used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading On a certain morning, just after sunrise, Don Hale, in his fur-lined combination suit, leather aviation helmet, and provided with heavy goggles and gloves, was strapped in his machine.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading There was the greatest activity and noise about the flying field.
activitynounUS /ækˈtɪvəti/
any specific behavior
From this reading There was the greatest activity and noise about the flying field.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading On a certain morning, just after sunrise, Don Hale, in his fur-lined combination suit, leather aviation helmet, and provided with heavy goggles and gloves, was strapped in his machine.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading The air was filled with the roar, the drone and the hum of many motors; and in this sea of sound the reverberations of the distant guns were, for the time being, completely lost.
alignmentnounUS /əˈlaɪnmənt/
an organization of people (or countries) involved in a pact or treaty
From this reading It was one of a row of six, which, in almost perfect alignment, were ready to go aloft.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading It was one of a row of six, which, in almost perfect alignment, were ready to go aloft.
aloftadverbUS /əˈlɔːft/
at or on or to the masthead or upper rigging of a ship
From this reading It was one of a row of six, which, in almost perfect alignment, were ready to go aloft.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading On a certain morning, just after sunrise, Don Hale, in his fur-lined combination suit, leather aviation helmet, and provided with heavy goggles and gloves, was strapped in his machine.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading Don had received his instructions to fly at the rear of a formation of six machines, following one another at a distance of fifty metres.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading Don had received his instructions to fly at the rear of a formation of six machines, following one another at a distance of fifty metres.
aviationnounUS /ˌeɪviˈeɪʃən/
the aggregation of a country's military aircraft
From this reading On a certain morning, just after sunrise, Don Hale, in his fur-lined combination suit, leather aviation helmet, and provided with heavy goggles and gloves, was strapped in his machine.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading The air was filled with the roar, the drone and the hum of many motors; and in this sea of sound the reverberations of the distant guns were, for the time being, completely lost.
definite but not specified or identified
From this reading On a certain morning, just after sunrise, Don Hale, in his fur-lined combination suit, leather aviation helmet, and provided with heavy goggles and gloves, was strapped in his machine.
combinationnounUS /ˌkɑːmbəˈneɪʃən/
a collection of things that have been combined; an assemblage of separate parts or qualities
From this reading On a certain morning, just after sunrise, Don Hale, in his fur-lined combination suit, leather aviation helmet, and provided with heavy goggles and gloves, was strapped in his machine.
to a complete degree or to the full or entire extent (“whole” is often used informally for “wholly”)
From this reading The air was filled with the roar, the drone and the hum of many motors; and in this sea of sound the reverberations of the distant guns were, for the time being, completely lost.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading Don had received his instructions to fly at the rear of a formation of six machines, following one another at a distance of fifty metres.
separated in space or coming from or going to a distance
From this reading The air was filled with the roar, the drone and the hum of many motors; and in this sea of sound the reverberations of the distant guns were, for the time being, completely lost.
a Spanish gentleman or nobleman
From this reading On a certain morning, just after sunrise, Don Hale, in his fur-lined combination suit, leather aviation helmet, and provided with heavy goggles and gloves, was strapped in his machine.
dronenounUS /droʊn/
stingless male bee in a colony of social bees (especially honeybees) whose sole function is to mate with the queen
From this reading The air was filled with the roar, the drone and the hum of many motors; and in this sea of sound the reverberations of the distant guns were, for the time being, completely lost.
a piece of land cleared of trees and usually enclosed
From this reading There was the greatest activity and noise about the flying field.
the cardinal number that is the product of ten and five
From this reading Don had received his instructions to fly at the rear of a formation of six machines, following one another at a distance of fifty metres.
(usually followed by “with” or used as a combining form) generously supplied with
From this reading The air was filled with the roar, the drone and the hum of many motors; and in this sea of sound the reverberations of the distant guns were, for the time being, completely lost.
travel through the air; be airborne
From this reading Don had received his instructions to fly at the rear of a formation of six machines, following one another at a distance of fifty metres.
moving swiftly
From this reading There was the greatest activity and noise about the flying field.
about to be mentioned or specified
From this reading Don had received his instructions to fly at the rear of a formation of six machines, following one another at a distance of fifty metres.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The air was filled with the roar, the drone and the hum of many motors; and in this sea of sound the reverberations of the distant guns were, for the time being, completely lost.
formationnounUS /fɔːrˈmeɪʃən/
an arrangement of people or things acting as a unit
From this reading Don had received his instructions to fly at the rear of a formation of six machines, following one another at a distance of fifty metres.
fur-lined
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading On a certain morning, just after sunrise, Don Hale, in his fur-lined combination suit, leather aviation helmet, and provided with heavy goggles and gloves, was strapped in his machine.
glovesnounUS /ɡlʌvz/
plural of “glove” — the handwear used by fielders in playing baseball
From this reading On a certain morning, just after sunrise, Don Hale, in his fur-lined combination suit, leather aviation helmet, and provided with heavy goggles and gloves, was strapped in his machine.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading It was one of a row of six, which, in almost perfect alignment, were ready to go aloft.
gogglesnounUS /ˈɡɑːɡəlz/
(plural) tight-fitting spectacles worn to protect the eyes
From this reading On a certain morning, just after sunrise, Don Hale, in his fur-lined combination suit, leather aviation helmet, and provided with heavy goggles and gloves, was strapped in his machine.
highest in quality
From this reading There was the greatest activity and noise about the flying field.
plural of “gun” — a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel)
From this reading The air was filled with the roar, the drone and the hum of many motors; and in this sea of sound the reverberations of the distant guns were, for the time being, completely lost.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Don had received his instructions to fly at the rear of a formation of six machines, following one another at a distance of fifty metres.
HalenounUS /heɪl/
a soldier of the American Revolution who was hanged as a spy by the British; his last words were supposed to have been `I only regret that I have but one life to give for my country' (1755-1776)
From this reading On a certain morning, just after sunrise, Don Hale, in his fur-lined combination suit, leather aviation helmet, and provided with heavy goggles and gloves, was strapped in his machine.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading On a certain morning, just after sunrise, Don Hale, in his fur-lined combination suit, leather aviation helmet, and provided with heavy goggles and gloves, was strapped in his machine.
helmetnounUS /ˈhelmət/
armor plate that protects the head
From this reading On a certain morning, just after sunrise, Don Hale, in his fur-lined combination suit, leather aviation helmet, and provided with heavy goggles and gloves, was strapped in his machine.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading On a certain morning, just after sunrise, Don Hale, in his fur-lined combination suit, leather aviation helmet, and provided with heavy goggles and gloves, was strapped in his machine.
humverbUS /hʌm/
sing with closed lips
From this reading The air was filled with the roar, the drone and the hum of many motors; and in this sea of sound the reverberations of the distant guns were, for the time being, completely lost.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading On a certain morning, just after sunrise, Don Hale, in his fur-lined combination suit, leather aviation helmet, and provided with heavy goggles and gloves, was strapped in his machine.
instructionsnounUS /ˌɪnˈstrʌkʃənz/
a manual usually accompanying a technical device and explaining how to install or operate it
From this reading Don had received his instructions to fly at the rear of a formation of six machines, following one another at a distance of fifty metres.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It was one of a row of six, which, in almost perfect alignment, were ready to go aloft.
and nothing more
From this reading On a certain morning, just after sunrise, Don Hale, in his fur-lined combination suit, leather aviation helmet, and provided with heavy goggles and gloves, was strapped in his machine.
leathernounUS /ˈleðər/
an animal skin made smooth and flexible by removing the hair and then tanning
From this reading On a certain morning, just after sunrise, Don Hale, in his fur-lined combination suit, leather aviation helmet, and provided with heavy goggles and gloves, was strapped in his machine.
no longer in your possession or control; unable to be found or recovered
From this reading The air was filled with the roar, the drone and the hum of many motors; and in this sea of sound the reverberations of the distant guns were, for the time being, completely lost.
any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks
From this reading On a certain morning, just after sunrise, Don Hale, in his fur-lined combination suit, leather aviation helmet, and provided with heavy goggles and gloves, was strapped in his machine.
machinesnounUS /məˈʃiːnz/
plural of “machine” — any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks
From this reading Don had received his instructions to fly at the rear of a formation of six machines, following one another at a distance of fifty metres.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading The air was filled with the roar, the drone and the hum of many motors; and in this sea of sound the reverberations of the distant guns were, for the time being, completely lost.
metresnounUS /ˈmiːtərz/
plural of “metre” — the basic unit of length adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites (approximately 1.094 yards)
From this reading Don had received his instructions to fly at the rear of a formation of six machines, following one another at a distance of fifty metres.
the time period between dawn and noon
From this reading On a certain morning, just after sunrise, Don Hale, in his fur-lined combination suit, leather aviation helmet, and provided with heavy goggles and gloves, was strapped in his machine.
motorsnounUS /ˈmoʊtərz/
plural of “motor” — machine that converts other forms of energy into mechanical energy and so imparts motion
From this reading The air was filled with the roar, the drone and the hum of many motors; and in this sea of sound the reverberations of the distant guns were, for the time being, completely lost.
sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound)
From this reading There was the greatest activity and noise about the flying field.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was one of a row of six, which, in almost perfect alignment, were ready to go aloft.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading On a certain morning, just after sunrise, Don Hale, in his fur-lined combination suit, leather aviation helmet, and provided with heavy goggles and gloves, was strapped in his machine.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It was one of a row of six, which, in almost perfect alignment, were ready to go aloft.
being complete of its kind and without defect or blemish
From this reading It was one of a row of six, which, in almost perfect alignment, were ready to go aloft.
past form of “provide” — give something useful or necessary to
From this reading On a certain morning, just after sunrise, Don Hale, in his fur-lined combination suit, leather aviation helmet, and provided with heavy goggles and gloves, was strapped in his machine.
completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress
From this reading It was one of a row of six, which, in almost perfect alignment, were ready to go aloft.
the back of a military formation or procession
From this reading Don had received his instructions to fly at the rear of a formation of six machines, following one another at a distance of fifty metres.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading Don had received his instructions to fly at the rear of a formation of six machines, following one another at a distance of fifty metres.
reverberationsnounUS /rɪˌvɜːrbərˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “reverberation” — the repetition of a sound resulting from reflection of the sound waves
From this reading The air was filled with the roar, the drone and the hum of many motors; and in this sea of sound the reverberations of the distant guns were, for the time being, completely lost.
make a loud noise, as of wind, water, or vehicles
From this reading The air was filled with the roar, the drone and the hum of many motors; and in this sea of sound the reverberations of the distant guns were, for the time being, completely lost.
an arrangement of objects or people side by side in a line
From this reading It was one of a row of six, which, in almost perfect alignment, were ready to go aloft.
a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land
From this reading The air was filled with the roar, the drone and the hum of many motors; and in this sea of sound the reverberations of the distant guns were, for the time being, completely lost.
the cardinal number that is the sum of five and one
From this reading It was one of a row of six, which, in almost perfect alignment, were ready to go aloft.
the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause
From this reading The air was filled with the roar, the drone and the hum of many motors; and in this sea of sound the reverberations of the distant guns were, for the time being, completely lost.
strappedverbUS /stræpt/
inflected form of “strap” — tie with a strap
From this reading On a certain morning, just after sunrise, Don Hale, in his fur-lined combination suit, leather aviation helmet, and provided with heavy goggles and gloves, was strapped in his machine.
be agreeable or acceptable to
From this reading On a certain morning, just after sunrise, Don Hale, in his fur-lined combination suit, leather aviation helmet, and provided with heavy goggles and gloves, was strapped in his machine.
sunrisenounUS /ˈsʌnraɪz/
the first light of day
From this reading On a certain morning, just after sunrise, Don Hale, in his fur-lined combination suit, leather aviation helmet, and provided with heavy goggles and gloves, was strapped in his machine.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading There was the greatest activity and noise about the flying field.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There was the greatest activity and noise about the flying field.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading The air was filled with the roar, the drone and the hum of many motors; and in this sea of sound the reverberations of the distant guns were, for the time being, completely lost.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading The air was filled with the roar, the drone and the hum of many motors; and in this sea of sound the reverberations of the distant guns were, for the time being, completely lost.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It was one of a row of six, which, in almost perfect alignment, were ready to go aloft.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading On a certain morning, just after sunrise, Don Hale, in his fur-lined combination suit, leather aviation helmet, and provided with heavy goggles and gloves, was strapped in his machine.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading It was one of a row of six, which, in almost perfect alignment, were ready to go aloft.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading It was one of a row of six, which, in almost perfect alignment, were ready to go aloft.
in the company of; together with
From this reading On a certain morning, just after sunrise, Don Hale, in his fur-lined combination suit, leather aviation helmet, and provided with heavy goggles and gloves, was strapped in his machine.
