1878
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading “Late in the autumn of 1878” they tell the story, “our father came into the house one evening with some object partially concealed in his hands, and before we could see what it was, he tossed it into the air.
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE WRIGHT BROTHERS’ OWN STORY The Wright Brothers brought to their work a genius for invention and, making free use of the results of former investigation and experiment, finally succeeded in building a heavier than air machine which would actually fly.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading Instead of falling to the floor, as we expected, it flew across the room till it struck the ceiling, where it fluttered for a while, and finally sank to the floor.
in actual fact
From this reading THE WRIGHT BROTHERS’ OWN STORY The Wright Brothers brought to their work a genius for invention and, making free use of the results of former investigation and experiment, finally succeeded in building a heavier than air machine which would actually fly.
a mixture of gases (especially oxygen) required for breathing; the stuff that the wind consists of
From this reading THE WRIGHT BROTHERS’ OWN STORY The Wright Brothers brought to their work a genius for invention and, making free use of the results of former investigation and experiment, finally succeeded in building a heavier than air machine which would actually fly.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading THE WRIGHT BROTHERS’ OWN STORY The Wright Brothers brought to their work a genius for invention and, making free use of the results of former investigation and experiment, finally succeeded in building a heavier than air machine which would actually fly.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Instead of falling to the floor, as we expected, it flew across the room till it struck the ceiling, where it fluttered for a while, and finally sank to the floor.
the season when the leaves fall from the trees
From this reading “Late in the autumn of 1878” they tell the story, “our father came into the house one evening with some object partially concealed in his hands, and before we could see what it was, he tossed it into the air.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading “Late in the autumn of 1878” they tell the story, “our father came into the house one evening with some object partially concealed in his hands, and before we could see what it was, he tossed it into the air.
plural of “brother” — a male with the same parents as someone else
From this reading THE WRIGHT BROTHERS’ OWN STORY The Wright Brothers brought to their work a genius for invention and, making free use of the results of former investigation and experiment, finally succeeded in building a heavier than air machine which would actually fly.
inflected form of “bring” — take something or somebody with oneself somewhere
From this reading THE WRIGHT BROTHERS’ OWN STORY The Wright Brothers brought to their work a genius for invention and, making free use of the results of former investigation and experiment, finally succeeded in building a heavier than air machine which would actually fly.
a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place
From this reading THE WRIGHT BROTHERS’ OWN STORY The Wright Brothers brought to their work a genius for invention and, making free use of the results of former investigation and experiment, finally succeeded in building a heavier than air machine which would actually fly.
inflected form of “come” — move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody
From this reading “Late in the autumn of 1878” they tell the story, “our father came into the house one evening with some object partially concealed in his hands, and before we could see what it was, he tossed it into the air.
ceilingnounUS /ˈsiːlɪŋ/
the overhead upper surface of a covered space
From this reading Instead of falling to the floor, as we expected, it flew across the room till it struck the ceiling, where it fluttered for a while, and finally sank to the floor.
chaptersnounUS /ˈtʃæptərz/
plural of “chapter” — a subdivision of a written work; usually numbered and titled
From this reading The story of their experiments and final success, which one may read in their own words, forms one of the most fascinating chapters in the history of invention.
not accessible to view
From this reading “Late in the autumn of 1878” they tell the story, “our father came into the house one evening with some object partially concealed in his hands, and before we could see what it was, he tossed it into the air.
the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests
From this reading “Late in the autumn of 1878” they tell the story, “our father came into the house one evening with some object partially concealed in his hands, and before we could see what it was, he tossed it into the air.
the latter part of the day (the period of decreasing daylight from late afternoon until nightfall)
From this reading “Late in the autumn of 1878” they tell the story, “our father came into the house one evening with some object partially concealed in his hands, and before we could see what it was, he tossed it into the air.
considered likely or probable to happen or arrive
From this reading Instead of falling to the floor, as we expected, it flew across the room till it struck the ceiling, where it fluttered for a while, and finally sank to the floor.
experimentnounUS /ɪkˈsperəmənt/
the act of conducting a controlled test or investigation
From this reading THE WRIGHT BROTHERS’ OWN STORY The Wright Brothers brought to their work a genius for invention and, making free use of the results of former investigation and experiment, finally succeeded in building a heavier than air machine which would actually fly.
experimentsnounUS /ɪkˈsperəmənts/
plural of “experiment” — the act of conducting a controlled test or investigation
From this reading The story of their experiments and final success, which one may read in their own words, forms one of the most fascinating chapters in the history of invention.
decreasing in amount or degree
From this reading Instead of falling to the floor, as we expected, it flew across the room till it struck the ceiling, where it fluttered for a while, and finally sank to the floor.
fascinatingadjectiveUS /ˈfæsəneɪtɪŋ/
capable of arousing and holding the attention
From this reading The story of their experiments and final success, which one may read in their own words, forms one of the most fascinating chapters in the history of invention.
a male parent (also used as a term of address to your father)
From this reading “Late in the autumn of 1878” they tell the story, “our father came into the house one evening with some object partially concealed in his hands, and before we could see what it was, he tossed it into the air.
finaladjectiveUS /ˈfaɪnəl/
occurring at or forming an end or termination
From this reading The story of their experiments and final success, which one may read in their own words, forms one of the most fascinating chapters in the history of invention.
after an unspecified period of time or an especially long delay
From this reading THE WRIGHT BROTHERS’ OWN STORY The Wright Brothers brought to their work a genius for invention and, making free use of the results of former investigation and experiment, finally succeeded in building a heavier than air machine which would actually fly.
firstadjectiveUS /fɜːrst/
preceding all others in time or space or degree
From this reading The Wright Brothers’ first flying machine was a mere toy.
inflected form of “fly” — travel through the air; be airborne
From this reading Instead of falling to the floor, as we expected, it flew across the room till it struck the ceiling, where it fluttered for a while, and finally sank to the floor.
the inside lower horizontal surface (as of a room, hallway, tent, or other structure)
From this reading Instead of falling to the floor, as we expected, it flew across the room till it struck the ceiling, where it fluttered for a while, and finally sank to the floor.
flutteredverbUS /ˈflʌtərd/
past form of “flutter” — move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart
From this reading Instead of falling to the floor, as we expected, it flew across the room till it struck the ceiling, where it fluttered for a while, and finally sank to the floor.
travel through the air; be airborne
From this reading THE WRIGHT BROTHERS’ OWN STORY The Wright Brothers brought to their work a genius for invention and, making free use of the results of former investigation and experiment, finally succeeded in building a heavier than air machine which would actually fly.
moving swiftly
From this reading The Wright Brothers’ first flying machine was a mere toy.
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading THE WRIGHT BROTHERS’ OWN STORY The Wright Brothers brought to their work a genius for invention and, making free use of the results of former investigation and experiment, finally succeeded in building a heavier than air machine which would actually fly.
referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several)
From this reading THE WRIGHT BROTHERS’ OWN STORY The Wright Brothers brought to their work a genius for invention and, making free use of the results of former investigation and experiment, finally succeeded in building a heavier than air machine which would actually fly.
plural of “form” — the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something
From this reading The story of their experiments and final success, which one may read in their own words, forms one of the most fascinating chapters in the history of invention.
grant freedom to; free from confinement
From this reading THE WRIGHT BROTHERS’ OWN STORY The Wright Brothers brought to their work a genius for invention and, making free use of the results of former investigation and experiment, finally succeeded in building a heavier than air machine which would actually fly.
someone who has exceptional intellectual ability and originality
From this reading THE WRIGHT BROTHERS’ OWN STORY The Wright Brothers brought to their work a genius for invention and, making free use of the results of former investigation and experiment, finally succeeded in building a heavier than air machine which would actually fly.
(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child
From this reading “Late in the autumn of 1878” they tell the story, “our father came into the house one evening with some object partially concealed in his hands, and before we could see what it was, he tossed it into the air.
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “Late in the autumn of 1878” they tell the story, “our father came into the house one evening with some object partially concealed in his hands, and before we could see what it was, he tossed it into the air.
heavieradjectiveUS /ˈheviər/
comparative of “heavy” — of comparatively great physical weight or density
From this reading THE WRIGHT BROTHERS’ OWN STORY The Wright Brothers brought to their work a genius for invention and, making free use of the results of former investigation and experiment, finally succeeded in building a heavier than air machine which would actually fly.
belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned
From this reading “Late in the autumn of 1878” they tell the story, “our father came into the house one evening with some object partially concealed in his hands, and before we could see what it was, he tossed it into the air.
the aggregate of past events
From this reading The story of their experiments and final success, which one may read in their own words, forms one of the most fascinating chapters in the history of invention.
a dwelling that serves as living quarters for one or more families
From this reading “Late in the autumn of 1878” they tell the story, “our father came into the house one evening with some object partially concealed in his hands, and before we could see what it was, he tossed it into the air.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading THE WRIGHT BROTHERS’ OWN STORY The Wright Brothers brought to their work a genius for invention and, making free use of the results of former investigation and experiment, finally succeeded in building a heavier than air machine which would actually fly.
in place of, or as an alternative to
From this reading Instead of falling to the floor, as we expected, it flew across the room till it struck the ceiling, where it fluttered for a while, and finally sank to the floor.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading “Late in the autumn of 1878” they tell the story, “our father came into the house one evening with some object partially concealed in his hands, and before we could see what it was, he tossed it into the air.
inventionnounUS /ˌɪnˈvenʃən/
the creation of something in the mind
From this reading THE WRIGHT BROTHERS’ OWN STORY The Wright Brothers brought to their work a genius for invention and, making free use of the results of former investigation and experiment, finally succeeded in building a heavier than air machine which would actually fly.
investigationnounUS /ˌɪnvestəˈɡeɪʃən/
an inquiry into unfamiliar or questionable activities
From this reading THE WRIGHT BROTHERS’ OWN STORY The Wright Brothers brought to their work a genius for invention and, making free use of the results of former investigation and experiment, finally succeeded in building a heavier than air machine which would actually fly.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading “Late in the autumn of 1878” they tell the story, “our father came into the house one evening with some object partially concealed in his hands, and before we could see what it was, he tossed it into the air.
being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time
From this reading “Late in the autumn of 1878” they tell the story, “our father came into the house one evening with some object partially concealed in his hands, and before we could see what it was, he tossed it into the air.
any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks
From this reading THE WRIGHT BROTHERS’ OWN STORY The Wright Brothers brought to their work a genius for invention and, making free use of the results of former investigation and experiment, finally succeeded in building a heavier than air machine which would actually fly.
the act that results in something coming to be
From this reading THE WRIGHT BROTHERS’ OWN STORY The Wright Brothers brought to their work a genius for invention and, making free use of the results of former investigation and experiment, finally succeeded in building a heavier than air machine which would actually fly.
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading The story of their experiments and final success, which one may read in their own words, forms one of the most fascinating chapters in the history of invention.
being nothing more than specified
From this reading The Wright Brothers’ first flying machine was a mere toy.
used to form the superlative
From this reading The story of their experiments and final success, which one may read in their own words, forms one of the most fascinating chapters in the history of invention.
a tangible and visible entity; an entity that can cast a shadow
From this reading “Late in the autumn of 1878” they tell the story, “our father came into the house one evening with some object partially concealed in his hands, and before we could see what it was, he tossed it into the air.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE WRIGHT BROTHERS’ OWN STORY The Wright Brothers brought to their work a genius for invention and, making free use of the results of former investigation and experiment, finally succeeded in building a heavier than air machine which would actually fly.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading The story of their experiments and final success, which one may read in their own words, forms one of the most fascinating chapters in the history of invention.
belonging to the speaker and others
From this reading “Late in the autumn of 1878” they tell the story, “our father came into the house one evening with some object partially concealed in his hands, and before we could see what it was, he tossed it into the air.
have ownership or possession of
From this reading THE WRIGHT BROTHERS’ OWN STORY The Wright Brothers brought to their work a genius for invention and, making free use of the results of former investigation and experiment, finally succeeded in building a heavier than air machine which would actually fly.
partiallyadverbUS /ˈpɑːrʃəli/
to some extent; in some degree; not wholly
From this reading “Late in the autumn of 1878” they tell the story, “our father came into the house one evening with some object partially concealed in his hands, and before we could see what it was, he tossed it into the air.
interpret something that is written or printed
From this reading The story of their experiments and final success, which one may read in their own words, forms one of the most fascinating chapters in the history of invention.
resultsnounUS /rɪˈzʌlts/
plural of “result” — a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
From this reading THE WRIGHT BROTHERS’ OWN STORY The Wright Brothers brought to their work a genius for invention and, making free use of the results of former investigation and experiment, finally succeeded in building a heavier than air machine which would actually fly.
an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling
From this reading Instead of falling to the floor, as we expected, it flew across the room till it struck the ceiling, where it fluttered for a while, and finally sank to the floor.
inflected form of “sink” — fall or descend to a lower place or level
From this reading Instead of falling to the floor, as we expected, it flew across the room till it struck the ceiling, where it fluttered for a while, and finally sank to the floor.
perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
From this reading “Late in the autumn of 1878” they tell the story, “our father came into the house one evening with some object partially concealed in his hands, and before we could see what it was, he tossed it into the air.
(quantifier) used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns to indicate an unspecified number or quantity
From this reading “Late in the autumn of 1878” they tell the story, “our father came into the house one evening with some object partially concealed in his hands, and before we could see what it was, he tossed it into the air.
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
From this reading THE WRIGHT BROTHERS’ OWN STORY The Wright Brothers brought to their work a genius for invention and, making free use of the results of former investigation and experiment, finally succeeded in building a heavier than air machine which would actually fly.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading Instead of falling to the floor, as we expected, it flew across the room till it struck the ceiling, where it fluttered for a while, and finally sank to the floor.
past form of “succeed” — attain success or reach a desired goal
From this reading THE WRIGHT BROTHERS’ OWN STORY The Wright Brothers brought to their work a genius for invention and, making free use of the results of former investigation and experiment, finally succeeded in building a heavier than air machine which would actually fly.
an event that accomplishes its intended purpose
From this reading The story of their experiments and final success, which one may read in their own words, forms one of the most fascinating chapters in the history of invention.
express in words
From this reading “Late in the autumn of 1878” they tell the story, “our father came into the house one evening with some object partially concealed in his hands, and before we could see what it was, he tossed it into the air.
used to introduce the second part of a comparison
From this reading THE WRIGHT BROTHERS’ OWN STORY The Wright Brothers brought to their work a genius for invention and, making free use of the results of former investigation and experiment, finally succeeded in building a heavier than air machine which would actually fly.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE WRIGHT BROTHERS’ OWN STORY The Wright Brothers brought to their work a genius for invention and, making free use of the results of former investigation and experiment, finally succeeded in building a heavier than air machine which would actually fly.
belonging to the people or things already mentioned
From this reading THE WRIGHT BROTHERS’ OWN STORY The Wright Brothers brought to their work a genius for invention and, making free use of the results of former investigation and experiment, finally succeeded in building a heavier than air machine which would actually fly.
the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading “Late in the autumn of 1878” they tell the story, “our father came into the house one evening with some object partially concealed in his hands, and before we could see what it was, he tossed it into the air.
up to a particular time
From this reading Instead of falling to the floor, as we expected, it flew across the room till it struck the ceiling, where it fluttered for a while, and finally sank to the floor.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading THE WRIGHT BROTHERS’ OWN STORY The Wright Brothers brought to their work a genius for invention and, making free use of the results of former investigation and experiment, finally succeeded in building a heavier than air machine which would actually fly.
tossedverbUS /tɔːst/
past form of “toss” — throw or toss with a light motion
From this reading “Late in the autumn of 1878” they tell the story, “our father came into the house one evening with some object partially concealed in his hands, and before we could see what it was, he tossed it into the air.
toynounUS /tɔɪ/
an artifact designed to be played with
From this reading The Wright Brothers’ first flying machine was a mere toy.
the act of using
From this reading THE WRIGHT BROTHERS’ OWN STORY The Wright Brothers brought to their work a genius for invention and, making free use of the results of former investigation and experiment, finally succeeded in building a heavier than air machine which would actually fly.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading The Wright Brothers’ first flying machine was a mere toy.
the speaker together with one or more other people
From this reading “Late in the autumn of 1878” they tell the story, “our father came into the house one evening with some object partially concealed in his hands, and before we could see what it was, he tossed it into the air.
used to ask for information about something
From this reading “Late in the autumn of 1878” they tell the story, “our father came into the house one evening with some object partially concealed in his hands, and before we could see what it was, he tossed it into the air.
in or at the place that
From this reading Instead of falling to the floor, as we expected, it flew across the room till it struck the ceiling, where it fluttered for a while, and finally sank to the floor.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading THE WRIGHT BROTHERS’ OWN STORY The Wright Brothers brought to their work a genius for invention and, making free use of the results of former investigation and experiment, finally succeeded in building a heavier than air machine which would actually fly.
whileconjunctionUS /waɪl/
during the time that
From this reading Instead of falling to the floor, as we expected, it flew across the room till it struck the ceiling, where it fluttered for a while, and finally sank to the floor.
in the company of; together with
From this reading “Late in the autumn of 1878” they tell the story, “our father came into the house one evening with some object partially concealed in his hands, and before we could see what it was, he tossed it into the air.
the words that are spoken
From this reading The story of their experiments and final success, which one may read in their own words, forms one of the most fascinating chapters in the history of invention.
exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity
From this reading THE WRIGHT BROTHERS’ OWN STORY The Wright Brothers brought to their work a genius for invention and, making free use of the results of former investigation and experiment, finally succeeded in building a heavier than air machine which would actually fly.
used for something imagined, polite, or habitual in the past
From this reading THE WRIGHT BROTHERS’ OWN STORY The Wright Brothers brought to their work a genius for invention and, making free use of the results of former investigation and experiment, finally succeeded in building a heavier than air machine which would actually fly.
WRIGHTnounUS /raɪt/
United States writer of detective novels (1888-1939)
From this reading THE WRIGHT BROTHERS’ OWN STORY The Wright Brothers brought to their work a genius for invention and, making free use of the results of former investigation and experiment, finally succeeded in building a heavier than air machine which would actually fly.
