adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The air was filled with rime, which clung to everything, and the sun, only venturing now a little way above the southern horizon, shone cold and cheerless, weakly penetrating the ever-present frost veil.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Rarely the temperature rose above twenty-five degrees below zero, even at midday, and oftener it crept well down into the thirties.
airnounUS /er/
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading The air was filled with rime, which clung to everything, and the sun, only venturing now a little way above the southern horizon, shone cold and cheerless, weakly penetrating the ever-present frost veil.
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading The tide, still defying the shackles of the mighty power that had bound all the rest of the world, surged up and down, piling ponderous ice cakes in mountainous heaps along the river banks.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading The tide, still defying the shackles of the mighty power that had bound all the rest of the world, surged up and down, piling ponderous ice cakes in mountainous heaps along the river banks.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Occasionally an Eskimo or two would suddenly appear out of the snow fields, remain for a day perhaps, and then as suddenly disappear into the bleak wastes whence he had come.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE SLEDGE JOURNEY BEGUN Tighter and tighter grew the grip of winter.
appearverbUS /əˈpɪr/
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Occasionally an Eskimo or two would suddenly appear out of the snow fields, remain for a day perhaps, and then as suddenly disappear into the bleak wastes whence he had come.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Occasionally an Eskimo or two would suddenly appear out of the snow fields, remain for a day perhaps, and then as suddenly disappear into the bleak wastes whence he had come.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Rarely the temperature rose above twenty-five degrees below zero, even at midday, and oftener it crept well down into the thirties.
banksnounUS /bæŋks/
English botanist who accompanied Captain Cook on his first voyage to the Pacific Ocean (1743-1820)
From this reading The tide, still defying the shackles of the mighty power that had bound all the rest of the world, surged up and down, piling ponderous ice cakes in mountainous heaps along the river banks.
BEGUNverbUS /bɪˈɡʌn/
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading THE SLEDGE JOURNEY BEGUN Tighter and tighter grew the grip of winter.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading Rarely the temperature rose above twenty-five degrees below zero, even at midday, and oftener it crept well down into the thirties.
bleakadjectiveUS /bliːk/
offering little or no hope
From this reading Occasionally an Eskimo or two would suddenly appear out of the snow fields, remain for a day perhaps, and then as suddenly disappear into the bleak wastes whence he had come.
boundadjectiveUS /baʊnd/
confined by bonds
From this reading The tide, still defying the shackles of the mighty power that had bound all the rest of the world, surged up and down, piling ponderous ice cakes in mountainous heaps along the river banks.
cakesnounUS /keɪks/
plural of “cake” — a block of solid substance (such as soap or wax)
From this reading The tide, still defying the shackles of the mighty power that had bound all the rest of the world, surged up and down, piling ponderous ice cakes in mountainous heaps along the river banks.
cheerlessadjective
causing sad feelings of gloom and inadequacy
From this reading The air was filled with rime, which clung to everything, and the sun, only venturing now a little way above the southern horizon, shone cold and cheerless, weakly penetrating the ever-present frost veil.
clungverbUS /klʌŋ/
inflected form of “cling” — come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation
From this reading The air was filled with rime, which clung to everything, and the sun, only venturing now a little way above the southern horizon, shone cold and cheerless, weakly penetrating the ever-present frost veil.
coldadjectiveUS /koʊld/
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 The air was filled with rime, which clung to everything, and the sun, only venturing now a little way above the southern horizon, shone cold and cheerless, weakly penetrating the ever-present frost veil.
comeverbUS /kʌm/
move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Occasionally an Eskimo or two would suddenly appear out of the snow fields, remain for a day perhaps, and then as suddenly disappear into the bleak wastes whence he had come.
creptverbUS /krept/
inflected form of “creep” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground
From this reading Rarely the temperature rose above twenty-five degrees below zero, even at midday, and oftener it crept well down into the thirties.
daynounUS /deɪ/
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Occasionally an Eskimo or two would suddenly appear out of the snow fields, remain for a day perhaps, and then as suddenly disappear into the bleak wastes whence he had come.
defyingverbUS /dɪˈfaɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “defy” — resist or confront with resistance
From this reading The tide, still defying the shackles of the mighty power that had bound all the rest of the world, surged up and down, piling ponderous ice cakes in mountainous heaps along the river banks.
degreesnounUS /dɪˈɡriːz/
plural of “degree” — a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality
From this reading Rarely the temperature rose above twenty-five degrees below zero, even at midday, and oftener it crept well down into the thirties.
disappearverbUS /ˌdɪsəˈpɪr/
get lost, as without warning or explanation
From this reading Occasionally an Eskimo or two would suddenly appear out of the snow fields, remain for a day perhaps, and then as suddenly disappear into the bleak wastes whence he had come.
downadjectiveUS /daʊn/
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Rarely the temperature rose above twenty-five degrees below zero, even at midday, and oftener it crept well down into the thirties.
EskimonounUS /ˈeskəmoʊ/
a member of a people inhabiting the Arctic (northern Canada or Greenland or Alaska or eastern Siberia); the Algonquians called them Eskimo (“eaters of raw flesh”) but they call themselves the Inuit (“the people”)
From this reading Occasionally an Eskimo or two would suddenly appear out of the snow fields, remain for a day perhaps, and then as suddenly disappear into the bleak wastes whence he had come.
evenadjectiveUS /ˈiːvɪn/
divisible by two
From this reading Rarely the temperature rose above twenty-five degrees below zero, even at midday, and oftener it crept well down into the thirties.
ever-presentadjective
being always present
From this reading The air was filled with rime, which clung to everything, and the sun, only venturing now a little way above the southern horizon, shone cold and cheerless, weakly penetrating the ever-present frost veil.
everythingpronounUS /ˈevriθɪŋ/
all things; all of a situation
From this reading The air was filled with rime, which clung to everything, and the sun, only venturing now a little way above the southern horizon, shone cold and cheerless, weakly penetrating the ever-present frost veil.
fieldsnounUS /fiːldz/
United States comedian and film actor (1880-1946)
From this reading Occasionally an Eskimo or two would suddenly appear out of the snow fields, remain for a day perhaps, and then as suddenly disappear into the bleak wastes whence he had come.
filledadjectiveUS /fɪld/
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading The air was filled with rime, which clung to everything, and the sun, only venturing now a little way above the southern horizon, shone cold and cheerless, weakly penetrating the ever-present frost veil.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Occasionally an Eskimo or two would suddenly appear out of the snow fields, remain for a day perhaps, and then as suddenly disappear into the bleak wastes whence he had come.
frostnounUS /frɔːst/
ice crystals forming a white deposit (especially on objects outside)
From this reading The air was filled with rime, which clung to everything, and the sun, only venturing now a little way above the southern horizon, shone cold and cheerless, weakly penetrating the ever-present frost veil.
grewverbUS /ɡruː/
inflected form of “grow” — pass into a condition gradually, take on a specific property or attribute; become
From this reading THE SLEDGE JOURNEY BEGUN Tighter and tighter grew the grip of winter.
gripnounUS /ɡrɪp/
the act of grasping
From this reading THE SLEDGE JOURNEY BEGUN Tighter and tighter grew the grip of winter.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The tide, still defying the shackles of the mighty power that had bound all the rest of the world, surged up and down, piling ponderous ice cakes in mountainous heaps along the river banks.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Occasionally an Eskimo or two would suddenly appear out of the snow fields, remain for a day perhaps, and then as suddenly disappear into the bleak wastes whence he had come.
heapsnounUS /hiːps/
a large number or amount
From this reading The tide, still defying the shackles of the mighty power that had bound all the rest of the world, surged up and down, piling ponderous ice cakes in mountainous heaps along the river banks.
horizonnounUS /hərˈaɪzən/
the line at which the sky and Earth appear to meet
From this reading The air was filled with rime, which clung to everything, and the sun, only venturing now a little way above the southern horizon, shone cold and cheerless, weakly penetrating the ever-present frost veil.
icenounUS /aɪs/
water frozen in the solid state
From this reading The tide, still defying the shackles of the mighty power that had bound all the rest of the world, surged up and down, piling ponderous ice cakes in mountainous heaps along the river banks.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The tide, still defying the shackles of the mighty power that had bound all the rest of the world, surged up and down, piling ponderous ice cakes in mountainous heaps along the river banks.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Rarely the temperature rose above twenty-five degrees below zero, even at midday, and oftener it crept well down into the thirties.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Rarely the temperature rose above twenty-five degrees below zero, even at midday, and oftener it crept well down into the thirties.
JOURNEYverbUS /ˈdʒɜːrni/
undertake a journey or trip
From this reading THE SLEDGE JOURNEY BEGUN Tighter and tighter grew the grip of winter.
littleadjectiveUS /ˈlɪtəl/
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The air was filled with rime, which clung to everything, and the sun, only venturing now a little way above the southern horizon, shone cold and cheerless, weakly penetrating the ever-present frost veil.
middaynounUS /ˈmɪddeɪ/
the middle of the day
From this reading Rarely the temperature rose above twenty-five degrees below zero, even at midday, and oftener it crept well down into the thirties.
mightyadjectiveUS /ˈmaɪti/
having or showing great strength or force or intensity
From this reading The tide, still defying the shackles of the mighty power that had bound all the rest of the world, surged up and down, piling ponderous ice cakes in mountainous heaps along the river banks.
mountainousadjectiveUS /ˈmaʊntənəs/
having hills and crags
From this reading The tide, still defying the shackles of the mighty power that had bound all the rest of the world, surged up and down, piling ponderous ice cakes in mountainous heaps along the river banks.
nowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The air was filled with rime, which clung to everything, and the sun, only venturing now a little way above the southern horizon, shone cold and cheerless, weakly penetrating the ever-present frost veil.
OccasionallyadverbUS /əˈkeɪʒənəli/
sporadically and infrequently
From this reading Occasionally an Eskimo or two would suddenly appear out of the snow fields, remain for a day perhaps, and then as suddenly disappear into the bleak wastes whence he had come.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE SLEDGE JOURNEY BEGUN Tighter and tighter grew the grip of winter.
ofteneradverbUS /ˈɔːfənər/
more often or more frequently
From this reading Rarely the temperature rose above twenty-five degrees below zero, even at midday, and oftener it crept well down into the thirties.
onlyadverbUS /ˈoʊnli/
and nothing more
From this reading The air was filled with rime, which clung to everything, and the sun, only venturing now a little way above the southern horizon, shone cold and cheerless, weakly penetrating the ever-present frost veil.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Occasionally an Eskimo or two would suddenly appear out of the snow fields, remain for a day perhaps, and then as suddenly disappear into the bleak wastes whence he had come.
outadjectiveUS /aʊt/
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Occasionally an Eskimo or two would suddenly appear out of the snow fields, remain for a day perhaps, and then as suddenly disappear into the bleak wastes whence he had come.
penetratingadjectiveUS /ˈpenətreɪtɪŋ/
having or demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
From this reading The air was filled with rime, which clung to everything, and the sun, only venturing now a little way above the southern horizon, shone cold and cheerless, weakly penetrating the ever-present frost veil.
perhapsadverbUS /pərˈhæps/
by chance
From this reading Occasionally an Eskimo or two would suddenly appear out of the snow fields, remain for a day perhaps, and then as suddenly disappear into the bleak wastes whence he had come.
pilingnounUS /ˈpaɪlɪŋ/
a column of wood or steel or concrete that is driven into the ground to provide support for a structure
From this reading The tide, still defying the shackles of the mighty power that had bound all the rest of the world, surged up and down, piling ponderous ice cakes in mountainous heaps along the river banks.
ponderousadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːndərəs/
slow and laborious because of weight
From this reading The tide, still defying the shackles of the mighty power that had bound all the rest of the world, surged up and down, piling ponderous ice cakes in mountainous heaps along the river banks.
powernounUS /ˈpaʊər/
possession of controlling influence
From this reading The tide, still defying the shackles of the mighty power that had bound all the rest of the world, surged up and down, piling ponderous ice cakes in mountainous heaps along the river banks.
RarelyadverbUS /ˈrerli/
not often
From this reading Rarely the temperature rose above twenty-five degrees below zero, even at midday, and oftener it crept well down into the thirties.
remainverbUS /rɪˈmeɪn/
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading Occasionally an Eskimo or two would suddenly appear out of the snow fields, remain for a day perhaps, and then as suddenly disappear into the bleak wastes whence he had come.
restverbUS /rest/
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading The tide, still defying the shackles of the mighty power that had bound all the rest of the world, surged up and down, piling ponderous ice cakes in mountainous heaps along the river banks.
rimenounUS /raɪm/
ice crystals forming a white deposit (especially on objects outside)
From this reading The air was filled with rime, which clung to everything, and the sun, only venturing now a little way above the southern horizon, shone cold and cheerless, weakly penetrating the ever-present frost veil.
rivernounUS /ˈrɪvər/
a large natural stream of water (larger than a creek)
From this reading The tide, still defying the shackles of the mighty power that had bound all the rest of the world, surged up and down, piling ponderous ice cakes in mountainous heaps along the river banks.
rosenounUS /roʊz/
any of many shrubs of the genus Rosa that bear roses
From this reading Rarely the temperature rose above twenty-five degrees below zero, even at midday, and oftener it crept well down into the thirties.
shacklesnounUS /ˈʃækəlz/
plural of “shackle” — a restraint that confines or restricts freedom (especially something used to tie down or restrain a prisoner)
From this reading The tide, still defying the shackles of the mighty power that had bound all the rest of the world, surged up and down, piling ponderous ice cakes in mountainous heaps along the river banks.
shoneverbUS /ʃoʊn/
inflected form of “shine” — be bright by reflecting or casting light
From this reading The air was filled with rime, which clung to everything, and the sun, only venturing now a little way above the southern horizon, shone cold and cheerless, weakly penetrating the ever-present frost veil.
SLEDGEverbUS /sledʒ/
transport in a sleigh
From this reading THE SLEDGE JOURNEY BEGUN Tighter and tighter grew the grip of winter.
snownounUS /snoʊ/
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading Occasionally an Eskimo or two would suddenly appear out of the snow fields, remain for a day perhaps, and then as suddenly disappear into the bleak wastes whence he had come.
southernadjectiveUS /ˈsʌðərn/
in or characteristic of a region of the United States south of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading The air was filled with rime, which clung to everything, and the sun, only venturing now a little way above the southern horizon, shone cold and cheerless, weakly penetrating the ever-present frost veil.
stilladjectiveUS /stɪl/
not in physical motion
From this reading The tide, still defying the shackles of the mighty power that had bound all the rest of the world, surged up and down, piling ponderous ice cakes in mountainous heaps along the river banks.
suddenlyadverbUS /ˈsʌdənli/
happening unexpectedly
From this reading Occasionally an Eskimo or two would suddenly appear out of the snow fields, remain for a day perhaps, and then as suddenly disappear into the bleak wastes whence he had come.
sunnounUS /sʌn/
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading The air was filled with rime, which clung to everything, and the sun, only venturing now a little way above the southern horizon, shone cold and cheerless, weakly penetrating the ever-present frost veil.
surgedverbUS /sɜːrdʒd/
past form of “surge” — rise and move, as in waves or billows
From this reading The tide, still defying the shackles of the mighty power that had bound all the rest of the world, surged up and down, piling ponderous ice cakes in mountainous heaps along the river banks.
temperaturenounUS /ˈtemprətʃər/
the degree of hotness or coldness of a body or environment (corresponding to its molecular activity)
From this reading Rarely the temperature rose above twenty-five degrees below zero, even at midday, and oftener it crept well down into the thirties.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The tide, still defying the shackles of the mighty power that had bound all the rest of the world, surged up and down, piling ponderous ice cakes in mountainous heaps along the river banks.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE SLEDGE JOURNEY BEGUN Tighter and tighter grew the grip of winter.
thenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Occasionally an Eskimo or two would suddenly appear out of the snow fields, remain for a day perhaps, and then as suddenly disappear into the bleak wastes whence he had come.
thirtiesnounUS /ˈθɜːrtiz/
the time of life between 30 and 40
From this reading Rarely the temperature rose above twenty-five degrees below zero, even at midday, and oftener it crept well down into the thirties.
tidenounUS /taɪd/
the periodic rise and fall of the sea level under the gravitational pull of the moon
From this reading The tide, still defying the shackles of the mighty power that had bound all the rest of the world, surged up and down, piling ponderous ice cakes in mountainous heaps along the river banks.
TighteradjectiveUS /ˈtaɪtər/
comparative of “tight” — closely constrained or constricted or constricting
From this reading THE SLEDGE JOURNEY BEGUN Tighter and tighter grew the grip of winter.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The air was filled with rime, which clung to everything, and the sun, only venturing now a little way above the southern horizon, shone cold and cheerless, weakly penetrating the ever-present frost veil.
twenty-fiveadjectiveUS /ˈtwentifaɪv/
being five more than twenty
From this reading Rarely the temperature rose above twenty-five degrees below zero, even at midday, and oftener it crept well down into the thirties.
twonounUS /tuː/
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Occasionally an Eskimo or two would suddenly appear out of the snow fields, remain for a day perhaps, and then as suddenly disappear into the bleak wastes whence he had come.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading The tide, still defying the shackles of the mighty power that had bound all the rest of the world, surged up and down, piling ponderous ice cakes in mountainous heaps along the river banks.
veilnounUS /veɪl/
a garment that covers the head and face
From this reading The air was filled with rime, which clung to everything, and the sun, only venturing now a little way above the southern horizon, shone cold and cheerless, weakly penetrating the ever-present frost veil.
venturingverbUS /ˈventʃərɪŋ/
-ing form of “venture” — proceed somewhere despite the risk of possible dangers
From this reading The air was filled with rime, which clung to everything, and the sun, only venturing now a little way above the southern horizon, shone cold and cheerless, weakly penetrating the ever-present frost veil.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The air was filled with rime, which clung to everything, and the sun, only venturing now a little way above the southern horizon, shone cold and cheerless, weakly penetrating the ever-present frost veil.
wastesnounUS /weɪsts/
plural of “waste” — any materials unused and rejected as worthless or unwanted
From this reading Occasionally an Eskimo or two would suddenly appear out of the snow fields, remain for a day perhaps, and then as suddenly disappear into the bleak wastes whence he had come.
waynounUS /weɪ/
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading The air was filled with rime, which clung to everything, and the sun, only venturing now a little way above the southern horizon, shone cold and cheerless, weakly penetrating the ever-present frost veil.
weaklyadverbUS /ˈwiːkli/
in a weak or feeble manner or to a minor degree
From this reading The air was filled with rime, which clung to everything, and the sun, only venturing now a little way above the southern horizon, shone cold and cheerless, weakly penetrating the ever-present frost veil.
welladverbUS /wel/
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading Rarely the temperature rose above twenty-five degrees below zero, even at midday, and oftener it crept well down into the thirties.
whenceadverbUS /wens/
an old word meaning “from where”
From this reading Occasionally an Eskimo or two would suddenly appear out of the snow fields, remain for a day perhaps, and then as suddenly disappear into the bleak wastes whence he had come.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The air was filled with rime, which clung to everything, and the sun, only venturing now a little way above the southern horizon, shone cold and cheerless, weakly penetrating the ever-present frost veil.
winternounUS /ˈwɪntər/
the coldest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the winter solstice to the vernal equinox
From this reading THE SLEDGE JOURNEY BEGUN Tighter and tighter grew the grip of winter.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading The air was filled with rime, which clung to everything, and the sun, only venturing now a little way above the southern horizon, shone cold and cheerless, weakly penetrating the ever-present frost veil.
worldnounUS /wɜːrld/
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading The tide, still defying the shackles of the mighty power that had bound all the rest of the world, surged up and down, piling ponderous ice cakes in mountainous heaps along the river banks.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Occasionally an Eskimo or two would suddenly appear out of the snow fields, remain for a day perhaps, and then as suddenly disappear into the bleak wastes whence he had come.
zeroadjectiveUS /ˈzɪroʊ/
indicating the absence of any or all units under consideration
From this reading Rarely the temperature rose above twenty-five degrees below zero, even at midday, and oftener it crept well down into the thirties.
