used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading For eight hours at a stretch he stood on the platform and watched a greasy cable go slipping into the earth.
acuteadjectiveUS /əˈkjuːt/
having or experiencing a rapid onset and short but severe course
From this reading He could tell just when the drill had cut into hard rock at an acute angle and was running out of the perpendicular to follow the softer stratum.
the part of the day between noon and evening
From this reading THE HOLD-UP To Sanders, working on afternoon tower at Jackpot Number Three, the lean, tanned driller in charge of operations was wise with an uncanny knowledge the newcomer could not fathom.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading THE HOLD-UP To Sanders, working on afternoon tower at Jackpot Number Three, the lean, tanned driller in charge of operations was wise with an uncanny knowledge the newcomer could not fathom.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading For eight hours at a stretch he stood on the platform and watched a greasy cable go slipping into the earth.
anglenounUS /ˈæŋɡəl/
the space between two lines or planes that intersect; the inclination of one line to another; measured in degrees or radians
From this reading He could tell just when the drill had cut into hard rock at an acute angle and was running out of the perpendicular to follow the softer stratum.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading THE HOLD-UP To Sanders, working on afternoon tower at Jackpot Number Three, the lean, tanned driller in charge of operations was wise with an uncanny knowledge the newcomer could not fathom.
enter or assume a certain state or condition
From this reading He knew when the tools were in clay and had become gummed up.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading Every quiver of it, every motion of the big walking-beam, every kick of the engine, told him what was taking place down that narrow pipe two thousand feet below the surface.
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Every quiver of it, every motion of the big walking-beam, every kick of the engine, told him what was taking place down that narrow pipe two thousand feet below the surface.
cablenounUS /ˈkeɪbəl/
a telegram sent abroad
From this reading For eight hours at a stretch he stood on the platform and watched a greasy cable go slipping into the earth.
to make a rush at or sudden attack upon, as in battle
From this reading THE HOLD-UP To Sanders, working on afternoon tower at Jackpot Number Three, the lean, tanned driller in charge of operations was wise with an uncanny knowledge the newcomer could not fathom.
claynounUS /kleɪ/
a very fine-grained soil that is plastic when moist but hard when fired
From this reading He knew when the tools were in clay and had become gummed up.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading THE HOLD-UP To Sanders, working on afternoon tower at Jackpot Number Three, the lean, tanned driller in charge of operations was wise with an uncanny knowledge the newcomer could not fathom.
separate with or as if with an instrument
From this reading He could tell just when the drill had cut into hard rock at an acute angle and was running out of the perpendicular to follow the softer stratum.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Every quiver of it, every motion of the big walking-beam, every kick of the engine, told him what was taking place down that narrow pipe two thousand feet below the surface.
drillverbUS /drɪl/
make a hole, especially with a pointed power or hand tool
From this reading He could tell just when the drill had cut into hard rock at an acute angle and was running out of the perpendicular to follow the softer stratum.
driller
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE HOLD-UP To Sanders, working on afternoon tower at Jackpot Number Three, the lean, tanned driller in charge of operations was wise with an uncanny knowledge the newcomer could not fathom.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading For eight hours at a stretch he stood on the platform and watched a greasy cable go slipping into the earth.
being one more than seven
From this reading For eight hours at a stretch he stood on the platform and watched a greasy cable go slipping into the earth.
enginenounUS /ˈendʒən/
motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work
From this reading Every quiver of it, every motion of the big walking-beam, every kick of the engine, told him what was taking place down that narrow pipe two thousand feet below the surface.
EverydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Every quiver of it, every motion of the big walking-beam, every kick of the engine, told him what was taking place down that narrow pipe two thousand feet below the surface.
fathomverbUS /ˈfæðəm/
come to understand
From this reading THE HOLD-UP To Sanders, working on afternoon tower at Jackpot Number Three, the lean, tanned driller in charge of operations was wise with an uncanny knowledge the newcomer could not fathom.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading Every quiver of it, every motion of the big walking-beam, every kick of the engine, told him what was taking place down that narrow pipe two thousand feet below the surface.
to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading He could tell just when the drill had cut into hard rock at an acute angle and was running out of the perpendicular to follow the softer stratum.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading For eight hours at a stretch he stood on the platform and watched a greasy cable go slipping into the earth.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading For eight hours at a stretch he stood on the platform and watched a greasy cable go slipping into the earth.
greasyadjectiveUS /ˈɡriːsi/
containing an unusual amount of grease or oil
From this reading For eight hours at a stretch he stood on the platform and watched a greasy cable go slipping into the earth.
gummedadjectiveUS /ɡʌmd/
covered with adhesive gum
From this reading He knew when the tools were in clay and had become gummed up.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He knew when the tools were in clay and had become gummed up.
not easy; requiring great physical or mental effort to accomplish or comprehend or endure
From this reading He could tell just when the drill had cut into hard rock at an acute angle and was running out of the perpendicular to follow the softer stratum.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading For eight hours at a stretch he stood on the platform and watched a greasy cable go slipping into the earth.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Every quiver of it, every motion of the big walking-beam, every kick of the engine, told him what was taking place down that narrow pipe two thousand feet below the surface.
HOLD-UP
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE HOLD-UP To Sanders, working on afternoon tower at Jackpot Number Three, the lean, tanned driller in charge of operations was wise with an uncanny knowledge the newcomer could not fathom.
a period of time assigned for work
From this reading For eight hours at a stretch he stood on the platform and watched a greasy cable go slipping into the earth.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE HOLD-UP To Sanders, working on afternoon tower at Jackpot Number Three, the lean, tanned driller in charge of operations was wise with an uncanny knowledge the newcomer could not fathom.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading For eight hours at a stretch he stood on the platform and watched a greasy cable go slipping into the earth.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Every quiver of it, every motion of the big walking-beam, every kick of the engine, told him what was taking place down that narrow pipe two thousand feet below the surface.
JackpotnounUS /ˈdʒækpɑːt/
the cumulative amount involved in a game (such as poker)
From this reading THE HOLD-UP To Sanders, working on afternoon tower at Jackpot Number Three, the lean, tanned driller in charge of operations was wise with an uncanny knowledge the newcomer could not fathom.
and nothing more
From this reading He could tell just when the drill had cut into hard rock at an acute angle and was running out of the perpendicular to follow the softer stratum.
kickverbUS /kɪk/
drive or propel with the foot
From this reading Every quiver of it, every motion of the big walking-beam, every kick of the engine, told him what was taking place down that narrow pipe two thousand feet below the surface.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading He knew when the tools were in clay and had become gummed up.
the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning
From this reading THE HOLD-UP To Sanders, working on afternoon tower at Jackpot Number Three, the lean, tanned driller in charge of operations was wise with an uncanny knowledge the newcomer could not fathom.
leanverbUS /liːn/
to incline or bend from a vertical position
From this reading THE HOLD-UP To Sanders, working on afternoon tower at Jackpot Number Three, the lean, tanned driller in charge of operations was wise with an uncanny knowledge the newcomer could not fathom.
the use of movements (especially of the hands) to communicate familiar or prearranged signals
From this reading Every quiver of it, every motion of the big walking-beam, every kick of the engine, told him what was taking place down that narrow pipe two thousand feet below the surface.
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading Every quiver of it, every motion of the big walking-beam, every kick of the engine, told him what was taking place down that narrow pipe two thousand feet below the surface.
newcomernounUS /ˈnuːkʌmər/
any new participant in some activity
From this reading THE HOLD-UP To Sanders, working on afternoon tower at Jackpot Number Three, the lean, tanned driller in charge of operations was wise with an uncanny knowledge the newcomer could not fathom.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading THE HOLD-UP To Sanders, working on afternoon tower at Jackpot Number Three, the lean, tanned driller in charge of operations was wise with an uncanny knowledge the newcomer could not fathom.
the property possessed by a sum or total or indefinite quantity of units or individuals
From this reading THE HOLD-UP To Sanders, working on afternoon tower at Jackpot Number Three, the lean, tanned driller in charge of operations was wise with an uncanny knowledge the newcomer could not fathom.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE HOLD-UP To Sanders, working on afternoon tower at Jackpot Number Three, the lean, tanned driller in charge of operations was wise with an uncanny knowledge the newcomer could not fathom.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE HOLD-UP To Sanders, working on afternoon tower at Jackpot Number Three, the lean, tanned driller in charge of operations was wise with an uncanny knowledge the newcomer could not fathom.
operationsnounUS /ˌɑːpərˈeɪʃənz/
financial transactions at a brokerage; having to do with the execution of trades and keeping customer records
From this reading THE HOLD-UP To Sanders, working on afternoon tower at Jackpot Number Three, the lean, tanned driller in charge of operations was wise with an uncanny knowledge the newcomer could not fathom.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading He could tell just when the drill had cut into hard rock at an acute angle and was running out of the perpendicular to follow the softer stratum.
perpendicularnounUS /ˌpɜːrpənˈdɪkjələr/
a straight line at right angles to another line
From this reading He could tell just when the drill had cut into hard rock at an acute angle and was running out of the perpendicular to follow the softer stratum.
a tube with a small bowl at one end; used for smoking tobacco
From this reading Every quiver of it, every motion of the big walking-beam, every kick of the engine, told him what was taking place down that narrow pipe two thousand feet below the surface.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading Every quiver of it, every motion of the big walking-beam, every kick of the engine, told him what was taking place down that narrow pipe two thousand feet below the surface.
a raised horizontal surface
From this reading For eight hours at a stretch he stood on the platform and watched a greasy cable go slipping into the earth.
quiververbUS /ˈkwɪvər/
shake with fast, tremulous movements
From this reading Every quiver of it, every motion of the big walking-beam, every kick of the engine, told him what was taking place down that narrow pipe two thousand feet below the surface.
a lump or mass of hard consolidated mineral matter
From this reading He could tell just when the drill had cut into hard rock at an acute angle and was running out of the perpendicular to follow the softer stratum.
(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream
From this reading He could tell just when the drill had cut into hard rock at an acute angle and was running out of the perpendicular to follow the softer stratum.
SandersnounUS /ˈsændərz/
plural of “sander” — a power tool used for sanding wood; an endless loop of sandpaper is moved at high speed by an electric motor
From this reading THE HOLD-UP To Sanders, working on afternoon tower at Jackpot Number Three, the lean, tanned driller in charge of operations was wise with an uncanny knowledge the newcomer could not fathom.
slippingadjectiveUS /ˈslɪpɪŋ/
moving as on a slippery surface
From this reading For eight hours at a stretch he stood on the platform and watched a greasy cable go slipping into the earth.
softeradjectiveUS /ˈsɑːftər/
comparative of “soft” — yielding readily to pressure or weight
From this reading He could tell just when the drill had cut into hard rock at an acute angle and was running out of the perpendicular to follow the softer stratum.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading For eight hours at a stretch he stood on the platform and watched a greasy cable go slipping into the earth.
stratumnounUS /ˈstrætəm/
one of several parallel layers of material arranged one on top of another (such as a layer of tissue or cells in an organism or a layer of sedimentary rock)
From this reading He could tell just when the drill had cut into hard rock at an acute angle and was running out of the perpendicular to follow the softer stratum.
stretchverbUS /stretʃ/
occupy a large, elongated area
From this reading For eight hours at a stretch he stood on the platform and watched a greasy cable go slipping into the earth.
the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary
From this reading Every quiver of it, every motion of the big walking-beam, every kick of the engine, told him what was taking place down that narrow pipe two thousand feet below the surface.
the act of someone who picks up or takes something
From this reading Every quiver of it, every motion of the big walking-beam, every kick of the engine, told him what was taking place down that narrow pipe two thousand feet below the surface.
tannedadjectiveUS /tænd/
(of skin) having a tan color from exposure to the sun
From this reading THE HOLD-UP To Sanders, working on afternoon tower at Jackpot Number Three, the lean, tanned driller in charge of operations was wise with an uncanny knowledge the newcomer could not fathom.
express in words
From this reading He could tell just when the drill had cut into hard rock at an acute angle and was running out of the perpendicular to follow the softer stratum.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Every quiver of it, every motion of the big walking-beam, every kick of the engine, told him what was taking place down that narrow pipe two thousand feet below the surface.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE HOLD-UP To Sanders, working on afternoon tower at Jackpot Number Three, the lean, tanned driller in charge of operations was wise with an uncanny knowledge the newcomer could not fathom.
the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100
From this reading Every quiver of it, every motion of the big walking-beam, every kick of the engine, told him what was taking place down that narrow pipe two thousand feet below the surface.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one
From this reading THE HOLD-UP To Sanders, working on afternoon tower at Jackpot Number Three, the lean, tanned driller in charge of operations was wise with an uncanny knowledge the newcomer could not fathom.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE HOLD-UP To Sanders, working on afternoon tower at Jackpot Number Three, the lean, tanned driller in charge of operations was wise with an uncanny knowledge the newcomer could not fathom.
inflected form of “tell” — express in words
From this reading Every quiver of it, every motion of the big walking-beam, every kick of the engine, told him what was taking place down that narrow pipe two thousand feet below the surface.
toolsnounUS /tuːlz/
plural of “tool” — an implement used in the practice of a vocation
From this reading He knew when the tools were in clay and had become gummed up.
a structure taller than its diameter; can stand alone or be attached to a larger building
From this reading THE HOLD-UP To Sanders, working on afternoon tower at Jackpot Number Three, the lean, tanned driller in charge of operations was wise with an uncanny knowledge the newcomer could not fathom.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading Every quiver of it, every motion of the big walking-beam, every kick of the engine, told him what was taking place down that narrow pipe two thousand feet below the surface.
uncannyadjectiveUS /ənˈkæni/
suggesting the operation of supernatural influences
From this reading THE HOLD-UP To Sanders, working on afternoon tower at Jackpot Number Three, the lean, tanned driller in charge of operations was wise with an uncanny knowledge the newcomer could not fathom.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading He knew when the tools were in clay and had become gummed up.
walking-beam
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Every quiver of it, every motion of the big walking-beam, every kick of the engine, told him what was taking place down that narrow pipe two thousand feet below the surface.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE HOLD-UP To Sanders, working on afternoon tower at Jackpot Number Three, the lean, tanned driller in charge of operations was wise with an uncanny knowledge the newcomer could not fathom.
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading For eight hours at a stretch he stood on the platform and watched a greasy cable go slipping into the earth.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading He knew when the tools were in clay and had become gummed up.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Every quiver of it, every motion of the big walking-beam, every kick of the engine, told him what was taking place down that narrow pipe two thousand feet below the surface.
at the time that
From this reading He knew when the tools were in clay and had become gummed up.
having or prompted by wisdom or discernment
From this reading THE HOLD-UP To Sanders, working on afternoon tower at Jackpot Number Three, the lean, tanned driller in charge of operations was wise with an uncanny knowledge the newcomer could not fathom.
in the company of; together with
From this reading THE HOLD-UP To Sanders, working on afternoon tower at Jackpot Number Three, the lean, tanned driller in charge of operations was wise with an uncanny knowledge the newcomer could not fathom.
actively engaged in paid work
From this reading THE HOLD-UP To Sanders, working on afternoon tower at Jackpot Number Three, the lean, tanned driller in charge of operations was wise with an uncanny knowledge the newcomer could not fathom.
