used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Moreover, we were traveling at a good clip, and the mean estimate of Bartlett, Marvin, and myself, based on our previous ice experience, was sufficient for dead reckoning.
altitudenounUS /ˈæltətuːd/
elevation especially above sea level or above the earth's surface
From this reading The altitude of the sun had been so low as to make observations unreliable.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Moreover, we were traveling at a good clip, and the mean estimate of Bartlett, Marvin, and myself, based on our previous ice experience, was sufficient for dead reckoning.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The altitude of the sun had been so low as to make observations unreliable.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Moreover, we were traveling at a good clip, and the mean estimate of Bartlett, Marvin, and myself, based on our previous ice experience, was sufficient for dead reckoning.
BartlettnounUS /ˈbɑːrtlɪt/
United States explorer who accompanied Peary's expedition to the North Pole and who led many other Arctic trips (1875-1946)
From this reading Moreover, we were traveling at a good clip, and the mean estimate of Bartlett, Marvin, and myself, based on our previous ice experience, was sufficient for dead reckoning.
basedadjectiveUS /beɪst/
having a base
From this reading Moreover, we were traveling at a good clip, and the mean estimate of Bartlett, Marvin, and myself, based on our previous ice experience, was sufficient for dead reckoning.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading GOOD-BY TO MARVIN Up to this time no observations had been taken.
make by combining materials and parts
From this reading So I had the Eskimos build a wind shelter of snow, in order that Marvin might take a meridian altitude for latitude.
make calm or still
From this reading Now, a clear, calm day, with the temperature not lower than minus forty, made a checking of our dead reckoning seem desirable.
checkingverbUS /ˈtʃekɪŋ/
-ing form of “check” — examine so as to determine accuracy, quality, or condition
From this reading Now, a clear, calm day, with the temperature not lower than minus forty, made a checking of our dead reckoning seem desirable.
rid of obstructions
From this reading Now, a clear, calm day, with the temperature not lower than minus forty, made a checking of our dead reckoning seem desirable.
clipnounUS /klɪp/
a metal frame or container holding cartridges; can be inserted into an automatic gun
From this reading Moreover, we were traveling at a good clip, and the mean estimate of Bartlett, Marvin, and myself, based on our previous ice experience, was sufficient for dead reckoning.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading Now, a clear, calm day, with the temperature not lower than minus forty, made a checking of our dead reckoning seem desirable.
no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
From this reading Moreover, we were traveling at a good clip, and the mean estimate of Bartlett, Marvin, and myself, based on our previous ice experience, was sufficient for dead reckoning.
desirableadjectiveUS /dɪˈzaɪrəbəl/
worth having or seeking or achieving
From this reading Now, a clear, calm day, with the temperature not lower than minus forty, made a checking of our dead reckoning seem desirable.
EskimosnounUS /ˈeskəmoʊz/
plural of “eskimo” — 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 So I had the Eskimos build a wind shelter of snow, in order that Marvin might take a meridian altitude for latitude.
estimatenounUS /ˈestəmət/
an approximate calculation of quantity or degree or worth
From this reading Moreover, we were traveling at a good clip, and the mean estimate of Bartlett, Marvin, and myself, based on our previous ice experience, was sufficient for dead reckoning.
undergo or live through a difficult experience
From this reading Moreover, we were traveling at a good clip, and the mean estimate of Bartlett, Marvin, and myself, based on our previous ice experience, was sufficient for dead reckoning.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Moreover, we were traveling at a good clip, and the mean estimate of Bartlett, Marvin, and myself, based on our previous ice experience, was sufficient for dead reckoning.
fortyadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrti/
being ten more than thirty
From this reading Now, a clear, calm day, with the temperature not lower than minus forty, made a checking of our dead reckoning seem desirable.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading Moreover, we were traveling at a good clip, and the mean estimate of Bartlett, Marvin, and myself, based on our previous ice experience, was sufficient for dead reckoning.
GOOD-BYnoun
a farewell remark
From this reading GOOD-BY TO MARVIN Up to this time no observations had been taken.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading GOOD-BY TO MARVIN Up to this time no observations had been taken.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading So I had the Eskimos build a wind shelter of snow, in order that Marvin might take a meridian altitude for latitude.
water frozen in the solid state
From this reading Moreover, we were traveling at a good clip, and the mean estimate of Bartlett, Marvin, and myself, based on our previous ice experience, was sufficient for dead reckoning.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading So I had the Eskimos build a wind shelter of snow, in order that Marvin might take a meridian altitude for latitude.
latitudenounUS /ˈlætətuːd/
the angular distance between an imaginary line around a heavenly body parallel to its equator and the equator itself
From this reading So I had the Eskimos build a wind shelter of snow, in order that Marvin might take a meridian altitude for latitude.
less than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading The altitude of the sun had been so low as to make observations unreliable.
move something or somebody to a lower position
From this reading Now, a clear, calm day, with the temperature not lower than minus forty, made a checking of our dead reckoning seem desirable.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading Now, a clear, calm day, with the temperature not lower than minus forty, made a checking of our dead reckoning seem desirable.
engage in
From this reading The altitude of the sun had been so low as to make observations unreliable.
MARVIN
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading GOOD-BY TO MARVIN Up to this time no observations had been taken.
mean or intend to express or convey
From this reading Moreover, we were traveling at a good clip, and the mean estimate of Bartlett, Marvin, and myself, based on our previous ice experience, was sufficient for dead reckoning.
meridiannounUS /mərˈɪdiən/
the highest level or degree attainable; the highest stage of development
From this reading So I had the Eskimos build a wind shelter of snow, in order that Marvin might take a meridian altitude for latitude.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading So I had the Eskimos build a wind shelter of snow, in order that Marvin might take a meridian altitude for latitude.
minusadjectiveUS /ˈmaɪnəs/
on the negative side or lower end of a scale
From this reading Now, a clear, calm day, with the temperature not lower than minus forty, made a checking of our dead reckoning seem desirable.
in addition to what has just been said
From this reading Moreover, we were traveling at a good clip, and the mean estimate of Bartlett, Marvin, and myself, based on our previous ice experience, was sufficient for dead reckoning.
used when the speaker is also the object of the action
From this reading Moreover, we were traveling at a good clip, and the mean estimate of Bartlett, Marvin, and myself, based on our previous ice experience, was sufficient for dead reckoning.
not any; not one
From this reading GOOD-BY TO MARVIN Up to this time no observations had been taken.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Now, a clear, calm day, with the temperature not lower than minus forty, made a checking of our dead reckoning seem desirable.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now, a clear, calm day, with the temperature not lower than minus forty, made a checking of our dead reckoning seem desirable.
observationsnounUS /ˌɑːbzərˈveɪʃənz/
plural of “observation” — the act of making and recording a measurement
From this reading GOOD-BY TO MARVIN Up to this time no observations had been taken.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The altitude of the sun had been so low as to make observations unreliable.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Moreover, we were traveling at a good clip, and the mean estimate of Bartlett, Marvin, and myself, based on our previous ice experience, was sufficient for dead reckoning.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading So I had the Eskimos build a wind shelter of snow, in order that Marvin might take a meridian altitude for latitude.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Moreover, we were traveling at a good clip, and the mean estimate of Bartlett, Marvin, and myself, based on our previous ice experience, was sufficient for dead reckoning.
just preceding something else in time or order
From this reading Moreover, we were traveling at a good clip, and the mean estimate of Bartlett, Marvin, and myself, based on our previous ice experience, was sufficient for dead reckoning.
reckoningnounUS /ˈrekənɪŋ/
problem solving that involves numbers or quantities
From this reading Moreover, we were traveling at a good clip, and the mean estimate of Bartlett, Marvin, and myself, based on our previous ice experience, was sufficient for dead reckoning.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Now, a clear, calm day, with the temperature not lower than minus forty, made a checking of our dead reckoning seem desirable.
a structure that provides privacy and protection from danger
From this reading So I had the Eskimos build a wind shelter of snow, in order that Marvin might take a meridian altitude for latitude.
precipitation falling from clouds in the form of ice crystals
From this reading So I had the Eskimos build a wind shelter of snow, in order that Marvin might take a meridian altitude for latitude.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The altitude of the sun had been so low as to make observations unreliable.
of a quantity that can fulfill a need or requirement but without being abundant
From this reading Moreover, we were traveling at a good clip, and the mean estimate of Bartlett, Marvin, and myself, based on our previous ice experience, was sufficient for dead reckoning.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading The altitude of the sun had been so low as to make observations unreliable.
carry out
From this reading So I had the Eskimos build a wind shelter of snow, in order that Marvin might take a meridian altitude for latitude.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading GOOD-BY TO MARVIN Up to this time no observations had been taken.
temperaturenounUS /ˈtemprətʃər/
the degree of hotness or coldness of a body or environment (corresponding to its molecular activity)
From this reading Now, a clear, calm day, with the temperature not lower than minus forty, made a checking of our dead reckoning seem desirable.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading Now, a clear, calm day, with the temperature not lower than minus forty, made a checking of our dead reckoning seem desirable.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading So I had the Eskimos build a wind shelter of snow, in order that Marvin might take a meridian altitude for latitude.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The altitude of the sun had been so low as to make observations unreliable.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading GOOD-BY TO MARVIN Up to this time no observations had been taken.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading GOOD-BY TO MARVIN Up to this time no observations had been taken.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading GOOD-BY TO MARVIN Up to this time no observations had been taken.
travelingnounUS /ˈtrævəlɪŋ/
the act of going from one place to another
From this reading Moreover, we were traveling at a good clip, and the mean estimate of Bartlett, Marvin, and myself, based on our previous ice experience, was sufficient for dead reckoning.
unreliableadjectiveUS /ˌʌnrɪˈlaɪəbəl/
liable to be erroneous or misleading
From this reading The altitude of the sun had been so low as to make observations unreliable.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading GOOD-BY TO MARVIN Up to this time no observations had been taken.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Moreover, we were traveling at a good clip, and the mean estimate of Bartlett, Marvin, and myself, based on our previous ice experience, was sufficient for dead reckoning.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading Moreover, we were traveling at a good clip, and the mean estimate of Bartlett, Marvin, and myself, based on our previous ice experience, was sufficient for dead reckoning.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Moreover, we were traveling at a good clip, and the mean estimate of Bartlett, Marvin, and myself, based on our previous ice experience, was sufficient for dead reckoning.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading So I had the Eskimos build a wind shelter of snow, in order that Marvin might take a meridian altitude for latitude.
in the company of; together with
From this reading Now, a clear, calm day, with the temperature not lower than minus forty, made a checking of our dead reckoning seem desirable.
