied their trap lines.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading But long ago he had explained to them the hopelessness of attempting to load their backs with food and strike off across the ice on the slim chance of encountering some inhabited island.
large or relatively large in number or amount or extent or degree
From this reading In the first place, to venture out into that infinity of ice, where there was not a stick of fuel and the polar wind was an icy demon day and night, meant simply to die without great question or any considerable delay.
a quality of spirit that enables you to face danger or pain without showing fear
From this reading The plan, he had said, had not been worth a thought, and even now, in spite of his new courage, Ned found that it promised little.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading In the first place, to venture out into that infinity of ice, where there was not a stick of fuel and the polar wind was an icy demon day and night, meant simply to die without great question or any considerable delay.
cause to be slowed down or delayed
From this reading In the first place, to venture out into that infinity of ice, where there was not a stick of fuel and the polar wind was an icy demon day and night, meant simply to die without great question or any considerable delay.
demonnounUS /ˈdiːmən/
an evil supernatural being
From this reading In the first place, to venture out into that infinity of ice, where there was not a stick of fuel and the polar wind was an icy demon day and night, meant simply to die without great question or any considerable delay.
pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life
From this reading In the first place, to venture out into that infinity of ice, where there was not a stick of fuel and the polar wind was an icy demon day and night, meant simply to die without great question or any considerable delay.
Doomsdorf
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was true that Doomsdorf kept but a perfunctory watch over Ned and Bess while they plied their trap lines.
encounteringverbUS /enˈkaʊntərɪŋ/
-ing form of “encounter” — come together
From this reading But long ago he had explained to them the hopelessness of attempting to load their backs with food and strike off across the ice on the slim chance of encountering some inhabited island.
divisible by two
From this reading The plan, he had said, had not been worth a thought, and even now, in spite of his new courage, Ned found that it promised little.
past form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible
From this reading But long ago he had explained to them the hopelessness of attempting to load their backs with food and strike off across the ice on the slim chance of encountering some inhabited island.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading In the first place, to venture out into that infinity of ice, where there was not a stick of fuel and the polar wind was an icy demon day and night, meant simply to die without great question or any considerable delay.
any substance that can be metabolized by an animal to give energy and build tissue
From this reading But long ago he had explained to them the hopelessness of attempting to load their backs with food and strike off across the ice on the slim chance of encountering some inhabited island.
set up or found
From this reading The plan, he had said, had not been worth a thought, and even now, in spite of his new courage, Ned found that it promised little.
fuelverbUS /ˈfjuːəl/
provide with a combustible substance that provides energy
From this reading In the first place, to venture out into that infinity of ice, where there was not a stick of fuel and the polar wind was an icy demon day and night, meant simply to die without great question or any considerable delay.
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading The islands were many, but the gray ice between them insuperably broad and rough.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading In the first place, to venture out into that infinity of ice, where there was not a stick of fuel and the polar wind was an icy demon day and night, meant simply to die without great question or any considerable delay.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading But long ago he had explained to them the hopelessness of attempting to load their backs with food and strike off across the ice on the slim chance of encountering some inhabited island.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading But long ago he had explained to them the hopelessness of attempting to load their backs with food and strike off across the ice on the slim chance of encountering some inhabited island.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The plan, he had said, had not been worth a thought, and even now, in spite of his new courage, Ned found that it promised little.
hopelessnessnounUS /ˈhoʊpləsnəs/
the despair you feel when you have abandoned hope of comfort or success
From this reading But long ago he had explained to them the hopelessness of attempting to load their backs with food and strike off across the ice on the slim chance of encountering some inhabited island.
water frozen in the solid state
From this reading But long ago he had explained to them the hopelessness of attempting to load their backs with food and strike off across the ice on the slim chance of encountering some inhabited island.
icyadjectiveUS /ˈaɪsi/
devoid of warmth and cordiality; expressive of unfriendliness or disdain
From this reading In the first place, to venture out into that infinity of ice, where there was not a stick of fuel and the polar wind was an icy demon day and night, meant simply to die without great question or any considerable delay.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The plan, he had said, had not been worth a thought, and even now, in spite of his new courage, Ned found that it promised little.
infinitynounUS /ˌɪnˈfɪnɪti/
time without end
From this reading In the first place, to venture out into that infinity of ice, where there was not a stick of fuel and the polar wind was an icy demon day and night, meant simply to die without great question or any considerable delay.
inhabitedadjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈhæbətəd/
having inhabitants; lived in
From this reading But long ago he had explained to them the hopelessness of attempting to load their backs with food and strike off across the ice on the slim chance of encountering some inhabited island.
insuperablyadverb
to an insuperable degree
From this reading The islands were many, but the gray ice between them insuperably broad and rough.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading In the first place, to venture out into that infinity of ice, where there was not a stick of fuel and the polar wind was an icy demon day and night, meant simply to die without great question or any considerable delay.
a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading But long ago he had explained to them the hopelessness of attempting to load their backs with food and strike off across the ice on the slim chance of encountering some inhabited island.
plural of “island” — a land mass (smaller than a continent) that is surrounded by water
From this reading The islands were many, but the gray ice between them insuperably broad and rough.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was true that Doomsdorf kept but a perfunctory watch over Ned and Bess while they plied their trap lines.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading It was true that Doomsdorf kept but a perfunctory watch over Ned and Bess while they plied their trap lines.
plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another
From this reading It was true that Doomsdorf kept but a perfunctory watch over Ned and Bess while they plied their trap lines.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The plan, he had said, had not been worth a thought, and even now, in spite of his new courage, Ned found that it promised little.
loadnounUS /loʊd/
weight to be borne or conveyed
From this reading But long ago he had explained to them the hopelessness of attempting to load their backs with food and strike off across the ice on the slim chance of encountering some inhabited island.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading But long ago he had explained to them the hopelessness of attempting to load their backs with food and strike off across the ice on the slim chance of encountering some inhabited island.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading The islands were many, but the gray ice between them insuperably broad and rough.
inflected form of “mean” — mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading In the first place, to venture out into that infinity of ice, where there was not a stick of fuel and the polar wind was an icy demon day and night, meant simply to die without great question or any considerable delay.
Ned
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was true that Doomsdorf kept but a perfunctory watch over Ned and Bess while they plied their trap lines.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading The plan, he had said, had not been worth a thought, and even now, in spite of his new courage, Ned found that it promised little.
the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside
From this reading In the first place, to venture out into that infinity of ice, where there was not a stick of fuel and the polar wind was an icy demon day and night, meant simply to die without great question or any considerable delay.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The plan, he had said, had not been worth a thought, and even now, in spite of his new courage, Ned found that it promised little.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The plan, he had said, had not been worth a thought, and even now, in spite of his new courage, Ned found that it promised little.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading But long ago he had explained to them the hopelessness of attempting to load their backs with food and strike off across the ice on the slim chance of encountering some inhabited island.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading But long ago he had explained to them the hopelessness of attempting to load their backs with food and strike off across the ice on the slim chance of encountering some inhabited island.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading But long ago he had explained to them the hopelessness of attempting to load their backs with food and strike off across the ice on the slim chance of encountering some inhabited island.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading In the first place, to venture out into that infinity of ice, where there was not a stick of fuel and the polar wind was an icy demon day and night, meant simply to die without great question or any considerable delay.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading In the first place, to venture out into that infinity of ice, where there was not a stick of fuel and the polar wind was an icy demon day and night, meant simply to die without great question or any considerable delay.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading It was true that Doomsdorf kept but a perfunctory watch over Ned and Bess while they plied their trap lines.
perfunctoryadjectiveUS /pərˈfʌŋktəri/
hasty and without attention to detail; not thorough
From this reading It was true that Doomsdorf kept but a perfunctory watch over Ned and Bess while they plied their trap lines.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading In the first place, to venture out into that infinity of ice, where there was not a stick of fuel and the polar wind was an icy demon day and night, meant simply to die without great question or any considerable delay.
have the will and intention to carry out some action
From this reading The plan, he had said, had not been worth a thought, and even now, in spite of his new courage, Ned found that it promised little.
pliedverbUS /plaɪd/
inflected form of “ply” — give what is desired or needed, especially support, food or sustenance
From this reading It was true that Doomsdorf kept but a perfunctory watch over Ned and Bess while they plied their trap lines.
polaradjectiveUS /ˈpoʊlər/
having a pair of equal and opposite charges
From this reading In the first place, to venture out into that infinity of ice, where there was not a stick of fuel and the polar wind was an icy demon day and night, meant simply to die without great question or any considerable delay.
past form of “promise” — make a promise or commitment
From this reading The plan, he had said, had not been worth a thought, and even now, in spite of his new courage, Ned found that it promised little.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading In the first place, to venture out into that infinity of ice, where there was not a stick of fuel and the polar wind was an icy demon day and night, meant simply to die without great question or any considerable delay.
having or caused by an irregular surface
From this reading The islands were many, but the gray ice between them insuperably broad and rough.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading The plan, he had said, had not been worth a thought, and even now, in spite of his new courage, Ned found that it promised little.
and nothing more
From this reading In the first place, to venture out into that infinity of ice, where there was not a stick of fuel and the polar wind was an icy demon day and night, meant simply to die without great question or any considerable delay.
slimadjectiveUS /slɪm/
being of delicate or slender build
From this reading But long ago he had explained to them the hopelessness of attempting to load their backs with food and strike off across the ice on the slim chance of encountering some inhabited island.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading But long ago he had explained to them the hopelessness of attempting to load their backs with food and strike off across the ice on the slim chance of encountering some inhabited island.
feeling a need to see others suffer
From this reading The plan, he had said, had not been worth a thought, and even now, in spite of his new courage, Ned found that it promised little.
put, fix, force, or implant
From this reading In the first place, to venture out into that infinity of ice, where there was not a stick of fuel and the polar wind was an icy demon day and night, meant simply to die without great question or any considerable delay.
deliver a sharp blow, as with the hand, fist, or weapon
From this reading But long ago he had explained to them the hopelessness of attempting to load their backs with food and strike off across the ice on the slim chance of encountering some inhabited island.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It was true that Doomsdorf kept but a perfunctory watch over Ned and Bess while they plied their trap lines.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading But long ago he had explained to them the hopelessness of attempting to load their backs with food and strike off across the ice on the slim chance of encountering some inhabited island.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading It was true that Doomsdorf kept but a perfunctory watch over Ned and Bess while they plied their trap lines.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading But long ago he had explained to them the hopelessness of attempting to load their backs with food and strike off across the ice on the slim chance of encountering some inhabited island.
in or at that place or location
From this reading In the first place, to venture out into that infinity of ice, where there was not a stick of fuel and the polar wind was an icy demon day and night, meant simply to die without great question or any considerable delay.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It was true that Doomsdorf kept but a perfunctory watch over Ned and Bess while they plied their trap lines.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading The plan, he had said, had not been worth a thought, and even now, in spite of his new courage, Ned found that it promised little.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading But long ago he had explained to them the hopelessness of attempting to load their backs with food and strike off across the ice on the slim chance of encountering some inhabited island.
trapnounUS /træp/
a device in which something (usually an animal) can be caught and penned
From this reading It was true that Doomsdorf kept but a perfunctory watch over Ned and Bess while they plied their trap lines.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
From this reading It was true that Doomsdorf kept but a perfunctory watch over Ned and Bess while they plied their trap lines.
any venturesome undertaking especially one with an uncertain outcome
From this reading In the first place, to venture out into that infinity of ice, where there was not a stick of fuel and the polar wind was an icy demon day and night, meant simply to die without great question or any considerable delay.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was true that Doomsdorf kept but a perfunctory watch over Ned and Bess while they plied their trap lines.
look attentively
From this reading It was true that Doomsdorf kept but a perfunctory watch over Ned and Bess while they plied their trap lines.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The islands were many, but the gray ice between them insuperably broad and rough.
in or at the place that
From this reading In the first place, to venture out into that infinity of ice, where there was not a stick of fuel and the polar wind was an icy demon day and night, meant simply to die without great question or any considerable delay.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading It was true that Doomsdorf kept but a perfunctory watch over Ned and Bess while they plied their trap lines.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading In the first place, to venture out into that infinity of ice, where there was not a stick of fuel and the polar wind was an icy demon day and night, meant simply to die without great question or any considerable delay.
in the company of; together with
From this reading But long ago he had explained to them the hopelessness of attempting to load their backs with food and strike off across the ice on the slim chance of encountering some inhabited island.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading In the first place, to venture out into that infinity of ice, where there was not a stick of fuel and the polar wind was an icy demon day and night, meant simply to die without great question or any considerable delay.
an indefinite quantity of something having a specified value
From this reading The plan, he had said, had not been worth a thought, and even now, in spite of his new courage, Ned found that it promised little.
