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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 Day and night being now only distinguishable by the aid of the clock, a constant look-out aloft was kept all through the twenty-four hours, watch and watch, but whales were apparently very scarce.
abandoned
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From this reading Our sealing, therefore, was only a way of passing the time in the absence of nobler game, to be abandoned at once with whales in sight.
absence
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From this reading Our sealing, therefore, was only a way of passing the time in the absence of nobler game, to be abandoned at once with whales in sight.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading It was on the ninth or tenth morning after our arrival on the grounds that a bowhead was raised, And two boats sent after him.
aid
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From this reading Day and night being now only distinguishable by the aid of the clock, a constant look-out aloft was kept all through the twenty-four hours, watch and watch, but whales were apparently very scarce.
all
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From this reading Day and night being now only distinguishable by the aid of the clock, a constant look-out aloft was kept all through the twenty-four hours, watch and watch, but whales were apparently very scarce.
aloft
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From this reading Day and night being now only distinguishable by the aid of the clock, a constant look-out aloft was kept all through the twenty-four hours, watch and watch, but whales were apparently very scarce.
amongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading But the total number obtained was not great, for these creatures are only gregarious when at their rocky haunts during the breeding season, or among the ice just before that season begins.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Day and night being now only distinguishable by the aid of the clock, a constant look-out aloft was kept all through the twenty-four hours, watch and watch, but whales were apparently very scarce.
apparently
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From this reading Day and night being now only distinguishable by the aid of the clock, a constant look-out aloft was kept all through the twenty-four hours, watch and watch, but whales were apparently very scarce.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading But the total number obtained was not great, for these creatures are only gregarious when at their rocky haunts during the breeding season, or among the ice just before that season begins.
arrival
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From this reading It was on the ninth or tenth morning after our arrival on the grounds that a bowhead was raised, And two boats sent after him.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading But the total number obtained was not great, for these creatures are only gregarious when at their rocky haunts during the breeding season, or among the ice just before that season begins.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Our sealing, therefore, was only a way of passing the time in the absence of nobler game, to be abandoned at once with whales in sight.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading But the total number obtained was not great, for these creatures are only gregarious when at their rocky haunts during the breeding season, or among the ice just before that season begins.
begins
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From this reading But the total number obtained was not great, for these creatures are only gregarious when at their rocky haunts during the breeding season, or among the ice just before that season begins.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Day and night being now only distinguishable by the aid of the clock, a constant look-out aloft was kept all through the twenty-four hours, watch and watch, but whales were apparently very scarce.
boats
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From this reading It was on the ninth or tenth morning after our arrival on the grounds that a bowhead was raised, And two boats sent after him.
bowhead
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From this reading It was on the ninth or tenth morning after our arrival on the grounds that a bowhead was raised, And two boats sent after him.
breeding
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From this reading But the total number obtained was not great, for these creatures are only gregarious when at their rocky haunts during the breeding season, or among the ice just before that season begins.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading Day and night being now only distinguishable by the aid of the clock, a constant look-out aloft was kept all through the twenty-four hours, watch and watch, but whales were apparently very scarce.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Day and night being now only distinguishable by the aid of the clock, a constant look-out aloft was kept all through the twenty-four hours, watch and watch, but whales were apparently very scarce.
catching
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From this reading We did a good deal of "pelagic" sealing; that is, catching seals swimming.
clock
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From this reading Day and night being now only distinguishable by the aid of the clock, a constant look-out aloft was kept all through the twenty-four hours, watch and watch, but whales were apparently very scarce.
constant
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From this reading Day and night being now only distinguishable by the aid of the clock, a constant look-out aloft was kept all through the twenty-four hours, watch and watch, but whales were apparently very scarce.
creatures
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From this reading But the total number obtained was not great, for these creatures are only gregarious when at their rocky haunts during the breeding season, or among the ice just before that season begins.
Day
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From this reading Day and night being now only distinguishable by the aid of the clock, a constant look-out aloft was kept all through the twenty-four hours, watch and watch, but whales were apparently very scarce.
deal
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From this reading We did a good deal of "pelagic" sealing; that is, catching seals swimming.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading We did a good deal of "pelagic" sealing; that is, catching seals swimming.
distinguishable
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From this reading Day and night being now only distinguishable by the aid of the clock, a constant look-out aloft was kept all through the twenty-four hours, watch and watch, but whales were apparently very scarce.
duringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading But the total number obtained was not great, for these creatures are only gregarious when at their rocky haunts during the breeding season, or among the ice just before that season begins.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading But the total number obtained was not great, for these creatures are only gregarious when at their rocky haunts during the breeding season, or among the ice just before that season begins.
game
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our sealing, therefore, was only a way of passing the time in the absence of nobler game, to be abandoned at once with whales in sight.
goodnounUS /good/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading We did a good deal of "pelagic" sealing; that is, catching seals swimming.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading But the total number obtained was not great, for these creatures are only gregarious when at their rocky haunts during the breeding season, or among the ice just before that season begins.
gregarious
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From this reading But the total number obtained was not great, for these creatures are only gregarious when at their rocky haunts during the breeding season, or among the ice just before that season begins.
grounds
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From this reading It was on the ninth or tenth morning after our arrival on the grounds that a bowhead was raised, And two boats sent after him.
haunts
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From this reading But the total number obtained was not great, for these creatures are only gregarious when at their rocky haunts during the breeding season, or among the ice just before that season begins.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading It was on the ninth or tenth morning after our arrival on the grounds that a bowhead was raised, And two boats sent after him.
hours
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From this reading Day and night being now only distinguishable by the aid of the clock, a constant look-out aloft was kept all through the twenty-four hours, watch and watch, but whales were apparently very scarce.
ice
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the total number obtained was not great, for these creatures are only gregarious when at their rocky haunts during the breeding season, or among the ice just before that season begins.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Our sealing, therefore, was only a way of passing the time in the absence of nobler game, to be abandoned at once with whales in sight.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading We did a good deal of "pelagic" sealing; that is, catching seals swimming.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was on the ninth or tenth morning after our arrival on the grounds that a bowhead was raised, And two boats sent after him.
just
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the total number obtained was not great, for these creatures are only gregarious when at their rocky haunts during the breeding season, or among the ice just before that season begins.
kept
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From this reading Day and night being now only distinguishable by the aid of the clock, a constant look-out aloft was kept all through the twenty-four hours, watch and watch, but whales were apparently very scarce.
look-out
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Day and night being now only distinguishable by the aid of the clock, a constant look-out aloft was kept all through the twenty-four hours, watch and watch, but whales were apparently very scarce.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was on the ninth or tenth morning after our arrival on the grounds that a bowhead was raised, And two boats sent after him.
night
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From this reading Day and night being now only distinguishable by the aid of the clock, a constant look-out aloft was kept all through the twenty-four hours, watch and watch, but whales were apparently very scarce.
ninth
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From this reading It was on the ninth or tenth morning after our arrival on the grounds that a bowhead was raised, And two boats sent after him.
nobler
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From this reading Our sealing, therefore, was only a way of passing the time in the absence of nobler game, to be abandoned at once with whales in sight.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading But the total number obtained was not great, for these creatures are only gregarious when at their rocky haunts during the breeding season, or among the ice just before that season begins.
now
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From this reading Day and night being now only distinguishable by the aid of the clock, a constant look-out aloft was kept all through the twenty-four hours, watch and watch, but whales were apparently very scarce.
number
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the total number obtained was not great, for these creatures are only gregarious when at their rocky haunts during the breeding season, or among the ice just before that season begins.
obtained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the total number obtained was not great, for these creatures are only gregarious when at their rocky haunts during the breeding season, or among the ice just before that season begins.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Day and night being now only distinguishable by the aid of the clock, a constant look-out aloft was kept all through the twenty-four hours, watch and watch, but whales were apparently very scarce.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It was on the ninth or tenth morning after our arrival on the grounds that a bowhead was raised, And two boats sent after him.
once
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From this reading Our sealing, therefore, was only a way of passing the time in the absence of nobler game, to be abandoned at once with whales in sight.
only
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Day and night being now only distinguishable by the aid of the clock, a constant look-out aloft was kept all through the twenty-four hours, watch and watch, but whales were apparently very scarce.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading But the total number obtained was not great, for these creatures are only gregarious when at their rocky haunts during the breeding season, or among the ice just before that season begins.
OurdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Our sealing, therefore, was only a way of passing the time in the absence of nobler game, to be abandoned at once with whales in sight.
passing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our sealing, therefore, was only a way of passing the time in the absence of nobler game, to be abandoned at once with whales in sight.
pelagic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We did a good deal of "pelagic" sealing; that is, catching seals swimming.
raised
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was on the ninth or tenth morning after our arrival on the grounds that a bowhead was raised, And two boats sent after him.
rocky
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the total number obtained was not great, for these creatures are only gregarious when at their rocky haunts during the breeding season, or among the ice just before that season begins.
scarceadjectiveUS /skɛrs/
hard to find or in short supply
From this reading Day and night being now only distinguishable by the aid of the clock, a constant look-out aloft was kept all through the twenty-four hours, watch and watch, but whales were apparently very scarce.
sealing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We did a good deal of "pelagic" sealing; that is, catching seals swimming.
seals
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We did a good deal of "pelagic" sealing; that is, catching seals swimming.
season
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the total number obtained was not great, for these creatures are only gregarious when at their rocky haunts during the breeding season, or among the ice just before that season begins.
sent
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was on the ninth or tenth morning after our arrival on the grounds that a bowhead was raised, And two boats sent after him.
sight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our sealing, therefore, was only a way of passing the time in the absence of nobler game, to be abandoned at once with whales in sight.
swimming
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading We did a good deal of "pelagic" sealing; that is, catching seals swimming.
tenth
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was on the ninth or tenth morning after our arrival on the grounds that a bowhead was raised, And two boats sent after him.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading We did a good deal of "pelagic" sealing; that is, catching seals swimming.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Day and night being now only distinguishable by the aid of the clock, a constant look-out aloft was kept all through the twenty-four hours, watch and watch, but whales were apparently very scarce.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading But the total number obtained was not great, for these creatures are only gregarious when at their rocky haunts during the breeding season, or among the ice just before that season begins.
thereforeadverbUS /ˈðerfɔːr/
for that reason; as a result
From this reading Our sealing, therefore, was only a way of passing the time in the absence of nobler game, to be abandoned at once with whales in sight.
thesedeterminerUS /ðiːz/
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading But the total number obtained was not great, for these creatures are only gregarious when at their rocky haunts during the breeding season, or among the ice just before that season begins.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading Day and night being now only distinguishable by the aid of the clock, a constant look-out aloft was kept all through the twenty-four hours, watch and watch, but whales were apparently very scarce.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Our sealing, therefore, was only a way of passing the time in the absence of nobler game, to be abandoned at once with whales in sight.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Our sealing, therefore, was only a way of passing the time in the absence of nobler game, to be abandoned at once with whales in sight.
total
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading But the total number obtained was not great, for these creatures are only gregarious when at their rocky haunts during the breeding season, or among the ice just before that season begins.
twenty-four
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Day and night being now only distinguishable by the aid of the clock, a constant look-out aloft was kept all through the twenty-four hours, watch and watch, but whales were apparently very scarce.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was on the ninth or tenth morning after our arrival on the grounds that a bowhead was raised, And two boats sent after him.
very
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Day and night being now only distinguishable by the aid of the clock, a constant look-out aloft was kept all through the twenty-four hours, watch and watch, but whales were apparently very scarce.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Day and night being now only distinguishable by the aid of the clock, a constant look-out aloft was kept all through the twenty-four hours, watch and watch, but whales were apparently very scarce.
watch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Day and night being now only distinguishable by the aid of the clock, a constant look-out aloft was kept all through the twenty-four hours, watch and watch, but whales were apparently very scarce.
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Our sealing, therefore, was only a way of passing the time in the absence of nobler game, to be abandoned at once with whales in sight.
WepronounUS /wiː/
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We did a good deal of "pelagic" sealing; that is, catching seals swimming.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Day and night being now only distinguishable by the aid of the clock, a constant look-out aloft was kept all through the twenty-four hours, watch and watch, but whales were apparently very scarce.
whales
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Day and night being now only distinguishable by the aid of the clock, a constant look-out aloft was kept all through the twenty-four hours, watch and watch, but whales were apparently very scarce.
whenconjunctionUS /wen/
at the time that
From this reading But the total number obtained was not great, for these creatures are only gregarious when at their rocky haunts during the breeding season, or among the ice just before that season begins.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Our sealing, therefore, was only a way of passing the time in the absence of nobler game, to be abandoned at once with whales in sight.