used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A GENERAL STRIKE--A LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEER FOR A DAY During the ensuing spring, one of those spasmodic waves of strikes passed over the country.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Some northern road that wasn't earning enough money to pay the interest on its bonds, cut down the salaries of some of its employees, and they went out.
inflected form of “awake” — stop sleeping
From this reading We had hopes it would escape us, but one fine day we awoke to find our road tied up good and hard.
bondsnounUS /bɑːndz/
plural of “bond” — an electrical force linking atoms
From this reading Some northern road that wasn't earning enough money to pay the interest on its bonds, cut down the salaries of some of its employees, and they went out.
brakemennounUS /ˈbreɪkmen/
plural of “brakeman” — a railroad employee responsible for a train's brakes
From this reading The conductors and brakemen went first, and a few days later they were followed by the engineers and firemen.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading We had hopes it would escape us, but one fine day we awoke to find our road tied up good and hard.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The conductors and brakemen went first, and a few days later they were followed by the engineers and firemen.
conductorsnounUS /kənˈdʌktərz/
plural of “conductor” — the person who leads a musical group
From this reading The conductors and brakemen went first, and a few days later they were followed by the engineers and firemen.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading A GENERAL STRIKE--A LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEER FOR A DAY During the ensuing spring, one of those spasmodic waves of strikes passed over the country.
separate with or as if with an instrument
From this reading Some northern road that wasn't earning enough money to pay the interest on its bonds, cut down the salaries of some of its employees, and they went out.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading A GENERAL STRIKE--A LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEER FOR A DAY During the ensuing spring, one of those spasmodic waves of strikes passed over the country.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading The conductors and brakemen went first, and a few days later they were followed by the engineers and firemen.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Some northern road that wasn't earning enough money to pay the interest on its bonds, cut down the salaries of some of its employees, and they went out.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading A GENERAL STRIKE--A LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEER FOR A DAY During the ensuing spring, one of those spasmodic waves of strikes passed over the country.
earningverbUS /ˈɜːrnɪŋ/
-ing form of “earn” — earn on some commercial or business transaction; earn as salary or wages
From this reading Some northern road that wasn't earning enough money to pay the interest on its bonds, cut down the salaries of some of its employees, and they went out.
employeesnounUS /emˈplɔɪiz/
plural of “employee” — a worker who is hired to perform a job
From this reading Some northern road that wasn't earning enough money to pay the interest on its bonds, cut down the salaries of some of its employees, and they went out.
ENGINEERnounUS /ˈendʒəˈnɪr/
a person who uses scientific knowledge to solve practical problems
From this reading A GENERAL STRIKE--A LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEER FOR A DAY During the ensuing spring, one of those spasmodic waves of strikes passed over the country.
engineersnounUS /ˈendʒəˈnɪrz/
plural of “engineer” — a person who uses scientific knowledge to solve practical problems
From this reading The conductors and brakemen went first, and a few days later they were followed by the engineers and firemen.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading Some northern road that wasn't earning enough money to pay the interest on its bonds, cut down the salaries of some of its employees, and they went out.
ensuingadjectiveUS /ˈensuːɪŋ/
following immediately and as a result of what went before
From this reading A GENERAL STRIKE--A LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEER FOR A DAY During the ensuing spring, one of those spasmodic waves of strikes passed over the country.
the act of escaping physically
From this reading We had hopes it would escape us, but one fine day we awoke to find our road tied up good and hard.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading The conductors and brakemen went first, and a few days later they were followed by the engineers and firemen.
come upon, as if by accident; meet with
From this reading We had hopes it would escape us, but one fine day we awoke to find our road tied up good and hard.
being satisfactory or in satisfactory condition
From this reading We had hopes it would escape us, but one fine day we awoke to find our road tied up good and hard.
firemennounUS /ˈfaɪrmən/
plural of “fireman” — play in which children pretend to put out a fire
From this reading The conductors and brakemen went first, and a few days later they were followed by the engineers and firemen.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The conductors and brakemen went first, and a few days later they were followed by the engineers and firemen.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading The conductors and brakemen went first, and a few days later they were followed by the engineers and firemen.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading A GENERAL STRIKE--A LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEER FOR A DAY During the ensuing spring, one of those spasmodic waves of strikes passed over the country.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading Then the "sympathy" idea was worked to the full limit, and gradually other roads were tied up.
applying to all or most members of a category or group
From this reading A GENERAL STRIKE--A LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEER FOR A DAY During the ensuing spring, one of those spasmodic waves of strikes passed over the country.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading We had hopes it would escape us, but one fine day we awoke to find our road tied up good and hard.
in a gradual manner
From this reading Then the "sympathy" idea was worked to the full limit, and gradually other roads were tied up.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading We had hopes it would escape us, but one fine day we awoke to find our road tied up good and hard.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading We had hopes it would escape us, but one fine day we awoke to find our road tied up good and hard.
plural of “hope” — a specific instance of feeling hopeful
From this reading We had hopes it would escape us, but one fine day we awoke to find our road tied up good and hard.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading Then the "sympathy" idea was worked to the full limit, and gradually other roads were tied up.
a sense of concern with and curiosity about someone or something
From this reading Some northern road that wasn't earning enough money to pay the interest on its bonds, cut down the salaries of some of its employees, and they went out.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading We had hopes it would escape us, but one fine day we awoke to find our road tied up good and hard.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Some northern road that wasn't earning enough money to pay the interest on its bonds, cut down the salaries of some of its employees, and they went out.
happening at a time subsequent to a reference time
From this reading The conductors and brakemen went first, and a few days later they were followed by the engineers and firemen.
limitnounUS /ˈlɪmət/
the greatest possible degree of something
From this reading Then the "sympathy" idea was worked to the full limit, and gradually other roads were tied up.
LOCOMOTIVEnounUS /ˌloʊkəˈmoʊtɪv/
a wheeled vehicle consisting of a self-propelled engine that is used to draw trains along railway tracks
From this reading A GENERAL STRIKE--A LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEER FOR A DAY During the ensuing spring, one of those spasmodic waves of strikes passed over the country.
the most common medium of exchange; functions as legal tender
From this reading Some northern road that wasn't earning enough money to pay the interest on its bonds, cut down the salaries of some of its employees, and they went out.
northernadjectiveUS /ˈnɔːrðərn/
in or characteristic of a region of the United States north of (approximately) the Mason-Dixon line
From this reading Some northern road that wasn't earning enough money to pay the interest on its bonds, cut down the salaries of some of its employees, and they went out.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A GENERAL STRIKE--A LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEER FOR A DAY During the ensuing spring, one of those spasmodic waves of strikes passed over the country.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Some northern road that wasn't earning enough money to pay the interest on its bonds, cut down the salaries of some of its employees, and they went out.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading A GENERAL STRIKE--A LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEER FOR A DAY During the ensuing spring, one of those spasmodic waves of strikes passed over the country.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Then the "sympathy" idea was worked to the full limit, and gradually other roads were tied up.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading We had hopes it would escape us, but one fine day we awoke to find our road tied up good and hard.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Some northern road that wasn't earning enough money to pay the interest on its bonds, cut down the salaries of some of its employees, and they went out.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading A GENERAL STRIKE--A LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEER FOR A DAY During the ensuing spring, one of those spasmodic waves of strikes passed over the country.
past form of “pass” — go across or through
From this reading A GENERAL STRIKE--A LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEER FOR A DAY During the ensuing spring, one of those spasmodic waves of strikes passed over the country.
give money, usually in exchange for goods or services
From this reading Some northern road that wasn't earning enough money to pay the interest on its bonds, cut down the salaries of some of its employees, and they went out.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading Some northern road that wasn't earning enough money to pay the interest on its bonds, cut down the salaries of some of its employees, and they went out.
roadsnounUS /roʊdz/
a partly sheltered anchorage
From this reading Then the "sympathy" idea was worked to the full limit, and gradually other roads were tied up.
salariesnounUS /ˈsæləriz/
plural of “salary” — something that remunerates
From this reading Some northern road that wasn't earning enough money to pay the interest on its bonds, cut down the salaries of some of its employees, and they went out.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading Some northern road that wasn't earning enough money to pay the interest on its bonds, cut down the salaries of some of its employees, and they went out.
spasmodicadjectiveUS /spæzˈmɔːdɪk/
affected by involuntary jerky muscular contractions; resembling a spasm
From this reading A GENERAL STRIKE--A LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEER FOR A DAY During the ensuing spring, one of those spasmodic waves of strikes passed over the country.
the season of growth
From this reading A GENERAL STRIKE--A LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEER FOR A DAY During the ensuing spring, one of those spasmodic waves of strikes passed over the country.
deliver a sharp blow, as with the hand, fist, or weapon
From this reading A GENERAL STRIKE--A LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEER FOR A DAY During the ensuing spring, one of those spasmodic waves of strikes passed over the country.
strikesnounUS /straɪks/
plural of “strike” — a group's refusal to work in protest against low pay or bad work conditions
From this reading A GENERAL STRIKE--A LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEER FOR A DAY During the ensuing spring, one of those spasmodic waves of strikes passed over the country.
an inclination to support or be loyal to or to agree with an opinion
From this reading Then the "sympathy" idea was worked to the full limit, and gradually other roads were tied up.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Some northern road that wasn't earning enough money to pay the interest on its bonds, cut down the salaries of some of its employees, and they went out.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A GENERAL STRIKE--A LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEER FOR A DAY During the ensuing spring, one of those spasmodic waves of strikes passed over the country.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then the "sympathy" idea was worked to the full limit, and gradually other roads were tied up.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Some northern road that wasn't earning enough money to pay the interest on its bonds, cut down the salaries of some of its employees, and they went out.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading A GENERAL STRIKE--A LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEER FOR A DAY During the ensuing spring, one of those spasmodic waves of strikes passed over the country.
bound or secured closely
From this reading Then the "sympathy" idea was worked to the full limit, and gradually other roads were tied up.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Some northern road that wasn't earning enough money to pay the interest on its bonds, cut down the salaries of some of its employees, and they went out.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Then the "sympathy" idea was worked to the full limit, and gradually other roads were tied up.
the speaker and others, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading We had hopes it would escape us, but one fine day we awoke to find our road tied up good and hard.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Then the "sympathy" idea was worked to the full limit, and gradually other roads were tied up.
wasn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Some northern road that wasn't earning enough money to pay the interest on its bonds, cut down the salaries of some of its employees, and they went out.
plural of “wave” — one of a series of ridges that moves across the surface of a liquid (especially across a large body of water)
From this reading A GENERAL STRIKE--A LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEER FOR A DAY During the ensuing spring, one of those spasmodic waves of strikes passed over the country.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We had hopes it would escape us, but one fine day we awoke to find our road tied up good and hard.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Some northern road that wasn't earning enough money to pay the interest on its bonds, cut down the salaries of some of its employees, and they went out.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Then the "sympathy" idea was worked to the full limit, and gradually other roads were tied up.
past form of “work” — exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading Then the "sympathy" idea was worked to the full limit, and gradually other roads were tied up.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading We had hopes it would escape us, but one fine day we awoke to find our road tied up good and hard.
