aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading Black smoke blew about the rocking cars, cinders rattled on the roofs, and showers of sparks sped past the windows.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading After the rain of early summer, wash-outs that undermine the track are numerous and the express had been delayed.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The wheels roared on shaking trestles and now and then awoke an echoing clang of steel, for the company was doubling the track and replacing the wooden bridges by metal.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading After the rain of early summer, wash-outs that undermine the track are numerous and the express had been delayed.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading After the rain of early summer, wash-outs that undermine the track are numerous and the express had been delayed.
awokeverbUS /əˈwoʊk/
inflected form of “awake” — stop sleeping
From this reading The wheels roared on shaking trestles and now and then awoke an echoing clang of steel, for the company was doubling the track and replacing the wooden bridges by metal.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading After the rain of early summer, wash-outs that undermine the track are numerous and the express had been delayed.
bigadjectiveUS /bɪɡ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading Now, however, the road was good and the engineer drove his big locomotive with throttle wide open.
BlackadjectiveUS /blæk/
being of the achromatic color of maximum darkness; having little or no hue owing to absorption of almost all incident light
From this reading Black smoke blew about the rocking cars, cinders rattled on the roofs, and showers of sparks sped past the windows.
blewverbUS /bluː/
inflected form of “blow” — exhale hard
From this reading Black smoke blew about the rocking cars, cinders rattled on the roofs, and showers of sparks sped past the windows.
bridgesnounUS /ˈbrɪdʒəz/
United States labor leader who organized the longshoremen (1901-1990)
From this reading The wheels roared on shaking trestles and now and then awoke an echoing clang of steel, for the company was doubling the track and replacing the wooden bridges by metal.
byprepositionUS /baɪ/
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The wheels roared on shaking trestles and now and then awoke an echoing clang of steel, for the company was doubling the track and replacing the wooden bridges by metal.
carsnounUS /kɑːrz/
plural of “car” — a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine
From this reading Black smoke blew about the rocking cars, cinders rattled on the roofs, and showers of sparks sped past the windows.
cindersnounUS /ˈsɪndərz/
plural of “cinder” — a fragment of incombustible matter left after a wood or coal or charcoal fire
From this reading Black smoke blew about the rocking cars, cinders rattled on the roofs, and showers of sparks sped past the windows.
clangnounUS /klæŋ/
a loud resonant repeating noise
From this reading The wheels roared on shaking trestles and now and then awoke an echoing clang of steel, for the company was doubling the track and replacing the wooden bridges by metal.
companynounUS /ˈkʌmpəniː/
an institution created to conduct business
From this reading The wheels roared on shaking trestles and now and then awoke an echoing clang of steel, for the company was doubling the track and replacing the wooden bridges by metal.
darknounUS /dɑːrk/
absence of light or illumination
From this reading THE GIRL ON THE PLATFORM The Vancouver express was running in the dark through the woods west of Fort William.
delayedadjectiveUS /dɪˈleɪd/
not as far along as normal in development
From this reading After the rain of early summer, wash-outs that undermine the track are numerous and the express had been delayed.
doublingnounUS /ˈdʌbəlɪŋ/
increase by a factor of two
From this reading The wheels roared on shaking trestles and now and then awoke an echoing clang of steel, for the company was doubling the track and replacing the wooden bridges by metal.
drovenounUS /droʊv/
a group of animals (a herd or flock) moving together
From this reading Now, however, the road was good and the engineer drove his big locomotive with throttle wide open.
earlyadjectiveUS /ˈɜːrli/
at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time
From this reading After the rain of early summer, wash-outs that undermine the track are numerous and the express had been delayed.
echoingadjectiveUS /ˈekoʊɪŋ/
(of sounds) repeating by reflection
From this reading The wheels roared on shaking trestles and now and then awoke an echoing clang of steel, for the company was doubling the track and replacing the wooden bridges by metal.
engineernounUS /ˈendʒəˈnɪr/
a person who uses scientific knowledge to solve practical problems
From this reading Now, however, the road was good and the engineer drove his big locomotive with throttle wide open.
expressverbUS /ɪkˈspres/
give expression to
From this reading THE GIRL ON THE PLATFORM The Vancouver express was running in the dark through the woods west of Fort William.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The wheels roared on shaking trestles and now and then awoke an echoing clang of steel, for the company was doubling the track and replacing the wooden bridges by metal.
FortnounUS /fɔːrt/
a fortified military post where troops are stationed
From this reading THE GIRL ON THE PLATFORM The Vancouver express was running in the dark through the woods west of Fort William.
GIRLnounUS /ɡɜːrl/
a young female
From this reading THE GIRL ON THE PLATFORM The Vancouver express was running in the dark through the woods west of Fort William.
goodadjectiveUS /ɡʊd/
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading Now, however, the road was good and the engineer drove his big locomotive with throttle wide open.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading After the rain of early summer, wash-outs that undermine the track are numerous and the express had been delayed.
hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Now, however, the road was good and the engineer drove his big locomotive with throttle wide open.
howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading Now, however, the road was good and the engineer drove his big locomotive with throttle wide open.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE GIRL ON THE PLATFORM The Vancouver express was running in the dark through the woods west of Fort William.
locomotivenounUS /ˌloʊkəˈmoʊtɪv/
a wheeled vehicle consisting of a self-propelled engine that is used to draw trains along railway tracks
From this reading Now, however, the road was good and the engineer drove his big locomotive with throttle wide open.
metalnounUS /ˈmetəl/
any of several chemical elements that are usually shiny solids that conduct heat or electricity and can be formed into sheets etc.
From this reading The wheels roared on shaking trestles and now and then awoke an echoing clang of steel, for the company was doubling the track and replacing the wooden bridges by metal.
NowadverbUS /naʊ/
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading Now, however, the road was good and the engineer drove his big locomotive with throttle wide open.
numerousadjectiveUS /ˈnuːmərəs/
amounting to a large indefinite number
From this reading After the rain of early summer, wash-outs that undermine the track are numerous and the express had been delayed.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE GIRL ON THE PLATFORM The Vancouver express was running in the dark through the woods west of Fort William.
ONprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading THE GIRL ON THE PLATFORM The Vancouver express was running in the dark through the woods west of Fort William.
openverbUS /ˈoʊ.pən/
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Now, however, the road was good and the engineer drove his big locomotive with throttle wide open.
pastnounUS /pæst/
the time that has elapsed
From this reading Black smoke blew about the rocking cars, cinders rattled on the roofs, and showers of sparks sped past the windows.
PLATFORMnounUS /ˈplætfɔːrm/
a raised horizontal surface
From this reading THE GIRL ON THE PLATFORM The Vancouver express was running in the dark through the woods west of Fort William.
rainnounUS /reɪn/
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading After the rain of early summer, wash-outs that undermine the track are numerous and the express had been delayed.
rattledadjectiveUS /ˈrætəld/
thrown into a state of agitated confusion; (“rattled” is an informal term)
From this reading Black smoke blew about the rocking cars, cinders rattled on the roofs, and showers of sparks sped past the windows.
replacingnounUS /rɪˈpleɪsɪŋ/
the act of furnishing an equivalent person or thing in the place of another
From this reading The wheels roared on shaking trestles and now and then awoke an echoing clang of steel, for the company was doubling the track and replacing the wooden bridges by metal.
roadnounUS /roʊd/
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading Now, however, the road was good and the engineer drove his big locomotive with throttle wide open.
roaredverbUS /rɔːrd/
past form of “roar” — make a loud noise, as of wind, water, or vehicles
From this reading The wheels roared on shaking trestles and now and then awoke an echoing clang of steel, for the company was doubling the track and replacing the wooden bridges by metal.
rockingverbUS /ˈrɑːkɪŋ/
-ing form of “rock” — move back and forth or sideways
From this reading Black smoke blew about the rocking cars, cinders rattled on the roofs, and showers of sparks sped past the windows.
roofsnounUS /ruːfs/
plural of “roof” — a protective covering that covers or forms the top of a building
From this reading Black smoke blew about the rocking cars, cinders rattled on the roofs, and showers of sparks sped past the windows.
runningadjectiveUS /ˈrʌnɪŋ/
(of fluids) moving or issuing in a stream
From this reading THE GIRL ON THE PLATFORM The Vancouver express was running in the dark through the woods west of Fort William.
shakingnounUS /ˈʃeɪkɪŋ/
the act of causing something to move up and down (or back and forth) with quick movements
From this reading The wheels roared on shaking trestles and now and then awoke an echoing clang of steel, for the company was doubling the track and replacing the wooden bridges by metal.
showersnounUS /ˈʃaʊərz/
plural of “shower” — a plumbing fixture that sprays water over you
From this reading Black smoke blew about the rocking cars, cinders rattled on the roofs, and showers of sparks sped past the windows.
smokenounUS /smoʊk/
a cloud of fine particles suspended in a gas
From this reading Black smoke blew about the rocking cars, cinders rattled on the roofs, and showers of sparks sped past the windows.
sparksnounUS /spɑːrks/
plural of “spark” — a momentary flash of light
From this reading Black smoke blew about the rocking cars, cinders rattled on the roofs, and showers of sparks sped past the windows.
spedverbUS /sped/
inflected form of “speed” — move hurridly
From this reading Black smoke blew about the rocking cars, cinders rattled on the roofs, and showers of sparks sped past the windows.
steelnounUS /stiːl/
an alloy of iron with small amounts of carbon; widely used in construction; mechanical properties can be varied over a wide range
From this reading The wheels roared on shaking trestles and now and then awoke an echoing clang of steel, for the company was doubling the track and replacing the wooden bridges by metal.
summernounUS /ˈsʌmər/
the warmest season of the year; in the northern hemisphere it extends from the summer solstice to the autumnal equinox
From this reading After the rain of early summer, wash-outs that undermine the track are numerous and the express had been delayed.
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading After the rain of early summer, wash-outs that undermine the track are numerous and the express had been delayed.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE GIRL ON THE PLATFORM The Vancouver express was running in the dark through the woods west of Fort William.
thenadverbUS /ðen/
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading The wheels roared on shaking trestles and now and then awoke an echoing clang of steel, for the company was doubling the track and replacing the wooden bridges by metal.
throttleverbUS /ˈθrɑːtəl/
place limits on (extent or amount or access)
From this reading Now, however, the road was good and the engineer drove his big locomotive with throttle wide open.
throughprepositionUS /θruː/
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading THE GIRL ON THE PLATFORM The Vancouver express was running in the dark through the woods west of Fort William.
tracknounUS /træk/
a line or route along which something travels or moves
From this reading After the rain of early summer, wash-outs that undermine the track are numerous and the express had been delayed.
trestles
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The wheels roared on shaking trestles and now and then awoke an echoing clang of steel, for the company was doubling the track and replacing the wooden bridges by metal.
undermineverbUS /ˈʌndərmaɪn/
destroy property or hinder normal operations
From this reading After the rain of early summer, wash-outs that undermine the track are numerous and the express had been delayed.
VancouvernounUS /vænˈkuːvər/
English navigator remembered for his exploration of the Pacific coast of North America (1757-1798)
From this reading THE GIRL ON THE PLATFORM The Vancouver express was running in the dark through the woods west of Fort William.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE GIRL ON THE PLATFORM The Vancouver express was running in the dark through the woods west of Fort William.
wash-outs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading After the rain of early summer, wash-outs that undermine the track are numerous and the express had been delayed.
westnounUS /west/
the countries of (originally) Europe and (now including) North America and South America
From this reading THE GIRL ON THE PLATFORM The Vancouver express was running in the dark through the woods west of Fort William.
wheelsnounUS /wiːlz/
plural of “wheel” — a simple machine consisting of a circular frame with spokes (or a solid disc) that can rotate on a shaft or axle (as in vehicles or other machines)
From this reading The wheels roared on shaking trestles and now and then awoke an echoing clang of steel, for the company was doubling the track and replacing the wooden bridges by metal.
wideadjectiveUS /waɪd/
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading Now, however, the road was good and the engineer drove his big locomotive with throttle wide open.
William
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE GIRL ON THE PLATFORM The Vancouver express was running in the dark through the woods west of Fort William.
windowsnounUS /ˈwɪndoʊz/
(trademark) an operating system with a graphical user interface
From this reading Black smoke blew about the rocking cars, cinders rattled on the roofs, and showers of sparks sped past the windows.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Now, however, the road was good and the engineer drove his big locomotive with throttle wide open.
woodenadjectiveUS /ˈwʊdən/
made or consisting of (entirely or in part) or employing wood
From this reading The wheels roared on shaking trestles and now and then awoke an echoing clang of steel, for the company was doubling the track and replacing the wooden bridges by metal.
woodsnounUS /wʊdz/
the trees and other plants in a large densely wooded area
From this reading THE GIRL ON THE PLATFORM The Vancouver express was running in the dark through the woods west of Fort William.
