used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading "I _should_ get a picture," he murmured.
presently existing in fact and not merely potential or possible
From this reading He knew the theoretical power of the infrared searchlight, but only an actual test would tell whether it gave enough light for the rather slow infrared film emulsion.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading He knew the theoretical power of the infrared searchlight, but only an actual test would tell whether it gave enough light for the rather slow infrared film emulsion.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The Old Tower Rick tightened the last screw that held the searchlight-telescope unit to his camera and looked at it with satisfaction.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The Old Tower Rick tightened the last screw that held the searchlight-telescope unit to his camera and looked at it with satisfaction.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading He knew the theoretical power of the infrared searchlight, but only an actual test would tell whether it gave enough light for the rather slow infrared film emulsion.
cameranounUS /ˈkæmərə/
equipment for taking photographs (usually consisting of a lightproof box with a lens at one end and light-sensitive film at the other)
From this reading The Old Tower Rick tightened the last screw that held the searchlight-telescope unit to his camera and looked at it with satisfaction.
being one more than seven
From this reading He was sure that it wouldn't give enough light at its extreme range of eight hundred yards.
emulsionnounUS /ɪˈmʌlʃən/
(chemistry) a colloid in which both phases are liquids
From this reading He knew the theoretical power of the infrared searchlight, but only an actual test would tell whether it gave enough light for the rather slow infrared film emulsion.
an adequate quantity; a quantity that is large enough to achieve a purpose
From this reading He knew the theoretical power of the infrared searchlight, but only an actual test would tell whether it gave enough light for the rather slow infrared film emulsion.
of the greatest possible degree or extent or intensity
From this reading He was sure that it wouldn't give enough light at its extreme range of eight hundred yards.
factorsnounUS /ˈfæktərz/
plural of “factor” — anything that contributes causally to a result
From this reading There were still quite a few unknown factors.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “a”; a small but indefinite number
From this reading There were still quite a few unknown factors.
filmnounUS /fɪlm/
a form of entertainment that enacts a story by sound and a sequence of images giving the illusion of continuous movement
From this reading He knew the theoretical power of the infrared searchlight, but only an actual test would tell whether it gave enough light for the rather slow infrared film emulsion.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading He knew the theoretical power of the infrared searchlight, but only an actual test would tell whether it gave enough light for the rather slow infrared film emulsion.
inflected form of “give” — cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading He knew the theoretical power of the infrared searchlight, but only an actual test would tell whether it gave enough light for the rather slow infrared film emulsion.
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
From this reading "I _should_ get a picture," he murmured.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading He was sure that it wouldn't give enough light at its extreme range of eight hundred yards.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading "I _should_ get a picture," he murmured.
occupied or in the control of; often used in combination
From this reading The Old Tower Rick tightened the last screw that held the searchlight-telescope unit to his camera and looked at it with satisfaction.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading The Old Tower Rick tightened the last screw that held the searchlight-telescope unit to his camera and looked at it with satisfaction.
ten 10s
From this reading He was sure that it wouldn't give enough light at its extreme range of eight hundred yards.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading "I _should_ get a picture," he murmured.
infrarednounUS /ˌɪnfrərˈed/
the infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum; electromagnetic wave frequencies below the visible range
From this reading He knew the theoretical power of the infrared searchlight, but only an actual test would tell whether it gave enough light for the rather slow infrared film emulsion.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading The Old Tower Rick tightened the last screw that held the searchlight-telescope unit to his camera and looked at it with satisfaction.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading He was sure that it wouldn't give enough light at its extreme range of eight hundred yards.
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 the theoretical power of the infrared searchlight, but only an actual test would tell whether it gave enough light for the rather slow infrared film emulsion.
immediately past
From this reading The Old Tower Rick tightened the last screw that held the searchlight-telescope unit to his camera and looked at it with satisfaction.
of comparatively little physical weight or density
From this reading He knew the theoretical power of the infrared searchlight, but only an actual test would tell whether it gave enough light for the rather slow infrared film emulsion.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading The Old Tower Rick tightened the last screw that held the searchlight-telescope unit to his camera and looked at it with satisfaction.
past form of “murmur” — speak softly or indistinctly
From this reading "I _should_ get a picture," he murmured.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading He knew the theoretical power of the infrared searchlight, but only an actual test would tell whether it gave enough light for the rather slow infrared film emulsion.
(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age
From this reading The Old Tower Rick tightened the last screw that held the searchlight-telescope unit to his camera and looked at it with satisfaction.
and nothing more
From this reading He knew the theoretical power of the infrared searchlight, but only an actual test would tell whether it gave enough light for the rather slow infrared film emulsion.
a visual representation (of an object or scene or person or abstraction) produced on a surface
From this reading "I _should_ get a picture," he murmured.
possession of controlling influence
From this reading He knew the theoretical power of the infrared searchlight, but only an actual test would tell whether it gave enough light for the rather slow infrared film emulsion.
to a degree (not used with a negative)
From this reading There were still quite a few unknown factors.
an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control: "the range of a supersonic jet"
From this reading He was sure that it wouldn't give enough light at its extreme range of eight hundred yards.
on the contrary
From this reading He knew the theoretical power of the infrared searchlight, but only an actual test would tell whether it gave enough light for the rather slow infrared film emulsion.
RicknounUS /rɪk/
a painful muscle spasm especially in the neck or back (“rick” and “wrick” are British)
From this reading The Old Tower Rick tightened the last screw that held the searchlight-telescope unit to his camera and looked at it with satisfaction.
the contentment one feels when one has fulfilled a desire, need, or expectation
From this reading The Old Tower Rick tightened the last screw that held the searchlight-telescope unit to his camera and looked at it with satisfaction.
screwnounUS /skruː/
someone who guards prisoners
From this reading The Old Tower Rick tightened the last screw that held the searchlight-telescope unit to his camera and looked at it with satisfaction.
searchlightnounUS /ˈsɜːrtʃlaɪt/
a light source with reflectors that projects a beam of light in a particular direction
From this reading He knew the theoretical power of the infrared searchlight, but only an actual test would tell whether it gave enough light for the rather slow infrared film emulsion.
searchlight-telescope
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The Old Tower Rick tightened the last screw that held the searchlight-telescope unit to his camera and looked at it with satisfaction.
used to say what is right, expected, or advisable
From this reading "I _should_ get a picture," he murmured.
not moving quickly; taking a comparatively long time
From this reading He knew the theoretical power of the infrared searchlight, but only an actual test would tell whether it gave enough light for the rather slow infrared film emulsion.
not in physical motion
From this reading There were still quite a few unknown factors.
having or feeling no doubt or uncertainty; confident and assured
From this reading He was sure that it wouldn't give enough light at its extreme range of eight hundred yards.
express in words
From this reading He knew the theoretical power of the infrared searchlight, but only an actual test would tell whether it gave enough light for the rather slow infrared film emulsion.
testnounUS /test/
trying something to find out about it
From this reading He knew the theoretical power of the infrared searchlight, but only an actual test would tell whether it gave enough light for the rather slow infrared film emulsion.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The Old Tower Rick tightened the last screw that held the searchlight-telescope unit to his camera and looked at it with satisfaction.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading The Old Tower Rick tightened the last screw that held the searchlight-telescope unit to his camera and looked at it with satisfaction.
theoreticaladjectiveUS /ˌθiːərˈetɪkəl/
concerned primarily with theories or hypotheses rather than practical considerations
From this reading He knew the theoretical power of the infrared searchlight, but only an actual test would tell whether it gave enough light for the rather slow infrared film emulsion.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There were still quite a few unknown factors.
tightenedverbUS /ˈtaɪtənd/
past form of “tighten” — make tight or tighter
From this reading The Old Tower Rick tightened the last screw that held the searchlight-telescope unit to his camera and looked at it with satisfaction.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading The Old Tower Rick tightened the last screw that held the searchlight-telescope unit to his camera and looked at it with satisfaction.
a structure taller than its diameter; can stand alone or be attached to a larger building
From this reading The Old Tower Rick tightened the last screw that held the searchlight-telescope unit to his camera and looked at it with satisfaction.
unitnounUS /ˈjuːnət/
any division of quantity accepted as a standard of measurement or exchange
From this reading The Old Tower Rick tightened the last screw that held the searchlight-telescope unit to his camera and looked at it with satisfaction.
not known
From this reading There were still quite a few unknown factors.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading He was sure that it wouldn't give enough light at its extreme range of eight hundred yards.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading There were still quite a few unknown factors.
used to introduce two or more possibilities
From this reading He knew the theoretical power of the infrared searchlight, but only an actual test would tell whether it gave enough light for the rather slow infrared film emulsion.
in the company of; together with
From this reading The Old Tower Rick tightened the last screw that held the searchlight-telescope unit to his camera and looked at it with satisfaction.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading He knew the theoretical power of the infrared searchlight, but only an actual test would tell whether it gave enough light for the rather slow infrared film emulsion.
wouldn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading He was sure that it wouldn't give enough light at its extreme range of eight hundred yards.
plural of “yard” — a unit of length equal to 3 feet; defined as 91.44 centimeters; originally taken to be the average length of a stride
From this reading He was sure that it wouldn't give enough light at its extreme range of eight hundred yards.
