used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The through freight, of which ex-Brakeman Joe was now conductor, had made its run safely and without incident to a point within twenty miles of New York.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading In an instant the car leaped from the rails and across the west-bound tracks, dragging the rear end of the freight, including the caboose, after it.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading In an instant the car leaped from the rails and across the west-bound tracks, dragging the rear end of the freight, including the caboose, after it.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading It was jogging along at its usual rate of speed when suddenly and without the slightest warning an axle under a "foreign" car, near the rear of the train, snapped in two.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading It was jogging along at its usual rate of speed when suddenly and without the slightest warning an axle under a "foreign" car, near the rear of the train, snapped in two.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The wreck by which the terrific speed of the special had been so suddenly checked was one of those that may happen at any time even on the best and most carefully-managed of railroads.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading The wreck by which the terrific speed of the special had been so suddenly checked was one of those that may happen at any time even on the best and most carefully-managed of railroads.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The wreck by which the terrific speed of the special had been so suddenly checked was one of those that may happen at any time even on the best and most carefully-managed of railroads.
axlenounUS /ˈæksəl/
a shaft on which a wheel rotates
From this reading It was jogging along at its usual rate of speed when suddenly and without the slightest warning an axle under a "foreign" car, near the rear of the train, snapped in two.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading The wreck by which the terrific speed of the special had been so suddenly checked was one of those that may happen at any time even on the best and most carefully-managed of railroads.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading The wreck by which the terrific speed of the special had been so suddenly checked was one of those that may happen at any time even on the best and most carefully-managed of railroads.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The wreck by which the terrific speed of the special had been so suddenly checked was one of those that may happen at any time even on the best and most carefully-managed of railroads.
caboosenounUS /kəˈbuːs/
the area for food preparation on a ship
From this reading In an instant the car leaped from the rails and across the west-bound tracks, dragging the rear end of the freight, including the caboose, after it.
a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine
From this reading It was jogging along at its usual rate of speed when suddenly and without the slightest warning an axle under a "foreign" car, near the rear of the train, snapped in two.
carefully-managed
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wreck by which the terrific speed of the special had been so suddenly checked was one of those that may happen at any time even on the best and most carefully-managed of railroads.
checkedadjectiveUS /tʃekt/
patterned with alternating squares of color
From this reading The wreck by which the terrific speed of the special had been so suddenly checked was one of those that may happen at any time even on the best and most carefully-managed of railroads.
conductornounUS /kənˈdʌktər/
the person who leads a musical group
From this reading The through freight, of which ex-Brakeman Joe was now conductor, had made its run safely and without incident to a point within twenty miles of New York.
DEFEATnounUS /dɪˈfiːt/
an unsuccessful ending to a struggle or contest
From this reading SNATCHING VICTORY FROM DEFEAT.
draggingadjectiveUS /ˈdræɡɪŋ/
marked by a painfully slow and effortful manner
From this reading In an instant the car leaped from the rails and across the west-bound tracks, dragging the rear end of the freight, including the caboose, after it.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading In an instant the car leaped from the rails and across the west-bound tracks, dragging the rear end of the freight, including the caboose, after it.
divisible by two
From this reading The wreck by which the terrific speed of the special had been so suddenly checked was one of those that may happen at any time even on the best and most carefully-managed of railroads.
ex-Brakeman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The through freight, of which ex-Brakeman Joe was now conductor, had made its run safely and without incident to a point within twenty miles of New York.
of concern to or concerning the affairs of other nations (other than your own)
From this reading It was jogging along at its usual rate of speed when suddenly and without the slightest warning an axle under a "foreign" car, near the rear of the train, snapped in two.
freightnounUS /freɪt/
goods carried by a large vehicle
From this reading The through freight, of which ex-Brakeman Joe was now conductor, had made its run safely and without incident to a point within twenty miles of New York.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading SNATCHING VICTORY FROM DEFEAT.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The wreck by which the terrific speed of the special had been so suddenly checked was one of those that may happen at any time even on the best and most carefully-managed of railroads.
come to pass
From this reading The wreck by which the terrific speed of the special had been so suddenly checked was one of those that may happen at any time even on the best and most carefully-managed of railroads.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It was jogging along at its usual rate of speed when suddenly and without the slightest warning an axle under a "foreign" car, near the rear of the train, snapped in two.
a single distinct event
From this reading The through freight, of which ex-Brakeman Joe was now conductor, had made its run safely and without incident to a point within twenty miles of New York.
includingverbUS /ˌɪnˈkluːdɪŋ/
-ing form of “include” — have as a part, be made up out of
From this reading In an instant the car leaped from the rails and across the west-bound tracks, dragging the rear end of the freight, including the caboose, after it.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading In an instant the car leaped from the rails and across the west-bound tracks, dragging the rear end of the freight, including the caboose, after it.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was jogging along at its usual rate of speed when suddenly and without the slightest warning an axle under a "foreign" car, near the rear of the train, snapped in two.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The through freight, of which ex-Brakeman Joe was now conductor, had made its run safely and without incident to a point within twenty miles of New York.
Joe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The through freight, of which ex-Brakeman Joe was now conductor, had made its run safely and without incident to a point within twenty miles of New York.
joggingnounUS /ˈdʒɑːɡɪŋ/
running at a jog trot as a form of cardiopulmonary exercise
From this reading It was jogging along at its usual rate of speed when suddenly and without the slightest warning an axle under a "foreign" car, near the rear of the train, snapped in two.
past form of “leap” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading In an instant the car leaped from the rails and across the west-bound tracks, dragging the rear end of the freight, including the caboose, after it.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading The through freight, of which ex-Brakeman Joe was now conductor, had made its run safely and without incident to a point within twenty miles of New York.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading The wreck by which the terrific speed of the special had been so suddenly checked was one of those that may happen at any time even on the best and most carefully-managed of railroads.
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading The through freight, of which ex-Brakeman Joe was now conductor, had made its run safely and without incident to a point within twenty miles of New York.
used to form the superlative
From this reading The wreck by which the terrific speed of the special had been so suddenly checked was one of those that may happen at any time even on the best and most carefully-managed of railroads.
near in time or place or relationship
From this reading It was jogging along at its usual rate of speed when suddenly and without the slightest warning an axle under a "foreign" car, near the rear of the train, snapped in two.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading The through freight, of which ex-Brakeman Joe was now conductor, had made its run safely and without incident to a point within twenty miles of New York.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The through freight, of which ex-Brakeman Joe was now conductor, had made its run safely and without incident to a point within twenty miles of New York.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The wreck by which the terrific speed of the special had been so suddenly checked was one of those that may happen at any time even on the best and most carefully-managed of railroads.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The wreck by which the terrific speed of the special had been so suddenly checked was one of those that may happen at any time even on the best and most carefully-managed of railroads.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The wreck by which the terrific speed of the special had been so suddenly checked was one of those that may happen at any time even on the best and most carefully-managed of railroads.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading The through freight, of which ex-Brakeman Joe was now conductor, had made its run safely and without incident to a point within twenty miles of New York.
railroadsnounUS /ˈreɪlroʊdz/
plural of “railroad” — line that is the commercial organization responsible for operating a system of transportation for trains that pull passengers or freight
From this reading The wreck by which the terrific speed of the special had been so suddenly checked was one of those that may happen at any time even on the best and most carefully-managed of railroads.
railsnounUS /reɪlz/
a bar or pair of parallel bars of rolled steel making the railway along which railroad cars or other vehicles can roll
From this reading In an instant the car leaped from the rails and across the west-bound tracks, dragging the rear end of the freight, including the caboose, after it.
a magnitude or frequency relative to a time unit
From this reading It was jogging along at its usual rate of speed when suddenly and without the slightest warning an axle under a "foreign" car, near the rear of the train, snapped in two.
the back of a military formation or procession
From this reading It was jogging along at its usual rate of speed when suddenly and without the slightest warning an axle under a "foreign" car, near the rear of the train, snapped in two.
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading The through freight, of which ex-Brakeman Joe was now conductor, had made its run safely and without incident to a point within twenty miles of New York.
with safety; in a safe manner
From this reading The through freight, of which ex-Brakeman Joe was now conductor, had made its run safely and without incident to a point within twenty miles of New York.
superlative of “slight” — (quantifier used with mass nouns) small in quantity or degree; not much or almost none or (with “a”) at least some
From this reading It was jogging along at its usual rate of speed when suddenly and without the slightest warning an axle under a "foreign" car, near the rear of the train, snapped in two.
snappedverbUS /snæpt/
inflected form of “snap” — utter in an angry, sharp, or abrupt tone
From this reading It was jogging along at its usual rate of speed when suddenly and without the slightest warning an axle under a "foreign" car, near the rear of the train, snapped in two.
SNATCHINGverbUS /ˈsnætʃɪŋ/
-ing form of “snatch” — to grasp hastily or eagerly
From this reading SNATCHING VICTORY FROM DEFEAT.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The wreck by which the terrific speed of the special had been so suddenly checked was one of those that may happen at any time even on the best and most carefully-managed of railroads.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading The wreck by which the terrific speed of the special had been so suddenly checked was one of those that may happen at any time even on the best and most carefully-managed of railroads.
move hurridly
From this reading The wreck by which the terrific speed of the special had been so suddenly checked was one of those that may happen at any time even on the best and most carefully-managed of railroads.
happening unexpectedly
From this reading The wreck by which the terrific speed of the special had been so suddenly checked was one of those that may happen at any time even on the best and most carefully-managed of railroads.
terrificadjectiveUS /tərˈɪfɪk/
very great or intense
From this reading The wreck by which the terrific speed of the special had been so suddenly checked was one of those that may happen at any time even on the best and most carefully-managed of railroads.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The wreck by which the terrific speed of the special had been so suddenly checked was one of those that may happen at any time even on the best and most carefully-managed of railroads.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The wreck by which the terrific speed of the special had been so suddenly checked was one of those that may happen at any time even on the best and most carefully-managed of railroads.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading The wreck by which the terrific speed of the special had been so suddenly checked was one of those that may happen at any time even on the best and most carefully-managed of railroads.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading The through freight, of which ex-Brakeman Joe was now conductor, had made its run safely and without incident to a point within twenty miles of New York.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading The wreck by which the terrific speed of the special had been so suddenly checked was one of those that may happen at any time even on the best and most carefully-managed of railroads.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The through freight, of which ex-Brakeman Joe was now conductor, had made its run safely and without incident to a point within twenty miles of New York.
tracksnounUS /træks/
plural of “track” — a line or route along which something travels or moves
From this reading In an instant the car leaped from the rails and across the west-bound tracks, dragging the rear end of the freight, including the caboose, after it.
create by training and teaching
From this reading It was jogging along at its usual rate of speed when suddenly and without the slightest warning an axle under a "foreign" car, near the rear of the train, snapped in two.
the cardinal number that is the sum of nineteen and one
From this reading The through freight, of which ex-Brakeman Joe was now conductor, had made its run safely and without incident to a point within twenty miles of New York.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading It was jogging along at its usual rate of speed when suddenly and without the slightest warning an axle under a "foreign" car, near the rear of the train, snapped in two.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading It was jogging along at its usual rate of speed when suddenly and without the slightest warning an axle under a "foreign" car, near the rear of the train, snapped in two.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading It was jogging along at its usual rate of speed when suddenly and without the slightest warning an axle under a "foreign" car, near the rear of the train, snapped in two.
a successful ending of a struggle or contest
From this reading SNATCHING VICTORY FROM DEFEAT.
a message informing of danger
From this reading It was jogging along at its usual rate of speed when suddenly and without the slightest warning an axle under a "foreign" car, near the rear of the train, snapped in two.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The wreck by which the terrific speed of the special had been so suddenly checked was one of those that may happen at any time even on the best and most carefully-managed of railroads.
west-bound
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading In an instant the car leaped from the rails and across the west-bound tracks, dragging the rear end of the freight, including the caboose, after it.
at the time that
From this reading It was jogging along at its usual rate of speed when suddenly and without the slightest warning an axle under a "foreign" car, near the rear of the train, snapped in two.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The wreck by which the terrific speed of the special had been so suddenly checked was one of those that may happen at any time even on the best and most carefully-managed of railroads.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading The through freight, of which ex-Brakeman Joe was now conductor, had made its run safely and without incident to a point within twenty miles of New York.
not having, not using, or not accompanied by
From this reading The through freight, of which ex-Brakeman Joe was now conductor, had made its run safely and without incident to a point within twenty miles of New York.
wrecknounUS /rek/
something or someone that has suffered ruin or dilapidation
From this reading The wreck by which the terrific speed of the special had been so suddenly checked was one of those that may happen at any time even on the best and most carefully-managed of railroads.
the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose
From this reading The through freight, of which ex-Brakeman Joe was now conductor, had made its run safely and without incident to a point within twenty miles of New York.
