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 now found ourselves in the wide and desolate Antarctic Ocean, in a latitude exceeding eighty-four degrees, in a frail canoe, and with no provision but the three turtles.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading There were six or seven islands in sight belonging to the same group, and distant from each other about five or six leagues; but upon neither of these had we any intention to venture.
accordance
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From this reading In coming from the northward in the _Jane Guy_ we had been gradually leaving behind us the severest regions of ice—this, however little it maybe in accordance with the generally received notions respecting the Antarctic, was a fact—experience would not permit us to deny.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading We now found ourselves in the wide and desolate Antarctic Ocean, in a latitude exceeding eighty-four degrees, in a frail canoe, and with no provision but the three turtles.
Antarctic
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From this reading We now found ourselves in the wide and desolate Antarctic Ocean, in a latitude exceeding eighty-four degrees, in a frail canoe, and with no provision but the three turtles.
any
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From this reading There were six or seven islands in sight belonging to the same group, and distant from each other about five or six leagues; but upon neither of these had we any intention to venture.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The long polar winter, too, could not be considered as far distant, and it became necessary that we should deliberate well upon the course to be pursued.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading To attempt, therefore, getting back would be folly—especially at so late a period of the season.
attempt
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From this reading To attempt, therefore, getting back would be folly—especially at so late a period of the season.
back
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From this reading To attempt, therefore, getting back would be folly—especially at so late a period of the season.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading The long polar winter, too, could not be considered as far distant, and it became necessary that we should deliberate well upon the course to be pursued.
became
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From this reading The long polar winter, too, could not be considered as far distant, and it became necessary that we should deliberate well upon the course to be pursued.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading In coming from the northward in the _Jane Guy_ we had been gradually leaving behind us the severest regions of ice—this, however little it maybe in accordance with the generally received notions respecting the Antarctic, was a fact—experience would not permit us to deny.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading In coming from the northward in the _Jane Guy_ we had been gradually leaving behind us the severest regions of ice—this, however little it maybe in accordance with the generally received notions respecting the Antarctic, was a fact—experience would not permit us to deny.
belonging
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From this reading There were six or seven islands in sight belonging to the same group, and distant from each other about five or six leagues; but upon neither of these had we any intention to venture.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading We now found ourselves in the wide and desolate Antarctic Ocean, in a latitude exceeding eighty-four degrees, in a frail canoe, and with no provision but the three turtles.
canoe
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From this reading We now found ourselves in the wide and desolate Antarctic Ocean, in a latitude exceeding eighty-four degrees, in a frail canoe, and with no provision but the three turtles.
coming
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From this reading In coming from the northward in the _Jane Guy_ we had been gradually leaving behind us the severest regions of ice—this, however little it maybe in accordance with the generally received notions respecting the Antarctic, was a fact—experience would not permit us to deny.
considered
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From this reading The long polar winter, too, could not be considered as far distant, and it became necessary that we should deliberate well upon the course to be pursued.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The long polar winter, too, could not be considered as far distant, and it became necessary that we should deliberate well upon the course to be pursued.
coursenounUS /course/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The long polar winter, too, could not be considered as far distant, and it became necessary that we should deliberate well upon the course to be pursued.
degrees
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From this reading We now found ourselves in the wide and desolate Antarctic Ocean, in a latitude exceeding eighty-four degrees, in a frail canoe, and with no provision but the three turtles.
deliberate
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From this reading The long polar winter, too, could not be considered as far distant, and it became necessary that we should deliberate well upon the course to be pursued.
deny
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From this reading In coming from the northward in the _Jane Guy_ we had been gradually leaving behind us the severest regions of ice—this, however little it maybe in accordance with the generally received notions respecting the Antarctic, was a fact—experience would not permit us to deny.
desolate
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From this reading We now found ourselves in the wide and desolate Antarctic Ocean, in a latitude exceeding eighty-four degrees, in a frail canoe, and with no provision but the three turtles.
distantadjectiveUS /ˈdɪstənt/
not friendly or close
From this reading The long polar winter, too, could not be considered as far distant, and it became necessary that we should deliberate well upon the course to be pursued.
eachdeterminerUS /iːtʃ/
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading There were six or seven islands in sight belonging to the same group, and distant from each other about five or six leagues; but upon neither of these had we any intention to venture.
eighty-four
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From this reading We now found ourselves in the wide and desolate Antarctic Ocean, in a latitude exceeding eighty-four degrees, in a frail canoe, and with no provision but the three turtles.
especially
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From this reading To attempt, therefore, getting back would be folly—especially at so late a period of the season.
exceeding
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From this reading We now found ourselves in the wide and desolate Antarctic Ocean, in a latitude exceeding eighty-four degrees, in a frail canoe, and with no provision but the three turtles.
experience
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From this reading In coming from the northward in the _Jane Guy_ we had been gradually leaving behind us the severest regions of ice—this, however little it maybe in accordance with the generally received notions respecting the Antarctic, was a fact—experience would not permit us to deny.
fact
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From this reading In coming from the northward in the _Jane Guy_ we had been gradually leaving behind us the severest regions of ice—this, however little it maybe in accordance with the generally received notions respecting the Antarctic, was a fact—experience would not permit us to deny.
far
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From this reading The long polar winter, too, could not be considered as far distant, and it became necessary that we should deliberate well upon the course to be pursued.
five
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From this reading There were six or seven islands in sight belonging to the same group, and distant from each other about five or six leagues; but upon neither of these had we any intention to venture.
follynounUS /ˈfɑːli/
an action or decision that shows a lack of good judgment
From this reading To attempt, therefore, getting back would be folly—especially at so late a period of the season.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading We now found ourselves in the wide and desolate Antarctic Ocean, in a latitude exceeding eighty-four degrees, in a frail canoe, and with no provision but the three turtles.
frail
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From this reading We now found ourselves in the wide and desolate Antarctic Ocean, in a latitude exceeding eighty-four degrees, in a frail canoe, and with no provision but the three turtles.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading There were six or seven islands in sight belonging to the same group, and distant from each other about five or six leagues; but upon neither of these had we any intention to venture.
generally
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From this reading In coming from the northward in the _Jane Guy_ we had been gradually leaving behind us the severest regions of ice—this, however little it maybe in accordance with the generally received notions respecting the Antarctic, was a fact—experience would not permit us to deny.
getting
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From this reading To attempt, therefore, getting back would be folly—especially at so late a period of the season.
gradually
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From this reading In coming from the northward in the _Jane Guy_ we had been gradually leaving behind us the severest regions of ice—this, however little it maybe in accordance with the generally received notions respecting the Antarctic, was a fact—experience would not permit us to deny.
group
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From this reading There were six or seven islands in sight belonging to the same group, and distant from each other about five or six leagues; but upon neither of these had we any intention to venture.
Guy
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From this reading In coming from the northward in the _Jane Guy_ we had been gradually leaving behind us the severest regions of ice—this, however little it maybe in accordance with the generally received notions respecting the Antarctic, was a fact—experience would not permit us to deny.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading There were six or seven islands in sight belonging to the same group, and distant from each other about five or six leagues; but upon neither of these had we any intention to venture.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading In coming from the northward in the _Jane Guy_ we had been gradually leaving behind us the severest regions of ice—this, however little it maybe in accordance with the generally received notions respecting the Antarctic, was a fact—experience would not permit us to deny.
ice
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From this reading In coming from the northward in the _Jane Guy_ we had been gradually leaving behind us the severest regions of ice—this, however little it maybe in accordance with the generally received notions respecting the Antarctic, was a fact—experience would not permit us to deny.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading We now found ourselves in the wide and desolate Antarctic Ocean, in a latitude exceeding eighty-four degrees, in a frail canoe, and with no provision but the three turtles.
intention
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From this reading There were six or seven islands in sight belonging to the same group, and distant from each other about five or six leagues; but upon neither of these had we any intention to venture.
islands
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From this reading There were six or seven islands in sight belonging to the same group, and distant from each other about five or six leagues; but upon neither of these had we any intention to venture.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The long polar winter, too, could not be considered as far distant, and it became necessary that we should deliberate well upon the course to be pursued.
Jane
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From this reading In coming from the northward in the _Jane Guy_ we had been gradually leaving behind us the severest regions of ice—this, however little it maybe in accordance with the generally received notions respecting the Antarctic, was a fact—experience would not permit us to deny.
late
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From this reading To attempt, therefore, getting back would be folly—especially at so late a period of the season.
latitudenounUS /ˈlætəˌtuːd/
distance north or south of the equator
From this reading We now found ourselves in the wide and desolate Antarctic Ocean, in a latitude exceeding eighty-four degrees, in a frail canoe, and with no provision but the three turtles.
leagues
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were six or seven islands in sight belonging to the same group, and distant from each other about five or six leagues; but upon neither of these had we any intention to venture.
leaving
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From this reading In coming from the northward in the _Jane Guy_ we had been gradually leaving behind us the severest regions of ice—this, however little it maybe in accordance with the generally received notions respecting the Antarctic, was a fact—experience would not permit us to deny.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading In coming from the northward in the _Jane Guy_ we had been gradually leaving behind us the severest regions of ice—this, however little it maybe in accordance with the generally received notions respecting the Antarctic, was a fact—experience would not permit us to deny.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The long polar winter, too, could not be considered as far distant, and it became necessary that we should deliberate well upon the course to be pursued.
maybe
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From this reading In coming from the northward in the _Jane Guy_ we had been gradually leaving behind us the severest regions of ice—this, however little it maybe in accordance with the generally received notions respecting the Antarctic, was a fact—experience would not permit us to deny.
necessary
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From this reading The long polar winter, too, could not be considered as far distant, and it became necessary that we should deliberate well upon the course to be pursued.
neitherdeterminerUS /ˈniːðər/
not one and not the other of two
From this reading There were six or seven islands in sight belonging to the same group, and distant from each other about five or six leagues; but upon neither of these had we any intention to venture.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading We now found ourselves in the wide and desolate Antarctic Ocean, in a latitude exceeding eighty-four degrees, in a frail canoe, and with no provision but the three turtles.
northward
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From this reading In coming from the northward in the _Jane Guy_ we had been gradually leaving behind us the severest regions of ice—this, however little it maybe in accordance with the generally received notions respecting the Antarctic, was a fact—experience would not permit us to deny.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The long polar winter, too, could not be considered as far distant, and it became necessary that we should deliberate well upon the course to be pursued.
notions
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From this reading In coming from the northward in the _Jane Guy_ we had been gradually leaving behind us the severest regions of ice—this, however little it maybe in accordance with the generally received notions respecting the Antarctic, was a fact—experience would not permit us to deny.
now
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From this reading We now found ourselves in the wide and desolate Antarctic Ocean, in a latitude exceeding eighty-four degrees, in a frail canoe, and with no provision but the three turtles.
Ocean
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From this reading We now found ourselves in the wide and desolate Antarctic Ocean, in a latitude exceeding eighty-four degrees, in a frail canoe, and with no provision but the three turtles.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading There were six or seven islands in sight belonging to the same group, and distant from each other about five or six leagues; but upon neither of these had we any intention to venture.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading There were six or seven islands in sight belonging to the same group, and distant from each other about five or six leagues; but upon neither of these had we any intention to venture.
other
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From this reading There were six or seven islands in sight belonging to the same group, and distant from each other about five or six leagues; but upon neither of these had we any intention to venture.
ourselvespronounUS /aʊərˈselvz/
used when we are both doing the action and receiving it
From this reading We now found ourselves in the wide and desolate Antarctic Ocean, in a latitude exceeding eighty-four degrees, in a frail canoe, and with no provision but the three turtles.
period
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From this reading To attempt, therefore, getting back would be folly—especially at so late a period of the season.
permit
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From this reading In coming from the northward in the _Jane Guy_ we had been gradually leaving behind us the severest regions of ice—this, however little it maybe in accordance with the generally received notions respecting the Antarctic, was a fact—experience would not permit us to deny.
polar
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From this reading The long polar winter, too, could not be considered as far distant, and it became necessary that we should deliberate well upon the course to be pursued.
provision
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From this reading We now found ourselves in the wide and desolate Antarctic Ocean, in a latitude exceeding eighty-four degrees, in a frail canoe, and with no provision but the three turtles.
pursued
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The long polar winter, too, could not be considered as far distant, and it became necessary that we should deliberate well upon the course to be pursued.
received
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From this reading In coming from the northward in the _Jane Guy_ we had been gradually leaving behind us the severest regions of ice—this, however little it maybe in accordance with the generally received notions respecting the Antarctic, was a fact—experience would not permit us to deny.
regions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In coming from the northward in the _Jane Guy_ we had been gradually leaving behind us the severest regions of ice—this, however little it maybe in accordance with the generally received notions respecting the Antarctic, was a fact—experience would not permit us to deny.
respecting
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From this reading In coming from the northward in the _Jane Guy_ we had been gradually leaving behind us the severest regions of ice—this, however little it maybe in accordance with the generally received notions respecting the Antarctic, was a fact—experience would not permit us to deny.
samenounUS /same/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading There were six or seven islands in sight belonging to the same group, and distant from each other about five or six leagues; but upon neither of these had we any intention to venture.
season
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading To attempt, therefore, getting back would be folly—especially at so late a period of the season.
seven
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were six or seven islands in sight belonging to the same group, and distant from each other about five or six leagues; but upon neither of these had we any intention to venture.
severest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In coming from the northward in the _Jane Guy_ we had been gradually leaving behind us the severest regions of ice—this, however little it maybe in accordance with the generally received notions respecting the Antarctic, was a fact—experience would not permit us to deny.
shouldmodal verbUS /ʃʊd/
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading The long polar winter, too, could not be considered as far distant, and it became necessary that we should deliberate well upon the course to be pursued.
sight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were six or seven islands in sight belonging to the same group, and distant from each other about five or six leagues; but upon neither of these had we any intention to venture.
six
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From this reading There were six or seven islands in sight belonging to the same group, and distant from each other about five or six leagues; but upon neither of these had we any intention to venture.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading To attempt, therefore, getting back would be folly—especially at so late a period of the season.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The long polar winter, too, could not be considered as far distant, and it became necessary that we should deliberate well upon the course to be pursued.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading We now found ourselves in the wide and desolate Antarctic Ocean, in a latitude exceeding eighty-four degrees, in a frail canoe, and with no provision but the three turtles.
There
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From this reading There were six or seven islands in sight belonging to the same group, and distant from each other about five or six leagues; but upon neither of these had we any intention to venture.
thereforeadverbUS /ˈðerfɔːr/
for that reason; as a result
From this reading To attempt, therefore, getting back would be folly—especially at so late a period of the season.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading There were six or seven islands in sight belonging to the same group, and distant from each other about five or six leagues; but upon neither of these had we any intention to venture.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading In coming from the northward in the _Jane Guy_ we had been gradually leaving behind us the severest regions of ice—this, however little it maybe in accordance with the generally received notions respecting the Antarctic, was a fact—experience would not permit us to deny.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We now found ourselves in the wide and desolate Antarctic Ocean, in a latitude exceeding eighty-four degrees, in a frail canoe, and with no provision but the three turtles.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The long polar winter, too, could not be considered as far distant, and it became necessary that we should deliberate well upon the course to be pursued.
too
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The long polar winter, too, could not be considered as far distant, and it became necessary that we should deliberate well upon the course to be pursued.
turtles
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From this reading We now found ourselves in the wide and desolate Antarctic Ocean, in a latitude exceeding eighty-four degrees, in a frail canoe, and with no provision but the three turtles.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading The long polar winter, too, could not be considered as far distant, and it became necessary that we should deliberate well upon the course to be pursued.
uspronounUS /ʌs/
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading In coming from the northward in the _Jane Guy_ we had been gradually leaving behind us the severest regions of ice—this, however little it maybe in accordance with the generally received notions respecting the Antarctic, was a fact—experience would not permit us to deny.
venture
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading There were six or seven islands in sight belonging to the same group, and distant from each other about five or six leagues; but upon neither of these had we any intention to venture.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In coming from the northward in the _Jane Guy_ we had been gradually leaving behind us the severest regions of ice—this, however little it maybe in accordance with the generally received notions respecting the Antarctic, was a fact—experience would not permit us to deny.
WepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We now found ourselves in the wide and desolate Antarctic Ocean, in a latitude exceeding eighty-four degrees, in a frail canoe, and with no provision but the three turtles.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The long polar winter, too, could not be considered as far distant, and it became necessary that we should deliberate well upon the course to be pursued.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There were six or seven islands in sight belonging to the same group, and distant from each other about five or six leagues; but upon neither of these had we any intention to venture.
wide
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We now found ourselves in the wide and desolate Antarctic Ocean, in a latitude exceeding eighty-four degrees, in a frail canoe, and with no provision but the three turtles.
winter
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The long polar winter, too, could not be considered as far distant, and it became necessary that we should deliberate well upon the course to be pursued.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading We now found ourselves in the wide and desolate Antarctic Ocean, in a latitude exceeding eighty-four degrees, in a frail canoe, and with no provision but the three turtles.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading In coming from the northward in the _Jane Guy_ we had been gradually leaving behind us the severest regions of ice—this, however little it maybe in accordance with the generally received notions respecting the Antarctic, was a fact—experience would not permit us to deny.
