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AdeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A KNIFE AT A ROPE Some modern thinkers, I believe--or perhaps, to be quite safe, I had better say some modern talkers--profess to estimate the value of life by reference to the number of distinct sensations which it enables them to experience.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading Had matters been anything short of desperate above ground it would have been madness to plunge into that watery hole, whose egress was unknown to us, and to take such a step on the off-chance of finding at the other end the Cypriote fishermen, and of obtaining from them either an alliance, or, if that failed, the means of flight.
alliance
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From this reading Had matters been anything short of desperate above ground it would have been madness to plunge into that watery hole, whose egress was unknown to us, and to take such a step on the off-chance of finding at the other end the Cypriote fishermen, and of obtaining from them either an alliance, or, if that failed, the means of flight.
althoughnounUS /ˈalthough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading For, although we maintained our cheerfulness, our position was not encouraging.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Had matters been anything short of desperate above ground it would have been madness to plunge into that watery hole, whose egress was unknown to us, and to take such a step on the off-chance of finding at the other end the Cypriote fishermen, and of obtaining from them either an alliance, or, if that failed, the means of flight.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Judged by a similar standard, my island had been, up to the present time, a brilliant success; it was certainly fulfilling the function, which Mrs Kennett Hipgrave had appropriated to it, of whiling away the time that must elapse before my marriage with her daughter and providing occupation for my thoughts during this weary interval.
anythingpronounUS /ˈeniθɪŋ/
any thing at all
From this reading Had matters been anything short of desperate above ground it would have been madness to plunge into that watery hole, whose egress was unknown to us, and to take such a step on the off-chance of finding at the other end the Cypriote fishermen, and of obtaining from them either an alliance, or, if that failed, the means of flight.
appropriated
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From this reading Judged by a similar standard, my island had been, up to the present time, a brilliant success; it was certainly fulfilling the function, which Mrs Kennett Hipgrave had appropriated to it, of whiling away the time that must elapse before my marriage with her daughter and providing occupation for my thoughts during this weary interval.
ATprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading A KNIFE AT A ROPE Some modern thinkers, I believe--or perhaps, to be quite safe, I had better say some modern talkers--profess to estimate the value of life by reference to the number of distinct sensations which it enables them to experience.
away
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From this reading Judged by a similar standard, my island had been, up to the present time, a brilliant success; it was certainly fulfilling the function, which Mrs Kennett Hipgrave had appropriated to it, of whiling away the time that must elapse before my marriage with her daughter and providing occupation for my thoughts during this weary interval.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading A KNIFE AT A ROPE Some modern thinkers, I believe--or perhaps, to be quite safe, I had better say some modern talkers--profess to estimate the value of life by reference to the number of distinct sensations which it enables them to experience.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Judged by a similar standard, my island had been, up to the present time, a brilliant success; it was certainly fulfilling the function, which Mrs Kennett Hipgrave had appropriated to it, of whiling away the time that must elapse before my marriage with her daughter and providing occupation for my thoughts during this weary interval.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading Judged by a similar standard, my island had been, up to the present time, a brilliant success; it was certainly fulfilling the function, which Mrs Kennett Hipgrave had appropriated to it, of whiling away the time that must elapse before my marriage with her daughter and providing occupation for my thoughts during this weary interval.
believenounUS /ˈbelieve/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading A KNIFE AT A ROPE Some modern thinkers, I believe--or perhaps, to be quite safe, I had better say some modern talkers--profess to estimate the value of life by reference to the number of distinct sensations which it enables them to experience.
better
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From this reading A KNIFE AT A ROPE Some modern thinkers, I believe--or perhaps, to be quite safe, I had better say some modern talkers--profess to estimate the value of life by reference to the number of distinct sensations which it enables them to experience.
brilliant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Judged by a similar standard, my island had been, up to the present time, a brilliant success; it was certainly fulfilling the function, which Mrs Kennett Hipgrave had appropriated to it, of whiling away the time that must elapse before my marriage with her daughter and providing occupation for my thoughts during this weary interval.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading A KNIFE AT A ROPE Some modern thinkers, I believe--or perhaps, to be quite safe, I had better say some modern talkers--profess to estimate the value of life by reference to the number of distinct sensations which it enables them to experience.
certainly
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Judged by a similar standard, my island had been, up to the present time, a brilliant success; it was certainly fulfilling the function, which Mrs Kennett Hipgrave had appropriated to it, of whiling away the time that must elapse before my marriage with her daughter and providing occupation for my thoughts during this weary interval.
cheerfulness
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From this reading For, although we maintained our cheerfulness, our position was not encouraging.
Cypriote
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From this reading Had matters been anything short of desperate above ground it would have been madness to plunge into that watery hole, whose egress was unknown to us, and to take such a step on the off-chance of finding at the other end the Cypriote fishermen, and of obtaining from them either an alliance, or, if that failed, the means of flight.
daughter
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From this reading Judged by a similar standard, my island had been, up to the present time, a brilliant success; it was certainly fulfilling the function, which Mrs Kennett Hipgrave had appropriated to it, of whiling away the time that must elapse before my marriage with her daughter and providing occupation for my thoughts during this weary interval.
desperate
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From this reading Had matters been anything short of desperate above ground it would have been madness to plunge into that watery hole, whose egress was unknown to us, and to take such a step on the off-chance of finding at the other end the Cypriote fishermen, and of obtaining from them either an alliance, or, if that failed, the means of flight.
difficulty
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From this reading The difficulty was that the island seemed disinclined to restrict itself to this modest sphere of usefulness; it threatened to monopolise me, and to leave very little of me or my friends, by the time that it had finished with us.
disinclined
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From this reading The difficulty was that the island seemed disinclined to restrict itself to this modest sphere of usefulness; it threatened to monopolise me, and to leave very little of me or my friends, by the time that it had finished with us.
distinct
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From this reading A KNIFE AT A ROPE Some modern thinkers, I believe--or perhaps, to be quite safe, I had better say some modern talkers--profess to estimate the value of life by reference to the number of distinct sensations which it enables them to experience.
duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading Judged by a similar standard, my island had been, up to the present time, a brilliant success; it was certainly fulfilling the function, which Mrs Kennett Hipgrave had appropriated to it, of whiling away the time that must elapse before my marriage with her daughter and providing occupation for my thoughts during this weary interval.
egress
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From this reading Had matters been anything short of desperate above ground it would have been madness to plunge into that watery hole, whose egress was unknown to us, and to take such a step on the off-chance of finding at the other end the Cypriote fishermen, and of obtaining from them either an alliance, or, if that failed, the means of flight.
eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/
one or the other of two
From this reading Had matters been anything short of desperate above ground it would have been madness to plunge into that watery hole, whose egress was unknown to us, and to take such a step on the off-chance of finding at the other end the Cypriote fishermen, and of obtaining from them either an alliance, or, if that failed, the means of flight.
elapse
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Judged by a similar standard, my island had been, up to the present time, a brilliant success; it was certainly fulfilling the function, which Mrs Kennett Hipgrave had appropriated to it, of whiling away the time that must elapse before my marriage with her daughter and providing occupation for my thoughts during this weary interval.
enables
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From this reading A KNIFE AT A ROPE Some modern thinkers, I believe--or perhaps, to be quite safe, I had better say some modern talkers--profess to estimate the value of life by reference to the number of distinct sensations which it enables them to experience.
encouraging
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From this reading For, although we maintained our cheerfulness, our position was not encouraging.
end
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From this reading Had matters been anything short of desperate above ground it would have been madness to plunge into that watery hole, whose egress was unknown to us, and to take such a step on the off-chance of finding at the other end the Cypriote fishermen, and of obtaining from them either an alliance, or, if that failed, the means of flight.
estimate
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From this reading A KNIFE AT A ROPE Some modern thinkers, I believe--or perhaps, to be quite safe, I had better say some modern talkers--profess to estimate the value of life by reference to the number of distinct sensations which it enables them to experience.
experience
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From this reading A KNIFE AT A ROPE Some modern thinkers, I believe--or perhaps, to be quite safe, I had better say some modern talkers--profess to estimate the value of life by reference to the number of distinct sensations which it enables them to experience.
failed
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From this reading Had matters been anything short of desperate above ground it would have been madness to plunge into that watery hole, whose egress was unknown to us, and to take such a step on the off-chance of finding at the other end the Cypriote fishermen, and of obtaining from them either an alliance, or, if that failed, the means of flight.
finding
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From this reading Had matters been anything short of desperate above ground it would have been madness to plunge into that watery hole, whose egress was unknown to us, and to take such a step on the off-chance of finding at the other end the Cypriote fishermen, and of obtaining from them either an alliance, or, if that failed, the means of flight.
finished
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From this reading The difficulty was that the island seemed disinclined to restrict itself to this modest sphere of usefulness; it threatened to monopolise me, and to leave very little of me or my friends, by the time that it had finished with us.
fishermen
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Had matters been anything short of desperate above ground it would have been madness to plunge into that watery hole, whose egress was unknown to us, and to take such a step on the off-chance of finding at the other end the Cypriote fishermen, and of obtaining from them either an alliance, or, if that failed, the means of flight.
flight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Had matters been anything short of desperate above ground it would have been madness to plunge into that watery hole, whose egress was unknown to us, and to take such a step on the off-chance of finding at the other end the Cypriote fishermen, and of obtaining from them either an alliance, or, if that failed, the means of flight.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Judged by a similar standard, my island had been, up to the present time, a brilliant success; it was certainly fulfilling the function, which Mrs Kennett Hipgrave had appropriated to it, of whiling away the time that must elapse before my marriage with her daughter and providing occupation for my thoughts during this weary interval.
friends
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The difficulty was that the island seemed disinclined to restrict itself to this modest sphere of usefulness; it threatened to monopolise me, and to leave very little of me or my friends, by the time that it had finished with us.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Had matters been anything short of desperate above ground it would have been madness to plunge into that watery hole, whose egress was unknown to us, and to take such a step on the off-chance of finding at the other end the Cypriote fishermen, and of obtaining from them either an alliance, or, if that failed, the means of flight.
fulfilling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Judged by a similar standard, my island had been, up to the present time, a brilliant success; it was certainly fulfilling the function, which Mrs Kennett Hipgrave had appropriated to it, of whiling away the time that must elapse before my marriage with her daughter and providing occupation for my thoughts during this weary interval.
function
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Judged by a similar standard, my island had been, up to the present time, a brilliant success; it was certainly fulfilling the function, which Mrs Kennett Hipgrave had appropriated to it, of whiling away the time that must elapse before my marriage with her daughter and providing occupation for my thoughts during this weary interval.
ground
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Had matters been anything short of desperate above ground it would have been madness to plunge into that watery hole, whose egress was unknown to us, and to take such a step on the off-chance of finding at the other end the Cypriote fishermen, and of obtaining from them either an alliance, or, if that failed, the means of flight.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A KNIFE AT A ROPE Some modern thinkers, I believe--or perhaps, to be quite safe, I had better say some modern talkers--profess to estimate the value of life by reference to the number of distinct sensations which it enables them to experience.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Had matters been anything short of desperate above ground it would have been madness to plunge into that watery hole, whose egress was unknown to us, and to take such a step on the off-chance of finding at the other end the Cypriote fishermen, and of obtaining from them either an alliance, or, if that failed, the means of flight.
herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Judged by a similar standard, my island had been, up to the present time, a brilliant success; it was certainly fulfilling the function, which Mrs Kennett Hipgrave had appropriated to it, of whiling away the time that must elapse before my marriage with her daughter and providing occupation for my thoughts during this weary interval.
Hipgrave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Judged by a similar standard, my island had been, up to the present time, a brilliant success; it was certainly fulfilling the function, which Mrs Kennett Hipgrave had appropriated to it, of whiling away the time that must elapse before my marriage with her daughter and providing occupation for my thoughts during this weary interval.
hole
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Had matters been anything short of desperate above ground it would have been madness to plunge into that watery hole, whose egress was unknown to us, and to take such a step on the off-chance of finding at the other end the Cypriote fishermen, and of obtaining from them either an alliance, or, if that failed, the means of flight.
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading A KNIFE AT A ROPE Some modern thinkers, I believe--or perhaps, to be quite safe, I had better say some modern talkers--profess to estimate the value of life by reference to the number of distinct sensations which it enables them to experience.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Had matters been anything short of desperate above ground it would have been madness to plunge into that watery hole, whose egress was unknown to us, and to take such a step on the off-chance of finding at the other end the Cypriote fishermen, and of obtaining from them either an alliance, or, if that failed, the means of flight.
interval
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Judged by a similar standard, my island had been, up to the present time, a brilliant success; it was certainly fulfilling the function, which Mrs Kennett Hipgrave had appropriated to it, of whiling away the time that must elapse before my marriage with her daughter and providing occupation for my thoughts during this weary interval.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Had matters been anything short of desperate above ground it would have been madness to plunge into that watery hole, whose egress was unknown to us, and to take such a step on the off-chance of finding at the other end the Cypriote fishermen, and of obtaining from them either an alliance, or, if that failed, the means of flight.
island
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Judged by a similar standard, my island had been, up to the present time, a brilliant success; it was certainly fulfilling the function, which Mrs Kennett Hipgrave had appropriated to it, of whiling away the time that must elapse before my marriage with her daughter and providing occupation for my thoughts during this weary interval.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading A KNIFE AT A ROPE Some modern thinkers, I believe--or perhaps, to be quite safe, I had better say some modern talkers--profess to estimate the value of life by reference to the number of distinct sensations which it enables them to experience.
itselfpronounUS /ˌɪtˈself/
used when the thing doing the action is also its object
From this reading The difficulty was that the island seemed disinclined to restrict itself to this modest sphere of usefulness; it threatened to monopolise me, and to leave very little of me or my friends, by the time that it had finished with us.
Judged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Judged by a similar standard, my island had been, up to the present time, a brilliant success; it was certainly fulfilling the function, which Mrs Kennett Hipgrave had appropriated to it, of whiling away the time that must elapse before my marriage with her daughter and providing occupation for my thoughts during this weary interval.
Kennett
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Judged by a similar standard, my island had been, up to the present time, a brilliant success; it was certainly fulfilling the function, which Mrs Kennett Hipgrave had appropriated to it, of whiling away the time that must elapse before my marriage with her daughter and providing occupation for my thoughts during this weary interval.
KNIFE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A KNIFE AT A ROPE Some modern thinkers, I believe--or perhaps, to be quite safe, I had better say some modern talkers--profess to estimate the value of life by reference to the number of distinct sensations which it enables them to experience.
leave
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The difficulty was that the island seemed disinclined to restrict itself to this modest sphere of usefulness; it threatened to monopolise me, and to leave very little of me or my friends, by the time that it had finished with us.
lifenounUS /life/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A KNIFE AT A ROPE Some modern thinkers, I believe--or perhaps, to be quite safe, I had better say some modern talkers--profess to estimate the value of life by reference to the number of distinct sensations which it enables them to experience.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The difficulty was that the island seemed disinclined to restrict itself to this modest sphere of usefulness; it threatened to monopolise me, and to leave very little of me or my friends, by the time that it had finished with us.
madness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Had matters been anything short of desperate above ground it would have been madness to plunge into that watery hole, whose egress was unknown to us, and to take such a step on the off-chance of finding at the other end the Cypriote fishermen, and of obtaining from them either an alliance, or, if that failed, the means of flight.
maintained
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From this reading For, although we maintained our cheerfulness, our position was not encouraging.
marriage
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Judged by a similar standard, my island had been, up to the present time, a brilliant success; it was certainly fulfilling the function, which Mrs Kennett Hipgrave had appropriated to it, of whiling away the time that must elapse before my marriage with her daughter and providing occupation for my thoughts during this weary interval.
matters
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Had matters been anything short of desperate above ground it would have been madness to plunge into that watery hole, whose egress was unknown to us, and to take such a step on the off-chance of finding at the other end the Cypriote fishermen, and of obtaining from them either an alliance, or, if that failed, the means of flight.
mepronounUS /miː/
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The difficulty was that the island seemed disinclined to restrict itself to this modest sphere of usefulness; it threatened to monopolise me, and to leave very little of me or my friends, by the time that it had finished with us.
means
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Had matters been anything short of desperate above ground it would have been madness to plunge into that watery hole, whose egress was unknown to us, and to take such a step on the off-chance of finding at the other end the Cypriote fishermen, and of obtaining from them either an alliance, or, if that failed, the means of flight.
modern
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A KNIFE AT A ROPE Some modern thinkers, I believe--or perhaps, to be quite safe, I had better say some modern talkers--profess to estimate the value of life by reference to the number of distinct sensations which it enables them to experience.
modest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The difficulty was that the island seemed disinclined to restrict itself to this modest sphere of usefulness; it threatened to monopolise me, and to leave very little of me or my friends, by the time that it had finished with us.
monopolise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The difficulty was that the island seemed disinclined to restrict itself to this modest sphere of usefulness; it threatened to monopolise me, and to leave very little of me or my friends, by the time that it had finished with us.
Mrs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Judged by a similar standard, my island had been, up to the present time, a brilliant success; it was certainly fulfilling the function, which Mrs Kennett Hipgrave had appropriated to it, of whiling away the time that must elapse before my marriage with her daughter and providing occupation for my thoughts during this weary interval.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Judged by a similar standard, my island had been, up to the present time, a brilliant success; it was certainly fulfilling the function, which Mrs Kennett Hipgrave had appropriated to it, of whiling away the time that must elapse before my marriage with her daughter and providing occupation for my thoughts during this weary interval.
mydeterminerUS /maɪ/
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Judged by a similar standard, my island had been, up to the present time, a brilliant success; it was certainly fulfilling the function, which Mrs Kennett Hipgrave had appropriated to it, of whiling away the time that must elapse before my marriage with her daughter and providing occupation for my thoughts during this weary interval.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading For, although we maintained our cheerfulness, our position was not encouraging.
number
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A KNIFE AT A ROPE Some modern thinkers, I believe--or perhaps, to be quite safe, I had better say some modern talkers--profess to estimate the value of life by reference to the number of distinct sensations which it enables them to experience.
obtaining
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Had matters been anything short of desperate above ground it would have been madness to plunge into that watery hole, whose egress was unknown to us, and to take such a step on the off-chance of finding at the other end the Cypriote fishermen, and of obtaining from them either an alliance, or, if that failed, the means of flight.
occupation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Judged by a similar standard, my island had been, up to the present time, a brilliant success; it was certainly fulfilling the function, which Mrs Kennett Hipgrave had appropriated to it, of whiling away the time that must elapse before my marriage with her daughter and providing occupation for my thoughts during this weary interval.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A KNIFE AT A ROPE Some modern thinkers, I believe--or perhaps, to be quite safe, I had better say some modern talkers--profess to estimate the value of life by reference to the number of distinct sensations which it enables them to experience.
off-chance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Had matters been anything short of desperate above ground it would have been madness to plunge into that watery hole, whose egress was unknown to us, and to take such a step on the off-chance of finding at the other end the Cypriote fishermen, and of obtaining from them either an alliance, or, if that failed, the means of flight.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Had matters been anything short of desperate above ground it would have been madness to plunge into that watery hole, whose egress was unknown to us, and to take such a step on the off-chance of finding at the other end the Cypriote fishermen, and of obtaining from them either an alliance, or, if that failed, the means of flight.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading A KNIFE AT A ROPE Some modern thinkers, I believe--or perhaps, to be quite safe, I had better say some modern talkers--profess to estimate the value of life by reference to the number of distinct sensations which it enables them to experience.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Had matters been anything short of desperate above ground it would have been madness to plunge into that watery hole, whose egress was unknown to us, and to take such a step on the off-chance of finding at the other end the Cypriote fishermen, and of obtaining from them either an alliance, or, if that failed, the means of flight.
ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading For, although we maintained our cheerfulness, our position was not encouraging.
perhaps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A KNIFE AT A ROPE Some modern thinkers, I believe--or perhaps, to be quite safe, I had better say some modern talkers--profess to estimate the value of life by reference to the number of distinct sensations which it enables them to experience.
plunge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Had matters been anything short of desperate above ground it would have been madness to plunge into that watery hole, whose egress was unknown to us, and to take such a step on the off-chance of finding at the other end the Cypriote fishermen, and of obtaining from them either an alliance, or, if that failed, the means of flight.
position
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From this reading For, although we maintained our cheerfulness, our position was not encouraging.
present
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Judged by a similar standard, my island had been, up to the present time, a brilliant success; it was certainly fulfilling the function, which Mrs Kennett Hipgrave had appropriated to it, of whiling away the time that must elapse before my marriage with her daughter and providing occupation for my thoughts during this weary interval.
profess
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A KNIFE AT A ROPE Some modern thinkers, I believe--or perhaps, to be quite safe, I had better say some modern talkers--profess to estimate the value of life by reference to the number of distinct sensations which it enables them to experience.
providing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Judged by a similar standard, my island had been, up to the present time, a brilliant success; it was certainly fulfilling the function, which Mrs Kennett Hipgrave had appropriated to it, of whiling away the time that must elapse before my marriage with her daughter and providing occupation for my thoughts during this weary interval.
quitenounUS /quite/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A KNIFE AT A ROPE Some modern thinkers, I believe--or perhaps, to be quite safe, I had better say some modern talkers--profess to estimate the value of life by reference to the number of distinct sensations which it enables them to experience.
reference
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From this reading A KNIFE AT A ROPE Some modern thinkers, I believe--or perhaps, to be quite safe, I had better say some modern talkers--profess to estimate the value of life by reference to the number of distinct sensations which it enables them to experience.
restrict
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The difficulty was that the island seemed disinclined to restrict itself to this modest sphere of usefulness; it threatened to monopolise me, and to leave very little of me or my friends, by the time that it had finished with us.
ROPE
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A KNIFE AT A ROPE Some modern thinkers, I believe--or perhaps, to be quite safe, I had better say some modern talkers--profess to estimate the value of life by reference to the number of distinct sensations which it enables them to experience.
safe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A KNIFE AT A ROPE Some modern thinkers, I believe--or perhaps, to be quite safe, I had better say some modern talkers--profess to estimate the value of life by reference to the number of distinct sensations which it enables them to experience.
say
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A KNIFE AT A ROPE Some modern thinkers, I believe--or perhaps, to be quite safe, I had better say some modern talkers--profess to estimate the value of life by reference to the number of distinct sensations which it enables them to experience.
seemednounUS /seemed/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The difficulty was that the island seemed disinclined to restrict itself to this modest sphere of usefulness; it threatened to monopolise me, and to leave very little of me or my friends, by the time that it had finished with us.
sensations
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A KNIFE AT A ROPE Some modern thinkers, I believe--or perhaps, to be quite safe, I had better say some modern talkers--profess to estimate the value of life by reference to the number of distinct sensations which it enables them to experience.
shortadjectiveUS /ʃɔrt/
brief or direct in expression
From this reading Had matters been anything short of desperate above ground it would have been madness to plunge into that watery hole, whose egress was unknown to us, and to take such a step on the off-chance of finding at the other end the Cypriote fishermen, and of obtaining from them either an alliance, or, if that failed, the means of flight.
similar
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Judged by a similar standard, my island had been, up to the present time, a brilliant success; it was certainly fulfilling the function, which Mrs Kennett Hipgrave had appropriated to it, of whiling away the time that must elapse before my marriage with her daughter and providing occupation for my thoughts during this weary interval.
Some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A KNIFE AT A ROPE Some modern thinkers, I believe--or perhaps, to be quite safe, I had better say some modern talkers--profess to estimate the value of life by reference to the number of distinct sensations which it enables them to experience.
sphere
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The difficulty was that the island seemed disinclined to restrict itself to this modest sphere of usefulness; it threatened to monopolise me, and to leave very little of me or my friends, by the time that it had finished with us.
standard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Judged by a similar standard, my island had been, up to the present time, a brilliant success; it was certainly fulfilling the function, which Mrs Kennett Hipgrave had appropriated to it, of whiling away the time that must elapse before my marriage with her daughter and providing occupation for my thoughts during this weary interval.
stepnounUS /step/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Had matters been anything short of desperate above ground it would have been madness to plunge into that watery hole, whose egress was unknown to us, and to take such a step on the off-chance of finding at the other end the Cypriote fishermen, and of obtaining from them either an alliance, or, if that failed, the means of flight.
success
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Judged by a similar standard, my island had been, up to the present time, a brilliant success; it was certainly fulfilling the function, which Mrs Kennett Hipgrave had appropriated to it, of whiling away the time that must elapse before my marriage with her daughter and providing occupation for my thoughts during this weary interval.
suchdeterminerUS /sʌtʃ/
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading Had matters been anything short of desperate above ground it would have been madness to plunge into that watery hole, whose egress was unknown to us, and to take such a step on the off-chance of finding at the other end the Cypriote fishermen, and of obtaining from them either an alliance, or, if that failed, the means of flight.
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Had matters been anything short of desperate above ground it would have been madness to plunge into that watery hole, whose egress was unknown to us, and to take such a step on the off-chance of finding at the other end the Cypriote fishermen, and of obtaining from them either an alliance, or, if that failed, the means of flight.
talkers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A KNIFE AT A ROPE Some modern thinkers, I believe--or perhaps, to be quite safe, I had better say some modern talkers--profess to estimate the value of life by reference to the number of distinct sensations which it enables them to experience.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Judged by a similar standard, my island had been, up to the present time, a brilliant success; it was certainly fulfilling the function, which Mrs Kennett Hipgrave had appropriated to it, of whiling away the time that must elapse before my marriage with her daughter and providing occupation for my thoughts during this weary interval.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A KNIFE AT A ROPE Some modern thinkers, I believe--or perhaps, to be quite safe, I had better say some modern talkers--profess to estimate the value of life by reference to the number of distinct sensations which it enables them to experience.
thempronounUS /ðem/
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading A KNIFE AT A ROPE Some modern thinkers, I believe--or perhaps, to be quite safe, I had better say some modern talkers--profess to estimate the value of life by reference to the number of distinct sensations which it enables them to experience.
thinkers
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A KNIFE AT A ROPE Some modern thinkers, I believe--or perhaps, to be quite safe, I had better say some modern talkers--profess to estimate the value of life by reference to the number of distinct sensations which it enables them to experience.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Judged by a similar standard, my island had been, up to the present time, a brilliant success; it was certainly fulfilling the function, which Mrs Kennett Hipgrave had appropriated to it, of whiling away the time that must elapse before my marriage with her daughter and providing occupation for my thoughts during this weary interval.
thoughts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Judged by a similar standard, my island had been, up to the present time, a brilliant success; it was certainly fulfilling the function, which Mrs Kennett Hipgrave had appropriated to it, of whiling away the time that must elapse before my marriage with her daughter and providing occupation for my thoughts during this weary interval.
threatened
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The difficulty was that the island seemed disinclined to restrict itself to this modest sphere of usefulness; it threatened to monopolise me, and to leave very little of me or my friends, by the time that it had finished with us.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Judged by a similar standard, my island had been, up to the present time, a brilliant success; it was certainly fulfilling the function, which Mrs Kennett Hipgrave had appropriated to it, of whiling away the time that must elapse before my marriage with her daughter and providing occupation for my thoughts during this weary interval.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A KNIFE AT A ROPE Some modern thinkers, I believe--or perhaps, to be quite safe, I had better say some modern talkers--profess to estimate the value of life by reference to the number of distinct sensations which it enables them to experience.
unknown
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Had matters been anything short of desperate above ground it would have been madness to plunge into that watery hole, whose egress was unknown to us, and to take such a step on the off-chance of finding at the other end the Cypriote fishermen, and of obtaining from them either an alliance, or, if that failed, the means of flight.
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Judged by a similar standard, my island had been, up to the present time, a brilliant success; it was certainly fulfilling the function, which Mrs Kennett Hipgrave had appropriated to it, of whiling away the time that must elapse before my marriage with her daughter and providing occupation for my thoughts during this weary interval.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The difficulty was that the island seemed disinclined to restrict itself to this modest sphere of usefulness; it threatened to monopolise me, and to leave very little of me or my friends, by the time that it had finished with us.
usefulness
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The difficulty was that the island seemed disinclined to restrict itself to this modest sphere of usefulness; it threatened to monopolise me, and to leave very little of me or my friends, by the time that it had finished with us.
value
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A KNIFE AT A ROPE Some modern thinkers, I believe--or perhaps, to be quite safe, I had better say some modern talkers--profess to estimate the value of life by reference to the number of distinct sensations which it enables them to experience.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The difficulty was that the island seemed disinclined to restrict itself to this modest sphere of usefulness; it threatened to monopolise me, and to leave very little of me or my friends, by the time that it had finished with us.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Judged by a similar standard, my island had been, up to the present time, a brilliant success; it was certainly fulfilling the function, which Mrs Kennett Hipgrave had appropriated to it, of whiling away the time that must elapse before my marriage with her daughter and providing occupation for my thoughts during this weary interval.
watery
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Had matters been anything short of desperate above ground it would have been madness to plunge into that watery hole, whose egress was unknown to us, and to take such a step on the off-chance of finding at the other end the Cypriote fishermen, and of obtaining from them either an alliance, or, if that failed, the means of flight.
wepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading For, although we maintained our cheerfulness, our position was not encouraging.
weary
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Judged by a similar standard, my island had been, up to the present time, a brilliant success; it was certainly fulfilling the function, which Mrs Kennett Hipgrave had appropriated to it, of whiling away the time that must elapse before my marriage with her daughter and providing occupation for my thoughts during this weary interval.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A KNIFE AT A ROPE Some modern thinkers, I believe--or perhaps, to be quite safe, I had better say some modern talkers--profess to estimate the value of life by reference to the number of distinct sensations which it enables them to experience.
whiling
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Judged by a similar standard, my island had been, up to the present time, a brilliant success; it was certainly fulfilling the function, which Mrs Kennett Hipgrave had appropriated to it, of whiling away the time that must elapse before my marriage with her daughter and providing occupation for my thoughts during this weary interval.
whosedeterminerUS /huːz/
belonging to which person
From this reading Had matters been anything short of desperate above ground it would have been madness to plunge into that watery hole, whose egress was unknown to us, and to take such a step on the off-chance of finding at the other end the Cypriote fishermen, and of obtaining from them either an alliance, or, if that failed, the means of flight.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Judged by a similar standard, my island had been, up to the present time, a brilliant success; it was certainly fulfilling the function, which Mrs Kennett Hipgrave had appropriated to it, of whiling away the time that must elapse before my marriage with her daughter and providing occupation for my thoughts during this weary interval.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading Had matters been anything short of desperate above ground it would have been madness to plunge into that watery hole, whose egress was unknown to us, and to take such a step on the off-chance of finding at the other end the Cypriote fishermen, and of obtaining from them either an alliance, or, if that failed, the means of flight.
