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Chapter X
A STARTLING DISCOVERY. It may seem strange that they were able to sleep in the perilous situation they were in; but they were men who were used to holding their lives in their hands. They say that Napoleon could take a nap, during a lull in battle, while he was waiting for his reserves to be brought up. The men were cold and damp, of course, but it was impossible for them to light a fire, even had they dared to take such a risk. But the darkness was their principal shield.
Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading “They say that Napoleon could take a nap, during a lull in battle, while he was waiting for his reserves to be brought up.”
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading “They say that Napoleon could take a nap, during a lull in battle, while he was waiting for his reserves to be brought up.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “The men were cold and damp, of course, but it was impossible for them to light a fire, even had they dared to take such a risk.”
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading “They say that Napoleon could take a nap, during a lull in battle, while he was waiting for his reserves to be brought up.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “The men were cold and damp, of course, but it was impossible for them to light a fire, even had they dared to take such a risk.”
members of a ship’s crew
From this reading “It may seem strange that they were able to sleep in the perilous situation they were in; but they were men who were used to holding their lives in their hands.”
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading “It may seem strange that they were able to sleep in the perilous situation they were in; but they were men who were used to holding their lives in their hands.”
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading “They say that Napoleon could take a nap, during a lull in battle, while he was waiting for his reserves to be brought up.”
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading “They say that Napoleon could take a nap, during a lull in battle, while he was waiting for his reserves to be brought up.”
during the time that
From this reading “They say that Napoleon could take a nap, during a lull in battle, while he was waiting for his reserves to be brought up.”
Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A STARTLING DISCOVERY.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may seem strange that they were able to sleep in the perilous situation they were in; but they were men who were used to holding their lives in their hands.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The men were cold and damp, of course, but it was impossible for them to light a fire, even had they dared to take such a risk.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They say that Napoleon could take a nap, during a lull in battle, while he was waiting for his reserves to be brought up.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading They say that Napoleon could take a nap, during a lull in battle, while he was waiting for his reserves to be brought up.
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading They say that Napoleon could take a nap, during a lull in battle, while he was waiting for his reserves to be brought up.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It may seem strange that they were able to sleep in the perilous situation they were in; but they were men who were used to holding their lives in their hands.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The men were cold and damp, of course, but it was impossible for them to light a fire, even had they dared to take such a risk.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading They say that Napoleon could take a nap, during a lull in battle, while he was waiting for his reserves to be brought up.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The men were cold and damp, of course, but it was impossible for them to light a fire, even had they dared to take such a risk.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The men were cold and damp, of course, but it was impossible for them to light a fire, even had they dared to take such a risk.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The men were cold and damp, of course, but it was impossible for them to light a fire, even had they dared to take such a risk.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the darkness was their principal shield.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A STARTLING DISCOVERY.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading They say that Napoleon could take a nap, during a lull in battle, while he was waiting for his reserves to be brought up.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The men were cold and damp, of course, but it was impossible for them to light a fire, even had they dared to take such a risk.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The men were cold and damp, of course, but it was impossible for them to light a fire, even had they dared to take such a risk.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading They say that Napoleon could take a nap, during a lull in battle, while he was waiting for his reserves to be brought up.
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The men were cold and damp, of course, but it was impossible for them to light a fire, even had they dared to take such a risk.
members of a ship’s crew
From this reading It may seem strange that they were able to sleep in the perilous situation they were in; but they were men who were used to holding their lives in their hands.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They say that Napoleon could take a nap, during a lull in battle, while he was waiting for his reserves to be brought up.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading They say that Napoleon could take a nap, during a lull in battle, while he was waiting for his reserves to be brought up.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may seem strange that they were able to sleep in the perilous situation they were in; but they were men who were used to holding their lives in their hands.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The men were cold and damp, of course, but it was impossible for them to light a fire, even had they dared to take such a risk.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It may seem strange that they were able to sleep in the perilous situation they were in; but they were men who were used to holding their lives in their hands.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It may seem strange that they were able to sleep in the perilous situation they were in; but they were men who were used to holding their lives in their hands.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The men were cold and damp, of course, but it was impossible for them to light a fire, even had they dared to take such a risk.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may seem strange that they were able to sleep in the perilous situation they were in; but they were men who were used to holding their lives in their hands.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They say that Napoleon could take a nap, during a lull in battle, while he was waiting for his reserves to be brought up.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading It may seem strange that they were able to sleep in the perilous situation they were in; but they were men who were used to holding their lives in their hands.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may seem strange that they were able to sleep in the perilous situation they were in; but they were men who were used to holding their lives in their hands.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They say that Napoleon could take a nap, during a lull in battle, while he was waiting for his reserves to be brought up.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They say that Napoleon could take a nap, during a lull in battle, while he was waiting for his reserves to be brought up.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The men were cold and damp, of course, but it was impossible for them to light a fire, even had they dared to take such a risk.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may seem strange that they were able to sleep in the perilous situation they were in; but they were men who were used to holding their lives in their hands.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the darkness was their principal shield.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They say that Napoleon could take a nap, during a lull in battle, while he was waiting for his reserves to be brought up.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The men were cold and damp, of course, but it was impossible for them to light a fire, even had they dared to take such a risk.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They say that Napoleon could take a nap, during a lull in battle, while he was waiting for his reserves to be brought up.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may seem strange that they were able to sleep in the perilous situation they were in; but they were men who were used to holding their lives in their hands.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the darkness was their principal shield.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may seem strange that they were able to sleep in the perilous situation they were in; but they were men who were used to holding their lives in their hands.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may seem strange that they were able to sleep in the perilous situation they were in; but they were men who were used to holding their lives in their hands.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A STARTLING DISCOVERY.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may seem strange that they were able to sleep in the perilous situation they were in; but they were men who were used to holding their lives in their hands.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading The men were cold and damp, of course, but it was impossible for them to light a fire, even had they dared to take such a risk.
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading They say that Napoleon could take a nap, during a lull in battle, while he was waiting for his reserves to be brought up.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It may seem strange that they were able to sleep in the perilous situation they were in; but they were men who were used to holding their lives in their hands.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading It may seem strange that they were able to sleep in the perilous situation they were in; but they were men who were used to holding their lives in their hands.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading It may seem strange that they were able to sleep in the perilous situation they were in; but they were men who were used to holding their lives in their hands.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The men were cold and damp, of course, but it was impossible for them to light a fire, even had they dared to take such a risk.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It may seem strange that they were able to sleep in the perilous situation they were in; but they were men who were used to holding their lives in their hands.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It may seem strange that they were able to sleep in the perilous situation they were in; but they were men who were used to holding their lives in their hands.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They say that Napoleon could take a nap, during a lull in battle, while he was waiting for his reserves to be brought up.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It may seem strange that they were able to sleep in the perilous situation they were in; but they were men who were used to holding their lives in their hands.
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They say that Napoleon could take a nap, during a lull in battle, while he was waiting for his reserves to be brought up.
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading They say that Napoleon could take a nap, during a lull in battle, while he was waiting for his reserves to be brought up.
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It may seem strange that they were able to sleep in the perilous situation they were in; but they were men who were used to holding their lives in their hands.
during the time that
From this reading They say that Napoleon could take a nap, during a lull in battle, while he was waiting for his reserves to be brought up.
which person or people
From this reading It may seem strange that they were able to sleep in the perilous situation they were in; but they were men who were used to holding their lives in their hands.
