used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE NEW RUN The young engineer stood shocked and motionless--only, however, for the minutest fraction of a moment.
something done (usually as opposed to something said)
From this reading A railroad man's life is full of sudden surprises and situations calling for prompt, decisive and effective action.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE NEW RUN The young engineer stood shocked and motionless--only, however, for the minutest fraction of a moment.
backingnounUS /ˈbækɪŋ/
the act of providing approval and support
From this reading The master mechanic was in the direct path of the train backing into the depot.
the particular occupation for which you are trained
From this reading A railroad man's life is full of sudden surprises and situations calling for prompt, decisive and effective action.
decisiveadjectiveUS /dɪˈsaɪsɪv/
determining or having the power to determine an outcome
From this reading A railroad man's life is full of sudden surprises and situations calling for prompt, decisive and effective action.
depotnounUS /ˈdiːpoʊ/
station where transport vehicles load or unload passengers or goods
From this reading The master mechanic was in the direct path of the train backing into the depot.
command with authority
From this reading The master mechanic was in the direct path of the train backing into the depot.
a line leading to a place or point
From this reading The one he had just left and the one proceeding in the same direction shut him in where there was no flagman or switches.
effectiveadjectiveUS /ɪˈfektɪv/
producing or capable of producing an intended result or having a striking effect
From this reading A railroad man's life is full of sudden surprises and situations calling for prompt, decisive and effective action.
engineernounUS /ˈendʒəˈnɪr/
a person who uses scientific knowledge to solve practical problems
From this reading THE NEW RUN The young engineer stood shocked and motionless--only, however, for the minutest fraction of a moment.
undergo or live through a difficult experience
From this reading Ralph had learned this from experience.
flagman
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The one he had just left and the one proceeding in the same direction shut him in where there was no flagman or switches.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE NEW RUN The young engineer stood shocked and motionless--only, however, for the minutest fraction of a moment.
fractionnounUS /ˈfrækʃən/
a component of a mixture that has been separated by a fractional process
From this reading THE NEW RUN The young engineer stood shocked and motionless--only, however, for the minutest fraction of a moment.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Ralph had learned this from experience.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading A railroad man's life is full of sudden surprises and situations calling for prompt, decisive and effective action.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading Ralph had learned this from experience.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading The one he had just left and the one proceeding in the same direction shut him in where there was no flagman or switches.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading The one he had just left and the one proceeding in the same direction shut him in where there was no flagman or switches.
used to add a contrasting statement
From this reading THE NEW RUN The young engineer stood shocked and motionless--only, however, for the minutest fraction of a moment.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading The master mechanic was in the direct path of the train backing into the depot.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading The master mechanic was in the direct path of the train backing into the depot.
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading A railroad man's life is full of sudden surprises and situations calling for prompt, decisive and effective action.
and nothing more
From this reading The one he had just left and the one proceeding in the same direction shut him in where there was no flagman or switches.
having or showing profound knowledge
From this reading Ralph had learned this from experience.
location near or direction toward the left side; i.e. the side to the north when a person or object faces east
From this reading The one he had just left and the one proceeding in the same direction shut him in where there was no flagman or switches.
a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading A railroad man's life is full of sudden surprises and situations calling for prompt, decisive and effective action.
man'snounUS /mænz/
possessive form of “man” — an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)
From this reading A railroad man's life is full of sudden surprises and situations calling for prompt, decisive and effective action.
an artist of consummate skill
From this reading The master mechanic was in the direct path of the train backing into the depot.
mechanicnounUS /məˈkænɪk/
a craftsman skilled in operating machine tools
From this reading The master mechanic was in the direct path of the train backing into the depot.
minutest
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading THE NEW RUN The young engineer stood shocked and motionless--only, however, for the minutest fraction of a moment.
a particular point in time
From this reading THE NEW RUN The young engineer stood shocked and motionless--only, however, for the minutest fraction of a moment.
not in physical motion
From this reading THE NEW RUN The young engineer stood shocked and motionless--only, however, for the minutest fraction of a moment.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading THE NEW RUN The young engineer stood shocked and motionless--only, however, for the minutest fraction of a moment.
not any; not one
From this reading The one he had just left and the one proceeding in the same direction shut him in where there was no flagman or switches.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE NEW RUN The young engineer stood shocked and motionless--only, however, for the minutest fraction of a moment.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The one he had just left and the one proceeding in the same direction shut him in where there was no flagman or switches.
and nothing more
From this reading THE NEW RUN The young engineer stood shocked and motionless--only, however, for the minutest fraction of a moment.
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading The one he had just left and the one proceeding in the same direction shut him in where there was no flagman or switches.
a course of conduct
From this reading The master mechanic was in the direct path of the train backing into the depot.
proceedingnounUS /prəˈsiːdɪŋ/
(law) the institution of a sequence of steps by which legal judgments are invoked
From this reading The one he had just left and the one proceeding in the same direction shut him in where there was no flagman or switches.
promptverbUS /prɑːmpt/
give an incentive for action
From this reading A railroad man's life is full of sudden surprises and situations calling for prompt, decisive and effective action.
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 A railroad man's life is full of sudden surprises and situations calling for prompt, decisive and effective action.
Ralph
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Ralph had learned this from experience.
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading THE NEW RUN The young engineer stood shocked and motionless--only, however, for the minutest fraction of a moment.
Identical; not different.
From this reading The one he had just left and the one proceeding in the same direction shut him in where there was no flagman or switches.
shockedadjectiveUS /ʃɑːkt/
struck with fear, dread, or consternation
From this reading THE NEW RUN The young engineer stood shocked and motionless--only, however, for the minutest fraction of a moment.
move so that an opening or passage is obstructed; make shut
From this reading The one he had just left and the one proceeding in the same direction shut him in where there was no flagman or switches.
situationsnounUS /ˌsɪtʃuːˈeɪʃənz/
plural of “situation” — the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time
From this reading A railroad man's life is full of sudden surprises and situations calling for prompt, decisive and effective action.
Maintained an upright posture.
From this reading THE NEW RUN The young engineer stood shocked and motionless--only, however, for the minutest fraction of a moment.
happening without warning or in a short space of time
From this reading A railroad man's life is full of sudden surprises and situations calling for prompt, decisive and effective action.
surprisesnounUS /sərˈpraɪzɪz/
plural of “surprise” — the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading A railroad man's life is full of sudden surprises and situations calling for prompt, decisive and effective action.
switchesnounUS /ˈswɪtʃəz/
plural of “switch” — control consisting of a mechanical or electrical or electronic device for making or breaking or changing the connections in a circuit
From this reading The one he had just left and the one proceeding in the same direction shut him in where there was no flagman or switches.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE NEW RUN The young engineer stood shocked and motionless--only, however, for the minutest fraction of a moment.
in or at that place or location
From this reading The one he had just left and the one proceeding in the same direction shut him in where there was no flagman or switches.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Ralph had learned this from experience.
create by training and teaching
From this reading The master mechanic was in the direct path of the train backing into the depot.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The master mechanic was in the direct path of the train backing into the depot.
in or at the place that
From this reading The one he had just left and the one proceeding in the same direction shut him in where there was no flagman or switches.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading THE NEW RUN The young engineer stood shocked and motionless--only, however, for the minutest fraction of a moment.
