used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "That was all well enough on a regular run," thought Ralph, "but a special is a different thing."
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading He explained hurriedly about the disappearance of Griscom.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading "That was all well enough on a regular run," thought Ralph, "but a special is a different thing."
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He knew how to run an engine, for the young fireman had watched Griscom at his duties, had studied every separate piece of machinery thoroughly, and more than once had relieved the veteran engineer for brief periods of time between stations.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading KIDNAPPED Ralph climbed to the engineer's seat with many misgivings and very anxious concerning his missing partner.
eagerly desirous
From this reading KIDNAPPED Ralph climbed to the engineer's seat with many misgivings and very anxious concerning his missing partner.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading He knew how to run an engine, for the young fireman had watched Griscom at his duties, had studied every separate piece of machinery thoroughly, and more than once had relieved the veteran engineer for brief periods of time between stations.
in the space, time, or range separating two things
From this reading He knew how to run an engine, for the young fireman had watched Griscom at his duties, had studied every separate piece of machinery thoroughly, and more than once had relieved the veteran engineer for brief periods of time between stations.
of short duration or distance
From this reading He knew how to run an engine, for the young fireman had watched Griscom at his duties, had studied every separate piece of machinery thoroughly, and more than once had relieved the veteran engineer for brief periods of time between stations.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "That was all well enough on a regular run," thought Ralph, "but a special is a different thing."
past form of “call” — assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
From this reading Then, coming to the switch tower, he called up to the operator there, who was at the open window.
past form of “climb” — go upward with gradual or continuous progress
From this reading KIDNAPPED Ralph climbed to the engineer's seat with many misgivings and very anxious concerning his missing partner.
the act of drawing spatially closer to something
From this reading Then, coming to the switch tower, he called up to the operator there, who was at the open window.
-ing form of “concern” — be relevant to
From this reading KIDNAPPED Ralph climbed to the engineer's seat with many misgivings and very anxious concerning his missing partner.
unlike in nature or quality or form or degree
From this reading "That was all well enough on a regular run," thought Ralph, "but a special is a different thing."
disappearancenounUS /ˌdɪsəˈpɪrəns/
the act of leaving secretly or without explanation
From this reading He explained hurriedly about the disappearance of Griscom.
plural of “duty” — the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force
From this reading He knew how to run an engine, for the young fireman had watched Griscom at his duties, had studied every separate piece of machinery thoroughly, and more than once had relieved the veteran engineer for brief periods of time between stations.
enginenounUS /ˈendʒən/
motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work
From this reading He knew how to run an engine, for the young fireman had watched Griscom at his duties, had studied every separate piece of machinery thoroughly, and more than once had relieved the veteran engineer for brief periods of time between stations.
engineernounUS /ˈendʒəˈnɪr/
a person who uses scientific knowledge to solve practical problems
From this reading He knew how to run an engine, for the young fireman had watched Griscom at his duties, had studied every separate piece of machinery thoroughly, and more than once had relieved the veteran engineer for brief periods of time between stations.
engineer'snounUS /ˌendʒəˈniːrz/
possessive form of “engineer” — a person who uses scientific knowledge to solve practical problems
From this reading KIDNAPPED Ralph climbed to the engineer's seat with many misgivings and very anxious concerning his missing partner.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading "That was all well enough on a regular run," thought Ralph, "but a special is a different thing."
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading He knew how to run an engine, for the young fireman had watched Griscom at his duties, had studied every separate piece of machinery thoroughly, and more than once had relieved the veteran engineer for brief periods of time between stations.
past form of “explain” — make plain and comprehensible
From this reading He explained hurriedly about the disappearance of Griscom.
firemannounUS /ˈfaɪrmən/
play in which children pretend to put out a fire
From this reading He knew how to run an engine, for the young fireman had watched Griscom at his duties, had studied every separate piece of machinery thoroughly, and more than once had relieved the veteran engineer for brief periods of time between stations.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He knew how to run an engine, for the young fireman had watched Griscom at his duties, had studied every separate piece of machinery thoroughly, and more than once had relieved the veteran engineer for brief periods of time between stations.
Griscom
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He knew how to run an engine, for the young fireman had watched Griscom at his duties, had studied every separate piece of machinery thoroughly, and more than once had relieved the veteran engineer for brief periods of time between stations.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading He knew how to run an engine, for the young fireman had watched Griscom at his duties, had studied every separate piece of machinery thoroughly, and more than once had relieved the veteran engineer for brief periods of time between stations.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading He knew how to run an engine, for the young fireman had watched Griscom at his duties, had studied every separate piece of machinery thoroughly, and more than once had relieved the veteran engineer for brief periods of time between stations.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading KIDNAPPED Ralph climbed to the engineer's seat with many misgivings and very anxious concerning his missing partner.
how
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He knew how to run an engine, for the young fireman had watched Griscom at his duties, had studied every separate piece of machinery thoroughly, and more than once had relieved the veteran engineer for brief periods of time between stations.
hurriedlyadverbUS /ˈhɜːridli/
in a hurried or hasty manner
From this reading He explained hurriedly about the disappearance of Griscom.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "That was all well enough on a regular run," thought Ralph, "but a special is a different thing."
KIDNAPPEDverbUS /ˈkɪdnæpt/
inflected form of “kidnap” — take away to an undisclosed location against their will and usually in order to extract a ransom
From this reading KIDNAPPED Ralph climbed to the engineer's seat with many misgivings and very anxious concerning his missing partner.
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 He knew how to run an engine, for the young fireman had watched Griscom at his duties, had studied every separate piece of machinery thoroughly, and more than once had relieved the veteran engineer for brief periods of time between stations.
machinerynounUS /məˈʃiːnəri/
machines or machine systems collectively
From this reading He knew how to run an engine, for the young fireman had watched Griscom at his duties, had studied every separate piece of machinery thoroughly, and more than once had relieved the veteran engineer for brief periods of time between stations.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading KIDNAPPED Ralph climbed to the engineer's seat with many misgivings and very anxious concerning his missing partner.
misgivingsnounUS /mɪsˈɡɪvɪŋz/
plural of “misgiving” — uneasiness about the fitness of an action
From this reading KIDNAPPED Ralph climbed to the engineer's seat with many misgivings and very anxious concerning his missing partner.
missingadjectiveUS /ˈmɪsɪŋ/
not able to be found
From this reading KIDNAPPED Ralph climbed to the engineer's seat with many misgivings and very anxious concerning his missing partner.
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
From this reading He knew how to run an engine, for the young fireman had watched Griscom at his duties, had studied every separate piece of machinery thoroughly, and more than once had relieved the veteran engineer for brief periods of time between stations.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He knew how to run an engine, for the young fireman had watched Griscom at his duties, had studied every separate piece of machinery thoroughly, and more than once had relieved the veteran engineer for brief periods of time between stations.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading "That was all well enough on a regular run," thought Ralph, "but a special is a different thing."
on one occasion
From this reading He knew how to run an engine, for the young fireman had watched Griscom at his duties, had studied every separate piece of machinery thoroughly, and more than once had relieved the veteran engineer for brief periods of time between stations.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading Then, coming to the switch tower, he called up to the operator there, who was at the open window.
operatornounUS /ˈɑːpəreɪtər/
(mathematics) a symbol or function representing a mathematical operation
From this reading Then, coming to the switch tower, he called up to the operator there, who was at the open window.
partnernounUS /ˈpɑːrtnər/
a person's partner in marriage
From this reading KIDNAPPED Ralph climbed to the engineer's seat with many misgivings and very anxious concerning his missing partner.
periodsnounUS /ˈpɪriədz/
plural of “period” — an amount of time
From this reading He knew how to run an engine, for the young fireman had watched Griscom at his duties, had studied every separate piece of machinery thoroughly, and more than once had relieved the veteran engineer for brief periods of time between stations.
a separate part of a whole
From this reading He knew how to run an engine, for the young fireman had watched Griscom at his duties, had studied every separate piece of machinery thoroughly, and more than once had relieved the veteran engineer for brief periods of time between stations.
Ralph
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading KIDNAPPED Ralph climbed to the engineer's seat with many misgivings and very anxious concerning his missing partner.
in accordance with fixed order or procedure or principle
From this reading "That was all well enough on a regular run," thought Ralph, "but a special is a different thing."
(of pain or sorrow) made easier to bear
From this reading He knew how to run an engine, for the young fireman had watched Griscom at his duties, had studied every separate piece of machinery thoroughly, and more than once had relieved the veteran engineer for brief periods of time between stations.
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading He knew how to run an engine, for the young fireman had watched Griscom at his duties, had studied every separate piece of machinery thoroughly, and more than once had relieved the veteran engineer for brief periods of time between stations.
a space reserved for sitting (as in a theater or on a train or airplane)
From this reading KIDNAPPED Ralph climbed to the engineer's seat with many misgivings and very anxious concerning his missing partner.
act as a barrier between; stand between
From this reading He knew how to run an engine, for the young fireman had watched Griscom at his duties, had studied every separate piece of machinery thoroughly, and more than once had relieved the veteran engineer for brief periods of time between stations.
unique or specific to a person or thing or category
From this reading "That was all well enough on a regular run," thought Ralph, "but a special is a different thing."
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 He knew how to run an engine, for the young fireman had watched Griscom at his duties, had studied every separate piece of machinery thoroughly, and more than once had relieved the veteran engineer for brief periods of time between stations.
produced or marked by conscious design or premeditation
From this reading He knew how to run an engine, for the young fireman had watched Griscom at his duties, had studied every separate piece of machinery thoroughly, and more than once had relieved the veteran engineer for brief periods of time between stations.
switchverbUS /swɪtʃ/
change over, change around, as to a new order or sequence
From this reading Then, coming to the switch tower, he called up to the operator there, who was at the open window.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading He knew how to run an engine, for the young fireman had watched Griscom at his duties, had studied every separate piece of machinery thoroughly, and more than once had relieved the veteran engineer for brief periods of time between stations.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading "That was all well enough on a regular run," thought Ralph, "but a special is a different thing."
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading KIDNAPPED Ralph climbed to the engineer's seat with many misgivings and very anxious concerning his missing partner.
subsequently or soon afterward (often used as sentence connectors)
From this reading Then, coming to the switch tower, he called up to the operator there, who was at the open window.
in or at that place or location
From this reading Then, coming to the switch tower, he called up to the operator there, who was at the open window.
a special situation
From this reading "That was all well enough on a regular run," thought Ralph, "but a special is a different thing."
in an exhaustive manner
From this reading He knew how to run an engine, for the young fireman had watched Griscom at his duties, had studied every separate piece of machinery thoroughly, and more than once had relieved the veteran engineer for brief periods of time between stations.
the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
From this reading "That was all well enough on a regular run," thought Ralph, "but a special is a different thing."
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading He knew how to run an engine, for the young fireman had watched Griscom at his duties, had studied every separate piece of machinery thoroughly, and more than once had relieved the veteran engineer for brief periods of time between stations.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading KIDNAPPED Ralph climbed to the engineer's seat with many misgivings and very anxious concerning his missing partner.
a structure taller than its diameter; can stand alone or be attached to a larger building
From this reading Then, coming to the switch tower, he called up to the operator there, who was at the open window.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Then, coming to the switch tower, he called up to the operator there, who was at the open window.
precisely as stated
From this reading KIDNAPPED Ralph climbed to the engineer's seat with many misgivings and very anxious concerning his missing partner.
veterannounUS /ˈvetərən/
a serviceman who has seen considerable active service
From this reading He knew how to run an engine, for the young fireman had watched Griscom at his duties, had studied every separate piece of machinery thoroughly, and more than once had relieved the veteran engineer for brief periods of time between stations.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading "That was all well enough on a regular run," thought Ralph, "but a special is a different thing."
past form of “watch” — look attentively
From this reading He knew how to run an engine, for the young fireman had watched Griscom at his duties, had studied every separate piece of machinery thoroughly, and more than once had relieved the veteran engineer for brief periods of time between stations.
(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)
From this reading "That was all well enough on a regular run," thought Ralph, "but a special is a different thing."
which person or people
From this reading Then, coming to the switch tower, he called up to the operator there, who was at the open window.
a framework of wood or metal that contains a glass windowpane and is built into a wall or roof to admit light or air
From this reading Then, coming to the switch tower, he called up to the operator there, who was at the open window.
in the company of; together with
From this reading KIDNAPPED Ralph climbed to the engineer's seat with many misgivings and very anxious concerning his missing partner.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading He knew how to run an engine, for the young fireman had watched Griscom at his duties, had studied every separate piece of machinery thoroughly, and more than once had relieved the veteran engineer for brief periods of time between stations.
