adeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It looked as if the lamps swung in a semicircle, but they did not.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading THE FIRST STRUGGLE The engine-room floor-plates slanted, and light and shadow played about the throbbing machinery.
acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/
from one side of something to the other
From this reading Overhead the dark and bulky cylinders cut against the reflected glimmer on the skylights; below, valve-gear and connecting-rod flashed across the gloom, and the twinkling cranks spun in their shallow pit.
againstprepositionUS /əˈɡenst/
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading Overhead the dark and bulky cylinders cut against the reflected glimmer on the skylights; below, valve-gear and connecting-rod flashed across the gloom, and the twinkling cranks spun in their shallow pit.
AlladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading All else slanted at an ever-changing angle; the swiveled lamps were still.
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading All else slanted at an ever-changing angle; the swiveled lamps were still.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE FIRST STRUGGLE The engine-room floor-plates slanted, and light and shadow played about the throbbing machinery.
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 All else slanted at an ever-changing angle; the swiveled lamps were still.
asconjunctionUS /æz/
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading It looked as if the lamps swung in a semicircle, but they did not.
atprepositionUS /æt/
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading All else slanted at an ever-changing angle; the swiveled lamps were still.
backadverbUS /bæk/
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading One saw the big columns shake and strain as the crosshead shot up and down; the thrust-blocks groaned with the back push of the propeller.
belowprepositionUS /bɪˈloʊ/
at or to a lower level than something
From this reading Overhead the dark and bulky cylinders cut against the reflected glimmer on the skylights; below, valve-gear and connecting-rod flashed across the gloom, and the twinkling cranks spun in their shallow pit.
bigadjectiveUS /bɪɡ/
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading One saw the big columns shake and strain as the crosshead shot up and down; the thrust-blocks groaned with the back push of the propeller.
bulkyadjectiveUS /ˈbʌlki/
of large size for its weight
From this reading Overhead the dark and bulky cylinders cut against the reflected glimmer on the skylights; below, valve-gear and connecting-rod flashed across the gloom, and the twinkling cranks spun in their shallow pit.
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It looked as if the lamps swung in a semicircle, but they did not.
columnsnounUS /ˈkɑːləmz/
plural of “column” — a line of units following one after another
From this reading One saw the big columns shake and strain as the crosshead shot up and down; the thrust-blocks groaned with the back push of the propeller.
connecting-rod
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Overhead the dark and bulky cylinders cut against the reflected glimmer on the skylights; below, valve-gear and connecting-rod flashed across the gloom, and the twinkling cranks spun in their shallow pit.
cranksnounUS /kræŋks/
plural of “crank” — a bad-tempered person
From this reading Overhead the dark and bulky cylinders cut against the reflected glimmer on the skylights; below, valve-gear and connecting-rod flashed across the gloom, and the twinkling cranks spun in their shallow pit.
crossheadnoun
a heading of a subsection printed within the body of the text
From this reading One saw the big columns shake and strain as the crosshead shot up and down; the thrust-blocks groaned with the back push of the propeller.
cutverbUS /kʌt/
separate with or as if with an instrument
From this reading Overhead the dark and bulky cylinders cut against the reflected glimmer on the skylights; below, valve-gear and connecting-rod flashed across the gloom, and the twinkling cranks spun in their shallow pit.
cylindersnounUS /ˈsɪləndərz/
plural of “cylinder” — a solid bounded by a cylindrical surface and two parallel planes (the bases)
From this reading Overhead the dark and bulky cylinders cut against the reflected glimmer on the skylights; below, valve-gear and connecting-rod flashed across the gloom, and the twinkling cranks spun in their shallow pit.
darknounUS /dɑːrk/
absence of light or illumination
From this reading Overhead the dark and bulky cylinders cut against the reflected glimmer on the skylights; below, valve-gear and connecting-rod flashed across the gloom, and the twinkling cranks spun in their shallow pit.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading It looked as if the lamps swung in a semicircle, but they did not.
downadjectiveUS /daʊn/
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading One saw the big columns shake and strain as the crosshead shot up and down; the thrust-blocks groaned with the back push of the propeller.
else
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading All else slanted at an ever-changing angle; the swiveled lamps were still.
engine-room
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FIRST STRUGGLE The engine-room floor-plates slanted, and light and shadow played about the throbbing machinery.
ever-changingadjective
marked by continuous change or effective action
From this reading All else slanted at an ever-changing angle; the swiveled lamps were still.
FIRSTadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading THE FIRST STRUGGLE The engine-room floor-plates slanted, and light and shadow played about the throbbing machinery.
flashedverbUS /flæʃt/
past form of “flash” — gleam or glow intermittently
From this reading Overhead the dark and bulky cylinders cut against the reflected glimmer on the skylights; below, valve-gear and connecting-rod flashed across the gloom, and the twinkling cranks spun in their shallow pit.
floor-plates
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE FIRST STRUGGLE The engine-room floor-plates slanted, and light and shadow played about the throbbing machinery.
glimmernounUS /ˈɡlɪmər/
a flash of light (especially reflected light)
From this reading Overhead the dark and bulky cylinders cut against the reflected glimmer on the skylights; below, valve-gear and connecting-rod flashed across the gloom, and the twinkling cranks spun in their shallow pit.
gloomnounUS /ɡluːm/
a state of partial or total darkness
From this reading Overhead the dark and bulky cylinders cut against the reflected glimmer on the skylights; below, valve-gear and connecting-rod flashed across the gloom, and the twinkling cranks spun in their shallow pit.
groanedverbUS /ɡroʊnd/
past form of “groan” — indicate pain, discomfort, or displeasure
From this reading One saw the big columns shake and strain as the crosshead shot up and down; the thrust-blocks groaned with the back push of the propeller.
ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading It looked as if the lamps swung in a semicircle, but they did not.
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It looked as if the lamps swung in a semicircle, but they did not.
ItpronounUS /ɪt/
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It looked as if the lamps swung in a semicircle, but they did not.
lampsnounUS /læmps/
plural of “lamp” — an artificial source of visible illumination
From this reading It looked as if the lamps swung in a semicircle, but they did not.
lightadjectiveUS /laɪt/
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading THE FIRST STRUGGLE The engine-room floor-plates slanted, and light and shadow played about the throbbing machinery.
lookedverbUS /lʊkt/
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading It looked as if the lamps swung in a semicircle, but they did not.
machinerynounUS /məˈʃiːnəri/
machines or machine systems collectively
From this reading THE FIRST STRUGGLE The engine-room floor-plates slanted, and light and shadow played about the throbbing machinery.
notadverbUS /nɑːt/
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It looked as if the lamps swung in a semicircle, but they did not.
ofprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading One saw the big columns shake and strain as the crosshead shot up and down; the thrust-blocks groaned with the back push of the propeller.
onprepositionUS /ɑːn/
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Overhead the dark and bulky cylinders cut against the reflected glimmer on the skylights; below, valve-gear and connecting-rod flashed across the gloom, and the twinkling cranks spun in their shallow pit.
OnepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One saw the big columns shake and strain as the crosshead shot up and down; the thrust-blocks groaned with the back push of the propeller.
OverheadadverbUS /ˈoʊvərˈhed/
above your head; in the sky
From this reading Overhead the dark and bulky cylinders cut against the reflected glimmer on the skylights; below, valve-gear and connecting-rod flashed across the gloom, and the twinkling cranks spun in their shallow pit.
pitnounUS /pɪt/
A large hole in the ground, or an abyss of darkness and peril.
From this reading Overhead the dark and bulky cylinders cut against the reflected glimmer on the skylights; below, valve-gear and connecting-rod flashed across the gloom, and the twinkling cranks spun in their shallow pit.
playedadjectiveUS /pleɪd/
(of games) engaged in
From this reading THE FIRST STRUGGLE The engine-room floor-plates slanted, and light and shadow played about the throbbing machinery.
propellernounUS /prəˈpelər/
a mechanical device that rotates to push against air or water
From this reading One saw the big columns shake and strain as the crosshead shot up and down; the thrust-blocks groaned with the back push of the propeller.
pushverbUS /pʊʃ/
move with force
From this reading One saw the big columns shake and strain as the crosshead shot up and down; the thrust-blocks groaned with the back push of the propeller.
reflectedadjectiveUS /rɪˈflektɪd/
(especially of incident sound or light) bent or sent back
From this reading Overhead the dark and bulky cylinders cut against the reflected glimmer on the skylights; below, valve-gear and connecting-rod flashed across the gloom, and the twinkling cranks spun in their shallow pit.
sawverbUS /sɔː/
cut with a saw
From this reading One saw the big columns shake and strain as the crosshead shot up and down; the thrust-blocks groaned with the back push of the propeller.
semicirclenoun
a plane figure with the shape of half a circle
From this reading It looked as if the lamps swung in a semicircle, but they did not.
shadownounUS /ˈʃæd.oʊ/
A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.
From this reading THE FIRST STRUGGLE The engine-room floor-plates slanted, and light and shadow played about the throbbing machinery.
shakeverbUS /ʃeɪk/
move or cause to move back and forth
From this reading One saw the big columns shake and strain as the crosshead shot up and down; the thrust-blocks groaned with the back push of the propeller.
shallowadjectiveUS /ˈʃæloʊ/
lacking physical depth; having little spatial extension downward or inward from an outer surface or backward or outward from a center
From this reading Overhead the dark and bulky cylinders cut against the reflected glimmer on the skylights; below, valve-gear and connecting-rod flashed across the gloom, and the twinkling cranks spun in their shallow pit.
shotnounUS /ʃɑːt/
the act of firing a projectile
From this reading One saw the big columns shake and strain as the crosshead shot up and down; the thrust-blocks groaned with the back push of the propeller.
skylightsnounUS /ˈskaɪlaɪts/
plural of “skylight” — a window in a roof to admit daylight
From this reading Overhead the dark and bulky cylinders cut against the reflected glimmer on the skylights; below, valve-gear and connecting-rod flashed across the gloom, and the twinkling cranks spun in their shallow pit.
slantedadjectiveUS /ˈslæntɪd/
having an oblique or slanted direction
From this reading THE FIRST STRUGGLE The engine-room floor-plates slanted, and light and shadow played about the throbbing machinery.
spunverbUS /spʌn/
inflected form of “spin” — revolve quickly and repeatedly around one's own axis
From this reading Overhead the dark and bulky cylinders cut against the reflected glimmer on the skylights; below, valve-gear and connecting-rod flashed across the gloom, and the twinkling cranks spun in their shallow pit.
stilladjectiveUS /stɪl/
not in physical motion
From this reading All else slanted at an ever-changing angle; the swiveled lamps were still.
strainnounUS /streɪn/
(physics) deformation of a physical body under the action of applied forces
From this reading One saw the big columns shake and strain as the crosshead shot up and down; the thrust-blocks groaned with the back push of the propeller.
STRUGGLEverbUS /ˈstrʌɡəl/
make a strenuous or labored effort
From this reading THE FIRST STRUGGLE The engine-room floor-plates slanted, and light and shadow played about the throbbing machinery.
swiveledverbUS /ˈswɪvəld/
past form of “swivel” — turn on a pivot
From this reading All else slanted at an ever-changing angle; the swiveled lamps were still.
swungverbUS /swʌŋ/
inflected form of “swing” — move in a curve or arc, usually with the intent of hitting
From this reading It looked as if the lamps swung in a semicircle, but they did not.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE FIRST STRUGGLE The engine-room floor-plates slanted, and light and shadow played about the throbbing machinery.
theirdeterminerUS /ðer/
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading Overhead the dark and bulky cylinders cut against the reflected glimmer on the skylights; below, valve-gear and connecting-rod flashed across the gloom, and the twinkling cranks spun in their shallow pit.
theypronounUS /ðeɪ/
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading It looked as if the lamps swung in a semicircle, but they did not.
throbbingnounUS /ˈθrɑːbɪŋ/
an instance of rapid strong pulsation (of the heart)
From this reading THE FIRST STRUGGLE The engine-room floor-plates slanted, and light and shadow played about the throbbing machinery.
thrust-blocks
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading One saw the big columns shake and strain as the crosshead shot up and down; the thrust-blocks groaned with the back push of the propeller.
twinklingnounUS /ˈtwɪŋkəlɪŋ/
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading Overhead the dark and bulky cylinders cut against the reflected glimmer on the skylights; below, valve-gear and connecting-rod flashed across the gloom, and the twinkling cranks spun in their shallow pit.
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading One saw the big columns shake and strain as the crosshead shot up and down; the thrust-blocks groaned with the back push of the propeller.
valve-gear
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Overhead the dark and bulky cylinders cut against the reflected glimmer on the skylights; below, valve-gear and connecting-rod flashed across the gloom, and the twinkling cranks spun in their shallow pit.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading All else slanted at an ever-changing angle; the swiveled lamps were still.
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading One saw the big columns shake and strain as the crosshead shot up and down; the thrust-blocks groaned with the back push of the propeller.
