used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading That afternoon Frank had a chance to help a machinist who was making some repairs on an engine.
afterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading At first the engineer growled his answers, but Frank had a pleasant way of leading him on, so that, after a time, he became more agreeable.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading That afternoon Frank had a chance to help a machinist who was making some repairs on an engine.
conforming to your own liking or feelings or nature
From this reading At first the engineer growled his answers, but Frank had a pleasant way of leading him on, so that, after a time, he became more agreeable.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading That afternoon Frank had a chance to help a machinist who was making some repairs on an engine.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The work was difficult to reach, and the machinist kept Frank to pass him his tools as he required them.
answersnounUS /ˈænsərz/
plural of “answer” — a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation
From this reading At first the engineer growled his answers, but Frank had a pleasant way of leading him on, so that, after a time, he became more agreeable.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The work was difficult to reach, and the machinist kept Frank to pass him his tools as he required them.
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
From this reading Frank watched to see how everything was done, and asked some questions.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading At first the engineer growled his answers, but Frank had a pleasant way of leading him on, so that, after a time, he became more agreeable.
inflected form of “become” — enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading At first the engineer growled his answers, but Frank had a pleasant way of leading him on, so that, after a time, he became more agreeable.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading At first the engineer growled his answers, but Frank had a pleasant way of leading him on, so that, after a time, he became more agreeable.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading That afternoon Frank had a chance to help a machinist who was making some repairs on an engine.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading The work was difficult to reach, and the machinist kept Frank to pass him his tools as he required them.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading Frank watched to see how everything was done, and asked some questions.
motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work
From this reading That afternoon Frank had a chance to help a machinist who was making some repairs on an engine.
engineernounUS /ˈendʒəˈnɪr/
a person who uses scientific knowledge to solve practical problems
From this reading At first the engineer growled his answers, but Frank had a pleasant way of leading him on, so that, after a time, he became more agreeable.
all things; all of a situation
From this reading Frank watched to see how everything was done, and asked some questions.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading At first the engineer growled his answers, but Frank had a pleasant way of leading him on, so that, after a time, he became more agreeable.
characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
From this reading That afternoon Frank had a chance to help a machinist who was making some repairs on an engine.
growledverbUS /ɡraʊld/
past form of “growl” — to utter or emit low dull rumbling sounds
From this reading At first the engineer growled his answers, but Frank had a pleasant way of leading him on, so that, after a time, he became more agreeable.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading That afternoon Frank had a chance to help a machinist who was making some repairs on an engine.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The work was difficult to reach, and the machinist kept Frank to pass him his tools as he required them.
give help or assistance; be of service
From this reading That afternoon Frank had a chance to help a machinist who was making some repairs on an engine.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The work was difficult to reach, and the machinist kept Frank to pass him his tools as he required them.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The work was difficult to reach, and the machinist kept Frank to pass him his tools as he required them.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Frank watched to see how everything was done, and asked some questions.
(especially of promises or contracts) not violated or disregarded
From this reading The work was difficult to reach, and the machinist kept Frank to pass him his tools as he required them.
indicating the most important performer or role
From this reading At first the engineer growled his answers, but Frank had a pleasant way of leading him on, so that, after a time, he became more agreeable.
machinistnounUS /məˈʃiːnəst/
a craftsman skilled in operating machine tools
From this reading That afternoon Frank had a chance to help a machinist who was making some repairs on an engine.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading That afternoon Frank had a chance to help a machinist who was making some repairs on an engine.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading At first the engineer growled his answers, but Frank had a pleasant way of leading him on, so that, after a time, he became more agreeable.
MUSICIANSnounUS /mjuːˈzɪʃənz/
plural of “musician” — someone who plays a musical instrument (as a profession)
From this reading THE STREET MUSICIANS.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading At first the engineer growled his answers, but Frank had a pleasant way of leading him on, so that, after a time, he became more agreeable.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading That afternoon Frank had a chance to help a machinist who was making some repairs on an engine.
go across or through
From this reading The work was difficult to reach, and the machinist kept Frank to pass him his tools as he required them.
affording pleasure; being in harmony with your taste or likings
From this reading At first the engineer growled his answers, but Frank had a pleasant way of leading him on, so that, after a time, he became more agreeable.
plural of “question” — an instance of questioning
From this reading Frank watched to see how everything was done, and asked some questions.
reach a destination, either real or abstract
From this reading The work was difficult to reach, and the machinist kept Frank to pass him his tools as he required them.
repairsnounUS /rɪˈperz/
plural of “repair” — the act of putting something in working order again
From this reading That afternoon Frank had a chance to help a machinist who was making some repairs on an engine.
necessary for relief or supply
From this reading The work was difficult to reach, and the machinist kept Frank to pass him his tools as he required them.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading Frank watched to see how everything was done, and asked some questions.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading At first the engineer growled his answers, but Frank had a pleasant way of leading him on, so that, after a time, he became more agreeable.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading That afternoon Frank had a chance to help a machinist who was making some repairs on an engine.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading THE STREET MUSICIANS.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading That afternoon Frank had a chance to help a machinist who was making some repairs on an engine.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE STREET MUSICIANS.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The work was difficult to reach, and the machinist kept Frank to pass him his tools as he required them.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading At first the engineer growled his answers, but Frank had a pleasant way of leading him on, so that, after a time, he became more agreeable.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading That afternoon Frank had a chance to help a machinist who was making some repairs on an engine.
toolsnounUS /tuːlz/
plural of “tool” — an implement used in the practice of a vocation
From this reading The work was difficult to reach, and the machinist kept Frank to pass him his tools as he required them.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading That afternoon Frank had a chance to help a machinist who was making some repairs on an engine.
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading Frank watched to see how everything was done, and asked some questions.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading At first the engineer growled his answers, but Frank had a pleasant way of leading him on, so that, after a time, he became more agreeable.
which person or people
From this reading That afternoon Frank had a chance to help a machinist who was making some repairs on an engine.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading The work was difficult to reach, and the machinist kept Frank to pass him his tools as he required them.
