used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THIRST—AND A PLOT.
at or in the front
From this reading While the lads in the auto were thus discussing the doleful prospect ahead of them, Frank and Harry were making good time through the upper air on the run toward Cow Wells, which they had noted on their maps as the spot by which they would stop for refreshment.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading While the lads in the auto were thus discussing the doleful prospect ahead of them, Frank and Harry were making good time through the upper air on the run toward Cow Wells, which they had noted on their maps as the spot by which they would stop for refreshment.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THIRST—AND A PLOT.
any thing at all
From this reading “There doesn’t seem to be much of anything there,” remarked Frank, as he looked ahead of him at the collection of ramshackle buildings that they knew from their observations must be Cow Wells.
outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
From this reading As they neared it in due time, from a distance of a mile away they noted its desolate appearance.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading While the lads in the auto were thus discussing the doleful prospect ahead of them, Frank and Harry were making good time through the upper air on the run toward Cow Wells, which they had noted on their maps as the spot by which they would stop for refreshment.
in or near a particular place or position
From this reading “There doesn’t seem to be much of anything there,” remarked Frank, as he looked ahead of him at the collection of ramshackle buildings that they knew from their observations must be Cow Wells.
autonounUS /ˈɔːtoʊ/
a motor vehicle with four wheels; usually propelled by an internal combustion engine
From this reading While the lads in the auto were thus discussing the doleful prospect ahead of them, Frank and Harry were making good time through the upper air on the run toward Cow Wells, which they had noted on their maps as the spot by which they would stop for refreshment.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading As they neared it in due time, from a distance of a mile away they noted its desolate appearance.
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading “There doesn’t seem to be much of anything there,” remarked Frank, as he looked ahead of him at the collection of ramshackle buildings that they knew from their observations must be Cow Wells.
plural of “building” — a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading “There doesn’t seem to be much of anything there,” remarked Frank, as he looked ahead of him at the collection of ramshackle buildings that they knew from their observations must be Cow Wells.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading While the lads in the auto were thus discussing the doleful prospect ahead of them, Frank and Harry were making good time through the upper air on the run toward Cow Wells, which they had noted on their maps as the spot by which they would stop for refreshment.
collectionnounUS /kəˈlekʃən/
several things grouped together or considered as a whole
From this reading “There doesn’t seem to be much of anything there,” remarked Frank, as he looked ahead of him at the collection of ramshackle buildings that they knew from their observations must be Cow Wells.
CownounUS /kaʊ/
female of domestic cattle: "“moo-cow” is a child's term"
From this reading While the lads in the auto were thus discussing the doleful prospect ahead of them, Frank and Harry were making good time through the upper air on the run toward Cow Wells, which they had noted on their maps as the spot by which they would stop for refreshment.
made known or openly avowed
From this reading “I don’t see a soul moving,” declared Harry.
desolateadjectiveUS /ˈdesələt/
providing no shelter or sustenance
From this reading As they neared it in due time, from a distance of a mile away they noted its desolate appearance.
discussingverbUS /dɪˈskʌsɪŋ/
-ing form of “discuss” — to consider or examine in speech or writing
From this reading While the lads in the auto were thus discussing the doleful prospect ahead of them, Frank and Harry were making good time through the upper air on the run toward Cow Wells, which they had noted on their maps as the spot by which they would stop for refreshment.
the property created by the space between two objects or points
From this reading As they neared it in due time, from a distance of a mile away they noted its desolate appearance.
doesn't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “There doesn’t seem to be much of anything there,” remarked Frank, as he looked ahead of him at the collection of ramshackle buildings that they knew from their observations must be Cow Wells.
dolefuladjectiveUS /ˈdoʊlfəl/
filled with or evoking sadness
From this reading While the lads in the auto were thus discussing the doleful prospect ahead of them, Frank and Harry were making good time through the upper air on the run toward Cow Wells, which they had noted on their maps as the spot by which they would stop for refreshment.
don't
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “I don’t see a soul moving,” declared Harry.
owed and payable immediately or on demand
From this reading As they neared it in due time, from a distance of a mile away they noted its desolate appearance.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading While the lads in the auto were thus discussing the doleful prospect ahead of them, Frank and Harry were making good time through the upper air on the run toward Cow Wells, which they had noted on their maps as the spot by which they would stop for refreshment.
characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
From this reading While the lads in the auto were thus discussing the doleful prospect ahead of them, Frank and Harry were making good time through the upper air on the run toward Cow Wells, which they had noted on their maps as the spot by which they would stop for refreshment.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading As they neared it in due time, from a distance of a mile away they noted its desolate appearance.
having desirable or positive qualities especially those suitable for a thing specified
From this reading While the lads in the auto were thus discussing the doleful prospect ahead of them, Frank and Harry were making good time through the upper air on the run toward Cow Wells, which they had noted on their maps as the spot by which they would stop for refreshment.
hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/
the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect
From this reading While the lads in the auto were thus discussing the doleful prospect ahead of them, Frank and Harry were making good time through the upper air on the run toward Cow Wells, which they had noted on their maps as the spot by which they would stop for refreshment.
annoy continually or chronically
From this reading While the lads in the auto were thus discussing the doleful prospect ahead of them, Frank and Harry were making good time through the upper air on the run toward Cow Wells, which they had noted on their maps as the spot by which they would stop for refreshment.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “There doesn’t seem to be much of anything there,” remarked Frank, as he looked ahead of him at the collection of ramshackle buildings that they knew from their observations must be Cow Wells.
the male already mentioned, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading “There doesn’t seem to be much of anything there,” remarked Frank, as he looked ahead of him at the collection of ramshackle buildings that they knew from their observations must be Cow Wells.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading “I don’t see a soul moving,” declared Harry.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading While the lads in the auto were thus discussing the doleful prospect ahead of them, Frank and Harry were making good time through the upper air on the run toward Cow Wells, which they had noted on their maps as the spot by which they would stop for refreshment.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading As they neared it in due time, from a distance of a mile away they noted its desolate appearance.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading As they neared it in due time, from a distance of a mile away they noted its desolate appearance.
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 “There doesn’t seem to be much of anything there,” remarked Frank, as he looked ahead of him at the collection of ramshackle buildings that they knew from their observations must be Cow Wells.
plural of “lad” — a boy or man
From this reading While the lads in the auto were thus discussing the doleful prospect ahead of them, Frank and Harry were making good time through the upper air on the run toward Cow Wells, which they had noted on their maps as the spot by which they would stop for refreshment.
past form of “look” — perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
From this reading “There doesn’t seem to be much of anything there,” remarked Frank, as he looked ahead of him at the collection of ramshackle buildings that they knew from their observations must be Cow Wells.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading While the lads in the auto were thus discussing the doleful prospect ahead of them, Frank and Harry were making good time through the upper air on the run toward Cow Wells, which they had noted on their maps as the spot by which they would stop for refreshment.
mapsnounUS /mæps/
plural of “map” — a diagrammatic representation of the earth's surface (or part of it)
From this reading While the lads in the auto were thus discussing the doleful prospect ahead of them, Frank and Harry were making good time through the upper air on the run toward Cow Wells, which they had noted on their maps as the spot by which they would stop for refreshment.
a unit of length equal to 1,760 yards or 5,280 feet; exactly 1609.344 meters
From this reading As they neared it in due time, from a distance of a mile away they noted its desolate appearance.
in motion
From this reading “I don’t see a soul moving,” declared Harry.
to a great degree or extent
From this reading “There doesn’t seem to be much of anything there,” remarked Frank, as he looked ahead of him at the collection of ramshackle buildings that they knew from their observations must be Cow Wells.
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading “There doesn’t seem to be much of anything there,” remarked Frank, as he looked ahead of him at the collection of ramshackle buildings that they knew from their observations must be Cow Wells.
nearedverbUS /nɪrd/
past form of “near” — move towards
From this reading As they neared it in due time, from a distance of a mile away they noted its desolate appearance.
notedadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊtəd/
widely known and esteemed
From this reading While the lads in the auto were thus discussing the doleful prospect ahead of them, Frank and Harry were making good time through the upper air on the run toward Cow Wells, which they had noted on their maps as the spot by which they would stop for refreshment.
observationsnounUS /ˌɑːbzərˈveɪʃənz/
plural of “observation” — the act of making and recording a measurement
From this reading “There doesn’t seem to be much of anything there,” remarked Frank, as he looked ahead of him at the collection of ramshackle buildings that they knew from their observations must be Cow Wells.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading While the lads in the auto were thus discussing the doleful prospect ahead of them, Frank and Harry were making good time through the upper air on the run toward Cow Wells, which they had noted on their maps as the spot by which they would stop for refreshment.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading While the lads in the auto were thus discussing the doleful prospect ahead of them, Frank and Harry were making good time through the upper air on the run toward Cow Wells, which they had noted on their maps as the spot by which they would stop for refreshment.
PLOTnounUS /plɑːt/
a secret scheme to do something (especially something underhand or illegal)
From this reading THIRST—AND A PLOT.
the possibility of future success
From this reading While the lads in the auto were thus discussing the doleful prospect ahead of them, Frank and Harry were making good time through the upper air on the run toward Cow Wells, which they had noted on their maps as the spot by which they would stop for refreshment.
ramshackleadjectiveUS /ˈræmʃækəl/
in deplorable condition
From this reading “There doesn’t seem to be much of anything there,” remarked Frank, as he looked ahead of him at the collection of ramshackle buildings that they knew from their observations must be Cow Wells.
refreshmentnounUS /rəˈfreʃmənt/
snacks and drinks served as a light meal
From this reading While the lads in the auto were thus discussing the doleful prospect ahead of them, Frank and Harry were making good time through the upper air on the run toward Cow Wells, which they had noted on their maps as the spot by which they would stop for refreshment.
past form of “remark” — make mention of
From this reading “There doesn’t seem to be much of anything there,” remarked Frank, as he looked ahead of him at the collection of ramshackle buildings that they knew from their observations must be Cow Wells.
move fast by using one's feet, with one foot off the ground at any given time
From this reading While the lads in the auto were thus discussing the doleful prospect ahead of them, Frank and Harry were making good time through the upper air on the run toward Cow Wells, which they had noted on their maps as the spot by which they would stop for refreshment.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading “I don’t see a soul moving,” declared Harry.
give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading “There doesn’t seem to be much of anything there,” remarked Frank, as he looked ahead of him at the collection of ramshackle buildings that they knew from their observations must be Cow Wells.
the immaterial part of a person; the actuating cause of an individual life
From this reading “I don’t see a soul moving,” declared Harry.
a point located with respect to surface features of some region
From this reading While the lads in the auto were thus discussing the doleful prospect ahead of them, Frank and Harry were making good time through the upper air on the run toward Cow Wells, which they had noted on their maps as the spot by which they would stop for refreshment.
come to a halt, stop moving
From this reading While the lads in the auto were thus discussing the doleful prospect ahead of them, Frank and Harry were making good time through the upper air on the run toward Cow Wells, which they had noted on their maps as the spot by which they would stop for refreshment.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading “There doesn’t seem to be much of anything there,” remarked Frank, as he looked ahead of him at the collection of ramshackle buildings that they knew from their observations must be Cow Wells.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading While the lads in the auto were thus discussing the doleful prospect ahead of them, Frank and Harry were making good time through the upper air on the run toward Cow Wells, which they had noted on their maps as the spot by which they would stop for refreshment.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading While the lads in the auto were thus discussing the doleful prospect ahead of them, Frank and Harry were making good time through the upper air on the run toward Cow Wells, which they had noted on their maps as the spot by which they would stop for refreshment.
the people or things already mentioned, as the object
From this reading While the lads in the auto were thus discussing the doleful prospect ahead of them, Frank and Harry were making good time through the upper air on the run toward Cow Wells, which they had noted on their maps as the spot by which they would stop for refreshment.
in or at that place or location
From this reading “There doesn’t seem to be much of anything there,” remarked Frank, as he looked ahead of him at the collection of ramshackle buildings that they knew from their observations must be Cow Wells.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading While the lads in the auto were thus discussing the doleful prospect ahead of them, Frank and Harry were making good time through the upper air on the run toward Cow Wells, which they had noted on their maps as the spot by which they would stop for refreshment.
THIRSTnounUS /θɜːrst/
a physiological need to drink
From this reading THIRST—AND A PLOT.
from one end or side of something to the other
From this reading While the lads in the auto were thus discussing the doleful prospect ahead of them, Frank and Harry were making good time through the upper air on the run toward Cow Wells, which they had noted on their maps as the spot by which they would stop for refreshment.
(used to introduce a logical conclusion) from that fact or reason or as a result
From this reading While the lads in the auto were thus discussing the doleful prospect ahead of them, Frank and Harry were making good time through the upper air on the run toward Cow Wells, which they had noted on their maps as the spot by which they would stop for refreshment.
an instance or single occasion for some event
From this reading While the lads in the auto were thus discussing the doleful prospect ahead of them, Frank and Harry were making good time through the upper air on the run toward Cow Wells, which they had noted on their maps as the spot by which they would stop for refreshment.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading “There doesn’t seem to be much of anything there,” remarked Frank, as he looked ahead of him at the collection of ramshackle buildings that they knew from their observations must be Cow Wells.
towardprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrd/
in the direction of
From this reading While the lads in the auto were thus discussing the doleful prospect ahead of them, Frank and Harry were making good time through the upper air on the run toward Cow Wells, which they had noted on their maps as the spot by which they would stop for refreshment.
the topmost one of two
From this reading While the lads in the auto were thus discussing the doleful prospect ahead of them, Frank and Harry were making good time through the upper air on the run toward Cow Wells, which they had noted on their maps as the spot by which they would stop for refreshment.
WellsnounUS /welz/
prolific English writer best known for his science-fiction novels; he also wrote on contemporary social problems and wrote popular accounts of history and science (1866-1946)
From this reading While the lads in the auto were thus discussing the doleful prospect ahead of them, Frank and Harry were making good time through the upper air on the run toward Cow Wells, which they had noted on their maps as the spot by which they would stop for refreshment.
wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/
the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading While the lads in the auto were thus discussing the doleful prospect ahead of them, Frank and Harry were making good time through the upper air on the run toward Cow Wells, which they had noted on their maps as the spot by which they would stop for refreshment.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading While the lads in the auto were thus discussing the doleful prospect ahead of them, Frank and Harry were making good time through the upper air on the run toward Cow Wells, which they had noted on their maps as the spot by which they would stop for refreshment.
WhileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading While the lads in the auto were thus discussing the doleful prospect ahead of them, Frank and Harry were making good time through the upper air on the run toward Cow Wells, which they had noted on their maps as the spot by which they would stop for refreshment.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading While the lads in the auto were thus discussing the doleful prospect ahead of them, Frank and Harry were making good time through the upper air on the run toward Cow Wells, which they had noted on their maps as the spot by which they would stop for refreshment.
