used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A Fearful Discovery Never in their lives had the explorers witnessed anything like the terrible onslaught that followed.
abilitynounUS /əˈbɪlətiː/
the quality of being able to perform; a quality that permits or facilitates achievement or accomplishment
From this reading Karl's ability as a pilot promised to be tested to the utmost.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The violent, ruthless wind dashed the monoplane about dangerously, threatening at every moment to tear it to pieces.
any thing at all
From this reading A Fearful Discovery Never in their lives had the explorers witnessed anything like the terrible onslaught that followed.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Karl's ability as a pilot promised to be tested to the utmost.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The violent, ruthless wind dashed the monoplane about dangerously, threatening at every moment to tear it to pieces.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading Karl's ability as a pilot promised to be tested to the utmost.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading It was but a frail, man-made machine when caught in those forces of nature.
inflected form of “catch” — discover or come upon accidentally, suddenly, or unexpectedly; catch somebody doing something or in a certain state
From this reading It was but a frail, man-made machine when caught in those forces of nature.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading If he could keep the ship straight it would be nothing short of miraculous.
dangerouslyadverbUS /ˈdeɪn.dʒər.əs.li/
In a way that involves danger or risk.
From this reading The violent, ruthless wind dashed the monoplane about dangerously, threatening at every moment to tear it to pieces.
having gaps or spaces
From this reading The violent, ruthless wind dashed the monoplane about dangerously, threatening at every moment to tear it to pieces.
the act of discovering something
From this reading A Fearful Discovery Never in their lives had the explorers witnessed anything like the terrible onslaught that followed.
everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/
all the members of a group, with none left out
From this reading The violent, ruthless wind dashed the monoplane about dangerously, threatening at every moment to tear it to pieces.
explorersnounUS /ɪkˈsplɔːrərz/
plural of “explorer” — someone who travels into little known regions (especially for some scientific purpose)
From this reading A Fearful Discovery Never in their lives had the explorers witnessed anything like the terrible onslaught that followed.
experiencing or showing fear
From this reading A Fearful Discovery Never in their lives had the explorers witnessed anything like the terrible onslaught that followed.
past form of “follow” — to travel behind, go after, come after
From this reading A Fearful Discovery Never in their lives had the explorers witnessed anything like the terrible onslaught that followed.
plural of “force” — a powerful effect or influence
From this reading It was but a frail, man-made machine when caught in those forces of nature.
frailadjectiveUS /freɪl/
physically weak
From this reading It was but a frail, man-made machine when caught in those forces of nature.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading A Fearful Discovery Never in their lives had the explorers witnessed anything like the terrible onslaught that followed.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading If he could keep the ship straight it would be nothing short of miraculous.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading If he could keep the ship straight it would be nothing short of miraculous.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A Fearful Discovery Never in their lives had the explorers witnessed anything like the terrible onslaught that followed.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The violent, ruthless wind dashed the monoplane about dangerously, threatening at every moment to tear it to pieces.
Karl's
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Karl's ability as a pilot promised to be tested to the utmost.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading If he could keep the ship straight it would be nothing short of miraculous.
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading A Fearful Discovery Never in their lives had the explorers witnessed anything like the terrible onslaught that followed.
plural of “life” — a characteristic state or mode of living
From this reading A Fearful Discovery Never in their lives had the explorers witnessed anything like the terrible onslaught that followed.
any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks
From this reading It was but a frail, man-made machine when caught in those forces of nature.
man-madeadjectiveUS /ˈmænmeɪd/
not of natural origin; prepared or made artificially
From this reading It was but a frail, man-made machine when caught in those forces of nature.
miraculousadjectiveUS /mərˈækjələs/
being or having the character of a miracle
From this reading If he could keep the ship straight it would be nothing short of miraculous.
a particular point in time
From this reading The violent, ruthless wind dashed the monoplane about dangerously, threatening at every moment to tear it to pieces.
monoplanenounUS /ˈmɑːnəpleɪn/
an airplane with a single wing
From this reading The violent, ruthless wind dashed the monoplane about dangerously, threatening at every moment to tear it to pieces.
the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized
From this reading It was but a frail, man-made machine when caught in those forces of nature.
not ever; at no time in the past or future
From this reading A Fearful Discovery Never in their lives had the explorers witnessed anything like the terrible onslaught that followed.
not one thing; not anything
From this reading If he could keep the ship straight it would be nothing short of miraculous.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading It was but a frail, man-made machine when caught in those forces of nature.
onslaughtnounUS /ˈɔːnslɔːt/
a sudden and severe onset of trouble
From this reading A Fearful Discovery Never in their lives had the explorers witnessed anything like the terrible onslaught that followed.
plural of “piece” — a separate part of a whole
From this reading The violent, ruthless wind dashed the monoplane about dangerously, threatening at every moment to tear it to pieces.
pilotverbUS /ˈpaɪlət/
operate an airplane
From this reading Karl's ability as a pilot promised to be tested to the utmost.
past form of “promise” — make a promise or commitment
From this reading Karl's ability as a pilot promised to be tested to the utmost.
ruthlessadjectiveUS /ˈruːθləs/
without mercy or pity
From this reading The violent, ruthless wind dashed the monoplane about dangerously, threatening at every moment to tear it to pieces.
transport commercially
From this reading If he could keep the ship straight it would be nothing short of miraculous.
primarily temporal sense; indicating or being or seeming to be limited in duration
From this reading If he could keep the ship straight it would be nothing short of miraculous.
successive (without a break)
From this reading If he could keep the ship straight it would be nothing short of miraculous.
separate or cause to separate abruptly
From this reading The violent, ruthless wind dashed the monoplane about dangerously, threatening at every moment to tear it to pieces.
causing fear or dread or terror
From this reading A Fearful Discovery Never in their lives had the explorers witnessed anything like the terrible onslaught that followed.
testedadjectiveUS /ˈtestɪd/
tested and proved useful or correct
From this reading Karl's ability as a pilot promised to be tested to the utmost.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading A Fearful Discovery Never in their lives had the explorers witnessed anything like the terrible onslaught that followed.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A Fearful Discovery Never in their lives had the explorers witnessed anything like the terrible onslaught that followed.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading A Fearful Discovery Never in their lives had the explorers witnessed anything like the terrible onslaught that followed.
the plural of “that”: the people or things further away, or already known
From this reading It was but a frail, man-made machine when caught in those forces of nature.
threateningadjectiveUS /ˈθretənɪŋ/
threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
From this reading The violent, ruthless wind dashed the monoplane about dangerously, threatening at every moment to tear it to pieces.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The violent, ruthless wind dashed the monoplane about dangerously, threatening at every moment to tear it to pieces.
of the greatest possible degree or extent or intensity
From this reading Karl's ability as a pilot promised to be tested to the utmost.
acting with or marked by or resulting from great force or energy or emotional intensity
From this reading The violent, ruthless wind dashed the monoplane about dangerously, threatening at every moment to tear it to pieces.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading It was but a frail, man-made machine when caught in those forces of nature.
at the time that
From this reading It was but a frail, man-made machine when caught in those forces of nature.
air moving (sometimes with considerable force) from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure
From this reading The violent, ruthless wind dashed the monoplane about dangerously, threatening at every moment to tear it to pieces.
witnessedverbUS /ˈwɪtnəst/
past form of “witness” — be a witness to
From this reading A Fearful Discovery Never in their lives had the explorers witnessed anything like the terrible onslaught that followed.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading If he could keep the ship straight it would be nothing short of miraculous.
