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The Works of Edgar Allan Poe — Volume 3
The Works of Edgar Allan Poe — Volume 3

Chapter XXV

Cover illustration for The Works of Edgar Allan Poe — Volume 3
Context Illustration Reading 1/18 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
On the twentieth of the month, finding it altogether impossible to subsist any longer upon the filberts, the use of which occasioned us the most excruciating torment, we resolved to make a desperate attempt at descending the southern declivity of the hill.
The face of the precipice was here of the softest species of soapstone, although nearly perpendicular throughout its whole extent (a depth of a hundred and fifty feet at the least), and in many places even overarching.
After a long search we discovered a narrow ledge about twenty feet below the brink of the gulf; upon this Peters contrived to leap, with what assistance I could render him by means of our pocket-handkerchiefs tied together.
With somewhat more difficulty I also got down; and we then saw the possibility of descending the whole way by the process in which we had clambered up from the chasm when we had been buried by the fall of the hill—that is, by cutting steps in the face of the soapstone with our knives.
The extreme hazard of the attempt can scarcely be conceived; but, as there was no other resource, we determined to undertake it.
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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.

The Works of Edgar Allan Poe — Volume 3

Chapter XXV

Reading 1/18 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
On the twentieth of the month, finding it altogether impossible to subsist any longer upon the filberts, the use of which occasioned us the most excruciating torment, we resolved to make a desperate attempt at descending the southern declivity of the hill.
Line 2
The face of the precipice was here of the softest species of soapstone, although nearly perpendicular throughout its whole extent (a depth of a hundred and fifty feet at the least), and in many places even overarching.
Line 3
After a long search we discovered a narrow ledge about twenty feet below the brink of the gulf; upon this Peters contrived to leap, with what assistance I could render him by means of our pocket-handkerchiefs tied together.
Line 4
With somewhat more difficulty I also got down; and we then saw the possibility of descending the whole way by the process in which we had clambered up from the chasm when we had been buried by the fall of the hill—that is, by cutting steps in the face of the soapstone with our knives.
Line 5
The extreme hazard of the attempt can scarcely be conceived; but, as there was no other resource, we determined to undertake it.

Learner Dictionary

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

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “After a long search we discovered a narrow ledge about twenty feet below the brink of the gulf; upon this Peters contrived to leap, with what assistance I could render him by means of our pocket-handkerchiefs tied together.”

After preposition US /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading “After a long search we discovered a narrow ledge about twenty feet below the brink of the gulf; upon this Peters contrived to leap, with what assistance I could render him by means of our pocket-handkerchiefs tied together.”

Although noun US /ˈalthough/

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

From this reading “The face of the precipice was here of the softest species of soapstone, although nearly perpendicular throughout its whole extent (a depth of a hundred and fifty feet at the least), and in many places even overarching.”

Been auxiliary verb US /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading “With somewhat more difficulty I also got down; and we then saw the possibility of descending the whole way by the process in which we had clambered up from the chasm when we had been buried by the fall of the hill—that is, by cutting steps in the face of the soapstone with our knives.”

Below preposition US /bɪˈloʊ/

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading “After a long search we discovered a narrow ledge about twenty feet below the brink of the gulf; upon this Peters contrived to leap, with what assistance I could render him by means of our pocket-handkerchiefs tied together.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading “After a long search we discovered a narrow ledge about twenty feet below the brink of the gulf; upon this Peters contrived to leap, with what assistance I could render him by means of our pocket-handkerchiefs tied together.”

Determined adjective US /dɪˈtɜrmɪnd/

having firmly decided to do something

From this reading “The extreme hazard of the attempt can scarcely be conceived; but, as there was no other resource, we determined to undertake it.”

Even noun US /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The face of the precipice was here of the softest species of soapstone, although nearly perpendicular throughout its whole extent (a depth of a hundred and fifty feet at the least), and in many places even overarching.”

Here noun US /here/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The face of the precipice was here of the softest species of soapstone, although nearly perpendicular throughout its whole extent (a depth of a hundred and fifty feet at the least), and in many places even overarching.”

Least noun US /least/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The face of the precipice was here of the softest species of soapstone, although nearly perpendicular throughout its whole extent (a depth of a hundred and fifty feet at the least), and in many places even overarching.”

Long noun US /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “After a long search we discovered a narrow ledge about twenty feet below the brink of the gulf; upon this Peters contrived to leap, with what assistance I could render him by means of our pocket-handkerchiefs tied together.”

Make noun US /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “On the twentieth of the month, finding it altogether impossible to subsist any longer upon the filberts, the use of which occasioned us the most excruciating torment, we resolved to make a desperate attempt at descending the southern declivity of the hill.”

Throughout preposition US /θruːˈaʊt/

in every part of a place, or for the whole of a period

From this reading “The face of the precipice was here of the softest species of soapstone, although nearly perpendicular throughout its whole extent (a depth of a hundred and fifty feet at the least), and in many places even overarching.”

Upon preposition US /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading “On the twentieth of the month, finding it altogether impossible to subsist any longer upon the filberts, the use of which occasioned us the most excruciating torment, we resolved to make a desperate attempt at descending the southern declivity of the hill.”

All words in this reading · 125

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 On the twentieth of the month, finding it altogether impossible to subsist any longer upon the filberts, the use of which occasioned us the most excruciating torment, we resolved to make a desperate attempt at descending the southern declivity of the hill.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading After a long search we discovered a narrow ledge about twenty feet below the brink of the gulf; upon this Peters contrived to leap, with what assistance I could render him by means of our pocket-handkerchiefs tied together.

AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/

later than; following

From this reading After a long search we discovered a narrow ledge about twenty feet below the brink of the gulf; upon this Peters contrived to leap, with what assistance I could render him by means of our pocket-handkerchiefs tied together.

also

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

From this reading With somewhat more difficulty I also got down; and we then saw the possibility of descending the whole way by the process in which we had clambered up from the chasm when we had been buried by the fall of the hill—that is, by cutting steps in the face of the soapstone with our knives.

althoughnounUS /ˈalthough/

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

From this reading The face of the precipice was here of the softest species of soapstone, although nearly perpendicular throughout its whole extent (a depth of a hundred and fifty feet at the least), and in many places even overarching.

altogether

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

From this reading On the twentieth of the month, finding it altogether impossible to subsist any longer upon the filberts, the use of which occasioned us the most excruciating torment, we resolved to make a desperate attempt at descending the southern declivity of the hill.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

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

From this reading The face of the precipice was here of the softest species of soapstone, although nearly perpendicular throughout its whole extent (a depth of a hundred and fifty feet at the least), and in many places even overarching.

any

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

From this reading On the twentieth of the month, finding it altogether impossible to subsist any longer upon the filberts, the use of which occasioned us the most excruciating torment, we resolved to make a desperate attempt at descending the southern declivity of the hill.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

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

From this reading The extreme hazard of the attempt can scarcely be conceived; but, as there was no other resource, we determined to undertake it.

assistance

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

From this reading After a long search we discovered a narrow ledge about twenty feet below the brink of the gulf; upon this Peters contrived to leap, with what assistance I could render him by means of our pocket-handkerchiefs tied together.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading On the twentieth of the month, finding it altogether impossible to subsist any longer upon the filberts, the use of which occasioned us the most excruciating torment, we resolved to make a desperate attempt at descending the southern declivity of the hill.

attempt

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

From this reading On the twentieth of the month, finding it altogether impossible to subsist any longer upon the filberts, the use of which occasioned us the most excruciating torment, we resolved to make a desperate attempt at descending the southern declivity of the hill.

beauxiliary verbUS /biː/

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

From this reading The extreme hazard of the attempt can scarcely be conceived; but, as there was no other resource, we determined to undertake it.

beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/

the past participle of “be”

From this reading With somewhat more difficulty I also got down; and we then saw the possibility of descending the whole way by the process in which we had clambered up from the chasm when we had been buried by the fall of the hill—that is, by cutting steps in the face of the soapstone with our knives.

belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading After a long search we discovered a narrow ledge about twenty feet below the brink of the gulf; upon this Peters contrived to leap, with what assistance I could render him by means of our pocket-handkerchiefs tied together.

brink

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

From this reading After a long search we discovered a narrow ledge about twenty feet below the brink of the gulf; upon this Peters contrived to leap, with what assistance I could render him by means of our pocket-handkerchiefs tied together.

buried

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

From this reading With somewhat more difficulty I also got down; and we then saw the possibility of descending the whole way by the process in which we had clambered up from the chasm when we had been buried by the fall of the hill—that is, by cutting steps in the face of the soapstone with our knives.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The extreme hazard of the attempt can scarcely be conceived; but, as there was no other resource, we determined to undertake it.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading After a long search we discovered a narrow ledge about twenty feet below the brink of the gulf; upon this Peters contrived to leap, with what assistance I could render him by means of our pocket-handkerchiefs tied together.

canmodal verbUS /kæn/

to be able to, or to be allowed to

From this reading The extreme hazard of the attempt can scarcely be conceived; but, as there was no other resource, we determined to undertake it.

chasm

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

From this reading With somewhat more difficulty I also got down; and we then saw the possibility of descending the whole way by the process in which we had clambered up from the chasm when we had been buried by the fall of the hill—that is, by cutting steps in the face of the soapstone with our knives.

clambered

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

From this reading With somewhat more difficulty I also got down; and we then saw the possibility of descending the whole way by the process in which we had clambered up from the chasm when we had been buried by the fall of the hill—that is, by cutting steps in the face of the soapstone with our knives.

conceived

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

From this reading The extreme hazard of the attempt can scarcely be conceived; but, as there was no other resource, we determined to undertake it.

contrived

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

From this reading After a long search we discovered a narrow ledge about twenty feet below the brink of the gulf; upon this Peters contrived to leap, with what assistance I could render him by means of our pocket-handkerchiefs tied together.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading After a long search we discovered a narrow ledge about twenty feet below the brink of the gulf; upon this Peters contrived to leap, with what assistance I could render him by means of our pocket-handkerchiefs tied together.

cutting

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

From this reading With somewhat more difficulty I also got down; and we then saw the possibility of descending the whole way by the process in which we had clambered up from the chasm when we had been buried by the fall of the hill—that is, by cutting steps in the face of the soapstone with our knives.

declivity

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

From this reading On the twentieth of the month, finding it altogether impossible to subsist any longer upon the filberts, the use of which occasioned us the most excruciating torment, we resolved to make a desperate attempt at descending the southern declivity of the hill.

depth

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

From this reading The face of the precipice was here of the softest species of soapstone, although nearly perpendicular throughout its whole extent (a depth of a hundred and fifty feet at the least), and in many places even overarching.

descending

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

From this reading On the twentieth of the month, finding it altogether impossible to subsist any longer upon the filberts, the use of which occasioned us the most excruciating torment, we resolved to make a desperate attempt at descending the southern declivity of the hill.

desperate

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

From this reading On the twentieth of the month, finding it altogether impossible to subsist any longer upon the filberts, the use of which occasioned us the most excruciating torment, we resolved to make a desperate attempt at descending the southern declivity of the hill.

determinedadjectiveUS /dɪˈtɜrmɪnd/

having firmly decided to do something

From this reading The extreme hazard of the attempt can scarcely be conceived; but, as there was no other resource, we determined to undertake it.

difficulty

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

From this reading With somewhat more difficulty I also got down; and we then saw the possibility of descending the whole way by the process in which we had clambered up from the chasm when we had been buried by the fall of the hill—that is, by cutting steps in the face of the soapstone with our knives.

discovered

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

From this reading After a long search we discovered a narrow ledge about twenty feet below the brink of the gulf; upon this Peters contrived to leap, with what assistance I could render him by means of our pocket-handkerchiefs tied together.

down

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

From this reading With somewhat more difficulty I also got down; and we then saw the possibility of descending the whole way by the process in which we had clambered up from the chasm when we had been buried by the fall of the hill—that is, by cutting steps in the face of the soapstone with our knives.

evennounUS /even/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The face of the precipice was here of the softest species of soapstone, although nearly perpendicular throughout its whole extent (a depth of a hundred and fifty feet at the least), and in many places even overarching.

excruciating

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

From this reading On the twentieth of the month, finding it altogether impossible to subsist any longer upon the filberts, the use of which occasioned us the most excruciating torment, we resolved to make a desperate attempt at descending the southern declivity of the hill.

extent

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

From this reading The face of the precipice was here of the softest species of soapstone, although nearly perpendicular throughout its whole extent (a depth of a hundred and fifty feet at the least), and in many places even overarching.

extreme

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

From this reading The extreme hazard of the attempt can scarcely be conceived; but, as there was no other resource, we determined to undertake it.

face

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

From this reading The face of the precipice was here of the softest species of soapstone, although nearly perpendicular throughout its whole extent (a depth of a hundred and fifty feet at the least), and in many places even overarching.

fall

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

From this reading With somewhat more difficulty I also got down; and we then saw the possibility of descending the whole way by the process in which we had clambered up from the chasm when we had been buried by the fall of the hill—that is, by cutting steps in the face of the soapstone with our knives.

feet

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

From this reading The face of the precipice was here of the softest species of soapstone, although nearly perpendicular throughout its whole extent (a depth of a hundred and fifty feet at the least), and in many places even overarching.

fifty

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

From this reading The face of the precipice was here of the softest species of soapstone, although nearly perpendicular throughout its whole extent (a depth of a hundred and fifty feet at the least), and in many places even overarching.

filberts

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

From this reading On the twentieth of the month, finding it altogether impossible to subsist any longer upon the filberts, the use of which occasioned us the most excruciating torment, we resolved to make a desperate attempt at descending the southern declivity of the hill.

finding

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

From this reading On the twentieth of the month, finding it altogether impossible to subsist any longer upon the filberts, the use of which occasioned us the most excruciating torment, we resolved to make a desperate attempt at descending the southern declivity of the hill.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading With somewhat more difficulty I also got down; and we then saw the possibility of descending the whole way by the process in which we had clambered up from the chasm when we had been buried by the fall of the hill—that is, by cutting steps in the face of the soapstone with our knives.

got

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

From this reading With somewhat more difficulty I also got down; and we then saw the possibility of descending the whole way by the process in which we had clambered up from the chasm when we had been buried by the fall of the hill—that is, by cutting steps in the face of the soapstone with our knives.

gulf

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

From this reading After a long search we discovered a narrow ledge about twenty feet below the brink of the gulf; upon this Peters contrived to leap, with what assistance I could render him by means of our pocket-handkerchiefs tied together.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

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

From this reading With somewhat more difficulty I also got down; and we then saw the possibility of descending the whole way by the process in which we had clambered up from the chasm when we had been buried by the fall of the hill—that is, by cutting steps in the face of the soapstone with our knives.

hazard

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

From this reading The extreme hazard of the attempt can scarcely be conceived; but, as there was no other resource, we determined to undertake it.

herenounUS /here/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The face of the precipice was here of the softest species of soapstone, although nearly perpendicular throughout its whole extent (a depth of a hundred and fifty feet at the least), and in many places even overarching.

hill

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

From this reading On the twentieth of the month, finding it altogether impossible to subsist any longer upon the filberts, the use of which occasioned us the most excruciating torment, we resolved to make a desperate attempt at descending the southern declivity of the hill.

himpronounUS /hɪm/

the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading After a long search we discovered a narrow ledge about twenty feet below the brink of the gulf; upon this Peters contrived to leap, with what assistance I could render him by means of our pocket-handkerchiefs tied together.

hundred

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

From this reading The face of the precipice was here of the softest species of soapstone, although nearly perpendicular throughout its whole extent (a depth of a hundred and fifty feet at the least), and in many places even overarching.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading After a long search we discovered a narrow ledge about twenty feet below the brink of the gulf; upon this Peters contrived to leap, with what assistance I could render him by means of our pocket-handkerchiefs tied together.

impossible

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

From this reading On the twentieth of the month, finding it altogether impossible to subsist any longer upon the filberts, the use of which occasioned us the most excruciating torment, we resolved to make a desperate attempt at descending the southern declivity of the hill.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

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

From this reading The face of the precipice was here of the softest species of soapstone, although nearly perpendicular throughout its whole extent (a depth of a hundred and fifty feet at the least), and in many places even overarching.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

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

From this reading With somewhat more difficulty I also got down; and we then saw the possibility of descending the whole way by the process in which we had clambered up from the chasm when we had been buried by the fall of the hill—that is, by cutting steps in the face of the soapstone with our knives.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading On the twentieth of the month, finding it altogether impossible to subsist any longer upon the filberts, the use of which occasioned us the most excruciating torment, we resolved to make a desperate attempt at descending the southern declivity of the hill.

itsdeterminerUS /ɪts/

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading The face of the precipice was here of the softest species of soapstone, although nearly perpendicular throughout its whole extent (a depth of a hundred and fifty feet at the least), and in many places even overarching.

knives

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

From this reading With somewhat more difficulty I also got down; and we then saw the possibility of descending the whole way by the process in which we had clambered up from the chasm when we had been buried by the fall of the hill—that is, by cutting steps in the face of the soapstone with our knives.

leap

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

From this reading After a long search we discovered a narrow ledge about twenty feet below the brink of the gulf; upon this Peters contrived to leap, with what assistance I could render him by means of our pocket-handkerchiefs tied together.

leastnounUS /least/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The face of the precipice was here of the softest species of soapstone, although nearly perpendicular throughout its whole extent (a depth of a hundred and fifty feet at the least), and in many places even overarching.

ledge

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

From this reading After a long search we discovered a narrow ledge about twenty feet below the brink of the gulf; upon this Peters contrived to leap, with what assistance I could render him by means of our pocket-handkerchiefs tied together.

longnounUS /long/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading After a long search we discovered a narrow ledge about twenty feet below the brink of the gulf; upon this Peters contrived to leap, with what assistance I could render him by means of our pocket-handkerchiefs tied together.

longer

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

From this reading On the twentieth of the month, finding it altogether impossible to subsist any longer upon the filberts, the use of which occasioned us the most excruciating torment, we resolved to make a desperate attempt at descending the southern declivity of the hill.

makenounUS /make/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading On the twentieth of the month, finding it altogether impossible to subsist any longer upon the filberts, the use of which occasioned us the most excruciating torment, we resolved to make a desperate attempt at descending the southern declivity of the hill.

many

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

From this reading The face of the precipice was here of the softest species of soapstone, although nearly perpendicular throughout its whole extent (a depth of a hundred and fifty feet at the least), and in many places even overarching.

means

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

From this reading After a long search we discovered a narrow ledge about twenty feet below the brink of the gulf; upon this Peters contrived to leap, with what assistance I could render him by means of our pocket-handkerchiefs tied together.

month

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

From this reading On the twentieth of the month, finding it altogether impossible to subsist any longer upon the filberts, the use of which occasioned us the most excruciating torment, we resolved to make a desperate attempt at descending the southern declivity of the hill.

more

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

From this reading With somewhat more difficulty I also got down; and we then saw the possibility of descending the whole way by the process in which we had clambered up from the chasm when we had been buried by the fall of the hill—that is, by cutting steps in the face of the soapstone with our knives.

most

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

From this reading On the twentieth of the month, finding it altogether impossible to subsist any longer upon the filberts, the use of which occasioned us the most excruciating torment, we resolved to make a desperate attempt at descending the southern declivity of the hill.

narrow

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

From this reading After a long search we discovered a narrow ledge about twenty feet below the brink of the gulf; upon this Peters contrived to leap, with what assistance I could render him by means of our pocket-handkerchiefs tied together.

nearly

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

From this reading The face of the precipice was here of the softest species of soapstone, although nearly perpendicular throughout its whole extent (a depth of a hundred and fifty feet at the least), and in many places even overarching.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading The extreme hazard of the attempt can scarcely be conceived; but, as there was no other resource, we determined to undertake it.

occasioned

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

From this reading On the twentieth of the month, finding it altogether impossible to subsist any longer upon the filberts, the use of which occasioned us the most excruciating torment, we resolved to make a desperate attempt at descending the southern declivity of the hill.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading On the twentieth of the month, finding it altogether impossible to subsist any longer upon the filberts, the use of which occasioned us the most excruciating torment, we resolved to make a desperate attempt at descending the southern declivity of the hill.

OnprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading On the twentieth of the month, finding it altogether impossible to subsist any longer upon the filberts, the use of which occasioned us the most excruciating torment, we resolved to make a desperate attempt at descending the southern declivity of the hill.

other

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

From this reading The extreme hazard of the attempt can scarcely be conceived; but, as there was no other resource, we determined to undertake it.

ourdeterminerUS /ˈaʊər/

belonging to the speaker and others

From this reading After a long search we discovered a narrow ledge about twenty feet below the brink of the gulf; upon this Peters contrived to leap, with what assistance I could render him by means of our pocket-handkerchiefs tied together.

overarching

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

From this reading The face of the precipice was here of the softest species of soapstone, although nearly perpendicular throughout its whole extent (a depth of a hundred and fifty feet at the least), and in many places even overarching.

perpendicular

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

From this reading The face of the precipice was here of the softest species of soapstone, although nearly perpendicular throughout its whole extent (a depth of a hundred and fifty feet at the least), and in many places even overarching.

Peters

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

From this reading After a long search we discovered a narrow ledge about twenty feet below the brink of the gulf; upon this Peters contrived to leap, with what assistance I could render him by means of our pocket-handkerchiefs tied together.

places

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

From this reading The face of the precipice was here of the softest species of soapstone, although nearly perpendicular throughout its whole extent (a depth of a hundred and fifty feet at the least), and in many places even overarching.

pocket-handkerchiefs

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

From this reading After a long search we discovered a narrow ledge about twenty feet below the brink of the gulf; upon this Peters contrived to leap, with what assistance I could render him by means of our pocket-handkerchiefs tied together.

possibility

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

From this reading With somewhat more difficulty I also got down; and we then saw the possibility of descending the whole way by the process in which we had clambered up from the chasm when we had been buried by the fall of the hill—that is, by cutting steps in the face of the soapstone with our knives.

precipice

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

From this reading The face of the precipice was here of the softest species of soapstone, although nearly perpendicular throughout its whole extent (a depth of a hundred and fifty feet at the least), and in many places even overarching.

process

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

From this reading With somewhat more difficulty I also got down; and we then saw the possibility of descending the whole way by the process in which we had clambered up from the chasm when we had been buried by the fall of the hill—that is, by cutting steps in the face of the soapstone with our knives.

render

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

From this reading After a long search we discovered a narrow ledge about twenty feet below the brink of the gulf; upon this Peters contrived to leap, with what assistance I could render him by means of our pocket-handkerchiefs tied together.

resolved

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

From this reading On the twentieth of the month, finding it altogether impossible to subsist any longer upon the filberts, the use of which occasioned us the most excruciating torment, we resolved to make a desperate attempt at descending the southern declivity of the hill.

resource

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

From this reading The extreme hazard of the attempt can scarcely be conceived; but, as there was no other resource, we determined to undertake it.

saw

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

From this reading With somewhat more difficulty I also got down; and we then saw the possibility of descending the whole way by the process in which we had clambered up from the chasm when we had been buried by the fall of the hill—that is, by cutting steps in the face of the soapstone with our knives.

scarcely

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

From this reading The extreme hazard of the attempt can scarcely be conceived; but, as there was no other resource, we determined to undertake it.

search

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

From this reading After a long search we discovered a narrow ledge about twenty feet below the brink of the gulf; upon this Peters contrived to leap, with what assistance I could render him by means of our pocket-handkerchiefs tied together.

soapstone

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

From this reading The face of the precipice was here of the softest species of soapstone, although nearly perpendicular throughout its whole extent (a depth of a hundred and fifty feet at the least), and in many places even overarching.

softest

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

From this reading The face of the precipice was here of the softest species of soapstone, although nearly perpendicular throughout its whole extent (a depth of a hundred and fifty feet at the least), and in many places even overarching.

somewhat

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

From this reading With somewhat more difficulty I also got down; and we then saw the possibility of descending the whole way by the process in which we had clambered up from the chasm when we had been buried by the fall of the hill—that is, by cutting steps in the face of the soapstone with our knives.

southern

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

From this reading On the twentieth of the month, finding it altogether impossible to subsist any longer upon the filberts, the use of which occasioned us the most excruciating torment, we resolved to make a desperate attempt at descending the southern declivity of the hill.

species

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

From this reading The face of the precipice was here of the softest species of soapstone, although nearly perpendicular throughout its whole extent (a depth of a hundred and fifty feet at the least), and in many places even overarching.

steps

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

From this reading With somewhat more difficulty I also got down; and we then saw the possibility of descending the whole way by the process in which we had clambered up from the chasm when we had been buried by the fall of the hill—that is, by cutting steps in the face of the soapstone with our knives.

subsist

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

From this reading On the twentieth of the month, finding it altogether impossible to subsist any longer upon the filberts, the use of which occasioned us the most excruciating torment, we resolved to make a desperate attempt at descending the southern declivity of the hill.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading With somewhat more difficulty I also got down; and we then saw the possibility of descending the whole way by the process in which we had clambered up from the chasm when we had been buried by the fall of the hill—that is, by cutting steps in the face of the soapstone with our knives.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

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

From this reading On the twentieth of the month, finding it altogether impossible to subsist any longer upon the filberts, the use of which occasioned us the most excruciating torment, we resolved to make a desperate attempt at descending the southern declivity of the hill.

then

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

From this reading With somewhat more difficulty I also got down; and we then saw the possibility of descending the whole way by the process in which we had clambered up from the chasm when we had been buried by the fall of the hill—that is, by cutting steps in the face of the soapstone with our knives.

there

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

From this reading The extreme hazard of the attempt can scarcely be conceived; but, as there was no other resource, we determined to undertake it.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading After a long search we discovered a narrow ledge about twenty feet below the brink of the gulf; upon this Peters contrived to leap, with what assistance I could render him by means of our pocket-handkerchiefs tied together.

throughoutprepositionUS /θruːˈaʊt/

in every part of a place, or for the whole of a period

From this reading The face of the precipice was here of the softest species of soapstone, although nearly perpendicular throughout its whole extent (a depth of a hundred and fifty feet at the least), and in many places even overarching.

tied

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

From this reading After a long search we discovered a narrow ledge about twenty feet below the brink of the gulf; upon this Peters contrived to leap, with what assistance I could render him by means of our pocket-handkerchiefs tied together.

toparticleUS /tuː/

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

From this reading On the twentieth of the month, finding it altogether impossible to subsist any longer upon the filberts, the use of which occasioned us the most excruciating torment, we resolved to make a desperate attempt at descending the southern declivity of the hill.

together

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

From this reading After a long search we discovered a narrow ledge about twenty feet below the brink of the gulf; upon this Peters contrived to leap, with what assistance I could render him by means of our pocket-handkerchiefs tied together.

torment

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

From this reading On the twentieth of the month, finding it altogether impossible to subsist any longer upon the filberts, the use of which occasioned us the most excruciating torment, we resolved to make a desperate attempt at descending the southern declivity of the hill.

twentieth

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

From this reading On the twentieth of the month, finding it altogether impossible to subsist any longer upon the filberts, the use of which occasioned us the most excruciating torment, we resolved to make a desperate attempt at descending the southern declivity of the hill.

twenty

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

From this reading After a long search we discovered a narrow ledge about twenty feet below the brink of the gulf; upon this Peters contrived to leap, with what assistance I could render him by means of our pocket-handkerchiefs tied together.

undertake

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

From this reading The extreme hazard of the attempt can scarcely be conceived; but, as there was no other resource, we determined to undertake it.

up

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

From this reading With somewhat more difficulty I also got down; and we then saw the possibility of descending the whole way by the process in which we had clambered up from the chasm when we had been buried by the fall of the hill—that is, by cutting steps in the face of the soapstone with our knives.

uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/

a formal word for “on”

From this reading On the twentieth of the month, finding it altogether impossible to subsist any longer upon the filberts, the use of which occasioned us the most excruciating torment, we resolved to make a desperate attempt at descending the southern declivity of the hill.

uspronounUS /ʌs/

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

From this reading On the twentieth of the month, finding it altogether impossible to subsist any longer upon the filberts, the use of which occasioned us the most excruciating torment, we resolved to make a desperate attempt at descending the southern declivity of the hill.

use

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

From this reading On the twentieth of the month, finding it altogether impossible to subsist any longer upon the filberts, the use of which occasioned us the most excruciating torment, we resolved to make a desperate attempt at descending the southern declivity of the hill.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

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

From this reading The face of the precipice was here of the softest species of soapstone, although nearly perpendicular throughout its whole extent (a depth of a hundred and fifty feet at the least), and in many places even overarching.

way

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

From this reading With somewhat more difficulty I also got down; and we then saw the possibility of descending the whole way by the process in which we had clambered up from the chasm when we had been buried by the fall of the hill—that is, by cutting steps in the face of the soapstone with our knives.

wepronounUS /wiː/

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading On the twentieth of the month, finding it altogether impossible to subsist any longer upon the filberts, the use of which occasioned us the most excruciating torment, we resolved to make a desperate attempt at descending the southern declivity of the hill.

whatpronounUS /wʌt/

used to ask for information about something

From this reading After a long search we discovered a narrow ledge about twenty feet below the brink of the gulf; upon this Peters contrived to leap, with what assistance I could render him by means of our pocket-handkerchiefs tied together.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading With somewhat more difficulty I also got down; and we then saw the possibility of descending the whole way by the process in which we had clambered up from the chasm when we had been buried by the fall of the hill—that is, by cutting steps in the face of the soapstone with our knives.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

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

From this reading On the twentieth of the month, finding it altogether impossible to subsist any longer upon the filberts, the use of which occasioned us the most excruciating torment, we resolved to make a desperate attempt at descending the southern declivity of the hill.

whole

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

From this reading The face of the precipice was here of the softest species of soapstone, although nearly perpendicular throughout its whole extent (a depth of a hundred and fifty feet at the least), and in many places even overarching.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading After a long search we discovered a narrow ledge about twenty feet below the brink of the gulf; upon this Peters contrived to leap, with what assistance I could render him by means of our pocket-handkerchiefs tied together.