used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading UP IN THE AIR After backing up the hill a second time, Townsend turned the car and coasted down the long grade on the other side.
AfterprepositionUS /ˈæftər/
later than; following
From this reading UP IN THE AIR After backing up the hill a second time, Townsend turned the car and coasted down the long grade on the other side.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading UP IN THE AIR After backing up the hill a second time, Townsend turned the car and coasted down the long grade on the other side.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading UP IN THE AIR After backing up the hill a second time, Townsend turned the car and coasted down the long grade on the other side.
from appearances alone
From this reading The place at which they now were was apparently the site of a deserted village, which in its flourishing day had boasted of a set of railroad gates and a little tower house for a gateman and switchman.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading The four gates were standing stark upright now and they did not so much as bow when the train went by.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The place at which they now were was apparently the site of a deserted village, which in its flourishing day had boasted of a set of railroad gates and a little tower house for a gateman and switchman.
backingnounUS /ˈbækɪŋ/
the act of providing approval and support
From this reading UP IN THE AIR After backing up the hill a second time, Townsend turned the car and coasted down the long grade on the other side.
boastedverbUS /ˈboʊstəd/
past form of “boast” — show off
From this reading The place at which they now were was apparently the site of a deserted village, which in its flourishing day had boasted of a set of railroad gates and a little tower house for a gateman and switchman.
a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces
From this reading The four gates were standing stark upright now and they did not so much as bow when the train went by.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading The four gates were standing stark upright now and they did not so much as bow when the train went by.
a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine
From this reading UP IN THE AIR After backing up the hill a second time, Townsend turned the car and coasted down the long grade on the other side.
cautionnounUS /ˈkɑːʃən/
the trait of being cautious; being attentive to possible danger
From this reading The momentum took them to a point where a railroad track crossed the road; indeed, the car would have gone farther than that if caution had not required Townsend to stop on hearing the whistle of a locomotive.
coastedverbUS /ˈkoʊstɪd/
past form of “coast” — move effortlessly; by force of gravity
From this reading UP IN THE AIR After backing up the hill a second time, Townsend turned the car and coasted down the long grade on the other side.
placed crosswise
From this reading The momentum took them to a point where a railroad track crossed the road; indeed, the car would have gone farther than that if caution had not required Townsend to stop on hearing the whistle of a locomotive.
time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis
From this reading The place at which they now were was apparently the site of a deserted village, which in its flourishing day had boasted of a set of railroad gates and a little tower house for a gateman and switchman.
forsaken by owner or inhabitants
From this reading The place at which they now were was apparently the site of a deserted village, which in its flourishing day had boasted of a set of railroad gates and a little tower house for a gateman and switchman.
didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/
the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives
From this reading The four gates were standing stark upright now and they did not so much as bow when the train went by.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading UP IN THE AIR After backing up the hill a second time, Townsend turned the car and coasted down the long grade on the other side.
more distant in especially space or time
From this reading The momentum took them to a point where a railroad track crossed the road; indeed, the car would have gone farther than that if caution had not required Townsend to stop on hearing the whistle of a locomotive.
flourishingadjectiveUS /ˈflɜːrɪʃɪŋ/
very lively and profitable
From this reading The place at which they now were was apparently the site of a deserted village, which in its flourishing day had boasted of a set of railroad gates and a little tower house for a gateman and switchman.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading The place at which they now were was apparently the site of a deserted village, which in its flourishing day had boasted of a set of railroad gates and a little tower house for a gateman and switchman.
the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one
From this reading The four gates were standing stark upright now and they did not so much as bow when the train went by.
gateman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The place at which they now were was apparently the site of a deserted village, which in its flourishing day had boasted of a set of railroad gates and a little tower house for a gateman and switchman.
United States computer entrepreneur whose software company made him the youngest multi-billionaire in the history of the United States (born in 1955)
From this reading The place at which they now were was apparently the site of a deserted village, which in its flourishing day had boasted of a set of railroad gates and a little tower house for a gateman and switchman.
destroyed or killed
From this reading The momentum took them to a point where a railroad track crossed the road; indeed, the car would have gone farther than that if caution had not required Townsend to stop on hearing the whistle of a locomotive.
gradenounUS /ɡreɪd/
a body of students who are taught together
From this reading UP IN THE AIR After backing up the hill a second time, Townsend turned the car and coasted down the long grade on the other side.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading The momentum took them to a point where a railroad track crossed the road; indeed, the car would have gone farther than that if caution had not required Townsend to stop on hearing the whistle of a locomotive.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading The momentum took them to a point where a railroad track crossed the road; indeed, the car would have gone farther than that if caution had not required Townsend to stop on hearing the whistle of a locomotive.
(law) a proceeding (usually by a court) where evidence is taken for the purpose of determining an issue of fact and reaching a decision based on that evidence
From this reading The momentum took them to a point where a railroad track crossed the road; indeed, the car would have gone farther than that if caution had not required Townsend to stop on hearing the whistle of a locomotive.
a local and well-defined elevation of the land
From this reading UP IN THE AIR After backing up the hill a second time, Townsend turned the car and coasted down the long grade on the other side.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading The place at which they now were was apparently the site of a deserted village, which in its flourishing day had boasted of a set of railroad gates and a little tower house for a gateman and switchman.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading The momentum took them to a point where a railroad track crossed the road; indeed, the car would have gone farther than that if caution had not required Townsend to stop on hearing the whistle of a locomotive.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading UP IN THE AIR After backing up the hill a second time, Townsend turned the car and coasted down the long grade on the other side.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading The momentum took them to a point where a railroad track crossed the road; indeed, the car would have gone farther than that if caution had not required Townsend to stop on hearing the whistle of a locomotive.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading The place at which they now were was apparently the site of a deserted village, which in its flourishing day had boasted of a set of railroad gates and a little tower house for a gateman and switchman.
limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent
From this reading The place at which they now were was apparently the site of a deserted village, which in its flourishing day had boasted of a set of railroad gates and a little tower house for a gateman and switchman.
locomotivenounUS /ˌloʊkəˈmoʊtɪv/
a wheeled vehicle consisting of a self-propelled engine that is used to draw trains along railway tracks
From this reading The momentum took them to a point where a railroad track crossed the road; indeed, the car would have gone farther than that if caution had not required Townsend to stop on hearing the whistle of a locomotive.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading UP IN THE AIR After backing up the hill a second time, Townsend turned the car and coasted down the long grade on the other side.
momentumnounUS /moʊˈmentəm/
an impelling force or strength
From this reading The momentum took them to a point where a railroad track crossed the road; indeed, the car would have gone farther than that if caution had not required Townsend to stop on hearing the whistle of a locomotive.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading The four gates were standing stark upright now and they did not so much as bow when the train went by.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading The momentum took them to a point where a railroad track crossed the road; indeed, the car would have gone farther than that if caution had not required Townsend to stop on hearing the whistle of a locomotive.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The place at which they now were was apparently the site of a deserted village, which in its flourishing day had boasted of a set of railroad gates and a little tower house for a gateman and switchman.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The momentum took them to a point where a railroad track crossed the road; indeed, the car would have gone farther than that if caution had not required Townsend to stop on hearing the whistle of a locomotive.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading UP IN THE AIR After backing up the hill a second time, Townsend turned the car and coasted down the long grade on the other side.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading UP IN THE AIR After backing up the hill a second time, Townsend turned the car and coasted down the long grade on the other side.
the time that has elapsed
From this reading Presently a train went whizzing past.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading The place at which they now were was apparently the site of a deserted village, which in its flourishing day had boasted of a set of railroad gates and a little tower house for a gateman and switchman.
a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading The momentum took them to a point where a railroad track crossed the road; indeed, the car would have gone farther than that if caution had not required Townsend to stop on hearing the whistle of a locomotive.
in the near future
From this reading Presently a train went whizzing past.
railroadnounUS /ˈreɪlroʊd/
line that is the commercial organization responsible for operating a system of transportation for trains that pull passengers or freight
From this reading The momentum took them to a point where a railroad track crossed the road; indeed, the car would have gone farther than that if caution had not required Townsend to stop on hearing the whistle of a locomotive.
necessary for relief or supply
From this reading The momentum took them to a point where a railroad track crossed the road; indeed, the car would have gone farther than that if caution had not required Townsend to stop on hearing the whistle of a locomotive.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading The momentum took them to a point where a railroad track crossed the road; indeed, the car would have gone farther than that if caution had not required Townsend to stop on hearing the whistle of a locomotive.
1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites
From this reading UP IN THE AIR After backing up the hill a second time, Townsend turned the car and coasted down the long grade on the other side.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading The place at which they now were was apparently the site of a deserted village, which in its flourishing day had boasted of a set of railroad gates and a little tower house for a gateman and switchman.
a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location
From this reading UP IN THE AIR After backing up the hill a second time, Townsend turned the car and coasted down the long grade on the other side.
sitenounUS /saɪt/
the piece of land on which something is located (or is to be located)
From this reading The place at which they now were was apparently the site of a deserted village, which in its flourishing day had boasted of a set of railroad gates and a little tower house for a gateman and switchman.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading The four gates were standing stark upright now and they did not so much as bow when the train went by.
having a supporting base
From this reading The four gates were standing stark upright now and they did not so much as bow when the train went by.
starkadjectiveUS /stɑːrk/
devoid of any qualifications or disguise or adornment
From this reading The four gates were standing stark upright now and they did not so much as bow when the train went by.
come to a halt, stop moving
From this reading The momentum took them to a point where a railroad track crossed the road; indeed, the car would have gone farther than that if caution had not required Townsend to stop on hearing the whistle of a locomotive.
switchmannoun
a man who operates railroad switches
From this reading The place at which they now were was apparently the site of a deserted village, which in its flourishing day had boasted of a set of railroad gates and a little tower house for a gateman and switchman.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The momentum took them to a point where a railroad track crossed the road; indeed, the car would have gone farther than that if caution had not required Townsend to stop on hearing the whistle of a locomotive.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The momentum took them to a point where a railroad track crossed the road; indeed, the car would have gone farther than that if caution had not required Townsend to stop on hearing the whistle of a locomotive.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading UP IN THE AIR After backing up the hill a second time, Townsend turned the car and coasted down the long grade on the other side.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading The momentum took them to a point where a railroad track crossed the road; indeed, the car would have gone farther than that if caution had not required Townsend to stop on hearing the whistle of a locomotive.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The place at which they now were was apparently the site of a deserted village, which in its flourishing day had boasted of a set of railroad gates and a little tower house for a gateman and switchman.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading UP IN THE AIR After backing up the hill a second time, Townsend turned the car and coasted down the long grade on the other side.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The momentum took them to a point where a railroad track crossed the road; indeed, the car would have gone farther than that if caution had not required Townsend to stop on hearing the whistle of a locomotive.
inflected form of “take” — carry out
From this reading The momentum took them to a point where a railroad track crossed the road; indeed, the car would have gone farther than that if caution had not required Townsend to stop on hearing the whistle of a locomotive.
a structure taller than its diameter; can stand alone or be attached to a larger building
From this reading The place at which they now were was apparently the site of a deserted village, which in its flourishing day had boasted of a set of railroad gates and a little tower house for a gateman and switchman.
TownsendnounUS /ˈtaʊnzənd/
United States social reformer who proposed an old-age pension sponsored by the federal government; his plan was a precursor to Social Security (1867-1960)
From this reading UP IN THE AIR After backing up the hill a second time, Townsend turned the car and coasted down the long grade on the other side.
a line or route along which something travels or moves
From this reading The momentum took them to a point where a railroad track crossed the road; indeed, the car would have gone farther than that if caution had not required Townsend to stop on hearing the whistle of a locomotive.
create by training and teaching
From this reading Presently a train went whizzing past.
moved around an axis or center
From this reading UP IN THE AIR After backing up the hill a second time, Townsend turned the car and coasted down the long grade on the other side.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading UP IN THE AIR After backing up the hill a second time, Townsend turned the car and coasted down the long grade on the other side.
uprightadjectiveUS /əˈpraɪt/
in a vertical position; not sloping
From this reading The four gates were standing stark upright now and they did not so much as bow when the train went by.
a community of people smaller than a town
From this reading The place at which they now were was apparently the site of a deserted village, which in its flourishing day had boasted of a set of railroad gates and a little tower house for a gateman and switchman.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The place at which they now were was apparently the site of a deserted village, which in its flourishing day had boasted of a set of railroad gates and a little tower house for a gateman and switchman.
inflected form of “go” — change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Presently a train went whizzing past.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The place at which they now were was apparently the site of a deserted village, which in its flourishing day had boasted of a set of railroad gates and a little tower house for a gateman and switchman.
at the time that
From this reading The four gates were standing stark upright now and they did not so much as bow when the train went by.
in or at the place that
From this reading The momentum took them to a point where a railroad track crossed the road; indeed, the car would have gone farther than that if caution had not required Townsend to stop on hearing the whistle of a locomotive.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading The place at which they now were was apparently the site of a deserted village, which in its flourishing day had boasted of a set of railroad gates and a little tower house for a gateman and switchman.
whistleverbUS /ˈwɪsəl/
make whistling sounds
From this reading The momentum took them to a point where a railroad track crossed the road; indeed, the car would have gone farther than that if caution had not required Townsend to stop on hearing the whistle of a locomotive.
whizzingverbUS /ˈwɪzɪŋ/
inflected form of “whiz” — make a soft swishing sound
From this reading Presently a train went whizzing past.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading The momentum took them to a point where a railroad track crossed the road; indeed, the car would have gone farther than that if caution had not required Townsend to stop on hearing the whistle of a locomotive.
