Chapter XIII · Chapter 13

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading And the motor certainly was a beauty.

(usually followed by “to”) having the necessary means or skill or know-how or authority to do something

From this reading Though some expert had recommended the French motor, Ned had preferred to use one made in America, not only because he had been able to get it quicker but because he believed it as good as the foreign make.

a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of

From this reading BUILDING AN AIR SHIP When Ned announced to Alan that they would at once unpack and test the motor--"for we might as well stop if the engine isn't right," as he put it--all thoughts of the troubles of the early day vanished.

cooled by a flow of air

From this reading The engine had eight air-cooled cylinders, in two sets of four, placed at an angle of ninety degrees to each other.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading BUILDING AN AIR SHIP When Ned announced to Alan that they would at once unpack and test the motor--"for we might as well stop if the engine isn't right," as he put it--all thoughts of the troubles of the early day vanished.

(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 BUILDING AN AIR SHIP When Ned announced to Alan that they would at once unpack and test the motor--"for we might as well stop if the engine isn't right," as he put it--all thoughts of the troubles of the early day vanished.

a silvery ductile metallic element found primarily in bauxite

From this reading The crank case was of aluminum and the shaft of vanadium steel, hollow, and specially treated to insure toughness.

North American republic containing 50 states - 48 conterminous states in North America plus Alaska in northwest North America and the Hawaiian Islands in the Pacific Ocean; achieved independence in 1776

From this reading Though some expert had recommended the French motor, Ned had preferred to use one made in America, not only because he had been able to get it quicker but because he believed it as good as the foreign make.

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading BUILDING AN AIR SHIP When Ned announced to Alan that they would at once unpack and test the motor--"for we might as well stop if the engine isn't right," as he put it--all thoughts of the troubles of the early day vanished.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading BUILDING AN AIR SHIP When Ned announced to Alan that they would at once unpack and test the motor--"for we might as well stop if the engine isn't right," as he put it--all thoughts of the troubles of the early day vanished.

the space between two lines or planes that intersect; the inclination of one line to another; measured in degrees or radians

From this reading The engine had eight air-cooled cylinders, in two sets of four, placed at an angle of ninety degrees to each other.

declared publicly; made widely known

From this reading BUILDING AN AIR SHIP When Ned announced to Alan that they would at once unpack and test the motor--"for we might as well stop if the engine isn't right," as he put it--all thoughts of the troubles of the early day vanished.

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading BUILDING AN AIR SHIP When Ned announced to Alan that they would at once unpack and test the motor--"for we might as well stop if the engine isn't right," as he put it--all thoughts of the troubles of the early day vanished.

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading BUILDING AN AIR SHIP When Ned announced to Alan that they would at once unpack and test the motor--"for we might as well stop if the engine isn't right," as he put it--all thoughts of the troubles of the early day vanished.

the qualities that give pleasure to the senses

From this reading And the motor certainly was a beauty.

for the reason that

From this reading Though some expert had recommended the French motor, Ned had preferred to use one made in America, not only because he had been able to get it quicker but because he believed it as good as the foreign make.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading Though some expert had recommended the French motor, Ned had preferred to use one made in America, not only because he had been able to get it quicker but because he believed it as good as the foreign make.

past form of “believe” — accept as true; take to be true

From this reading Though some expert had recommended the French motor, Ned had preferred to use one made in America, not only because he had been able to get it quicker but because he believed it as good as the foreign make.

a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place

From this reading BUILDING AN AIR SHIP When Ned announced to Alan that they would at once unpack and test the motor--"for we might as well stop if the engine isn't right," as he put it--all thoughts of the troubles of the early day vanished.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading Though some expert had recommended the French motor, Ned had preferred to use one made in America, not only because he had been able to get it quicker but because he believed it as good as the foreign make.

an occurrence of something

From this reading The crank case was of aluminum and the shaft of vanadium steel, hollow, and specially treated to insure toughness.

definitely or positively (“sure” is sometimes used informally for “surely”)

From this reading And the motor certainly was a beauty.

travel along a zigzag path

From this reading The crank case was of aluminum and the shaft of vanadium steel, hollow, and specially treated to insure toughness.

plural of “cylinder” — a solid bounded by a cylindrical surface and two parallel planes (the bases)

From this reading The engine had eight air-cooled cylinders, in two sets of four, placed at an angle of ninety degrees to each other.

time for Earth to make a complete rotation on its axis

From this reading BUILDING AN AIR SHIP When Ned announced to Alan that they would at once unpack and test the motor--"for we might as well stop if the engine isn't right," as he put it--all thoughts of the troubles of the early day vanished.

plural of “degree” — a position on a scale of intensity or amount or quality

From this reading The engine had eight air-cooled cylinders, in two sets of four, placed at an angle of ninety degrees to each other.

every one of two or more people or things, taken separately

From this reading The engine had eight air-cooled cylinders, in two sets of four, placed at an angle of ninety degrees to each other.

at or near the beginning of a period of time or course of events or before the usual or expected time

From this reading BUILDING AN AIR SHIP When Ned announced to Alan that they would at once unpack and test the motor--"for we might as well stop if the engine isn't right," as he put it--all thoughts of the troubles of the early day vanished.

being one more than seven

From this reading The engine had eight air-cooled cylinders, in two sets of four, placed at an angle of ninety degrees to each other.

motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work

From this reading BUILDING AN AIR SHIP When Ned announced to Alan that they would at once unpack and test the motor--"for we might as well stop if the engine isn't right," as he put it--all thoughts of the troubles of the early day vanished.

having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude

From this reading Though some expert had recommended the French motor, Ned had preferred to use one made in America, not only because he had been able to get it quicker but because he believed it as good as the foreign make.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading BUILDING AN AIR SHIP When Ned announced to Alan that they would at once unpack and test the motor--"for we might as well stop if the engine isn't right," as he put it--all thoughts of the troubles of the early day vanished.

of concern to or concerning the affairs of other nations (other than your own)

From this reading Though some expert had recommended the French motor, Ned had preferred to use one made in America, not only because he had been able to get it quicker but because he believed it as good as the foreign make.

the cardinal number that is the sum of three and one

From this reading The engine had eight air-cooled cylinders, in two sets of four, placed at an angle of ninety degrees to each other.

the Romance language spoken in France and in countries colonized by France

From this reading Though some expert had recommended the French motor, Ned had preferred to use one made in America, not only because he had been able to get it quicker but because he believed it as good as the foreign make.

come into the possession of something concrete or abstract

From this reading Though some expert had recommended the French motor, Ned had preferred to use one made in America, not only because he had been able to get it quicker but because he believed it as good as the foreign make.

having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified

From this reading Though some expert had recommended the French motor, Ned had preferred to use one made in America, not only because he had been able to get it quicker but because he believed it as good as the foreign make.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Though some expert had recommended the French motor, Ned had preferred to use one made in America, not only because he had been able to get it quicker but because he believed it as good as the foreign make.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading BUILDING AN AIR SHIP When Ned announced to Alan that they would at once unpack and test the motor--"for we might as well stop if the engine isn't right," as he put it--all thoughts of the troubles of the early day vanished.

not solid; having a space or gap or cavity

From this reading The crank case was of aluminum and the shaft of vanadium steel, hollow, and specially treated to insure toughness.

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading BUILDING AN AIR SHIP When Ned announced to Alan that they would at once unpack and test the motor--"for we might as well stop if the engine isn't right," as he put it--all thoughts of the troubles of the early day vanished.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading Though some expert had recommended the French motor, Ned had preferred to use one made in America, not only because he had been able to get it quicker but because he believed it as good as the foreign make.

be careful or certain to do something; make certain of something

From this reading The crank case was of aluminum and the shaft of vanadium steel, hollow, and specially treated to insure toughness.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading BUILDING AN AIR SHIP When Ned announced to Alan that they would at once unpack and test the motor--"for we might as well stop if the engine isn't right," as he put it--all thoughts of the troubles of the early day vanished.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading BUILDING AN AIR SHIP When Ned announced to Alan that they would at once unpack and test the motor--"for we might as well stop if the engine isn't right," as he put it--all thoughts of the troubles of the early day vanished.

produced by a manufacturing process

From this reading Though some expert had recommended the French motor, Ned had preferred to use one made in America, not only because he had been able to get it quicker but because he believed it as good as the foreign make.

engage in

From this reading Though some expert had recommended the French motor, Ned had preferred to use one made in America, not only because he had been able to get it quicker but because he believed it as good as the foreign make.

used to say something is possible but not certain

From this reading BUILDING AN AIR SHIP When Ned announced to Alan that they would at once unpack and test the motor--"for we might as well stop if the engine isn't right," as he put it--all thoughts of the troubles of the early day vanished.

machine that converts other forms of energy into mechanical energy and so imparts motion

From this reading BUILDING AN AIR SHIP When Ned announced to Alan that they would at once unpack and test the motor--"for we might as well stop if the engine isn't right," as he put it--all thoughts of the troubles of the early day vanished.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading BUILDING AN AIR SHIP When Ned announced to Alan that they would at once unpack and test the motor--"for we might as well stop if the engine isn't right," as he put it--all thoughts of the troubles of the early day vanished.

being ten more than eighty

From this reading The engine had eight air-cooled cylinders, in two sets of four, placed at an angle of ninety degrees to each other.

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading Though some expert had recommended the French motor, Ned had preferred to use one made in America, not only because he had been able to get it quicker but because he believed it as good as the foreign make.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading BUILDING AN AIR SHIP When Ned announced to Alan that they would at once unpack and test the motor--"for we might as well stop if the engine isn't right," as he put it--all thoughts of the troubles of the early day vanished.

on one occasion

From this reading BUILDING AN AIR SHIP When Ned announced to Alan that they would at once unpack and test the motor--"for we might as well stop if the engine isn't right," as he put it--all thoughts of the troubles of the early day vanished.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading Though some expert had recommended the French motor, Ned had preferred to use one made in America, not only because he had been able to get it quicker but because he believed it as good as the foreign make.

and nothing more

From this reading Though some expert had recommended the French motor, Ned had preferred to use one made in America, not only because he had been able to get it quicker but because he believed it as good as the foreign make.

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied

From this reading The engine had eight air-cooled cylinders, in two sets of four, placed at an angle of ninety degrees to each other.

situated in a particular spot or position

From this reading The engine had eight air-cooled cylinders, in two sets of four, placed at an angle of ninety degrees to each other.

more desirable than another

From this reading Though some expert had recommended the French motor, Ned had preferred to use one made in America, not only because he had been able to get it quicker but because he believed it as good as the foreign make.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading BUILDING AN AIR SHIP When Ned announced to Alan that they would at once unpack and test the motor--"for we might as well stop if the engine isn't right," as he put it--all thoughts of the troubles of the early day vanished.

more quickly

From this reading Though some expert had recommended the French motor, Ned had preferred to use one made in America, not only because he had been able to get it quicker but because he believed it as good as the foreign make.

past form of “recommend” — push for something

From this reading Though some expert had recommended the French motor, Ned had preferred to use one made in America, not only because he had been able to get it quicker but because he believed it as good as the foreign make.

precisely, exactly

From this reading BUILDING AN AIR SHIP When Ned announced to Alan that they would at once unpack and test the motor--"for we might as well stop if the engine isn't right," as he put it--all thoughts of the troubles of the early day vanished.

plural of “set” — a group of things of the same kind that belong together and are so used

From this reading The engine had eight air-cooled cylinders, in two sets of four, placed at an angle of ninety degrees to each other.

a line that forms the length of an arrow pointer

From this reading The crank case was of aluminum and the shaft of vanadium steel, hollow, and specially treated to insure toughness.

transport commercially

From this reading BUILDING AN AIR SHIP When Ned announced to Alan that they would at once unpack and test the motor--"for we might as well stop if the engine isn't right," as he put it--all thoughts of the troubles of the early day vanished.

(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity

From this reading Though some expert had recommended the French motor, Ned had preferred to use one made in America, not only because he had been able to get it quicker but because he believed it as good as the foreign make.

in a special manner

From this reading The crank case was of aluminum and the shaft of vanadium steel, hollow, and specially treated to insure toughness.

an alloy of iron with small amounts of carbon; widely used in construction; mechanical properties can be varied over a wide range

From this reading The crank case was of aluminum and the shaft of vanadium steel, hollow, and specially treated to insure toughness.

come to a halt, stop moving

From this reading BUILDING AN AIR SHIP When Ned announced to Alan that they would at once unpack and test the motor--"for we might as well stop if the engine isn't right," as he put it--all thoughts of the troubles of the early day vanished.

trying something to find out about it

From this reading BUILDING AN AIR SHIP When Ned announced to Alan that they would at once unpack and test the motor--"for we might as well stop if the engine isn't right," as he put it--all thoughts of the troubles of the early day vanished.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading BUILDING AN AIR SHIP When Ned announced to Alan that they would at once unpack and test the motor--"for we might as well stop if the engine isn't right," as he put it--all thoughts of the troubles of the early day vanished.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading BUILDING AN AIR SHIP When Ned announced to Alan that they would at once unpack and test the motor--"for we might as well stop if the engine isn't right," as he put it--all thoughts of the troubles of the early day vanished.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading BUILDING AN AIR SHIP When Ned announced to Alan that they would at once unpack and test the motor--"for we might as well stop if the engine isn't right," as he put it--all thoughts of the troubles of the early day vanished.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading Though some expert had recommended the French motor, Ned had preferred to use one made in America, not only because he had been able to get it quicker but because he believed it as good as the foreign make.

plural of “thought” — the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about

From this reading BUILDING AN AIR SHIP When Ned announced to Alan that they would at once unpack and test the motor--"for we might as well stop if the engine isn't right," as he put it--all thoughts of the troubles of the early day vanished.

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading BUILDING AN AIR SHIP When Ned announced to Alan that they would at once unpack and test the motor--"for we might as well stop if the engine isn't right," as he put it--all thoughts of the troubles of the early day vanished.

enduring strength and energy

From this reading The crank case was of aluminum and the shaft of vanadium steel, hollow, and specially treated to insure toughness.

subjected to a physical (or chemical) treatment or action or agent

From this reading The crank case was of aluminum and the shaft of vanadium steel, hollow, and specially treated to insure toughness.

plural of “trouble” — a source of difficulty

From this reading BUILDING AN AIR SHIP When Ned announced to Alan that they would at once unpack and test the motor--"for we might as well stop if the engine isn't right," as he put it--all thoughts of the troubles of the early day vanished.

the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number

From this reading The engine had eight air-cooled cylinders, in two sets of four, placed at an angle of ninety degrees to each other.

remove from its packing

From this reading BUILDING AN AIR SHIP When Ned announced to Alan that they would at once unpack and test the motor--"for we might as well stop if the engine isn't right," as he put it--all thoughts of the troubles of the early day vanished.

the act of using

From this reading Though some expert had recommended the French motor, Ned had preferred to use one made in America, not only because he had been able to get it quicker but because he believed it as good as the foreign make.

a soft silvery white toxic metallic element used in steel alloys; it occurs in several complex minerals including carnotite and vanadinite

From this reading The crank case was of aluminum and the shaft of vanadium steel, hollow, and specially treated to insure toughness.

having passed out of existence

From this reading BUILDING AN AIR SHIP When Ned announced to Alan that they would at once unpack and test the motor--"for we might as well stop if the engine isn't right," as he put it--all thoughts of the troubles of the early day vanished.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading And the motor certainly was a beauty.

the speaker together with one or more other people

From this reading BUILDING AN AIR SHIP When Ned announced to Alan that they would at once unpack and test the motor--"for we might as well stop if the engine isn't right," as he put it--all thoughts of the troubles of the early day vanished.

(often used as a combining form) in a good or proper or satisfactory manner or to a high standard (“good” is a nonstandard dialectal variant for “well”)

From this reading BUILDING AN AIR SHIP When Ned announced to Alan that they would at once unpack and test the motor--"for we might as well stop if the engine isn't right," as he put it--all thoughts of the troubles of the early day vanished.

at the time that

From this reading BUILDING AN AIR SHIP When Ned announced to Alan that they would at once unpack and test the motor--"for we might as well stop if the engine isn't right," as he put it--all thoughts of the troubles of the early day vanished.

used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past

From this reading BUILDING AN AIR SHIP When Ned announced to Alan that they would at once unpack and test the motor--"for we might as well stop if the engine isn't right," as he put it--all thoughts of the troubles of the early day vanished.