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Hop-Frog
Hop-Frog

Chapter XXIII

Chapter 23, section 1: Our situation, as it now appeared, was scarcely less dreadful than when we had conceived ourselves entombed forever. We saw before us no prospect but that of being put to death by
Context Illustration Reading 1/17 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
Our situation, as it now appeared, was scarcely less dreadful than when we had conceived ourselves entombed forever.
We saw before us no prospect but that of being put to death by the savages, or of dragging out a miserable existence in captivity among them.
We might, to be sure, conceal ourselves for a time from their observation among the fastnesses of the hills, and, as a final resort, in the chasm from which we had just issued; but we must either perish in the long polar winter through cold and famine, or be ultimately discovered in our efforts to obtain relief.
The whole country around us seemed to be swarming with savages, crowds of whom, we now perceived, had come over from the islands to the southward on flat rafts, doubtless with a view of lending their aid in the capture and plunder of the Jane.
The vessel still lay calmly at anchor in the bay, those on board being apparently quite unconscious of any danger awaiting them.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

Hop-Frog

Chapter XXIII

Reading 1/17 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
Our situation, as it now appeared, was scarcely less dreadful than when we had conceived ourselves entombed forever.
Line 2
We saw before us no prospect but that of being put to death by the savages, or of dragging out a miserable existence in captivity among them.
Line 3
We might, to be sure, conceal ourselves for a time from their observation among the fastnesses of the hills, and, as a final resort, in the chasm from which we had just issued; but we must either perish in the long polar winter through cold and famine, or be ultimately discovered in our efforts to obtain relief.
Line 4
The whole country around us seemed to be swarming with savages, crowds of whom, we now perceived, had come over from the islands to the southward on flat rafts, doubtless with a view of lending their aid in the capture and plunder of the Jane.
Line 5
The vessel still lay calmly at anchor in the bay, those on board being apparently quite unconscious of any danger awaiting them.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

Among preposition US /əˈmʌŋ/

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading “We saw before us no prospect but that of being put to death by the savages, or of dragging out a miserable existence in captivity among them.”

Around preposition US /ərˈaʊnd/

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading “The whole country around us seemed to be swarming with savages, crowds of whom, we now perceived, had come over from the islands to the southward on flat rafts, doubtless with a view of lending their aid in the capture and plunder of the Jane.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “We saw before us no prospect but that of being put to death by the savages, or of dragging out a miserable existence in captivity among them.”

Being auxiliary verb US /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading “We saw before us no prospect but that of being put to death by the savages, or of dragging out a miserable existence in captivity among them.”

Come noun US /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The whole country around us seemed to be swarming with savages, crowds of whom, we now perceived, had come over from the islands to the southward on flat rafts, doubtless with a view of lending their aid in the capture and plunder of the Jane.”

Dreadful adjective US /ˈdrɛdfəl/

extremely frightening or unpleasant

From this reading “Our situation, as it now appeared, was scarcely less dreadful than when we had conceived ourselves entombed forever.”

Either determiner US /ˈiːðər/

one or the other of two

From this reading “We might, to be sure, conceal ourselves for a time from their observation among the fastnesses of the hills, and, as a final resort, in the chasm from which we had just issued; but we must either perish in the long polar winter through cold and famine, or be ultimately discovered in our efforts to obtain relief.”

Issued noun US /issued/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “We might, to be sure, conceal ourselves for a time from their observation among the fastnesses of the hills, and, as a final resort, in the chasm from which we had just issued; but we must either perish in the long polar winter through cold and famine, or be ultimately discovered in our efforts to obtain relief.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “We might, to be sure, conceal ourselves for a time from their observation among the fastnesses of the hills, and, as a final resort, in the chasm from which we had just issued; but we must either perish in the long polar winter through cold and famine, or be ultimately discovered in our efforts to obtain relief.”

Might modal verb US /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading “We might, to be sure, conceal ourselves for a time from their observation among the fastnesses of the hills, and, as a final resort, in the chasm from which we had just issued; but we must either perish in the long polar winter through cold and famine, or be ultimately discovered in our efforts to obtain relief.”

Must modal verb US /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading “We might, to be sure, conceal ourselves for a time from their observation among the fastnesses of the hills, and, as a final resort, in the chasm from which we had just issued; but we must either perish in the long polar winter through cold and famine, or be ultimately discovered in our efforts to obtain relief.”

Observation noun US /ˈobservation/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “We might, to be sure, conceal ourselves for a time from their observation among the fastnesses of the hills, and, as a final resort, in the chasm from which we had just issued; but we must either perish in the long polar winter through cold and famine, or be ultimately discovered in our efforts to obtain relief.”

Obtain verb US /əbˈteɪn/

to get something, especially through effort

From this reading “We might, to be sure, conceal ourselves for a time from their observation among the fastnesses of the hills, and, as a final resort, in the chasm from which we had just issued; but we must either perish in the long polar winter through cold and famine, or be ultimately discovered in our efforts to obtain relief.”

Ourselves pronoun US /aʊərˈselvz/

used when we are both doing the action and receiving it

From this reading “Our situation, as it now appeared, was scarcely less dreadful than when we had conceived ourselves entombed forever.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “The whole country around us seemed to be swarming with savages, crowds of whom, we now perceived, had come over from the islands to the southward on flat rafts, doubtless with a view of lending their aid in the capture and plunder of the Jane.”

Plunder noun US /ˈplʌn.dər/

Goods or treasure taken by force or theft, especially in war or banditry.

From this reading “The whole country around us seemed to be swarming with savages, crowds of whom, we now perceived, had come over from the islands to the southward on flat rafts, doubtless with a view of lending their aid in the capture and plunder of the Jane.”

Quite noun US /quite/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The vessel still lay calmly at anchor in the bay, those on board being apparently quite unconscious of any danger awaiting them.”

Relief noun US /rɪˈliːf/

a feeling of comfort after worry or pain

From this reading “We might, to be sure, conceal ourselves for a time from their observation among the fastnesses of the hills, and, as a final resort, in the chasm from which we had just issued; but we must either perish in the long polar winter through cold and famine, or be ultimately discovered in our efforts to obtain relief.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The whole country around us seemed to be swarming with savages, crowds of whom, we now perceived, had come over from the islands to the southward on flat rafts, doubtless with a view of lending their aid in the capture and plunder of the Jane.”

Still noun US /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The vessel still lay calmly at anchor in the bay, those on board being apparently quite unconscious of any danger awaiting them.”

Sure noun US /sure/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “We might, to be sure, conceal ourselves for a time from their observation among the fastnesses of the hills, and, as a final resort, in the chasm from which we had just issued; but we must either perish in the long polar winter through cold and famine, or be ultimately discovered in our efforts to obtain relief.”

Those determiner US /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading “The vessel still lay calmly at anchor in the bay, those on board being apparently quite unconscious of any danger awaiting them.”

Through noun US /ˈthrough/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “We might, to be sure, conceal ourselves for a time from their observation among the fastnesses of the hills, and, as a final resort, in the chasm from which we had just issued; but we must either perish in the long polar winter through cold and famine, or be ultimately discovered in our efforts to obtain relief.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “We might, to be sure, conceal ourselves for a time from their observation among the fastnesses of the hills, and, as a final resort, in the chasm from which we had just issued; but we must either perish in the long polar winter through cold and famine, or be ultimately discovered in our efforts to obtain relief.”

All words in this reading · 113

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading We saw before us no prospect but that of being put to death by the savages, or of dragging out a miserable existence in captivity among them.

aid

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The whole country around us seemed to be swarming with savages, crowds of whom, we now perceived, had come over from the islands to the southward on flat rafts, doubtless with a view of lending their aid in the capture and plunder of the Jane.

amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/

surrounded by; in the middle of a group

From this reading We saw before us no prospect but that of being put to death by the savages, or of dragging out a miserable existence in captivity among them.

anchor

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The vessel still lay calmly at anchor in the bay, those on board being apparently quite unconscious of any danger awaiting them.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading We might, to be sure, conceal ourselves for a time from their observation among the fastnesses of the hills, and, as a final resort, in the chasm from which we had just issued; but we must either perish in the long polar winter through cold and famine, or be ultimately discovered in our efforts to obtain relief.

any

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The vessel still lay calmly at anchor in the bay, those on board being apparently quite unconscious of any danger awaiting them.

apparently

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The vessel still lay calmly at anchor in the bay, those on board being apparently quite unconscious of any danger awaiting them.

appeared

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Our situation, as it now appeared, was scarcely less dreadful than when we had conceived ourselves entombed forever.

aroundprepositionUS /ərˈaʊnd/

surrounding, or on every side of, something

From this reading The whole country around us seemed to be swarming with savages, crowds of whom, we now perceived, had come over from the islands to the southward on flat rafts, doubtless with a view of lending their aid in the capture and plunder of the Jane.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading Our situation, as it now appeared, was scarcely less dreadful than when we had conceived ourselves entombed forever.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The vessel still lay calmly at anchor in the bay, those on board being apparently quite unconscious of any danger awaiting them.

awaiting

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The vessel still lay calmly at anchor in the bay, those on board being apparently quite unconscious of any danger awaiting them.

bay

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The vessel still lay calmly at anchor in the bay, those on board being apparently quite unconscious of any danger awaiting them.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading We might, to be sure, conceal ourselves for a time from their observation among the fastnesses of the hills, and, as a final resort, in the chasm from which we had just issued; but we must either perish in the long polar winter through cold and famine, or be ultimately discovered in our efforts to obtain relief.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading We saw before us no prospect but that of being put to death by the savages, or of dragging out a miserable existence in captivity among them.

beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading We saw before us no prospect but that of being put to death by the savages, or of dragging out a miserable existence in captivity among them.

board

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The vessel still lay calmly at anchor in the bay, those on board being apparently quite unconscious of any danger awaiting them.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading We saw before us no prospect but that of being put to death by the savages, or of dragging out a miserable existence in captivity among them.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading We saw before us no prospect but that of being put to death by the savages, or of dragging out a miserable existence in captivity among them.

calmly

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The vessel still lay calmly at anchor in the bay, those on board being apparently quite unconscious of any danger awaiting them.

captivity

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading We saw before us no prospect but that of being put to death by the savages, or of dragging out a miserable existence in captivity among them.

capture

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The whole country around us seemed to be swarming with savages, crowds of whom, we now perceived, had come over from the islands to the southward on flat rafts, doubtless with a view of lending their aid in the capture and plunder of the Jane.

chasm

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading We might, to be sure, conceal ourselves for a time from their observation among the fastnesses of the hills, and, as a final resort, in the chasm from which we had just issued; but we must either perish in the long polar winter through cold and famine, or be ultimately discovered in our efforts to obtain relief.

cold

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading We might, to be sure, conceal ourselves for a time from their observation among the fastnesses of the hills, and, as a final resort, in the chasm from which we had just issued; but we must either perish in the long polar winter through cold and famine, or be ultimately discovered in our efforts to obtain relief.

comenounUS /come/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The whole country around us seemed to be swarming with savages, crowds of whom, we now perceived, had come over from the islands to the southward on flat rafts, doubtless with a view of lending their aid in the capture and plunder of the Jane.

conceal

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading We might, to be sure, conceal ourselves for a time from their observation among the fastnesses of the hills, and, as a final resort, in the chasm from which we had just issued; but we must either perish in the long polar winter through cold and famine, or be ultimately discovered in our efforts to obtain relief.

conceived

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Our situation, as it now appeared, was scarcely less dreadful than when we had conceived ourselves entombed forever.

country

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The whole country around us seemed to be swarming with savages, crowds of whom, we now perceived, had come over from the islands to the southward on flat rafts, doubtless with a view of lending their aid in the capture and plunder of the Jane.

crowds

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The whole country around us seemed to be swarming with savages, crowds of whom, we now perceived, had come over from the islands to the southward on flat rafts, doubtless with a view of lending their aid in the capture and plunder of the Jane.

danger

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The vessel still lay calmly at anchor in the bay, those on board being apparently quite unconscious of any danger awaiting them.

death

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading We saw before us no prospect but that of being put to death by the savages, or of dragging out a miserable existence in captivity among them.

discovered

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading We might, to be sure, conceal ourselves for a time from their observation among the fastnesses of the hills, and, as a final resort, in the chasm from which we had just issued; but we must either perish in the long polar winter through cold and famine, or be ultimately discovered in our efforts to obtain relief.

doubtless

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The whole country around us seemed to be swarming with savages, crowds of whom, we now perceived, had come over from the islands to the southward on flat rafts, doubtless with a view of lending their aid in the capture and plunder of the Jane.

dragging

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading We saw before us no prospect but that of being put to death by the savages, or of dragging out a miserable existence in captivity among them.

dreadfuladjectiveUS /ˈdrɛdfəl/

extremely frightening or unpleasant

From this reading Our situation, as it now appeared, was scarcely less dreadful than when we had conceived ourselves entombed forever.

efforts

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading We might, to be sure, conceal ourselves for a time from their observation among the fastnesses of the hills, and, as a final resort, in the chasm from which we had just issued; but we must either perish in the long polar winter through cold and famine, or be ultimately discovered in our efforts to obtain relief.

eitherdeterminerUS /ˈiːðər/

one or the other of two

From this reading We might, to be sure, conceal ourselves for a time from their observation among the fastnesses of the hills, and, as a final resort, in the chasm from which we had just issued; but we must either perish in the long polar winter through cold and famine, or be ultimately discovered in our efforts to obtain relief.

entombed

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Our situation, as it now appeared, was scarcely less dreadful than when we had conceived ourselves entombed forever.

existence

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading We saw before us no prospect but that of being put to death by the savages, or of dragging out a miserable existence in captivity among them.

famine

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading We might, to be sure, conceal ourselves for a time from their observation among the fastnesses of the hills, and, as a final resort, in the chasm from which we had just issued; but we must either perish in the long polar winter through cold and famine, or be ultimately discovered in our efforts to obtain relief.

fastnesses

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading We might, to be sure, conceal ourselves for a time from their observation among the fastnesses of the hills, and, as a final resort, in the chasm from which we had just issued; but we must either perish in the long polar winter through cold and famine, or be ultimately discovered in our efforts to obtain relief.

final

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading We might, to be sure, conceal ourselves for a time from their observation among the fastnesses of the hills, and, as a final resort, in the chasm from which we had just issued; but we must either perish in the long polar winter through cold and famine, or be ultimately discovered in our efforts to obtain relief.

flat

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The whole country around us seemed to be swarming with savages, crowds of whom, we now perceived, had come over from the islands to the southward on flat rafts, doubtless with a view of lending their aid in the capture and plunder of the Jane.

forprepositionUS /fɔːr/

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading We might, to be sure, conceal ourselves for a time from their observation among the fastnesses of the hills, and, as a final resort, in the chasm from which we had just issued; but we must either perish in the long polar winter through cold and famine, or be ultimately discovered in our efforts to obtain relief.

forever

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Our situation, as it now appeared, was scarcely less dreadful than when we had conceived ourselves entombed forever.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading We might, to be sure, conceal ourselves for a time from their observation among the fastnesses of the hills, and, as a final resort, in the chasm from which we had just issued; but we must either perish in the long polar winter through cold and famine, or be ultimately discovered in our efforts to obtain relief.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Our situation, as it now appeared, was scarcely less dreadful than when we had conceived ourselves entombed forever.

hills

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading We might, to be sure, conceal ourselves for a time from their observation among the fastnesses of the hills, and, as a final resort, in the chasm from which we had just issued; but we must either perish in the long polar winter through cold and famine, or be ultimately discovered in our efforts to obtain relief.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading We saw before us no prospect but that of being put to death by the savages, or of dragging out a miserable existence in captivity among them.

islands

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The whole country around us seemed to be swarming with savages, crowds of whom, we now perceived, had come over from the islands to the southward on flat rafts, doubtless with a view of lending their aid in the capture and plunder of the Jane.

issuednounUS /issued/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading We might, to be sure, conceal ourselves for a time from their observation among the fastnesses of the hills, and, as a final resort, in the chasm from which we had just issued; but we must either perish in the long polar winter through cold and famine, or be ultimately discovered in our efforts to obtain relief.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Our situation, as it now appeared, was scarcely less dreadful than when we had conceived ourselves entombed forever.

Jane

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The whole country around us seemed to be swarming with savages, crowds of whom, we now perceived, had come over from the islands to the southward on flat rafts, doubtless with a view of lending their aid in the capture and plunder of the Jane.

just

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading We might, to be sure, conceal ourselves for a time from their observation among the fastnesses of the hills, and, as a final resort, in the chasm from which we had just issued; but we must either perish in the long polar winter through cold and famine, or be ultimately discovered in our efforts to obtain relief.

lay

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The vessel still lay calmly at anchor in the bay, those on board being apparently quite unconscious of any danger awaiting them.

lending

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The whole country around us seemed to be swarming with savages, crowds of whom, we now perceived, had come over from the islands to the southward on flat rafts, doubtless with a view of lending their aid in the capture and plunder of the Jane.

less

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Our situation, as it now appeared, was scarcely less dreadful than when we had conceived ourselves entombed forever.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading We might, to be sure, conceal ourselves for a time from their observation among the fastnesses of the hills, and, as a final resort, in the chasm from which we had just issued; but we must either perish in the long polar winter through cold and famine, or be ultimately discovered in our efforts to obtain relief.

mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading We might, to be sure, conceal ourselves for a time from their observation among the fastnesses of the hills, and, as a final resort, in the chasm from which we had just issued; but we must either perish in the long polar winter through cold and famine, or be ultimately discovered in our efforts to obtain relief.

miserable

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading We saw before us no prospect but that of being put to death by the savages, or of dragging out a miserable existence in captivity among them.

mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading We might, to be sure, conceal ourselves for a time from their observation among the fastnesses of the hills, and, as a final resort, in the chasm from which we had just issued; but we must either perish in the long polar winter through cold and famine, or be ultimately discovered in our efforts to obtain relief.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading We saw before us no prospect but that of being put to death by the savages, or of dragging out a miserable existence in captivity among them.

now

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Our situation, as it now appeared, was scarcely less dreadful than when we had conceived ourselves entombed forever.

observationnounUS /ˈobservation/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading We might, to be sure, conceal ourselves for a time from their observation among the fastnesses of the hills, and, as a final resort, in the chasm from which we had just issued; but we must either perish in the long polar winter through cold and famine, or be ultimately discovered in our efforts to obtain relief.

obtainverbUS /əbˈteɪn/

to get something, especially through effort

From this reading We might, to be sure, conceal ourselves for a time from their observation among the fastnesses of the hills, and, as a final resort, in the chasm from which we had just issued; but we must either perish in the long polar winter through cold and famine, or be ultimately discovered in our efforts to obtain relief.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading We saw before us no prospect but that of being put to death by the savages, or of dragging out a miserable existence in captivity among them.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading The whole country around us seemed to be swarming with savages, crowds of whom, we now perceived, had come over from the islands to the southward on flat rafts, doubtless with a view of lending their aid in the capture and plunder of the Jane.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading We saw before us no prospect but that of being put to death by the savages, or of dragging out a miserable existence in captivity among them.

OurdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading Our situation, as it now appeared, was scarcely less dreadful than when we had conceived ourselves entombed forever.

ourselvespronounUS /aʊərˈselvz/

used when we are both doing the action and receiving it

From this reading Our situation, as it now appeared, was scarcely less dreadful than when we had conceived ourselves entombed forever.

out

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading We saw before us no prospect but that of being put to death by the savages, or of dragging out a miserable existence in captivity among them.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading The whole country around us seemed to be swarming with savages, crowds of whom, we now perceived, had come over from the islands to the southward on flat rafts, doubtless with a view of lending their aid in the capture and plunder of the Jane.

perceived

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The whole country around us seemed to be swarming with savages, crowds of whom, we now perceived, had come over from the islands to the southward on flat rafts, doubtless with a view of lending their aid in the capture and plunder of the Jane.

perish

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading We might, to be sure, conceal ourselves for a time from their observation among the fastnesses of the hills, and, as a final resort, in the chasm from which we had just issued; but we must either perish in the long polar winter through cold and famine, or be ultimately discovered in our efforts to obtain relief.

plundernounUS /ˈplʌn.dər/

Goods or treasure taken by force or theft, especially in war or banditry.

From this reading The whole country around us seemed to be swarming with savages, crowds of whom, we now perceived, had come over from the islands to the southward on flat rafts, doubtless with a view of lending their aid in the capture and plunder of the Jane.

polar

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading We might, to be sure, conceal ourselves for a time from their observation among the fastnesses of the hills, and, as a final resort, in the chasm from which we had just issued; but we must either perish in the long polar winter through cold and famine, or be ultimately discovered in our efforts to obtain relief.

prospect

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From this reading We saw before us no prospect but that of being put to death by the savages, or of dragging out a miserable existence in captivity among them.

put

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading We saw before us no prospect but that of being put to death by the savages, or of dragging out a miserable existence in captivity among them.

quitenounUS /quite/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The vessel still lay calmly at anchor in the bay, those on board being apparently quite unconscious of any danger awaiting them.

rafts

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The whole country around us seemed to be swarming with savages, crowds of whom, we now perceived, had come over from the islands to the southward on flat rafts, doubtless with a view of lending their aid in the capture and plunder of the Jane.

reliefnounUS /rɪˈliːf/

a feeling of comfort after worry or pain

From this reading We might, to be sure, conceal ourselves for a time from their observation among the fastnesses of the hills, and, as a final resort, in the chasm from which we had just issued; but we must either perish in the long polar winter through cold and famine, or be ultimately discovered in our efforts to obtain relief.

resort

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading We might, to be sure, conceal ourselves for a time from their observation among the fastnesses of the hills, and, as a final resort, in the chasm from which we had just issued; but we must either perish in the long polar winter through cold and famine, or be ultimately discovered in our efforts to obtain relief.

savages

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading We saw before us no prospect but that of being put to death by the savages, or of dragging out a miserable existence in captivity among them.

saw

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading We saw before us no prospect but that of being put to death by the savages, or of dragging out a miserable existence in captivity among them.

scarcely

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Our situation, as it now appeared, was scarcely less dreadful than when we had conceived ourselves entombed forever.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The whole country around us seemed to be swarming with savages, crowds of whom, we now perceived, had come over from the islands to the southward on flat rafts, doubtless with a view of lending their aid in the capture and plunder of the Jane.

situation

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Our situation, as it now appeared, was scarcely less dreadful than when we had conceived ourselves entombed forever.

southward

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The whole country around us seemed to be swarming with savages, crowds of whom, we now perceived, had come over from the islands to the southward on flat rafts, doubtless with a view of lending their aid in the capture and plunder of the Jane.

stillnounUS /still/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The vessel still lay calmly at anchor in the bay, those on board being apparently quite unconscious of any danger awaiting them.

surenounUS /sure/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading We might, to be sure, conceal ourselves for a time from their observation among the fastnesses of the hills, and, as a final resort, in the chasm from which we had just issued; but we must either perish in the long polar winter through cold and famine, or be ultimately discovered in our efforts to obtain relief.

swarming

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The whole country around us seemed to be swarming with savages, crowds of whom, we now perceived, had come over from the islands to the southward on flat rafts, doubtless with a view of lending their aid in the capture and plunder of the Jane.

thanconjunctionUS /ðæn/

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading Our situation, as it now appeared, was scarcely less dreadful than when we had conceived ourselves entombed forever.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading We saw before us no prospect but that of being put to death by the savages, or of dragging out a miserable existence in captivity among them.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading We saw before us no prospect but that of being put to death by the savages, or of dragging out a miserable existence in captivity among them.

theirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading We might, to be sure, conceal ourselves for a time from their observation among the fastnesses of the hills, and, as a final resort, in the chasm from which we had just issued; but we must either perish in the long polar winter through cold and famine, or be ultimately discovered in our efforts to obtain relief.

thempronounUS /ðem/

the people or things already mentioned, as the object

From this reading We saw before us no prospect but that of being put to death by the savages, or of dragging out a miserable existence in captivity among them.

thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/

the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known

From this reading The vessel still lay calmly at anchor in the bay, those on board being apparently quite unconscious of any danger awaiting them.

throughnounUS /ˈthrough/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading We might, to be sure, conceal ourselves for a time from their observation among the fastnesses of the hills, and, as a final resort, in the chasm from which we had just issued; but we must either perish in the long polar winter through cold and famine, or be ultimately discovered in our efforts to obtain relief.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading We might, to be sure, conceal ourselves for a time from their observation among the fastnesses of the hills, and, as a final resort, in the chasm from which we had just issued; but we must either perish in the long polar winter through cold and famine, or be ultimately discovered in our efforts to obtain relief.

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading We saw before us no prospect but that of being put to death by the savages, or of dragging out a miserable existence in captivity among them.

ultimately

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading We might, to be sure, conceal ourselves for a time from their observation among the fastnesses of the hills, and, as a final resort, in the chasm from which we had just issued; but we must either perish in the long polar winter through cold and famine, or be ultimately discovered in our efforts to obtain relief.

unconscious

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The vessel still lay calmly at anchor in the bay, those on board being apparently quite unconscious of any danger awaiting them.

uspronounUS /ʌs/

the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading We saw before us no prospect but that of being put to death by the savages, or of dragging out a miserable existence in captivity among them.

vessel

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The vessel still lay calmly at anchor in the bay, those on board being apparently quite unconscious of any danger awaiting them.

view

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The whole country around us seemed to be swarming with savages, crowds of whom, we now perceived, had come over from the islands to the southward on flat rafts, doubtless with a view of lending their aid in the capture and plunder of the Jane.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Our situation, as it now appeared, was scarcely less dreadful than when we had conceived ourselves entombed forever.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading Our situation, as it now appeared, was scarcely less dreadful than when we had conceived ourselves entombed forever.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading Our situation, as it now appeared, was scarcely less dreadful than when we had conceived ourselves entombed forever.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading We might, to be sure, conceal ourselves for a time from their observation among the fastnesses of the hills, and, as a final resort, in the chasm from which we had just issued; but we must either perish in the long polar winter through cold and famine, or be ultimately discovered in our efforts to obtain relief.

whole

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The whole country around us seemed to be swarming with savages, crowds of whom, we now perceived, had come over from the islands to the southward on flat rafts, doubtless with a view of lending their aid in the capture and plunder of the Jane.

whompronounUS /huːm/

the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading The whole country around us seemed to be swarming with savages, crowds of whom, we now perceived, had come over from the islands to the southward on flat rafts, doubtless with a view of lending their aid in the capture and plunder of the Jane.

winter

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading We might, to be sure, conceal ourselves for a time from their observation among the fastnesses of the hills, and, as a final resort, in the chasm from which we had just issued; but we must either perish in the long polar winter through cold and famine, or be ultimately discovered in our efforts to obtain relief.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading The whole country around us seemed to be swarming with savages, crowds of whom, we now perceived, had come over from the islands to the southward on flat rafts, doubtless with a view of lending their aid in the capture and plunder of the Jane.