used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading This time it was not one car, but a whole fleet of them, a dozen seven-ton trucks, broad and solid, with broad and solid double wheels, and trailers on behind, that carried even more tons.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE DRILLING I Once more the valleys and gorges of Guadalupe Grade resounded to the flying echoes of honking horns.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The first load towered high, a big stationary engine, held in place by heavy timbers bolted fast at the sides; that truck went carefully round the curves, you bet!
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading These tubes extended over the end of the trailers, where red flags waved in warning; on the short curves they swept the road, and if you met a car coming in the opposite direction, you had to stop while the other car crept carefully by; if there was not room enough, the other car would have to back up to a place where the road was straighter.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Behind it came the “mud-hogs” and the “draw-works”; and then the “string” of drilling tools, hollow tubes of the best steel, that were screwed end to end and went down into the earth, a mile or more, if need be.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading This time it was not one car, but a whole fleet of them, a dozen seven-ton trucks, broad and solid, with broad and solid double wheels, and trailers on behind, that carried even more tons.
the supreme effort one can make
From this reading Behind it came the “mud-hogs” and the “draw-works”; and then the “string” of drilling tools, hollow tubes of the best steel, that were screwed end to end and went down into the earth, a mile or more, if need be.
maintain with or as if with a bet
From this reading The first load towered high, a big stationary engine, held in place by heavy timbers bolted fast at the sides; that truck went carefully round the curves, you bet!
above average in size or number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The first load towered high, a big stationary engine, held in place by heavy timbers bolted fast at the sides; that truck went carefully round the curves, you bet!
boltedverbUS /ˈboʊltəd/
past form of “bolt” — move or jump suddenly
From this reading The first load towered high, a big stationary engine, held in place by heavy timbers bolted fast at the sides; that truck went carefully round the curves, you bet!
having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other
From this reading This time it was not one car, but a whole fleet of them, a dozen seven-ton trucks, broad and solid, with broad and solid double wheels, and trailers on behind, that carried even more tons.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading This time it was not one car, but a whole fleet of them, a dozen seven-ton trucks, broad and solid, with broad and solid double wheels, and trailers on behind, that carried even more tons.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The first load towered high, a big stationary engine, held in place by heavy timbers bolted fast at the sides; that truck went carefully round the curves, you bet!
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Behind it came the “mud-hogs” and the “draw-works”; and then the “string” of drilling tools, hollow tubes of the best steel, that were screwed end to end and went down into the earth, a mile or more, if need be.
a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine
From this reading This time it was not one car, but a whole fleet of them, a dozen seven-ton trucks, broad and solid, with broad and solid double wheels, and trailers on behind, that carried even more tons.
taking care or paying attention
From this reading The first load towered high, a big stationary engine, held in place by heavy timbers bolted fast at the sides; that truck went carefully round the curves, you bet!
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading This time it was not one car, but a whole fleet of them, a dozen seven-ton trucks, broad and solid, with broad and solid double wheels, and trailers on behind, that carried even more tons.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading These tubes extended over the end of the trailers, where red flags waved in warning; on the short curves they swept the road, and if you met a car coming in the opposite direction, you had to stop while the other car crept carefully by; if there was not room enough, the other car would have to back up to a place where the road was straighter.
inflected form of “creep” — move slowly; in the case of people or animals with the body near the ground
From this reading These tubes extended over the end of the trailers, where red flags waved in warning; on the short curves they swept the road, and if you met a car coming in the opposite direction, you had to stop while the other car crept carefully by; if there was not room enough, the other car would have to back up to a place where the road was straighter.
curvesnounUS /kɜːrvz/
plural of “curve” — the trace of a point whose direction of motion changes
From this reading The first load towered high, a big stationary engine, held in place by heavy timbers bolted fast at the sides; that truck went carefully round the curves, you bet!
a line leading to a place or point
From this reading These tubes extended over the end of the trailers, where red flags waved in warning; on the short curves they swept the road, and if you met a car coming in the opposite direction, you had to stop while the other car crept carefully by; if there was not room enough, the other car would have to back up to a place where the road was straighter.
increase twofold
From this reading This time it was not one car, but a whole fleet of them, a dozen seven-ton trucks, broad and solid, with broad and solid double wheels, and trailers on behind, that carried even more tons.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading Behind it came the “mud-hogs” and the “draw-works”; and then the “string” of drilling tools, hollow tubes of the best steel, that were screwed end to end and went down into the earth, a mile or more, if need be.
the cardinal number that is the sum of eleven and one
From this reading This time it was not one car, but a whole fleet of them, a dozen seven-ton trucks, broad and solid, with broad and solid double wheels, and trailers on behind, that carried even more tons.
draw-works
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Behind it came the “mud-hogs” and the “draw-works”; and then the “string” of drilling tools, hollow tubes of the best steel, that were screwed end to end and went down into the earth, a mile or more, if need be.
DRILLINGnounUS /ˈdrɪlɪŋ/
the act of drilling
From this reading THE DRILLING I Once more the valleys and gorges of Guadalupe Grade resounded to the flying echoes of honking horns.
the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on
From this reading Behind it came the “mud-hogs” and the “draw-works”; and then the “string” of drilling tools, hollow tubes of the best steel, that were screwed end to end and went down into the earth, a mile or more, if need be.
echoesnounUS /ˈekoʊz/
plural of “echo” — the repetition of a sound resulting from reflection of the sound waves
From this reading THE DRILLING I Once more the valleys and gorges of Guadalupe Grade resounded to the flying echoes of honking horns.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading Behind it came the “mud-hogs” and the “draw-works”; and then the “string” of drilling tools, hollow tubes of the best steel, that were screwed end to end and went down into the earth, a mile or more, if need be.
motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work
From this reading The first load towered high, a big stationary engine, held in place by heavy timbers bolted fast at the sides; that truck went carefully round the curves, you bet!
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading These tubes extended over the end of the trailers, where red flags waved in warning; on the short curves they swept the road, and if you met a car coming in the opposite direction, you had to stop while the other car crept carefully by; if there was not room enough, the other car would have to back up to a place where the road was straighter.
divisible by two
From this reading This time it was not one car, but a whole fleet of them, a dozen seven-ton trucks, broad and solid, with broad and solid double wheels, and trailers on behind, that carried even more tons.
relatively long in duration; tediously protracted
From this reading These tubes extended over the end of the trailers, where red flags waved in warning; on the short curves they swept the road, and if you met a car coming in the opposite direction, you had to stop while the other car crept carefully by; if there was not room enough, the other car would have to back up to a place where the road was straighter.
quickly or rapidly (often used as a combining form)
From this reading The first load towered high, a big stationary engine, held in place by heavy timbers bolted fast at the sides; that truck went carefully round the curves, you bet!
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The first load towered high, a big stationary engine, held in place by heavy timbers bolted fast at the sides; that truck went carefully round the curves, you bet!
flagsnounUS /flæɡz/
plural of “flag” — emblem usually consisting of a rectangular piece of cloth of distinctive design
From this reading These tubes extended over the end of the trailers, where red flags waved in warning; on the short curves they swept the road, and if you met a car coming in the opposite direction, you had to stop while the other car crept carefully by; if there was not room enough, the other car would have to back up to a place where the road was straighter.
group of aircraft operating together under the same ownership
From this reading This time it was not one car, but a whole fleet of them, a dozen seven-ton trucks, broad and solid, with broad and solid double wheels, and trailers on behind, that carried even more tons.
moving swiftly
From this reading THE DRILLING I Once more the valleys and gorges of Guadalupe Grade resounded to the flying echoes of honking horns.
gorgesnounUS /ˈɡɔːrdʒəz/
plural of “gorge” — a deep ravine (usually with a river running through it)
From this reading THE DRILLING I Once more the valleys and gorges of Guadalupe Grade resounded to the flying echoes of honking horns.
GradenounUS /ɡreɪd/
a body of students who are taught together
From this reading THE DRILLING I Once more the valleys and gorges of Guadalupe Grade resounded to the flying echoes of honking horns.
Guadalupe
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DRILLING I Once more the valleys and gorges of Guadalupe Grade resounded to the flying echoes of honking horns.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading These tubes extended over the end of the trailers, where red flags waved in warning; on the short curves they swept the road, and if you met a car coming in the opposite direction, you had to stop while the other car crept carefully by; if there was not room enough, the other car would have to back up to a place where the road was straighter.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading These tubes extended over the end of the trailers, where red flags waved in warning; on the short curves they swept the road, and if you met a car coming in the opposite direction, you had to stop while the other car crept carefully by; if there was not room enough, the other car would have to back up to a place where the road was straighter.
of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading The first load towered high, a big stationary engine, held in place by heavy timbers bolted fast at the sides; that truck went carefully round the curves, you bet!
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading The first load towered high, a big stationary engine, held in place by heavy timbers bolted fast at the sides; that truck went carefully round the curves, you bet!
greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount
From this reading The first load towered high, a big stationary engine, held in place by heavy timbers bolted fast at the sides; that truck went carefully round the curves, you bet!
not solid; having a space or gap or cavity
From this reading Behind it came the “mud-hogs” and the “draw-works”; and then the “string” of drilling tools, hollow tubes of the best steel, that were screwed end to end and went down into the earth, a mile or more, if need be.
honkingverbUS /ˈhɔːŋkɪŋ/
-ing form of “honk” — make a loud noise
From this reading THE DRILLING I Once more the valleys and gorges of Guadalupe Grade resounded to the flying echoes of honking horns.
hornsnounUS /hɔːrnz/
plural of “horn” — a noisemaker (as at parties or games) that makes a loud noise when you blow through it
From this reading THE DRILLING I Once more the valleys and gorges of Guadalupe Grade resounded to the flying echoes of honking horns.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading THE DRILLING I Once more the valleys and gorges of Guadalupe Grade resounded to the flying echoes of honking horns.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Behind it came the “mud-hogs” and the “draw-works”; and then the “string” of drilling tools, hollow tubes of the best steel, that were screwed end to end and went down into the earth, a mile or more, if need be.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The first load towered high, a big stationary engine, held in place by heavy timbers bolted fast at the sides; that truck went carefully round the curves, you bet!
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading Behind it came the “mud-hogs” and the “draw-works”; and then the “string” of drilling tools, hollow tubes of the best steel, that were screwed end to end and went down into the earth, a mile or more, if need be.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading This time it was not one car, but a whole fleet of them, a dozen seven-ton trucks, broad and solid, with broad and solid double wheels, and trailers on behind, that carried even more tons.
loadnounUS /loʊd/
weight to be borne or conveyed
From this reading The first load towered high, a big stationary engine, held in place by heavy timbers bolted fast at the sides; that truck went carefully round the curves, you bet!
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading These tubes extended over the end of the trailers, where red flags waved in warning; on the short curves they swept the road, and if you met a car coming in the opposite direction, you had to stop while the other car crept carefully by; if there was not room enough, the other car would have to back up to a place where the road was straighter.
a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading Behind it came the “mud-hogs” and the “draw-works”; and then the “string” of drilling tools, hollow tubes of the best steel, that were screwed end to end and went down into the earth, a mile or more, if need be.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading THE DRILLING I Once more the valleys and gorges of Guadalupe Grade resounded to the flying echoes of honking horns.
mud-hogs
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Behind it came the “mud-hogs” and the “draw-works”; and then the “string” of drilling tools, hollow tubes of the best steel, that were screwed end to end and went down into the earth, a mile or more, if need be.
a condition requiring relief
From this reading Behind it came the “mud-hogs” and the “draw-works”; and then the “string” of drilling tools, hollow tubes of the best steel, that were screwed end to end and went down into the earth, a mile or more, if need be.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading This time it was not one car, but a whole fleet of them, a dozen seven-ton trucks, broad and solid, with broad and solid double wheels, and trailers on behind, that carried even more tons.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE DRILLING I Once more the valleys and gorges of Guadalupe Grade resounded to the flying echoes of honking horns.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading This time it was not one car, but a whole fleet of them, a dozen seven-ton trucks, broad and solid, with broad and solid double wheels, and trailers on behind, that carried even more tons.
on one occasion
From this reading THE DRILLING I Once more the valleys and gorges of Guadalupe Grade resounded to the flying echoes of honking horns.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading This time it was not one car, but a whole fleet of them, a dozen seven-ton trucks, broad and solid, with broad and solid double wheels, and trailers on behind, that carried even more tons.
being directly across from each other; facing
From this reading These tubes extended over the end of the trailers, where red flags waved in warning; on the short curves they swept the road, and if you met a car coming in the opposite direction, you had to stop while the other car crept carefully by; if there was not room enough, the other car would have to back up to a place where the road was straighter.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Behind it came the “mud-hogs” and the “draw-works”; and then the “string” of drilling tools, hollow tubes of the best steel, that were screwed end to end and went down into the earth, a mile or more, if need be.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading These tubes extended over the end of the trailers, where red flags waved in warning; on the short curves they swept the road, and if you met a car coming in the opposite direction, you had to stop while the other car crept carefully by; if there was not room enough, the other car would have to back up to a place where the road was straighter.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading These tubes extended over the end of the trailers, where red flags waved in warning; on the short curves they swept the road, and if you met a car coming in the opposite direction, you had to stop while the other car crept carefully by; if there was not room enough, the other car would have to back up to a place where the road was straighter.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading The first load towered high, a big stationary engine, held in place by heavy timbers bolted fast at the sides; that truck went carefully round the curves, you bet!
red color or pigment; the chromatic color resembling the hue of blood
From this reading These tubes extended over the end of the trailers, where red flags waved in warning; on the short curves they swept the road, and if you met a car coming in the opposite direction, you had to stop while the other car crept carefully by; if there was not room enough, the other car would have to back up to a place where the road was straighter.
resounded
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE DRILLING I Once more the valleys and gorges of Guadalupe Grade resounded to the flying echoes of honking horns.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading These tubes extended over the end of the trailers, where red flags waved in warning; on the short curves they swept the road, and if you met a car coming in the opposite direction, you had to stop while the other car crept carefully by; if there was not room enough, the other car would have to back up to a place where the road was straighter.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading These tubes extended over the end of the trailers, where red flags waved in warning; on the short curves they swept the road, and if you met a car coming in the opposite direction, you had to stop while the other car crept carefully by; if there was not room enough, the other car would have to back up to a place where the road was straighter.
a charge of ammunition for a single shot
From this reading The first load towered high, a big stationary engine, held in place by heavy timbers bolted fast at the sides; that truck went carefully round the curves, you bet!
screwedverbUS /skruːd/
past form of “screw” — have sexual intercourse with
From this reading Behind it came the “mud-hogs” and the “draw-works”; and then the “string” of drilling tools, hollow tubes of the best steel, that were screwed end to end and went down into the earth, a mile or more, if need be.
seven-ton
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This time it was not one car, but a whole fleet of them, a dozen seven-ton trucks, broad and solid, with broad and solid double wheels, and trailers on behind, that carried even more tons.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading These tubes extended over the end of the trailers, where red flags waved in warning; on the short curves they swept the road, and if you met a car coming in the opposite direction, you had to stop while the other car crept carefully by; if there was not room enough, the other car would have to back up to a place where the road was straighter.
plural of “side” — a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading The first load towered high, a big stationary engine, held in place by heavy timbers bolted fast at the sides; that truck went carefully round the curves, you bet!
solidadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːləd/
characterized by good substantial quality
From this reading This time it was not one car, but a whole fleet of them, a dozen seven-ton trucks, broad and solid, with broad and solid double wheels, and trailers on behind, that carried even more tons.
stationaryadjectiveUS /ˈsteɪʃəneri/
standing still
From this reading The first load towered high, a big stationary engine, held in place by heavy timbers bolted fast at the sides; that truck went carefully round the curves, you bet!
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 Behind it came the “mud-hogs” and the “draw-works”; and then the “string” of drilling tools, hollow tubes of the best steel, that were screwed end to end and went down into the earth, a mile or more, if need be.
come to a halt, stop moving
From this reading These tubes extended over the end of the trailers, where red flags waved in warning; on the short curves they swept the road, and if you met a car coming in the opposite direction, you had to stop while the other car crept carefully by; if there was not room enough, the other car would have to back up to a place where the road was straighter.
straighteradjectiveUS /ˈstreɪtər/
comparative of “straight” — successive (without a break)
From this reading These tubes extended over the end of the trailers, where red flags waved in warning; on the short curves they swept the road, and if you met a car coming in the opposite direction, you had to stop while the other car crept carefully by; if there was not room enough, the other car would have to back up to a place where the road was straighter.
a lightweight cord
From this reading Behind it came the “mud-hogs” and the “draw-works”; and then the “string” of drilling tools, hollow tubes of the best steel, that were screwed end to end and went down into the earth, a mile or more, if need be.
possessing sweep
From this reading These tubes extended over the end of the trailers, where red flags waved in warning; on the short curves they swept the road, and if you met a car coming in the opposite direction, you had to stop while the other car crept carefully by; if there was not room enough, the other car would have to back up to a place where the road was straighter.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading This time it was not one car, but a whole fleet of them, a dozen seven-ton trucks, broad and solid, with broad and solid double wheels, and trailers on behind, that carried even more tons.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE DRILLING I Once more the valleys and gorges of Guadalupe Grade resounded to the flying echoes of honking horns.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading This time it was not one car, but a whole fleet of them, a dozen seven-ton trucks, broad and solid, with broad and solid double wheels, and trailers on behind, that carried even more tons.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Behind it came the “mud-hogs” and the “draw-works”; and then the “string” of drilling tools, hollow tubes of the best steel, that were screwed end to end and went down into the earth, a mile or more, if need be.
in or at that place or location
From this reading These tubes extended over the end of the trailers, where red flags waved in warning; on the short curves they swept the road, and if you met a car coming in the opposite direction, you had to stop while the other car crept carefully by; if there was not room enough, the other car would have to back up to a place where the road was straighter.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading These tubes extended over the end of the trailers, where red flags waved in warning; on the short curves they swept the road, and if you met a car coming in the opposite direction, you had to stop while the other car crept carefully by; if there was not room enough, the other car would have to back up to a place where the road was straighter.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading These tubes extended over the end of the trailers, where red flags waved in warning; on the short curves they swept the road, and if you met a car coming in the opposite direction, you had to stop while the other car crept carefully by; if there was not room enough, the other car would have to back up to a place where the road was straighter.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading This time it was not one car, but a whole fleet of them, a dozen seven-ton trucks, broad and solid, with broad and solid double wheels, and trailers on behind, that carried even more tons.
timbersnounUS /ˈtɪmbərz/
plural of “timber” — the wood of trees cut and prepared for use as building material
From this reading The first load towered high, a big stationary engine, held in place by heavy timbers bolted fast at the sides; that truck went carefully round the curves, you bet!
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading This time it was not one car, but a whole fleet of them, a dozen seven-ton trucks, broad and solid, with broad and solid double wheels, and trailers on behind, that carried even more tons.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE DRILLING I Once more the valleys and gorges of Guadalupe Grade resounded to the flying echoes of honking horns.
tonsnounUS /tʌnz/
a large number or amount
From this reading This time it was not one car, but a whole fleet of them, a dozen seven-ton trucks, broad and solid, with broad and solid double wheels, and trailers on behind, that carried even more tons.
toolsnounUS /tuːlz/
plural of “tool” — an implement used in the practice of a vocation
From this reading Behind it came the “mud-hogs” and the “draw-works”; and then the “string” of drilling tools, hollow tubes of the best steel, that were screwed end to end and went down into the earth, a mile or more, if need be.
toweredverbUS /ˈtaʊərd/
past form of “tower” — appear very large or occupy a commanding position
From this reading The first load towered high, a big stationary engine, held in place by heavy timbers bolted fast at the sides; that truck went carefully round the curves, you bet!
trailersnounUS /ˈtreɪlərz/
plural of “trailer” — someone who takes more time than necessary; someone who lags behind
From this reading This time it was not one car, but a whole fleet of them, a dozen seven-ton trucks, broad and solid, with broad and solid double wheels, and trailers on behind, that carried even more tons.
trucknounUS /trʌk/
an automotive vehicle suitable for hauling
From this reading The first load towered high, a big stationary engine, held in place by heavy timbers bolted fast at the sides; that truck went carefully round the curves, you bet!
trucksnounUS /trʌks/
plural of “truck” — an automotive vehicle suitable for hauling
From this reading This time it was not one car, but a whole fleet of them, a dozen seven-ton trucks, broad and solid, with broad and solid double wheels, and trailers on behind, that carried even more tons.
tubesnounUS /tuːbz/
plural of “tube” — conduit consisting of a long hollow object (usually cylindrical) used to hold and conduct objects or liquids or gases
From this reading Behind it came the “mud-hogs” and the “draw-works”; and then the “string” of drilling tools, hollow tubes of the best steel, that were screwed end to end and went down into the earth, a mile or more, if need be.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading These tubes extended over the end of the trailers, where red flags waved in warning; on the short curves they swept the road, and if you met a car coming in the opposite direction, you had to stop while the other car crept carefully by; if there was not room enough, the other car would have to back up to a place where the road was straighter.
valleysnounUS /ˈvæliz/
plural of “valley” — a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river
From this reading THE DRILLING I Once more the valleys and gorges of Guadalupe Grade resounded to the flying echoes of honking horns.
a message informing of danger
From this reading These tubes extended over the end of the trailers, where red flags waved in warning; on the short curves they swept the road, and if you met a car coming in the opposite direction, you had to stop while the other car crept carefully by; if there was not room enough, the other car would have to back up to a place where the road was straighter.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading This time it was not one car, but a whole fleet of them, a dozen seven-ton trucks, broad and solid, with broad and solid double wheels, and trailers on behind, that carried even more tons.
past form of “wave” — signal with the hands or nod
From this reading These tubes extended over the end of the trailers, where red flags waved in warning; on the short curves they swept the road, and if you met a car coming in the opposite direction, you had to stop while the other car crept carefully by; if there was not room enough, the other car would have to back up to a place where the road was straighter.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading The first load towered high, a big stationary engine, held in place by heavy timbers bolted fast at the sides; that truck went carefully round the curves, you bet!
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Behind it came the “mud-hogs” and the “draw-works”; and then the “string” of drilling tools, hollow tubes of the best steel, that were screwed end to end and went down into the earth, a mile or more, if need be.
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 This time it was not one car, but a whole fleet of them, a dozen seven-ton trucks, broad and solid, with broad and solid double wheels, and trailers on behind, that carried even more tons.
in or at the place that
From this reading These tubes extended over the end of the trailers, where red flags waved in warning; on the short curves they swept the road, and if you met a car coming in the opposite direction, you had to stop while the other car crept carefully by; if there was not room enough, the other car would have to back up to a place where the road was straighter.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading These tubes extended over the end of the trailers, where red flags waved in warning; on the short curves they swept the road, and if you met a car coming in the opposite direction, you had to stop while the other car crept carefully by; if there was not room enough, the other car would have to back up to a place where the road was straighter.
including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete
From this reading This time it was not one car, but a whole fleet of them, a dozen seven-ton trucks, broad and solid, with broad and solid double wheels, and trailers on behind, that carried even more tons.
in the company of; together with
From this reading This time it was not one car, but a whole fleet of them, a dozen seven-ton trucks, broad and solid, with broad and solid double wheels, and trailers on behind, that carried even more tons.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading These tubes extended over the end of the trailers, where red flags waved in warning; on the short curves they swept the road, and if you met a car coming in the opposite direction, you had to stop while the other car crept carefully by; if there was not room enough, the other car would have to back up to a place where the road was straighter.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading The first load towered high, a big stationary engine, held in place by heavy timbers bolted fast at the sides; that truck went carefully round the curves, you bet!
