used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading JIM TAKES A CHANCE As Sheehan mounted the coal, he caught a glimpse of one of the desperadoes on top of the car and yelled to Ketchel and Jim who jumped just in the nick of time, and by sheer luck not uncommon in battles, escaped unhurt.
(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something
From this reading In the excitement of the flurry of firing he was able to do this.
alongsideadverbUS /əˈlɔːŋˈsaɪd/
side by side
From this reading Jim and Ketchel both leaped from the same side of the engine and were protected by a slight cut alongside of the track.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading JIM TAKES A CHANCE As Sheehan mounted the coal, he caught a glimpse of one of the desperadoes on top of the car and yelled to Ketchel and Jim who jumped just in the nick of time, and by sheer luck not uncommon in battles, escaped unhurt.
surrounding, or on every side of, something
From this reading Bullets whirred and cut into the dirt around them.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading JIM TAKES A CHANCE As Sheehan mounted the coal, he caught a glimpse of one of the desperadoes on top of the car and yelled to Ketchel and Jim who jumped just in the nick of time, and by sheer luck not uncommon in battles, escaped unhurt.
sloping land (especially the slope beside a body of water)
From this reading As for the fireman he took a novel way of making his escape, by diving into the shelving bank of coal and letting it slide over him.
battlesnounUS /ˈbætəlz/
plural of “battle” — a hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war
From this reading JIM TAKES A CHANCE As Sheehan mounted the coal, he caught a glimpse of one of the desperadoes on top of the car and yelled to Ketchel and Jim who jumped just in the nick of time, and by sheer luck not uncommon in battles, escaped unhurt.
the two together, not just one
From this reading Jim and Ketchel both leaped from the same side of the engine and were protected by a slight cut alongside of the track.
BulletsnounUS /ˈbʊləts/
plural of “bullet” — a projectile that is fired from a gun
From this reading Bullets whirred and cut into the dirt around them.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading JIM TAKES A CHANCE As Sheehan mounted the coal, he caught a glimpse of one of the desperadoes on top of the car and yelled to Ketchel and Jim who jumped just in the nick of time, and by sheer luck not uncommon in battles, escaped unhurt.
a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine
From this reading JIM TAKES A CHANCE As Sheehan mounted the coal, he caught a glimpse of one of the desperadoes on top of the car and yelled to Ketchel and Jim who jumped just in the nick of time, and by sheer luck not uncommon in battles, escaped unhurt.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading JIM TAKES A CHANCE As Sheehan mounted the coal, he caught a glimpse of one of the desperadoes on top of the car and yelled to Ketchel and Jim who jumped just in the nick of time, and by sheer luck not uncommon in battles, escaped unhurt.
a possibility due to a favorable combination of circumstances
From this reading JIM TAKES A CHANCE As Sheehan mounted the coal, he caught a glimpse of one of the desperadoes on top of the car and yelled to Ketchel and Jim who jumped just in the nick of time, and by sheer luck not uncommon in battles, escaped unhurt.
coalnounUS /koʊl/
fossil fuel consisting of carbonized vegetable matter deposited in the Carboniferous period
From this reading JIM TAKES A CHANCE As Sheehan mounted the coal, he caught a glimpse of one of the desperadoes on top of the car and yelled to Ketchel and Jim who jumped just in the nick of time, and by sheer luck not uncommon in battles, escaped unhurt.
separate with or as if with an instrument
From this reading Jim and Ketchel both leaped from the same side of the engine and were protected by a slight cut alongside of the track.
desperadoesnounUS /ˌdespərˈɑːdoʊz/
plural of “desperado” — a bold outlaw (especially on the American frontier)
From this reading JIM TAKES A CHANCE As Sheehan mounted the coal, he caught a glimpse of one of the desperadoes on top of the car and yelled to Ketchel and Jim who jumped just in the nick of time, and by sheer luck not uncommon in battles, escaped unhurt.
dirtnounUS /dɜːrt/
the part of the earth's surface consisting of humus and disintegrated rock
From this reading Bullets whirred and cut into the dirt around them.
divingnounUS /ˈdaɪvɪŋ/
an athletic competition that involves diving into water
From this reading As for the fireman he took a novel way of making his escape, by diving into the shelving bank of coal and letting it slide over him.
used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis
From this reading In the excitement of the flurry of firing he was able to do this.
enginenounUS /ˈendʒən/
motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work
From this reading Jim and Ketchel both leaped from the same side of the engine and were protected by a slight cut alongside of the track.
the act of escaping physically
From this reading As for the fireman he took a novel way of making his escape, by diving into the shelving bank of coal and letting it slide over him.
having escaped, especially from confinement
From this reading JIM TAKES A CHANCE As Sheehan mounted the coal, he caught a glimpse of one of the desperadoes on top of the car and yelled to Ketchel and Jim who jumped just in the nick of time, and by sheer luck not uncommon in battles, escaped unhurt.
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading In the excitement of the flurry of firing he was able to do this.
firemannounUS /ˈfaɪrmən/
play in which children pretend to put out a fire
From this reading As for the fireman he took a novel way of making his escape, by diving into the shelving bank of coal and letting it slide over him.
firingnounUS /ˈfaɪrɪŋ/
the act of firing weapons or artillery at an enemy
From this reading In the excitement of the flurry of firing he was able to do this.
flurrynounUS /ˈflɜːri/
a rapid active commotion
From this reading In the excitement of the flurry of firing he was able to do this.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading As for the fireman he took a novel way of making his escape, by diving into the shelving bank of coal and letting it slide over him.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Jim and Ketchel both leaped from the same side of the engine and were protected by a slight cut alongside of the track.
a quick look
From this reading JIM TAKES A CHANCE As Sheehan mounted the coal, he caught a glimpse of one of the desperadoes on top of the car and yelled to Ketchel and Jim who jumped just in the nick of time, and by sheer luck not uncommon in battles, escaped unhurt.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading JIM TAKES A CHANCE As Sheehan mounted the coal, he caught a glimpse of one of the desperadoes on top of the car and yelled to Ketchel and Jim who jumped just in the nick of time, and by sheer luck not uncommon in battles, escaped unhurt.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading As for the fireman he took a novel way of making his escape, by diving into the shelving bank of coal and letting it slide over him.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading As for the fireman he took a novel way of making his escape, by diving into the shelving bank of coal and letting it slide over him.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading JIM TAKES A CHANCE As Sheehan mounted the coal, he caught a glimpse of one of the desperadoes on top of the car and yelled to Ketchel and Jim who jumped just in the nick of time, and by sheer luck not uncommon in battles, escaped unhurt.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading As for the fireman he took a novel way of making his escape, by diving into the shelving bank of coal and letting it slide over him.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading As for the fireman he took a novel way of making his escape, by diving into the shelving bank of coal and letting it slide over him.
JIM
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JIM TAKES A CHANCE As Sheehan mounted the coal, he caught a glimpse of one of the desperadoes on top of the car and yelled to Ketchel and Jim who jumped just in the nick of time, and by sheer luck not uncommon in battles, escaped unhurt.
past form of “jump” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading JIM TAKES A CHANCE As Sheehan mounted the coal, he caught a glimpse of one of the desperadoes on top of the car and yelled to Ketchel and Jim who jumped just in the nick of time, and by sheer luck not uncommon in battles, escaped unhurt.
and nothing more
From this reading JIM TAKES A CHANCE As Sheehan mounted the coal, he caught a glimpse of one of the desperadoes on top of the car and yelled to Ketchel and Jim who jumped just in the nick of time, and by sheer luck not uncommon in battles, escaped unhurt.
Ketchel
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JIM TAKES A CHANCE As Sheehan mounted the coal, he caught a glimpse of one of the desperadoes on top of the car and yelled to Ketchel and Jim who jumped just in the nick of time, and by sheer luck not uncommon in battles, escaped unhurt.
past form of “leap” — move forward by leaps and bounds
From this reading Jim and Ketchel both leaped from the same side of the engine and were protected by a slight cut alongside of the track.
property that is leased or rented out or let
From this reading As for the fireman he took a novel way of making his escape, by diving into the shelving bank of coal and letting it slide over him.
your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you)
From this reading JIM TAKES A CHANCE As Sheehan mounted the coal, he caught a glimpse of one of the desperadoes on top of the car and yelled to Ketchel and Jim who jumped just in the nick of time, and by sheer luck not uncommon in battles, escaped unhurt.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading As for the fireman he took a novel way of making his escape, by diving into the shelving bank of coal and letting it slide over him.
assembled for use; especially by being attached to a support
From this reading JIM TAKES A CHANCE As Sheehan mounted the coal, he caught a glimpse of one of the desperadoes on top of the car and yelled to Ketchel and Jim who jumped just in the nick of time, and by sheer luck not uncommon in battles, escaped unhurt.
nickverbUS /nɪk/
cut slightly, with a razor
From this reading JIM TAKES A CHANCE As Sheehan mounted the coal, he caught a glimpse of one of the desperadoes on top of the car and yelled to Ketchel and Jim who jumped just in the nick of time, and by sheer luck not uncommon in battles, escaped unhurt.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading JIM TAKES A CHANCE As Sheehan mounted the coal, he caught a glimpse of one of the desperadoes on top of the car and yelled to Ketchel and Jim who jumped just in the nick of time, and by sheer luck not uncommon in battles, escaped unhurt.
novelnounUS /ˈnɑːvəl/
an extended fictional work in prose; usually in the form of a story
From this reading As for the fireman he took a novel way of making his escape, by diving into the shelving bank of coal and letting it slide over him.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading JIM TAKES A CHANCE As Sheehan mounted the coal, he caught a glimpse of one of the desperadoes on top of the car and yelled to Ketchel and Jim who jumped just in the nick of time, and by sheer luck not uncommon in battles, escaped unhurt.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading JIM TAKES A CHANCE As Sheehan mounted the coal, he caught a glimpse of one of the desperadoes on top of the car and yelled to Ketchel and Jim who jumped just in the nick of time, and by sheer luck not uncommon in battles, escaped unhurt.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading JIM TAKES A CHANCE As Sheehan mounted the coal, he caught a glimpse of one of the desperadoes on top of the car and yelled to Ketchel and Jim who jumped just in the nick of time, and by sheer luck not uncommon in battles, escaped unhurt.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading As for the fireman he took a novel way of making his escape, by diving into the shelving bank of coal and letting it slide over him.
protectedadjectiveUS /prəˈtektɪd/
kept safe or defended from danger or injury or loss
From this reading Jim and Ketchel both leaped from the same side of the engine and were protected by a slight cut alongside of the track.
Identical; not different.
From this reading Jim and Ketchel both leaped from the same side of the engine and were protected by a slight cut alongside of the track.
Sheehan
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading JIM TAKES A CHANCE As Sheehan mounted the coal, he caught a glimpse of one of the desperadoes on top of the car and yelled to Ketchel and Jim who jumped just in the nick of time, and by sheer luck not uncommon in battles, escaped unhurt.
sheeradjectiveUS /ʃɪr/
complete and without restriction or qualification; sometimes used informally as intensifiers
From this reading JIM TAKES A CHANCE As Sheehan mounted the coal, he caught a glimpse of one of the desperadoes on top of the car and yelled to Ketchel and Jim who jumped just in the nick of time, and by sheer luck not uncommon in battles, escaped unhurt.
shelvingverbUS /ˈʃelvɪŋ/
-ing form of “shelve” — hold back to a later time
From this reading As for the fireman he took a novel way of making his escape, by diving into the shelving bank of coal and letting it slide over him.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading Jim and Ketchel both leaped from the same side of the engine and were protected by a slight cut alongside of the track.
slidenounUS /slaɪd/
a small flat rectangular piece of glass on which specimens can be mounted for microscopic study
From this reading As for the fireman he took a novel way of making his escape, by diving into the shelving bank of coal and letting it slide over him.
a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)
From this reading Jim and Ketchel both leaped from the same side of the engine and were protected by a slight cut alongside of the track.
plural of “take” — the income or profit arising from such transactions as the sale of land or other property
From this reading JIM TAKES A CHANCE As Sheehan mounted the coal, he caught a glimpse of one of the desperadoes on top of the car and yelled to Ketchel and Jim who jumped just in the nick of time, and by sheer luck not uncommon in battles, escaped unhurt.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading JIM TAKES A CHANCE As Sheehan mounted the coal, he caught a glimpse of one of the desperadoes on top of the car and yelled to Ketchel and Jim who jumped just in the nick of time, and by sheer luck not uncommon in battles, escaped unhurt.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Bullets whirred and cut into the dirt around them.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading In the excitement of the flurry of firing he was able to do this.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading JIM TAKES A CHANCE As Sheehan mounted the coal, he caught a glimpse of one of the desperadoes on top of the car and yelled to Ketchel and Jim who jumped just in the nick of time, and by sheer luck not uncommon in battles, escaped unhurt.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading JIM TAKES A CHANCE As Sheehan mounted the coal, he caught a glimpse of one of the desperadoes on top of the car and yelled to Ketchel and Jim who jumped just in the nick of time, and by sheer luck not uncommon in battles, escaped unhurt.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading As for the fireman he took a novel way of making his escape, by diving into the shelving bank of coal and letting it slide over him.
the upper part of anything
From this reading JIM TAKES A CHANCE As Sheehan mounted the coal, he caught a glimpse of one of the desperadoes on top of the car and yelled to Ketchel and Jim who jumped just in the nick of time, and by sheer luck not uncommon in battles, escaped unhurt.
a line or route along which something travels or moves
From this reading Jim and Ketchel both leaped from the same side of the engine and were protected by a slight cut alongside of the track.
uncommonadjectiveUS /ənˈkɑːmən/
not common or ordinarily encountered; unusually great in amount or remarkable in character or kind
From this reading JIM TAKES A CHANCE As Sheehan mounted the coal, he caught a glimpse of one of the desperadoes on top of the car and yelled to Ketchel and Jim who jumped just in the nick of time, and by sheer luck not uncommon in battles, escaped unhurt.
unhurtadjectiveUS /ənˈhɜːrt/
not injured or harmed
From this reading JIM TAKES A CHANCE As Sheehan mounted the coal, he caught a glimpse of one of the desperadoes on top of the car and yelled to Ketchel and Jim who jumped just in the nick of time, and by sheer luck not uncommon in battles, escaped unhurt.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading In the excitement of the flurry of firing he was able to do this.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading As for the fireman he took a novel way of making his escape, by diving into the shelving bank of coal and letting it slide over him.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Jim and Ketchel both leaped from the same side of the engine and were protected by a slight cut alongside of the track.
whirred
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bullets whirred and cut into the dirt around them.
which person or people
From this reading JIM TAKES A CHANCE As Sheehan mounted the coal, he caught a glimpse of one of the desperadoes on top of the car and yelled to Ketchel and Jim who jumped just in the nick of time, and by sheer luck not uncommon in battles, escaped unhurt.
yelledadjectiveUS /jeld/
in a vehement outcry
From this reading JIM TAKES A CHANCE As Sheehan mounted the coal, he caught a glimpse of one of the desperadoes on top of the car and yelled to Ketchel and Jim who jumped just in the nick of time, and by sheer luck not uncommon in battles, escaped unhurt.
