Chapter VIII

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

From this reading THE RAID ON KRUPPS IT was a dark night, some two or three hours before dawn, when Air-Mechanic Pearson, one of the outer sentries at the aerodrome near Contalmaison, thought he heard the whirr of propellers somewhere in the dark skies above.

higher than, or over, something

From this reading THE RAID ON KRUPPS IT was a dark night, some two or three hours before dawn, when Air-Mechanic Pearson, one of the outer sentries at the aerodrome near Contalmaison, thought he heard the whirr of propellers somewhere in the dark skies above.

a record or narrative description of past events

From this reading For a few seconds he peered up into the gloomy heavens, trying to locate the sound, for he was very much puzzled, and could not account for the sound on such a night.

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

From this reading THE RAID ON KRUPPS IT was a dark night, some two or three hours before dawn, when Air-Mechanic Pearson, one of the outer sentries at the aerodrome near Contalmaison, thought he heard the whirr of propellers somewhere in the dark skies above.

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

From this reading "They can't be aeroplanes returning from over the lines," he told himself, "or we should have had notice to light the flares.

anew

From this reading Again he listened, and he thought the droning sound settled down into the throb of engines.

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

From this reading THE RAID ON KRUPPS IT was a dark night, some two or three hours before dawn, when Air-Mechanic Pearson, one of the outer sentries at the aerodrome near Contalmaison, thought he heard the whirr of propellers somewhere in the dark skies above.

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

From this reading For a few seconds he peered up into the gloomy heavens, trying to locate the sound, for he was very much puzzled, and could not account for the sound on such a night.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading THE RAID ON KRUPPS IT was a dark night, some two or three hours before dawn, when Air-Mechanic Pearson, one of the outer sentries at the aerodrome near Contalmaison, thought he heard the whirr of propellers somewhere in the dark skies above.

used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses

From this reading "They can't be aeroplanes returning from over the lines," he told himself, "or we should have had notice to light the flares.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading THE RAID ON KRUPPS IT was a dark night, some two or three hours before dawn, when Air-Mechanic Pearson, one of the outer sentries at the aerodrome near Contalmaison, thought he heard the whirr of propellers somewhere in the dark skies above.

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

From this reading "They can't be aeroplanes returning from over the lines," he told himself, "or we should have had notice to light the flares.

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

From this reading THE RAID ON KRUPPS IT was a dark night, some two or three hours before dawn, when Air-Mechanic Pearson, one of the outer sentries at the aerodrome near Contalmaison, thought he heard the whirr of propellers somewhere in the dark skies above.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading For a few seconds he peered up into the gloomy heavens, trying to locate the sound, for he was very much puzzled, and could not account for the sound on such a night.

fall or come down violently

From this reading It will be a sheer impossibility to land without a crash on a dark night like this."

absence of light or illumination

From this reading THE RAID ON KRUPPS IT was a dark night, some two or three hours before dawn, when Air-Mechanic Pearson, one of the outer sentries at the aerodrome near Contalmaison, thought he heard the whirr of propellers somewhere in the dark skies above.

the first light of day

From this reading THE RAID ON KRUPPS IT was a dark night, some two or three hours before dawn, when Air-Mechanic Pearson, one of the outer sentries at the aerodrome near Contalmaison, thought he heard the whirr of propellers somewhere in the dark skies above.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading Again he listened, and he thought the droning sound settled down into the throb of engines.

an unchanging intonation

From this reading Again he listened, and he thought the droning sound settled down into the throb of engines.

plural of “engine” — motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work

From this reading Again he listened, and he thought the droning sound settled down into the throb of engines.

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

From this reading For a few seconds he peered up into the gloomy heavens, trying to locate the sound, for he was very much puzzled, and could not account for the sound on such a night.

plural of “flare” — a shape that spreads outward

From this reading "They can't be aeroplanes returning from over the lines," he told himself, "or we should have had notice to light the flares.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading For a few seconds he peered up into the gloomy heavens, trying to locate the sound, for he was very much puzzled, and could not account for the sound on such a night.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading "They can't be aeroplanes returning from over the lines," he told himself, "or we should have had notice to light the flares.

depressingly dark

From this reading For a few seconds he peered up into the gloomy heavens, trying to locate the sound, for he was very much puzzled, and could not account for the sound on such a night.

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

From this reading "They can't be aeroplanes returning from over the lines," he told himself, "or we should have had notice to light the flares.

used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses

From this reading "They can't be aeroplanes returning from over the lines," he told himself, "or we should have had notice to light the flares.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading THE RAID ON KRUPPS IT was a dark night, some two or three hours before dawn, when Air-Mechanic Pearson, one of the outer sentries at the aerodrome near Contalmaison, thought he heard the whirr of propellers somewhere in the dark skies above.

detected or perceived by the sense of hearing

From this reading THE RAID ON KRUPPS IT was a dark night, some two or three hours before dawn, when Air-Mechanic Pearson, one of the outer sentries at the aerodrome near Contalmaison, thought he heard the whirr of propellers somewhere in the dark skies above.

the apparent surface of the imaginary sphere on which celestial bodies appear to be projected

From this reading For a few seconds he peered up into the gloomy heavens, trying to locate the sound, for he was very much puzzled, and could not account for the sound on such a night.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading "They can't be aeroplanes returning from over the lines," he told himself, "or we should have had notice to light the flares.

a period of time assigned for work

From this reading THE RAID ON KRUPPS IT was a dark night, some two or three hours before dawn, when Air-Mechanic Pearson, one of the outer sentries at the aerodrome near Contalmaison, thought he heard the whirr of propellers somewhere in the dark skies above.

incapability of existing or occurring

From this reading It will be a sheer impossibility to land without a crash on a dark night like this."

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

From this reading THE RAID ON KRUPPS IT was a dark night, some two or three hours before dawn, when Air-Mechanic Pearson, one of the outer sentries at the aerodrome near Contalmaison, thought he heard the whirr of propellers somewhere in the dark skies above.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading For a few seconds he peered up into the gloomy heavens, trying to locate the sound, for he was very much puzzled, and could not account for the sound on such a night.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading THE RAID ON KRUPPS IT was a dark night, some two or three hours before dawn, when Air-Mechanic Pearson, one of the outer sentries at the aerodrome near Contalmaison, thought he heard the whirr of propellers somewhere in the dark skies above.

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

From this reading THE RAID ON KRUPPS IT was a dark night, some two or three hours before dawn, when Air-Mechanic Pearson, one of the outer sentries at the aerodrome near Contalmaison, thought he heard the whirr of propellers somewhere in the dark skies above.

the land on which real estate is located

From this reading It will be a sheer impossibility to land without a crash on a dark night like this."

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading "They can't be aeroplanes returning from over the lines," he told himself, "or we should have had notice to light the flares.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading It will be a sheer impossibility to land without a crash on a dark night like this."

plural of “line” — a formation of people or things one beside another

From this reading "They can't be aeroplanes returning from over the lines," he told himself, "or we should have had notice to light the flares.

past form of “listen” — hear with intention

From this reading Again he listened, and he thought the droning sound settled down into the throb of engines.

discover the location of; determine the place of; find by searching or examining

From this reading For a few seconds he peered up into the gloomy heavens, trying to locate the sound, for he was very much puzzled, and could not account for the sound on such a night.

to a great degree or extent

From this reading For a few seconds he peered up into the gloomy heavens, trying to locate the sound, for he was very much puzzled, and could not account for the sound on such a night.

near in time or place or relationship

From this reading THE RAID ON KRUPPS IT was a dark night, some two or three hours before dawn, when Air-Mechanic Pearson, one of the outer sentries at the aerodrome near Contalmaison, thought he heard the whirr of propellers somewhere in the dark skies above.

the time after sunset and before sunrise while it is dark outside

From this reading THE RAID ON KRUPPS IT was a dark night, some two or three hours before dawn, when Air-Mechanic Pearson, one of the outer sentries at the aerodrome near Contalmaison, thought he heard the whirr of propellers somewhere in the dark skies above.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading For a few seconds he peered up into the gloomy heavens, trying to locate the sound, for he was very much puzzled, and could not account for the sound on such a night.

an announcement containing information about an event

From this reading "They can't be aeroplanes returning from over the lines," he told himself, "or we should have had notice to light the flares.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE RAID ON KRUPPS IT was a dark night, some two or three hours before dawn, when Air-Mechanic Pearson, one of the outer sentries at the aerodrome near Contalmaison, thought he heard the whirr of propellers somewhere in the dark skies above.

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading THE RAID ON KRUPPS IT was a dark night, some two or three hours before dawn, when Air-Mechanic Pearson, one of the outer sentries at the aerodrome near Contalmaison, thought he heard the whirr of propellers somewhere in the dark skies above.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading THE RAID ON KRUPPS IT was a dark night, some two or three hours before dawn, when Air-Mechanic Pearson, one of the outer sentries at the aerodrome near Contalmaison, thought he heard the whirr of propellers somewhere in the dark skies above.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading THE RAID ON KRUPPS IT was a dark night, some two or three hours before dawn, when Air-Mechanic Pearson, one of the outer sentries at the aerodrome near Contalmaison, thought he heard the whirr of propellers somewhere in the dark skies above.

being on the outside or further from a center

From this reading THE RAID ON KRUPPS IT was a dark night, some two or three hours before dawn, when Air-Mechanic Pearson, one of the outer sentries at the aerodrome near Contalmaison, thought he heard the whirr of propellers somewhere in the dark skies above.

above and across; more than

From this reading "They can't be aeroplanes returning from over the lines," he told himself, "or we should have had notice to light the flares.

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

From this reading THE RAID ON KRUPPS IT was a dark night, some two or three hours before dawn, when Air-Mechanic Pearson, one of the outer sentries at the aerodrome near Contalmaison, thought he heard the whirr of propellers somewhere in the dark skies above.

past form of “peer” — look searchingly

From this reading For a few seconds he peered up into the gloomy heavens, trying to locate the sound, for he was very much puzzled, and could not account for the sound on such a night.

plural of “propeller” — a mechanical device that rotates to push against air or water

From this reading THE RAID ON KRUPPS IT was a dark night, some two or three hours before dawn, when Air-Mechanic Pearson, one of the outer sentries at the aerodrome near Contalmaison, thought he heard the whirr of propellers somewhere in the dark skies above.

filled with bewilderment

From this reading For a few seconds he peered up into the gloomy heavens, trying to locate the sound, for he was very much puzzled, and could not account for the sound on such a night.

search without warning, make a sudden surprise attack on

From this reading THE RAID ON KRUPPS IT was a dark night, some two or three hours before dawn, when Air-Mechanic Pearson, one of the outer sentries at the aerodrome near Contalmaison, thought he heard the whirr of propellers somewhere in the dark skies above.

tending to return to an earlier state

From this reading "They can't be aeroplanes returning from over the lines," he told himself, "or we should have had notice to light the flares.

plural of “second” — 1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading For a few seconds he peered up into the gloomy heavens, trying to locate the sound, for he was very much puzzled, and could not account for the sound on such a night.

plural of “sentry” — a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event

From this reading THE RAID ON KRUPPS IT was a dark night, some two or three hours before dawn, when Air-Mechanic Pearson, one of the outer sentries at the aerodrome near Contalmaison, thought he heard the whirr of propellers somewhere in the dark skies above.

established or decided beyond dispute or doubt

From this reading Again he listened, and he thought the droning sound settled down into the throb of engines.

complete and without restriction or qualification; sometimes used informally as intensifiers

From this reading It will be a sheer impossibility to land without a crash on a dark night like this."

used to say what is right, expected, or advisable

From this reading "They can't be aeroplanes returning from over the lines," he told himself, "or we should have had notice to light the flares.

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

From this reading THE RAID ON KRUPPS IT was a dark night, some two or three hours before dawn, when Air-Mechanic Pearson, one of the outer sentries at the aerodrome near Contalmaison, thought he heard the whirr of propellers somewhere in the dark skies above.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading THE RAID ON KRUPPS IT was a dark night, some two or three hours before dawn, when Air-Mechanic Pearson, one of the outer sentries at the aerodrome near Contalmaison, thought he heard the whirr of propellers somewhere in the dark skies above.

in or at or to some place

From this reading THE RAID ON KRUPPS IT was a dark night, some two or three hours before dawn, when Air-Mechanic Pearson, one of the outer sentries at the aerodrome near Contalmaison, thought he heard the whirr of propellers somewhere in the dark skies above.

the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading For a few seconds he peered up into the gloomy heavens, trying to locate the sound, for he was very much puzzled, and could not account for the sound on such a night.

of the kind already mentioned

From this reading For a few seconds he peered up into the gloomy heavens, trying to locate the sound, for he was very much puzzled, and could not account for the sound on such a night.

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

From this reading THE RAID ON KRUPPS IT was a dark night, some two or three hours before dawn, when Air-Mechanic Pearson, one of the outer sentries at the aerodrome near Contalmaison, thought he heard the whirr of propellers somewhere in the dark skies above.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading "They can't be aeroplanes returning from over the lines," he told himself, "or we should have had notice to light the flares.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading It will be a sheer impossibility to land without a crash on a dark night like this."

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading THE RAID ON KRUPPS IT was a dark night, some two or three hours before dawn, when Air-Mechanic Pearson, one of the outer sentries at the aerodrome near Contalmaison, thought he heard the whirr of propellers somewhere in the dark skies above.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one

From this reading THE RAID ON KRUPPS IT was a dark night, some two or three hours before dawn, when Air-Mechanic Pearson, one of the outer sentries at the aerodrome near Contalmaison, thought he heard the whirr of propellers somewhere in the dark skies above.

pulsate or pound with abnormal force

From this reading Again he listened, and he thought the droning sound settled down into the throb of engines.

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

From this reading For a few seconds he peered up into the gloomy heavens, trying to locate the sound, for he was very much puzzled, and could not account for the sound on such a night.

inflected form of “tell” — express in words

From this reading "They can't be aeroplanes returning from over the lines," he told himself, "or we should have had notice to light the flares.

hard to endure

From this reading For a few seconds he peered up into the gloomy heavens, trying to locate the sound, for he was very much puzzled, and could not account for the sound on such a night.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading THE RAID ON KRUPPS IT was a dark night, some two or three hours before dawn, when Air-Mechanic Pearson, one of the outer sentries at the aerodrome near Contalmaison, thought he heard the whirr of propellers somewhere in the dark skies above.

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

From this reading For a few seconds he peered up into the gloomy heavens, trying to locate the sound, for he was very much puzzled, and could not account for the sound on such a night.

precisely as stated

From this reading For a few seconds he peered up into the gloomy heavens, trying to locate the sound, for he was very much puzzled, and could not account for the sound on such a night.

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

From this reading THE RAID ON KRUPPS IT was a dark night, some two or three hours before dawn, when Air-Mechanic Pearson, one of the outer sentries at the aerodrome near Contalmaison, thought he heard the whirr of propellers somewhere in the dark skies above.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading "They can't be aeroplanes returning from over the lines," he told himself, "or we should have had notice to light the flares.

at the time that

From this reading THE RAID ON KRUPPS IT was a dark night, some two or three hours before dawn, when Air-Mechanic Pearson, one of the outer sentries at the aerodrome near Contalmaison, thought he heard the whirr of propellers somewhere in the dark skies above.

make a soft swishing sound

From this reading THE RAID ON KRUPPS IT was a dark night, some two or three hours before dawn, when Air-Mechanic Pearson, one of the outer sentries at the aerodrome near Contalmaison, thought he heard the whirr of propellers somewhere in the dark skies above.

used to talk about the future, or about willingness

From this reading It will be a sheer impossibility to land without a crash on a dark night like this."

not having, not using, or not accompanied by

From this reading It will be a sheer impossibility to land without a crash on a dark night like this."