used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading It had neither eccentric, cylinder, crank, nor valves, and it did not depend upon the pressure of the steam acting against a piston to drive it back and forth, because it had no piston.
past form of “act” — perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)
From this reading Instead of pressure exerting a force against a piston, as in the reciprocating engine, the steam acted by impacting against a moving surface, and by obtaining more or less reaction from air-resistance against a freely discharging steam jet or jets.
the performance of a part or role in a drama
From this reading It had neither eccentric, cylinder, crank, nor valves, and it did not depend upon the pressure of the steam acting against a piston to drive it back and forth, because it had no piston.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading STEAM ENGINES The first steam engine was an exceedingly simple affair.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading It had neither eccentric, cylinder, crank, nor valves, and it did not depend upon the pressure of the steam acting against a piston to drive it back and forth, because it had no piston.
air-resistance
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Instead of pressure exerting a force against a piston, as in the reciprocating engine, the steam acted by impacting against a moving surface, and by obtaining more or less reaction from air-resistance against a freely discharging steam jet or jets.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading STEAM ENGINES The first steam engine was an exceedingly simple affair.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading It had neither eccentric, cylinder, crank, nor valves, and it did not depend upon the pressure of the steam acting against a piston to drive it back and forth, because it had no piston.
one or some or every or all without specification
From this reading The original engine, so far as we have any knowledge, had but one moving part, namely, a vertical tubular stem, to which was attached a cross or a horizontal tube.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Instead of pressure exerting a force against a piston, as in the reciprocating engine, the steam acted by impacting against a moving surface, and by obtaining more or less reaction from air-resistance against a freely discharging steam jet or jets.
being joined in close association
From this reading The original engine, so far as we have any knowledge, had but one moving part, namely, a vertical tubular stem, to which was attached a cross or a horizontal tube.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading It had neither eccentric, cylinder, crank, nor valves, and it did not depend upon the pressure of the steam acting against a piston to drive it back and forth, because it had no piston.
for the reason that
From this reading It had neither eccentric, cylinder, crank, nor valves, and it did not depend upon the pressure of the steam acting against a piston to drive it back and forth, because it had no piston.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading The original engine, so far as we have any knowledge, had but one moving part, namely, a vertical tubular stem, to which was attached a cross or a horizontal tube.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Instead of pressure exerting a force against a piston, as in the reciprocating engine, the steam acted by impacting against a moving surface, and by obtaining more or less reaction from air-resistance against a freely discharging steam jet or jets.
crankverbUS /kræŋk/
travel along a zigzag path
From this reading It had neither eccentric, cylinder, crank, nor valves, and it did not depend upon the pressure of the steam acting against a piston to drive it back and forth, because it had no piston.
travel across or pass over
From this reading The original engine, so far as we have any knowledge, had but one moving part, namely, a vertical tubular stem, to which was attached a cross or a horizontal tube.
cylindernounUS /ˈsɪləndər/
a solid bounded by a cylindrical surface and two parallel planes (the bases)
From this reading It had neither eccentric, cylinder, crank, nor valves, and it did not depend upon the pressure of the steam acting against a piston to drive it back and forth, because it had no piston.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading It is one of the remarkable things in the history and development of mechanism, that in this day of perfected steam engines, the inventors of our time should go back and utilize the principles employed in the first recorded steam engine, namely, the turbine.
dependverbUS /dɪˈpend/
be contingent upon (something that is elided)
From this reading It had neither eccentric, cylinder, crank, nor valves, and it did not depend upon the pressure of the steam acting against a piston to drive it back and forth, because it had no piston.
developmentnounUS /dɪˈveləpmənt/
act of improving by expanding or enlarging or refining
From this reading It is one of the remarkable things in the history and development of mechanism, that in this day of perfected steam engines, the inventors of our time should go back and utilize the principles employed in the first recorded steam engine, namely, the turbine.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading It had neither eccentric, cylinder, crank, nor valves, and it did not depend upon the pressure of the steam acting against a piston to drive it back and forth, because it had no piston.
dischargingverbUS /dɪsˈtʃɑːrdʒɪŋ/
-ing form of “discharge” — complete or carry out
From this reading Instead of pressure exerting a force against a piston, as in the reciprocating engine, the steam acted by impacting against a moving surface, and by obtaining more or less reaction from air-resistance against a freely discharging steam jet or jets.
operate or control a vehicle
From this reading It had neither eccentric, cylinder, crank, nor valves, and it did not depend upon the pressure of the steam acting against a piston to drive it back and forth, because it had no piston.
eccentricadjectiveUS /ɪkˈsentrɪk/
conspicuously or grossly unconventional or unusual
From this reading It had neither eccentric, cylinder, crank, nor valves, and it did not depend upon the pressure of the steam acting against a piston to drive it back and forth, because it had no piston.
having your services engaged for; or having a job especially one that pays wages or a salary
From this reading It is one of the remarkable things in the history and development of mechanism, that in this day of perfected steam engines, the inventors of our time should go back and utilize the principles employed in the first recorded steam engine, namely, the turbine.
motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work
From this reading STEAM ENGINES The first steam engine was an exceedingly simple affair.
ENGINESnounUS /ˈendʒənz/
plural of “engine” — motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work
From this reading STEAM ENGINES The first steam engine was an exceedingly simple affair.
to an extreme degree
From this reading STEAM ENGINES The first steam engine was an exceedingly simple affair.
exertingverbUS /ɪɡˈzɜːrtɪŋ/
-ing form of “exert” — put to use
From this reading Instead of pressure exerting a force against a piston, as in the reciprocating engine, the steam acted by impacting against a moving surface, and by obtaining more or less reaction from air-resistance against a freely discharging steam jet or jets.
to a considerable degree; very much
From this reading The original engine, so far as we have any knowledge, had but one moving part, namely, a vertical tubular stem, to which was attached a cross or a horizontal tube.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading STEAM ENGINES The first steam engine was an exceedingly simple affair.
a powerful effect or influence
From this reading Instead of pressure exerting a force against a piston, as in the reciprocating engine, the steam acted by impacting against a moving surface, and by obtaining more or less reaction from air-resistance against a freely discharging steam jet or jets.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading It had neither eccentric, cylinder, crank, nor valves, and it did not depend upon the pressure of the steam acting against a piston to drive it back and forth, because it had no piston.
in a free manner
From this reading Instead of pressure exerting a force against a piston, as in the reciprocating engine, the steam acted by impacting against a moving surface, and by obtaining more or less reaction from air-resistance against a freely discharging steam jet or jets.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Instead of pressure exerting a force against a piston, as in the reciprocating engine, the steam acted by impacting against a moving surface, and by obtaining more or less reaction from air-resistance against a freely discharging steam jet or jets.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading It is one of the remarkable things in the history and development of mechanism, that in this day of perfected steam engines, the inventors of our time should go back and utilize the principles employed in the first recorded steam engine, namely, the turbine.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading It had neither eccentric, cylinder, crank, nor valves, and it did not depend upon the pressure of the steam acting against a piston to drive it back and forth, because it had no piston.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The original engine, so far as we have any knowledge, had but one moving part, namely, a vertical tubular stem, to which was attached a cross or a horizontal tube.
the aggregate of past events
From this reading It is one of the remarkable things in the history and development of mechanism, that in this day of perfected steam engines, the inventors of our time should go back and utilize the principles employed in the first recorded steam engine, namely, the turbine.
horizontaladjectiveUS /ˌhɔːrəˈzɑːntəl/
parallel to or in the plane of the horizon or a base line
From this reading The original engine, so far as we have any knowledge, had but one moving part, namely, a vertical tubular stem, to which was attached a cross or a horizontal tube.
impactingverbUS /ˌɪmˈpæktɪŋ/
-ing form of “impact” — press or wedge together; pack together
From this reading Instead of pressure exerting a force against a piston, as in the reciprocating engine, the steam acted by impacting against a moving surface, and by obtaining more or less reaction from air-resistance against a freely discharging steam jet or jets.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading It is one of the remarkable things in the history and development of mechanism, that in this day of perfected steam engines, the inventors of our time should go back and utilize the principles employed in the first recorded steam engine, namely, the turbine.
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading Instead of pressure exerting a force against a piston, as in the reciprocating engine, the steam acted by impacting against a moving surface, and by obtaining more or less reaction from air-resistance against a freely discharging steam jet or jets.
inventorsnounUS /ˌɪnˈventərz/
plural of “inventor” — someone who is the first to think of or make something
From this reading It is one of the remarkable things in the history and development of mechanism, that in this day of perfected steam engines, the inventors of our time should go back and utilize the principles employed in the first recorded steam engine, namely, the turbine.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It is one of the remarkable things in the history and development of mechanism, that in this day of perfected steam engines, the inventors of our time should go back and utilize the principles employed in the first recorded steam engine, namely, the turbine.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading It had neither eccentric, cylinder, crank, nor valves, and it did not depend upon the pressure of the steam acting against a piston to drive it back and forth, because it had no piston.
jetnounUS /dʒet/
an airplane powered by one or more jet engines
From this reading Instead of pressure exerting a force against a piston, as in the reciprocating engine, the steam acted by impacting against a moving surface, and by obtaining more or less reaction from air-resistance against a freely discharging steam jet or jets.
jetsnounUS /dʒets/
plural of “jet” — an airplane powered by one or more jet engines
From this reading Instead of pressure exerting a force against a piston, as in the reciprocating engine, the steam acted by impacting against a moving surface, and by obtaining more or less reaction from air-resistance against a freely discharging steam jet or jets.
the psychological result of perception and learning and reasoning
From this reading The original engine, so far as we have any knowledge, had but one moving part, namely, a vertical tubular stem, to which was attached a cross or a horizontal tube.
used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs
From this reading Instead of pressure exerting a force against a piston, as in the reciprocating engine, the steam acted by impacting against a moving surface, and by obtaining more or less reaction from air-resistance against a freely discharging steam jet or jets.
mechanismnounUS /ˈmekənɪzəm/
the atomic process that occurs during a chemical reaction
From this reading It is one of the remarkable things in the history and development of mechanism, that in this day of perfected steam engines, the inventors of our time should go back and utilize the principles employed in the first recorded steam engine, namely, the turbine.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading Instead of pressure exerting a force against a piston, as in the reciprocating engine, the steam acted by impacting against a moving surface, and by obtaining more or less reaction from air-resistance against a freely discharging steam jet or jets.
in motion
From this reading Instead of pressure exerting a force against a piston, as in the reciprocating engine, the steam acted by impacting against a moving surface, and by obtaining more or less reaction from air-resistance against a freely discharging steam jet or jets.
namelyadverbUS /ˈneɪmli/
as follows
From this reading It is one of the remarkable things in the history and development of mechanism, that in this day of perfected steam engines, the inventors of our time should go back and utilize the principles employed in the first recorded steam engine, namely, the turbine.
not one and not the other of two
From this reading It had neither eccentric, cylinder, crank, nor valves, and it did not depend upon the pressure of the steam acting against a piston to drive it back and forth, because it had no piston.
not any; not one
From this reading It had neither eccentric, cylinder, crank, nor valves, and it did not depend upon the pressure of the steam acting against a piston to drive it back and forth, because it had no piston.
and not; used after a negative to add a second negative
From this reading It had neither eccentric, cylinder, crank, nor valves, and it did not depend upon the pressure of the steam acting against a piston to drive it back and forth, because it had no piston.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading It had neither eccentric, cylinder, crank, nor valves, and it did not depend upon the pressure of the steam acting against a piston to drive it back and forth, because it had no piston.
obtainingverbUS /əbˈteɪnɪŋ/
-ing form of “obtain” — come into possession of
From this reading Instead of pressure exerting a force against a piston, as in the reciprocating engine, the steam acted by impacting against a moving surface, and by obtaining more or less reaction from air-resistance against a freely discharging steam jet or jets.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It had neither eccentric, cylinder, crank, nor valves, and it did not depend upon the pressure of the steam acting against a piston to drive it back and forth, because it had no piston.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading It is one of the remarkable things in the history and development of mechanism, that in this day of perfected steam engines, the inventors of our time should go back and utilize the principles employed in the first recorded steam engine, namely, the turbine.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Instead of pressure exerting a force against a piston, as in the reciprocating engine, the steam acted by impacting against a moving surface, and by obtaining more or less reaction from air-resistance against a freely discharging steam jet or jets.
preceding all others in time or being as first made or performed
From this reading The original engine, so far as we have any knowledge, had but one moving part, namely, a vertical tubular stem, to which was attached a cross or a horizontal tube.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading It is one of the remarkable things in the history and development of mechanism, that in this day of perfected steam engines, the inventors of our time should go back and utilize the principles employed in the first recorded steam engine, namely, the turbine.
something determined in relation to something that includes it
From this reading The original engine, so far as we have any knowledge, had but one moving part, namely, a vertical tubular stem, to which was attached a cross or a horizontal tube.
perfectedadjectiveUS /pərˈfektɪd/
(of plans, ideas, etc.) perfectly formed
From this reading It is one of the remarkable things in the history and development of mechanism, that in this day of perfected steam engines, the inventors of our time should go back and utilize the principles employed in the first recorded steam engine, namely, the turbine.
pistonnounUS /ˈpɪstən/
United States neoclassical composer (1894-1976)
From this reading It had neither eccentric, cylinder, crank, nor valves, and it did not depend upon the pressure of the steam acting against a piston to drive it back and forth, because it had no piston.
pressurenounUS /ˈpreʃər/
the force applied to a unit area of surface; measured in pascals (SI unit) or in dynes (cgs unit)
From this reading It had neither eccentric, cylinder, crank, nor valves, and it did not depend upon the pressure of the steam acting against a piston to drive it back and forth, because it had no piston.
principlesnounUS /ˈprɪnsəpəlz/
plural of “principle” — a basic generalization that is accepted as true and that can be used as a basis for reasoning or conduct
From this reading It is one of the remarkable things in the history and development of mechanism, that in this day of perfected steam engines, the inventors of our time should go back and utilize the principles employed in the first recorded steam engine, namely, the turbine.
reactionnounUS /riˈækʃən/
(chemistry) a process in which one or more substances are changed into others
From this reading Instead of pressure exerting a force against a piston, as in the reciprocating engine, the steam acted by impacting against a moving surface, and by obtaining more or less reaction from air-resistance against a freely discharging steam jet or jets.
reciprocatingverbUS /rɪˈsɪprəkeɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “reciprocate” — act, feel, or give mutually or in return
From this reading Instead of pressure exerting a force against a piston, as in the reciprocating engine, the steam acted by impacting against a moving surface, and by obtaining more or less reaction from air-resistance against a freely discharging steam jet or jets.
recordedadjectiveUS /rəˈkɔːrdɪd/
set down or registered in a permanent form especially on film or tape for reproduction
From this reading It is one of the remarkable things in the history and development of mechanism, that in this day of perfected steam engines, the inventors of our time should go back and utilize the principles employed in the first recorded steam engine, namely, the turbine.
unusual or striking
From this reading It is one of the remarkable things in the history and development of mechanism, that in this day of perfected steam engines, the inventors of our time should go back and utilize the principles employed in the first recorded steam engine, namely, the turbine.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading It is one of the remarkable things in the history and development of mechanism, that in this day of perfected steam engines, the inventors of our time should go back and utilize the principles employed in the first recorded steam engine, namely, the turbine.
having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved
From this reading STEAM ENGINES The first steam engine was an exceedingly simple affair.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The original engine, so far as we have any knowledge, had but one moving part, namely, a vertical tubular stem, to which was attached a cross or a horizontal tube.
STEAMverbUS /stiːm/
travel by means of steam power
From this reading STEAM ENGINES The first steam engine was an exceedingly simple affair.
stemnounUS /stem/
(linguistics) the form of a word after all affixes are removed
From this reading The original engine, so far as we have any knowledge, had but one moving part, namely, a vertical tubular stem, to which was attached a cross or a horizontal tube.
the outer boundary of an artifact or a material layer constituting or resembling such a boundary
From this reading Instead of pressure exerting a force against a piston, as in the reciprocating engine, the steam acted by impacting against a moving surface, and by obtaining more or less reaction from air-resistance against a freely discharging steam jet or jets.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading It is one of the remarkable things in the history and development of mechanism, that in this day of perfected steam engines, the inventors of our time should go back and utilize the principles employed in the first recorded steam engine, namely, the turbine.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading STEAM ENGINES The first steam engine was an exceedingly simple affair.
any movable possession (especially articles of clothing)
From this reading It is one of the remarkable things in the history and development of mechanism, that in this day of perfected steam engines, the inventors of our time should go back and utilize the principles employed in the first recorded steam engine, namely, the turbine.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading It is one of the remarkable things in the history and development of mechanism, that in this day of perfected steam engines, the inventors of our time should go back and utilize the principles employed in the first recorded steam engine, namely, the turbine.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading It is one of the remarkable things in the history and development of mechanism, that in this day of perfected steam engines, the inventors of our time should go back and utilize the principles employed in the first recorded steam engine, namely, the turbine.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading It had neither eccentric, cylinder, crank, nor valves, and it did not depend upon the pressure of the steam acting against a piston to drive it back and forth, because it had no piston.
tubenounUS /tuːb/
conduit consisting of a long hollow object (usually cylindrical) used to hold and conduct objects or liquids or gases
From this reading The original engine, so far as we have any knowledge, had but one moving part, namely, a vertical tubular stem, to which was attached a cross or a horizontal tube.
tubularadjectiveUS /ˈtuːbjələr/
constituting a tube; having hollow tubes (as for the passage of fluids)
From this reading The original engine, so far as we have any knowledge, had but one moving part, namely, a vertical tubular stem, to which was attached a cross or a horizontal tube.
turbinenounUS /ˈtɜːrbaɪn/
rotary engine in which the kinetic energy of a moving fluid is converted into mechanical energy by causing a bladed rotor to rotate
From this reading It is one of the remarkable things in the history and development of mechanism, that in this day of perfected steam engines, the inventors of our time should go back and utilize the principles employed in the first recorded steam engine, namely, the turbine.
uponprepositionUS /əˈpɑːn/
a formal word for “on”
From this reading It had neither eccentric, cylinder, crank, nor valves, and it did not depend upon the pressure of the steam acting against a piston to drive it back and forth, because it had no piston.
utilizeverbUS /ˈjuːtəlaɪz/
put into service; make work or employ for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose
From this reading It is one of the remarkable things in the history and development of mechanism, that in this day of perfected steam engines, the inventors of our time should go back and utilize the principles employed in the first recorded steam engine, namely, the turbine.
valvesnounUS /vælvz/
plural of “valve” — a structure in a hollow organ (like the heart) with a flap to insure one-way flow of fluid through it
From this reading It had neither eccentric, cylinder, crank, nor valves, and it did not depend upon the pressure of the steam acting against a piston to drive it back and forth, because it had no piston.
verticaladjectiveUS /ˈvɜːrtɪkəl/
at right angles to the plane of the horizon or a base line
From this reading The original engine, so far as we have any knowledge, had but one moving part, namely, a vertical tubular stem, to which was attached a cross or a horizontal tube.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading STEAM ENGINES The first steam engine was an exceedingly simple affair.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading The original engine, so far as we have any knowledge, had but one moving part, namely, a vertical tubular stem, to which was attached a cross or a horizontal tube.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The original engine, so far as we have any knowledge, had but one moving part, namely, a vertical tubular stem, to which was attached a cross or a horizontal tube.
