Chapter II

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

From this reading The shape was clearer and harder, must be almost out of the cloud--doubtful even now if Y221 had time and room to rise clear--all right if the other held on down, but---- The nose of his machine swooped up, and as it did, and before it shut out his view ahead, Charger, with a cold sinking inside him, saw the outline ahead flash through changing shapes again, the wings narrow and close to edge-on view, open and widen again with the tail dropping below.

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading Again for the fraction of a second he hesitated--should he push on down, or turn up?

past form of “act” — perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)

From this reading And again before the thought was well framed it was decided and acted on.

anew

From this reading Again for the fraction of a second he hesitated--should he push on down, or turn up?

at or in the front

From this reading The shape was clearer and harder, must be almost out of the cloud--doubtful even now if Y221 had time and room to rise clear--all right if the other held on down, but---- The nose of his machine swooped up, and as it did, and before it shut out his view ahead, Charger, with a cold sinking inside him, saw the outline ahead flash through changing shapes again, the wings narrow and close to edge-on view, open and widen again with the tail dropping below.

(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class

From this reading The shape was clearer and harder, must be almost out of the cloud--doubtful even now if Y221 had time and room to rise clear--all right if the other held on down, but---- The nose of his machine swooped up, and as it did, and before it shut out his view ahead, Charger, with a cold sinking inside him, saw the outline ahead flash through changing shapes again, the wings narrow and close to edge-on view, open and widen again with the tail dropping below.

(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but

From this reading The shape was clearer and harder, must be almost out of the cloud--doubtful even now if Y221 had time and room to rise clear--all right if the other held on down, but---- The nose of his machine swooped up, and as it did, and before it shut out his view ahead, Charger, with a cold sinking inside him, saw the outline ahead flash through changing shapes again, the wings narrow and close to edge-on view, open and widen again with the tail dropping below.

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

From this reading And again before the thought was well framed it was decided and acted on.

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

From this reading The shape was clearer and harder, must be almost out of the cloud--doubtful even now if Y221 had time and room to rise clear--all right if the other held on down, but---- The nose of his machine swooped up, and as it did, and before it shut out his view ahead, Charger, with a cold sinking inside him, saw the outline ahead flash through changing shapes again, the wings narrow and close to edge-on view, open and widen again with the tail dropping below.

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

From this reading The shape was clearer and harder, must be almost out of the cloud--doubtful even now if Y221 had time and room to rise clear--all right if the other held on down, but---- The nose of his machine swooped up, and as it did, and before it shut out his view ahead, Charger, with a cold sinking inside him, saw the outline ahead flash through changing shapes again, the wings narrow and close to edge-on view, open and widen again with the tail dropping below.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading And again before the thought was well framed it was decided and acted on.

at or to a lower level than something

From this reading The shape was clearer and harder, must be almost out of the cloud--doubtful even now if Y221 had time and room to rise clear--all right if the other held on down, but---- The nose of his machine swooped up, and as it did, and before it shut out his view ahead, Charger, with a cold sinking inside him, saw the outline ahead flash through changing shapes again, the wings narrow and close to edge-on view, open and widen again with the tail dropping below.

the process of taking in and expelling air during breathing

From this reading He pulled the stick hard in, zoomed up, and held his breath, waiting.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The shape was clearer and harder, must be almost out of the cloud--doubtful even now if Y221 had time and room to rise clear--all right if the other held on down, but---- The nose of his machine swooped up, and as it did, and before it shut out his view ahead, Charger, with a cold sinking inside him, saw the outline ahead flash through changing shapes again, the wings narrow and close to edge-on view, open and widen again with the tail dropping below.

marked by continuous change or effective action

From this reading The shape was clearer and harder, must be almost out of the cloud--doubtful even now if Y221 had time and room to rise clear--all right if the other held on down, but---- The nose of his machine swooped up, and as it did, and before it shut out his view ahead, Charger, with a cold sinking inside him, saw the outline ahead flash through changing shapes again, the wings narrow and close to edge-on view, open and widen again with the tail dropping below.

formerly a strong swift horse ridden into battle

From this reading The shape was clearer and harder, must be almost out of the cloud--doubtful even now if Y221 had time and room to rise clear--all right if the other held on down, but---- The nose of his machine swooped up, and as it did, and before it shut out his view ahead, Charger, with a cold sinking inside him, saw the outline ahead flash through changing shapes again, the wings narrow and close to edge-on view, open and widen again with the tail dropping below.

rid of obstructions

From this reading The shape was clearer and harder, must be almost out of the cloud--doubtful even now if Y221 had time and room to rise clear--all right if the other held on down, but---- The nose of his machine swooped up, and as it did, and before it shut out his view ahead, Charger, with a cold sinking inside him, saw the outline ahead flash through changing shapes again, the wings narrow and close to edge-on view, open and widen again with the tail dropping below.

comparative of “clear” — readily apparent to the mind

From this reading The shape was clearer and harder, must be almost out of the cloud--doubtful even now if Y221 had time and room to rise clear--all right if the other held on down, but---- The nose of his machine swooped up, and as it did, and before it shut out his view ahead, Charger, with a cold sinking inside him, saw the outline ahead flash through changing shapes again, the wings narrow and close to edge-on view, open and widen again with the tail dropping below.

at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other

From this reading The shape was clearer and harder, must be almost out of the cloud--doubtful even now if Y221 had time and room to rise clear--all right if the other held on down, but---- The nose of his machine swooped up, and as it did, and before it shut out his view ahead, Charger, with a cold sinking inside him, saw the outline ahead flash through changing shapes again, the wings narrow and close to edge-on view, open and widen again with the tail dropping below.

make overcast or cloudy

From this reading The shape was clearer and harder, must be almost out of the cloud--doubtful even now if Y221 had time and room to rise clear--all right if the other held on down, but---- The nose of his machine swooped up, and as it did, and before it shut out his view ahead, Charger, with a cold sinking inside him, saw the outline ahead flash through changing shapes again, the wings narrow and close to edge-on view, open and widen again with the tail dropping below.

having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration

From this reading The shape was clearer and harder, must be almost out of the cloud--doubtful even now if Y221 had time and room to rise clear--all right if the other held on down, but---- The nose of his machine swooped up, and as it did, and before it shut out his view ahead, Charger, with a cold sinking inside him, saw the outline ahead flash through changing shapes again, the wings narrow and close to edge-on view, open and widen again with the tail dropping below.

recognizable; marked

From this reading And again before the thought was well framed it was decided and acted on.

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading The shape was clearer and harder, must be almost out of the cloud--doubtful even now if Y221 had time and room to rise clear--all right if the other held on down, but---- The nose of his machine swooped up, and as it did, and before it shut out his view ahead, Charger, with a cold sinking inside him, saw the outline ahead flash through changing shapes again, the wings narrow and close to edge-on view, open and widen again with the tail dropping below.

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading Which would the other do?

open to doubt or suspicion

From this reading The shape was clearer and harder, must be almost out of the cloud--doubtful even now if Y221 had time and room to rise clear--all right if the other held on down, but---- The nose of his machine swooped up, and as it did, and before it shut out his view ahead, Charger, with a cold sinking inside him, saw the outline ahead flash through changing shapes again, the wings narrow and close to edge-on view, open and widen again with the tail dropping below.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Again for the fraction of a second he hesitated--should he push on down, or turn up?

coming down freely under the influence of gravity

From this reading The shape was clearer and harder, must be almost out of the cloud--doubtful even now if Y221 had time and room to rise clear--all right if the other held on down, but---- The nose of his machine swooped up, and as it did, and before it shut out his view ahead, Charger, with a cold sinking inside him, saw the outline ahead flash through changing shapes again, the wings narrow and close to edge-on view, open and widen again with the tail dropping below.

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

From this reading The shape was clearer and harder, must be almost out of the cloud--doubtful even now if Y221 had time and room to rise clear--all right if the other held on down, but---- The nose of his machine swooped up, and as it did, and before it shut out his view ahead, Charger, with a cold sinking inside him, saw the outline ahead flash through changing shapes again, the wings narrow and close to edge-on view, open and widen again with the tail dropping below.

divisible by two

From this reading The shape was clearer and harder, must be almost out of the cloud--doubtful even now if Y221 had time and room to rise clear--all right if the other held on down, but---- The nose of his machine swooped up, and as it did, and before it shut out his view ahead, Charger, with a cold sinking inside him, saw the outline ahead flash through changing shapes again, the wings narrow and close to edge-on view, open and widen again with the tail dropping below.

gleam or glow intermittently

From this reading The shape was clearer and harder, must be almost out of the cloud--doubtful even now if Y221 had time and room to rise clear--all right if the other held on down, but---- The nose of his machine swooped up, and as it did, and before it shut out his view ahead, Charger, with a cold sinking inside him, saw the outline ahead flash through changing shapes again, the wings narrow and close to edge-on view, open and widen again with the tail dropping below.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Again for the fraction of a second he hesitated--should he push on down, or turn up?

a component of a mixture that has been separated by a fractional process

From this reading Again for the fraction of a second he hesitated--should he push on down, or turn up?

provided with a frame

From this reading And again before the thought was well framed it was decided and acted on.

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

From this reading The shape was clearer and harder, must be almost out of the cloud--doubtful even now if Y221 had time and room to rise clear--all right if the other held on down, but---- The nose of his machine swooped up, and as it did, and before it shut out his view ahead, Charger, with a cold sinking inside him, saw the outline ahead flash through changing shapes again, the wings narrow and close to edge-on view, open and widen again with the tail dropping below.

not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure

From this reading He pulled the stick hard in, zoomed up, and held his breath, waiting.

comparative of “hard” — with effort or force or vigor

From this reading The shape was clearer and harder, must be almost out of the cloud--doubtful even now if Y221 had time and room to rise clear--all right if the other held on down, but---- The nose of his machine swooped up, and as it did, and before it shut out his view ahead, Charger, with a cold sinking inside him, saw the outline ahead flash through changing shapes again, the wings narrow and close to edge-on view, open and widen again with the tail dropping below.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading Again for the fraction of a second he hesitated--should he push on down, or turn up?

occupied or in the control of; often used in combination

From this reading He pulled the stick hard in, zoomed up, and held his breath, waiting.

past form of “hesitate” — pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness

From this reading Again for the fraction of a second he hesitated--should he push on down, or turn up?

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

From this reading The shape was clearer and harder, must be almost out of the cloud--doubtful even now if Y221 had time and room to rise clear--all right if the other held on down, but---- The nose of his machine swooped up, and as it did, and before it shut out his view ahead, Charger, with a cold sinking inside him, saw the outline ahead flash through changing shapes again, the wings narrow and close to edge-on view, open and widen again with the tail dropping below.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading He pulled the stick hard in, zoomed up, and held his breath, waiting.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading The shape was clearer and harder, must be almost out of the cloud--doubtful even now if Y221 had time and room to rise clear--all right if the other held on down, but---- The nose of his machine swooped up, and as it did, and before it shut out his view ahead, Charger, with a cold sinking inside him, saw the outline ahead flash through changing shapes again, the wings narrow and close to edge-on view, open and widen again with the tail dropping below.

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

From this reading He pulled the stick hard in, zoomed up, and held his breath, waiting.

relating to or being on the side closer to the center or within a defined space

From this reading The shape was clearer and harder, must be almost out of the cloud--doubtful even now if Y221 had time and room to rise clear--all right if the other held on down, but---- The nose of his machine swooped up, and as it did, and before it shut out his view ahead, Charger, with a cold sinking inside him, saw the outline ahead flash through changing shapes again, the wings narrow and close to edge-on view, open and widen again with the tail dropping below.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading And again before the thought was well framed it was decided and acted on.

any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks

From this reading The shape was clearer and harder, must be almost out of the cloud--doubtful even now if Y221 had time and room to rise clear--all right if the other held on down, but---- The nose of his machine swooped up, and as it did, and before it shut out his view ahead, Charger, with a cold sinking inside him, saw the outline ahead flash through changing shapes again, the wings narrow and close to edge-on view, open and widen again with the tail dropping below.

used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true

From this reading The shape was clearer and harder, must be almost out of the cloud--doubtful even now if Y221 had time and room to rise clear--all right if the other held on down, but---- The nose of his machine swooped up, and as it did, and before it shut out his view ahead, Charger, with a cold sinking inside him, saw the outline ahead flash through changing shapes again, the wings narrow and close to edge-on view, open and widen again with the tail dropping below.

make or become more narrow or restricted

From this reading The shape was clearer and harder, must be almost out of the cloud--doubtful even now if Y221 had time and room to rise clear--all right if the other held on down, but---- The nose of his machine swooped up, and as it did, and before it shut out his view ahead, Charger, with a cold sinking inside him, saw the outline ahead flash through changing shapes again, the wings narrow and close to edge-on view, open and widen again with the tail dropping below.

the organ of smell and entrance to the respiratory tract; the prominent part of the face of man or other mammals

From this reading The shape was clearer and harder, must be almost out of the cloud--doubtful even now if Y221 had time and room to rise clear--all right if the other held on down, but---- The nose of his machine swooped up, and as it did, and before it shut out his view ahead, Charger, with a cold sinking inside him, saw the outline ahead flash through changing shapes again, the wings narrow and close to edge-on view, open and widen again with the tail dropping below.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading The shape was clearer and harder, must be almost out of the cloud--doubtful even now if Y221 had time and room to rise clear--all right if the other held on down, but---- The nose of his machine swooped up, and as it did, and before it shut out his view ahead, Charger, with a cold sinking inside him, saw the outline ahead flash through changing shapes again, the wings narrow and close to edge-on view, open and widen again with the tail dropping below.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Again for the fraction of a second he hesitated--should he push on down, or turn up?

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading Again for the fraction of a second he hesitated--should he push on down, or turn up?

To move from a closed position.

From this reading The shape was clearer and harder, must be almost out of the cloud--doubtful even now if Y221 had time and room to rise clear--all right if the other held on down, but---- The nose of his machine swooped up, and as it did, and before it shut out his view ahead, Charger, with a cold sinking inside him, saw the outline ahead flash through changing shapes again, the wings narrow and close to edge-on view, open and widen again with the tail dropping below.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Again for the fraction of a second he hesitated--should he push on down, or turn up?

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading Which would the other do?

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading The shape was clearer and harder, must be almost out of the cloud--doubtful even now if Y221 had time and room to rise clear--all right if the other held on down, but---- The nose of his machine swooped up, and as it did, and before it shut out his view ahead, Charger, with a cold sinking inside him, saw the outline ahead flash through changing shapes again, the wings narrow and close to edge-on view, open and widen again with the tail dropping below.

the line that appears to bound an object

From this reading The shape was clearer and harder, must be almost out of the cloud--doubtful even now if Y221 had time and room to rise clear--all right if the other held on down, but---- The nose of his machine swooped up, and as it did, and before it shut out his view ahead, Charger, with a cold sinking inside him, saw the outline ahead flash through changing shapes again, the wings narrow and close to edge-on view, open and widen again with the tail dropping below.

past form of “pull” — cause to move by pulling

From this reading He pulled the stick hard in, zoomed up, and held his breath, waiting.

move with force

From this reading Again for the fraction of a second he hesitated--should he push on down, or turn up?

precisely, exactly

From this reading The shape was clearer and harder, must be almost out of the cloud--doubtful even now if Y221 had time and room to rise clear--all right if the other held on down, but---- The nose of his machine swooped up, and as it did, and before it shut out his view ahead, Charger, with a cold sinking inside him, saw the outline ahead flash through changing shapes again, the wings narrow and close to edge-on view, open and widen again with the tail dropping below.

move upward

From this reading The shape was clearer and harder, must be almost out of the cloud--doubtful even now if Y221 had time and room to rise clear--all right if the other held on down, but---- The nose of his machine swooped up, and as it did, and before it shut out his view ahead, Charger, with a cold sinking inside him, saw the outline ahead flash through changing shapes again, the wings narrow and close to edge-on view, open and widen again with the tail dropping below.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading The shape was clearer and harder, must be almost out of the cloud--doubtful even now if Y221 had time and room to rise clear--all right if the other held on down, but---- The nose of his machine swooped up, and as it did, and before it shut out his view ahead, Charger, with a cold sinking inside him, saw the outline ahead flash through changing shapes again, the wings narrow and close to edge-on view, open and widen again with the tail dropping below.

cut with a saw

From this reading The shape was clearer and harder, must be almost out of the cloud--doubtful even now if Y221 had time and room to rise clear--all right if the other held on down, but---- The nose of his machine swooped up, and as it did, and before it shut out his view ahead, Charger, with a cold sinking inside him, saw the outline ahead flash through changing shapes again, the wings narrow and close to edge-on view, open and widen again with the tail dropping below.

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading Again for the fraction of a second he hesitated--should he push on down, or turn up?

any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline)

From this reading The shape was clearer and harder, must be almost out of the cloud--doubtful even now if Y221 had time and room to rise clear--all right if the other held on down, but---- The nose of his machine swooped up, and as it did, and before it shut out his view ahead, Charger, with a cold sinking inside him, saw the outline ahead flash through changing shapes again, the wings narrow and close to edge-on view, open and widen again with the tail dropping below.

plural of “shape” — any spatial attributes (especially as defined by outline)

From this reading The shape was clearer and harder, must be almost out of the cloud--doubtful even now if Y221 had time and room to rise clear--all right if the other held on down, but---- The nose of his machine swooped up, and as it did, and before it shut out his view ahead, Charger, with a cold sinking inside him, saw the outline ahead flash through changing shapes again, the wings narrow and close to edge-on view, open and widen again with the tail dropping below.

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading Again for the fraction of a second he hesitated--should he push on down, or turn up?

move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut

From this reading The shape was clearer and harder, must be almost out of the cloud--doubtful even now if Y221 had time and room to rise clear--all right if the other held on down, but---- The nose of his machine swooped up, and as it did, and before it shut out his view ahead, Charger, with a cold sinking inside him, saw the outline ahead flash through changing shapes again, the wings narrow and close to edge-on view, open and widen again with the tail dropping below.

a descent as through liquid (especially through water)

From this reading The shape was clearer and harder, must be almost out of the cloud--doubtful even now if Y221 had time and room to rise clear--all right if the other held on down, but---- The nose of his machine swooped up, and as it did, and before it shut out his view ahead, Charger, with a cold sinking inside him, saw the outline ahead flash through changing shapes again, the wings narrow and close to edge-on view, open and widen again with the tail dropping below.

put, fix, force, or implant

From this reading He pulled the stick hard in, zoomed up, and held his breath, waiting.

past form of “swoop” — move down on as if in an attack

From this reading The shape was clearer and harder, must be almost out of the cloud--doubtful even now if Y221 had time and room to rise clear--all right if the other held on down, but---- The nose of his machine swooped up, and as it did, and before it shut out his view ahead, Charger, with a cold sinking inside him, saw the outline ahead flash through changing shapes again, the wings narrow and close to edge-on view, open and widen again with the tail dropping below.

the posterior part of the body of a vertebrate especially when elongated and extending beyond the trunk or main part of the body

From this reading The shape was clearer and harder, must be almost out of the cloud--doubtful even now if Y221 had time and room to rise clear--all right if the other held on down, but---- The nose of his machine swooped up, and as it did, and before it shut out his view ahead, Charger, with a cold sinking inside him, saw the outline ahead flash through changing shapes again, the wings narrow and close to edge-on view, open and widen again with the tail dropping below.

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

From this reading Again for the fraction of a second he hesitated--should he push on down, or turn up?

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading And again before the thought was well framed it was decided and acted on.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading The shape was clearer and harder, must be almost out of the cloud--doubtful even now if Y221 had time and room to rise clear--all right if the other held on down, but---- The nose of his machine swooped up, and as it did, and before it shut out his view ahead, Charger, with a cold sinking inside him, saw the outline ahead flash through changing shapes again, the wings narrow and close to edge-on view, open and widen again with the tail dropping below.

an instance or single occasion for some event

From this reading The shape was clearer and harder, must be almost out of the cloud--doubtful even now if Y221 had time and room to rise clear--all right if the other held on down, but---- The nose of his machine swooped up, and as it did, and before it shut out his view ahead, Charger, with a cold sinking inside him, saw the outline ahead flash through changing shapes again, the wings narrow and close to edge-on view, open and widen again with the tail dropping below.

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

From this reading The shape was clearer and harder, must be almost out of the cloud--doubtful even now if Y221 had time and room to rise clear--all right if the other held on down, but---- The nose of his machine swooped up, and as it did, and before it shut out his view ahead, Charger, with a cold sinking inside him, saw the outline ahead flash through changing shapes again, the wings narrow and close to edge-on view, open and widen again with the tail dropping below.

change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense

From this reading Again for the fraction of a second he hesitated--should he push on down, or turn up?

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading Again for the fraction of a second he hesitated--should he push on down, or turn up?

a way of regarding situations or topics etc.

From this reading The shape was clearer and harder, must be almost out of the cloud--doubtful even now if Y221 had time and room to rise clear--all right if the other held on down, but---- The nose of his machine swooped up, and as it did, and before it shut out his view ahead, Charger, with a cold sinking inside him, saw the outline ahead flash through changing shapes again, the wings narrow and close to edge-on view, open and widen again with the tail dropping below.

the act of waiting (remaining inactive in one place while expecting something)

From this reading He pulled the stick hard in, zoomed up, and held his breath, waiting.

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

From this reading And again before the thought was well framed it was decided and acted on.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading And again before the thought was well framed it was decided and acted on.

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

From this reading Which would the other do?

become broader or wider or more extensive

From this reading The shape was clearer and harder, must be almost out of the cloud--doubtful even now if Y221 had time and room to rise clear--all right if the other held on down, but---- The nose of his machine swooped up, and as it did, and before it shut out his view ahead, Charger, with a cold sinking inside him, saw the outline ahead flash through changing shapes again, the wings narrow and close to edge-on view, open and widen again with the tail dropping below.

a means of flight or ascent

From this reading The shape was clearer and harder, must be almost out of the cloud--doubtful even now if Y221 had time and room to rise clear--all right if the other held on down, but---- The nose of his machine swooped up, and as it did, and before it shut out his view ahead, Charger, with a cold sinking inside him, saw the outline ahead flash through changing shapes again, the wings narrow and close to edge-on view, open and widen again with the tail dropping below.

in the company of; together with

From this reading The shape was clearer and harder, must be almost out of the cloud--doubtful even now if Y221 had time and room to rise clear--all right if the other held on down, but---- The nose of his machine swooped up, and as it did, and before it shut out his view ahead, Charger, with a cold sinking inside him, saw the outline ahead flash through changing shapes again, the wings narrow and close to edge-on view, open and widen again with the tail dropping below.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading Which would the other do?

a silvery metallic element that is common in rare-earth minerals; used in magnesium and aluminum alloys

From this reading The shape was clearer and harder, must be almost out of the cloud--doubtful even now if Y221 had time and room to rise clear--all right if the other held on down, but---- The nose of his machine swooped up, and as it did, and before it shut out his view ahead, Charger, with a cold sinking inside him, saw the outline ahead flash through changing shapes again, the wings narrow and close to edge-on view, open and widen again with the tail dropping below.

past form of “zoom” — move along very quickly

From this reading He pulled the stick hard in, zoomed up, and held his breath, waiting.