used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading A distant whistle announced the approach of an engine.
farther along in physical or mental development
From this reading We advanced hopefully, but not a car was open.
touching and pressing; in opposition to
From this reading A narrow ledge projected in front, and on this we perched—feet dangling and backs close pressed against the end of the great cylinder.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading A distant whistle announced the approach of an engine.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The yard was dark and we chose a tank car close behind the engine.
declared publicly; made widely known
From this reading A distant whistle announced the approach of an engine.
move towards
From this reading A distant whistle announced the approach of an engine.
backsnounUS /bæks/
plural of “back” — the posterior part of a human (or animal) body from the neck to the end of the spine
From this reading A narrow ledge projected in front, and on this we perched—feet dangling and backs close pressed against the end of the great cylinder.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading The yard was dark and we chose a tank car close behind the engine.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading We advanced hopefully, but not a car was open.
a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine
From this reading We advanced hopefully, but not a car was open.
carsnounUS /kɑːrz/
plural of “car” — a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine
From this reading A long train of tank cars clanked to a standstill.
inflected form of “choose” — pick out, select, or choose from a number of alternatives
From this reading The yard was dark and we chose a tank car close behind the engine.
clanked
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading A long train of tank cars clanked to a standstill.
at or within a short distance in space or time or having elements near each other
From this reading The yard was dark and we chose a tank car close behind the engine.
cylindernounUS /ˈsɪləndər/
a solid bounded by a cylindrical surface and two parallel planes (the bases)
From this reading A narrow ledge projected in front, and on this we perched—feet dangling and backs close pressed against the end of the great cylinder.
danglingnounUS /ˈdæŋɡəlɪŋ/
the act of suspending something (hanging it from above so it moves freely)
From this reading A narrow ledge projected in front, and on this we perched—feet dangling and backs close pressed against the end of the great cylinder.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading The yard was dark and we chose a tank car close behind the engine.
separated in space or coming from or going to a distance
From this reading A distant whistle announced the approach of an engine.
either extremity of something that has length
From this reading A narrow ledge projected in front, and on this we perched—feet dangling and backs close pressed against the end of the great cylinder.
motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work
From this reading A distant whistle announced the approach of an engine.
plural of “foot” — the part of the leg of a human being below the ankle joint
From this reading A narrow ledge projected in front, and on this we perched—feet dangling and backs close pressed against the end of the great cylinder.
the side that is forward or prominent
From this reading A narrow ledge projected in front, and on this we perched—feet dangling and backs close pressed against the end of the great cylinder.
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
From this reading A narrow ledge projected in front, and on this we perched—feet dangling and backs close pressed against the end of the great cylinder.
hopefullyadverbUS /ˈhoʊpfəli/
with hope; in a hopeful manner
From this reading We advanced hopefully, but not a car was open.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading A narrow ledge projected in front, and on this we perched—feet dangling and backs close pressed against the end of the great cylinder.
ledgenounUS /ledʒ/
a projecting ridge on a mountain or submerged under water
From this reading A narrow ledge projected in front, and on this we perched—feet dangling and backs close pressed against the end of the great cylinder.
primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified
From this reading A long train of tank cars clanked to a standstill.
make or become more narrow or restricted
From this reading A narrow ledge projected in front, and on this we perched—feet dangling and backs close pressed against the end of the great cylinder.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading We advanced hopefully, but not a car was open.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading A distant whistle announced the approach of an engine.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading A narrow ledge projected in front, and on this we perched—feet dangling and backs close pressed against the end of the great cylinder.
To move from a closed position.
From this reading We advanced hopefully, but not a car was open.
perchedverbUS /pɜːrtʃt/
past form of “perch” — sit, as on a branch
From this reading A narrow ledge projected in front, and on this we perched—feet dangling and backs close pressed against the end of the great cylinder.
compacted by ironing
From this reading A narrow ledge projected in front, and on this we perched—feet dangling and backs close pressed against the end of the great cylinder.
projectedadjectiveUS /prəˈdʒektəd/
extending out above or beyond a surface or boundary
From this reading A narrow ledge projected in front, and on this we perched—feet dangling and backs close pressed against the end of the great cylinder.
standstillnounUS /ˈstændstɪl/
a situation in which no progress can be made or no advancement is possible
From this reading A long train of tank cars clanked to a standstill.
tanknounUS /tæŋk/
an enclosed armored military vehicle; has a cannon and moves on caterpillar treads
From this reading A long train of tank cars clanked to a standstill.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading A distant whistle announced the approach of an engine.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading A narrow ledge projected in front, and on this we perched—feet dangling and backs close pressed against the end of the great cylinder.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading A long train of tank cars clanked to a standstill.
create by training and teaching
From this reading A long train of tank cars clanked to a standstill.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading We advanced hopefully, but not a car was open.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading We advanced hopefully, but not a car was open.
whistleverbUS /ˈwɪsəl/
make whistling sounds
From this reading A distant whistle announced the approach of an engine.
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 The yard was dark and we chose a tank car close behind the engine.
