used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The hot, dry weather continued and the fires broke out with a regularity which nonplussed the foresters and the aviators.
the state of being absent
From this reading It was a question as to how much longer they could stand the strain, for the constant flying over timberland, where landing fields were conspicuous by their absence, showed its effect on the smooth flying of the pilots.
accuracynounUS /ˈækjərəsi/
the quality of being near to the true value
From this reading The aviators were having their fill of flying over the forests, but with each patrol they became more experienced and could locate the fires with an accuracy that was astonishing.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The aviators were having their fill of flying over the forests, but with each patrol they became more experienced and could locate the fires with an accuracy that was astonishing.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The hot, dry weather continued and the fires broke out with a regularity which nonplussed the foresters and the aviators.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It was a question as to how much longer they could stand the strain, for the constant flying over timberland, where landing fields were conspicuous by their absence, showed its effect on the smooth flying of the pilots.
astonishingadjectiveUS /əˈstɑːnɪʃɪŋ/
surprising greatly
From this reading The aviators were having their fill of flying over the forests, but with each patrol they became more experienced and could locate the fires with an accuracy that was astonishing.
aviatorsnounUS /ˈeɪvieɪtərz/
plural of “aviator” — someone who operates an aircraft
From this reading The hot, dry weather continued and the fires broke out with a regularity which nonplussed the foresters and the aviators.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading During the next few weeks the patrols became monotonously routine.
lacking funds
From this reading The hot, dry weather continued and the fires broke out with a regularity which nonplussed the foresters and the aviators.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading New fires were picked up in spite of the smoke pall, but it was mighty hard work.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading It was a question as to how much longer they could stand the strain, for the constant flying over timberland, where landing fields were conspicuous by their absence, showed its effect on the smooth flying of the pilots.
conspicuousadjectiveUS /kənˈspɪkjuːəs/
obvious to the eye or mind
From this reading It was a question as to how much longer they could stand the strain, for the constant flying over timberland, where landing fields were conspicuous by their absence, showed its effect on the smooth flying of the pilots.
unvarying in nature
From this reading It was a question as to how much longer they could stand the strain, for the constant flying over timberland, where landing fields were conspicuous by their absence, showed its effect on the smooth flying of the pilots.
without stop or interruption
From this reading The hot, dry weather continued and the fires broke out with a regularity which nonplussed the foresters and the aviators.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading The aviators were having their fill of flying over the forests, but with each patrol they became more experienced and could locate the fires with an accuracy that was astonishing.
free from liquid or moisture; lacking natural or normal moisture or depleted of water; or no longer wet
From this reading The hot, dry weather continued and the fires broke out with a regularity which nonplussed the foresters and the aviators.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading During the next few weeks the patrols became monotonously routine.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading The aviators were having their fill of flying over the forests, but with each patrol they became more experienced and could locate the fires with an accuracy that was astonishing.
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading It was a question as to how much longer they could stand the strain, for the constant flying over timberland, where landing fields were conspicuous by their absence, showed its effect on the smooth flying of the pilots.
having experience; having knowledge or skill from observation or participation
From this reading The aviators were having their fill of flying over the forests, but with each patrol they became more experienced and could locate the fires with an accuracy that was astonishing.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading During the next few weeks the patrols became monotonously routine.
United States comedian and film actor (1880-1946)
From this reading It was a question as to how much longer they could stand the strain, for the constant flying over timberland, where landing fields were conspicuous by their absence, showed its effect on the smooth flying of the pilots.
make full, also in a metaphorical sense
From this reading The aviators were having their fill of flying over the forests, but with each patrol they became more experienced and could locate the fires with an accuracy that was astonishing.
plural of “fire” — the event of something burning (often destructive)
From this reading The hot, dry weather continued and the fires broke out with a regularity which nonplussed the foresters and the aviators.
moving swiftly
From this reading The aviators were having their fill of flying over the forests, but with each patrol they became more experienced and could locate the fires with an accuracy that was astonishing.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading It was a question as to how much longer they could stand the strain, for the constant flying over timberland, where landing fields were conspicuous by their absence, showed its effect on the smooth flying of the pilots.
forestersnounUS /ˈfɔːrəstərz/
plural of “forester” — English writer of adventure novels featuring Captain Horatio Hornblower (1899-1966)
From this reading The hot, dry weather continued and the fires broke out with a regularity which nonplussed the foresters and the aviators.
forestsnounUS /ˈfɔːrəsts/
plural of “forest” — the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading The aviators were having their fill of flying over the forests, but with each patrol they became more experienced and could locate the fires with an accuracy that was astonishing.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading New fires were picked up in spite of the smoke pall, but it was mighty hard work.
havingauxiliary verbUS /ˈhævɪŋ/
the -ing form of “have”
From this reading The aviators were having their fill of flying over the forests, but with each patrol they became more experienced and could locate the fires with an accuracy that was astonishing.
used of physical heat; having a high or higher than desirable temperature or giving off heat or feeling or causing a sensation of heat or burning
From this reading The hot, dry weather continued and the fires broke out with a regularity which nonplussed the foresters and the aviators.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It was a question as to how much longer they could stand the strain, for the constant flying over timberland, where landing fields were conspicuous by their absence, showed its effect on the smooth flying of the pilots.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading New fires were picked up in spite of the smoke pall, but it was mighty hard work.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading New fires were picked up in spite of the smoke pall, but it was mighty hard work.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading It was a question as to how much longer they could stand the strain, for the constant flying over timberland, where landing fields were conspicuous by their absence, showed its effect on the smooth flying of the pilots.
an intermediate platform in a staircase
From this reading It was a question as to how much longer they could stand the strain, for the constant flying over timberland, where landing fields were conspicuous by their absence, showed its effect on the smooth flying of the pilots.
locateverbUS /ˈloʊkeɪt/
discover the location of; determine the place of; find by searching or examining
From this reading The aviators were having their fill of flying over the forests, but with each patrol they became more experienced and could locate the fires with an accuracy that was astonishing.
for more time
From this reading It was a question as to how much longer they could stand the strain, for the constant flying over timberland, where landing fields were conspicuous by their absence, showed its effect on the smooth flying of the pilots.
having or showing great strength or force or intensity
From this reading New fires were picked up in spite of the smoke pall, but it was mighty hard work.
monotonouslyadverb
in a monotonous manner
From this reading During the next few weeks the patrols became monotonously routine.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading The aviators were having their fill of flying over the forests, but with each patrol they became more experienced and could locate the fires with an accuracy that was astonishing.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading It was a question as to how much longer they could stand the strain, for the constant flying over timberland, where landing fields were conspicuous by their absence, showed its effect on the smooth flying of the pilots.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading New fires were picked up in spite of the smoke pall, but it was mighty hard work.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading During the next few weeks the patrols became monotonously routine.
nonplussedadjectiveUS /nɑːnˈplʌst/
filled with bewilderment
From this reading The hot, dry weather continued and the fires broke out with a regularity which nonplussed the foresters and the aviators.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading New fires were picked up in spite of the smoke pall, but it was mighty hard work.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading It was a question as to how much longer they could stand the strain, for the constant flying over timberland, where landing fields were conspicuous by their absence, showed its effect on the smooth flying of the pilots.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading The hot, dry weather continued and the fires broke out with a regularity which nonplussed the foresters and the aviators.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading The aviators were having their fill of flying over the forests, but with each patrol they became more experienced and could locate the fires with an accuracy that was astonishing.
pallverbUS /pɑːl/
become less interesting or attractive
From this reading New fires were picked up in spite of the smoke pall, but it was mighty hard work.
patrolnounUS /pəˈtroʊl/
a detachment used for security or reconnaissance
From this reading The aviators were having their fill of flying over the forests, but with each patrol they became more experienced and could locate the fires with an accuracy that was astonishing.
patrolsnounUS /pəˈtroʊlz/
plural of “patrol” — a detachment used for security or reconnaissance
From this reading During the next few weeks the patrols became monotonously routine.
past form of “pick” — select carefully from a group
From this reading New fires were picked up in spite of the smoke pall, but it was mighty hard work.
pilotsnounUS /ˈpaɪləts/
plural of “pilot” — someone who is licensed to operate an aircraft in flight
From this reading It was a question as to how much longer they could stand the strain, for the constant flying over timberland, where landing fields were conspicuous by their absence, showed its effect on the smooth flying of the pilots.
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
From this reading It was a question as to how much longer they could stand the strain, for the constant flying over timberland, where landing fields were conspicuous by their absence, showed its effect on the smooth flying of the pilots.
regularitynounUS /ˌreɡjəˈlerəti/
a property of polygons: the property of having equal sides and equal angles
From this reading The hot, dry weather continued and the fires broke out with a regularity which nonplussed the foresters and the aviators.
routinenounUS /ruːˈtiːn/
an unvarying or habitual method or procedure
From this reading During the next few weeks the patrols became monotonously routine.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading It was a question as to how much longer they could stand the strain, for the constant flying over timberland, where landing fields were conspicuous by their absence, showed its effect on the smooth flying of the pilots.
a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas
From this reading New fires were picked up in spite of the smoke pall, but it was mighty hard work.
having a surface free from roughness or bumps or ridges or irregularities
From this reading It was a question as to how much longer they could stand the strain, for the constant flying over timberland, where landing fields were conspicuous by their absence, showed its effect on the smooth flying of the pilots.
feeling a need to see others suffer
From this reading New fires were picked up in spite of the smoke pall, but it was mighty hard work.
be standing; be upright
From this reading It was a question as to how much longer they could stand the strain, for the constant flying over timberland, where landing fields were conspicuous by their absence, showed its effect on the smooth flying of the pilots.
(physics) deformation of a physical body under the action of applied forces
From this reading It was a question as to how much longer they could stand the strain, for the constant flying over timberland, where landing fields were conspicuous by their absence, showed its effect on the smooth flying of the pilots.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The aviators were having their fill of flying over the forests, but with each patrol they became more experienced and could locate the fires with an accuracy that was astonishing.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading During the next few weeks the patrols became monotonously routine.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The aviators were having their fill of flying over the forests, but with each patrol they became more experienced and could locate the fires with an accuracy that was astonishing.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The aviators were having their fill of flying over the forests, but with each patrol they became more experienced and could locate the fires with an accuracy that was astonishing.
timberlandnounUS /ˈtɪmbərlænd/
land that is covered with trees and shrubs
From this reading It was a question as to how much longer they could stand the strain, for the constant flying over timberland, where landing fields were conspicuous by their absence, showed its effect on the smooth flying of the pilots.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was a question as to how much longer they could stand the strain, for the constant flying over timberland, where landing fields were conspicuous by their absence, showed its effect on the smooth flying of the pilots.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading New fires were picked up in spite of the smoke pall, but it was mighty hard work.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading New fires were picked up in spite of the smoke pall, but it was mighty hard work.
the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation
From this reading The hot, dry weather continued and the fires broke out with a regularity which nonplussed the foresters and the aviators.
plural of “week” — any period of seven consecutive days
From this reading During the next few weeks the patrols became monotonously routine.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading New fires were picked up in spite of the smoke pall, but it was mighty hard work.
in or at the place that
From this reading It was a question as to how much longer they could stand the strain, for the constant flying over timberland, where landing fields were conspicuous by their absence, showed its effect on the smooth flying of the pilots.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The hot, dry weather continued and the fires broke out with a regularity which nonplussed the foresters and the aviators.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The hot, dry weather continued and the fires broke out with a regularity which nonplussed the foresters and the aviators.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading New fires were picked up in spite of the smoke pall, but it was mighty hard work.
