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1st
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From this reading JANUARY 1st to 5th.--More than three months had elapsed since we left Charleston in the “Chancellor,” and for no less than twenty days had we now been borne along on our raft at the mercy of the wind and waves.
5th
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From this reading JANUARY 1st to 5th.--More than three months had elapsed since we left Charleston in the “Chancellor,” and for no less than twenty days had we now been borne along on our raft at the mercy of the wind and waves.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Whether we were approaching the American coast, or whether we were drifting farther and farther to sea, it was now impossible to determine, for, in addition to the other disasters caused by the hurricane, the captain’s instruments had been hopelessly smashed, and Curtis had no longer any compass by which to direct his course, nor a sextant by which he might make an observation.
abandon
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From this reading Desperate, however, as our condition might be judged, hope did not entirely abandon our hearts, and day after day, hour after hour were our eyes strained towards the horizon, and many and many a time did our imagination shape out the distant land.
addition
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From this reading Whether we were approaching the American coast, or whether we were drifting farther and farther to sea, it was now impossible to determine, for, in addition to the other disasters caused by the hurricane, the captain’s instruments had been hopelessly smashed, and Curtis had no longer any compass by which to direct his course, nor a sextant by which he might make an observation.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading Desperate, however, as our condition might be judged, hope did not entirely abandon our hearts, and day after day, hour after hour were our eyes strained towards the horizon, and many and many a time did our imagination shape out the distant land.
againnounUS /again/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But ever and again the illusion vanished; a cloud, a mist, perhaps even a wave, was all that had deceived us; no land, no sail ever broke the grey line that united sea and sky, and our raft remained the centre of the wide and dreary waste.
all
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From this reading But ever and again the illusion vanished; a cloud, a mist, perhaps even a wave, was all that had deceived us; no land, no sail ever broke the grey line that united sea and sky, and our raft remained the centre of the wide and dreary waste.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading JANUARY 1st to 5th.--More than three months had elapsed since we left Charleston in the “Chancellor,” and for no less than twenty days had we now been borne along on our raft at the mercy of the wind and waves.
American
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From this reading Whether we were approaching the American coast, or whether we were drifting farther and farther to sea, it was now impossible to determine, for, in addition to the other disasters caused by the hurricane, the captain’s instruments had been hopelessly smashed, and Curtis had no longer any compass by which to direct his course, nor a sextant by which he might make an observation.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Whether we were approaching the American coast, or whether we were drifting farther and farther to sea, it was now impossible to determine, for, in addition to the other disasters caused by the hurricane, the captain’s instruments had been hopelessly smashed, and Curtis had no longer any compass by which to direct his course, nor a sextant by which he might make an observation.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading JANUARY 1st to 5th.--More than three months had elapsed since we left Charleston in the “Chancellor,” and for no less than twenty days had we now been borne along on our raft at the mercy of the wind and waves.
any
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From this reading Whether we were approaching the American coast, or whether we were drifting farther and farther to sea, it was now impossible to determine, for, in addition to the other disasters caused by the hurricane, the captain’s instruments had been hopelessly smashed, and Curtis had no longer any compass by which to direct his course, nor a sextant by which he might make an observation.
approaching
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether we were approaching the American coast, or whether we were drifting farther and farther to sea, it was now impossible to determine, for, in addition to the other disasters caused by the hurricane, the captain’s instruments had been hopelessly smashed, and Curtis had no longer any compass by which to direct his course, nor a sextant by which he might make an observation.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Desperate, however, as our condition might be judged, hope did not entirely abandon our hearts, and day after day, hour after hour were our eyes strained towards the horizon, and many and many a time did our imagination shape out the distant land.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading JANUARY 1st to 5th.--More than three months had elapsed since we left Charleston in the “Chancellor,” and for no less than twenty days had we now been borne along on our raft at the mercy of the wind and waves.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Desperate, however, as our condition might be judged, hope did not entirely abandon our hearts, and day after day, hour after hour were our eyes strained towards the horizon, and many and many a time did our imagination shape out the distant land.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading JANUARY 1st to 5th.--More than three months had elapsed since we left Charleston in the “Chancellor,” and for no less than twenty days had we now been borne along on our raft at the mercy of the wind and waves.
biscuit
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From this reading On the 1st of January we swallowed our last morsel of biscuit.
borne
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From this reading JANUARY 1st to 5th.--More than three months had elapsed since we left Charleston in the “Chancellor,” and for no less than twenty days had we now been borne along on our raft at the mercy of the wind and waves.
broke
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From this reading But ever and again the illusion vanished; a cloud, a mist, perhaps even a wave, was all that had deceived us; no land, no sail ever broke the grey line that united sea and sky, and our raft remained the centre of the wide and dreary waste.
ButconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading But ever and again the illusion vanished; a cloud, a mist, perhaps even a wave, was all that had deceived us; no land, no sail ever broke the grey line that united sea and sky, and our raft remained the centre of the wide and dreary waste.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Whether we were approaching the American coast, or whether we were drifting farther and farther to sea, it was now impossible to determine, for, in addition to the other disasters caused by the hurricane, the captain’s instruments had been hopelessly smashed, and Curtis had no longer any compass by which to direct his course, nor a sextant by which he might make an observation.
captain's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether we were approaching the American coast, or whether we were drifting farther and farther to sea, it was now impossible to determine, for, in addition to the other disasters caused by the hurricane, the captain’s instruments had been hopelessly smashed, and Curtis had no longer any compass by which to direct his course, nor a sextant by which he might make an observation.
caused
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From this reading Whether we were approaching the American coast, or whether we were drifting farther and farther to sea, it was now impossible to determine, for, in addition to the other disasters caused by the hurricane, the captain’s instruments had been hopelessly smashed, and Curtis had no longer any compass by which to direct his course, nor a sextant by which he might make an observation.
centre
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From this reading But ever and again the illusion vanished; a cloud, a mist, perhaps even a wave, was all that had deceived us; no land, no sail ever broke the grey line that united sea and sky, and our raft remained the centre of the wide and dreary waste.
Chancellor
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JANUARY 1st to 5th.--More than three months had elapsed since we left Charleston in the “Chancellor,” and for no less than twenty days had we now been borne along on our raft at the mercy of the wind and waves.
Charleston
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JANUARY 1st to 5th.--More than three months had elapsed since we left Charleston in the “Chancellor,” and for no less than twenty days had we now been borne along on our raft at the mercy of the wind and waves.
cloud
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But ever and again the illusion vanished; a cloud, a mist, perhaps even a wave, was all that had deceived us; no land, no sail ever broke the grey line that united sea and sky, and our raft remained the centre of the wide and dreary waste.
coast
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether we were approaching the American coast, or whether we were drifting farther and farther to sea, it was now impossible to determine, for, in addition to the other disasters caused by the hurricane, the captain’s instruments had been hopelessly smashed, and Curtis had no longer any compass by which to direct his course, nor a sextant by which he might make an observation.
compass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether we were approaching the American coast, or whether we were drifting farther and farther to sea, it was now impossible to determine, for, in addition to the other disasters caused by the hurricane, the captain’s instruments had been hopelessly smashed, and Curtis had no longer any compass by which to direct his course, nor a sextant by which he might make an observation.
condition
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From this reading Desperate, however, as our condition might be judged, hope did not entirely abandon our hearts, and day after day, hour after hour were our eyes strained towards the horizon, and many and many a time did our imagination shape out the distant land.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Whether we were approaching the American coast, or whether we were drifting farther and farther to sea, it was now impossible to determine, for, in addition to the other disasters caused by the hurricane, the captain’s instruments had been hopelessly smashed, and Curtis had no longer any compass by which to direct his course, nor a sextant by which he might make an observation.
Curtis
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From this reading Whether we were approaching the American coast, or whether we were drifting farther and farther to sea, it was now impossible to determine, for, in addition to the other disasters caused by the hurricane, the captain’s instruments had been hopelessly smashed, and Curtis had no longer any compass by which to direct his course, nor a sextant by which he might make an observation.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Desperate, however, as our condition might be judged, hope did not entirely abandon our hearts, and day after day, hour after hour were our eyes strained towards the horizon, and many and many a time did our imagination shape out the distant land.
days
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JANUARY 1st to 5th.--More than three months had elapsed since we left Charleston in the “Chancellor,” and for no less than twenty days had we now been borne along on our raft at the mercy of the wind and waves.
deceived
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But ever and again the illusion vanished; a cloud, a mist, perhaps even a wave, was all that had deceived us; no land, no sail ever broke the grey line that united sea and sky, and our raft remained the centre of the wide and dreary waste.
Desperate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Desperate, however, as our condition might be judged, hope did not entirely abandon our hearts, and day after day, hour after hour were our eyes strained towards the horizon, and many and many a time did our imagination shape out the distant land.
determine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether we were approaching the American coast, or whether we were drifting farther and farther to sea, it was now impossible to determine, for, in addition to the other disasters caused by the hurricane, the captain’s instruments had been hopelessly smashed, and Curtis had no longer any compass by which to direct his course, nor a sextant by which he might make an observation.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading Desperate, however, as our condition might be judged, hope did not entirely abandon our hearts, and day after day, hour after hour were our eyes strained towards the horizon, and many and many a time did our imagination shape out the distant land.
direct
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether we were approaching the American coast, or whether we were drifting farther and farther to sea, it was now impossible to determine, for, in addition to the other disasters caused by the hurricane, the captain’s instruments had been hopelessly smashed, and Curtis had no longer any compass by which to direct his course, nor a sextant by which he might make an observation.
disasters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether we were approaching the American coast, or whether we were drifting farther and farther to sea, it was now impossible to determine, for, in addition to the other disasters caused by the hurricane, the captain’s instruments had been hopelessly smashed, and Curtis had no longer any compass by which to direct his course, nor a sextant by which he might make an observation.
distantadjectiveUS /ˈdɪstənt/
not friendly or close
From this reading Desperate, however, as our condition might be judged, hope did not entirely abandon our hearts, and day after day, hour after hour were our eyes strained towards the horizon, and many and many a time did our imagination shape out the distant land.
dreary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But ever and again the illusion vanished; a cloud, a mist, perhaps even a wave, was all that had deceived us; no land, no sail ever broke the grey line that united sea and sky, and our raft remained the centre of the wide and dreary waste.
drifting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether we were approaching the American coast, or whether we were drifting farther and farther to sea, it was now impossible to determine, for, in addition to the other disasters caused by the hurricane, the captain’s instruments had been hopelessly smashed, and Curtis had no longer any compass by which to direct his course, nor a sextant by which he might make an observation.
elapsed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JANUARY 1st to 5th.--More than three months had elapsed since we left Charleston in the “Chancellor,” and for no less than twenty days had we now been borne along on our raft at the mercy of the wind and waves.
entirelynounUS /ˈentirely/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Desperate, however, as our condition might be judged, hope did not entirely abandon our hearts, and day after day, hour after hour were our eyes strained towards the horizon, and many and many a time did our imagination shape out the distant land.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But ever and again the illusion vanished; a cloud, a mist, perhaps even a wave, was all that had deceived us; no land, no sail ever broke the grey line that united sea and sky, and our raft remained the centre of the wide and dreary waste.
evernounUS /ever/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But ever and again the illusion vanished; a cloud, a mist, perhaps even a wave, was all that had deceived us; no land, no sail ever broke the grey line that united sea and sky, and our raft remained the centre of the wide and dreary waste.
eyes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Desperate, however, as our condition might be judged, hope did not entirely abandon our hearts, and day after day, hour after hour were our eyes strained towards the horizon, and many and many a time did our imagination shape out the distant land.
farther
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether we were approaching the American coast, or whether we were drifting farther and farther to sea, it was now impossible to determine, for, in addition to the other disasters caused by the hurricane, the captain’s instruments had been hopelessly smashed, and Curtis had no longer any compass by which to direct his course, nor a sextant by which he might make an observation.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading JANUARY 1st to 5th.--More than three months had elapsed since we left Charleston in the “Chancellor,” and for no less than twenty days had we now been borne along on our raft at the mercy of the wind and waves.
grey
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But ever and again the illusion vanished; a cloud, a mist, perhaps even a wave, was all that had deceived us; no land, no sail ever broke the grey line that united sea and sky, and our raft remained the centre of the wide and dreary waste.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading JANUARY 1st to 5th.--More than three months had elapsed since we left Charleston in the “Chancellor,” and for no less than twenty days had we now been borne along on our raft at the mercy of the wind and waves.
hepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Whether we were approaching the American coast, or whether we were drifting farther and farther to sea, it was now impossible to determine, for, in addition to the other disasters caused by the hurricane, the captain’s instruments had been hopelessly smashed, and Curtis had no longer any compass by which to direct his course, nor a sextant by which he might make an observation.
hearts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Desperate, however, as our condition might be judged, hope did not entirely abandon our hearts, and day after day, hour after hour were our eyes strained towards the horizon, and many and many a time did our imagination shape out the distant land.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Whether we were approaching the American coast, or whether we were drifting farther and farther to sea, it was now impossible to determine, for, in addition to the other disasters caused by the hurricane, the captain’s instruments had been hopelessly smashed, and Curtis had no longer any compass by which to direct his course, nor a sextant by which he might make an observation.
hope
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Desperate, however, as our condition might be judged, hope did not entirely abandon our hearts, and day after day, hour after hour were our eyes strained towards the horizon, and many and many a time did our imagination shape out the distant land.
hopelessly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether we were approaching the American coast, or whether we were drifting farther and farther to sea, it was now impossible to determine, for, in addition to the other disasters caused by the hurricane, the captain’s instruments had been hopelessly smashed, and Curtis had no longer any compass by which to direct his course, nor a sextant by which he might make an observation.
horizon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Desperate, however, as our condition might be judged, hope did not entirely abandon our hearts, and day after day, hour after hour were our eyes strained towards the horizon, and many and many a time did our imagination shape out the distant land.
hour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Desperate, however, as our condition might be judged, hope did not entirely abandon our hearts, and day after day, hour after hour were our eyes strained towards the horizon, and many and many a time did our imagination shape out the distant land.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading Desperate, however, as our condition might be judged, hope did not entirely abandon our hearts, and day after day, hour after hour were our eyes strained towards the horizon, and many and many a time did our imagination shape out the distant land.
hurricane
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether we were approaching the American coast, or whether we were drifting farther and farther to sea, it was now impossible to determine, for, in addition to the other disasters caused by the hurricane, the captain’s instruments had been hopelessly smashed, and Curtis had no longer any compass by which to direct his course, nor a sextant by which he might make an observation.
illusion
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But ever and again the illusion vanished; a cloud, a mist, perhaps even a wave, was all that had deceived us; no land, no sail ever broke the grey line that united sea and sky, and our raft remained the centre of the wide and dreary waste.
imagination
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Desperate, however, as our condition might be judged, hope did not entirely abandon our hearts, and day after day, hour after hour were our eyes strained towards the horizon, and many and many a time did our imagination shape out the distant land.
impossible
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether we were approaching the American coast, or whether we were drifting farther and farther to sea, it was now impossible to determine, for, in addition to the other disasters caused by the hurricane, the captain’s instruments had been hopelessly smashed, and Curtis had no longer any compass by which to direct his course, nor a sextant by which he might make an observation.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading JANUARY 1st to 5th.--More than three months had elapsed since we left Charleston in the “Chancellor,” and for no less than twenty days had we now been borne along on our raft at the mercy of the wind and waves.
instruments
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether we were approaching the American coast, or whether we were drifting farther and farther to sea, it was now impossible to determine, for, in addition to the other disasters caused by the hurricane, the captain’s instruments had been hopelessly smashed, and Curtis had no longer any compass by which to direct his course, nor a sextant by which he might make an observation.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Whether we were approaching the American coast, or whether we were drifting farther and farther to sea, it was now impossible to determine, for, in addition to the other disasters caused by the hurricane, the captain’s instruments had been hopelessly smashed, and Curtis had no longer any compass by which to direct his course, nor a sextant by which he might make an observation.
JANUARY
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JANUARY 1st to 5th.--More than three months had elapsed since we left Charleston in the “Chancellor,” and for no less than twenty days had we now been borne along on our raft at the mercy of the wind and waves.
judged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Desperate, however, as our condition might be judged, hope did not entirely abandon our hearts, and day after day, hour after hour were our eyes strained towards the horizon, and many and many a time did our imagination shape out the distant land.
land
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Desperate, however, as our condition might be judged, hope did not entirely abandon our hearts, and day after day, hour after hour were our eyes strained towards the horizon, and many and many a time did our imagination shape out the distant land.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading On the 1st of January we swallowed our last morsel of biscuit.
leftnounUS /left/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading JANUARY 1st to 5th.--More than three months had elapsed since we left Charleston in the “Chancellor,” and for no less than twenty days had we now been borne along on our raft at the mercy of the wind and waves.
less
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JANUARY 1st to 5th.--More than three months had elapsed since we left Charleston in the “Chancellor,” and for no less than twenty days had we now been borne along on our raft at the mercy of the wind and waves.
line
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But ever and again the illusion vanished; a cloud, a mist, perhaps even a wave, was all that had deceived us; no land, no sail ever broke the grey line that united sea and sky, and our raft remained the centre of the wide and dreary waste.
longer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether we were approaching the American coast, or whether we were drifting farther and farther to sea, it was now impossible to determine, for, in addition to the other disasters caused by the hurricane, the captain’s instruments had been hopelessly smashed, and Curtis had no longer any compass by which to direct his course, nor a sextant by which he might make an observation.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Whether we were approaching the American coast, or whether we were drifting farther and farther to sea, it was now impossible to determine, for, in addition to the other disasters caused by the hurricane, the captain’s instruments had been hopelessly smashed, and Curtis had no longer any compass by which to direct his course, nor a sextant by which he might make an observation.
many
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Desperate, however, as our condition might be judged, hope did not entirely abandon our hearts, and day after day, hour after hour were our eyes strained towards the horizon, and many and many a time did our imagination shape out the distant land.
mercy
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JANUARY 1st to 5th.--More than three months had elapsed since we left Charleston in the “Chancellor,” and for no less than twenty days had we now been borne along on our raft at the mercy of the wind and waves.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Whether we were approaching the American coast, or whether we were drifting farther and farther to sea, it was now impossible to determine, for, in addition to the other disasters caused by the hurricane, the captain’s instruments had been hopelessly smashed, and Curtis had no longer any compass by which to direct his course, nor a sextant by which he might make an observation.
mist
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But ever and again the illusion vanished; a cloud, a mist, perhaps even a wave, was all that had deceived us; no land, no sail ever broke the grey line that united sea and sky, and our raft remained the centre of the wide and dreary waste.
months
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JANUARY 1st to 5th.--More than three months had elapsed since we left Charleston in the “Chancellor,” and for no less than twenty days had we now been borne along on our raft at the mercy of the wind and waves.
More
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JANUARY 1st to 5th.--More than three months had elapsed since we left Charleston in the “Chancellor,” and for no less than twenty days had we now been borne along on our raft at the mercy of the wind and waves.
morsel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the 1st of January we swallowed our last morsel of biscuit.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading JANUARY 1st to 5th.--More than three months had elapsed since we left Charleston in the “Chancellor,” and for no less than twenty days had we now been borne along on our raft at the mercy of the wind and waves.
norconjunctionUS /nɔːr/
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading Whether we were approaching the American coast, or whether we were drifting farther and farther to sea, it was now impossible to determine, for, in addition to the other disasters caused by the hurricane, the captain’s instruments had been hopelessly smashed, and Curtis had no longer any compass by which to direct his course, nor a sextant by which he might make an observation.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Desperate, however, as our condition might be judged, hope did not entirely abandon our hearts, and day after day, hour after hour were our eyes strained towards the horizon, and many and many a time did our imagination shape out the distant land.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JANUARY 1st to 5th.--More than three months had elapsed since we left Charleston in the “Chancellor,” and for no less than twenty days had we now been borne along on our raft at the mercy of the wind and waves.
observationnounUS /ˈobservation/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Whether we were approaching the American coast, or whether we were drifting farther and farther to sea, it was now impossible to determine, for, in addition to the other disasters caused by the hurricane, the captain’s instruments had been hopelessly smashed, and Curtis had no longer any compass by which to direct his course, nor a sextant by which he might make an observation.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading JANUARY 1st to 5th.--More than three months had elapsed since we left Charleston in the “Chancellor,” and for no less than twenty days had we now been borne along on our raft at the mercy of the wind and waves.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading JANUARY 1st to 5th.--More than three months had elapsed since we left Charleston in the “Chancellor,” and for no less than twenty days had we now been borne along on our raft at the mercy of the wind and waves.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Whether we were approaching the American coast, or whether we were drifting farther and farther to sea, it was now impossible to determine, for, in addition to the other disasters caused by the hurricane, the captain’s instruments had been hopelessly smashed, and Curtis had no longer any compass by which to direct his course, nor a sextant by which he might make an observation.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether we were approaching the American coast, or whether we were drifting farther and farther to sea, it was now impossible to determine, for, in addition to the other disasters caused by the hurricane, the captain’s instruments had been hopelessly smashed, and Curtis had no longer any compass by which to direct his course, nor a sextant by which he might make an observation.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading JANUARY 1st to 5th.--More than three months had elapsed since we left Charleston in the “Chancellor,” and for no less than twenty days had we now been borne along on our raft at the mercy of the wind and waves.
out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Desperate, however, as our condition might be judged, hope did not entirely abandon our hearts, and day after day, hour after hour were our eyes strained towards the horizon, and many and many a time did our imagination shape out the distant land.
perhaps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But ever and again the illusion vanished; a cloud, a mist, perhaps even a wave, was all that had deceived us; no land, no sail ever broke the grey line that united sea and sky, and our raft remained the centre of the wide and dreary waste.
raft
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JANUARY 1st to 5th.--More than three months had elapsed since we left Charleston in the “Chancellor,” and for no less than twenty days had we now been borne along on our raft at the mercy of the wind and waves.
remainednounUS /ˈremained/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading But ever and again the illusion vanished; a cloud, a mist, perhaps even a wave, was all that had deceived us; no land, no sail ever broke the grey line that united sea and sky, and our raft remained the centre of the wide and dreary waste.
sailnounUS /sail/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But ever and again the illusion vanished; a cloud, a mist, perhaps even a wave, was all that had deceived us; no land, no sail ever broke the grey line that united sea and sky, and our raft remained the centre of the wide and dreary waste.
sea
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether we were approaching the American coast, or whether we were drifting farther and farther to sea, it was now impossible to determine, for, in addition to the other disasters caused by the hurricane, the captain’s instruments had been hopelessly smashed, and Curtis had no longer any compass by which to direct his course, nor a sextant by which he might make an observation.
sextant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether we were approaching the American coast, or whether we were drifting farther and farther to sea, it was now impossible to determine, for, in addition to the other disasters caused by the hurricane, the captain’s instruments had been hopelessly smashed, and Curtis had no longer any compass by which to direct his course, nor a sextant by which he might make an observation.
shape
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Desperate, however, as our condition might be judged, hope did not entirely abandon our hearts, and day after day, hour after hour were our eyes strained towards the horizon, and many and many a time did our imagination shape out the distant land.
sinceprepositionUS /sɪns/
from a time in the past until now
From this reading JANUARY 1st to 5th.--More than three months had elapsed since we left Charleston in the “Chancellor,” and for no less than twenty days had we now been borne along on our raft at the mercy of the wind and waves.
sky
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But ever and again the illusion vanished; a cloud, a mist, perhaps even a wave, was all that had deceived us; no land, no sail ever broke the grey line that united sea and sky, and our raft remained the centre of the wide and dreary waste.
smashed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Whether we were approaching the American coast, or whether we were drifting farther and farther to sea, it was now impossible to determine, for, in addition to the other disasters caused by the hurricane, the captain’s instruments had been hopelessly smashed, and Curtis had no longer any compass by which to direct his course, nor a sextant by which he might make an observation.
strained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Desperate, however, as our condition might be judged, hope did not entirely abandon our hearts, and day after day, hour after hour were our eyes strained towards the horizon, and many and many a time did our imagination shape out the distant land.
swallowed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On the 1st of January we swallowed our last morsel of biscuit.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading JANUARY 1st to 5th.--More than three months had elapsed since we left Charleston in the “Chancellor,” and for no less than twenty days had we now been borne along on our raft at the mercy of the wind and waves.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading But ever and again the illusion vanished; a cloud, a mist, perhaps even a wave, was all that had deceived us; no land, no sail ever broke the grey line that united sea and sky, and our raft remained the centre of the wide and dreary waste.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading JANUARY 1st to 5th.--More than three months had elapsed since we left Charleston in the “Chancellor,” and for no less than twenty days had we now been borne along on our raft at the mercy of the wind and waves.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JANUARY 1st to 5th.--More than three months had elapsed since we left Charleston in the “Chancellor,” and for no less than twenty days had we now been borne along on our raft at the mercy of the wind and waves.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Desperate, however, as our condition might be judged, hope did not entirely abandon our hearts, and day after day, hour after hour were our eyes strained towards the horizon, and many and many a time did our imagination shape out the distant land.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading JANUARY 1st to 5th.--More than three months had elapsed since we left Charleston in the “Chancellor,” and for no less than twenty days had we now been borne along on our raft at the mercy of the wind and waves.
towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/
in the direction of
From this reading Desperate, however, as our condition might be judged, hope did not entirely abandon our hearts, and day after day, hour after hour were our eyes strained towards the horizon, and many and many a time did our imagination shape out the distant land.
twenty
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JANUARY 1st to 5th.--More than three months had elapsed since we left Charleston in the “Chancellor,” and for no less than twenty days had we now been borne along on our raft at the mercy of the wind and waves.
united
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But ever and again the illusion vanished; a cloud, a mist, perhaps even a wave, was all that had deceived us; no land, no sail ever broke the grey line that united sea and sky, and our raft remained the centre of the wide and dreary waste.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading But ever and again the illusion vanished; a cloud, a mist, perhaps even a wave, was all that had deceived us; no land, no sail ever broke the grey line that united sea and sky, and our raft remained the centre of the wide and dreary waste.
vanished
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But ever and again the illusion vanished; a cloud, a mist, perhaps even a wave, was all that had deceived us; no land, no sail ever broke the grey line that united sea and sky, and our raft remained the centre of the wide and dreary waste.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Whether we were approaching the American coast, or whether we were drifting farther and farther to sea, it was now impossible to determine, for, in addition to the other disasters caused by the hurricane, the captain’s instruments had been hopelessly smashed, and Curtis had no longer any compass by which to direct his course, nor a sextant by which he might make an observation.
wastenounUS /weɪst/
an empty, uncultivated area of land
From this reading But ever and again the illusion vanished; a cloud, a mist, perhaps even a wave, was all that had deceived us; no land, no sail ever broke the grey line that united sea and sky, and our raft remained the centre of the wide and dreary waste.
wave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But ever and again the illusion vanished; a cloud, a mist, perhaps even a wave, was all that had deceived us; no land, no sail ever broke the grey line that united sea and sky, and our raft remained the centre of the wide and dreary waste.
waves
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JANUARY 1st to 5th.--More than three months had elapsed since we left Charleston in the “Chancellor,” and for no less than twenty days had we now been borne along on our raft at the mercy of the wind and waves.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading JANUARY 1st to 5th.--More than three months had elapsed since we left Charleston in the “Chancellor,” and for no less than twenty days had we now been borne along on our raft at the mercy of the wind and waves.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Whether we were approaching the American coast, or whether we were drifting farther and farther to sea, it was now impossible to determine, for, in addition to the other disasters caused by the hurricane, the captain’s instruments had been hopelessly smashed, and Curtis had no longer any compass by which to direct his course, nor a sextant by which he might make an observation.
WhetherconjunctionUS /ˈweðər/
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading Whether we were approaching the American coast, or whether we were drifting farther and farther to sea, it was now impossible to determine, for, in addition to the other disasters caused by the hurricane, the captain’s instruments had been hopelessly smashed, and Curtis had no longer any compass by which to direct his course, nor a sextant by which he might make an observation.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Whether we were approaching the American coast, or whether we were drifting farther and farther to sea, it was now impossible to determine, for, in addition to the other disasters caused by the hurricane, the captain’s instruments had been hopelessly smashed, and Curtis had no longer any compass by which to direct his course, nor a sextant by which he might make an observation.
wide
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But ever and again the illusion vanished; a cloud, a mist, perhaps even a wave, was all that had deceived us; no land, no sail ever broke the grey line that united sea and sky, and our raft remained the centre of the wide and dreary waste.
windnounUS /wind/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading JANUARY 1st to 5th.--More than three months had elapsed since we left Charleston in the “Chancellor,” and for no less than twenty days had we now been borne along on our raft at the mercy of the wind and waves.
