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25th
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, on the 25th of December, they completed the measurement of another degree, and reached the northern boundary of the karroo, they found no difference between the district they had been traversing and the new country, the real desert, arid and scorching, over which they were now about to pass.
adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It was indeed no better than a desert which now lay before the travellers.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading When, on the 25th of December, they completed the measurement of another degree, and reached the northern boundary of the karroo, they found no difference between the district they had been traversing and the new country, the real desert, arid and scorching, over which they were now about to pass.
acridadjectiveUS /ˈæk.rɪd/
Having an unpleasantly bitter or pungent taste or smell.
From this reading The last drops of rain in the pools had dried up, and it was an acrid soil, a mixture of clay and sand, very unfavourable to vegetation.
alike
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From this reading The animals belonging to the caravan suffered greatly from the dearth alike of pasturage and water.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The last drops of rain in the pools had dried up, and it was an acrid soil, a mixture of clay and sand, very unfavourable to vegetation.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading When, on the 25th of December, they completed the measurement of another degree, and reached the northern boundary of the karroo, they found no difference between the district they had been traversing and the new country, the real desert, arid and scorching, over which they were now about to pass.
animals
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The animals belonging to the caravan suffered greatly from the dearth alike of pasturage and water.
anothernounUS /ˈanother/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading When, on the 25th of December, they completed the measurement of another degree, and reached the northern boundary of the karroo, they found no difference between the district they had been traversing and the new country, the real desert, arid and scorching, over which they were now about to pass.
arid
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, on the 25th of December, they completed the measurement of another degree, and reached the northern boundary of the karroo, they found no difference between the district they had been traversing and the new country, the real desert, arid and scorching, over which they were now about to pass.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading When, on the 25th of December, they completed the measurement of another degree, and reached the northern boundary of the karroo, they found no difference between the district they had been traversing and the new country, the real desert, arid and scorching, over which they were now about to pass.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading It was indeed no better than a desert which now lay before the travellers.
belonging
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The animals belonging to the caravan suffered greatly from the dearth alike of pasturage and water.
better
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was indeed no better than a desert which now lay before the travellers.
betweenprepositionUS /bɪˈtwiːn/
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading When, on the 25th of December, they completed the measurement of another degree, and reached the northern boundary of the karroo, they found no difference between the district they had been traversing and the new country, the real desert, arid and scorching, over which they were now about to pass.
boundarynounUS /ˈbaʊn.də.ri/
A line that marks the limits of an area.
From this reading When, on the 25th of December, they completed the measurement of another degree, and reached the northern boundary of the karroo, they found no difference between the district they had been traversing and the new country, the real desert, arid and scorching, over which they were now about to pass.
caravan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The animals belonging to the caravan suffered greatly from the dearth alike of pasturage and water.
clay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The last drops of rain in the pools had dried up, and it was an acrid soil, a mixture of clay and sand, very unfavourable to vegetation.
completed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, on the 25th of December, they completed the measurement of another degree, and reached the northern boundary of the karroo, they found no difference between the district they had been traversing and the new country, the real desert, arid and scorching, over which they were now about to pass.
country
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, on the 25th of December, they completed the measurement of another degree, and reached the northern boundary of the karroo, they found no difference between the district they had been traversing and the new country, the real desert, arid and scorching, over which they were now about to pass.
dearth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The animals belonging to the caravan suffered greatly from the dearth alike of pasturage and water.
December
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, on the 25th of December, they completed the measurement of another degree, and reached the northern boundary of the karroo, they found no difference between the district they had been traversing and the new country, the real desert, arid and scorching, over which they were now about to pass.
degree
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, on the 25th of December, they completed the measurement of another degree, and reached the northern boundary of the karroo, they found no difference between the district they had been traversing and the new country, the real desert, arid and scorching, over which they were now about to pass.
DESERT
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From this reading THE DESERT.
difference
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, on the 25th of December, they completed the measurement of another degree, and reached the northern boundary of the karroo, they found no difference between the district they had been traversing and the new country, the real desert, arid and scorching, over which they were now about to pass.
district
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, on the 25th of December, they completed the measurement of another degree, and reached the northern boundary of the karroo, they found no difference between the district they had been traversing and the new country, the real desert, arid and scorching, over which they were now about to pass.
dried
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The last drops of rain in the pools had dried up, and it was an acrid soil, a mixture of clay and sand, very unfavourable to vegetation.
drops
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The last drops of rain in the pools had dried up, and it was an acrid soil, a mixture of clay and sand, very unfavourable to vegetation.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading When, on the 25th of December, they completed the measurement of another degree, and reached the northern boundary of the karroo, they found no difference between the district they had been traversing and the new country, the real desert, arid and scorching, over which they were now about to pass.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading The animals belonging to the caravan suffered greatly from the dearth alike of pasturage and water.
greatly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The animals belonging to the caravan suffered greatly from the dearth alike of pasturage and water.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading When, on the 25th of December, they completed the measurement of another degree, and reached the northern boundary of the karroo, they found no difference between the district they had been traversing and the new country, the real desert, arid and scorching, over which they were now about to pass.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The last drops of rain in the pools had dried up, and it was an acrid soil, a mixture of clay and sand, very unfavourable to vegetation.
indeed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was indeed no better than a desert which now lay before the travellers.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was indeed no better than a desert which now lay before the travellers.
karroo
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, on the 25th of December, they completed the measurement of another degree, and reached the northern boundary of the karroo, they found no difference between the district they had been traversing and the new country, the real desert, arid and scorching, over which they were now about to pass.
lastnounUS /last/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The last drops of rain in the pools had dried up, and it was an acrid soil, a mixture of clay and sand, very unfavourable to vegetation.
lay
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was indeed no better than a desert which now lay before the travellers.
measurement
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, on the 25th of December, they completed the measurement of another degree, and reached the northern boundary of the karroo, they found no difference between the district they had been traversing and the new country, the real desert, arid and scorching, over which they were now about to pass.
mixture
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The last drops of rain in the pools had dried up, and it was an acrid soil, a mixture of clay and sand, very unfavourable to vegetation.
new
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, on the 25th of December, they completed the measurement of another degree, and reached the northern boundary of the karroo, they found no difference between the district they had been traversing and the new country, the real desert, arid and scorching, over which they were now about to pass.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading It was indeed no better than a desert which now lay before the travellers.
northern
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, on the 25th of December, they completed the measurement of another degree, and reached the northern boundary of the karroo, they found no difference between the district they had been traversing and the new country, the real desert, arid and scorching, over which they were now about to pass.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was indeed no better than a desert which now lay before the travellers.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading When, on the 25th of December, they completed the measurement of another degree, and reached the northern boundary of the karroo, they found no difference between the district they had been traversing and the new country, the real desert, arid and scorching, over which they were now about to pass.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading When, on the 25th of December, they completed the measurement of another degree, and reached the northern boundary of the karroo, they found no difference between the district they had been traversing and the new country, the real desert, arid and scorching, over which they were now about to pass.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading When, on the 25th of December, they completed the measurement of another degree, and reached the northern boundary of the karroo, they found no difference between the district they had been traversing and the new country, the real desert, arid and scorching, over which they were now about to pass.
pass
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, on the 25th of December, they completed the measurement of another degree, and reached the northern boundary of the karroo, they found no difference between the district they had been traversing and the new country, the real desert, arid and scorching, over which they were now about to pass.
pasturage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The animals belonging to the caravan suffered greatly from the dearth alike of pasturage and water.
pools
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The last drops of rain in the pools had dried up, and it was an acrid soil, a mixture of clay and sand, very unfavourable to vegetation.
rain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The last drops of rain in the pools had dried up, and it was an acrid soil, a mixture of clay and sand, very unfavourable to vegetation.
reached
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, on the 25th of December, they completed the measurement of another degree, and reached the northern boundary of the karroo, they found no difference between the district they had been traversing and the new country, the real desert, arid and scorching, over which they were now about to pass.
real
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, on the 25th of December, they completed the measurement of another degree, and reached the northern boundary of the karroo, they found no difference between the district they had been traversing and the new country, the real desert, arid and scorching, over which they were now about to pass.
sand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The last drops of rain in the pools had dried up, and it was an acrid soil, a mixture of clay and sand, very unfavourable to vegetation.
scorching
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, on the 25th of December, they completed the measurement of another degree, and reached the northern boundary of the karroo, they found no difference between the district they had been traversing and the new country, the real desert, arid and scorching, over which they were now about to pass.
soil
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The last drops of rain in the pools had dried up, and it was an acrid soil, a mixture of clay and sand, very unfavourable to vegetation.
suffered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The animals belonging to the caravan suffered greatly from the dearth alike of pasturage and water.
thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading It was indeed no better than a desert which now lay before the travellers.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE DESERT.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading When, on the 25th of December, they completed the measurement of another degree, and reached the northern boundary of the karroo, they found no difference between the district they had been traversing and the new country, the real desert, arid and scorching, over which they were now about to pass.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading When, on the 25th of December, they completed the measurement of another degree, and reached the northern boundary of the karroo, they found no difference between the district they had been traversing and the new country, the real desert, arid and scorching, over which they were now about to pass.
travellers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was indeed no better than a desert which now lay before the travellers.
traversing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading When, on the 25th of December, they completed the measurement of another degree, and reached the northern boundary of the karroo, they found no difference between the district they had been traversing and the new country, the real desert, arid and scorching, over which they were now about to pass.
unfavourable
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The last drops of rain in the pools had dried up, and it was an acrid soil, a mixture of clay and sand, very unfavourable to vegetation.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The last drops of rain in the pools had dried up, and it was an acrid soil, a mixture of clay and sand, very unfavourable to vegetation.
vegetation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The last drops of rain in the pools had dried up, and it was an acrid soil, a mixture of clay and sand, very unfavourable to vegetation.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The last drops of rain in the pools had dried up, and it was an acrid soil, a mixture of clay and sand, very unfavourable to vegetation.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was indeed no better than a desert which now lay before the travellers.
water
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The animals belonging to the caravan suffered greatly from the dearth alike of pasturage and water.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading When, on the 25th of December, they completed the measurement of another degree, and reached the northern boundary of the karroo, they found no difference between the district they had been traversing and the new country, the real desert, arid and scorching, over which they were now about to pass.
WhenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading When, on the 25th of December, they completed the measurement of another degree, and reached the northern boundary of the karroo, they found no difference between the district they had been traversing and the new country, the real desert, arid and scorching, over which they were now about to pass.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was indeed no better than a desert which now lay before the travellers.
