used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading In brief, while experimenting on a certain new method of chilling steel, for use in a corn sheller, Mr. Matson mixed some acids together.
accidentallyadverbUS /ˌæksəˈdentəli/
without advance planning
From this reading Unknown to him a workman had, accidentally, substituted one very strong acid for a weak one.
acidadjectiveUS /ˈæsəd/
harsh or corrosive in tone
From this reading Unknown to him a workman had, accidentally, substituted one very strong acid for a weak one.
acidsnounUS /ˈæsədz/
plural of “acid” — any of various water-soluble compounds having a sour taste and capable of turning litmus red and reacting with a base to form a salt
From this reading In brief, while experimenting on a certain new method of chilling steel, for use in a corn sheller, Mr. Matson mixed some acids together.
anew
From this reading OLD POP AGAIN Dr. Birch remained for some little time at the Matson home, going over in detail with Joe just what the nature of his father's injuries were.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading When the mixture was put into an iron pot there was an explosion.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Some of the acid, and splinters of iron, flew up into the face of the inventor.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading OLD POP AGAIN Dr. Birch remained for some little time at the Matson home, going over in detail with Joe just what the nature of his father's injuries were.
BirchnounUS /bɜːrtʃ/
hard close-grained wood of any of various birch trees; used especially in furniture and interior finishes and plywood
From this reading OLD POP AGAIN Dr. Birch remained for some little time at the Matson home, going over in detail with Joe just what the nature of his father's injuries were.
of short duration or distance
From this reading In brief, while experimenting on a certain new method of chilling steel, for use in a corn sheller, Mr. Matson mixed some acids together.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading In brief, while experimenting on a certain new method of chilling steel, for use in a corn sheller, Mr. Matson mixed some acids together.
chillingadjectiveUS /ˈtʃɪlɪŋ/
provoking fear terror
From this reading In brief, while experimenting on a certain new method of chilling steel, for use in a corn sheller, Mr. Matson mixed some acids together.
tall annual cereal grass bearing kernels on large ears: widely cultivated in America in many varieties; the principal cereal in Mexico and Central and South America since pre-Columbian times
From this reading In brief, while experimenting on a certain new method of chilling steel, for use in a corn sheller, Mr. Matson mixed some acids together.
detailnounUS /dɪˈteɪl/
an isolated fact that is considered separately from the whole
From this reading OLD POP AGAIN Dr. Birch remained for some little time at the Matson home, going over in detail with Joe just what the nature of his father's injuries were.
Dr
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OLD POP AGAIN Dr. Birch remained for some little time at the Matson home, going over in detail with Joe just what the nature of his father's injuries were.
experimentingverbUS /ekˈsperəmentɪŋ/
-ing form of “experiment” — to conduct a test or investigation
From this reading In brief, while experimenting on a certain new method of chilling steel, for use in a corn sheller, Mr. Matson mixed some acids together.
explosionnounUS /ɪkˈsploʊʒən/
a violent release of energy caused by a chemical or nuclear reaction
From this reading When the mixture was put into an iron pot there was an explosion.
the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear
From this reading Some of the acid, and splinters of iron, flew up into the face of the inventor.
father'snounUS /ˈfɑːðərz/
possessive form of “father” — a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading OLD POP AGAIN Dr. Birch remained for some little time at the Matson home, going over in detail with Joe just what the nature of his father's injuries were.
inflected form of “fly” — travel through the air; be airborne
From this reading Some of the acid, and splinters of iron, flew up into the face of the inventor.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading OLD POP AGAIN Dr. Birch remained for some little time at the Matson home, going over in detail with Joe just what the nature of his father's injuries were.
the act of departing
From this reading OLD POP AGAIN Dr. Birch remained for some little time at the Matson home, going over in detail with Joe just what the nature of his father's injuries were.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Unknown to him a workman had, accidentally, substituted one very strong acid for a weak one.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Unknown to him a workman had, accidentally, substituted one very strong acid for a weak one.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading OLD POP AGAIN Dr. Birch remained for some little time at the Matson home, going over in detail with Joe just what the nature of his father's injuries were.
where you live at a particular time
From this reading OLD POP AGAIN Dr. Birch remained for some little time at the Matson home, going over in detail with Joe just what the nature of his father's injuries were.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading OLD POP AGAIN Dr. Birch remained for some little time at the Matson home, going over in detail with Joe just what the nature of his father's injuries were.
injuriesnounUS /ˈɪndʒəriz/
plural of “injury” — any physical damage to the body caused by violence or accident or fracture etc.
From this reading OLD POP AGAIN Dr. Birch remained for some little time at the Matson home, going over in detail with Joe just what the nature of his father's injuries were.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading When the mixture was put into an iron pot there was an explosion.
inventornounUS /ˌɪnˈventər/
someone who is the first to think of or make something
From this reading Some of the acid, and splinters of iron, flew up into the face of the inventor.
a heavy ductile magnetic metallic element; is silver-white in pure form but readily rusts; used in construction and tools and armament; plays a role in the transport of oxygen by the blood
From this reading When the mixture was put into an iron pot there was an explosion.
Joe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OLD POP AGAIN Dr. Birch remained for some little time at the Matson home, going over in detail with Joe just what the nature of his father's injuries were.
and nothing more
From this reading OLD POP AGAIN Dr. Birch remained for some little time at the Matson home, going over in detail with Joe just what the nature of his father's injuries were.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading OLD POP AGAIN Dr. Birch remained for some little time at the Matson home, going over in detail with Joe just what the nature of his father's injuries were.
Matson
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading OLD POP AGAIN Dr. Birch remained for some little time at the Matson home, going over in detail with Joe just what the nature of his father's injuries were.
a way of doing something, especially a systematic way; implies an orderly logical arrangement (usually in steps)
From this reading In brief, while experimenting on a certain new method of chilling steel, for use in a corn sheller, Mr. Matson mixed some acids together.
consisting of a haphazard assortment of different kinds
From this reading In brief, while experimenting on a certain new method of chilling steel, for use in a corn sheller, Mr. Matson mixed some acids together.
mixturenounUS /ˈmɪkstʃər/
(chemistry) a substance consisting of two or more substances mixed together (not in fixed proportions and not with chemical bonding)
From this reading When the mixture was put into an iron pot there was an explosion.
a form of address for a man
From this reading In brief, while experimenting on a certain new method of chilling steel, for use in a corn sheller, Mr. Matson mixed some acids together.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading OLD POP AGAIN Dr. Birch remained for some little time at the Matson home, going over in detail with Joe just what the nature of his father's injuries were.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading In brief, while experimenting on a certain new method of chilling steel, for use in a corn sheller, Mr. Matson mixed some acids together.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading OLD POP AGAIN Dr. Birch remained for some little time at the Matson home, going over in detail with Joe just what the nature of his father's injuries were.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading OLD POP AGAIN Dr. Birch remained for some little time at the Matson home, going over in detail with Joe just what the nature of his father's injuries were.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading In brief, while experimenting on a certain new method of chilling steel, for use in a corn sheller, Mr. Matson mixed some acids together.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Unknown to him a workman had, accidentally, substituted one very strong acid for a weak one.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading OLD POP AGAIN Dr. Birch remained for some little time at the Matson home, going over in detail with Joe just what the nature of his father's injuries were.
POPverbUS /pɑːp/
bulge outward
From this reading OLD POP AGAIN Dr. Birch remained for some little time at the Matson home, going over in detail with Joe just what the nature of his father's injuries were.
potnounUS /pɑːt/
metal or earthenware cooking vessel that is usually round and deep; often has a handle and lid
From this reading When the mixture was put into an iron pot there was an explosion.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading When the mixture was put into an iron pot there was an explosion.
past form of “remain” — stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading OLD POP AGAIN Dr. Birch remained for some little time at the Matson home, going over in detail with Joe just what the nature of his father's injuries were.
shellernounUS /ˈʃelər/
a worker who removes shells (as of peas or oysters)
From this reading In brief, while experimenting on a certain new method of chilling steel, for use in a corn sheller, Mr. Matson mixed some acids together.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading OLD POP AGAIN Dr. Birch remained for some little time at the Matson home, going over in detail with Joe just what the nature of his father's injuries were.
splintersnounUS /ˈsplɪntərz/
wood in small pieces or splinters
From this reading Some of the acid, and splinters of iron, flew up into the face of the inventor.
an alloy of iron with small amounts of carbon; widely used in construction; mechanical properties can be varied over a wide range
From this reading In brief, while experimenting on a certain new method of chilling steel, for use in a corn sheller, Mr. Matson mixed some acids together.
having strength or power greater than average or expected
From this reading Unknown to him a workman had, accidentally, substituted one very strong acid for a weak one.
substitutedverbUS /ˈsʌbstətuːtɪd/
past form of “substitute” — put in the place of another; switch seemingly equivalent items
From this reading Unknown to him a workman had, accidentally, substituted one very strong acid for a weak one.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading OLD POP AGAIN Dr. Birch remained for some little time at the Matson home, going over in detail with Joe just what the nature of his father's injuries were.
in or at that place or location
From this reading When the mixture was put into an iron pot there was an explosion.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading OLD POP AGAIN Dr. Birch remained for some little time at the Matson home, going over in detail with Joe just what the nature of his father's injuries were.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Unknown to him a workman had, accidentally, substituted one very strong acid for a weak one.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading In brief, while experimenting on a certain new method of chilling steel, for use in a corn sheller, Mr. Matson mixed some acids together.
not known
From this reading Unknown to him a workman had, accidentally, substituted one very strong acid for a weak one.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Some of the acid, and splinters of iron, flew up into the face of the inventor.
the act of using
From this reading In brief, while experimenting on a certain new method of chilling steel, for use in a corn sheller, Mr. Matson mixed some acids together.
precisely as stated
From this reading Unknown to him a workman had, accidentally, substituted one very strong acid for a weak one.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading When the mixture was put into an iron pot there was an explosion.
wanting in physical strength
From this reading Unknown to him a workman had, accidentally, substituted one very strong acid for a weak one.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading OLD POP AGAIN Dr. Birch remained for some little time at the Matson home, going over in detail with Joe just what the nature of his father's injuries were.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading OLD POP AGAIN Dr. Birch remained for some little time at the Matson home, going over in detail with Joe just what the nature of his father's injuries were.
at the time that
From this reading When the mixture was put into an iron pot there was an explosion.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading In brief, while experimenting on a certain new method of chilling steel, for use in a corn sheller, Mr. Matson mixed some acids together.
in the company of; together with
From this reading OLD POP AGAIN Dr. Birch remained for some little time at the Matson home, going over in detail with Joe just what the nature of his father's injuries were.
workmannounUS /ˈwɜːrkmən/
an employee who performs manual or industrial labor
From this reading Unknown to him a workman had, accidentally, substituted one very strong acid for a weak one.
