used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading AN OLD DESPATCHER'S MISTAKE--MY FIRST TRICK I had become thoroughly proficient and more frequently than ever Borroughs would let me "spell" for him for a while each day.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading The air was so still, crisp and biting that the air-pumps of the engines had that peculiar sharp, snappy sound heard only in a panting engine in cold weather.
air-pumps
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The air was so still, crisp and biting that the air-pumps of the engines had that peculiar sharp, snappy sound heard only in a panting engine in cold weather.
at all times; all the time and on every occasion
From this reading Be it said to his credit, however, he was always within hearing, when I was doing any of his work.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading AN OLD DESPATCHER'S MISTAKE--MY FIRST TRICK I had become thoroughly proficient and more frequently than ever Borroughs would let me "spell" for him for a while each day.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading AN OLD DESPATCHER'S MISTAKE--MY FIRST TRICK I had become thoroughly proficient and more frequently than ever Borroughs would let me "spell" for him for a while each day.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading Be it said to his credit, however, he was always within hearing, when I was doing any of his work.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading One cold morning in January, I started to the office as usual.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Be it said to his credit, however, he was always within hearing, when I was doing any of his work.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading AN OLD DESPATCHER'S MISTAKE--MY FIRST TRICK I had become thoroughly proficient and more frequently than ever Borroughs would let me "spell" for him for a while each day.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading He was carefulness personified, and the following incident only serves to show what unaccountable errors will be made by even the best of men.
bitingadjectiveUS /ˈbaɪtɪŋ/
capable of wounding
From this reading The air was so still, crisp and biting that the air-pumps of the engines had that peculiar sharp, snappy sound heard only in a panting engine in cold weather.
Borroughs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN OLD DESPATCHER'S MISTAKE--MY FIRST TRICK I had become thoroughly proficient and more frequently than ever Borroughs would let me "spell" for him for a while each day.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading He was carefulness personified, and the following incident only serves to show what unaccountable errors will be made by even the best of men.
carefulnessnounUS /ˈkerfəlnes/
the trait of being cautious; being attentive to possible danger
From this reading He was carefulness personified, and the following incident only serves to show what unaccountable errors will be made by even the best of men.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading One cold morning in January, I started to the office as usual.
approval
From this reading Be it said to his credit, however, he was always within hearing, when I was doing any of his work.
crispadjectiveUS /krɪsp/
(of something seen or heard) clearly defined
From this reading The air was so still, crisp and biting that the air-pumps of the engines had that peculiar sharp, snappy sound heard only in a panting engine in cold weather.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading AN OLD DESPATCHER'S MISTAKE--MY FIRST TRICK I had become thoroughly proficient and more frequently than ever Borroughs would let me "spell" for him for a while each day.
DESPATCHER'S
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading AN OLD DESPATCHER'S MISTAKE--MY FIRST TRICK I had become thoroughly proficient and more frequently than ever Borroughs would let me "spell" for him for a while each day.
-ing form of “do” — engage in
From this reading Be it said to his credit, however, he was always within hearing, when I was doing any of his work.
every one of two or more people or things, taken separately
From this reading AN OLD DESPATCHER'S MISTAKE--MY FIRST TRICK I had become thoroughly proficient and more frequently than ever Borroughs would let me "spell" for him for a while each day.
enginenounUS /ˈendʒən/
motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work
From this reading The air was so still, crisp and biting that the air-pumps of the engines had that peculiar sharp, snappy sound heard only in a panting engine in cold weather.
enginesnounUS /ˈendʒənz/
plural of “engine” — motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work
From this reading The air was so still, crisp and biting that the air-pumps of the engines had that peculiar sharp, snappy sound heard only in a panting engine in cold weather.
errorsnounUS /ˈerərz/
plural of “error” — a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
From this reading He was carefulness personified, and the following incident only serves to show what unaccountable errors will be made by even the best of men.
divisible by two
From this reading He was carefulness personified, and the following incident only serves to show what unaccountable errors will be made by even the best of men.
at any time
From this reading AN OLD DESPATCHER'S MISTAKE--MY FIRST TRICK I had become thoroughly proficient and more frequently than ever Borroughs would let me "spell" for him for a while each day.
FIRSTadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading AN OLD DESPATCHER'S MISTAKE--MY FIRST TRICK I had become thoroughly proficient and more frequently than ever Borroughs would let me "spell" for him for a while each day.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading He was carefulness personified, and the following incident only serves to show what unaccountable errors will be made by even the best of men.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading AN OLD DESPATCHER'S MISTAKE--MY FIRST TRICK I had become thoroughly proficient and more frequently than ever Borroughs would let me "spell" for him for a while each day.
many times at short intervals
From this reading AN OLD DESPATCHER'S MISTAKE--MY FIRST TRICK I had become thoroughly proficient and more frequently than ever Borroughs would let me "spell" for him for a while each day.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading AN OLD DESPATCHER'S MISTAKE--MY FIRST TRICK I had become thoroughly proficient and more frequently than ever Borroughs would let me "spell" for him for a while each day.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Be it said to his credit, however, he was always within hearing, when I was doing any of his work.
detected or perceived by the sense of hearing
From this reading The air was so still, crisp and biting that the air-pumps of the engines had that peculiar sharp, snappy sound heard only in a panting engine in cold weather.
(law) a proceeding (usually by a court) where evidence is taken for the purpose of determining an issue of fact and reaching a decision based on that evidence
From this reading Be it said to his credit, however, he was always within hearing, when I was doing any of his work.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading AN OLD DESPATCHER'S MISTAKE--MY FIRST TRICK I had become thoroughly proficient and more frequently than ever Borroughs would let me "spell" for him for a while each day.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Be it said to his credit, however, he was always within hearing, when I was doing any of his work.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading Be it said to his credit, however, he was always within hearing, when I was doing any of his work.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading AN OLD DESPATCHER'S MISTAKE--MY FIRST TRICK I had become thoroughly proficient and more frequently than ever Borroughs would let me "spell" for him for a while each day.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading One cold morning in January, I started to the office as usual.
a single distinct event
From this reading He was carefulness personified, and the following incident only serves to show what unaccountable errors will be made by even the best of men.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Be it said to his credit, however, he was always within hearing, when I was doing any of his work.
JanuarynounUS /ˈdʒænjuːeri/
the first month of the year; begins 10 days after the winter solstice
From this reading One cold morning in January, I started to the office as usual.
letauxiliary verbUS /let/
used to make a suggestion or a command including the speaker
From this reading AN OLD DESPATCHER'S MISTAKE--MY FIRST TRICK I had become thoroughly proficient and more frequently than ever Borroughs would let me "spell" for him for a while each day.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading He was carefulness personified, and the following incident only serves to show what unaccountable errors will be made by even the best of men.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading AN OLD DESPATCHER'S MISTAKE--MY FIRST TRICK I had become thoroughly proficient and more frequently than ever Borroughs would let me "spell" for him for a while each day.
the force of workers available
From this reading He was carefulness personified, and the following incident only serves to show what unaccountable errors will be made by even the best of men.
a wrong action attributable to bad judgment or ignorance or inattention
From this reading AN OLD DESPATCHER'S MISTAKE--MY FIRST TRICK I had become thoroughly proficient and more frequently than ever Borroughs would let me "spell" for him for a while each day.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading AN OLD DESPATCHER'S MISTAKE--MY FIRST TRICK I had become thoroughly proficient and more frequently than ever Borroughs would let me "spell" for him for a while each day.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading One cold morning in January, I started to the office as usual.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading AN OLD DESPATCHER'S MISTAKE--MY FIRST TRICK I had become thoroughly proficient and more frequently than ever Borroughs would let me "spell" for him for a while each day.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Be it said to his credit, however, he was always within hearing, when I was doing any of his work.
place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
From this reading One cold morning in January, I started to the office as usual.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading AN OLD DESPATCHER'S MISTAKE--MY FIRST TRICK I had become thoroughly proficient and more frequently than ever Borroughs would let me "spell" for him for a while each day.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One cold morning in January, I started to the office as usual.
and nothing more
From this reading He was carefulness personified, and the following incident only serves to show what unaccountable errors will be made by even the best of men.
pantingnounUS /ˈpæntɪŋ/
breathing heavily (as after exertion)
From this reading The air was so still, crisp and biting that the air-pumps of the engines had that peculiar sharp, snappy sound heard only in a panting engine in cold weather.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading The air was so still, crisp and biting that the air-pumps of the engines had that peculiar sharp, snappy sound heard only in a panting engine in cold weather.
personifiedverbUS /pərˈsɑːnəfaɪd/
inflected form of “personify” — invest with or as with a body; give body to
From this reading He was carefulness personified, and the following incident only serves to show what unaccountable errors will be made by even the best of men.
proficientadjectiveUS /prɑːˈfɪʃənt/
having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude
From this reading AN OLD DESPATCHER'S MISTAKE--MY FIRST TRICK I had become thoroughly proficient and more frequently than ever Borroughs would let me "spell" for him for a while each day.
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
From this reading Be it said to his credit, however, he was always within hearing, when I was doing any of his work.
servesnounUS /sɜːrvz/
plural of “serve” — (sports) a stroke that puts the ball in play
From this reading He was carefulness personified, and the following incident only serves to show what unaccountable errors will be made by even the best of men.
(of something seen or heard) clearly defined
From this reading The air was so still, crisp and biting that the air-pumps of the engines had that peculiar sharp, snappy sound heard only in a panting engine in cold weather.
give an exhibition of to an interested audience
From this reading He was carefulness personified, and the following incident only serves to show what unaccountable errors will be made by even the best of men.
snappyadjectiveUS /ˈsnæpi/
apt to speak irritably
From this reading The air was so still, crisp and biting that the air-pumps of the engines had that peculiar sharp, snappy sound heard only in a panting engine in cold weather.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The air was so still, crisp and biting that the air-pumps of the engines had that peculiar sharp, snappy sound heard only in a panting engine in cold weather.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading The air was so still, crisp and biting that the air-pumps of the engines had that peculiar sharp, snappy sound heard only in a panting engine in cold weather.
orally recite the letters of or give the spelling of
From this reading AN OLD DESPATCHER'S MISTAKE--MY FIRST TRICK I had become thoroughly proficient and more frequently than ever Borroughs would let me "spell" for him for a while each day.
past form of “start” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading One cold morning in January, I started to the office as usual.
not in physical motion
From this reading The air was so still, crisp and biting that the air-pumps of the engines had that peculiar sharp, snappy sound heard only in a panting engine in cold weather.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading AN OLD DESPATCHER'S MISTAKE--MY FIRST TRICK I had become thoroughly proficient and more frequently than ever Borroughs would let me "spell" for him for a while each day.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The air was so still, crisp and biting that the air-pumps of the engines had that peculiar sharp, snappy sound heard only in a panting engine in cold weather.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading He was carefulness personified, and the following incident only serves to show what unaccountable errors will be made by even the best of men.
in an exhaustive manner
From this reading AN OLD DESPATCHER'S MISTAKE--MY FIRST TRICK I had become thoroughly proficient and more frequently than ever Borroughs would let me "spell" for him for a while each day.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Be it said to his credit, however, he was always within hearing, when I was doing any of his work.
a cunning or deceitful action or device
From this reading AN OLD DESPATCHER'S MISTAKE--MY FIRST TRICK I had become thoroughly proficient and more frequently than ever Borroughs would let me "spell" for him for a while each day.
unaccountableadjectiveUS /ˌʌnəˈkaʊntəbəl/
not to be accounted for or explained
From this reading He was carefulness personified, and the following incident only serves to show what unaccountable errors will be made by even the best of men.
usualadjectiveUS /ˈjuːʒəwəl/
occurring or encountered or experienced or observed frequently or in accordance with regular practice or procedure
From this reading One cold morning in January, I started to the office as usual.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Be it said to his credit, however, he was always within hearing, when I was doing any of his work.
the atmospheric conditions that comprise the state of the atmosphere in terms of temperature and wind and clouds and precipitation
From this reading The air was so still, crisp and biting that the air-pumps of the engines had that peculiar sharp, snappy sound heard only in a panting engine in cold weather.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading He was carefulness personified, and the following incident only serves to show what unaccountable errors will be made by even the best of men.
at the time that
From this reading Be it said to his credit, however, he was always within hearing, when I was doing any of his work.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading AN OLD DESPATCHER'S MISTAKE--MY FIRST TRICK I had become thoroughly proficient and more frequently than ever Borroughs would let me "spell" for him for a while each day.
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading He was carefulness personified, and the following incident only serves to show what unaccountable errors will be made by even the best of men.
inside; before a period of time has passed
From this reading Be it said to his credit, however, he was always within hearing, when I was doing any of his work.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading Be it said to his credit, however, he was always within hearing, when I was doing any of his work.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading AN OLD DESPATCHER'S MISTAKE--MY FIRST TRICK I had become thoroughly proficient and more frequently than ever Borroughs would let me "spell" for him for a while each day.
