Chapter IX

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading The Bell continued to autorotate in a series of circles.

quickly and without warning

From this reading Then it abruptly nosed straight downward, and a second later it veered toward the side of the cliff abutting the sea.

inflected form of “abut” — lie adjacent to another or share a boundary

From this reading Then it abruptly nosed straight downward, and a second later it veered toward the side of the cliff abutting the sea.

from one side of something to the other

From this reading In the meantime Vance had reached the landing pad, a few meters away from the old man, who was stumbling distractedly across the asphalt, staring in the direction the chopper had disappeared and so shocked by the sight he seemed not to realize he was walking directly into the hands of the men who had killed the pilot.

touching and pressing; in opposition to

From this reading A splintering crash replaced the sound of the engine as the rotors slammed against the granite, shearing away--whereupon the fuselage bounced down the steep wall of the cliff and into the water.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading Then it abruptly nosed straight downward, and a second later it veered toward the side of the cliff abutting the sea.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading A splintering crash replaced the sound of the engine as the rotors slammed against the granite, shearing away--whereupon the fuselage bounced down the steep wall of the cliff and into the water.

mixed asphalt and crushed gravel or sand; used especially for paving but also for roofing

From this reading In the meantime Vance had reached the landing pad, a few meters away from the old man, who was stumbling distractedly across the asphalt, staring in the direction the chopper had disappeared and so shocked by the sight he seemed not to realize he was walking directly into the hands of the men who had killed the pilot.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The Bell continued to autorotate in a series of circles.

from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)

From this reading A splintering crash replaced the sound of the engine as the rotors slammed against the granite, shearing away--whereupon the fuselage bounced down the steep wall of the cliff and into the water.

a hollow device made of metal that makes a ringing sound when struck

From this reading The Bell continued to autorotate in a series of circles.

past form of “bounce” — spring back; spring away from an impact

From this reading A splintering crash replaced the sound of the engine as the rotors slammed against the granite, shearing away--whereupon the fuselage bounced down the steep wall of the cliff and into the water.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading In the meantime Vance had reached the landing pad, a few meters away from the old man, who was stumbling distractedly across the asphalt, staring in the direction the chopper had disappeared and so shocked by the sight he seemed not to realize he was walking directly into the hands of the men who had killed the pilot.

a grounder that bounces high in the air

From this reading In the meantime Vance had reached the landing pad, a few meters away from the old man, who was stumbling distractedly across the asphalt, staring in the direction the chopper had disappeared and so shocked by the sight he seemed not to realize he was walking directly into the hands of the men who had killed the pilot.

plural of “circle” — ellipse in which the two axes are of equal length; a plane curve generated by one point moving at a constant distance from a fixed point

From this reading The Bell continued to autorotate in a series of circles.

a steep high face of rock

From this reading Then it abruptly nosed straight downward, and a second later it veered toward the side of the cliff abutting the sea.

without stop or interruption

From this reading The Bell continued to autorotate in a series of circles.

fall or come down violently

From this reading A splintering crash replaced the sound of the engine as the rotors slammed against the granite, shearing away--whereupon the fuselage bounced down the steep wall of the cliff and into the water.

a line leading to a place or point

From this reading In the meantime Vance had reached the landing pad, a few meters away from the old man, who was stumbling distractedly across the asphalt, staring in the direction the chopper had disappeared and so shocked by the sight he seemed not to realize he was walking directly into the hands of the men who had killed the pilot.

without deviation

From this reading In the meantime Vance had reached the landing pad, a few meters away from the old man, who was stumbling distractedly across the asphalt, staring in the direction the chopper had disappeared and so shocked by the sight he seemed not to realize he was walking directly into the hands of the men who had killed the pilot.

past form of “disappear” — get lost, as without warning or explanation

From this reading In the meantime Vance had reached the landing pad, a few meters away from the old man, who was stumbling distractedly across the asphalt, staring in the direction the chopper had disappeared and so shocked by the sight he seemed not to realize he was walking directly into the hands of the men who had killed the pilot.

in a distracted manner

From this reading In the meantime Vance had reached the landing pad, a few meters away from the old man, who was stumbling distractedly across the asphalt, staring in the direction the chopper had disappeared and so shocked by the sight he seemed not to realize he was walking directly into the hands of the men who had killed the pilot.

being or moving lower in position or less in some value

From this reading A splintering crash replaced the sound of the engine as the rotors slammed against the granite, shearing away--whereupon the fuselage bounced down the steep wall of the cliff and into the water.

extending or moving from a higher to a lower place

From this reading Then it abruptly nosed straight downward, and a second later it veered toward the side of the cliff abutting the sea.

motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work

From this reading A splintering crash replaced the sound of the engine as the rotors slammed against the granite, shearing away--whereupon the fuselage bounced down the steep wall of the cliff and into the water.

a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number

From this reading In the meantime Vance had reached the landing pad, a few meters away from the old man, who was stumbling distractedly across the asphalt, staring in the direction the chopper had disappeared and so shocked by the sight he seemed not to realize he was walking directly into the hands of the men who had killed the pilot.

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading In the meantime Vance had reached the landing pad, a few meters away from the old man, who was stumbling distractedly across the asphalt, staring in the direction the chopper had disappeared and so shocked by the sight he seemed not to realize he was walking directly into the hands of the men who had killed the pilot.

the central body of an airplane that is designed to accommodate the crew and passengers (or cargo)

From this reading A splintering crash replaced the sound of the engine as the rotors slammed against the granite, shearing away--whereupon the fuselage bounced down the steep wall of the cliff and into the water.

plutonic igneous rock having visibly crystalline texture; generally composed of feldspar and mica and quartz

From this reading A splintering crash replaced the sound of the engine as the rotors slammed against the granite, shearing away--whereupon the fuselage bounced down the steep wall of the cliff and into the water.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading In the meantime Vance had reached the landing pad, a few meters away from the old man, who was stumbling distractedly across the asphalt, staring in the direction the chopper had disappeared and so shocked by the sight he seemed not to realize he was walking directly into the hands of the men who had killed the pilot.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading In the meantime Vance had reached the landing pad, a few meters away from the old man, who was stumbling distractedly across the asphalt, staring in the direction the chopper had disappeared and so shocked by the sight he seemed not to realize he was walking directly into the hands of the men who had killed the pilot.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading In the meantime Vance had reached the landing pad, a few meters away from the old man, who was stumbling distractedly across the asphalt, staring in the direction the chopper had disappeared and so shocked by the sight he seemed not to realize he was walking directly into the hands of the men who had killed the pilot.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading The Bell continued to autorotate in a series of circles.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading A splintering crash replaced the sound of the engine as the rotors slammed against the granite, shearing away--whereupon the fuselage bounced down the steep wall of the cliff and into the water.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Then it abruptly nosed straight downward, and a second later it veered toward the side of the cliff abutting the sea.

past form of “kill” — cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly

From this reading In the meantime Vance had reached the landing pad, a few meters away from the old man, who was stumbling distractedly across the asphalt, staring in the direction the chopper had disappeared and so shocked by the sight he seemed not to realize he was walking directly into the hands of the men who had killed the pilot.

an intermediate platform in a staircase

From this reading In the meantime Vance had reached the landing pad, a few meters away from the old man, who was stumbling distractedly across the asphalt, staring in the direction the chopper had disappeared and so shocked by the sight he seemed not to realize he was walking directly into the hands of the men who had killed the pilot.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading Then it abruptly nosed straight downward, and a second later it veered toward the side of the cliff abutting the sea.

an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)

From this reading In the meantime Vance had reached the landing pad, a few meters away from the old man, who was stumbling distractedly across the asphalt, staring in the direction the chopper had disappeared and so shocked by the sight he seemed not to realize he was walking directly into the hands of the men who had killed the pilot.

the time between one event, process, or period and another

From this reading In the meantime Vance had reached the landing pad, a few meters away from the old man, who was stumbling distractedly across the asphalt, staring in the direction the chopper had disappeared and so shocked by the sight he seemed not to realize he was walking directly into the hands of the men who had killed the pilot.

the force of workers available

From this reading In the meantime Vance had reached the landing pad, a few meters away from the old man, who was stumbling distractedly across the asphalt, staring in the direction the chopper had disappeared and so shocked by the sight he seemed not to realize he was walking directly into the hands of the men who had killed the pilot.

plural of “meter” — the basic unit of length adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites (approximately 1.094 yards)

From this reading In the meantime Vance had reached the landing pad, a few meters away from the old man, who was stumbling distractedly across the asphalt, staring in the direction the chopper had disappeared and so shocked by the sight he seemed not to realize he was walking directly into the hands of the men who had killed the pilot.

plural of “moment” — a particular point in time

From this reading In moments the seabed swallowed it up.

having a nose (either literal or metaphoric) especially of a specified kind

From this reading Then it abruptly nosed straight downward, and a second later it veered toward the side of the cliff abutting the sea.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading In the meantime Vance had reached the landing pad, a few meters away from the old man, who was stumbling distractedly across the asphalt, staring in the direction the chopper had disappeared and so shocked by the sight he seemed not to realize he was walking directly into the hands of the men who had killed the pilot.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The Bell continued to autorotate in a series of circles.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading In the meantime Vance had reached the landing pad, a few meters away from the old man, who was stumbling distractedly across the asphalt, staring in the direction the chopper had disappeared and so shocked by the sight he seemed not to realize he was walking directly into the hands of the men who had killed the pilot.

a number of sheets of paper fastened together along one edge

From this reading In the meantime Vance had reached the landing pad, a few meters away from the old man, who was stumbling distractedly across the asphalt, staring in the direction the chopper had disappeared and so shocked by the sight he seemed not to realize he was walking directly into the hands of the men who had killed the pilot.

operate an airplane

From this reading In the meantime Vance had reached the landing pad, a few meters away from the old man, who was stumbling distractedly across the asphalt, staring in the direction the chopper had disappeared and so shocked by the sight he seemed not to realize he was walking directly into the hands of the men who had killed the pilot.

past form of “reach” — reach a destination, either real or abstract

From this reading In the meantime Vance had reached the landing pad, a few meters away from the old man, who was stumbling distractedly across the asphalt, staring in the direction the chopper had disappeared and so shocked by the sight he seemed not to realize he was walking directly into the hands of the men who had killed the pilot.

be fully aware or cognizant of

From this reading In the meantime Vance had reached the landing pad, a few meters away from the old man, who was stumbling distractedly across the asphalt, staring in the direction the chopper had disappeared and so shocked by the sight he seemed not to realize he was walking directly into the hands of the men who had killed the pilot.

past form of “replace” — substitute a person or thing for (another that is broken or inefficient or lost or no longer working or yielding what is expected)

From this reading A splintering crash replaced the sound of the engine as the rotors slammed against the granite, shearing away--whereupon the fuselage bounced down the steep wall of the cliff and into the water.

plural of “rotor” — the rotating armature of a motor or generator

From this reading A splintering crash replaced the sound of the engine as the rotors slammed against the granite, shearing away--whereupon the fuselage bounced down the steep wall of the cliff and into the water.

a division of an ocean or a large body of salt water partially enclosed by land

From this reading Then it abruptly nosed straight downward, and a second later it veered toward the side of the cliff abutting the sea.

the bottom of a sea or ocean

From this reading In moments the seabed swallowed it up.

1/60 of a minute; the basic unit of time adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites

From this reading Then it abruptly nosed straight downward, and a second later it veered toward the side of the cliff abutting the sea.

past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading In the meantime Vance had reached the landing pad, a few meters away from the old man, who was stumbling distractedly across the asphalt, staring in the direction the chopper had disappeared and so shocked by the sight he seemed not to realize he was walking directly into the hands of the men who had killed the pilot.

similar things placed in order or happening one after another

From this reading The Bell continued to autorotate in a series of circles.

removing by cutting off or clipping

From this reading A splintering crash replaced the sound of the engine as the rotors slammed against the granite, shearing away--whereupon the fuselage bounced down the steep wall of the cliff and into the water.

struck with fear, dread, or consternation

From this reading In the meantime Vance had reached the landing pad, a few meters away from the old man, who was stumbling distractedly across the asphalt, staring in the direction the chopper had disappeared and so shocked by the sight he seemed not to realize he was walking directly into the hands of the men who had killed the pilot.

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading Then it abruptly nosed straight downward, and a second later it veered toward the side of the cliff abutting the sea.

an instance of visual perception

From this reading In the meantime Vance had reached the landing pad, a few meters away from the old man, who was stumbling distractedly across the asphalt, staring in the direction the chopper had disappeared and so shocked by the sight he seemed not to realize he was walking directly into the hands of the men who had killed the pilot.

inflected form of “slam” — close violently

From this reading A splintering crash replaced the sound of the engine as the rotors slammed against the granite, shearing away--whereupon the fuselage bounced down the steep wall of the cliff and into the water.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading In the meantime Vance had reached the landing pad, a few meters away from the old man, who was stumbling distractedly across the asphalt, staring in the direction the chopper had disappeared and so shocked by the sight he seemed not to realize he was walking directly into the hands of the men who had killed the pilot.

the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading A splintering crash replaced the sound of the engine as the rotors slammed against the granite, shearing away--whereupon the fuselage bounced down the steep wall of the cliff and into the water.

the act of chipping something

From this reading A splintering crash replaced the sound of the engine as the rotors slammed against the granite, shearing away--whereupon the fuselage bounced down the steep wall of the cliff and into the water.

(used of eyes) open and fixed as if in fear or wonder

From this reading In the meantime Vance had reached the landing pad, a few meters away from the old man, who was stumbling distractedly across the asphalt, staring in the direction the chopper had disappeared and so shocked by the sight he seemed not to realize he was walking directly into the hands of the men who had killed the pilot.

having a sharp inclination

From this reading A splintering crash replaced the sound of the engine as the rotors slammed against the granite, shearing away--whereupon the fuselage bounced down the steep wall of the cliff and into the water.

successive (without a break)

From this reading Then it abruptly nosed straight downward, and a second later it veered toward the side of the cliff abutting the sea.

-ing form of “stumble” — walk unsteadily

From this reading In the meantime Vance had reached the landing pad, a few meters away from the old man, who was stumbling distractedly across the asphalt, staring in the direction the chopper had disappeared and so shocked by the sight he seemed not to realize he was walking directly into the hands of the men who had killed the pilot.

past form of “swallow” — pass through the esophagus as part of eating or drinking

From this reading In moments the seabed swallowed it up.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading The Bell continued to autorotate in a series of circles.

subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)

From this reading Then it abruptly nosed straight downward, and a second later it veered toward the side of the cliff abutting the sea.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading The Bell continued to autorotate in a series of circles.

in the direction of

From this reading Then it abruptly nosed straight downward, and a second later it veered toward the side of the cliff abutting the sea.

being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level

From this reading In moments the seabed swallowed it up.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading In the meantime Vance had reached the landing pad, a few meters away from the old man, who was stumbling distractedly across the asphalt, staring in the direction the chopper had disappeared and so shocked by the sight he seemed not to realize he was walking directly into the hands of the men who had killed the pilot.

past form of “veer” — turn sharply; change direction abruptly

From this reading Then it abruptly nosed straight downward, and a second later it veered toward the side of the cliff abutting the sea.

close enough to be walked to

From this reading In the meantime Vance had reached the landing pad, a few meters away from the old man, who was stumbling distractedly across the asphalt, staring in the direction the chopper had disappeared and so shocked by the sight he seemed not to realize he was walking directly into the hands of the men who had killed the pilot.

an architectural partition with a height and length greater than its thickness; used to divide or enclose an area or to support another structure

From this reading A splintering crash replaced the sound of the engine as the rotors slammed against the granite, shearing away--whereupon the fuselage bounced down the steep wall of the cliff and into the water.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading In the meantime Vance had reached the landing pad, a few meters away from the old man, who was stumbling distractedly across the asphalt, staring in the direction the chopper had disappeared and so shocked by the sight he seemed not to realize he was walking directly into the hands of the men who had killed the pilot.

binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent

From this reading A splintering crash replaced the sound of the engine as the rotors slammed against the granite, shearing away--whereupon the fuselage bounced down the steep wall of the cliff and into the water.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A splintering crash replaced the sound of the engine as the rotors slammed against the granite, shearing away--whereupon the fuselage bounced down the steep wall of the cliff and into the water.

which person or people

From this reading In the meantime Vance had reached the landing pad, a few meters away from the old man, who was stumbling distractedly across the asphalt, staring in the direction the chopper had disappeared and so shocked by the sight he seemed not to realize he was walking directly into the hands of the men who had killed the pilot.