used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Our encampment was in a turmoil of confusion--chaos, out of which very soon order came.
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading The skeleton figures in the air--I saw now that there were nearer two hundred than one hundred--were perhaps two thousand feet away, and at an altitude of about the cliff-ledge where Elza and I were sitting.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading The skeleton figures in the air--I saw now that there were nearer two hundred than one hundred--were perhaps two thousand feet away, and at an altitude of about the cliff-ledge where Elza and I were sitting.
(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 They swept forward, bathed in the Zed-ray with all our other search-beams darkened to give it full sway.
altitudenounUS /ˈæltətuːd/
elevation especially above sea level or above the earth's surface
From this reading The skeleton figures in the air--I saw now that there were nearer two hundred than one hundred--were perhaps two thousand feet away, and at an altitude of about the cliff-ledge where Elza and I were sitting.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading The skeleton figures in the air--I saw now that there were nearer two hundred than one hundred--were perhaps two thousand feet away, and at an altitude of about the cliff-ledge where Elza and I were sitting.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading _Attack on the Power House_ Stricken with surprise and awe, Elza and I sat there motionless.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading The skeleton figures in the air--I saw now that there were nearer two hundred than one hundred--were perhaps two thousand feet away, and at an altitude of about the cliff-ledge where Elza and I were sitting.
(military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
From this reading _Attack on the Power House_ Stricken with surprise and awe, Elza and I sat there motionless.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading The skeleton figures in the air--I saw now that there were nearer two hundred than one hundred--were perhaps two thousand feet away, and at an altitude of about the cliff-ledge where Elza and I were sitting.
awenounUS /ɑː/
an overwhelming feeling of wonder or admiration
From this reading _Attack on the Power House_ Stricken with surprise and awe, Elza and I sat there motionless.
bathedverbUS /beɪðd/
past form of “bathe” — cleanse the entire body
From this reading They swept forward, bathed in the Zed-ray with all our other search-beams darkened to give it full sway.
bonyadjectiveUS /ˈboʊni/
being very thin
From this reading Momentarily I saw them clearer; metallic cylinders in bony fingers, and a metal mechanism of flight encasing, yet not touching the ribs.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading Our encampment was in a turmoil of confusion--chaos, out of which very soon order came.
chaosnounUS /ˈkeɪɑːs/
a state of extreme confusion and disorder
From this reading Our encampment was in a turmoil of confusion--chaos, out of which very soon order came.
cleareradjectiveUS /ˈklɪrər/
comparative of “clear” — readily apparent to the mind
From this reading Momentarily I saw them clearer; metallic cylinders in bony fingers, and a metal mechanism of flight encasing, yet not touching the ribs.
cliff-ledge
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The skeleton figures in the air--I saw now that there were nearer two hundred than one hundred--were perhaps two thousand feet away, and at an altitude of about the cliff-ledge where Elza and I were sitting.
disorder resulting from a failure to behave predictably
From this reading Our encampment was in a turmoil of confusion--chaos, out of which very soon order came.
cylindersnounUS /ˈsɪləndərz/
plural of “cylinder” — a solid bounded by a cylindrical surface and two parallel planes (the bases)
From this reading Momentarily I saw them clearer; metallic cylinders in bony fingers, and a metal mechanism of flight encasing, yet not touching the ribs.
darkenedadjectiveUS /ˈdɑːrkənd/
(of fabrics and paper) grown dark in color over time
From this reading They swept forward, bathed in the Zed-ray with all our other search-beams darkened to give it full sway.
Elza
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading _Attack on the Power House_ Stricken with surprise and awe, Elza and I sat there motionless.
encampmentnounUS /ɪnˈkæmpmɪnt/
a site where people on holiday can pitch a tent
From this reading Our encampment was in a turmoil of confusion--chaos, out of which very soon order came.
encasing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Momentarily I saw them clearer; metallic cylinders in bony fingers, and a metal mechanism of flight encasing, yet not touching the ribs.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading The skeleton figures in the air--I saw now that there were nearer two hundred than one hundred--were perhaps two thousand feet away, and at an altitude of about the cliff-ledge where Elza and I were sitting.
plural of “figure” — a diagram or picture illustrating textual material
From this reading The skeleton figures in the air--I saw now that there were nearer two hundred than one hundred--were perhaps two thousand feet away, and at an altitude of about the cliff-ledge where Elza and I were sitting.
plural of “finger” — any of the terminal members of the hand (sometimes excepting the thumb)
From this reading Momentarily I saw them clearer; metallic cylinders in bony fingers, and a metal mechanism of flight encasing, yet not touching the ribs.
a formation of aircraft in flight
From this reading Momentarily I saw them clearer; metallic cylinders in bony fingers, and a metal mechanism of flight encasing, yet not touching the ribs.
at or to or toward the front
From this reading They swept forward, bathed in the Zed-ray with all our other search-beams darkened to give it full sway.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading They swept forward, bathed in the Zed-ray with all our other search-beams darkened to give it full sway.
cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
From this reading They swept forward, bathed in the Zed-ray with all our other search-beams darkened to give it full sway.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading _Attack on the Power House_ Stricken with surprise and awe, Elza and I sat there motionless.
ten 10s
From this reading The skeleton figures in the air--I saw now that there were nearer two hundred than one hundred--were perhaps two thousand feet away, and at an altitude of about the cliff-ledge where Elza and I were sitting.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading _Attack on the Power House_ Stricken with surprise and awe, Elza and I sat there motionless.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Our encampment was in a turmoil of confusion--chaos, out of which very soon order came.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading They swept forward, bathed in the Zed-ray with all our other search-beams darkened to give it full sway.
mechanismnounUS /ˈmekənɪzəm/
the atomic process that occurs during a chemical reaction
From this reading Momentarily I saw them clearer; metallic cylinders in bony fingers, and a metal mechanism of flight encasing, yet not touching the ribs.
metalnounUS /ˈmetəl/
any of several chemical elements that are usually shiny solids that conduct heat or electricity and can be formed into sheets etc.
From this reading Momentarily I saw them clearer; metallic cylinders in bony fingers, and a metal mechanism of flight encasing, yet not touching the ribs.
metallicadjectiveUS /məˈtælɪk/
containing or made of or resembling or characteristic of a metal
From this reading Momentarily I saw them clearer; metallic cylinders in bony fingers, and a metal mechanism of flight encasing, yet not touching the ribs.
MomentarilyadverbUS /ˌmoʊmənˈterəli/
for an instant or moment
From this reading Momentarily I saw them clearer; metallic cylinders in bony fingers, and a metal mechanism of flight encasing, yet not touching the ribs.
not in physical motion
From this reading _Attack on the Power House_ Stricken with surprise and awe, Elza and I sat there motionless.
(comparative of “near” or “close”) within a shorter distance
From this reading The skeleton figures in the air--I saw now that there were nearer two hundred than one hundred--were perhaps two thousand feet away, and at an altitude of about the cliff-ledge where Elza and I were sitting.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading Momentarily I saw them clearer; metallic cylinders in bony fingers, and a metal mechanism of flight encasing, yet not touching the ribs.
in the historical present; at this point in the narration of a series of past events
From this reading The skeleton figures in the air--I saw now that there were nearer two hundred than one hundred--were perhaps two thousand feet away, and at an altitude of about the cliff-ledge where Elza and I were sitting.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Our encampment was in a turmoil of confusion--chaos, out of which very soon order came.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading _Attack on the Power House_ Stricken with surprise and awe, Elza and I sat there motionless.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The skeleton figures in the air--I saw now that there were nearer two hundred than one hundred--were perhaps two thousand feet away, and at an altitude of about the cliff-ledge where Elza and I were sitting.
(often plural) a command given by a superior (e.g., a military or law enforcement officer) that must be obeyed
From this reading Our encampment was in a turmoil of confusion--chaos, out of which very soon order came.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading They swept forward, bathed in the Zed-ray with all our other search-beams darkened to give it full sway.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading Our encampment was in a turmoil of confusion--chaos, out of which very soon order came.
not allowed to continue to bat or run
From this reading Our encampment was in a turmoil of confusion--chaos, out of which very soon order came.
by chance
From this reading The skeleton figures in the air--I saw now that there were nearer two hundred than one hundred--were perhaps two thousand feet away, and at an altitude of about the cliff-ledge where Elza and I were sitting.
possession of controlling influence
From this reading _Attack on the Power House_ Stricken with surprise and awe, Elza and I sat there motionless.
ribsnounUS /rɪbz/
plural of “rib” — support resembling the rib of an animal
From this reading Momentarily I saw them clearer; metallic cylinders in bony fingers, and a metal mechanism of flight encasing, yet not touching the ribs.
the seventh and last day of the week; observed as the Sabbath by Jews and some Christians
From this reading _Attack on the Power House_ Stricken with surprise and awe, Elza and I sat there motionless.
cut with a saw
From this reading The skeleton figures in the air--I saw now that there were nearer two hundred than one hundred--were perhaps two thousand feet away, and at an altitude of about the cliff-ledge where Elza and I were sitting.
search-beams
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They swept forward, bathed in the Zed-ray with all our other search-beams darkened to give it full sway.
(photography) the act of assuming a certain position (as for a photograph or portrait)
From this reading The skeleton figures in the air--I saw now that there were nearer two hundred than one hundred--were perhaps two thousand feet away, and at an altitude of about the cliff-ledge where Elza and I were sitting.
skeletonnounUS /ˈskelətən/
something reduced to its minimal form
From this reading The skeleton figures in the air--I saw now that there were nearer two hundred than one hundred--were perhaps two thousand feet away, and at an altitude of about the cliff-ledge where Elza and I were sitting.
in the near future
From this reading Our encampment was in a turmoil of confusion--chaos, out of which very soon order came.
StrickenadjectiveUS /ˈstrɪkən/
grievously affected especially by disease
From this reading _Attack on the Power House_ Stricken with surprise and awe, Elza and I sat there motionless.
the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you
From this reading _Attack on the Power House_ Stricken with surprise and awe, Elza and I sat there motionless.
swayverbUS /sweɪ/
move back and forth or sideways
From this reading They swept forward, bathed in the Zed-ray with all our other search-beams darkened to give it full sway.
possessing sweep
From this reading They swept forward, bathed in the Zed-ray with all our other search-beams darkened to give it full sway.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading The skeleton figures in the air--I saw now that there were nearer two hundred than one hundred--were perhaps two thousand feet away, and at an altitude of about the cliff-ledge where Elza and I were sitting.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading The skeleton figures in the air--I saw now that there were nearer two hundred than one hundred--were perhaps two thousand feet away, and at an altitude of about the cliff-ledge where Elza and I were sitting.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading _Attack on the Power House_ Stricken with surprise and awe, Elza and I sat there motionless.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading Momentarily I saw them clearer; metallic cylinders in bony fingers, and a metal mechanism of flight encasing, yet not touching the ribs.
in or at that place or location
From this reading _Attack on the Power House_ Stricken with surprise and awe, Elza and I sat there motionless.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading They swept forward, bathed in the Zed-ray with all our other search-beams darkened to give it full sway.
the cardinal number that is the product of 10 and 100
From this reading The skeleton figures in the air--I saw now that there were nearer two hundred than one hundred--were perhaps two thousand feet away, and at an altitude of about the cliff-ledge where Elza and I were sitting.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading They swept forward, bathed in the Zed-ray with all our other search-beams darkened to give it full sway.
arousing affect
From this reading Momentarily I saw them clearer; metallic cylinders in bony fingers, and a metal mechanism of flight encasing, yet not touching the ribs.
turmoilnounUS /ˈtɜːrmɔɪl/
a violent disturbance
From this reading Our encampment was in a turmoil of confusion--chaos, out of which very soon order came.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading The skeleton figures in the air--I saw now that there were nearer two hundred than one hundred--were perhaps two thousand feet away, and at an altitude of about the cliff-ledge where Elza and I were sitting.
precisely as stated
From this reading Our encampment was in a turmoil of confusion--chaos, out of which very soon order came.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Our encampment was in a turmoil of confusion--chaos, out of which very soon order came.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading The skeleton figures in the air--I saw now that there were nearer two hundred than one hundred--were perhaps two thousand feet away, and at an altitude of about the cliff-ledge where Elza and I were sitting.
in or at the place that
From this reading The skeleton figures in the air--I saw now that there were nearer two hundred than one hundred--were perhaps two thousand feet away, and at an altitude of about the cliff-ledge where Elza and I were sitting.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading Our encampment was in a turmoil of confusion--chaos, out of which very soon order came.
in the company of; together with
From this reading _Attack on the Power House_ Stricken with surprise and awe, Elza and I sat there motionless.
but in spite of that
From this reading Momentarily I saw them clearer; metallic cylinders in bony fingers, and a metal mechanism of flight encasing, yet not touching the ribs.
Zed-ray
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading They swept forward, bathed in the Zed-ray with all our other search-beams darkened to give it full sway.
