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 At two o’clock P.M. Hobson and Black took the height of the sun above the horizon with the sextant, and they hoped to recommence the same operation the next morning towards ten o’clock A.M., so as to be able to infer from the two altitudes obtained the exact point of the Arctic Ocean then occupied by their island.
able
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At two o’clock P.M. Hobson and Black took the height of the sun above the horizon with the sextant, and they hoped to recommence the same operation the next morning towards ten o’clock A.M., so as to be able to infer from the two altitudes obtained the exact point of the Arctic Ocean then occupied by their island.
aboveprepositionUS /əˈbʌv/
higher than, or over, something
From this reading At two o’clock P.M. Hobson and Black took the height of the sun above the horizon with the sextant, and they hoped to recommence the same operation the next morning towards ten o’clock A.M., so as to be able to infer from the two altitudes obtained the exact point of the Arctic Ocean then occupied by their island.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading For the longitude, the altitude of the sun must be ascertained before and after noon, and two hour angles must be measured.
agents
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading unexpected and novel situation in which the agents of the Company now found themselves, and Hobson did so with his chart before him.
alreadynounUS /already/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He could not ascertain the longitude of Victoria Island—the original name being retained—until the next day, and the latitude had already been taken.
altitude
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the longitude, the altitude of the sun must be ascertained before and after noon, and two hour angles must be measured.
altitudes
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At two o’clock P.M. Hobson and Black took the height of the sun above the horizon with the sextant, and they hoped to recommence the same operation the next morning towards ten o’clock A.M., so as to be able to infer from the two altitudes obtained the exact point of the Arctic Ocean then occupied by their island.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading unexpected and novel situation in which the agents of the Company now found themselves, and Hobson did so with his chart before him.
angles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the longitude, the altitude of the sun must be ascertained before and after noon, and two hour angles must be measured.
Arctic
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At two o’clock P.M. Hobson and Black took the height of the sun above the horizon with the sextant, and they hoped to recommence the same operation the next morning towards ten o’clock A.M., so as to be able to infer from the two altitudes obtained the exact point of the Arctic Ocean then occupied by their island.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading At two o’clock P.M. Hobson and Black took the height of the sun above the horizon with the sextant, and they hoped to recommence the same operation the next morning towards ten o’clock A.M., so as to be able to infer from the two altitudes obtained the exact point of the Arctic Ocean then occupied by their island.
ascertain
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could not ascertain the longitude of Victoria Island—the original name being retained—until the next day, and the latitude had already been taken.
ascertained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the longitude, the altitude of the sun must be ascertained before and after noon, and two hour angles must be measured.
AtprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At two o’clock P.M. Hobson and Black took the height of the sun above the horizon with the sextant, and they hoped to recommence the same operation the next morning towards ten o’clock A.M., so as to be able to infer from the two altitudes obtained the exact point of the Arctic Ocean then occupied by their island.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading For the longitude, the altitude of the sun must be ascertained before and after noon, and two hour angles must be measured.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading He could not ascertain the longitude of Victoria Island—the original name being retained—until the next day, and the latitude had already been taken.
beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/
earlier than; in front of
From this reading unexpected and novel situation in which the agents of the Company now found themselves, and Hobson did so with his chart before him.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading He could not ascertain the longitude of Victoria Island—the original name being retained—until the next day, and the latitude had already been taken.
Black
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At two o’clock P.M. Hobson and Black took the height of the sun above the horizon with the sextant, and they hoped to recommence the same operation the next morning towards ten o’clock A.M., so as to be able to infer from the two altitudes obtained the exact point of the Arctic Ocean then occupied by their island.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The party did not, however, at once return to the fort, but remained talking together for some little time on the promontory.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading At two o’clock P.M. Hobson and Black took the height of the sun above the horizon with the sextant, and they hoped to recommence the same operation the next morning towards ten o’clock A.M., so as to be able to infer from the two altitudes obtained the exact point of the Arctic Ocean then occupied by their island.
chart
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading unexpected and novel situation in which the agents of the Company now found themselves, and Hobson did so with his chart before him.
Company
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading unexpected and novel situation in which the agents of the Company now found themselves, and Hobson did so with his chart before him.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading He could not ascertain the longitude of Victoria Island—the original name being retained—until the next day, and the latitude had already been taken.
day
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could not ascertain the longitude of Victoria Island—the original name being retained—until the next day, and the latitude had already been taken.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading unexpected and novel situation in which the agents of the Company now found themselves, and Hobson did so with his chart before him.
exactadjectiveUS /ɪɡˈzækt/
Strictly particular and correct.
From this reading At two o’clock P.M. Hobson and Black took the height of the sun above the horizon with the sextant, and they hoped to recommence the same operation the next morning towards ten o’clock A.M., so as to be able to infer from the two altitudes obtained the exact point of the Arctic Ocean then occupied by their island.
ForprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For the longitude, the altitude of the sun must be ascertained before and after noon, and two hour angles must be measured.
fort
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The party did not, however, at once return to the fort, but remained talking together for some little time on the promontory.
foundnounUS /found/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading unexpected and novel situation in which the agents of the Company now found themselves, and Hobson did so with his chart before him.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading At two o’clock P.M. Hobson and Black took the height of the sun above the horizon with the sextant, and they hoped to recommence the same operation the next morning towards ten o’clock A.M., so as to be able to infer from the two altitudes obtained the exact point of the Arctic Ocean then occupied by their island.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He could not ascertain the longitude of Victoria Island—the original name being retained—until the next day, and the latitude had already been taken.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He could not ascertain the longitude of Victoria Island—the original name being retained—until the next day, and the latitude had already been taken.
height
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At two o’clock P.M. Hobson and Black took the height of the sun above the horizon with the sextant, and they hoped to recommence the same operation the next morning towards ten o’clock A.M., so as to be able to infer from the two altitudes obtained the exact point of the Arctic Ocean then occupied by their island.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading unexpected and novel situation in which the agents of the Company now found themselves, and Hobson did so with his chart before him.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading unexpected and novel situation in which the agents of the Company now found themselves, and Hobson did so with his chart before him.
Hobson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading unexpected and novel situation in which the agents of the Company now found themselves, and Hobson did so with his chart before him.
hoped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At two o’clock P.M. Hobson and Black took the height of the sun above the horizon with the sextant, and they hoped to recommence the same operation the next morning towards ten o’clock A.M., so as to be able to infer from the two altitudes obtained the exact point of the Arctic Ocean then occupied by their island.
horizon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At two o’clock P.M. Hobson and Black took the height of the sun above the horizon with the sextant, and they hoped to recommence the same operation the next morning towards ten o’clock A.M., so as to be able to infer from the two altitudes obtained the exact point of the Arctic Ocean then occupied by their island.
hour
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the longitude, the altitude of the sun must be ascertained before and after noon, and two hour angles must be measured.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading The party did not, however, at once return to the fort, but remained talking together for some little time on the promontory.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading unexpected and novel situation in which the agents of the Company now found themselves, and Hobson did so with his chart before him.
infer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At two o’clock P.M. Hobson and Black took the height of the sun above the horizon with the sextant, and they hoped to recommence the same operation the next morning towards ten o’clock A.M., so as to be able to infer from the two altitudes obtained the exact point of the Arctic Ocean then occupied by their island.
Island
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could not ascertain the longitude of Victoria Island—the original name being retained—until the next day, and the latitude had already been taken.
latitudenounUS /ˈlætəˌtuːd/
distance north or south of the equator
From this reading He could not ascertain the longitude of Victoria Island—the original name being retained—until the next day, and the latitude had already been taken.
littlenounUS /little/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The party did not, however, at once return to the fort, but remained talking together for some little time on the promontory.
longitude
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could not ascertain the longitude of Victoria Island—the original name being retained—until the next day, and the latitude had already been taken.
M
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At two o’clock P.M. Hobson and Black took the height of the sun above the horizon with the sextant, and they hoped to recommence the same operation the next morning towards ten o’clock A.M., so as to be able to infer from the two altitudes obtained the exact point of the Arctic Ocean then occupied by their island.
measured
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the longitude, the altitude of the sun must be ascertained before and after noon, and two hour angles must be measured.
morningnounUS /morning/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At two o’clock P.M. Hobson and Black took the height of the sun above the horizon with the sextant, and they hoped to recommence the same operation the next morning towards ten o’clock A.M., so as to be able to infer from the two altitudes obtained the exact point of the Arctic Ocean then occupied by their island.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading For the longitude, the altitude of the sun must be ascertained before and after noon, and two hour angles must be measured.
namenounUS /name/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He could not ascertain the longitude of Victoria Island—the original name being retained—until the next day, and the latitude had already been taken.
nextnounUS /next/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading He could not ascertain the longitude of Victoria Island—the original name being retained—until the next day, and the latitude had already been taken.
noon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the longitude, the altitude of the sun must be ascertained before and after noon, and two hour angles must be measured.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading He could not ascertain the longitude of Victoria Island—the original name being retained—until the next day, and the latitude had already been taken.
novel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading unexpected and novel situation in which the agents of the Company now found themselves, and Hobson did so with his chart before him.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading unexpected and novel situation in which the agents of the Company now found themselves, and Hobson did so with his chart before him.
o'clock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At two o’clock P.M. Hobson and Black took the height of the sun above the horizon with the sextant, and they hoped to recommence the same operation the next morning towards ten o’clock A.M., so as to be able to infer from the two altitudes obtained the exact point of the Arctic Ocean then occupied by their island.
obtained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At two o’clock P.M. Hobson and Black took the height of the sun above the horizon with the sextant, and they hoped to recommence the same operation the next morning towards ten o’clock A.M., so as to be able to infer from the two altitudes obtained the exact point of the Arctic Ocean then occupied by their island.
occupied
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At two o’clock P.M. Hobson and Black took the height of the sun above the horizon with the sextant, and they hoped to recommence the same operation the next morning towards ten o’clock A.M., so as to be able to infer from the two altitudes obtained the exact point of the Arctic Ocean then occupied by their island.
Ocean
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At two o’clock P.M. Hobson and Black took the height of the sun above the horizon with the sextant, and they hoped to recommence the same operation the next morning towards ten o’clock A.M., so as to be able to infer from the two altitudes obtained the exact point of the Arctic Ocean then occupied by their island.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading unexpected and novel situation in which the agents of the Company now found themselves, and Hobson did so with his chart before him.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The party did not, however, at once return to the fort, but remained talking together for some little time on the promontory.
once
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The party did not, however, at once return to the fort, but remained talking together for some little time on the promontory.
operation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At two o’clock P.M. Hobson and Black took the height of the sun above the horizon with the sextant, and they hoped to recommence the same operation the next morning towards ten o’clock A.M., so as to be able to infer from the two altitudes obtained the exact point of the Arctic Ocean then occupied by their island.
original
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could not ascertain the longitude of Victoria Island—the original name being retained—until the next day, and the latitude had already been taken.
P
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At two o’clock P.M. Hobson and Black took the height of the sun above the horizon with the sextant, and they hoped to recommence the same operation the next morning towards ten o’clock A.M., so as to be able to infer from the two altitudes obtained the exact point of the Arctic Ocean then occupied by their island.
partynounUS /party/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The party did not, however, at once return to the fort, but remained talking together for some little time on the promontory.
pointnounUS /pɔɪnt/
the main matter or purpose being discussed
From this reading At two o’clock P.M. Hobson and Black took the height of the sun above the horizon with the sextant, and they hoped to recommence the same operation the next morning towards ten o’clock A.M., so as to be able to infer from the two altitudes obtained the exact point of the Arctic Ocean then occupied by their island.
promontory
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The party did not, however, at once return to the fort, but remained talking together for some little time on the promontory.
recommence
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At two o’clock P.M. Hobson and Black took the height of the sun above the horizon with the sextant, and they hoped to recommence the same operation the next morning towards ten o’clock A.M., so as to be able to infer from the two altitudes obtained the exact point of the Arctic Ocean then occupied by their island.
remainednounUS /ˈremained/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading The party did not, however, at once return to the fort, but remained talking together for some little time on the promontory.
retained
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could not ascertain the longitude of Victoria Island—the original name being retained—until the next day, and the latitude had already been taken.
return
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The party did not, however, at once return to the fort, but remained talking together for some little time on the promontory.
samenounUS /same/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At two o’clock P.M. Hobson and Black took the height of the sun above the horizon with the sextant, and they hoped to recommence the same operation the next morning towards ten o’clock A.M., so as to be able to infer from the two altitudes obtained the exact point of the Arctic Ocean then occupied by their island.
sextant
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At two o’clock P.M. Hobson and Black took the height of the sun above the horizon with the sextant, and they hoped to recommence the same operation the next morning towards ten o’clock A.M., so as to be able to infer from the two altitudes obtained the exact point of the Arctic Ocean then occupied by their island.
situation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading unexpected and novel situation in which the agents of the Company now found themselves, and Hobson did so with his chart before him.
soconjunctionUS /soʊ/
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading unexpected and novel situation in which the agents of the Company now found themselves, and Hobson did so with his chart before him.
some
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The party did not, however, at once return to the fort, but remained talking together for some little time on the promontory.
sun
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the longitude, the altitude of the sun must be ascertained before and after noon, and two hour angles must be measured.
taken
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could not ascertain the longitude of Victoria Island—the original name being retained—until the next day, and the latitude had already been taken.
talking
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The party did not, however, at once return to the fort, but remained talking together for some little time on the promontory.
ten
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At two o’clock P.M. Hobson and Black took the height of the sun above the horizon with the sextant, and they hoped to recommence the same operation the next morning towards ten o’clock A.M., so as to be able to infer from the two altitudes obtained the exact point of the Arctic Ocean then occupied by their island.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading unexpected and novel situation in which the agents of the Company now found themselves, and Hobson did so with his chart before him.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading At two o’clock P.M. Hobson and Black took the height of the sun above the horizon with the sextant, and they hoped to recommence the same operation the next morning towards ten o’clock A.M., so as to be able to infer from the two altitudes obtained the exact point of the Arctic Ocean then occupied by their island.
themselvespronounUS /ðemˈselvz/
used when the people doing the action are also its object
From this reading unexpected and novel situation in which the agents of the Company now found themselves, and Hobson did so with his chart before him.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading At two o’clock P.M. Hobson and Black took the height of the sun above the horizon with the sextant, and they hoped to recommence the same operation the next morning towards ten o’clock A.M., so as to be able to infer from the two altitudes obtained the exact point of the Arctic Ocean then occupied by their island.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading At two o’clock P.M. Hobson and Black took the height of the sun above the horizon with the sextant, and they hoped to recommence the same operation the next morning towards ten o’clock A.M., so as to be able to infer from the two altitudes obtained the exact point of the Arctic Ocean then occupied by their island.
timenounUS /time/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading The party did not, however, at once return to the fort, but remained talking together for some little time on the promontory.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading At two o’clock P.M. Hobson and Black took the height of the sun above the horizon with the sextant, and they hoped to recommence the same operation the next morning towards ten o’clock A.M., so as to be able to infer from the two altitudes obtained the exact point of the Arctic Ocean then occupied by their island.
together
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The party did not, however, at once return to the fort, but remained talking together for some little time on the promontory.
tooknounUS /took/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading At two o’clock P.M. Hobson and Black took the height of the sun above the horizon with the sextant, and they hoped to recommence the same operation the next morning towards ten o’clock A.M., so as to be able to infer from the two altitudes obtained the exact point of the Arctic Ocean then occupied by their island.
towardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/
in the direction of
From this reading At two o’clock P.M. Hobson and Black took the height of the sun above the horizon with the sextant, and they hoped to recommence the same operation the next morning towards ten o’clock A.M., so as to be able to infer from the two altitudes obtained the exact point of the Arctic Ocean then occupied by their island.
two
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading For the longitude, the altitude of the sun must be ascertained before and after noon, and two hour angles must be measured.
unexpected
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading unexpected and novel situation in which the agents of the Company now found themselves, and Hobson did so with his chart before him.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading He could not ascertain the longitude of Victoria Island—the original name being retained—until the next day, and the latitude had already been taken.
Victoria
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He could not ascertain the longitude of Victoria Island—the original name being retained—until the next day, and the latitude had already been taken.
whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading unexpected and novel situation in which the agents of the Company now found themselves, and Hobson did so with his chart before him.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading unexpected and novel situation in which the agents of the Company now found themselves, and Hobson did so with his chart before him.
