used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading RAILROADS AND A NEW WONDER OF THE WORLD It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if the automobile, as it is being perfected now, would make over the whole world’s railway systems into something very different from what they are today.
matters of personal concern
From this reading At best the railways have become huge, clumsy, unwieldy affairs little suited to the temperamental needs and moods of the average human being.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading Already the railways are complaining that the automobile is seriously injuring business, and this is not difficult to understand.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading RAILROADS AND A NEW WONDER OF THE WORLD It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if the automobile, as it is being perfected now, would make over the whole world’s railway systems into something very different from what they are today.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading RAILROADS AND A NEW WONDER OF THE WORLD It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if the automobile, as it is being perfected now, would make over the whole world’s railway systems into something very different from what they are today.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading RAILROADS AND A NEW WONDER OF THE WORLD It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if the automobile, as it is being perfected now, would make over the whole world’s railway systems into something very different from what they are today.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At best the railways have become huge, clumsy, unwieldy affairs little suited to the temperamental needs and moods of the average human being.
automobilenounUS /ˈɔːtəmoʊbiːl/
a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine
From this reading RAILROADS AND A NEW WONDER OF THE WORLD It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if the automobile, as it is being perfected now, would make over the whole world’s railway systems into something very different from what they are today.
averageadjectiveUS /ˈævərɪdʒ/
approximating the statistical norm or average or expected value
From this reading At best the railways have become huge, clumsy, unwieldy affairs little suited to the temperamental needs and moods of the average human being.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It ought to be so.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading At best the railways have become huge, clumsy, unwieldy affairs little suited to the temperamental needs and moods of the average human being.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading RAILROADS AND A NEW WONDER OF THE WORLD It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if the automobile, as it is being perfected now, would make over the whole world’s railway systems into something very different from what they are today.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading At best the railways have become huge, clumsy, unwieldy affairs little suited to the temperamental needs and moods of the average human being.
a commercial or industrial enterprise and the people who constitute it
From this reading Already the railways are complaining that the automobile is seriously injuring business, and this is not difficult to understand.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading They are mass carriers, freight handlers, great hurry conveniences for overburdened commercial minds, but little more.
carriersnounUS /ˈkæriərz/
plural of “carrier” — someone whose employment involves carrying something
From this reading They are mass carriers, freight handlers, great hurry conveniences for overburdened commercial minds, but little more.
clumsyadjectiveUS /ˈklʌmzi/
lacking grace in movement or posture
From this reading At best the railways have become huge, clumsy, unwieldy affairs little suited to the temperamental needs and moods of the average human being.
commercialadjectiveUS /kəˈmɜːrʃəl/
connected with or engaged in or sponsored by or used in commerce or commercial enterprises
From this reading They are mass carriers, freight handlers, great hurry conveniences for overburdened commercial minds, but little more.
complainingadjectiveUS /kəmˈpleɪnɪŋ/
expressing pain or dissatisfaction of resentment
From this reading Already the railways are complaining that the automobile is seriously injuring business, and this is not difficult to understand.
conveniencesnounUS /kənˈviːnjənsɪz/
things that make you comfortable and at ease
From this reading They are mass carriers, freight handlers, great hurry conveniences for overburdened commercial minds, but little more.
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading RAILROADS AND A NEW WONDER OF THE WORLD It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if the automobile, as it is being perfected now, would make over the whole world’s railway systems into something very different from what they are today.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading Already the railways are complaining that the automobile is seriously injuring business, and this is not difficult to understand.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading They are mass carriers, freight handlers, great hurry conveniences for overburdened commercial minds, but little more.
freightnounUS /freɪt/
goods carried by a large vehicle
From this reading They are mass carriers, freight handlers, great hurry conveniences for overburdened commercial minds, but little more.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading RAILROADS AND A NEW WONDER OF THE WORLD It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if the automobile, as it is being perfected now, would make over the whole world’s railway systems into something very different from what they are today.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading They are mass carriers, freight handlers, great hurry conveniences for overburdened commercial minds, but little more.
handlersnounUS /ˈhændlərz/
plural of “handler” — one who trains or exhibits animals
From this reading They are mass carriers, freight handlers, great hurry conveniences for overburdened commercial minds, but little more.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading At best the railways have become huge, clumsy, unwieldy affairs little suited to the temperamental needs and moods of the average human being.
unusually great in size or amount or degree or especially extent or scope
From this reading At best the railways have become huge, clumsy, unwieldy affairs little suited to the temperamental needs and moods of the average human being.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading At best the railways have become huge, clumsy, unwieldy affairs little suited to the temperamental needs and moods of the average human being.
a condition of urgency making it necessary to hurry
From this reading They are mass carriers, freight handlers, great hurry conveniences for overburdened commercial minds, but little more.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading RAILROADS AND A NEW WONDER OF THE WORLD It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if the automobile, as it is being perfected now, would make over the whole world’s railway systems into something very different from what they are today.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading RAILROADS AND A NEW WONDER OF THE WORLD It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if the automobile, as it is being perfected now, would make over the whole world’s railway systems into something very different from what they are today.
injuringverbUS /ˈɪndʒərɪŋ/
-ing form of “injure” — cause injuries or bodily harm to
From this reading Already the railways are complaining that the automobile is seriously injuring business, and this is not difficult to understand.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading RAILROADS AND A NEW WONDER OF THE WORLD It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if the automobile, as it is being perfected now, would make over the whole world’s railway systems into something very different from what they are today.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading RAILROADS AND A NEW WONDER OF THE WORLD It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if the automobile, as it is being perfected now, would make over the whole world’s railway systems into something very different from what they are today.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading RAILROADS AND A NEW WONDER OF THE WORLD It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if the automobile, as it is being perfected now, would make over the whole world’s railway systems into something very different from what they are today.
the superlative of “little” that can be used with mass nouns and is usually preceded by “the”; a quantifier meaning smallest in amount or extent or degree
From this reading RAILROADS AND A NEW WONDER OF THE WORLD It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if the automobile, as it is being perfected now, would make over the whole world’s railway systems into something very different from what they are today.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading At best the railways have become huge, clumsy, unwieldy affairs little suited to the temperamental needs and moods of the average human being.
engage in
From this reading RAILROADS AND A NEW WONDER OF THE WORLD It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if the automobile, as it is being perfected now, would make over the whole world’s railway systems into something very different from what they are today.
the property of a body that causes it to have weight in a gravitational field
From this reading They are mass carriers, freight handlers, great hurry conveniences for overburdened commercial minds, but little more.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading RAILROADS AND A NEW WONDER OF THE WORLD It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if the automobile, as it is being perfected now, would make over the whole world’s railway systems into something very different from what they are today.
plural of “mind” — that which is responsible for one's thoughts, feelings, and conscious brain functions; the seat of the faculty of reason
From this reading They are mass carriers, freight handlers, great hurry conveniences for overburdened commercial minds, but little more.
moodsnounUS /muːdz/
plural of “mood” — a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling
From this reading At best the railways have become huge, clumsy, unwieldy affairs little suited to the temperamental needs and moods of the average human being.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading They are mass carriers, freight handlers, great hurry conveniences for overburdened commercial minds, but little more.
in such a manner as could not be otherwise
From this reading At best the railways have become huge, clumsy, unwieldy affairs little suited to the temperamental needs and moods of the average human being.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading RAILROADS AND A NEW WONDER OF THE WORLD It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if the automobile, as it is being perfected now, would make over the whole world’s railway systems into something very different from what they are today.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Already the railways are complaining that the automobile is seriously injuring business, and this is not difficult to understand.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading RAILROADS AND A NEW WONDER OF THE WORLD It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if the automobile, as it is being perfected now, would make over the whole world’s railway systems into something very different from what they are today.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading RAILROADS AND A NEW WONDER OF THE WORLD It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if the automobile, as it is being perfected now, would make over the whole world’s railway systems into something very different from what they are today.
used with “to” to say what is right or advisable
From this reading It ought to be so.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading RAILROADS AND A NEW WONDER OF THE WORLD It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if the automobile, as it is being perfected now, would make over the whole world’s railway systems into something very different from what they are today.
overburdenedadjectiveUS /ˈoʊvərˈbɜːrdənd/
heavily burdened with work or cares
From this reading They are mass carriers, freight handlers, great hurry conveniences for overburdened commercial minds, but little more.
perfectedadjectiveUS /pərˈfektɪd/
(of plans, ideas, etc.) perfectly formed
From this reading RAILROADS AND A NEW WONDER OF THE WORLD It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if the automobile, as it is being perfected now, would make over the whole world’s railway systems into something very different from what they are today.
RAILROADSnounUS /ˈreɪlroʊdz/
plural of “railroad” — line that is the commercial organization responsible for operating a system of transportation for trains that pull passengers or freight
From this reading RAILROADS AND A NEW WONDER OF THE WORLD It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if the automobile, as it is being perfected now, would make over the whole world’s railway systems into something very different from what they are today.
railwaynounUS /ˈreɪlweɪ/
line that is the commercial organization responsible for operating a system of transportation for trains that pull passengers or freight
From this reading RAILROADS AND A NEW WONDER OF THE WORLD It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if the automobile, as it is being perfected now, would make over the whole world’s railway systems into something very different from what they are today.
railwaysnounUS /ˈreɪlweɪz/
plural of “railway” — line that is the commercial organization responsible for operating a system of transportation for trains that pull passengers or freight
From this reading Already the railways are complaining that the automobile is seriously injuring business, and this is not difficult to understand.
in a serious manner
From this reading Already the railways are complaining that the automobile is seriously injuring business, and this is not difficult to understand.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading It ought to be so.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading RAILROADS AND A NEW WONDER OF THE WORLD It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if the automobile, as it is being perfected now, would make over the whole world’s railway systems into something very different from what they are today.
suitedadjectiveUS /ˈsuːtɪd/
meant or adapted for an occasion or use
From this reading At best the railways have become huge, clumsy, unwieldy affairs little suited to the temperamental needs and moods of the average human being.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading RAILROADS AND A NEW WONDER OF THE WORLD It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if the automobile, as it is being perfected now, would make over the whole world’s railway systems into something very different from what they are today.
systemsnounUS /ˈsɪstəmz/
plural of “system” — instrumentality that combines interrelated interacting artifacts designed to work as a coherent entity
From this reading RAILROADS AND A NEW WONDER OF THE WORLD It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if the automobile, as it is being perfected now, would make over the whole world’s railway systems into something very different from what they are today.
temperamentaladjectiveUS /ˌtemprəˈmentəl/
relating to or caused by temperament
From this reading At best the railways have become huge, clumsy, unwieldy affairs little suited to the temperamental needs and moods of the average human being.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Already the railways are complaining that the automobile is seriously injuring business, and this is not difficult to understand.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading RAILROADS AND A NEW WONDER OF THE WORLD It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if the automobile, as it is being perfected now, would make over the whole world’s railway systems into something very different from what they are today.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading RAILROADS AND A NEW WONDER OF THE WORLD It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if the automobile, as it is being perfected now, would make over the whole world’s railway systems into something very different from what they are today.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Already the railways are complaining that the automobile is seriously injuring business, and this is not difficult to understand.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Already the railways are complaining that the automobile is seriously injuring business, and this is not difficult to understand.
todaynounUS /təˈdeɪ/
the present time or age
From this reading RAILROADS AND A NEW WONDER OF THE WORLD It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if the automobile, as it is being perfected now, would make over the whole world’s railway systems into something very different from what they are today.
know and comprehend the nature or meaning of
From this reading Already the railways are complaining that the automobile is seriously injuring business, and this is not difficult to understand.
unwieldyadjectiveUS /ənˈwiːldi/
difficult to use or handle or manage because of size or weight or shape
From this reading At best the railways have become huge, clumsy, unwieldy affairs little suited to the temperamental needs and moods of the average human being.
precisely as stated
From this reading RAILROADS AND A NEW WONDER OF THE WORLD It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if the automobile, as it is being perfected now, would make over the whole world’s railway systems into something very different from what they are today.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading RAILROADS AND A NEW WONDER OF THE WORLD It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if the automobile, as it is being perfected now, would make over the whole world’s railway systems into something very different from what they are today.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading RAILROADS AND A NEW WONDER OF THE WORLD It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if the automobile, as it is being perfected now, would make over the whole world’s railway systems into something very different from what they are today.
the feeling aroused by something strange and surprising
From this reading RAILROADS AND A NEW WONDER OF THE WORLD It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if the automobile, as it is being perfected now, would make over the whole world’s railway systems into something very different from what they are today.
everything that exists anywhere
From this reading RAILROADS AND A NEW WONDER OF THE WORLD It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if the automobile, as it is being perfected now, would make over the whole world’s railway systems into something very different from what they are today.
world'snounUS /wɜːrldz/
possessive form of “world” — everything that exists anywhere
From this reading RAILROADS AND A NEW WONDER OF THE WORLD It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if the automobile, as it is being perfected now, would make over the whole world’s railway systems into something very different from what they are today.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading RAILROADS AND A NEW WONDER OF THE WORLD It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if the automobile, as it is being perfected now, would make over the whole world’s railway systems into something very different from what they are today.
wouldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading RAILROADS AND A NEW WONDER OF THE WORLD It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if the automobile, as it is being perfected now, would make over the whole world’s railway systems into something very different from what they are today.
