used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A Perilous Mission As though nature repented of being too generous in the matter of sunshiny days, there came a depressing period of rain and fog during which the plane lay idle and the boys fumed in their restlessness.
matters of personal concern
From this reading As it was, there was the never-ending fascination of snatching messages, some trivial, some amusing or romantic, some weighted with affairs of international importance, from the overcrowded ether.
amusingadjectiveUS /əˈmjuːzɪŋ/
providing enjoyment; pleasantly entertaining
From this reading As it was, there was the never-ending fascination of snatching messages, some trivial, some amusing or romantic, some weighted with affairs of international importance, from the overcrowded ether.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading A Perilous Mission As though nature repented of being too generous in the matter of sunshiny days, there came a depressing period of rain and fog during which the plane lay idle and the boys fumed in their restlessness.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading A Perilous Mission As though nature repented of being too generous in the matter of sunshiny days, there came a depressing period of rain and fog during which the plane lay idle and the boys fumed in their restlessness.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading One never knew when clapping the ear phones to expectant ears what new surprise might be in store.
beenauxiliary verbUS /bɪn/
the past participle of “be”
From this reading Had it not been for radio they might have done something desperate in their quest for excitement.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading A Perilous Mission As though nature repented of being too generous in the matter of sunshiny days, there came a depressing period of rain and fog during which the plane lay idle and the boys fumed in their restlessness.
plural of “boy” — a youthful male person
From this reading A Perilous Mission As though nature repented of being too generous in the matter of sunshiny days, there came a depressing period of rain and fog during which the plane lay idle and the boys fumed in their restlessness.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading A Perilous Mission As though nature repented of being too generous in the matter of sunshiny days, there came a depressing period of rain and fog during which the plane lay idle and the boys fumed in their restlessness.
charmsnounUS /tʃɑːrmz/
plural of “charm” — attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates
From this reading One of the chief charms of radio was its unexpectedness.
a person who is in charge
From this reading One of the chief charms of radio was its unexpectedness.
clappingnounUS /ˈklæpɪŋ/
a demonstration of approval by clapping the hands together
From this reading One never knew when clapping the ear phones to expectant ears what new surprise might be in store.
the time during which someone's life continues
From this reading A Perilous Mission As though nature repented of being too generous in the matter of sunshiny days, there came a depressing period of rain and fog during which the plane lay idle and the boys fumed in their restlessness.
depressingadjectiveUS /dɪˈpresɪŋ/
causing sad feelings of gloom and inadequacy
From this reading A Perilous Mission As though nature repented of being too generous in the matter of sunshiny days, there came a depressing period of rain and fog during which the plane lay idle and the boys fumed in their restlessness.
arising from or marked by despair or loss of hope
From this reading Had it not been for radio they might have done something desperate in their quest for excitement.
having finished or arrived at completion
From this reading Had it not been for radio they might have done something desperate in their quest for excitement.
all through a period, or at some point within it
From this reading A Perilous Mission As though nature repented of being too generous in the matter of sunshiny days, there came a depressing period of rain and fog during which the plane lay idle and the boys fumed in their restlessness.
the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading One never knew when clapping the ear phones to expectant ears what new surprise might be in store.
plural of “ear” — the sense organ for hearing and equilibrium
From this reading One never knew when clapping the ear phones to expectant ears what new surprise might be in store.
ethernounUS /ˈiːθər/
the fifth and highest element after air and earth and fire and water; was believed to be the substance composing all heavenly bodies
From this reading As it was, there was the never-ending fascination of snatching messages, some trivial, some amusing or romantic, some weighted with affairs of international importance, from the overcrowded ether.
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy
From this reading Had it not been for radio they might have done something desperate in their quest for excitement.
expectantadjectiveUS /ɪkˈspektənt/
marked by eager anticipation
From this reading One never knew when clapping the ear phones to expectant ears what new surprise might be in store.
fascinationnounUS /ˌfæsəˈneɪʃən/
the state of being intensely interested (as by awe or terror)
From this reading As it was, there was the never-ending fascination of snatching messages, some trivial, some amusing or romantic, some weighted with affairs of international importance, from the overcrowded ether.
fognounUS /fɑːɡ/
droplets of water vapor suspended in the air near the ground
From this reading A Perilous Mission As though nature repented of being too generous in the matter of sunshiny days, there came a depressing period of rain and fog during which the plane lay idle and the boys fumed in their restlessness.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading Had it not been for radio they might have done something desperate in their quest for excitement.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading As it was, there was the never-ending fascination of snatching messages, some trivial, some amusing or romantic, some weighted with affairs of international importance, from the overcrowded ether.
fumedadjectiveUS /fjuːmd/
(of wood) darkened or colored by exposure to ammonia fumes
From this reading A Perilous Mission As though nature repented of being too generous in the matter of sunshiny days, there came a depressing period of rain and fog during which the plane lay idle and the boys fumed in their restlessness.
willing to give and share unstintingly
From this reading A Perilous Mission As though nature repented of being too generous in the matter of sunshiny days, there came a depressing period of rain and fog during which the plane lay idle and the boys fumed in their restlessness.
Hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Had it not been for radio they might have done something desperate in their quest for excitement.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Had it not been for radio they might have done something desperate in their quest for excitement.
not in action or at work
From this reading A Perilous Mission As though nature repented of being too generous in the matter of sunshiny days, there came a depressing period of rain and fog during which the plane lay idle and the boys fumed in their restlessness.
the quality of being important and worthy of note
From this reading As it was, there was the never-ending fascination of snatching messages, some trivial, some amusing or romantic, some weighted with affairs of international importance, from the overcrowded ether.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A Perilous Mission As though nature repented of being too generous in the matter of sunshiny days, there came a depressing period of rain and fog during which the plane lay idle and the boys fumed in their restlessness.
internationaladjectiveUS /ˌɪntərˈnæʃənəl/
concerning or belonging to all or at least two or more nations
From this reading As it was, there was the never-ending fascination of snatching messages, some trivial, some amusing or romantic, some weighted with affairs of international importance, from the overcrowded ether.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading Had it not been for radio they might have done something desperate in their quest for excitement.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading One of the chief charms of radio was its unexpectedness.
inflected form of “know” — be cognizant or aware of a fact or a specific piece of information; possess knowledge or information about
From this reading One never knew when clapping the ear phones to expectant ears what new surprise might be in store.
put into a certain place or abstract location
From this reading A Perilous Mission As though nature repented of being too generous in the matter of sunshiny days, there came a depressing period of rain and fog during which the plane lay idle and the boys fumed in their restlessness.
a vaguely specified concern
From this reading A Perilous Mission As though nature repented of being too generous in the matter of sunshiny days, there came a depressing period of rain and fog during which the plane lay idle and the boys fumed in their restlessness.
messagesnounUS /ˈmesədʒəz/
plural of “message” — a communication (usually brief) that is written or spoken or signaled
From this reading As it was, there was the never-ending fascination of snatching messages, some trivial, some amusing or romantic, some weighted with affairs of international importance, from the overcrowded ether.
used to say something is possible but not certain
From this reading Had it not been for radio they might have done something desperate in their quest for excitement.
an organization of missionaries in a foreign land sent to carry on religious work
From this reading A Perilous Mission As though nature repented of being too generous in the matter of sunshiny days, there came a depressing period of rain and fog during which the plane lay idle and the boys fumed in their restlessness.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading A Perilous Mission As though nature repented of being too generous in the matter of sunshiny days, there came a depressing period of rain and fog during which the plane lay idle and the boys fumed in their restlessness.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading One never knew when clapping the ear phones to expectant ears what new surprise might be in store.
never-endingadjectiveUS /ˌnevərˈendɪŋ/
uninterrupted in time and indefinitely long continuing
From this reading As it was, there was the never-ending fascination of snatching messages, some trivial, some amusing or romantic, some weighted with affairs of international importance, from the overcrowded ether.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading One never knew when clapping the ear phones to expectant ears what new surprise might be in store.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Had it not been for radio they might have done something desperate in their quest for excitement.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A Perilous Mission As though nature repented of being too generous in the matter of sunshiny days, there came a depressing period of rain and fog during which the plane lay idle and the boys fumed in their restlessness.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading One of the chief charms of radio was its unexpectedness.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading As it was, there was the never-ending fascination of snatching messages, some trivial, some amusing or romantic, some weighted with affairs of international importance, from the overcrowded ether.
overcrowdedverbUS /ˈoʊvərkraʊdɪd/
past form of “overcrowd” — cause to crowd together too much
From this reading As it was, there was the never-ending fascination of snatching messages, some trivial, some amusing or romantic, some weighted with affairs of international importance, from the overcrowded ether.
PerilousadjectiveUS /ˈperələs/
fraught with danger
From this reading A Perilous Mission As though nature repented of being too generous in the matter of sunshiny days, there came a depressing period of rain and fog during which the plane lay idle and the boys fumed in their restlessness.
an amount of time
From this reading A Perilous Mission As though nature repented of being too generous in the matter of sunshiny days, there came a depressing period of rain and fog during which the plane lay idle and the boys fumed in their restlessness.
phonesnounUS /foʊnz/
plural of “phone” — electronic equipment that converts sound into electrical signals that can be transmitted over distances and then converts received signals back into sounds
From this reading One never knew when clapping the ear phones to expectant ears what new surprise might be in store.
planenounUS /pleɪn/
an aircraft that has a fixed wing and is powered by propellers or jets
From this reading A Perilous Mission As though nature repented of being too generous in the matter of sunshiny days, there came a depressing period of rain and fog during which the plane lay idle and the boys fumed in their restlessness.
questnounUS /kwest/
a search for an alternative that meets cognitive criteria
From this reading Had it not been for radio they might have done something desperate in their quest for excitement.
radionounUS /ˈreɪdioʊ/
medium for communication
From this reading Had it not been for radio they might have done something desperate in their quest for excitement.
water falling in drops from vapor condensed in the atmosphere
From this reading A Perilous Mission As though nature repented of being too generous in the matter of sunshiny days, there came a depressing period of rain and fog during which the plane lay idle and the boys fumed in their restlessness.
repentedverbUS /rɪˈpentɪd/
past form of “repent” — turn away from sin or do penitence
From this reading A Perilous Mission As though nature repented of being too generous in the matter of sunshiny days, there came a depressing period of rain and fog during which the plane lay idle and the boys fumed in their restlessness.
restlessnessnounUS /ˈrestləsnəs/
the quality of being ceaselessly moving or active
From this reading A Perilous Mission As though nature repented of being too generous in the matter of sunshiny days, there came a depressing period of rain and fog during which the plane lay idle and the boys fumed in their restlessness.
romanticadjectiveUS /roʊˈmæntɪk/
belonging to or characteristic of Romanticism or the Romantic Movement in the arts
From this reading As it was, there was the never-ending fascination of snatching messages, some trivial, some amusing or romantic, some weighted with affairs of international importance, from the overcrowded ether.
snatchingverbUS /ˈsnætʃɪŋ/
-ing form of “snatch” — to grasp hastily or eagerly
From this reading As it was, there was the never-ending fascination of snatching messages, some trivial, some amusing or romantic, some weighted with affairs of international importance, from the overcrowded ether.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading As it was, there was the never-ending fascination of snatching messages, some trivial, some amusing or romantic, some weighted with affairs of international importance, from the overcrowded ether.
a thing, without saying which
From this reading Had it not been for radio they might have done something desperate in their quest for excitement.
a mercantile establishment for the retail sale of goods or services
From this reading One never knew when clapping the ear phones to expectant ears what new surprise might be in store.
sunshiny
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A Perilous Mission As though nature repented of being too generous in the matter of sunshiny days, there came a depressing period of rain and fog during which the plane lay idle and the boys fumed in their restlessness.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading One never knew when clapping the ear phones to expectant ears what new surprise might be in store.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A Perilous Mission As though nature repented of being too generous in the matter of sunshiny days, there came a depressing period of rain and fog during which the plane lay idle and the boys fumed in their restlessness.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading A Perilous Mission As though nature repented of being too generous in the matter of sunshiny days, there came a depressing period of rain and fog during which the plane lay idle and the boys fumed in their restlessness.
in or at that place or location
From this reading A Perilous Mission As though nature repented of being too generous in the matter of sunshiny days, there came a depressing period of rain and fog during which the plane lay idle and the boys fumed in their restlessness.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Had it not been for radio they might have done something desperate in their quest for excitement.
in spite of the fact that
From this reading A Perilous Mission As though nature repented of being too generous in the matter of sunshiny days, there came a depressing period of rain and fog during which the plane lay idle and the boys fumed in their restlessness.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading One never knew when clapping the ear phones to expectant ears what new surprise might be in store.
to a degree exceeding normal or proper limits
From this reading A Perilous Mission As though nature repented of being too generous in the matter of sunshiny days, there came a depressing period of rain and fog during which the plane lay idle and the boys fumed in their restlessness.
trivialadjectiveUS /ˈtrɪviəl/
(informal) small and of little importance
From this reading As it was, there was the never-ending fascination of snatching messages, some trivial, some amusing or romantic, some weighted with affairs of international importance, from the overcrowded ether.
unexpectednessnoun
extraordinariness by virtue of being unexpected
From this reading One of the chief charms of radio was its unexpectedness.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading As it was, there was the never-ending fascination of snatching messages, some trivial, some amusing or romantic, some weighted with affairs of international importance, from the overcrowded ether.
weightedadjectiveUS /ˈweɪtɪd/
made heavy or weighted down with weariness
From this reading As it was, there was the never-ending fascination of snatching messages, some trivial, some amusing or romantic, some weighted with affairs of international importance, from the overcrowded ether.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading One never knew when clapping the ear phones to expectant ears what new surprise might be in store.
at the time that
From this reading One never knew when clapping the ear phones to expectant ears what new surprise might be in store.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading A Perilous Mission As though nature repented of being too generous in the matter of sunshiny days, there came a depressing period of rain and fog during which the plane lay idle and the boys fumed in their restlessness.
in the company of; together with
From this reading As it was, there was the never-ending fascination of snatching messages, some trivial, some amusing or romantic, some weighted with affairs of international importance, from the overcrowded ether.
