Chapter II

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading THE FERRY PILOT IT was an hour before dawn, and the stars had not yet faded from the skies, when a group of air mechanics at one of the aerodromes just north of London were busy about the ailerons and fuselage of a new machine, which was destined to fly across the Channel that day, and to join one of the British Squadrons on the other side.

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading THE FERRY PILOT IT was an hour before dawn, and the stars had not yet faded from the skies, when a group of air mechanics at one of the aerodromes just north of London were busy about the ailerons and fuselage of a new machine, which was destined to fly across the Channel that day, and to join one of the British Squadrons on the other side.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading THE FERRY PILOT IT was an hour before dawn, and the stars had not yet faded from the skies, when a group of air mechanics at one of the aerodromes just north of London were busy about the ailerons and fuselage of a new machine, which was destined to fly across the Channel that day, and to join one of the British Squadrons on the other side.

tending to become more severe or wider in scope

From this reading Great things were claimed for her when she joined one of the active squadrons, now fighting in France for the supremacy of the air.

arrival that has been awaited (especially of something momentous)

From this reading Just a few folk in Old Blighty had been scared by the advent of the Fokker, the new German aeroplane which had recently come into existence, and for which such wonderful things were being claimed daily by the German "wireless."

an airfield equipped with control tower and hangars as well as accommodations for passengers and cargo

From this reading "Double up there, you sleepy imps!" yelled Old Snorty, the aerodrome sergeant-major, a short, stout, florid, shiver-my-timbers type of disciplinarian.

plural of “aerodrome” — an airfield equipped with control tower and hangars as well as accommodations for passengers and cargo

From this reading THE FERRY PILOT IT was an hour before dawn, and the stars had not yet faded from the skies, when a group of air mechanics at one of the aerodromes just north of London were busy about the ailerons and fuselage of a new machine, which was destined to fly across the Channel that day, and to join one of the British Squadrons on the other side.

an aircraft that has a fixed wing and is powered by propellers or jets

From this reading Just a few folk in Old Blighty had been scared by the advent of the Fokker, the new German aeroplane which had recently come into existence, and for which such wonderful things were being claimed daily by the German "wireless."

plural of “aileron” — an airfoil that controls lateral motion

From this reading THE FERRY PILOT IT was an hour before dawn, and the stars had not yet faded from the skies, when a group of air mechanics at one of the aerodromes just north of London were busy about the ailerons and fuselage of a new machine, which was destined to fly across the Channel that day, and to join one of the British Squadrons on the other side.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading THE FERRY PILOT IT was an hour before dawn, and the stars had not yet faded from the skies, when a group of air mechanics at one of the aerodromes just north of London were busy about the ailerons and fuselage of a new machine, which was destined to fly across the Channel that day, and to join one of the British Squadrons on the other side.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading THE FERRY PILOT IT was an hour before dawn, and the stars had not yet faded from the skies, when a group of air mechanics at one of the aerodromes just north of London were busy about the ailerons and fuselage of a new machine, which was destined to fly across the Channel that day, and to join one of the British Squadrons on the other side.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading THE FERRY PILOT IT was an hour before dawn, and the stars had not yet faded from the skies, when a group of air mechanics at one of the aerodromes just north of London were busy about the ailerons and fuselage of a new machine, which was destined to fly across the Channel that day, and to join one of the British Squadrons on the other side.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading The secret of the machine had been well kept, and only a favoured few had been permitted to see the "hornet," as she was called.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading THE FERRY PILOT IT was an hour before dawn, and the stars had not yet faded from the skies, when a group of air mechanics at one of the aerodromes just north of London were busy about the ailerons and fuselage of a new machine, which was destined to fly across the Channel that day, and to join one of the British Squadrons on the other side.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading The secret of the machine had been well kept, and only a favoured few had been permitted to see the "hornet," as she was called.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading THE FERRY PILOT IT was an hour before dawn, and the stars had not yet faded from the skies, when a group of air mechanics at one of the aerodromes just north of London were busy about the ailerons and fuselage of a new machine, which was destined to fly across the Channel that day, and to join one of the British Squadrons on the other side.

the -ing form of “be”

From this reading Just a few folk in Old Blighty had been scared by the advent of the Fokker, the new German aeroplane which had recently come into existence, and for which such wonderful things were being claimed daily by the German "wireless."

a slang term for Great Britain used by British troops serving abroad

From this reading Just a few folk in Old Blighty had been scared by the advent of the Fokker, the new German aeroplane which had recently come into existence, and for which such wonderful things were being claimed daily by the German "wireless."

the people of Great Britain

From this reading THE FERRY PILOT IT was an hour before dawn, and the stars had not yet faded from the skies, when a group of air mechanics at one of the aerodromes just north of London were busy about the ailerons and fuselage of a new machine, which was destined to fly across the Channel that day, and to join one of the British Squadrons on the other side.

actively or fully engaged or occupied

From this reading THE FERRY PILOT IT was an hour before dawn, and the stars had not yet faded from the skies, when a group of air mechanics at one of the aerodromes just north of London were busy about the ailerons and fuselage of a new machine, which was destined to fly across the Channel that day, and to join one of the British Squadrons on the other side.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading Just a few folk in Old Blighty had been scared by the advent of the Fokker, the new German aeroplane which had recently come into existence, and for which such wonderful things were being claimed daily by the German "wireless."

past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to

From this reading The secret of the machine had been well kept, and only a favoured few had been permitted to see the "hornet," as she was called.

a path over which electrical signals can pass

From this reading THE FERRY PILOT IT was an hour before dawn, and the stars had not yet faded from the skies, when a group of air mechanics at one of the aerodromes just north of London were busy about the ailerons and fuselage of a new machine, which was destined to fly across the Channel that day, and to join one of the British Squadrons on the other side.

past form of “claim” — assert or affirm strongly; state to be true or existing

From this reading Great things were claimed for her when she joined one of the active squadrons, now fighting in France for the supremacy of the air.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading Just a few folk in Old Blighty had been scared by the advent of the Fokker, the new German aeroplane which had recently come into existence, and for which such wonderful things were being claimed daily by the German "wireless."

every day; without missing a day

From this reading Just a few folk in Old Blighty had been scared by the advent of the Fokker, the new German aeroplane which had recently come into existence, and for which such wonderful things were being claimed daily by the German "wireless."

the first light of day

From this reading THE FERRY PILOT IT was an hour before dawn, and the stars had not yet faded from the skies, when a group of air mechanics at one of the aerodromes just north of London were busy about the ailerons and fuselage of a new machine, which was destined to fly across the Channel that day, and to join one of the British Squadrons on the other side.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading THE FERRY PILOT IT was an hour before dawn, and the stars had not yet faded from the skies, when a group of air mechanics at one of the aerodromes just north of London were busy about the ailerons and fuselage of a new machine, which was destined to fly across the Channel that day, and to join one of the British Squadrons on the other side.

headed or intending to head in a certain direction; often used as a combining form as in “college-bound students”

From this reading THE FERRY PILOT IT was an hour before dawn, and the stars had not yet faded from the skies, when a group of air mechanics at one of the aerodromes just north of London were busy about the ailerons and fuselage of a new machine, which was destined to fly across the Channel that day, and to join one of the British Squadrons on the other side.

someone who demands exact conformity to rules and forms

From this reading "Double up there, you sleepy imps!" yelled Old Snorty, the aerodrome sergeant-major, a short, stout, florid, shiver-my-timbers type of disciplinarian.

increase twofold

From this reading "Double up there, you sleepy imps!" yelled Old Snorty, the aerodrome sergeant-major, a short, stout, florid, shiver-my-timbers type of disciplinarian.

the state or fact of existing

From this reading Just a few folk in Old Blighty had been scared by the advent of the Fokker, the new German aeroplane which had recently come into existence, and for which such wonderful things were being claimed daily by the German "wireless."

having lost freshness or brilliance of color

From this reading THE FERRY PILOT IT was an hour before dawn, and the stars had not yet faded from the skies, when a group of air mechanics at one of the aerodromes just north of London were busy about the ailerons and fuselage of a new machine, which was destined to fly across the Channel that day, and to join one of the British Squadrons on the other side.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The secret of the machine had been well kept, and only a favoured few had been permitted to see the "hornet," as she was called.

transport from one place to another

From this reading THE FERRY PILOT IT was an hour before dawn, and the stars had not yet faded from the skies, when a group of air mechanics at one of the aerodromes just north of London were busy about the ailerons and fuselage of a new machine, which was destined to fly across the Channel that day, and to join one of the British Squadrons on the other side.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading The secret of the machine had been well kept, and only a favoured few had been permitted to see the "hornet," as she was called.

the act of fighting; any contest or struggle

From this reading Great things were claimed for her when she joined one of the active squadrons, now fighting in France for the supremacy of the air.

elaborately or excessively ornamented

From this reading "Double up there, you sleepy imps!" yelled Old Snorty, the aerodrome sergeant-major, a short, stout, florid, shiver-my-timbers type of disciplinarian.

travel through the air; be airborne

From this reading THE FERRY PILOT IT was an hour before dawn, and the stars had not yet faded from the skies, when a group of air mechanics at one of the aerodromes just north of London were busy about the ailerons and fuselage of a new machine, which was destined to fly across the Channel that day, and to join one of the British Squadrons on the other side.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Just a few folk in Old Blighty had been scared by the advent of the Fokker, the new German aeroplane which had recently come into existence, and for which such wonderful things were being claimed daily by the German "wireless."

people in general (often used in the plural)

From this reading Just a few folk in Old Blighty had been scared by the advent of the Fokker, the new German aeroplane which had recently come into existence, and for which such wonderful things were being claimed daily by the German "wireless."

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading Great things were claimed for her when she joined one of the active squadrons, now fighting in France for the supremacy of the air.

a republic in western Europe; the largest country wholly in Europe

From this reading Great things were claimed for her when she joined one of the active squadrons, now fighting in France for the supremacy of the air.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading THE FERRY PILOT IT was an hour before dawn, and the stars had not yet faded from the skies, when a group of air mechanics at one of the aerodromes just north of London were busy about the ailerons and fuselage of a new machine, which was destined to fly across the Channel that day, and to join one of the British Squadrons on the other side.

the central body of an airplane that is designed to accommodate the crew and passengers (or cargo)

From this reading THE FERRY PILOT IT was an hour before dawn, and the stars had not yet faded from the skies, when a group of air mechanics at one of the aerodromes just north of London were busy about the ailerons and fuselage of a new machine, which was destined to fly across the Channel that day, and to join one of the British Squadrons on the other side.

a person of German nationality

From this reading Just a few folk in Old Blighty had been scared by the advent of the Fokker, the new German aeroplane which had recently come into existence, and for which such wonderful things were being claimed daily by the German "wireless."

relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind

From this reading Great things were claimed for her when she joined one of the active squadrons, now fighting in France for the supremacy of the air.

any number of entities (members) considered as a unit

From this reading THE FERRY PILOT IT was an hour before dawn, and the stars had not yet faded from the skies, when a group of air mechanics at one of the aerodromes just north of London were busy about the ailerons and fuselage of a new machine, which was destined to fly across the Channel that day, and to join one of the British Squadrons on the other side.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading THE FERRY PILOT IT was an hour before dawn, and the stars had not yet faded from the skies, when a group of air mechanics at one of the aerodromes just north of London were busy about the ailerons and fuselage of a new machine, which was destined to fly across the Channel that day, and to join one of the British Squadrons on the other side.

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading Great things were claimed for her when she joined one of the active squadrons, now fighting in France for the supremacy of the air.

large stinging paper wasp

From this reading The secret of the machine had been well kept, and only a favoured few had been permitted to see the "hornet," as she was called.

a period of time equal to 1/24th of a day

From this reading THE FERRY PILOT IT was an hour before dawn, and the stars had not yet faded from the skies, when a group of air mechanics at one of the aerodromes just north of London were busy about the ailerons and fuselage of a new machine, which was destined to fly across the Channel that day, and to join one of the British Squadrons on the other side.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "Double up there, you sleepy imps!" yelled Old Snorty, the aerodrome sergeant-major, a short, stout, florid, shiver-my-timbers type of disciplinarian.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Great things were claimed for her when she joined one of the active squadrons, now fighting in France for the supremacy of the air.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading Just a few folk in Old Blighty had been scared by the advent of the Fokker, the new German aeroplane which had recently come into existence, and for which such wonderful things were being claimed daily by the German "wireless."

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading THE FERRY PILOT IT was an hour before dawn, and the stars had not yet faded from the skies, when a group of air mechanics at one of the aerodromes just north of London were busy about the ailerons and fuselage of a new machine, which was destined to fly across the Channel that day, and to join one of the British Squadrons on the other side.

become part of; become a member of a group or organization

From this reading THE FERRY PILOT IT was an hour before dawn, and the stars had not yet faded from the skies, when a group of air mechanics at one of the aerodromes just north of London were busy about the ailerons and fuselage of a new machine, which was destined to fly across the Channel that day, and to join one of the British Squadrons on the other side.

of or relating to two people who are married to each other

From this reading Great things were claimed for her when she joined one of the active squadrons, now fighting in France for the supremacy of the air.

and nothing more

From this reading THE FERRY PILOT IT was an hour before dawn, and the stars had not yet faded from the skies, when a group of air mechanics at one of the aerodromes just north of London were busy about the ailerons and fuselage of a new machine, which was destined to fly across the Channel that day, and to join one of the British Squadrons on the other side.

(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded

From this reading The secret of the machine had been well kept, and only a favoured few had been permitted to see the "hornet," as she was called.

the capital and largest city of England; located on the Thames in southeastern England; financial and industrial and cultural center

From this reading THE FERRY PILOT IT was an hour before dawn, and the stars had not yet faded from the skies, when a group of air mechanics at one of the aerodromes just north of London were busy about the ailerons and fuselage of a new machine, which was destined to fly across the Channel that day, and to join one of the British Squadrons on the other side.

any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks

From this reading THE FERRY PILOT IT was an hour before dawn, and the stars had not yet faded from the skies, when a group of air mechanics at one of the aerodromes just north of London were busy about the ailerons and fuselage of a new machine, which was destined to fly across the Channel that day, and to join one of the British Squadrons on the other side.

the branch of physics concerned with the motion of bodies in a frame of reference

From this reading THE FERRY PILOT IT was an hour before dawn, and the stars had not yet faded from the skies, when a group of air mechanics at one of the aerodromes just north of London were busy about the ailerons and fuselage of a new machine, which was destined to fly across the Channel that day, and to join one of the British Squadrons on the other side.

not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered

From this reading THE FERRY PILOT IT was an hour before dawn, and the stars had not yet faded from the skies, when a group of air mechanics at one of the aerodromes just north of London were busy about the ailerons and fuselage of a new machine, which was destined to fly across the Channel that day, and to join one of the British Squadrons on the other side.

the region of the United States lying to the north of the Mason-Dixon line

From this reading THE FERRY PILOT IT was an hour before dawn, and the stars had not yet faded from the skies, when a group of air mechanics at one of the aerodromes just north of London were busy about the ailerons and fuselage of a new machine, which was destined to fly across the Channel that day, and to join one of the British Squadrons on the other side.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading THE FERRY PILOT IT was an hour before dawn, and the stars had not yet faded from the skies, when a group of air mechanics at one of the aerodromes just north of London were busy about the ailerons and fuselage of a new machine, which was destined to fly across the Channel that day, and to join one of the British Squadrons on the other side.

in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events

From this reading Great things were claimed for her when she joined one of the active squadrons, now fighting in France for the supremacy of the air.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE FERRY PILOT IT was an hour before dawn, and the stars had not yet faded from the skies, when a group of air mechanics at one of the aerodromes just north of London were busy about the ailerons and fuselage of a new machine, which was destined to fly across the Channel that day, and to join one of the British Squadrons on the other side.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading Just a few folk in Old Blighty had been scared by the advent of the Fokker, the new German aeroplane which had recently come into existence, and for which such wonderful things were being claimed daily by the German "wireless."

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading THE FERRY PILOT IT was an hour before dawn, and the stars had not yet faded from the skies, when a group of air mechanics at one of the aerodromes just north of London were busy about the ailerons and fuselage of a new machine, which was destined to fly across the Channel that day, and to join one of the British Squadrons on the other side.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading THE FERRY PILOT IT was an hour before dawn, and the stars had not yet faded from the skies, when a group of air mechanics at one of the aerodromes just north of London were busy about the ailerons and fuselage of a new machine, which was destined to fly across the Channel that day, and to join one of the British Squadrons on the other side.

and nothing more

From this reading The secret of the machine had been well kept, and only a favoured few had been permitted to see the "hornet," as she was called.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading THE FERRY PILOT IT was an hour before dawn, and the stars had not yet faded from the skies, when a group of air mechanics at one of the aerodromes just north of London were busy about the ailerons and fuselage of a new machine, which was destined to fly across the Channel that day, and to join one of the British Squadrons on the other side.

inflected form of “permit” — consent to, give permission

From this reading The secret of the machine had been well kept, and only a favoured few had been permitted to see the "hornet," as she was called.

operate an airplane

From this reading THE FERRY PILOT IT was an hour before dawn, and the stars had not yet faded from the skies, when a group of air mechanics at one of the aerodromes just north of London were busy about the ailerons and fuselage of a new machine, which was destined to fly across the Channel that day, and to join one of the British Squadrons on the other side.

in the recent past

From this reading Just a few folk in Old Blighty had been scared by the advent of the Fokker, the new German aeroplane which had recently come into existence, and for which such wonderful things were being claimed daily by the German "wireless."

made afraid

From this reading Just a few folk in Old Blighty had been scared by the advent of the Fokker, the new German aeroplane which had recently come into existence, and for which such wonderful things were being claimed daily by the German "wireless."

Something that is kept or meant to be kept unknown or unseen by others.

From this reading The secret of the machine had been well kept, and only a favoured few had been permitted to see the "hornet," as she was called.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading The secret of the machine had been well kept, and only a favoured few had been permitted to see the "hornet," as she was called.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "Double up there, you sleepy imps!" yelled Old Snorty, the aerodrome sergeant-major, a short, stout, florid, shiver-my-timbers type of disciplinarian.

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading The secret of the machine had been well kept, and only a favoured few had been permitted to see the "hornet," as she was called.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "Double up there, you sleepy imps!" yelled Old Snorty, the aerodrome sergeant-major, a short, stout, florid, shiver-my-timbers type of disciplinarian.

primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration

From this reading "Double up there, you sleepy imps!" yelled Old Snorty, the aerodrome sergeant-major, a short, stout, florid, shiver-my-timbers type of disciplinarian.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading THE FERRY PILOT IT was an hour before dawn, and the stars had not yet faded from the skies, when a group of air mechanics at one of the aerodromes just north of London were busy about the ailerons and fuselage of a new machine, which was destined to fly across the Channel that day, and to join one of the British Squadrons on the other side.

plural of “sky” — the atmosphere and outer space as viewed from the earth

From this reading THE FERRY PILOT IT was an hour before dawn, and the stars had not yet faded from the skies, when a group of air mechanics at one of the aerodromes just north of London were busy about the ailerons and fuselage of a new machine, which was destined to fly across the Channel that day, and to join one of the British Squadrons on the other side.

ready to fall asleep

From this reading "Double up there, you sleepy imps!" yelled Old Snorty, the aerodrome sergeant-major, a short, stout, florid, shiver-my-timbers type of disciplinarian.

(British informal) ill-tempered or annoyed

From this reading "Double up there, you sleepy imps!" yelled Old Snorty, the aerodrome sergeant-major, a short, stout, florid, shiver-my-timbers type of disciplinarian.

plural of “squadron” — a cavalry unit consisting of two or more troops and headquarters and supporting arms

From this reading THE FERRY PILOT IT was an hour before dawn, and the stars had not yet faded from the skies, when a group of air mechanics at one of the aerodromes just north of London were busy about the ailerons and fuselage of a new machine, which was destined to fly across the Channel that day, and to join one of the British Squadrons on the other side.

plural of “star” — (astronomy) a celestial body of hot gases that radiates energy derived from thermonuclear reactions in the interior

From this reading THE FERRY PILOT IT was an hour before dawn, and the stars had not yet faded from the skies, when a group of air mechanics at one of the aerodromes just north of London were busy about the ailerons and fuselage of a new machine, which was destined to fly across the Channel that day, and to join one of the British Squadrons on the other side.

dependable

From this reading "Double up there, you sleepy imps!" yelled Old Snorty, the aerodrome sergeant-major, a short, stout, florid, shiver-my-timbers type of disciplinarian.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading Just a few folk in Old Blighty had been scared by the advent of the Fokker, the new German aeroplane which had recently come into existence, and for which such wonderful things were being claimed daily by the German "wireless."

power to dominate or defeat

From this reading Great things were claimed for her when she joined one of the active squadrons, now fighting in France for the supremacy of the air.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading THE FERRY PILOT IT was an hour before dawn, and the stars had not yet faded from the skies, when a group of air mechanics at one of the aerodromes just north of London were busy about the ailerons and fuselage of a new machine, which was destined to fly across the Channel that day, and to join one of the British Squadrons on the other side.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading THE FERRY PILOT IT was an hour before dawn, and the stars had not yet faded from the skies, when a group of air mechanics at one of the aerodromes just north of London were busy about the ailerons and fuselage of a new machine, which was destined to fly across the Channel that day, and to join one of the British Squadrons on the other side.

in or at that place or location

From this reading "Double up there, you sleepy imps!" yelled Old Snorty, the aerodrome sergeant-major, a short, stout, florid, shiver-my-timbers type of disciplinarian.

any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)

From this reading Great things were claimed for her when she joined one of the active squadrons, now fighting in France for the supremacy of the air.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading THE FERRY PILOT IT was an hour before dawn, and the stars had not yet faded from the skies, when a group of air mechanics at one of the aerodromes just north of London were busy about the ailerons and fuselage of a new machine, which was destined to fly across the Channel that day, and to join one of the British Squadrons on the other side.

a subdivision of a particular kind of thing

From this reading "Double up there, you sleepy imps!" yelled Old Snorty, the aerodrome sergeant-major, a short, stout, florid, shiver-my-timbers type of disciplinarian.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading "Double up there, you sleepy imps!" yelled Old Snorty, the aerodrome sergeant-major, a short, stout, florid, shiver-my-timbers type of disciplinarian.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading THE FERRY PILOT IT was an hour before dawn, and the stars had not yet faded from the skies, when a group of air mechanics at one of the aerodromes just north of London were busy about the ailerons and fuselage of a new machine, which was destined to fly across the Channel that day, and to join one of the British Squadrons on the other side.

(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 The secret of the machine had been well kept, and only a favoured few had been permitted to see the "hornet," as she was called.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading THE FERRY PILOT IT was an hour before dawn, and the stars had not yet faded from the skies, when a group of air mechanics at one of the aerodromes just north of London were busy about the ailerons and fuselage of a new machine, which was destined to fly across the Channel that day, and to join one of the British Squadrons on the other side.

at the time that

From this reading THE FERRY PILOT IT was an hour before dawn, and the stars had not yet faded from the skies, when a group of air mechanics at one of the aerodromes just north of London were busy about the ailerons and fuselage of a new machine, which was destined to fly across the Channel that day, and to join one of the British Squadrons on the other side.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading THE FERRY PILOT IT was an hour before dawn, and the stars had not yet faded from the skies, when a group of air mechanics at one of the aerodromes just north of London were busy about the ailerons and fuselage of a new machine, which was destined to fly across the Channel that day, and to join one of the British Squadrons on the other side.

medium for communication

From this reading Just a few folk in Old Blighty had been scared by the advent of the Fokker, the new German aeroplane which had recently come into existence, and for which such wonderful things were being claimed daily by the German "wireless."

extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers

From this reading Just a few folk in Old Blighty had been scared by the advent of the Fokker, the new German aeroplane which had recently come into existence, and for which such wonderful things were being claimed daily by the German "wireless."

in a vehement outcry

From this reading "Double up there, you sleepy imps!" yelled Old Snorty, the aerodrome sergeant-major, a short, stout, florid, shiver-my-timbers type of disciplinarian.

but in spite of that

From this reading THE FERRY PILOT IT was an hour before dawn, and the stars had not yet faded from the skies, when a group of air mechanics at one of the aerodromes just north of London were busy about the ailerons and fuselage of a new machine, which was destined to fly across the Channel that day, and to join one of the British Squadrons on the other side.

the person or people being spoken to

From this reading "Double up there, you sleepy imps!" yelled Old Snorty, the aerodrome sergeant-major, a short, stout, florid, shiver-my-timbers type of disciplinarian.