used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading The loud rivalry of their straining engines awoke many a wayside dweller, and brought down maledictions on the heads of all midnight joy-riders.
at or in the front
From this reading There he could dash ahead, block further progress, risking a partial collision if necessary, and refer the instant quarrel to the police, bidding them verify his version of the dispute by telephoning New York.
(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 The loud rivalry of their straining engines awoke many a wayside dweller, and brought down maledictions on the heads of all midnight joy-riders.
alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/
following the length of something from one end toward the other
From this reading THE PURSUIT The two automobiles rushed along the Boston Post Road, heading for Bridgeport.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading The loud rivalry of their straining engines awoke many a wayside dweller, and brought down maledictions on the heads of all midnight joy-riders.
automobilesnounUS /ˈɔːtəmoʊbiːlz/
plural of “automobile” — a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine
From this reading THE PURSUIT The two automobiles rushed along the Boston Post Road, heading for Bridgeport.
inflected form of “awake” — stop sleeping
From this reading The loud rivalry of their straining engines awoke many a wayside dweller, and brought down maledictions on the heads of all midnight joy-riders.
biddingnounUS /ˈbɪdɪŋ/
an authoritative direction or instruction to do something
From this reading There he could dash ahead, block further progress, risking a partial collision if necessary, and refer the instant quarrel to the police, bidding them verify his version of the dispute by telephoning New York.
blocknounUS /blɑːk/
a solid piece of something (usually having flat rectangular sides)
From this reading There he could dash ahead, block further progress, risking a partial collision if necessary, and refer the instant quarrel to the police, bidding them verify his version of the dispute by telephoning New York.
state capital and largest city of Massachusetts; a major center for banking and financial services
From this reading THE PURSUIT The two automobiles rushed along the Boston Post Road, heading for Bridgeport.
BridgeportnounUS /ˈbrɪdʒpɔːrt/
a port in southwestern Connecticut on Long Island Sound
From this reading THE PURSUIT The two automobiles rushed along the Boston Post Road, heading for Bridgeport.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading The loud rivalry of their straining engines awoke many a wayside dweller, and brought down maledictions on the heads of all midnight joy-riders.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading There he could dash ahead, block further progress, risking a partial collision if necessary, and refer the instant quarrel to the police, bidding them verify his version of the dispute by telephoning New York.
a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine
From this reading Carshaw knew the road well, and his car was slightly superior to the other in speed.
Carshaw
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Carshaw knew the road well, and his car was slightly superior to the other in speed.
collisionnounUS /kəˈlɪʒən/
(physics) a brief event in which two or more bodies come together
From this reading There he could dash ahead, block further progress, risking a partial collision if necessary, and refer the instant quarrel to the police, bidding them verify his version of the dispute by telephoning New York.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading There he could dash ahead, block further progress, risking a partial collision if necessary, and refer the instant quarrel to the police, bidding them verify his version of the dispute by telephoning New York.
dashverbUS /dæʃ/
run or move very quickly or hastily
From this reading There he could dash ahead, block further progress, risking a partial collision if necessary, and refer the instant quarrel to the police, bidding them verify his version of the dispute by telephoning New York.
disputeverbUS /dɪsˈpjuːt/
take exception to
From this reading There he could dash ahead, block further progress, risking a partial collision if necessary, and refer the instant quarrel to the police, bidding them verify his version of the dispute by telephoning New York.
being or moving lower in position or less in some value
From this reading The loud rivalry of their straining engines awoke many a wayside dweller, and brought down maledictions on the heads of all midnight joy-riders.
dwellernounUS /ˈdwelər/
a person who inhabits a particular place
From this reading The loud rivalry of their straining engines awoke many a wayside dweller, and brought down maledictions on the heads of all midnight joy-riders.
enginesnounUS /ˈendʒənz/
plural of “engine” — motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work
From this reading The loud rivalry of their straining engines awoke many a wayside dweller, and brought down maledictions on the heads of all midnight joy-riders.
evolvedverbUS /ɪˈvɑːlvd/
past form of “evolve” — work out
From this reading His hastily evolved plan was to hold the kidnappers until they were in the main street of Bridgeport.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE PURSUIT The two automobiles rushed along the Boston Post Road, heading for Bridgeport.
to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (“further” is used more often than “farther” in this abstract sense)
From this reading There he could dash ahead, block further progress, risking a partial collision if necessary, and refer the instant quarrel to the police, bidding them verify his version of the dispute by telephoning New York.
in a hurried or hasty manner
From this reading His hastily evolved plan was to hold the kidnappers until they were in the main street of Bridgeport.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading There he could dash ahead, block further progress, risking a partial collision if necessary, and refer the instant quarrel to the police, bidding them verify his version of the dispute by telephoning New York.
headingnounUS /ˈhedɪŋ/
a line of text serving to indicate what the passage below it is about
From this reading THE PURSUIT The two automobiles rushed along the Boston Post Road, heading for Bridgeport.
plural of “head” — the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading The loud rivalry of their straining engines awoke many a wayside dweller, and brought down maledictions on the heads of all midnight joy-riders.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading Carshaw knew the road well, and his car was slightly superior to the other in speed.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading His hastily evolved plan was to hold the kidnappers until they were in the main street of Bridgeport.
on condition that; in the event that
From this reading There he could dash ahead, block further progress, risking a partial collision if necessary, and refer the instant quarrel to the police, bidding them verify his version of the dispute by telephoning New York.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading Carshaw knew the road well, and his car was slightly superior to the other in speed.
a very short time (as the time it takes the eye to blink or the heart to beat)
From this reading There he could dash ahead, block further progress, risking a partial collision if necessary, and refer the instant quarrel to the police, bidding them verify his version of the dispute by telephoning New York.
joy-riders
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The loud rivalry of their straining engines awoke many a wayside dweller, and brought down maledictions on the heads of all midnight joy-riders.
kidnappersnounUS /ˈkɪdnæpərz/
plural of “kidnapper” — someone who unlawfully seizes and detains a victim (usually for ransom)
From this reading His hastily evolved plan was to hold the kidnappers until they were in the main street of Bridgeport.
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 Carshaw knew the road well, and his car was slightly superior to the other in speed.
characterized by or producing sound of great volume or intensity
From this reading The loud rivalry of their straining engines awoke many a wayside dweller, and brought down maledictions on the heads of all midnight joy-riders.
most important element
From this reading His hastily evolved plan was to hold the kidnappers until they were in the main street of Bridgeport.
maledictions
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading The loud rivalry of their straining engines awoke many a wayside dweller, and brought down maledictions on the heads of all midnight joy-riders.
a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by “as” or “too” or “so” or “that”; amounting to a large but indefinite number
From this reading The loud rivalry of their straining engines awoke many a wayside dweller, and brought down maledictions on the heads of all midnight joy-riders.
12 o'clock at night; the middle of the night
From this reading The loud rivalry of their straining engines awoke many a wayside dweller, and brought down maledictions on the heads of all midnight joy-riders.
absolutely essential
From this reading There he could dash ahead, block further progress, risking a partial collision if necessary, and refer the instant quarrel to the police, bidding them verify his version of the dispute by telephoning New York.
not of long duration; having just (or relatively recently) come into being or been made or acquired or discovered
From this reading There he could dash ahead, block further progress, risking a partial collision if necessary, and refer the instant quarrel to the police, bidding them verify his version of the dispute by telephoning New York.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading The loud rivalry of their straining engines awoke many a wayside dweller, and brought down maledictions on the heads of all midnight joy-riders.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading The loud rivalry of their straining engines awoke many a wayside dweller, and brought down maledictions on the heads of all midnight joy-riders.
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
From this reading Carshaw knew the road well, and his car was slightly superior to the other in speed.
partialadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːrʃəl/
being or affecting only a part; not total
From this reading There he could dash ahead, block further progress, risking a partial collision if necessary, and refer the instant quarrel to the police, bidding them verify his version of the dispute by telephoning New York.
have the will and intention to carry out some action
From this reading His hastily evolved plan was to hold the kidnappers until they were in the main street of Bridgeport.
the force of policemen and officers
From this reading There he could dash ahead, block further progress, risking a partial collision if necessary, and refer the instant quarrel to the police, bidding them verify his version of the dispute by telephoning New York.
affix in a public place or for public notice
From this reading THE PURSUIT The two automobiles rushed along the Boston Post Road, heading for Bridgeport.
gradual improvement or growth or development
From this reading There he could dash ahead, block further progress, risking a partial collision if necessary, and refer the instant quarrel to the police, bidding them verify his version of the dispute by telephoning New York.
the act of pursuing in an effort to overtake or capture
From this reading THE PURSUIT The two automobiles rushed along the Boston Post Road, heading for Bridgeport.
an angry dispute
From this reading There he could dash ahead, block further progress, risking a partial collision if necessary, and refer the instant quarrel to the police, bidding them verify his version of the dispute by telephoning New York.
referverbUS /rəˈfɜːr/
make reference to
From this reading There he could dash ahead, block further progress, risking a partial collision if necessary, and refer the instant quarrel to the police, bidding them verify his version of the dispute by telephoning New York.
riskingverbUS /ˈrɪskɪŋ/
-ing form of “risk” — expose to a chance of loss or damage
From this reading There he could dash ahead, block further progress, risking a partial collision if necessary, and refer the instant quarrel to the police, bidding them verify his version of the dispute by telephoning New York.
rivalrynounUS /ˈraɪvəlri/
the act of competing as for profit or a prize
From this reading The loud rivalry of their straining engines awoke many a wayside dweller, and brought down maledictions on the heads of all midnight joy-riders.
an open way (generally public) for travel or transportation
From this reading THE PURSUIT The two automobiles rushed along the Boston Post Road, heading for Bridgeport.
done under pressure
From this reading THE PURSUIT The two automobiles rushed along the Boston Post Road, heading for Bridgeport.
to a small degree or extent
From this reading Carshaw knew the road well, and his car was slightly superior to the other in speed.
move hurridly
From this reading Carshaw knew the road well, and his car was slightly superior to the other in speed.
strainingnounUS /ˈstreɪnɪŋ/
an intense or violent exertion
From this reading The loud rivalry of their straining engines awoke many a wayside dweller, and brought down maledictions on the heads of all midnight joy-riders.
a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings
From this reading His hastily evolved plan was to hold the kidnappers until they were in the main street of Bridgeport.
of high or superior quality or performance
From this reading Carshaw knew the road well, and his car was slightly superior to the other in speed.
telephoningverbUS /ˈteləfoʊnɪŋ/
-ing form of “telephone” — get or try to get into communication (with someone) by telephone
From this reading There he could dash ahead, block further progress, risking a partial collision if necessary, and refer the instant quarrel to the police, bidding them verify his version of the dispute by telephoning New York.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE PURSUIT The two automobiles rushed along the Boston Post Road, heading for Bridgeport.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading The loud rivalry of their straining engines awoke many a wayside dweller, and brought down maledictions on the heads of all midnight joy-riders.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading There he could dash ahead, block further progress, risking a partial collision if necessary, and refer the instant quarrel to the police, bidding them verify his version of the dispute by telephoning New York.
in or at that place or location
From this reading There he could dash ahead, block further progress, risking a partial collision if necessary, and refer the instant quarrel to the police, bidding them verify his version of the dispute by telephoning New York.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading His hastily evolved plan was to hold the kidnappers until they were in the main street of Bridgeport.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Carshaw knew the road well, and his car was slightly superior to the other in speed.
the cardinal number that is the sum of one and one or a numeral representing this number
From this reading THE PURSUIT The two automobiles rushed along the Boston Post Road, heading for Bridgeport.
untilprepositionUS /ənˈtɪl/
up to a particular time
From this reading His hastily evolved plan was to hold the kidnappers until they were in the main street of Bridgeport.
verifyverbUS /ˈverəfaɪ/
confirm the truth of
From this reading There he could dash ahead, block further progress, risking a partial collision if necessary, and refer the instant quarrel to the police, bidding them verify his version of the dispute by telephoning New York.
versionnounUS /ˈvɜːrʒən/
an interpretation of a matter from a particular viewpoint
From this reading There he could dash ahead, block further progress, risking a partial collision if necessary, and refer the instant quarrel to the police, bidding them verify his version of the dispute by telephoning New York.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading Carshaw knew the road well, and his car was slightly superior to the other in speed.
waysidenounUS /ˈweɪsaɪd/
edge of a way or road or path
From this reading The loud rivalry of their straining engines awoke many a wayside dweller, and brought down maledictions on the heads of all midnight joy-riders.
(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 Carshaw knew the road well, and his car was slightly superior to the other in speed.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading His hastily evolved plan was to hold the kidnappers until they were in the main street of Bridgeport.
the English royal house (a branch of the Plantagenet line) that reigned from 1461 to 1485; its emblem was a white rose
From this reading There he could dash ahead, block further progress, risking a partial collision if necessary, and refer the instant quarrel to the police, bidding them verify his version of the dispute by telephoning New York.
