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 He had dropped back and back from the Flight, until now they were something like a mile ahead of him.
admitted
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ricky, the first shock of his surprise over, had gauged the situation, and this, it must be admitted, was dangerous, if not desperate.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading It was no use thinking longer of running away, and even a straight-down nose-dive offered no chance of escape, both because the Huns could nose-dive after him and continue to keep him under fire, and because he was well over Hunland, and the nearer he went to the ground the better target he would make for the anti-aircraft gunners below.
ahead
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had dropped back and back from the Flight, until now they were something like a mile ahead of him.
air
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A mile, it is true, does not take a modern machine long to cover, but then, on the other hand, neither does an air battle take long to fight, especially with odds of three to one.
alreadynounUS /already/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading With those bullets sheeting past him and already beginning to rip and crack through his wings, any second might see the end of Ricky.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A mile, it is true, does not take a modern machine long to cover, but then, on the other hand, neither does an air battle take long to fight, especially with odds of three to one.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Ricky, the first shock of his surprise over, had gauged the situation, and this, it must be admitted, was dangerous, if not desperate.
anti-aircraft
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was no use thinking longer of running away, and even a straight-down nose-dive offered no chance of escape, both because the Huns could nose-dive after him and continue to keep him under fire, and because he was well over Hunland, and the nearer he went to the ground the better target he would make for the anti-aircraft gunners below.
any
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With those bullets sheeting past him and already beginning to rip and crack through his wings, any second might see the end of Ricky.
away
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was no use thinking longer of running away, and even a straight-down nose-dive offered no chance of escape, both because the Huns could nose-dive after him and continue to keep him under fire, and because he was well over Hunland, and the nearer he went to the ground the better target he would make for the anti-aircraft gunners below.
back
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had dropped back and back from the Flight, until now they were something like a mile ahead of him.
battle
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A mile, it is true, does not take a modern machine long to cover, but then, on the other hand, neither does an air battle take long to fight, especially with odds of three to one.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Ricky, the first shock of his surprise over, had gauged the situation, and this, it must be admitted, was dangerous, if not desperate.
becauseconjunctionUS /bɪˈkɔːz/
for the reason that
From this reading It was no use thinking longer of running away, and even a straight-down nose-dive offered no chance of escape, both because the Huns could nose-dive after him and continue to keep him under fire, and because he was well over Hunland, and the nearer he went to the ground the better target he would make for the anti-aircraft gunners below.
beginningnounUS /ˈbeginning/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading With those bullets sheeting past him and already beginning to rip and crack through his wings, any second might see the end of Ricky.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading It was no use thinking longer of running away, and even a straight-down nose-dive offered no chance of escape, both because the Huns could nose-dive after him and continue to keep him under fire, and because he was well over Hunland, and the nearer he went to the ground the better target he would make for the anti-aircraft gunners below.
better
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was no use thinking longer of running away, and even a straight-down nose-dive offered no chance of escape, both because the Huns could nose-dive after him and continue to keep him under fire, and because he was well over Hunland, and the nearer he went to the ground the better target he would make for the anti-aircraft gunners below.
bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading It was no use thinking longer of running away, and even a straight-down nose-dive offered no chance of escape, both because the Huns could nose-dive after him and continue to keep him under fire, and because he was well over Hunland, and the nearer he went to the ground the better target he would make for the anti-aircraft gunners below.
bullets
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With those bullets sheeting past him and already beginning to rip and crack through his wings, any second might see the end of Ricky.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading A mile, it is true, does not take a modern machine long to cover, but then, on the other hand, neither does an air battle take long to fight, especially with odds of three to one.
chance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was no use thinking longer of running away, and even a straight-down nose-dive offered no chance of escape, both because the Huns could nose-dive after him and continue to keep him under fire, and because he was well over Hunland, and the nearer he went to the ground the better target he would make for the anti-aircraft gunners below.
continue
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was no use thinking longer of running away, and even a straight-down nose-dive offered no chance of escape, both because the Huns could nose-dive after him and continue to keep him under fire, and because he was well over Hunland, and the nearer he went to the ground the better target he would make for the anti-aircraft gunners below.
couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading It was no use thinking longer of running away, and even a straight-down nose-dive offered no chance of escape, both because the Huns could nose-dive after him and continue to keep him under fire, and because he was well over Hunland, and the nearer he went to the ground the better target he would make for the anti-aircraft gunners below.
cover
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A mile, it is true, does not take a modern machine long to cover, but then, on the other hand, neither does an air battle take long to fight, especially with odds of three to one.
crack
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With those bullets sheeting past him and already beginning to rip and crack through his wings, any second might see the end of Ricky.
dangerous
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ricky, the first shock of his surprise over, had gauged the situation, and this, it must be admitted, was dangerous, if not desperate.
desperate
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ricky, the first shock of his surprise over, had gauged the situation, and this, it must be admitted, was dangerous, if not desperate.
doesauxiliary verbUS /dʌz/
the form of “do” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A mile, it is true, does not take a modern machine long to cover, but then, on the other hand, neither does an air battle take long to fight, especially with odds of three to one.
dropped
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had dropped back and back from the Flight, until now they were something like a mile ahead of him.
end
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With those bullets sheeting past him and already beginning to rip and crack through his wings, any second might see the end of Ricky.
escape
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was no use thinking longer of running away, and even a straight-down nose-dive offered no chance of escape, both because the Huns could nose-dive after him and continue to keep him under fire, and because he was well over Hunland, and the nearer he went to the ground the better target he would make for the anti-aircraft gunners below.
especially
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A mile, it is true, does not take a modern machine long to cover, but then, on the other hand, neither does an air battle take long to fight, especially with odds of three to one.
evennounUS /even/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was no use thinking longer of running away, and even a straight-down nose-dive offered no chance of escape, both because the Huns could nose-dive after him and continue to keep him under fire, and because he was well over Hunland, and the nearer he went to the ground the better target he would make for the anti-aircraft gunners below.
fight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A mile, it is true, does not take a modern machine long to cover, but then, on the other hand, neither does an air battle take long to fight, especially with odds of three to one.
fire
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was no use thinking longer of running away, and even a straight-down nose-dive offered no chance of escape, both because the Huns could nose-dive after him and continue to keep him under fire, and because he was well over Hunland, and the nearer he went to the ground the better target he would make for the anti-aircraft gunners below.
firstnounUS /first/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading Ricky, the first shock of his surprise over, had gauged the situation, and this, it must be admitted, was dangerous, if not desperate.
Flight
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had dropped back and back from the Flight, until now they were something like a mile ahead of him.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was no use thinking longer of running away, and even a straight-down nose-dive offered no chance of escape, both because the Huns could nose-dive after him and continue to keep him under fire, and because he was well over Hunland, and the nearer he went to the ground the better target he would make for the anti-aircraft gunners below.
fromprepositionUS /frʌm/
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading He had dropped back and back from the Flight, until now they were something like a mile ahead of him.
gauged
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ricky, the first shock of his surprise over, had gauged the situation, and this, it must be admitted, was dangerous, if not desperate.
ground
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was no use thinking longer of running away, and even a straight-down nose-dive offered no chance of escape, both because the Huns could nose-dive after him and continue to keep him under fire, and because he was well over Hunland, and the nearer he went to the ground the better target he would make for the anti-aircraft gunners below.
gunners
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was no use thinking longer of running away, and even a straight-down nose-dive offered no chance of escape, both because the Huns could nose-dive after him and continue to keep him under fire, and because he was well over Hunland, and the nearer he went to the ground the better target he would make for the anti-aircraft gunners below.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Ricky, the first shock of his surprise over, had gauged the situation, and this, it must be admitted, was dangerous, if not desperate.
hand
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A mile, it is true, does not take a modern machine long to cover, but then, on the other hand, neither does an air battle take long to fight, especially with odds of three to one.
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had dropped back and back from the Flight, until now they were something like a mile ahead of him.
himpronounUS /hɪm/
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading He had dropped back and back from the Flight, until now they were something like a mile ahead of him.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Ricky, the first shock of his surprise over, had gauged the situation, and this, it must be admitted, was dangerous, if not desperate.
Hunland
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was no use thinking longer of running away, and even a straight-down nose-dive offered no chance of escape, both because the Huns could nose-dive after him and continue to keep him under fire, and because he was well over Hunland, and the nearer he went to the ground the better target he would make for the anti-aircraft gunners below.
Huns
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was no use thinking longer of running away, and even a straight-down nose-dive offered no chance of escape, both because the Huns could nose-dive after him and continue to keep him under fire, and because he was well over Hunland, and the nearer he went to the ground the better target he would make for the anti-aircraft gunners below.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Ricky, the first shock of his surprise over, had gauged the situation, and this, it must be admitted, was dangerous, if not desperate.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A mile, it is true, does not take a modern machine long to cover, but then, on the other hand, neither does an air battle take long to fight, especially with odds of three to one.
itpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Ricky, the first shock of his surprise over, had gauged the situation, and this, it must be admitted, was dangerous, if not desperate.
keep
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was no use thinking longer of running away, and even a straight-down nose-dive offered no chance of escape, both because the Huns could nose-dive after him and continue to keep him under fire, and because he was well over Hunland, and the nearer he went to the ground the better target he would make for the anti-aircraft gunners below.
like
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had dropped back and back from the Flight, until now they were something like a mile ahead of him.
longnounUS /long/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A mile, it is true, does not take a modern machine long to cover, but then, on the other hand, neither does an air battle take long to fight, especially with odds of three to one.
longer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was no use thinking longer of running away, and even a straight-down nose-dive offered no chance of escape, both because the Huns could nose-dive after him and continue to keep him under fire, and because he was well over Hunland, and the nearer he went to the ground the better target he would make for the anti-aircraft gunners below.
machine
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A mile, it is true, does not take a modern machine long to cover, but then, on the other hand, neither does an air battle take long to fight, especially with odds of three to one.
makenounUS /make/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was no use thinking longer of running away, and even a straight-down nose-dive offered no chance of escape, both because the Huns could nose-dive after him and continue to keep him under fire, and because he was well over Hunland, and the nearer he went to the ground the better target he would make for the anti-aircraft gunners below.
mightmodal verbUS /maɪt/
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading With those bullets sheeting past him and already beginning to rip and crack through his wings, any second might see the end of Ricky.
mile
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had dropped back and back from the Flight, until now they were something like a mile ahead of him.
modern
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A mile, it is true, does not take a modern machine long to cover, but then, on the other hand, neither does an air battle take long to fight, especially with odds of three to one.
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading Ricky, the first shock of his surprise over, had gauged the situation, and this, it must be admitted, was dangerous, if not desperate.
nearer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was no use thinking longer of running away, and even a straight-down nose-dive offered no chance of escape, both because the Huns could nose-dive after him and continue to keep him under fire, and because he was well over Hunland, and the nearer he went to the ground the better target he would make for the anti-aircraft gunners below.
neitherdeterminerUS /ˈniːðər/
not one and not the other of two
From this reading A mile, it is true, does not take a modern machine long to cover, but then, on the other hand, neither does an air battle take long to fight, especially with odds of three to one.
nodeterminerUS /noʊ/
not any; not one
From this reading It was no use thinking longer of running away, and even a straight-down nose-dive offered no chance of escape, both because the Huns could nose-dive after him and continue to keep him under fire, and because he was well over Hunland, and the nearer he went to the ground the better target he would make for the anti-aircraft gunners below.
nose-dive
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was no use thinking longer of running away, and even a straight-down nose-dive offered no chance of escape, both because the Huns could nose-dive after him and continue to keep him under fire, and because he was well over Hunland, and the nearer he went to the ground the better target he would make for the anti-aircraft gunners below.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Ricky, the first shock of his surprise over, had gauged the situation, and this, it must be admitted, was dangerous, if not desperate.
now
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He had dropped back and back from the Flight, until now they were something like a mile ahead of him.
odds
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A mile, it is true, does not take a modern machine long to cover, but then, on the other hand, neither does an air battle take long to fight, especially with odds of three to one.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Ricky, the first shock of his surprise over, had gauged the situation, and this, it must be admitted, was dangerous, if not desperate.
offered
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was no use thinking longer of running away, and even a straight-down nose-dive offered no chance of escape, both because the Huns could nose-dive after him and continue to keep him under fire, and because he was well over Hunland, and the nearer he went to the ground the better target he would make for the anti-aircraft gunners below.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A mile, it is true, does not take a modern machine long to cover, but then, on the other hand, neither does an air battle take long to fight, especially with odds of three to one.
onepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading A mile, it is true, does not take a modern machine long to cover, but then, on the other hand, neither does an air battle take long to fight, especially with odds of three to one.
other
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A mile, it is true, does not take a modern machine long to cover, but then, on the other hand, neither does an air battle take long to fight, especially with odds of three to one.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Ricky, the first shock of his surprise over, had gauged the situation, and this, it must be admitted, was dangerous, if not desperate.
past
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With those bullets sheeting past him and already beginning to rip and crack through his wings, any second might see the end of Ricky.
Ricky
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ricky, the first shock of his surprise over, had gauged the situation, and this, it must be admitted, was dangerous, if not desperate.
rip
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With those bullets sheeting past him and already beginning to rip and crack through his wings, any second might see the end of Ricky.
runningnounUS /ˈrunning/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading It was no use thinking longer of running away, and even a straight-down nose-dive offered no chance of escape, both because the Huns could nose-dive after him and continue to keep him under fire, and because he was well over Hunland, and the nearer he went to the ground the better target he would make for the anti-aircraft gunners below.
second
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With those bullets sheeting past him and already beginning to rip and crack through his wings, any second might see the end of Ricky.
see
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With those bullets sheeting past him and already beginning to rip and crack through his wings, any second might see the end of Ricky.
sheeting
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With those bullets sheeting past him and already beginning to rip and crack through his wings, any second might see the end of Ricky.
shock
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ricky, the first shock of his surprise over, had gauged the situation, and this, it must be admitted, was dangerous, if not desperate.
situation
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ricky, the first shock of his surprise over, had gauged the situation, and this, it must be admitted, was dangerous, if not desperate.
somethingpronounUS /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/
a thing, without saying which
From this reading He had dropped back and back from the Flight, until now they were something like a mile ahead of him.
straight-down
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was no use thinking longer of running away, and even a straight-down nose-dive offered no chance of escape, both because the Huns could nose-dive after him and continue to keep him under fire, and because he was well over Hunland, and the nearer he went to the ground the better target he would make for the anti-aircraft gunners below.
surprise
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ricky, the first shock of his surprise over, had gauged the situation, and this, it must be admitted, was dangerous, if not desperate.
takenounUS /take/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading A mile, it is true, does not take a modern machine long to cover, but then, on the other hand, neither does an air battle take long to fight, especially with odds of three to one.
target
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was no use thinking longer of running away, and even a straight-down nose-dive offered no chance of escape, both because the Huns could nose-dive after him and continue to keep him under fire, and because he was well over Hunland, and the nearer he went to the ground the better target he would make for the anti-aircraft gunners below.
thedeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading Ricky, the first shock of his surprise over, had gauged the situation, and this, it must be admitted, was dangerous, if not desperate.
then
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A mile, it is true, does not take a modern machine long to cover, but then, on the other hand, neither does an air battle take long to fight, especially with odds of three to one.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He had dropped back and back from the Flight, until now they were something like a mile ahead of him.
thinkingnounUS /thinking/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was no use thinking longer of running away, and even a straight-down nose-dive offered no chance of escape, both because the Huns could nose-dive after him and continue to keep him under fire, and because he was well over Hunland, and the nearer he went to the ground the better target he would make for the anti-aircraft gunners below.
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Ricky, the first shock of his surprise over, had gauged the situation, and this, it must be admitted, was dangerous, if not desperate.
thosedeterminerUS /ðoʊz/
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading With those bullets sheeting past him and already beginning to rip and crack through his wings, any second might see the end of Ricky.
three
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A mile, it is true, does not take a modern machine long to cover, but then, on the other hand, neither does an air battle take long to fight, especially with odds of three to one.
throughnounUS /ˈthrough/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading With those bullets sheeting past him and already beginning to rip and crack through his wings, any second might see the end of Ricky.
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A mile, it is true, does not take a modern machine long to cover, but then, on the other hand, neither does an air battle take long to fight, especially with odds of three to one.
true
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A mile, it is true, does not take a modern machine long to cover, but then, on the other hand, neither does an air battle take long to fight, especially with odds of three to one.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading It was no use thinking longer of running away, and even a straight-down nose-dive offered no chance of escape, both because the Huns could nose-dive after him and continue to keep him under fire, and because he was well over Hunland, and the nearer he went to the ground the better target he would make for the anti-aircraft gunners below.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading He had dropped back and back from the Flight, until now they were something like a mile ahead of him.
use
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was no use thinking longer of running away, and even a straight-down nose-dive offered no chance of escape, both because the Huns could nose-dive after him and continue to keep him under fire, and because he was well over Hunland, and the nearer he went to the ground the better target he would make for the anti-aircraft gunners below.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Ricky, the first shock of his surprise over, had gauged the situation, and this, it must be admitted, was dangerous, if not desperate.
well
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was no use thinking longer of running away, and even a straight-down nose-dive offered no chance of escape, both because the Huns could nose-dive after him and continue to keep him under fire, and because he was well over Hunland, and the nearer he went to the ground the better target he would make for the anti-aircraft gunners below.
wentnounUS /went/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading It was no use thinking longer of running away, and even a straight-down nose-dive offered no chance of escape, both because the Huns could nose-dive after him and continue to keep him under fire, and because he was well over Hunland, and the nearer he went to the ground the better target he would make for the anti-aircraft gunners below.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He had dropped back and back from the Flight, until now they were something like a mile ahead of him.
wings
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading With those bullets sheeting past him and already beginning to rip and crack through his wings, any second might see the end of Ricky.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading A mile, it is true, does not take a modern machine long to cover, but then, on the other hand, neither does an air battle take long to fight, especially with odds of three to one.
wouldmodal verbUS /wʊd/
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading It was no use thinking longer of running away, and even a straight-down nose-dive offered no chance of escape, both because the Huns could nose-dive after him and continue to keep him under fire, and because he was well over Hunland, and the nearer he went to the ground the better target he would make for the anti-aircraft gunners below.
