Chapter XIV

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

From this reading ABOARD THE WRIGHTS’ AIRSHIP Seen high aloft the Wright aëroplane appears so graceful and fragile that its actual dimensions come as a surprise.

on a ship, train, plane or other vehicle

From this reading ABOARD THE WRIGHTS’ AIRSHIP Seen high aloft the Wright aëroplane appears so graceful and fragile that its actual dimensions come as a surprise.

something done (usually as opposed to something said)

From this reading It is far less complicated than any locomotive or steamship, and the action of its planes is far easier to explain than the sails of an ordinary seagoing ship.

presently existing in fact and not merely potential or possible

From this reading ABOARD THE WRIGHTS’ AIRSHIP Seen high aloft the Wright aëroplane appears so graceful and fragile that its actual dimensions come as a surprise.

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

From this reading In the upper air it seems no larger than a swallow, but, as it settles to earth, the wings lengthen out to the width of an ordinary street.

a vehicle that can fly

From this reading When one considers what wonderful feats this aircraft performs, its form and mechanism seem extremely simple.

a steerable self-propelled aircraft

From this reading ABOARD THE WRIGHTS’ AIRSHIP Seen high aloft the Wright aëroplane appears so graceful and fragile that its actual dimensions come as a surprise.

at or on or to the masthead or upper rigging of a ship

From this reading ABOARD THE WRIGHTS’ AIRSHIP Seen high aloft the Wright aëroplane appears so graceful and fragile that its actual dimensions come as a surprise.

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

From this reading In the upper air it seems no larger than a swallow, but, as it settles to earth, the wings lengthen out to the width of an ordinary street.

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

From this reading ABOARD THE WRIGHTS’ AIRSHIP Seen high aloft the Wright aëroplane appears so graceful and fragile that its actual dimensions come as a surprise.

one or some or every or all without specification

From this reading It is far less complicated than any locomotive or steamship, and the action of its planes is far easier to explain than the sails of an ordinary seagoing ship.

third-person singular of “appear” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading ABOARD THE WRIGHTS’ AIRSHIP Seen high aloft the Wright aëroplane appears so graceful and fragile that its actual dimensions come as a surprise.

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

From this reading ABOARD THE WRIGHTS’ AIRSHIP Seen high aloft the Wright aëroplane appears so graceful and fragile that its actual dimensions come as a surprise.

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

From this reading ABOARD THE WRIGHTS’ AIRSHIP Seen high aloft the Wright aëroplane appears so graceful and fragile that its actual dimensions come as a surprise.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading In the upper air it seems no larger than a swallow, but, as it settles to earth, the wings lengthen out to the width of an ordinary street.

move toward, travel toward something or somebody or approach something or somebody

From this reading ABOARD THE WRIGHTS’ AIRSHIP Seen high aloft the Wright aëroplane appears so graceful and fragile that its actual dimensions come as a surprise.

difficult to analyze or understand

From this reading It is far less complicated than any locomotive or steamship, and the action of its planes is far easier to explain than the sails of an ordinary seagoing ship.

third-person singular of “consider” — deem to be

From this reading When one considers what wonderful feats this aircraft performs, its form and mechanism seem extremely simple.

plural of “dimension” — the magnitude of something in a particular direction (especially length or width or height)

From this reading ABOARD THE WRIGHTS’ AIRSHIP Seen high aloft the Wright aëroplane appears so graceful and fragile that its actual dimensions come as a surprise.

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

From this reading There is some good reason for each stick and wire, and for every twist and turn of the Wrights’ marvellous airship.

the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on

From this reading In the upper air it seems no larger than a swallow, but, as it settles to earth, the wings lengthen out to the width of an ordinary street.

comparative of “easy” — posing no difficulty; requiring little effort

From this reading It is far less complicated than any locomotive or steamship, and the action of its planes is far easier to explain than the sails of an ordinary seagoing ship.

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading There is some good reason for each stick and wire, and for every twist and turn of the Wrights’ marvellous airship.

make plain and comprehensible

From this reading It is far less complicated than any locomotive or steamship, and the action of its planes is far easier to explain than the sails of an ordinary seagoing ship.

to a high degree or extent; favorably or with much respect

From this reading When one considers what wonderful feats this aircraft performs, its form and mechanism seem extremely simple.

to a considerable degree; very much

From this reading It is far less complicated than any locomotive or steamship, and the action of its planes is far easier to explain than the sails of an ordinary seagoing ship.

plural of “feat” — a notable achievement

From this reading When one considers what wonderful feats this aircraft performs, its form and mechanism seem extremely simple.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading There is some good reason for each stick and wire, and for every twist and turn of the Wrights’ marvellous airship.

the phonological or orthographic sound or appearance of a word that can be used to describe or identify something

From this reading When one considers what wonderful feats this aircraft performs, its form and mechanism seem extremely simple.

easily broken or damaged or destroyed

From this reading ABOARD THE WRIGHTS’ AIRSHIP Seen high aloft the Wright aëroplane appears so graceful and fragile that its actual dimensions come as a surprise.

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

From this reading There is some good reason for each stick and wire, and for every twist and turn of the Wrights’ marvellous airship.

characterized by beauty of movement, style, form, or execution

From this reading ABOARD THE WRIGHTS’ AIRSHIP Seen high aloft the Wright aëroplane appears so graceful and fragile that its actual dimensions come as a surprise.

greater than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading ABOARD THE WRIGHTS’ AIRSHIP Seen high aloft the Wright aëroplane appears so graceful and fragile that its actual dimensions come as a surprise.

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

From this reading In the upper air it seems no larger than a swallow, but, as it settles to earth, the wings lengthen out to the width of an ordinary street.

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

From this reading There is some good reason for each stick and wire, and for every twist and turn of the Wrights’ marvellous airship.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading In the upper air it seems no larger than a swallow, but, as it settles to earth, the wings lengthen out to the width of an ordinary street.

belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned

From this reading ABOARD THE WRIGHTS’ AIRSHIP Seen high aloft the Wright aëroplane appears so graceful and fragile that its actual dimensions come as a surprise.

large or big relative to something else

From this reading In the upper air it seems no larger than a swallow, but, as it settles to earth, the wings lengthen out to the width of an ordinary street.

make longer

From this reading In the upper air it seems no larger than a swallow, but, as it settles to earth, the wings lengthen out to the width of an ordinary street.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading It is far less complicated than any locomotive or steamship, and the action of its planes is far easier to explain than the sails of an ordinary seagoing ship.

a wheeled vehicle consisting of a self-propelled engine that is used to draw trains along railway tracks

From this reading It is far less complicated than any locomotive or steamship, and the action of its planes is far easier to explain than the sails of an ordinary seagoing ship.

extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers

From this reading There is some good reason for each stick and wire, and for every twist and turn of the Wrights’ marvellous airship.

the atomic process that occurs during a chemical reaction

From this reading When one considers what wonderful feats this aircraft performs, its form and mechanism seem extremely simple.

not any; not one

From this reading In the upper air it seems no larger than a swallow, but, as it settles to earth, the wings lengthen out to the width of an ordinary street.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading In the upper air it seems no larger than a swallow, but, as it settles to earth, the wings lengthen out to the width of an ordinary street.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading When one considers what wonderful feats this aircraft performs, its form and mechanism seem extremely simple.

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading It is far less complicated than any locomotive or steamship, and the action of its planes is far easier to explain than the sails of an ordinary seagoing ship.

a judge of a probate court

From this reading In the upper air it seems no larger than a swallow, but, as it settles to earth, the wings lengthen out to the width of an ordinary street.

not allowed to continue to bat or run

From this reading In the upper air it seems no larger than a swallow, but, as it settles to earth, the wings lengthen out to the width of an ordinary street.

third-person singular of “perform” — carry out or perform an action

From this reading When one considers what wonderful feats this aircraft performs, its form and mechanism seem extremely simple.

plural of “plane” — an aircraft that has a fixed wing and is powered by propellers or jets

From this reading It is far less complicated than any locomotive or steamship, and the action of its planes is far easier to explain than the sails of an ordinary seagoing ship.

a rational motive for a belief or action

From this reading There is some good reason for each stick and wire, and for every twist and turn of the Wrights’ marvellous airship.

plural of “sail” — a large piece of fabric (usually canvas fabric) by means of which wind is used to propel a sailing vessel

From this reading It is far less complicated than any locomotive or steamship, and the action of its planes is far easier to explain than the sails of an ordinary seagoing ship.

used on the high seas

From this reading It is far less complicated than any locomotive or steamship, and the action of its planes is far easier to explain than the sails of an ordinary seagoing ship.

give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading When one considers what wonderful feats this aircraft performs, its form and mechanism seem extremely simple.

third-person singular of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect

From this reading In the upper air it seems no larger than a swallow, but, as it settles to earth, the wings lengthen out to the width of an ordinary street.

inflected form of “see” — perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading ABOARD THE WRIGHTS’ AIRSHIP Seen high aloft the Wright aëroplane appears so graceful and fragile that its actual dimensions come as a surprise.

plural of “settle” — a long wooden bench with a back

From this reading In the upper air it seems no larger than a swallow, but, as it settles to earth, the wings lengthen out to the width of an ordinary street.

transport commercially

From this reading It is far less complicated than any locomotive or steamship, and the action of its planes is far easier to explain than the sails of an ordinary seagoing ship.

having few parts; not complex or complicated or involved

From this reading When one considers what wonderful feats this aircraft performs, its form and mechanism seem extremely simple.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading ABOARD THE WRIGHTS’ AIRSHIP Seen high aloft the Wright aëroplane appears so graceful and fragile that its actual dimensions come as a surprise.

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

From this reading There is some good reason for each stick and wire, and for every twist and turn of the Wrights’ marvellous airship.

a ship powered by one or more steam engines

From this reading It is far less complicated than any locomotive or steamship, and the action of its planes is far easier to explain than the sails of an ordinary seagoing ship.

put, fix, force, or implant

From this reading There is some good reason for each stick and wire, and for every twist and turn of the Wrights’ marvellous airship.

a thoroughfare (usually including sidewalks) that is lined with buildings

From this reading In the upper air it seems no larger than a swallow, but, as it settles to earth, the wings lengthen out to the width of an ordinary street.

the astonishment you feel when something totally unexpected happens to you

From this reading ABOARD THE WRIGHTS’ AIRSHIP Seen high aloft the Wright aëroplane appears so graceful and fragile that its actual dimensions come as a surprise.

pass through the esophagus as part of eating or drinking

From this reading In the upper air it seems no larger than a swallow, but, as it settles to earth, the wings lengthen out to the width of an ordinary street.

used to introduce the second part of a comparison

From this reading In the upper air it seems no larger than a swallow, but, as it settles to earth, the wings lengthen out to the width of an ordinary street.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading ABOARD THE WRIGHTS’ AIRSHIP Seen high aloft the Wright aëroplane appears so graceful and fragile that its actual dimensions come as a surprise.

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

From this reading ABOARD THE WRIGHTS’ AIRSHIP Seen high aloft the Wright aëroplane appears so graceful and fragile that its actual dimensions come as a surprise.

in or at that place or location

From this reading There is some good reason for each stick and wire, and for every twist and turn of the Wrights’ marvellous airship.

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading When one considers what wonderful feats this aircraft performs, its form and mechanism seem extremely simple.

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

From this reading In the upper air it seems no larger than a swallow, but, as it settles to earth, the wings lengthen out to the width of an ordinary street.

change orientation or direction, also in the abstract sense

From this reading There is some good reason for each stick and wire, and for every twist and turn of the Wrights’ marvellous airship.

to move in a twisting or contorted motion, (especially when struggling)

From this reading There is some good reason for each stick and wire, and for every twist and turn of the Wrights’ marvellous airship.

the topmost one of two

From this reading In the upper air it seems no larger than a swallow, but, as it settles to earth, the wings lengthen out to the width of an ordinary street.

used to ask for information about something

From this reading When one considers what wonderful feats this aircraft performs, its form and mechanism seem extremely simple.

at the time that

From this reading When one considers what wonderful feats this aircraft performs, its form and mechanism seem extremely simple.

the extent of something from side to side

From this reading In the upper air it seems no larger than a swallow, but, as it settles to earth, the wings lengthen out to the width of an ordinary street.

a means of flight or ascent

From this reading In the upper air it seems no larger than a swallow, but, as it settles to earth, the wings lengthen out to the width of an ordinary street.

ligament made of metal and used to fasten things or make cages or fences etc

From this reading There is some good reason for each stick and wire, and for every twist and turn of the Wrights’ marvellous airship.

extraordinarily good or great; used especially as intensifiers

From this reading When one considers what wonderful feats this aircraft performs, its form and mechanism seem extremely simple.

United States writer of detective novels (1888-1939)

From this reading ABOARD THE WRIGHTS’ AIRSHIP Seen high aloft the Wright aëroplane appears so graceful and fragile that its actual dimensions come as a surprise.

plural of “wright” — United States writer of detective novels (1888-1939)

From this reading ABOARD THE WRIGHTS’ AIRSHIP Seen high aloft the Wright aëroplane appears so graceful and fragile that its actual dimensions come as a surprise.