used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "Well, it got away from the nightmare about morning, but not till the nightmare had bitten a large piece out of its tender, and then it braced up for the home-stretch.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading "Well, it got away from the nightmare about morning, but not till the nightmare had bitten a large piece out of its tender, and then it braced up for the home-stretch.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading But it just zipped along the upper edge of Kansas and the lower edge of Nebraska, and on through Colorado and Utah and Nevada, and when it got to the Sierras it just stooped a little, and went over them like a goat; it did, truly; just doubled up its fore wheels under it, and jumped.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading They both put their hands over his mouth, and just fairly begged him to go on, and at last he did.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading They both put their hands over his mouth, and just fairly begged him to go on, and at last he did.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading "Well, it got away from the nightmare about morning, but not till the nightmare had bitten a large piece out of its tender, and then it braced up for the home-stretch.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading It thought that if it could once beat the Express to the Sierras, it could keep the start the rest of the way, for it could get over the mountains quicker than the Express could, and it might be in San Francisco before the Express got to Sacramento.
come out better in a competition, race, or conflict
From this reading It thought that if it could once beat the Express to the Sierras, it could keep the start the rest of the way, for it could get over the mountains quicker than the Express could, and it might be in San Francisco before the Express got to Sacramento.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading It thought that if it could once beat the Express to the Sierras, it could keep the start the rest of the way, for it could get over the mountains quicker than the Express could, and it might be in San Francisco before the Express got to Sacramento.
inflected form of “beg” — call upon in supplication; entreat
From this reading They both put their hands over his mouth, and just fairly begged him to go on, and at last he did.
bittenverbUS /ˈbɪtən/
inflected form of “bite” — to grip, cut off, or tear with or as if with the teeth or jaws
From this reading "Well, it got away from the nightmare about morning, but not till the nightmare had bitten a large piece out of its tender, and then it braced up for the home-stretch.
the two together, not just one
From this reading They both put their hands over his mouth, and just fairly begged him to go on, and at last he did.
bracedadjectiveUS /breɪst/
positioned so as to be ready for confrontation or danger
From this reading "Well, it got away from the nightmare about morning, but not till the nightmare had bitten a large piece out of its tender, and then it braced up for the home-stretch.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "Well, it got away from the nightmare about morning, but not till the nightmare had bitten a large piece out of its tender, and then it braced up for the home-stretch.
ColoradonounUS /ˌkɑːlərˈɑːdoʊ/
a state in west central United States in the Rocky Mountains
From this reading But it just zipped along the upper edge of Kansas and the lower edge of Nebraska, and on through Colorado and Utah and Nevada, and when it got to the Sierras it just stooped a little, and went over them like a goat; it did, truly; just doubled up its fore wheels under it, and jumped.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading It thought that if it could once beat the Express to the Sierras, it could keep the start the rest of the way, for it could get over the mountains quicker than the Express could, and it might be in San Francisco before the Express got to Sacramento.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading They both put their hands over his mouth, and just fairly begged him to go on, and at last he did.
doubledadjectiveUS /ˈdʌbəld/
twice as great or many
From this reading But it just zipped along the upper edge of Kansas and the lower edge of Nebraska, and on through Colorado and Utah and Nevada, and when it got to the Sierras it just stooped a little, and went over them like a goat; it did, truly; just doubled up its fore wheels under it, and jumped.
the boundary of a surface
From this reading But it just zipped along the upper edge of Kansas and the lower edge of Nebraska, and on through Colorado and Utah and Nevada, and when it got to the Sierras it just stooped a little, and went over them like a goat; it did, truly; just doubled up its fore wheels under it, and jumped.
give expression to
From this reading It thought that if it could once beat the Express to the Sierras, it could keep the start the rest of the way, for it could get over the mountains quicker than the Express could, and it might be in San Francisco before the Express got to Sacramento.
to certain extent or degree
From this reading They both put their hands over his mouth, and just fairly begged him to go on, and at last he did.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "Well, it got away from the nightmare about morning, but not till the nightmare had bitten a large piece out of its tender, and then it braced up for the home-stretch.
forenounUS /fɔːr/
front part of a vessel or aircraft
From this reading But it just zipped along the upper edge of Kansas and the lower edge of Nebraska, and on through Colorado and Utah and Nevada, and when it got to the Sierras it just stooped a little, and went over them like a goat; it did, truly; just doubled up its fore wheels under it, and jumped.
Francisco
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It thought that if it could once beat the Express to the Sierras, it could keep the start the rest of the way, for it could get over the mountains quicker than the Express could, and it might be in San Francisco before the Express got to Sacramento.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading "Well, it got away from the nightmare about morning, but not till the nightmare had bitten a large piece out of its tender, and then it braced up for the home-stretch.
gainingverbUS /ˈɡeɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “gain” — obtain
From this reading The Express kept gaining on it.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading It thought that if it could once beat the Express to the Sierras, it could keep the start the rest of the way, for it could get over the mountains quicker than the Express could, and it might be in San Francisco before the Express got to Sacramento.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading They both put their hands over his mouth, and just fairly begged him to go on, and at last he did.
goatnounUS /ɡoʊt/
any of numerous agile ruminants related to sheep but having a beard and straight horns
From this reading But it just zipped along the upper edge of Kansas and the lower edge of Nebraska, and on through Colorado and Utah and Nevada, and when it got to the Sierras it just stooped a little, and went over them like a goat; it did, truly; just doubled up its fore wheels under it, and jumped.
inflected form of “get” — come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading "Well, it got away from the nightmare about morning, but not till the nightmare had bitten a large piece out of its tender, and then it braced up for the home-stretch.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading "Well, it got away from the nightmare about morning, but not till the nightmare had bitten a large piece out of its tender, and then it braced up for the home-stretch.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading They both put their hands over his mouth, and just fairly begged him to go on, and at last he did.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They both put their hands over his mouth, and just fairly begged him to go on, and at last he did.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading They both put their hands over his mouth, and just fairly begged him to go on, and at last he did.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading They both put their hands over his mouth, and just fairly begged him to go on, and at last he did.
home-stretch
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "Well, it got away from the nightmare about morning, but not till the nightmare had bitten a large piece out of its tender, and then it braced up for the home-stretch.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading It thought that if it could once beat the Express to the Sierras, it could keep the start the rest of the way, for it could get over the mountains quicker than the Express could, and it might be in San Francisco before the Express got to Sacramento.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It thought that if it could once beat the Express to the Sierras, it could keep the start the rest of the way, for it could get over the mountains quicker than the Express could, and it might be in San Francisco before the Express got to Sacramento.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading "Well, it got away from the nightmare about morning, but not till the nightmare had bitten a large piece out of its tender, and then it braced up for the home-stretch.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading "Well, it got away from the nightmare about morning, but not till the nightmare had bitten a large piece out of its tender, and then it braced up for the home-stretch.
past form of “jump” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading But it just zipped along the upper edge of Kansas and the lower edge of Nebraska, and on through Colorado and Utah and Nevada, and when it got to the Sierras it just stooped a little, and went over them like a goat; it did, truly; just doubled up its fore wheels under it, and jumped.
and nothing more
From this reading They both put their hands over his mouth, and just fairly begged him to go on, and at last he did.
KansasnounUS /ˈkænzəs/
a state in midwestern United States
From this reading But it just zipped along the upper edge of Kansas and the lower edge of Nebraska, and on through Colorado and Utah and Nevada, and when it got to the Sierras it just stooped a little, and went over them like a goat; it did, truly; just doubled up its fore wheels under it, and jumped.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading It thought that if it could once beat the Express to the Sierras, it could keep the start the rest of the way, for it could get over the mountains quicker than the Express could, and it might be in San Francisco before the Express got to Sacramento.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading The Express kept gaining on it.
largeadjectiveUS /lɑːrdʒ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading "Well, it got away from the nightmare about morning, but not till the nightmare had bitten a large piece out of its tender, and then it braced up for the home-stretch.
immediately past
From this reading They both put their hands over his mouth, and just fairly begged him to go on, and at last he did.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading But it just zipped along the upper edge of Kansas and the lower edge of Nebraska, and on through Colorado and Utah and Nevada, and when it got to the Sierras it just stooped a little, and went over them like a goat; it did, truly; just doubled up its fore wheels under it, and jumped.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading But it just zipped along the upper edge of Kansas and the lower edge of Nebraska, and on through Colorado and Utah and Nevada, and when it got to the Sierras it just stooped a little, and went over them like a goat; it did, truly; just doubled up its fore wheels under it, and jumped.
move something or somebody to a lower position
From this reading But it just zipped along the upper edge of Kansas and the lower edge of Nebraska, and on through Colorado and Utah and Nevada, and when it got to the Sierras it just stooped a little, and went over them like a goat; it did, truly; just doubled up its fore wheels under it, and jumped.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading It thought that if it could once beat the Express to the Sierras, it could keep the start the rest of the way, for it could get over the mountains quicker than the Express could, and it might be in San Francisco before the Express got to Sacramento.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading "Well, it got away from the nightmare about morning, but not till the nightmare had bitten a large piece out of its tender, and then it braced up for the home-stretch.
plural of “mountain” — a land mass that projects well above its surroundings; higher than a hill
From this reading It thought that if it could once beat the Express to the Sierras, it could keep the start the rest of the way, for it could get over the mountains quicker than the Express could, and it might be in San Francisco before the Express got to Sacramento.
the opening through which food is taken in and vocalizations emerge
From this reading They both put their hands over his mouth, and just fairly begged him to go on, and at last he did.
NebraskanounUS /nəˈbræskə/
a midwestern state on the Great Plains
From this reading But it just zipped along the upper edge of Kansas and the lower edge of Nebraska, and on through Colorado and Utah and Nevada, and when it got to the Sierras it just stooped a little, and went over them like a goat; it did, truly; just doubled up its fore wheels under it, and jumped.
NevadanounUS /nəˈvɑːdə/
a state in the western United States
From this reading But it just zipped along the upper edge of Kansas and the lower edge of Nebraska, and on through Colorado and Utah and Nevada, and when it got to the Sierras it just stooped a little, and went over them like a goat; it did, truly; just doubled up its fore wheels under it, and jumped.
nightmarenounUS /ˈnaɪt.mɛr/
A terrifying or distressing dream.
From this reading "Well, it got away from the nightmare about morning, but not till the nightmare had bitten a large piece out of its tender, and then it braced up for the home-stretch.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading "Well, it got away from the nightmare about morning, but not till the nightmare had bitten a large piece out of its tender, and then it braced up for the home-stretch.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading "Well, it got away from the nightmare about morning, but not till the nightmare had bitten a large piece out of its tender, and then it braced up for the home-stretch.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading They both put their hands over his mouth, and just fairly begged him to go on, and at last he did.
on one occasion
From this reading It thought that if it could once beat the Express to the Sierras, it could keep the start the rest of the way, for it could get over the mountains quicker than the Express could, and it might be in San Francisco before the Express got to Sacramento.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading "Well, it got away from the nightmare about morning, but not till the nightmare had bitten a large piece out of its tender, and then it braced up for the home-stretch.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading They both put their hands over his mouth, and just fairly begged him to go on, and at last he did.
a separate part of a whole
From this reading "Well, it got away from the nightmare about morning, but not till the nightmare had bitten a large piece out of its tender, and then it braced up for the home-stretch.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading They both put their hands over his mouth, and just fairly begged him to go on, and at last he did.
quickeradverbUS /ˈkwɪkər/
more quickly
From this reading It thought that if it could once beat the Express to the Sierras, it could keep the start the rest of the way, for it could get over the mountains quicker than the Express could, and it might be in San Francisco before the Express got to Sacramento.
not move; be in a resting position
From this reading It thought that if it could once beat the Express to the Sierras, it could keep the start the rest of the way, for it could get over the mountains quicker than the Express could, and it might be in San Francisco before the Express got to Sacramento.
SacramentonounUS /ˌsækrəˈmentoʊ/
a city in north central California 75 miles to the northeast of San Francisco on the Sacramento River; capital of California
From this reading It thought that if it could once beat the Express to the Sierras, it could keep the start the rest of the way, for it could get over the mountains quicker than the Express could, and it might be in San Francisco before the Express got to Sacramento.
San
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading It thought that if it could once beat the Express to the Sierras, it could keep the start the rest of the way, for it could get over the mountains quicker than the Express could, and it might be in San Francisco before the Express got to Sacramento.
SierrasnounUS /siˈerəz/
plural of “sierra” — a range of mountains (usually with jagged peaks and irregular outline)
From this reading It thought that if it could once beat the Express to the Sierras, it could keep the start the rest of the way, for it could get over the mountains quicker than the Express could, and it might be in San Francisco before the Express got to Sacramento.
take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading It thought that if it could once beat the Express to the Sierras, it could keep the start the rest of the way, for it could get over the mountains quicker than the Express could, and it might be in San Francisco before the Express got to Sacramento.
stoopedadjectiveUS /stuːpt/
having the back and shoulders rounded; not erect
From this reading But it just zipped along the upper edge of Kansas and the lower edge of Nebraska, and on through Colorado and Utah and Nevada, and when it got to the Sierras it just stooped a little, and went over them like a goat; it did, truly; just doubled up its fore wheels under it, and jumped.
given to sympathy or gentleness or sentimentality
From this reading "Well, it got away from the nightmare about morning, but not till the nightmare had bitten a large piece out of its tender, and then it braced up for the home-stretch.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading It thought that if it could once beat the Express to the Sierras, it could keep the start the rest of the way, for it could get over the mountains quicker than the Express could, and it might be in San Francisco before the Express got to Sacramento.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It thought that if it could once beat the Express to the Sierras, it could keep the start the rest of the way, for it could get over the mountains quicker than the Express could, and it might be in San Francisco before the Express got to Sacramento.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading "Well, it got away from the nightmare about morning, but not till the nightmare had bitten a large piece out of its tender, and then it braced up for the home-stretch.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading They both put their hands over his mouth, and just fairly begged him to go on, and at last he did.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading But it just zipped along the upper edge of Kansas and the lower edge of Nebraska, and on through Colorado and Utah and Nevada, and when it got to the Sierras it just stooped a little, and went over them like a goat; it did, truly; just doubled up its fore wheels under it, and jumped.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading "Well, it got away from the nightmare about morning, but not till the nightmare had bitten a large piece out of its tender, and then it braced up for the home-stretch.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They both put their hands over his mouth, and just fairly begged him to go on, and at last he did.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading It thought that if it could once beat the Express to the Sierras, it could keep the start the rest of the way, for it could get over the mountains quicker than the Express could, and it might be in San Francisco before the Express got to Sacramento.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading But it just zipped along the upper edge of Kansas and the lower edge of Nebraska, and on through Colorado and Utah and Nevada, and when it got to the Sierras it just stooped a little, and went over them like a goat; it did, truly; just doubled up its fore wheels under it, and jumped.
up to a particular time
From this reading "Well, it got away from the nightmare about morning, but not till the nightmare had bitten a large piece out of its tender, and then it braced up for the home-stretch.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They both put their hands over his mouth, and just fairly begged him to go on, and at last he did.
in accordance with truth or fact or reality
From this reading But it just zipped along the upper edge of Kansas and the lower edge of Nebraska, and on through Colorado and Utah and Nevada, and when it got to the Sierras it just stooped a little, and went over them like a goat; it did, truly; just doubled up its fore wheels under it, and jumped.
underprepositionUS /ˈʌndər/
below or beneath something; less than
From this reading But it just zipped along the upper edge of Kansas and the lower edge of Nebraska, and on through Colorado and Utah and Nevada, and when it got to the Sierras it just stooped a little, and went over them like a goat; it did, truly; just doubled up its fore wheels under it, and jumped.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading "Well, it got away from the nightmare about morning, but not till the nightmare had bitten a large piece out of its tender, and then it braced up for the home-stretch.
the topmost one of two
From this reading But it just zipped along the upper edge of Kansas and the lower edge of Nebraska, and on through Colorado and Utah and Nevada, and when it got to the Sierras it just stooped a little, and went over them like a goat; it did, truly; just doubled up its fore wheels under it, and jumped.
UtahnounUS /ˈjuːtɔː/
a state in the western United States; settled in 1847 by Mormons led by Brigham Young
From this reading But it just zipped along the upper edge of Kansas and the lower edge of Nebraska, and on through Colorado and Utah and Nevada, and when it got to the Sierras it just stooped a little, and went over them like a goat; it did, truly; just doubled up its fore wheels under it, and jumped.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading It thought that if it could once beat the Express to the Sierras, it could keep the start the rest of the way, for it could get over the mountains quicker than the Express could, and it might be in San Francisco before the Express got to Sacramento.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading "Well, it got away from the nightmare about morning, but not till the nightmare had bitten a large piece out of its tender, and then it braced up for the home-stretch.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading But it just zipped along the upper edge of Kansas and the lower edge of Nebraska, and on through Colorado and Utah and Nevada, and when it got to the Sierras it just stooped a little, and went over them like a goat; it did, truly; just doubled up its fore wheels under it, and jumped.
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 But it just zipped along the upper edge of Kansas and the lower edge of Nebraska, and on through Colorado and Utah and Nevada, and when it got to the Sierras it just stooped a little, and went over them like a goat; it did, truly; just doubled up its fore wheels under it, and jumped.
at the time that
From this reading But it just zipped along the upper edge of Kansas and the lower edge of Nebraska, and on through Colorado and Utah and Nevada, and when it got to the Sierras it just stooped a little, and went over them like a goat; it did, truly; just doubled up its fore wheels under it, and jumped.
zippedverbUS /zɪpt/
inflected form of “zip” — close with a zipper
From this reading But it just zipped along the upper edge of Kansas and the lower edge of Nebraska, and on through Colorado and Utah and Nevada, and when it got to the Sierras it just stooped a little, and went over them like a goat; it did, truly; just doubled up its fore wheels under it, and jumped.
