used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading As Rod stood gazing at the receding train he noticed a human figure step from the lighted interior of the caboose, through the open doorway, to the platform, apparently kick at something, and almost instantly return into the car.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading As he resumed his tiresome walk, gazing longingly after the vanishing train lights, he saw another light, a white one that moved toward him with a swinging motion, close to the ground.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading As Rod stood gazing at the receding train he noticed a human figure step from the lighted interior of the caboose, through the open doorway, to the platform, apparently kick at something, and almost instantly return into the car.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading As Rod stood gazing at the receding train he noticed a human figure step from the lighted interior of the caboose, through the open doorway, to the platform, apparently kick at something, and almost instantly return into the car.
a living organism characterized by voluntary movement
From this reading While he was wondering what it was, he almost stumbled over a small animal that stood motionless on the track, directly in front of him.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading As he resumed his tiresome walk, gazing longingly after the vanishing train lights, he saw another light, a white one that moved toward him with a swinging motion, close to the ground.
from appearances alone
From this reading As Rod stood gazing at the receding train he noticed a human figure step from the lighted interior of the caboose, through the open doorway, to the platform, apparently kick at something, and almost instantly return into the car.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading As Rod stood gazing at the receding train he noticed a human figure step from the lighted interior of the caboose, through the open doorway, to the platform, apparently kick at something, and almost instantly return into the car.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading As Rod stood gazing at the receding train he noticed a human figure step from the lighted interior of the caboose, through the open doorway, to the platform, apparently kick at something, and almost instantly return into the car.
a youthful male person
From this reading At the same time the boy fancied he heard a sharp cry of pain; but was not sure.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading At the same time the boy fancied he heard a sharp cry of pain; but was not sure.
caboosenounUS /kəˈbuːs/
the area for food preparation on a ship
From this reading As Rod stood gazing at the receding train he noticed a human figure step from the lighted interior of the caboose, through the open doorway, to the platform, apparently kick at something, and almost instantly return into the car.
a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine
From this reading As Rod stood gazing at the receding train he noticed a human figure step from the lighted interior of the caboose, through the open doorway, to the platform, apparently kick at something, and almost instantly return into the car.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading As he resumed his tiresome walk, gazing longingly after the vanishing train lights, he saw another light, a white one that moved toward him with a swinging motion, close to the ground.
utter a sudden loud cry
From this reading At the same time the boy fancied he heard a sharp cry of pain; but was not sure.
without deviation
From this reading While he was wondering what it was, he almost stumbled over a small animal that stood motionless on the track, directly in front of him.
a member of the genus Canis (probably descended from the common wolf) that has been domesticated by man since prehistoric times; occurs in many breeds
From this reading SMILER, THE RAILROAD DOG.
the entrance (the space in a wall) through which you enter or leave a room or building; the space that a door can close
From this reading As Rod stood gazing at the receding train he noticed a human figure step from the lighted interior of the caboose, through the open doorway, to the platform, apparently kick at something, and almost instantly return into the car.
formed or conceived by the imagination
From this reading At the same time the boy fancied he heard a sharp cry of pain; but was not sure.
a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading As Rod stood gazing at the receding train he noticed a human figure step from the lighted interior of the caboose, through the open doorway, to the platform, apparently kick at something, and almost instantly return into the car.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading As Rod stood gazing at the receding train he noticed a human figure step from the lighted interior of the caboose, through the open doorway, to the platform, apparently kick at something, and almost instantly return into the car.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading While he was wondering what it was, he almost stumbled over a small animal that stood motionless on the track, directly in front of him.
-ing form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading As Rod stood gazing at the receding train he noticed a human figure step from the lighted interior of the caboose, through the open doorway, to the platform, apparently kick at something, and almost instantly return into the car.
the solid part of the earth's surface
From this reading As he resumed his tiresome walk, gazing longingly after the vanishing train lights, he saw another light, a white one that moved toward him with a swinging motion, close to the ground.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading As Rod stood gazing at the receding train he noticed a human figure step from the lighted interior of the caboose, through the open doorway, to the platform, apparently kick at something, and almost instantly return into the car.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading At the same time the boy fancied he heard a sharp cry of pain; but was not sure.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading As he resumed his tiresome walk, gazing longingly after the vanishing train lights, he saw another light, a white one that moved toward him with a swinging motion, close to the ground.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading As he resumed his tiresome walk, gazing longingly after the vanishing train lights, he saw another light, a white one that moved toward him with a swinging motion, close to the ground.
humanadjectiveUS /ˈhjuːmən/
characteristic of humanity
From this reading As Rod stood gazing at the receding train he noticed a human figure step from the lighted interior of the caboose, through the open doorway, to the platform, apparently kick at something, and almost instantly return into the car.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading While he was wondering what it was, he almost stumbled over a small animal that stood motionless on the track, directly in front of him.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading As Rod stood gazing at the receding train he noticed a human figure step from the lighted interior of the caboose, through the open doorway, to the platform, apparently kick at something, and almost instantly return into the car.
interioradjectiveUS /ˌɪnˈtɪriər/
situated within or suitable for inside a building
From this reading As Rod stood gazing at the receding train he noticed a human figure step from the lighted interior of the caboose, through the open doorway, to the platform, apparently kick at something, and almost instantly return into the car.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading As Rod stood gazing at the receding train he noticed a human figure step from the lighted interior of the caboose, through the open doorway, to the platform, apparently kick at something, and almost instantly return into the car.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading While he was wondering what it was, he almost stumbled over a small animal that stood motionless on the track, directly in front of him.
kickverbUS /kɪk/
drive or propel with the foot
From this reading As Rod stood gazing at the receding train he noticed a human figure step from the lighted interior of the caboose, through the open doorway, to the platform, apparently kick at something, and almost instantly return into the car.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading As he resumed his tiresome walk, gazing longingly after the vanishing train lights, he saw another light, a white one that moved toward him with a swinging motion, close to the ground.
set afire or burning
From this reading As Rod stood gazing at the receding train he noticed a human figure step from the lighted interior of the caboose, through the open doorway, to the platform, apparently kick at something, and almost instantly return into the car.
plural of “light” — (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation
From this reading As he resumed his tiresome walk, gazing longingly after the vanishing train lights, he saw another light, a white one that moved toward him with a swinging motion, close to the ground.
longinglyadverbUS /ˈlɔːŋɪŋli/
in a yearning manner
From this reading As he resumed his tiresome walk, gazing longingly after the vanishing train lights, he saw another light, a white one that moved toward him with a swinging motion, close to the ground.
the use of movements (especially of the hands) to communicate familiar or prearranged signals
From this reading As he resumed his tiresome walk, gazing longingly after the vanishing train lights, he saw another light, a white one that moved toward him with a swinging motion, close to the ground.
not in physical motion
From this reading While he was wondering what it was, he almost stumbled over a small animal that stood motionless on the track, directly in front of him.
being excited or provoked to the expression of an emotion
From this reading As he resumed his tiresome walk, gazing longingly after the vanishing train lights, he saw another light, a white one that moved toward him with a swinging motion, close to the ground.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading At the same time the boy fancied he heard a sharp cry of pain; but was not sure.
being perceived or observed
From this reading As Rod stood gazing at the receding train he noticed a human figure step from the lighted interior of the caboose, through the open doorway, to the platform, apparently kick at something, and almost instantly return into the car.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading As Rod stood gazing at the receding train he noticed a human figure step from the lighted interior of the caboose, through the open doorway, to the platform, apparently kick at something, and almost instantly return into the car.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading While he was wondering what it was, he almost stumbled over a small animal that stood motionless on the track, directly in front of him.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading As he resumed his tiresome walk, gazing longingly after the vanishing train lights, he saw another light, a white one that moved toward him with a swinging motion, close to the ground.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading As Rod stood gazing at the receding train he noticed a human figure step from the lighted interior of the caboose, through the open doorway, to the platform, apparently kick at something, and almost instantly return into the car.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading While he was wondering what it was, he almost stumbled over a small animal that stood motionless on the track, directly in front of him.
a symptom of some physical hurt or disorder
From this reading At the same time the boy fancied he heard a sharp cry of pain; but was not sure.
a raised horizontal surface
From this reading As Rod stood gazing at the receding train he noticed a human figure step from the lighted interior of the caboose, through the open doorway, to the platform, apparently kick at something, and almost instantly return into the car.
RAILROADnounUS /ˈreɪlroʊd/
line that is the commercial organization responsible for operating a system of transportation for trains that pull passengers or freight
From this reading SMILER, THE RAILROAD DOG.
recedingnounUS /rɪˈsiːdɪŋ/
a slow or gradual disappearance
From this reading As Rod stood gazing at the receding train he noticed a human figure step from the lighted interior of the caboose, through the open doorway, to the platform, apparently kick at something, and almost instantly return into the car.
past form of “resume” — take up or begin anew
From this reading As he resumed his tiresome walk, gazing longingly after the vanishing train lights, he saw another light, a white one that moved toward him with a swinging motion, close to the ground.
go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before
From this reading As Rod stood gazing at the receding train he noticed a human figure step from the lighted interior of the caboose, through the open doorway, to the platform, apparently kick at something, and almost instantly return into the car.
RodnounUS /rɑːd/
a long thin implement made of metal or wood
From this reading As Rod stood gazing at the receding train he noticed a human figure step from the lighted interior of the caboose, through the open doorway, to the platform, apparently kick at something, and almost instantly return into the car.
Identical; not different.
From this reading At the same time the boy fancied he heard a sharp cry of pain; but was not sure.
cut with a saw
From this reading As he resumed his tiresome walk, gazing longingly after the vanishing train lights, he saw another light, a white one that moved toward him with a swinging motion, close to the ground.
(of something seen or heard) clearly defined
From this reading At the same time the boy fancied he heard a sharp cry of pain; but was not sure.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading While he was wondering what it was, he almost stumbled over a small animal that stood motionless on the track, directly in front of him.
SMILERnoun
a person who smiles
From this reading SMILER, THE RAILROAD DOG.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading As Rod stood gazing at the receding train he noticed a human figure step from the lighted interior of the caboose, through the open doorway, to the platform, apparently kick at something, and almost instantly return into the car.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading As Rod stood gazing at the receding train he noticed a human figure step from the lighted interior of the caboose, through the open doorway, to the platform, apparently kick at something, and almost instantly return into the car.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading As Rod stood gazing at the receding train he noticed a human figure step from the lighted interior of the caboose, through the open doorway, to the platform, apparently kick at something, and almost instantly return into the car.
stumbledverbUS /ˈstʌmbəld/
past form of “stumble” — walk unsteadily
From this reading While he was wondering what it was, he almost stumbled over a small animal that stood motionless on the track, directly in front of him.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading At the same time the boy fancied he heard a sharp cry of pain; but was not sure.
swingingnounUS /ˈswɪŋɪŋ/
changing location by moving back and forth
From this reading As he resumed his tiresome walk, gazing longingly after the vanishing train lights, he saw another light, a white one that moved toward him with a swinging motion, close to the ground.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading As he resumed his tiresome walk, gazing longingly after the vanishing train lights, he saw another light, a white one that moved toward him with a swinging motion, close to the ground.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading SMILER, THE RAILROAD DOG.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading As Rod stood gazing at the receding train he noticed a human figure step from the lighted interior of the caboose, through the open doorway, to the platform, apparently kick at something, and almost instantly return into the car.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading At the same time the boy fancied he heard a sharp cry of pain; but was not sure.
tiresomeadjectiveUS /ˈtaɪərsəm/
so lacking in interest as to cause mental weariness
From this reading As he resumed his tiresome walk, gazing longingly after the vanishing train lights, he saw another light, a white one that moved toward him with a swinging motion, close to the ground.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading As Rod stood gazing at the receding train he noticed a human figure step from the lighted interior of the caboose, through the open doorway, to the platform, apparently kick at something, and almost instantly return into the car.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading As he resumed his tiresome walk, gazing longingly after the vanishing train lights, he saw another light, a white one that moved toward him with a swinging motion, close to the ground.
a line or route along which something travels or moves
From this reading While he was wondering what it was, he almost stumbled over a small animal that stood motionless on the track, directly in front of him.
create by training and teaching
From this reading As Rod stood gazing at the receding train he noticed a human figure step from the lighted interior of the caboose, through the open doorway, to the platform, apparently kick at something, and almost instantly return into the car.
vanishingnounUS /ˈvænɪʃɪŋ/
a sudden or mysterious disappearance
From this reading As he resumed his tiresome walk, gazing longingly after the vanishing train lights, he saw another light, a white one that moved toward him with a swinging motion, close to the ground.
the act of traveling by foot
From this reading As he resumed his tiresome walk, gazing longingly after the vanishing train lights, he saw another light, a white one that moved toward him with a swinging motion, close to the ground.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading At the same time the boy fancied he heard a sharp cry of pain; but was not sure.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading While he was wondering what it was, he almost stumbled over a small animal that stood motionless on the track, directly in front of him.
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading While he was wondering what it was, he almost stumbled over a small animal that stood motionless on the track, directly in front of him.
a Caucasian
From this reading As he resumed his tiresome walk, gazing longingly after the vanishing train lights, he saw another light, a white one that moved toward him with a swinging motion, close to the ground.
in the company of; together with
From this reading As he resumed his tiresome walk, gazing longingly after the vanishing train lights, he saw another light, a white one that moved toward him with a swinging motion, close to the ground.
showing curiosity
From this reading While he was wondering what it was, he almost stumbled over a small animal that stood motionless on the track, directly in front of him.
