used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading From the telegraph to the telephone was but a step.
achievementnounUS /əˈtʃiːvmənt/
the action of accomplishing something
From this reading While impossible of achievement, as yet, it may be possible, years hence, to send living beings through space, to be received at distant points.
presently existing in fact and not merely potential or possible
From this reading Every time you have an X-ray photograph taken you are bombarded, not by rays, but by actual particles that go right through the walls of the tube, which particles are just as real as if they were bullets or bricks, the only difference being that they are smaller.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Every time you have an X-ray photograph taken you are bombarded, not by rays, but by actual particles that go right through the walls of the tube, which particles are just as real as if they were bullets or bricks, the only difference being that they are smaller.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading From the telephone to radio constituted but another such step, and we are now enjoying radio broadcast from stations thousands of miles away.
one more of the same kind, or a different one
From this reading From the telephone to radio constituted but another such step, and we are now enjoying radio broadcast from stations thousands of miles away.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading From the telephone to radio constituted but another such step, and we are now enjoying radio broadcast from stations thousands of miles away.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Every time you have an X-ray photograph taken you are bombarded, not by rays, but by actual particles that go right through the walls of the tube, which particles are just as real as if they were bullets or bricks, the only difference being that they are smaller.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading While impossible of achievement, as yet, it may be possible, years hence, to send living beings through space, to be received at distant points.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading From the telephone to radio constituted but another such step, and we are now enjoying radio broadcast from stations thousands of miles away.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading While impossible of achievement, as yet, it may be possible, years hence, to send living beings through space, to be received at distant points.
beingauxiliary verbUS /ˈbiːɪŋ/
the -ing form of “be”
From this reading Every time you have an X-ray photograph taken you are bombarded, not by rays, but by actual particles that go right through the walls of the tube, which particles are just as real as if they were bullets or bricks, the only difference being that they are smaller.
beingsnounUS /ˈbiːɪŋz/
plural of “being” — the state or fact of existing
From this reading While impossible of achievement, as yet, it may be possible, years hence, to send living beings through space, to be received at distant points.
bombardedverbUS /bɑːmˈbɑːrdɪd/
past form of “bombard” — cast, hurl, or throw repeatedly with some missile
From this reading Every time you have an X-ray photograph taken you are bombarded, not by rays, but by actual particles that go right through the walls of the tube, which particles are just as real as if they were bullets or bricks, the only difference being that they are smaller.
bricksnounUS /brɪks/
plural of “brick” — rectangular block of clay baked by the sun or in a kiln; used as a building or paving material
From this reading Every time you have an X-ray photograph taken you are bombarded, not by rays, but by actual particles that go right through the walls of the tube, which particles are just as real as if they were bullets or bricks, the only difference being that they are smaller.
broadcastverbUS /ˈbrɔːdkæst/
broadcast over the airwaves, as in radio or television
From this reading From the telephone to radio constituted but another such step, and we are now enjoying radio broadcast from stations thousands of miles away.
bulletsnounUS /ˈbʊləts/
plural of “bullet” — a projectile that is fired from a gun
From this reading Every time you have an X-ray photograph taken you are bombarded, not by rays, but by actual particles that go right through the walls of the tube, which particles are just as real as if they were bullets or bricks, the only difference being that they are smaller.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading From the telegraph to the telephone was but a step.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Every time you have an X-ray photograph taken you are bombarded, not by rays, but by actual particles that go right through the walls of the tube, which particles are just as real as if they were bullets or bricks, the only difference being that they are smaller.
constitutedadjectiveUS /ˈkɑːnstətuːtəd/
brought about or set up or accepted; especially long established
From this reading From the telephone to radio constituted but another such step, and we are now enjoying radio broadcast from stations thousands of miles away.
the quality of being unlike or dissimilar
From this reading Every time you have an X-ray photograph taken you are bombarded, not by rays, but by actual particles that go right through the walls of the tube, which particles are just as real as if they were bullets or bricks, the only difference being that they are smaller.
separated in space or coming from or going to a distance
From this reading While impossible of achievement, as yet, it may be possible, years hence, to send living beings through space, to be received at distant points.
enjoyingverbUS /ˌenˈdʒɔɪɪŋ/
-ing form of “enjoy” — derive or receive pleasure from; get enjoyment from; take pleasure in
From this reading From the telephone to radio constituted but another such step, and we are now enjoying radio broadcast from stations thousands of miles away.
EverydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading Every time you have an X-ray photograph taken you are bombarded, not by rays, but by actual particles that go right through the walls of the tube, which particles are just as real as if they were bullets or bricks, the only difference being that they are smaller.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading From the telegraph to the telephone was but a step.
change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically
From this reading Every time you have an X-ray photograph taken you are bombarded, not by rays, but by actual particles that go right through the walls of the tube, which particles are just as real as if they were bullets or bricks, the only difference being that they are smaller.
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Every time you have an X-ray photograph taken you are bombarded, not by rays, but by actual particles that go right through the walls of the tube, which particles are just as real as if they were bullets or bricks, the only difference being that they are smaller.
for this reason
From this reading While impossible of achievement, as yet, it may be possible, years hence, to send living beings through space, to be received at distant points.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading Every time you have an X-ray photograph taken you are bombarded, not by rays, but by actual particles that go right through the walls of the tube, which particles are just as real as if they were bullets or bricks, the only difference being that they are smaller.
not capable of occurring or being accomplished or dealt with
From this reading While impossible of achievement, as yet, it may be possible, years hence, to send living beings through space, to be received at distant points.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading While impossible of achievement, as yet, it may be possible, years hence, to send living beings through space, to be received at distant points.
and nothing more
From this reading Every time you have an X-ray photograph taken you are bombarded, not by rays, but by actual particles that go right through the walls of the tube, which particles are just as real as if they were bullets or bricks, the only difference being that they are smaller.
take somebody somewhere
From this reading Thus our scientists lead up to the way of sending solids through space.
the experience of being alive; the course of human events and activities
From this reading While impossible of achievement, as yet, it may be possible, years hence, to send living beings through space, to be received at distant points.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading While impossible of achievement, as yet, it may be possible, years hence, to send living beings through space, to be received at distant points.
plural of “mile” — a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading From the telephone to radio constituted but another such step, and we are now enjoying radio broadcast from stations thousands of miles away.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Every time you have an X-ray photograph taken you are bombarded, not by rays, but by actual particles that go right through the walls of the tube, which particles are just as real as if they were bullets or bricks, the only difference being that they are smaller.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading From the telephone to radio constituted but another such step, and we are now enjoying radio broadcast from stations thousands of miles away.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading From the telephone to radio constituted but another such step, and we are now enjoying radio broadcast from stations thousands of miles away.
and nothing more
From this reading Every time you have an X-ray photograph taken you are bombarded, not by rays, but by actual particles that go right through the walls of the tube, which particles are just as real as if they were bullets or bricks, the only difference being that they are smaller.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading Every time you have an X-ray photograph taken you are bombarded, not by rays, but by actual particles that go right through the walls of the tube, which particles are just as real as if they were bullets or bricks, the only difference being that they are smaller.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Thus our scientists lead up to the way of sending solids through space.
particlesnounUS /ˈpɑːrtəkəlz/
plural of “particle” — (nontechnical usage) a tiny piece of anything
From this reading Every time you have an X-ray photograph taken you are bombarded, not by rays, but by actual particles that go right through the walls of the tube, which particles are just as real as if they were bullets or bricks, the only difference being that they are smaller.
photographverbUS /ˈfoʊtəɡræf/
record on photographic film
From this reading Every time you have an X-ray photograph taken you are bombarded, not by rays, but by actual particles that go right through the walls of the tube, which particles are just as real as if they were bullets or bricks, the only difference being that they are smaller.
plural of “point” — a geometric element that has position but no extension
From this reading While impossible of achievement, as yet, it may be possible, years hence, to send living beings through space, to be received at distant points.
capable of happening or existing
From this reading While impossible of achievement, as yet, it may be possible, years hence, to send living beings through space, to be received at distant points.
radionounUS /ˈreɪdioʊ/
medium for communication
From this reading From the telephone to radio constituted but another such step, and we are now enjoying radio broadcast from stations thousands of miles away.
raysnounUS /reɪz/
plural of “ray” — a column of light (as from a beacon)
From this reading Every time you have an X-ray photograph taken you are bombarded, not by rays, but by actual particles that go right through the walls of the tube, which particles are just as real as if they were bullets or bricks, the only difference being that they are smaller.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading Every time you have an X-ray photograph taken you are bombarded, not by rays, but by actual particles that go right through the walls of the tube, which particles are just as real as if they were bullets or bricks, the only difference being that they are smaller.
conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers
From this reading While impossible of achievement, as yet, it may be possible, years hence, to send living beings through space, to be received at distant points.
precisely, exactly
From this reading Every time you have an X-ray photograph taken you are bombarded, not by rays, but by actual particles that go right through the walls of the tube, which particles are just as real as if they were bullets or bricks, the only difference being that they are smaller.
scientistsnounUS /ˈsaɪəntɪsts/
plural of “scientist” — a person with advanced knowledge of one or more sciences
From this reading Thus our scientists lead up to the way of sending solids through space.
cause to go somewhere
From this reading While impossible of achievement, as yet, it may be possible, years hence, to send living beings through space, to be received at distant points.
the act of causing something to go (especially messages)
From this reading Thus our scientists lead up to the way of sending solids through space.
small or little relative to something else
From this reading Every time you have an X-ray photograph taken you are bombarded, not by rays, but by actual particles that go right through the walls of the tube, which particles are just as real as if they were bullets or bricks, the only difference being that they are smaller.
solidsnounUS /ˈsɑːlədz/
plural of “solid” — matter that is solid at room temperature and pressure
From this reading Thus our scientists lead up to the way of sending solids through space.
the unlimited expanse in which everything is located
From this reading Thus our scientists lead up to the way of sending solids through space.
stationsnounUS /ˈsteɪʃənz/
(Roman Catholic Church) a devotion consisting of fourteen prayers said before a series of fourteen pictures or carvings representing successive incidents during Jesus' passage from Pilate's house to his crucifixion at Calvary
From this reading From the telephone to radio constituted but another such step, and we are now enjoying radio broadcast from stations thousands of miles away.
any maneuver made as part of progress toward a goal
From this reading From the telegraph to the telephone was but a step.
of the kind already mentioned
From this reading From the telephone to radio constituted but another such step, and we are now enjoying radio broadcast from stations thousands of miles away.
takenadjectiveUS /ˈteɪkən/
understood in a certain way; made sense of
From this reading Every time you have an X-ray photograph taken you are bombarded, not by rays, but by actual particles that go right through the walls of the tube, which particles are just as real as if they were bullets or bricks, the only difference being that they are smaller.
telegraphnounUS /ˈteləɡræf/
apparatus used to communicate at a distance over a wire (usually in Morse code)
From this reading From the telegraph to the telephone was but a step.
telephonenounUS /ˈteləfoʊn/
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 From the telegraph to the telephone was but a step.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading Every time you have an X-ray photograph taken you are bombarded, not by rays, but by actual particles that go right through the walls of the tube, which particles are just as real as if they were bullets or bricks, the only difference being that they are smaller.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading From the telegraph to the telephone was but a step.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Every time you have an X-ray photograph taken you are bombarded, not by rays, but by actual particles that go right through the walls of the tube, which particles are just as real as if they were bullets or bricks, the only difference being that they are smaller.
plural of “thousand” — the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100
From this reading From the telephone to radio constituted but another such step, and we are now enjoying radio broadcast from stations thousands of miles away.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading Every time you have an X-ray photograph taken you are bombarded, not by rays, but by actual particles that go right through the walls of the tube, which particles are just as real as if they were bullets or bricks, the only difference being that they are smaller.
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading Thus our scientists lead up to the way of sending solids through space.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading Every time you have an X-ray photograph taken you are bombarded, not by rays, but by actual particles that go right through the walls of the tube, which particles are just as real as if they were bullets or bricks, the only difference being that they are smaller.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading From the telegraph to the telephone was but a step.
tubenounUS /tuːb/
conduit consisting of a long hollow object (usually cylindrical) used to hold and conduct objects or liquids or gases
From this reading Every time you have an X-ray photograph taken you are bombarded, not by rays, but by actual particles that go right through the walls of the tube, which particles are just as real as if they were bullets or bricks, the only difference being that they are smaller.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Thus our scientists lead up to the way of sending solids through space.
plural of “wall” — 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 Every time you have an X-ray photograph taken you are bombarded, not by rays, but by actual particles that go right through the walls of the tube, which particles are just as real as if they were bullets or bricks, the only difference being that they are smaller.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading From the telegraph to the telephone was but a step.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading Thus our scientists lead up to the way of sending solids through space.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading From the telephone to radio constituted but another such step, and we are now enjoying radio broadcast from stations thousands of miles away.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading Every time you have an X-ray photograph taken you are bombarded, not by rays, but by actual particles that go right through the walls of the tube, which particles are just as real as if they were bullets or bricks, the only difference being that they are smaller.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Every time you have an X-ray photograph taken you are bombarded, not by rays, but by actual particles that go right through the walls of the tube, which particles are just as real as if they were bullets or bricks, the only difference being that they are smaller.
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading While impossible of achievement, as yet, it may be possible, years hence, to send living beings through space, to be received at distant points.
X-raynounUS /ˈeksreɪ/
electromagnetic radiation of short wavelength produced when high-speed electrons strike a solid target
From this reading Every time you have an X-ray photograph taken you are bombarded, not by rays, but by actual particles that go right through the walls of the tube, which particles are just as real as if they were bullets or bricks, the only difference being that they are smaller.
a late time of life
From this reading While impossible of achievement, as yet, it may be possible, years hence, to send living beings through space, to be received at distant points.
but in spite of that
From this reading While impossible of achievement, as yet, it may be possible, years hence, to send living beings through space, to be received at distant points.
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading Every time you have an X-ray photograph taken you are bombarded, not by rays, but by actual particles that go right through the walls of the tube, which particles are just as real as if they were bullets or bricks, the only difference being that they are smaller.
