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.
inflected form of “admit” — declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of
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.
at or in the front
From this reading He had dropped back and back from the Flight, until now they were something like a mile ahead of him.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
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.
prior to a specified or implied time
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.
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.
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.
one or some or every or all without specification
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.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
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.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading He had dropped back and back from the Flight, until now they were something like a mile ahead of him.
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
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.
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.
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.
the event consisting of the start of something
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.
(comparative of “good”) superior to another (of the same class or set or kind) in excellence or quality or desirability or suitability; more highly skilled than another
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.
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.
bulletsnounUS /ˈbʊləts/
plural of “bullet” — a projectile that is fired from a gun
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.
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.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
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 a certain state, condition, or activity
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.
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.
provide with a covering or cause to be covered
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.
crackverbUS /kræk/
become fractured; break or crack on the surface only
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.
involving or causing danger or risk; liable to hurt or harm
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.
arising from or marked by despair or loss of hope
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.
inflected form of “drop” — let fall to the ground
From this reading He had dropped back and back from the Flight, until now they were something like a mile ahead of him.
either extremity of something that has length
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.
the act of escaping physically
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.
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
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.
divisible by two
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.
be engaged in a fight; carry on a fight
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.
start firing a weapon
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.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
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.
a formation of aircraft in flight
From this reading He had dropped back and back from the Flight, until now they were something like a mile ahead of him.
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.
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.
gaugedverbUS /ɡeɪdʒd/
past form of “gauge” — judge tentatively or form an estimate of (quantities or time)
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.
the solid part of the earth's surface
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.
gunnersnounUS /ˈɡʌnərz/
plural of “gunner” — a serviceman in the artillery
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.
the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
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.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading He had dropped back and back from the Flight, until now they were something like a mile ahead of him.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
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.
for more time
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 mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks
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.
engage in
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.
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.
a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading He had dropped back and back from the Flight, until now they were something like a mile ahead of him.
belonging to the modern era; since the Middle Ages
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.
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.
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
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.
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.
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.
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.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading He had dropped back and back from the Flight, until now they were something like a mile ahead of him.
oddsnounUS /ɑːdz/
the likelihood of a thing occurring rather than not occurring
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.
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.
past form of “offer” — make available or accessible, provide or furnish
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.
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.
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.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
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.
the time that has elapsed
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.
ripverbUS /rɪp/
tear or be torn violently
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.
(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream
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.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
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.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
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.
sheetingnounUS /ˈʃiːtɪŋ/
fabric from which bed sheets are made
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.
the feeling of distress and disbelief that you have when something bad happens accidentally
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.
the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
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.
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.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
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.
carry out
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.
targetnounUS /ˈtɑːrɡət/
a reference point to shoot at
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.
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.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
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.
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.
the process of using your mind to consider something carefully
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.
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.
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.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
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.
from one end or side of something to the other
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.
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.
consistent with fact or reality; not false
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.
the act of using
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.
(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 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.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
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.
a means of flight or ascent
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.
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.
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.
