used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A CHANGE OF SCENE.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After a while, however, he noticed that the dreadful racket did not increase, that the clicking of the wheels over the rail joints had become regular, and that all the sounds had a sort of humming rhythm.
aliveadjectiveUS /əˈlaɪv/
possessing life
From this reading His nerves quieted down somewhat, and he realized that he was still alive.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading After a while, however, he noticed that the dreadful racket did not increase, that the clicking of the wheels over the rail joints had become regular, and that all the sounds had a sort of humming rhythm.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading He was half unconscious; the noise was so great, the dust so thick, and the motion so altogether terrifying that he was nearly stupefied.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading He was half unconscious; the noise was so great, the dust so thick, and the motion so altogether terrifying that he was nearly stupefied.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading After a while, however, he noticed that the dreadful racket did not increase, that the clicking of the wheels over the rail joints had become regular, and that all the sounds had a sort of humming rhythm.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading For a time John could do nothing but hang on like grim death.
cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
From this reading A CHANGE OF SCENE.
clickingverbUS /ˈklɪkɪŋ/
-ing form of “click” — move or strike with a noise
From this reading After a while, however, he noticed that the dreadful racket did not increase, that the clicking of the wheels over the rail joints had become regular, and that all the sounds had a sort of humming rhythm.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading For a time John could do nothing but hang on like grim death.
the event of dying or departure from life
From this reading For a time John could do nothing but hang on like grim death.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading After a while, however, he noticed that the dreadful racket did not increase, that the clicking of the wheels over the rail joints had become regular, and that all the sounds had a sort of humming rhythm.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading For a time John could do nothing but hang on like grim death.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading His nerves quieted down somewhat, and he realized that he was still alive.
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading After a while, however, he noticed that the dreadful racket did not increase, that the clicking of the wheels over the rail joints had become regular, and that all the sounds had a sort of humming rhythm.
remove the dust from
From this reading He was half unconscious; the noise was so great, the dust so thick, and the motion so altogether terrifying that he was nearly stupefied.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For a time John could do nothing but hang on like grim death.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading He was half unconscious; the noise was so great, the dust so thick, and the motion so altogether terrifying that he was nearly stupefied.
not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty
From this reading For a time John could do nothing but hang on like grim death.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading After a while, however, he noticed that the dreadful racket did not increase, that the clicking of the wheels over the rail joints had become regular, and that all the sounds had a sort of humming rhythm.
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
From this reading He was half unconscious; the noise was so great, the dust so thick, and the motion so altogether terrifying that he was nearly stupefied.
be suspended or hanging
From this reading For a time John could do nothing but hang on like grim death.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He was half unconscious; the noise was so great, the dust so thick, and the motion so altogether terrifying that he was nearly stupefied.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading His nerves quieted down somewhat, and he realized that he was still alive.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading After a while, however, he noticed that the dreadful racket did not increase, that the clicking of the wheels over the rail joints had become regular, and that all the sounds had a sort of humming rhythm.
hummingnounUS /ˈhʌmɪŋ/
a humming noise
From this reading After a while, however, he noticed that the dreadful racket did not increase, that the clicking of the wheels over the rail joints had become regular, and that all the sounds had a sort of humming rhythm.
increasenounUS /ˌɪnˈkriːs/
a quantity that is added
From this reading After a while, however, he noticed that the dreadful racket did not increase, that the clicking of the wheels over the rail joints had become regular, and that all the sounds had a sort of humming rhythm.
a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
From this reading For a time John could do nothing but hang on like grim death.
jointsnounUS /dʒɔɪnts/
plural of “joint” — (anatomy) the point of connection between two bones or elements of a skeleton (especially if it allows motion)
From this reading After a while, however, he noticed that the dreadful racket did not increase, that the clicking of the wheels over the rail joints had become regular, and that all the sounds had a sort of humming rhythm.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading For a time John could do nothing but hang on like grim death.
the use of movements (especially of the hands) to communicate familiar or prearranged signals
From this reading He was half unconscious; the noise was so great, the dust so thick, and the motion so altogether terrifying that he was nearly stupefied.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading He was half unconscious; the noise was so great, the dust so thick, and the motion so altogether terrifying that he was nearly stupefied.
an uneasy psychological state
From this reading His nerves quieted down somewhat, and he realized that he was still alive.
sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
From this reading He was half unconscious; the noise was so great, the dust so thick, and the motion so altogether terrifying that he was nearly stupefied.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading After a while, however, he noticed that the dreadful racket did not increase, that the clicking of the wheels over the rail joints had become regular, and that all the sounds had a sort of humming rhythm.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading For a time John could do nothing but hang on like grim death.
being perceived or observed
From this reading After a while, however, he noticed that the dreadful racket did not increase, that the clicking of the wheels over the rail joints had become regular, and that all the sounds had a sort of humming rhythm.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A CHANGE OF SCENE.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading For a time John could do nothing but hang on like grim death.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading After a while, however, he noticed that the dreadful racket did not increase, that the clicking of the wheels over the rail joints had become regular, and that all the sounds had a sort of humming rhythm.
quietedverbUS /ˈkwaɪətɪd/
past form of “quiet” — become quiet or quieter
From this reading His nerves quieted down somewhat, and he realized that he was still alive.
racketnounUS /ˈrækɪt/
a loud and disturbing noise
From this reading After a while, however, he noticed that the dreadful racket did not increase, that the clicking of the wheels over the rail joints had become regular, and that all the sounds had a sort of humming rhythm.
railnounUS /reɪl/
a barrier consisting of a horizontal bar and supports
From this reading After a while, however, he noticed that the dreadful racket did not increase, that the clicking of the wheels over the rail joints had become regular, and that all the sounds had a sort of humming rhythm.
successfully completed or brought to an end
From this reading His nerves quieted down somewhat, and he realized that he was still alive.
in accordance with fixed order or procedure or principle
From this reading After a while, however, he noticed that the dreadful racket did not increase, that the clicking of the wheels over the rail joints had become regular, and that all the sounds had a sort of humming rhythm.
rhythmnounUS /ˈrɪðəm/
the basic rhythmic unit in a piece of music
From this reading After a while, however, he noticed that the dreadful racket did not increase, that the clicking of the wheels over the rail joints had become regular, and that all the sounds had a sort of humming rhythm.
the place where some action occurs
From this reading A CHANGE OF SCENE.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading He was half unconscious; the noise was so great, the dust so thick, and the motion so altogether terrifying that he was nearly stupefied.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading His nerves quieted down somewhat, and he realized that he was still alive.
a category of things distinguished by some common characteristic or quality
From this reading After a while, however, he noticed that the dreadful racket did not increase, that the clicking of the wheels over the rail joints had become regular, and that all the sounds had a sort of humming rhythm.
plural of “sound” — the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading After a while, however, he noticed that the dreadful racket did not increase, that the clicking of the wheels over the rail joints had become regular, and that all the sounds had a sort of humming rhythm.
not in physical motion
From this reading His nerves quieted down somewhat, and he realized that he was still alive.
stupefiedadjective
as if struck dumb with astonishment and surprise
From this reading He was half unconscious; the noise was so great, the dust so thick, and the motion so altogether terrifying that he was nearly stupefied.
terrifyingadjectiveUS /ˈterəfaɪɪŋ/
causing extreme terror
From this reading He was half unconscious; the noise was so great, the dust so thick, and the motion so altogether terrifying that he was nearly stupefied.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading He was half unconscious; the noise was so great, the dust so thick, and the motion so altogether terrifying that he was nearly stupefied.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He was half unconscious; the noise was so great, the dust so thick, and the motion so altogether terrifying that he was nearly stupefied.
not thin; of a specific thickness or of relatively great extent from one surface to the opposite usually in the smallest of the three solid dimensions
From this reading He was half unconscious; the noise was so great, the dust so thick, and the motion so altogether terrifying that he was nearly stupefied.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading For a time John could do nothing but hang on like grim death.
not conscious; lacking awareness and the capacity for sensory perception as if asleep or dead
From this reading He was half unconscious; the noise was so great, the dust so thick, and the motion so altogether terrifying that he was nearly stupefied.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was half unconscious; the noise was so great, the dust so thick, and the motion so altogether terrifying that he was nearly stupefied.
wheelsnounUS /wiːlz/
plural of “wheel” — a simple machine consisting of a circular frame with spokes (or a solid disc) that can rotate on a shaft or axle (as in vehicles or other machines)
From this reading After a while, however, he noticed that the dreadful racket did not increase, that the clicking of the wheels over the rail joints had become regular, and that all the sounds had a sort of humming rhythm.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading After a while, however, he noticed that the dreadful racket did not increase, that the clicking of the wheels over the rail joints had become regular, and that all the sounds had a sort of humming rhythm.
