used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading And within a few minutes more, we saw that the vapor-layer beneath was thinning, and that now we were flashing not over the sea but over land; over green hills and valleys that we could glimpse rushing past far beneath us.
at or in the front
From this reading Beneath us, the gray Atlantic showed here and there through openings in the vapor-masses, and ahead the sun still hung in the western sky.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading The Battle of the Air-Cities Now the hundred cruisers of our force were cleaving the air westward at terrific speed, while Macklin and Hilliard and I stood together in the bridge-room of the foremost as it rushed on.
Air-Cities
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Battle of the Air-Cities Now the hundred cruisers of our force were cleaving the air westward at terrific speed, while Macklin and Hilliard and I stood together in the bridge-room of the foremost as it rushed on.
(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 "All our American Federation air-cities," Macklin told me: "are massed together, hanging south of the Great Lakes.
a native or inhabitant of the United States
From this reading "All our American Federation air-cities," Macklin told me: "are massed together, hanging south of the Great Lakes.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The Battle of the Air-Cities Now the hundred cruisers of our force were cleaving the air westward at terrific speed, while Macklin and Hilliard and I stood together in the bridge-room of the foremost as it rushed on.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading "All our American Federation air-cities," Macklin told me: "are massed together, hanging south of the Great Lakes.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The Battle of the Air-Cities Now the hundred cruisers of our force were cleaving the air westward at terrific speed, while Macklin and Hilliard and I stood together in the bridge-room of the foremost as it rushed on.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The Battle of the Air-Cities Now the hundred cruisers of our force were cleaving the air westward at terrific speed, while Macklin and Hilliard and I stood together in the bridge-room of the foremost as it rushed on.
AtlanticnounUS /ətˈlæntɪk/
the 2nd largest ocean; separates North and South America on the west from Europe and Africa on the east
From this reading Beneath us, the gray Atlantic showed here and there through openings in the vapor-masses, and ahead the sun still hung in the western sky.
a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading The Battle of the Air-Cities Now the hundred cruisers of our force were cleaving the air westward at terrific speed, while Macklin and Hilliard and I stood together in the bridge-room of the foremost as it rushed on.
Directly under; in or to a lower position than.
From this reading Beneath us, the gray Atlantic showed here and there through openings in the vapor-masses, and ahead the sun still hung in the western sky.
bridge-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Battle of the Air-Cities Now the hundred cruisers of our force were cleaving the air westward at terrific speed, while Macklin and Hilliard and I stood together in the bridge-room of the foremost as it rushed on.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading And within a few minutes more, we saw that the vapor-layer beneath was thinning, and that now we were flashing not over the sea but over land; over green hills and valleys that we could glimpse rushing past far beneath us.
cleaving
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Battle of the Air-Cities Now the hundred cruisers of our force were cleaving the air westward at terrific speed, while Macklin and Hilliard and I stood together in the bridge-room of the foremost as it rushed on.
coastaladjectiveUS /ˈkoʊstəl/
of or relating to a coast
From this reading I gazed to north and south in search of New York and the other coastal air-cities that should have hung there, but nothing was in sight.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading And within a few minutes more, we saw that the vapor-layer beneath was thinning, and that now we were flashing not over the sea but over land; over green hills and valleys that we could glimpse rushing past far beneath us.
cruisersnounUS /ˈkruːzərz/
plural of “cruiser” — a car in which policemen cruise the streets; equipped with radiotelephonic communications to headquarters
From this reading The Battle of the Air-Cities Now the hundred cruisers of our force were cleaving the air westward at terrific speed, while Macklin and Hilliard and I stood together in the bridge-room of the foremost as it rushed on.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading And within a few minutes more, we saw that the vapor-layer beneath was thinning, and that now we were flashing not over the sea but over land; over green hills and valleys that we could glimpse rushing past far beneath us.
FederationnounUS /ˌfedərˈeɪʃən/
an organization formed by merging several groups or parties
From this reading "All our American Federation air-cities," Macklin told me: "are massed together, hanging south of the Great Lakes.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading And within a few minutes more, we saw that the vapor-layer beneath was thinning, and that now we were flashing not over the sea but over land; over green hills and valleys that we could glimpse rushing past far beneath us.
flashingnounUS /ˈflæʃɪŋ/
a short vivid experience
From this reading And within a few minutes more, we saw that the vapor-layer beneath was thinning, and that now we were flashing not over the sea but over land; over green hills and valleys that we could glimpse rushing past far beneath us.
a powerful effect or influence
From this reading The Battle of the Air-Cities Now the hundred cruisers of our force were cleaving the air westward at terrific speed, while Macklin and Hilliard and I stood together in the bridge-room of the foremost as it rushed on.
foremostadjectiveUS /ˈfɔːrmoʊst/
ranking above all others
From this reading The Battle of the Air-Cities Now the hundred cruisers of our force were cleaving the air westward at terrific speed, while Macklin and Hilliard and I stood together in the bridge-room of the foremost as it rushed on.
past form of “gaze” — look at with fixed eyes
From this reading I gazed to north and south in search of New York and the other coastal air-cities that should have hung there, but nothing was in sight.
a quick look
From this reading And within a few minutes more, we saw that the vapor-layer beneath was thinning, and that now we were flashing not over the sea but over land; over green hills and valleys that we could glimpse rushing past far beneath us.
a neutral achromatic color midway between white and black
From this reading Beneath us, the gray Atlantic showed here and there through openings in the vapor-masses, and ahead the sun still hung in the western sky.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading "All our American Federation air-cities," Macklin told me: "are massed together, hanging south of the Great Lakes.
green color or pigment; resembling the color of growing grass
From this reading And within a few minutes more, we saw that the vapor-layer beneath was thinning, and that now we were flashing not over the sea but over land; over green hills and valleys that we could glimpse rushing past far beneath us.
decoration that is hung (as a tapestry) on a wall or over a window
From this reading "All our American Federation air-cities," Macklin told me: "are massed together, hanging south of the Great Lakes.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading I gazed to north and south in search of New York and the other coastal air-cities that should have hung there, but nothing was in sight.
in or at this place; where the speaker or writer is
From this reading Beneath us, the gray Atlantic showed here and there through openings in the vapor-masses, and ahead the sun still hung in the western sky.
Hilliard
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Battle of the Air-Cities Now the hundred cruisers of our force were cleaving the air westward at terrific speed, while Macklin and Hilliard and I stood together in the bridge-room of the foremost as it rushed on.
plural of “hill” — a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading And within a few minutes more, we saw that the vapor-layer beneath was thinning, and that now we were flashing not over the sea but over land; over green hills and valleys that we could glimpse rushing past far beneath us.
ten 10s
From this reading The Battle of the Air-Cities Now the hundred cruisers of our force were cleaving the air westward at terrific speed, while Macklin and Hilliard and I stood together in the bridge-room of the foremost as it rushed on.
inflected form of “hang” — be suspended or hanging
From this reading Beneath us, the gray Atlantic showed here and there through openings in the vapor-masses, and ahead the sun still hung in the western sky.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading The Battle of the Air-Cities Now the hundred cruisers of our force were cleaving the air westward at terrific speed, while Macklin and Hilliard and I stood together in the bridge-room of the foremost as it rushed on.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The Battle of the Air-Cities Now the hundred cruisers of our force were cleaving the air westward at terrific speed, while Macklin and Hilliard and I stood together in the bridge-room of the foremost as it rushed on.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The Battle of the Air-Cities Now the hundred cruisers of our force were cleaving the air westward at terrific speed, while Macklin and Hilliard and I stood together in the bridge-room of the foremost as it rushed on.
LakesnounUS /leɪks/
plural of “lake” — a body of (usually fresh) water surrounded by land
From this reading "All our American Federation air-cities," Macklin told me: "are massed together, hanging south of the Great Lakes.
the land on which real estate is located
From this reading And within a few minutes more, we saw that the vapor-layer beneath was thinning, and that now we were flashing not over the sea but over land; over green hills and valleys that we could glimpse rushing past far beneath us.
Macklin
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Battle of the Air-Cities Now the hundred cruisers of our force were cleaving the air westward at terrific speed, while Macklin and Hilliard and I stood together in the bridge-room of the foremost as it rushed on.
massedverbUS /mæst/
past form of “mass” — join together into a mass or collect or form a mass
From this reading "All our American Federation air-cities," Macklin told me: "are massed together, hanging south of the Great Lakes.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading "All our American Federation air-cities," Macklin told me: "are massed together, hanging south of the Great Lakes.
a written account of what transpired at a meeting
From this reading And within a few minutes more, we saw that the vapor-layer beneath was thinning, and that now we were flashing not over the sea but over land; over green hills and valleys that we could glimpse rushing past far beneath us.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading And within a few minutes more, we saw that the vapor-layer beneath was thinning, and that now we were flashing not over the sea but over land; over green hills and valleys that we could glimpse rushing past far beneath us.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading I gazed to north and south in search of New York and the other coastal air-cities that should have hung there, but nothing was in sight.
the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading I gazed to north and south in search of New York and the other coastal air-cities that should have hung there, but nothing was in sight.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading And within a few minutes more, we saw that the vapor-layer beneath was thinning, and that now we were flashing not over the sea but over land; over green hills and valleys that we could glimpse rushing past far beneath us.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading I gazed to north and south in search of New York and the other coastal air-cities that should have hung there, but nothing was in sight.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The Battle of the Air-Cities Now the hundred cruisers of our force were cleaving the air westward at terrific speed, while Macklin and Hilliard and I stood together in the bridge-room of the foremost as it rushed on.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The Battle of the Air-Cities Now the hundred cruisers of our force were cleaving the air westward at terrific speed, while Macklin and Hilliard and I stood together in the bridge-room of the foremost as it rushed on.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The Battle of the Air-Cities Now the hundred cruisers of our force were cleaving the air westward at terrific speed, while Macklin and Hilliard and I stood together in the bridge-room of the foremost as it rushed on.
openingsnounUS /ˈoʊpənɪŋz/
plural of “opening” — an open or empty space in or between things
From this reading Beneath us, the gray Atlantic showed here and there through openings in the vapor-masses, and ahead the sun still hung in the western sky.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading I gazed to north and south in search of New York and the other coastal air-cities that should have hung there, but nothing was in sight.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading The Battle of the Air-Cities Now the hundred cruisers of our force were cleaving the air westward at terrific speed, while Macklin and Hilliard and I stood together in the bridge-room of the foremost as it rushed on.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading And within a few minutes more, we saw that the vapor-layer beneath was thinning, and that now we were flashing not over the sea but over land; over green hills and valleys that we could glimpse rushing past far beneath us.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading And within a few minutes more, we saw that the vapor-layer beneath was thinning, and that now we were flashing not over the sea but over land; over green hills and valleys that we could glimpse rushing past far beneath us.
done under pressure
From this reading The Battle of the Air-Cities Now the hundred cruisers of our force were cleaving the air westward at terrific speed, while Macklin and Hilliard and I stood together in the bridge-room of the foremost as it rushed on.
(American football) an attempt to advance the ball by running into the line
From this reading And within a few minutes more, we saw that the vapor-layer beneath was thinning, and that now we were flashing not over the sea but over land; over green hills and valleys that we could glimpse rushing past far beneath us.
cut with a saw
From this reading And within a few minutes more, we saw that the vapor-layer beneath was thinning, and that now we were flashing not over the sea but over land; over green hills and valleys that we could glimpse rushing past far beneath us.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading And within a few minutes more, we saw that the vapor-layer beneath was thinning, and that now we were flashing not over the sea but over land; over green hills and valleys that we could glimpse rushing past far beneath us.
try to locate or discover, or try to establish the existence of
From this reading I gazed to north and south in search of New York and the other coastal air-cities that should have hung there, but nothing was in sight.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading I gazed to north and south in search of New York and the other coastal air-cities that should have hung there, but nothing was in sight.
past form of “show” — give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading Beneath us, the gray Atlantic showed here and there through openings in the vapor-masses, and ahead the sun still hung in the western sky.
an instance of visual perception
From this reading I gazed to north and south in search of New York and the other coastal air-cities that should have hung there, but nothing was in sight.
the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth
From this reading Beneath us, the gray Atlantic showed here and there through openings in the vapor-masses, and ahead the sun still hung in the western sky.
the region of the United States lying to the south of the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading I gazed to north and south in search of New York and the other coastal air-cities that should have hung there, but nothing was in sight.
move hurridly
From this reading The Battle of the Air-Cities Now the hundred cruisers of our force were cleaving the air westward at terrific speed, while Macklin and Hilliard and I stood together in the bridge-room of the foremost as it rushed on.
not in physical motion
From this reading Beneath us, the gray Atlantic showed here and there through openings in the vapor-masses, and ahead the sun still hung in the western sky.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading The Battle of the Air-Cities Now the hundred cruisers of our force were cleaving the air westward at terrific speed, while Macklin and Hilliard and I stood together in the bridge-room of the foremost as it rushed on.
the star that is the source of light and heat for the planets in the solar system
From this reading Beneath us, the gray Atlantic showed here and there through openings in the vapor-masses, and ahead the sun still hung in the western sky.
terrificadjectiveUS /tərˈɪfɪk/
very great or intense
From this reading The Battle of the Air-Cities Now the hundred cruisers of our force were cleaving the air westward at terrific speed, while Macklin and Hilliard and I stood together in the bridge-room of the foremost as it rushed on.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading And within a few minutes more, we saw that the vapor-layer beneath was thinning, and that now we were flashing not over the sea but over land; over green hills and valleys that we could glimpse rushing past far beneath us.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Battle of the Air-Cities Now the hundred cruisers of our force were cleaving the air westward at terrific speed, while Macklin and Hilliard and I stood together in the bridge-room of the foremost as it rushed on.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Beneath us, the gray Atlantic showed here and there through openings in the vapor-masses, and ahead the sun still hung in the western sky.
thinningnounUS /ˈθɪnɪŋ/
the act of diluting something
From this reading And within a few minutes more, we saw that the vapor-layer beneath was thinning, and that now we were flashing not over the sea but over land; over green hills and valleys that we could glimpse rushing past far beneath us.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Beneath us, the gray Atlantic showed here and there through openings in the vapor-masses, and ahead the sun still hung in the western sky.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading I gazed to north and south in search of New York and the other coastal air-cities that should have hung there, but nothing was in sight.
in contact with each other or in proximity
From this reading The Battle of the Air-Cities Now the hundred cruisers of our force were cleaving the air westward at terrific speed, while Macklin and Hilliard and I stood together in the bridge-room of the foremost as it rushed on.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading "All our American Federation air-cities," Macklin told me: "are massed together, hanging south of the Great Lakes.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Beneath us, the gray Atlantic showed here and there through openings in the vapor-masses, and ahead the sun still hung in the western sky.
valleysnounUS /ˈvæliz/
plural of “valley” — a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river
From this reading And within a few minutes more, we saw that the vapor-layer beneath was thinning, and that now we were flashing not over the sea but over land; over green hills and valleys that we could glimpse rushing past far beneath us.
vapor-layer
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading And within a few minutes more, we saw that the vapor-layer beneath was thinning, and that now we were flashing not over the sea but over land; over green hills and valleys that we could glimpse rushing past far beneath us.
vapor-masses
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Beneath us, the gray Atlantic showed here and there through openings in the vapor-masses, and ahead the sun still hung in the western sky.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading And within a few minutes more, we saw that the vapor-layer beneath was thinning, and that now we were flashing not over the sea but over land; over green hills and valleys that we could glimpse rushing past far beneath us.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading And within a few minutes more, we saw that the vapor-layer beneath was thinning, and that now we were flashing not over the sea but over land; over green hills and valleys that we could glimpse rushing past far beneath us.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The Battle of the Air-Cities Now the hundred cruisers of our force were cleaving the air westward at terrific speed, while Macklin and Hilliard and I stood together in the bridge-room of the foremost as it rushed on.
relating to or characteristic of the western parts of the world or the West as opposed to the eastern or oriental parts
From this reading Beneath us, the gray Atlantic showed here and there through openings in the vapor-masses, and ahead the sun still hung in the western sky.
westwardadverbUS /ˈwestwərd/
toward the west
From this reading The Battle of the Air-Cities Now the hundred cruisers of our force were cleaving the air westward at terrific speed, while Macklin and Hilliard and I stood together in the bridge-room of the foremost as it rushed on.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading The Battle of the Air-Cities Now the hundred cruisers of our force were cleaving the air westward at terrific speed, while Macklin and Hilliard and I stood together in the bridge-room of the foremost as it rushed on.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading And within a few minutes more, we saw that the vapor-layer beneath was thinning, and that now we were flashing not over the sea but over land; over green hills and valleys that we could glimpse rushing past far beneath us.
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 I gazed to north and south in search of New York and the other coastal air-cities that should have hung there, but nothing was in sight.
